Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-11-21
IL the Baltimore aud Ohio RnIlroad
10 be OpenedT
Rnmnrv Va Nnv 10 1881

RoNEEY, Va, Nov. lS, 1851.
Editors LntelLigsHer:-
a few weeks since the public were in-
formed that our government was TO make
immediate arrangements for opening the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. For many
months this railway, built at great cost,
and occupying most important position
| in the commercial relations of tho country,
had been entirely closed TO public use; aud
the announcement that it was soon to BIO
re-opened, was most gratifying 70 the
American people.
Aside from its value and importance to
the government; for the transportation OF
troops and munitions Of war, the re-open-
ing Of the road, rs a channel of commerce,
was loudly called for, to accommodate the
suddenly increased traffic between tae
West and the seaboard.
The operations OF the summer campaign
in Western Virginia, had wrested from the
rebels that portion of road between Wheel
ing and the Western borders of Maryland,
and the branch road to Parkersburg; and
our troops also held possession of the Eas-
tern portion of the road. between Baltimore
and Point of Rocks.
The possession of these portions of the
road was of vital Importance TO the Gov
eminent in conducting its military opera
IiOns, and tho occupancy of them by our
troops was, in consequence, matter OF
public rejoicing.
Still, the rebels held possession Of the
central portion of the road, thereby closing
the line as u channel Of commerce, and the
country recognized the military necessity
of sure dariueit for the time to their con-
troll, aud patiently submitted to the sac
rifee.
Recent military operations and events
have, however, so far crippled the strength
of the rebels in Northern Virginia, and
contracted the limits of their territory. that
the re.opening of the entire line of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad seems no longer
to be an impossible, or even very difficult,
undertaking; and public sentiment Is al
ready beginning to demsnd that our Gov
ernment put forth its energies to accom-
plish this desirable result.
General Kclley's recent successful Hd-
vance upon, and occupancy of Romney, is
one important step already taken towards
accomplishing this result. From his pres
emit position, he now holds possession of
the road, as far east as Green Spring.
With small additional force, he can ex-
tend his control of it, to Hancock, Al
miles further cast, thereby reducing the
section of the road under rebel control, to
only So miles.
The dislodgemeut of tho rebels from
Martinsburg aud Harper's Ferry, and the
occupancy of these places by our troops,
eifectually controls this intervening sec
tion of the road. and ensures the opening Of
he entire line. Now of its present ability
to accomplish this result; OF of its desir'l-
bleness even, our Government will, of
course, be its own judge, and grateful
and confiding people will at once acqutesce
in its decision; but we are confident that
no more acceptable task could be assigned
to Gen. Kelley, than that of driving the
rebel forces from their present positions
upon the line of this railway, aud of open
ing it again to public use; and in our opin-
| ion, the task could not be committed to
worthier or more efficient hands.
or the great benefits which the public
would derive from the opening of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, it is hardly
necessary here to speak. Suffering. as the
internal commerce of the country now is,
from the utter inability of the existing
railways of the country to do its trans
portaHon, as well as from the exorbitant
tariff rates recently adopted by these rail-
ways in consequence of the vast amount
of business thrown upon them, the re-
opening Of so important line as the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad would be re-
lief too great to be readily estimated.
]. B. F.