War Department, Engineer Bureau
| Richmond, Va., May 7, 1864 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor to report that I have
visited and carefully examined the Piedmont Railroad in order to
Ascertain from personal inspection its features and condition, and
whether the Government could furnish any aid which would materially
hasten the completion of the road. The Piedmont Railroad is
forty-eight and three-tenths miles in length, the heaviest grade
coming northeast, sixty feet to a mile. In an opposite direction,
that of least transportation, and therefore no great disadvantage,
there is a grade on temporary track of 106 feet, the maximum
permanent grade being only 68. The necessity of rock cutting,
combined with the scarcity of blasting powder, led to the adoption
of the temporary track. The road is completed to a distance of
thirty-one miles from Danville, where there is a break between iron
and iron of four and a half miles, the rest of the road to
Greensborough being completed. On this break the grading is
practically finished, although there are still cross-ties to procure
as well as stringers for Haw River bridge. The road will be opened,
probably, by the 20th instant, or 25th at latest, and I do not know
of any available labor at the disposal of the Government which would
materially hasten the time of completion. The Quarter-master-
General has been called upon for some assistance in hauling, which
he has cheerfully promised, and the Engineer Department has been
able to assist by supplying additional tools, principally axes. I
found the road thoroughly well and intelligently located and
constructed, in consideration of the times, and the company's force,
although not large, energetically and satisfactorily employed, under
the immediate and constant personal direction of the chief engineer,
Capt. E. T. D. Myers, of the Engineer Corps. It gives me the more
pleasure to be able to make this statement after personal inspection
and conscientious conviction, as there is and has been much
misapprehension. Few persons but those who have made the attempt
have any conception of the innumerable difficulties which retard the
completion of a great work of internal improvement in these
disjointed times. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant |
| A. L. Rives |
| Colonel and Acting Bureau Chief |
| |
| [First indorsement] |
| May 23, 1864 |
| Respectfully submitted to the President. |
| It is gratifying to have the assurance
presented by this report of the diligence and ability with which the
work of the Piedmont road has been prosecuted by the engineer in
charge. As much misapprehension has existed on this subject, and
some reproach in popular estimation has been cast on both the
engineer and the contractors, it is deemed only just to them to
submit the report to your consideration. |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| [Second indorsement] |
| May 25, 1864 |
| Read with satisfaction and returned to Secretary of
War. |
| J. D. |
|