Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-04
RAIL ROAD FROM sTAUNroN TO covINo.


the Reconnaissance and Surveys made by
them, in 1928, in reference to the extension
of the Baltimore Railroad to the Ohio river.
We make the following extracts, from
which it will be seen tina, there is no real
difficulty in finding an advantageous location
for Rail-Road from this poin, to Covington,
by Jennings gap, if not also by Buffalo gap.
"On arriving at the town of Covington, we see
Just beyond us the extremity Of the Harm Spring
Mountain, which we should of course pass by
continuing in the valley of Jackson's river; but
In our subsequent course, numerous routes sug-
gest themselves for the continuation of the Road
to the valley Of the Shenandoah. They all, how
ever, would be directed through Buffalo Gap, or
jennings Gap in the North Mountain, and we
shall now briefly describe the country between
those depressions and the town of Covington.
The Jackson river about q miles below the
town OF Covln3ton, turning nearly at right angles
10 It's iotmer general direction, pursues an east
ward course for the distance of l6 or IL miles to
It's confluence with the Cowpasture River, pass
ing In that distance several Intermediate ridges,
which lie between its different tribuiaries.-
Pounding Mill Run, Mill Creek and Wilson'S
Creek, each head in depressions of those ridges,
and their valies afford The means of gradually
surmounting them; but from an examination of
the country it would not seem advisable to leave
the valley OF Jackson's River at least till we ar
rive at wilson's Creek, about or 4 miles above
the Cowpasture River. J
We should then ascend Wilson's Creek which
heads opposite to Porter's run and through the
valley OF the latter descend to the Cowpasture
River, along which we should continue but about
% miles, when through the val!ies of Jpihian.'s
run, tributary 10 the CowpastuTe, and Panther
Gap Creek, tributary to the great Cafpasture,
al. l.,..- N
little and great Calfpaslure rivers, which unite
about miles below the mouth of Panther Gap
Creek, head in the North Mountain opposite the
head waters Of the Shenandoah rver--the former
at Buffalo Gap, the latter in jennings Gap, and
In proportion as the North Mountain may be
more or less elevated in those depressions, so
would 1t be questionable whether to pursue the
valley of the great or little Calfpasture river; for
the distance by either from the mouth of Panther
zap Creek, would not differ so essentially as to
control the direction of the road.
! Without intending to be positive as to the rel
atlve advantages OF the two routes by the Great
and Little Calipasture Rivers, we would advance
Inc opinion, That In consequence of belief that
lhe Norm Mountain is much more depressed at
jennings tnan at Buffalo Gap. the route by the
valley oil The former river would be preferable
ana again. That although have attempted to
designate route from the Jackson's TO the Great
Pasture River, surveys can alone satisfactorily
determine II II might not be better to pursue the
valley Of Cowpas,ure River to Williams Run,
and thus avoid the summit between Wilson's
Creek and Porters Run; or, if a route THROUGH
the valley OF Cowpasture to Pad'S Greek, which
heads opposite to Williams Run, and thence
through the valley of Williams Rum might not
come In successful competition with either of the
other routes. But assuming the route by Jack
sons River, Wilson's Creek, Porter's Run, Pan
theirs Gap Creek and the Great Calfpasture Riv-
/ er, we shall enumprate Snch nf i,s al Ia,
racteristcs as we think will be calculated to con-
vey an Idea OF the circumstances under which a
Rail Road might be prolonged from Covngton
TO the North Mountain.
The distance from Covington TO the mouth of
wilson's Creek, by such route as the road
would PROBABLY pursue, is about l3 miles, and
the descent several feet per mile: but since it
would be In the direction of the greater trade this
descent, although 1t may amount TO so or 90 feet
Is dlsregarded, and we consider it level The
road would have to conform very nearly 10 the
slnuous course OF the river, for the character of
the adjoining country would not admit any es-
sentlal detection without encountering those
ridges which led us to prefer the river route and
as, on either side, the fats and bluffs alternate
steep side lying ground could only be avoided by
an occasional crossing of the stream: on the
whole, however, the ground is not unfavourable,
and the obstacles on either side may be readily
overcome.
Porters Run, the distance is about Is miles, and
the general direction of the vaIlies of both those
streams Is favourable to the construction of
pretty straight road There is an ascent of per-
haPs $50 feet through the valley of Wilson's
Creek In 81 or 10 miles, and descent, on the
opposite side, to the Cowpasture River, of $50
feet In 81 miles. But the rise and fall is in gem
eral so very gradual, and in consequence SO diff
cult to be estimated, that we insert transcript
OF the field notes to convey those Impressions
which were made on the ground.
Course L. From the mouth of Porters Creek
Tor y miles, in direction nearly west, there is
always flat of from so TO 100 yards in width, TO
which the ground on either side slopes gradually
occasional short turns but no difficulty in keep
ing nearly straight-fal perhaps 20 feet per mile
Course :. $3.50 or 500 west, miles to Will
sons Creek.
For the first miles, and even for miles be-
You'd 1t, to the head waters of Wilson's Creek
The rise is almost lmperceptible; it is therefore
with difiluence that, without the aid of instru-
nents, we can even attempt 20 estimate it. But,
as characteristic of the very gradual fall i'm Por-
er's Greek, we shall assume it at from 20 TO 35
eet per mile, and the total rise in the last six
miles at about 200 feet On arriving at the head
waters OF Wilson's creek there is fall of about
90 feet in 300 yards from the ridge dividing it
from Porter's creek Bottoms of considerable
width are found on Porter's creek throughout It's
course to which in general the hills slope gradu-
ally, and the soil is firm and dry, and few or no
stones interrupt its even character.
course 8. Nearly south for miles to John
Hansderger's: If the valley of Porter's Run were
deemed favourable, that of Wilson's Creek is not
less so. The descent is very trihing. perhaps a
bout the same as that of Porter's Creek, and bot
tom lands from J to I-S of mile wide, bounded
by elevated ridges on either side, border on the
stream. The soil is somewhat stony, bur dry
and firm.
Course A. 81 or miles to the mouth of Will