Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-11-01

ENGINEERS oYrlcE.
EXTENSION oRASox \ Atr1ASpmA RR.

EXTENSION oEANOx 4 ALrxANpRiA RI
ALEXANDRIA, Oct. -. 1883
To JOmN S. BARDous, Jrr E,q., President;
SIR-The surveys for the extension being iucomplct,
my report must consequently be limited to statement
views and facts partial in themselves but come ced with
the entire prSctcab ty Of the on either OF the
routes suggested for is location The country living be-
tween Orange county and Lyuchburg marked by rugged
features, which at first view would preclude the
construction OF railroad any reasonable terms
closer examination shows that these obstacles ar,
rather seeming than real and that sections of more than
ordinary difficulty compensated by unusual drcctncss
IN the whole dsaEce IL also to be remarked that in
country literally strewn with mountains con, dcrablc
part of the necessary in any instance to
encounter them; the that ccave them to
their bases heading up against each other recty or
by their tributaries in way obvious to leave in ma
ny cases nothing to the Engineer but the taste of Judi
cious selection.
Sy reconnaissance suggested eading lines for in.
suumental examination, VIZ; ono lying mauly east o.
the southwc aud its Representatives,
ing south Tar Tye River, where passes to the
side ct the elevated Buffalo Ridge; and the other conei
ding with 1t Tor the first IL miles, and after divergipp
from It, passing parallel with the Central Rslroad TO Char
o''esvie and thence on to Lynchhurg by the remsrks
by direct valleys lying OF the Ragged aud
their affiliated ridges, knowt under various local names
The former OF these routes spoken of in this coanec
ton tie RircT roie is well defined by
and admits of little variation from the line selected for
survey. Commencing Gordonsvlc il passes over IA
Nofaoic ground until 1t approaches James River dis
lance OF about 50 miles Then the surface becomes very
uneven, and stretch OF river hills Is encountered mark
ed by some hard rock, as lar Howardsvlle at the
mouth OF kockhsh, and - miles from Gordonsvillr The
greater portion OF this section is through region suseep
uhe OF the highest ctv alton; the valleys of the Ne
chunk Creek, Limestone Kun, Buck Island Greek and
Turkey Run being marked by the well known and va ua
be drpoSite OF blue Limestone which disappears shortly
alter crossing Hardware River This is succeeded by
hue agricultural stretch Of equity rolling character water
cd 10y Ioouus aud Bleugur Creeks aud then the red
lands bordering the James River the mouth orRock
hsh trom this point, the features change line of
holder character must be maintained passing by New
Market where it leaves James River entirely TO reach
the valley of b talo heading up bv of its principal
tributaries within ten miles OF Lynchhurg. From here
there u direct route James River one mile
above the Stage Road Bridge This route will measure
u - estimated, less than So miles.
The second, called the Inland route. is susceptible OF
several modhcaons some of them having valuable quail
ties In the way OF saving o: distance euistnG the
interest OF fertile districts at present very imperiscty sup
Piled with means OF access To market.
IL will suffice present Indicate the main pont he
sinuing AZ Charlottesville. The valley of Moorc's Run
heading in the Ragged Mountains about 5 miles south
OF the town. furnishes access TO the North
Garden, and thence 20 the south Garden Leaving there
We reach Covc Creek hy Amvs Gap IS miles from Cor
louisville. Here two lines commence, one passing by
Gordcu'S Gap, and the other bv Nelson Court House
which unite again ON Indian Creek near I've River about
IS miles ON the way From here the line passes east OF
New "lasSow aud near 10 Amher, Court House. and by
the slopes Of Harris Greek its mouth avodng the n
mero' wi"dings OF that strcam)S degree OF direct
ness that would not be expected first examination
The distance TO Lyuchburg by this route is also rather
less than SUmCs.
The variations that coull be made on this line would
not be properly understood without the aid of detailed sur
NeNs Illustrated 10y maps. may say that line leaving
the road near Orange Court House. would least FIVE
miles Of distance whether it passes by Charlottesville
- has been suggested 10y the valley of Ivy Creek and
Taylors Gap, into the North Garden
The direct line by the State map from Gordonsvlle to
Lynchburg, measures 20 miles while il is impossible TO
build the road than superior route with
distance Of - miles which is the moderate increase of
per cent.
The distance from Alexandra to Lyuehburg a. sur
ded 10, which may be made without addition To the
cost per mile may Toe reduced TO lbs miles This will
give route tn the South and Southwest that in point
distance il without competition, and Is equal in every
other regard to any iLat can be suggested.
1t Is supposed tlat the field abOrs Of the Engineers
nov cmp!oIed in this service will terminate about the
first November, when the date for an approximation To
the will be obtained Enough is known at present
TO authorize the opinion that railroad of moderate grades
aud curves, and IN every point Of view commensurate
with iis national Importance be made from near Cor
louisville to LyEchburg for whose expenditures would
be- justified by the local business alone.
On the greater portion OF the way timber stone are
abundant the latter OF an unusual good quality for build
ing. The adjacent counties we'll supplied with labor
which is hoped will no; be abroad for employment
Lists OF the surveying parties are herewith prrsemte-
To Mr. Wharton the greatest praise is due for the ildg
mcnt aud general ability which he has displayed Mr.
Standards services have also been valuable The Younger
Engineers members ct the parties generally have per
formed their duties faithfully and correctly
Respectfully, your Ubedeut servant,
T. G. ATKINSON,
Chief Engineer Exclusion