North Carolina

The road was a crucial link in supplying Richmond and its army from North Carolina's production and from central South Carolina and westward. When the Piedmont Railroad was completed between Danville, Virginia and Greensboro, North Carolina, the Charlotte to Greensboro section gained even more significance. The road also proved a major source of cotton for Wilmington for payment for blockade runner goods. In late 1864 and 1865, it was the road supplying and moving General Johnston's army in front of Sherman.

Unprecedented traffic, scarcity of supplies, and a reduction of available manpower caused the road to become almost impassable from the fall of 1862 to the spring of 1863. The road was restored when the army was called in and used conscripted labor. By August 1864, the road was evaluated as one of the best roads in the Confederacy (despite the common problem of worn rails).

The road added at least 5 locomotives by lease from captured roads or purchase from the Confederate government. 179 cars were added, by lease, government loan or production in the road's own shops, through 1862. Even so, the road needed at least four more locomotives and 100 more cars to meet its load requirements.

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