House of Representatives
| Richmond, Va., January 7, 1865 |
| |
| Hon. J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I wish to call your attention to a
subject of great moment to the States of Florida and Georgia, and
one that will have a favorable influence upon the Confederate
Government itself. Savannah being now in the possession of the
enemy, and likely to remain so -- for I cannot see any immediate or
remote prospect of relief, although there may be expectations in
this respect no shared in by me, the value of which is well known to
our authorities. But assuming, as I do, that Savannah is lost to us
now for and during the war, it will be seen, then, that the long
line of roadway reaching from Savannah to Thomasville is rendered
useless to us, and will remain so for and during the war. The
counties of Monroe, Lowndes, Brooks, Echols, and adjacent counties
are rich and abound in subsistence stores, nearly the whole of
which, with the supplies contained in the rich counties of Florida
adjoining Georgia, will be lost to the Government if some was is not
provided to secure its transportation. The nearest railroad
connection is at Albany, Ga., the terminus of the Southwestern line
of railroad. The distance from Thomasville to Albany, Ga., by the
wagon road is about fifty-six miles. The country intermediate these
points is low, flat, and sandy -- not marshy. It is covered with a
luxuriant growth of yellow pine. There will be but little heavy
grading; the timber will be found by the road-side. I would
recommend that building of a road from Albany to Thomasville at
once. The supply of iron could be obtained from the Savannah and
Thomasville road {the Atlantic & Gulf
Railroad}, tearing up the rails at a point nearest Savannah
and working west toward Thomasville until a sufficient number of
rails were taken up. When finished we would have a line of railroad
from Macon to Thomasville and beyond Valdosta, in Lowndes County, a
distance from Thomasville east about seventy-five miles. This would
connect with the Florida system of railroads by means of the Live
Oak railroad {a branch of the Pensacola &
Georgia Railroad}, just on the eve of completion. Thus the
stores from this rich country and a great part of Florida would at
once seek an outlet over this line. The transportation of troops and
munitions of war, as the theater of action is constricted, would of
itself recommend the subject to your immediate and favorable
consideration. |
| Respectfully, yours |
| Wm. E. Smith |
| Member of Congress from Georgia |
| |
| I concur in the foregoing views. |
| R. B. Hilton |
| Member of Congress from Florida |
| |
| [Indorsement] |
| Engineer Bureau |
| January 13, 1865 |
| Respectfully returned to the Honorable
Secretary of War. |
| The connection of Albany with Thomasville,
Ga., by rail would have many advantages, but the resources of the
country will not justify undertaking a work of that magnitude at
this time. One of the main supplies to be expected from Florida is
beef. The cattle can be driven over that distance with less expense
than they could be transported. The amount of corn in Southwest
Georgia is greater than existing roads can transport. Troops going
to and from Florida can be marched over the line proposed. |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Major-General and Chief of Engineer Bureau |
|