Department of International Improvement [pp. 117-130]

126 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
at $5,000,000. The real estate will probably cost $750,000 additional. It
is anticipated that three years will be required for its completion. We are
informed by Mr. Eads, Chief Engineer, that as soon as the river falls a few
feet, perhaps in ten days, the work will be commenced on the wharf on this
side by putting in a cofferdam for the abutment pier.
We have thus given a brief sketch of the memorable undertaking about
to be inaugurated. It is a matter in which all our citizens are interested,
and we have no doubt our readers will be glad to learn that what has so
long existed merely as a possibility in the future is about to be realized in
fact. The completion of such a work as this will mark an epoch in the
history of our stately city. The construction of a bridge over a mighty
river is an event of more abiding interest and importance than the erection
of any public edifice, no matter how great.
The enormous cost of th, enterprise, the natural obstacles to be over come, and the permanent advantages to be attained, all mark it as an event
of deep and peculiar significance. It belongs not only to our day, but to
the generations which succeed us, and renders the names and fame of those
concerned in the enterprise as imperishable as the iron and masonry used in
the construction.
6.-CENTRAL RAILROAD AND BANKING COMPANY OF GEORGIA.
HAVING failed to receive a copy of the pamphlet "proceedings" at the
annual meeting of this company, we are indebted to the New York Stockholder for an epitome of its leading features:
The railway of this company, from Savannah to Macon, 192 miles, with
branches from Millen to Augusta, 53 miles, from Gordon to Eatontown, 39
miles, was one of those in the South which suffered notably from the war.
The line of Gen. Sherman's "march to the sea," struck this railway somewhere in the midst and played havoc with its main line and branches.
Track and equipment suffered. The master carbuilder in his report notes
the loss of 34 passenger and other cars "burned by the enemy," and he also
speaks in a feeling tone of a quantity of "choice lumber" in the company's
depot at Savannah which was "used by the Federal army."
The equipment of the road nevertheless is still quite strong. It consists
of 49 locomotives, 31 passenger cars, 51 baggage, mail, express and conductors' cars, 445 freiglt and stock cars. This rolling stock, closely used
and well managed, sufficed for the business of the season, but barely so.
lew engines of M. W. Baldwin & Co's make are now coming upon the
road. Since the war the company have got together from various points
537 cars of all sorts against 729 which they owned before the war. The remnainder have been "burned " or "scattered."
It was not till February, 1866, that the track destroyed in Sherman's
march was so far reconstructed that the connection by rail could be re-established between Savannah and Macon and Augusta. The company was then
enabled to come into use "of the bulk of the rolling stock and machinery
which had been sent to Augusta for safe keeping during the latter part of
the war."
The report from the master of transportation shows that the
Earnings of the road, for the year ending 30th Nov.,
1866, equal..................................... $1,628,066 09
To which add earnings for the year ending
30th Nov.,'65, as per Mr. Adams' re port.................................$113,122 51
Less amount received in confederate notes 6,439 34
106,683 17