Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-04-01
From the Charleston Mcrcary.
R1btyn Gan.

HSSeuNA ~Sips
MEssRs. Ep1roRs. perceive by the report
of Col. BROWN. Engineer on the Columbia
and Greenvilc Railroad, that he makes the
distance from Chattanooga to Charleston, via
the Rabnn Gap, 4S4 miles, and via Atlanta
and Augusta, AIS miles, making the Augusta,
route shorter by 36 miles than the Rabun
Gap. The Engineer makes this report upon
the basis of running as the Road now runs
from Anderson c. II. to Columbia. But let
us suppose the road were run from Aiken to
Cambridge, or to ANDEEsoN's Mills (at pre-
sent DYsoN's.) Then from Charleston to Al
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, i difference of
3S mies-so that the difference between the
route to Chattanooga from Charleston, via
Augusta, may be overcome by running 4 road
from Aiken to join the road at Cambridge,
and thence to Anderson G. II. and the Rabun
Gap. Now, I venture the assertion that
there is no part of the State where road Of
the same distance can be run cheaper than
from Aiken to Cambridge, or to DYsoN's
MlllS, OIL lllC OIcCllN lIOIIl tAlhCI
to point about one mile West of LorT'S
there is but one hill of the least noticc-this
would hn about - pl-sss:,Snd from thn".n
on the ridge that dvddc.ss 80 ;.e waters of Saluda
from Savannah, there is almost a level grade
to within two miles of Cambridge, or to
within three miles of DYsoS's mills. There
is 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
Edgefie!d C. Fl. laid down too. This route
would avoid Saluda river, or the bridges
over Little river, Bush river and even Broad
river, and being besides SO 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 Men,
phis and Nashville. 1t would avoid the hen.
w trestle work about Covington, Georgia,
the bridge over the Oconcc-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 if the
gap were filled up by direct line from a
point near Cambridge, or Dyson's Mills, on
the Grecnrille Road, to Aiken, it weGld avoid
n circuit of 3S miles further; the crossing Of
Sauda, Little and Bush rivers, besides Broad
river; and then the swamp at the Congarcc,
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. HAYXE,
when he contemplated the direct route to
Cincinnati. 1t was found to be 4 most beau
tiful route, with not the slightest obstruction,
except at 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-
stant expenses for heavy repairs. If the
junction were made from Aiken to Cam
bridge, | hesitate not to say that it would
efectualIy 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 Rabun Gap is Of the last
Importance to us as q 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 4 fine harbor, nearer to this heart than
any other point on the coast. Nature intend
Cd 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 posi,iun-but then New Orleans has |