Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-04-01
From the Charleston Mercary.
RaDun Gap.

RaDWn Gap.
MEssRs. EDITORS. Iperceire by the report
of COL BROWN. Engineer on the Columbia
and Greenvillc Railroad, that he makes the
distance from Chattanooga to Charleston, via
the Rabun Cap 4S4 miles, and via Atlanta
and Augusta, Ais miles, making the Augusta,
route shorter by 36 miles than the Rabun
Cap The Engineer makes this report upon
the basis of running rs the Road now runs
from Anderson c. H. to Columbia. But let
US suppose the road were run from Aiken to
Cambridge, or to ASpEIsoS's Mills Cat pre-
sent DYsoS's.) Then from Charleston to All
ken is 40 miles. and from Aiken to Cam
bridge, by or near LoTT's, is 43 miles, making
in all l63 miles; whereas from Charleston TO
Columbia is l30 miles, and from thence to
Cambridge is II miles by the present road
which makes 20l miles in all, u difference Of
Ss miles-so that the difference between the
route to Chattanooga from Charleston, via
Augusta, may be overcome by running road
from Aiken to join the road at Cambridge,
and thence to Anderson c. II. and the Rabun
Gap. Now, venture the assertion that
there is no part of the State where 4 road of
the same distance can be run cheaper than
from Aiken to Cambridge; or to DYsoS's
Mills, on the Grecnville Road. From Aiken
to point about one mile West of LorT's
there is but one hill of the least noticc-this
would ha about - MI nd from the".c
on tile ridge that dividdcSss..se waters of sauda
from Savannah, there is almost a level grade
to within two miles Of Cambridge, or to
within three miles of DYsoS's mills. There
ia no water to cross until you reach Ninety
six creek near Cambridge, or Half way
Swamp, near DYsoN's. If you will examine
Mills Map of the different Districts of the
State, you will see the ridge distinctly
marked, and LorT's, about miles East of
Edreficld C.. H. laid down too. This route
would avoid Sauda river, or the bridges
over Little river, Bush river, and even Broad
riyer, and being besides 3S miles nearer to
Charleston. Thus, besides being the safest
for all heavy trains, it would make the route
from Charleston to Chattanooga two miles
nearer by the Rabun Gap, than by Augusta
It would avoid crossing Savannah river only
high up, where it would be easy and safe.
This would have lis corresponding effects
upon all points beyond Chattanooga too. and
bring Charleston so much nearer 10 Mem
phis and Nashville 1t would avoid the hca-
wv trestle work about Corington, Georgia,
the bridge over the Oconec-the competition
at Atlanta, in another road-.thc bridge over
the Etowa, and all along the Georgia State
Road, besides the tunnel, which will most
certainly give way some day. And it the
gap were filled up by direct line from
point near Cambridge, or Dyson's Mills, on
the Greenville Road, to Aiken, it weald avoid
circuit of 3S miles further; the crossing of
Saluda, Little and Bush rivers besides Broad
river; and then the swamp ut the Congarec,
and all their dangers and expenses. This
would give dry line from Edisto river up to
Anderson District, or rather up to Rocky
river.
The route from Aiken to Dysoh's ferry
was once surveyed by the Engineers Of the
Railroad under the direction Of Gen. HAYSE,
when lie contemplated the direct route to
Cincinnati It was found to BE- most beau
tiful route, with not the slightest obstruction,
except Mt Shaw's creek about eleven miles
above Aiken.
In permanently commanding the rich trade
Of the interior West, it is Of the greatest i'm
portance that distance should be shortened,
and also that the route should be suited to
heavy transportation without risk or con-
slant expenses for heavy repairs. Ii the
junction were made from Aiken to CAM
bridge, ! hesitate not to say that it would
effectually secure, first, independence to
Charleston and all the internal improve
ments Of our beloved State, and would ine-
yitably command the trade and travel to
Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and Chata-
nooga, and the rich countries of which they
are centres. The Raoun Gap is of the last
Importance to US as a State. Instead of
being secondary to and dependant upon
Georgia, it will at once place us boldly along
side Of her as an independant rival for the
commerce Of the West, together with all its
moral social and political power.
The mouth Of the Ohio is the heart of our
continent; towards that point all the longest
and largest rivers run. The Missouri from
the West, near 1000 miles, including the
Yellow Stone up to the base Of the Rocky
Mountains, and then the Mississippi from the
far North, the Ohio from the East, the Cum
berland and the beautiful Tennessee from
the South-all concentrating towards the
mouth of the Ohio. A circle there, with
radii $50 miles, would embrace the heart Of
our continent. From Cape IIateras to Cape
Florida, the ocean makes an indenture, or
great bay, the centre of which is Charleston,
with fine harbor, nearer to this heart than
any other point on the coast. Nature intend
ed it to be the outlet to the world of this
vast interior Of course New Orleans, in
many points Of view, for heavy articles, is
equal in postioh-but then New Orleans has