The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-22

The SUSPENSION BRIDGE AGAIE.-In the
early part Of February, 1852, the suspeE-
sion and railroad bridges that extend across
the Cumberland river at this point, were
burned and otherwise destroyed by order
of Gen. Floyd, Of the Confederate army,
after the success Of the Federal army at
Fort Donelson. That senseless piece Of van
dalism, we believe was about the heaviest
blow that the rebellion inflicted upon Nash
vile, when we reflect that the destruction
of these two beautiful structures did not
contribute to the success or in any way pro-
mote the interest of one army or retard tn
progress Of the other, we are more than
ever. constrained to condemn the wapton
spirit Of the reckless man that gave the or
der for their humiliation.
The Railroad bridge was speedily rebuilt
by order Of the War Department; and lit
tie, very little inconvenience to the com
munity at large was felt by its disPlace-
ment; but the burning and pulling down Of
the suspension bridge-the largest in the
West-was a great calamity to every one
who lives in the city, or within ten miles
from it, preventing as it did the farmers
from bringing supplies to market, which
the citizens needed very much, and could
not obtain from any other source, and cut
ting off all communication between Nash
Vile and Edgeheld.
We have all been looking forward to the
compIetion Of this bridge with many pleas
nut az ticipations. It was formerly favorite
evening resort and promenade-answering
the purpose of park in many respects,
and afforded access to churches, theatres,
and sweethearts, to the jewellers on either
side of the river.
workmen have been engaged in remov-
ing the old ruins, and fabricating The vsris
Gus parts of q new suspension bridge for a
long time and it lis with pride and pleas
IRE that we announce to the public that
their labors are about to be successfully tel"
minated. II is thought that the contractor 5
will finish the work entirely by about the
| 18th of May. We have been informed that
the ladies Of Edgefeld intend to celebrate
its completion by giving a series Of tabieaux
| for the benefit Of the "Ladies Benevolent
Association" ....
A lady crossed the bridge yesterday IN
assisted, walking all the way on the tempo
rary planks put down for the convenience
ofthe workmen.
The bridge is owned by the Broad street
Bridge Company, more generally known as
the Nashville Suspension Bridge Company.
The following named gentlemen comprise
tbo officers Ex-Governor Neil S. Brown,
President, A. ". Butler, Secretary and
Treasurer, W. F. Foster, Engineer.
The contracting company for the con
struction Of the bridge is the Louisville
Bridge aud Iron Company" The follow
ing gentlemen are the officers and stock
holders: Albert Fink, President, George
Ainslie, James Ajnslie, A. P, Cochran, e.
Trafton, E. Benjamin.
Mr.. W. X. McComas is superintendent Of
the work for the contracting company. Mr.
MeComas was also superintendent of the
construction Of the suspension bridge over
The Ohio river at Wheeling, and is also the
;,vortor Of the machine used in wrapping
the cables, which is more rapid in its opera
ton, and equally as perfect in its execution
a. tbe one used by ROchling in similar
work.