Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-16
LOUD0N:
Friday ::::::::::::::::: Dec rs, 1853
Editor aLOudon Free Pres;:n

Dear Sir:-Accompanying l send you a
Report and approximate estimate, made by Maj.
JAS. A. COMFY of Chattanooga, of railroad
from the North Carolina line by way of Kings
ton to DanvilIe, Ky. Maj. Cory is gentle
men of veil known ability as an Engineer, and
needs no cominsndation from me to insure for
his statements the credit they are entitled to,
The project of connecting South Carolina
with Kentucky by Branch diverging from
time attral considerable P attention; and in
as much as the aid of the State has been asked
for what is called tbs Knoxville and Charleston
Road, the inquiry has naturally arisen, whether
the money of the State may not be expended
on better route, and in manner resulting in
benefits more extensive, than those promised by
this road. 1t must be kept in mind, that South
carolina in making her road to Chattanooga
must cross the East Tennessee and Georgia
Road somewhere between Loudon and Athens,
and that intersection furnishes to East-Tennes
see all the advantages that could possibly'accure
to the country at large from any direct route
from the North Carolina line to Knoxville
This road therefore is of merely local interest;
and if rightly understand the policy of the
State, it is to grant her aid to such road only
as have an important bearing upon the general
interests of the country.
According to Capt A. GRIFFIxs Report, the
cost of the road from the North Carolina line
to Knoxville, distance 81 miles, is $2,4O0,000,
or the enormous average of $4,000 per mile, of
which $4,000 is put down for grading: the
road will require three tunnels, one of which is
two miles long; the whole extending through
number of parallel ridges and mountains form
ing apparently an impossible barrier.
With still greater force applies this remark
to the route from Knoxville to Danville, Ky
On this line, it is well known, the mountains
are more numerous, broader and less accessible
than at any other point; and it would seem, that
nature had determined that here, at least, the
shrill whistle of the engine shall never startle
the eagle from his aerie
regret that l have not Col. PRicHARD's Re-
port on this route before me; but if l am cor
rectly informed, its estimates DO not fall far
below those of Capt Grilin's report Col P.
asserts, am told, that the route at the point
where he crosses the Cumberland Mountains is
the only practicable one in the whole range of
mountains from the Virginia to the Alabama
line. This is very strong assertion, unless
Col. P. has taken the trouble to survey the
whole chain; and without any intention or de-
n sire to disparage that gcntleman'S report,
may be allowed to refer to Maj. Corry's report
TO show that there is at least one other practical
ticable route across these mountains, that too
without tunneling or any heavy grading, and at
n cost of $4,000 per mile. 1t Will also be OBJ
!. served, that the distance from the North Caro-
lima line BY way of Kingston to Danyims I'm. is
199 miles; whereas the diStancd" NJ n
same points -Dy WY or fzrI0xe1f1 i'm il Il
lAlthough Maj. Cory makes his I'd III n 4
the whole distance to Danville, it appears to
me,that road need not 20 farther than Somerset
as it would there intersect with the Kentucky S.
Western Road leading from Danvie by the
way of Somerset and Albany to the Tennessee
line. where this road connects with the Tennes-
see Southwestern road, leading by the way of
Sparta to M'Minville; both most important
links in the great central chain of roads extern
ding through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and
Alabama. The Tennessee Legislature has also
lately chartered the Central Road, connecting
Knoxville with Nashville; this road will in all
probability for considerable distance extend
along the Big Emory River, and consequently
will be in common for that distance with the
road reconnoitred by Maj. Cory; and, if con-
structed previously to the latter, will save $40,
900 to the Kentucky road. Again, the distance
from the North Carolina line to Citico should
also be deducted, inasmnch as that distance
will be constructed by South Carolina in any
event. To sum up:
Mai. Corry's estimate Of whole route from n.
Carolina line to Danville, 80 m's...$5, 100000
Deduct distance of Somerset to Dan
vile,36 miles at $28O00.. .$lO0,80OO
Deduct distance on c. r. R 100000
Deduct distance from North
Carolina to Citico.......... 5OO,OOO-25O0OOO
Leaving. 4Z,0OO