| From the Richmond Dispatch |
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| February 21, 1865 |
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| Virginia House of Delegates |
| Mr. Baskerville called up the
bill to loan six hundred thousand dollars to the Roanoke Valley Railroad
Company, to aid the company in completing its connections, and forming
a double line to Greensboro', in the State of North Carolina. Mr.
Baskerville said there were reasons why this enterprise should be
immediately carried out. He had letters from the General-in-Chief of
our armies, and every one of the heads of departments, urging the
passage of this bill. |
| The bill, on Mr. Baskerville's
motion, was taken up and ordered to its engrossment. |
| {This would have
provided a route from Raleigh to a place on the Richmond &
Danville RR about half way between Danville and Burkeville. There
would have still been only a single line from the junction to
Burkeville and into Richmond. As long as the South Side RR remained
open, there would also have continued to be a route from Burkeville to
Petersburg. The Roanoke Valley RR iron had already been removed, so
iron would have been necessary for the entire 50+ mile route
connecting the Richmond & Danville RR with the Raleigh &
Gaston RR. Labor (slaves) would have been very difficult to procure
because of the proximity of the Union forces. Even if iron and rolling
stock could be had from the Petersburg RR, what products would be
available to ship to Lee, since this discussion was after the fall of
Ft. Fisher?} |
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