The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-01
THE COLUMBIA AND HAMBURG
RAILROAD.
PRESIDENTS S REPORT.

In the month of August, 1868, this Company was
organized for the purpose of making direct con-
nection by rail between the roads terminating at the
cities of Columbia and Augusta. Subsequently the
Board of Directors was organized, and elected Jas
6. Gibbes, Chief Engineer. and Henry Moore Sec y
and Treasurer. The Chief Engineer was directed
to organize a corps of engineers as early practi-
cable and make the necessary surveys and location,
and report to the Boasd possible; while
your Treasurer directed to receive in advance
all installments stock subscriptions which might
be rendered by the subscribers; and the President
was authorized to invest :he funds of the company
in such property and securities as would best
the success of the enterprise. Fleming Gardner was
! engaged as Chief Locating Engineer, who with his
assistants, entered upon the duties of making
the necessary surveys. Two routes were presented.
One known as the direct, and the other the Ridge
route. After much labor and many reconnoisances
and observations with the compass and level, it was
ascertained that the Ridge route passing six miles
| from Edgefeld Court House, although the longer,
possessed many countervang advantages. Much
difficulty experienced in getting proper loca-
ton from west of the Pine House to the city of Au-
gusa account of the great elevation of the for
mer over the latter place. The ridge maintains Its
elevation in great degree until within few miles
of Augusta. thence the descent is very rapid. On
direct line grade of 60 feet to the mile over
| this portion could be obtained, although it was the
policy of the company that theMmaximum grade
should rot exceed fifty feet In order to overcome
tho very objections to the operations OF the
Road hereafter arising from steep grades the Horse
Creek route passing through Granteville, was
finally recommended possessing the greatest ad-
| vantages. The Chief Engineer, therefore, recon-
mended the line crossing the Congaree river about
one mile above Cranky, passing near Lexington e.
H.. near Leesville. about one-haf mile south east
| of the Pine House, through Granitevie and Ham
burg. to the Georgia Railroad Depot in the city of
Augusta. After full discussion of the different
lines surveyed, and the policy which should govern
the company, the Board of Directors unanimously
adopted the route as recommended and indicated
l lnhnr ointor
of the company may require, For more definite in
formation this subject attention is invited to the
report of the Chief Engineer.
| Early after the organization of the Board of D
rectors the attention of the Government called
to the proposed work by the President, and the Com
pany assured of such reasonable aid by the War
Department could be given to its progress with
out detriment to the military arm of the service
The company acknowledges the obligation for mot
exceeding forty details.' exemption from impress
ment of necessary supplies, and some facilities tor
transportation of subsistence. This application for
detailed contractors made in January last. when
much of the graduation ready to let but the un-
settled legislation of Congress on this subject. and
the paramount necessity for soldiers to defend the
| country. caused the Hon. Secy of War to suspend
granting the request until about the 1st of June. BY
this period all the surplus labor of the country had
been engaged for the year. either in the cultivation
of farms otherwise. and it impossible to hire
hands or get contractors. But for this unavoidable
| delay. 800 hands might be at work instead of
| 200 AS the cultivation of the crops. however,
| ceased in August. and the advance of the enemy
drove back labor and capital into the interior, two
forces started by the company hiring the hands
and placing one on each end of the line. This in
duced other contractors to commence, who are now
freely taking the grad laton at fair prices to the
company and remunerating to themselves. The
| construction of the Bridge across Congaree river
will be commenced as early as possible, and the
entire work pressed with much vigor as the linn
| tied resources of the country will permit
very large proportion of the subscr pth'n to the
capital stock of the company was paid in last Fall
| and Winter to the Treasurer, and that which was
thought to be of doubtful policy then-receivng all
installments in advance-has proved to be wise
one for the company in the development of subse-
quent events. A very large sum has been saved
from the depreciation of the currency to the stock
holders by the prompt investments of all the sur
plus funds in cotton, slaves and Confederate bonds
So we'll satisfied your President and Treasurer
of this line of policy that the receipts of the Irea-
sury often anticipated to the extent of fifty or
one hundred thousand dollars 1t is believed that
thefunds have been udiciously invested. and that
comparatively little loss has occurred to the COM
pany from fire otherwise, considering the guam
tity of cotton it has held.
In order to obtain some of the materials and tools
necessary for the graduation of the road, arrange
ments made for the expectation and sale of
several hundred bales of cotton. These operations
of exporting and importing have been attended with
reasonable success and fair supply of tools and
some other materials secured which could not be had
otherwise. Much credit is due to your Treasurer
for his efficient co operation in this matter well
the collection and investment of the funds; and to
his Financial Report your attention is asked for
more detailed information.
In these dsjonted times it would be hazardous to
make any calculation to the progress of the road
If 800 hands (by the last of Oco6er) be placed
the work and the iron procured, track laying
could be commenced on the western end of the line
in June next, and the eastern end in July, if fair
progress is made at the Congaree River Bridge.
w ith two forces, laying from to miles per month
each. the rails might be made ready for the To-
Carolina Railroad at Granteville, distance
of 60 miles, should the Government deem of such
military Importance TO furnish the iron and make
the connection In the vicssitudes of war, should
| it continue year two longer. it may become alb
soutely necessary for the transportation of troops
and munitions. Its construction will make saving
| IN actual distance between Richmond and Augusta
or OF miles. besides avoiding the necessary delays
| at kingsville and Branchve-thus making practi-
! caliy saving in time and distance equal to 100
miles H. IN the casualties of war, the South Caro-
lima Road should be occupied or cut by the enemy
at Branchville. at any point between Kinpsvjlle
and Aiken without this Road our G overnment would
have to resort to wagon transportation from Colum-
bia to Augusta. With it completed however. the
saving in time and distance in the TRANSFORMATION of
all troops and materials of would be immense to
the Government, even if the other contingency did
not occur. The completion of the Piedmont Rail-
! road has saved Richmond from the rapacty of
yandal foe, and all the arguments and motives of po