The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-02-10
AnnNal Report OF The President of the
Charlotte & s. G. Rail Road.
To TIE Stockholders Of the
<H.JaD. n. q m D..J.J

~ 10 NSll hHOMu " tHC puUtlC lnaJ SnOrt-
ly after the last Annual Meeting, General
sherman with large army, entered the
city of Columbia, on the 18th of February,
and laid it in ruins. In this destruction,
oil the property Of the Company located
there, was nnnihilatcd rs far as practicable,
except the Boarding House. The Machine
and Car Shops, Engine and Depot Houses
ttnd Sheds, Foundry and Offices, were con
sumed both in the City and at the Junction
Several hundred Car-whcels, with number
OF Cars, and some Machinery, including the
Stationary Engine. were also destroyed.
portion of the army followed the line OF
road TO abo'c Blacks,ock's, over fifty miles
entirely destroying the. supcrstructure as
far rs practicable, OF about one half of The
Road. One Car was also burnt OH the side.
track at Cornwclps, within eight miles of
Chester. All the Dcpots, wood and water
Stations for this entire distance were couy
sumcd, including about three thousand
cords of engine wood
On the 18Th of April detachment from
General Stoncman's' command, then in
Western North Carolina. proceeded 10 the
Cntnwba River Bridge, and burned the CHI
tire supcrstructure. This Bridge consisted
OF nine spans of l25 feet each; was 1925
feet in length, and cost over $50, 900. This
left only TWO sections Of the road, from
Charlotte to the rivcr-less than twenty
(20) miles, and from the river to near
Blnckstock's, about thirty three (33) niles
capable of being used. In addition to
these disasters, Gen. Slrrmans army burnt
about 1000 bales Of the Company's cotton,
stored principally in Richland, Fairfield,
and Kershaw Districts, being all owned by
it, except II bales. greater portion of
the Ehgincs, Cars and Machinery werc saw
ed.
Such was the material condition of the
property in May last With a'pontoon
bridge across the Catawbn river, in April,
May and portion of June, the traits were
kept fully occupied in aiding the returning
, Confederate soldiers to their respective
homes Over fifty thousand (50,00O) were
thus transported, with many horscs, wagons
and other property to Chester, Cornwclrs
and other Stations below, as the road was
extended, without any compensation. This
service was due to gallant men. but it is
submitted whether, according to the terms
of capitulaiiOn made with Generals Grant
aud Sherman, the Government is not in
oebtcd TO tho Company for This transportn-
ton.
The Confederate authorities had undcria-
ken to assist the Company in rebuilding the
rond, and when the surrender occurred, the
track was rclaid several miles below Black
stocks.
Scarcely had the din of battle ceased;
whcn the abolition Of slavery followed, en-
t!rciy cradica,ing the system Of labor
throughout the South, and destroying the
domestic relations of. the white and black
races. The difficulties and troubles result.
: ing from this and the impossibiity of ha,-
ing systematic operations in labor arc known
TO all by this act of emancipation, sixty
five slaves OF the Company were set free.
In addition to these disasters, the losses by
Notes, Bonds and indebtedness of the Con-
ledera,c Government amounted TO about
$500, 900, besides over S3O0,000 worth of
property destroyed by accidental fires in
Columbia and Charlotte. Such was the
condition of tho corporation last June, when
the Directors convened to consider what
was its best Interests. 1t was without funds,
wood, provisions for hborers, shops-wilh
but few Cars and Engines fit fer use.
While gloom and dispondency spread like
pail over tho country, they resolved that rs
soon as it could be ascertaincd that the pro-
perty of the Stockholders would remain
theirs, t. Executive. Officers should proceed
with the reconstruction of the road as rap
idly as possible, and pledged their credit
without stint to its maintenance. This al
once gave confidence and renewed energy,
and it was impaired in some degree to the
country along the line. The force then at
work was increased and with lot of rails
from the StatesYlle Railroad. and the burnt
rails Strengthened, the track has gradually
progressed until it is hopedit will reach
Ridgeway by the sfrst Of February. This
will only leave break of abont twenty.
three miles, which il is believed can be clos.
ell up about the first of May. Will, the
South Carolina Road flushed to Columbia,
n force will be started to reconstruct at that
city, and twice the former progress can be
made with the supply of new rails now in
Charleston. With all the Railroads. leading
from Charlotte to the Atlantic coast. under
military control, and no concession. of
freight charges to be had, with the Cataw:
ha bridges destroyed, and nearly 400 miles
'ofland transportation, it was found impos-
.sibls to set rails by any other route than
via Charleston.
While the Stockholders and the eouBtry
saye labored under much inconvenience and
loss for the want of the Road, from un.
avoidable delay, it has saved your Company
amuch larger debt, whIch would have been
Al. -. Z.