| Demopolis, March 10, 1864 |
|
|
| I have an investigation and
report upon the damage done the railroads by the enemy in their late
movements upon this department, and herewith inclose it for
information of the War Department. The day after the enemy retreated
from Meridian I ordered the concentration of large working parties
upon these roads for their reconstruction. You will see from the
report they will all be finished in twenty days, excepting the
Meridian and Jackson road. I shall increase the force upon that and
shorten the time allotted for its completion. About 60 miles of
telegraphic connections were destroyed. They have all been
reconstructed, and all the roads and communications are
re-established. They will connect with Jackson and Canton in a few
days. |
| Respectfully, your obedient servant |
| L. Polk |
| Lieutenant-General, Commanding. |
| |
| General Cooper |
| Adjutant and Inspector General |
| |
|
First
indorsement |
| March 22, 1864 |
| Respectfully submitted to
the President for information. |
| The injuries done by the
enemy to the railroads were very serious, but General Polk is
proceeding with great zeal and energy to repair them. The
interruption to communication will not be longer than was
anticipated. |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
|
Second
indorsement |
| March 24, 1864 |
| |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| I have read with
gratification the within statement of energetic and successful
efforts to restore lines of communication in the department
commanded by General Polk. |
| Respectfully returned. |
| Jeff'n Davis |
| |
|
Third indorsement |
| March 26, 1864 |
| |
| Communicate to General P.
the President's indorsement, which will be gratifying to him. |
| J. A. S. |
| Secretary |
| |
|
Inclosure |
| Demopolis, Ala., March 8, 1864 |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Below please find report of
damage done the railroads by the enemy in their late movement on and
occupation of Meridian: |
|
Southern {(of Mississippi)} Railroad |
| Between Jackson and
Meridian--4 bridges entirely destroyed, aggregate length, 950 feet;
47 bridges entirely destroyed, aggregate length 3,248 feet; 4 miles
of track torn up, iron badly burned and bent, and most of the
cross-ties burned. Five thousand cross-ties will be required, 300 {about
6,300 feet of rail} bars of iron, and 500,000 feet of bridge timbers to complete the
work. It can be done in forty days. |
| |
|
Alabama
& Mississippi Rivers Railroad |
| Between Demopolis and
Meridian--3 bridges entirely destroyed, aggregate length 160 feet; 5
pieces of trestle-work destroyed, aggregate length 600 feet; 9 miles
track torn up, iron badly burned and bent, and about one-half the
cross-ties burned; 100 rails entirely rendered unfit for service. |
| |
|
Mobile
& Ohio Railroad |
| Sixteen miles of track torn
up, iron badly burned, and most of the cross-ties burned; 5 miles
iron torn up, but not burned; the bridges and trestles all burned on
47 miles of road from a point 5 miles below Quitman to Lauderdale
Springs and track torn up in spots. The worst destroyed track is
between Enterprise and Marion Station. The bridging and trestling is
of such character that it can be put up as rapidly as the iron can
be straightened and the track laid. Two hundred and fifty-six negro
laborers were at work on Saturday last and 250 more will be put on
this week, after which the work will proceed day and night. In
addition to this force a sufficient force of bridge-carpenters are
at work to keep the bridges in advance of the track. I think the
road can be completed by April 1. One bridge and one-fourth of a
mile of trestle-work have already been completed. There is now at
work on the Alabama and Mississippi Rivers Railroad 250 white
laborers (soldiers), 50 negroes (laborers). One hundred and
seventy-five negro laborers will be added to-day and to-morrow. One
bridge 250 feet long has been completed and the timbers out for
another--the most important one destroyed. One hundred hands are
getting out cross-ties and the remainder straightening iron and
laying track. There is a bridge force sufficient at work to keep the
bridges out of the way, and the road can be finished to Meridian in
two weeks. The difficulty of procuring tools and materials has
hitherto retarded the work very much, but that cause has now
principally been overcome. |
| |
|
Southern
Road |
| Sixty hands go to work
tomorrow, 140 more on Monday next, and as many of the forces on the
Alabama & Mississippi Rivers Railroad as may be necessary to
complete it as soon as that road is through. |
| All of which is respectfully
submitted by your obedient servant, |
| Sam. Tate |
| |
| Lieutenant-General Polk |