The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-06-10

Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
II is a matter of qualification to the peo-
ME Of this city and the State TO observe the
very active manner in which the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad has been pushed ahead
with the view Of its completion to the
Grcenhrier river at an early day. On Mon
dov evening it was within eight miles of the
White Sulphur Springs. On the afternoon
Of TIM, lay we had the satisfaction of cross
ing the trestlc work 1T Jerry's run and to
traverse the road from that point to Coving-
ton rs passenger on the supply train.
Wo had not before seen the route through
the Allegheny section. We found both the
work and the scenery altogether exceeding
any expectation we could possibly have
formed Of them. The engineering is of the
boldest as well Us most mastery character,
rejecting enduring honor upon the fame of
the late CHARLES B. FISK, who located the
road. No man can traverse this part of the
great work without being filed with admi-
ration.
Departing from Coyington the road
crosses Jackson's river just above the juno
ton of Dunlap's creek with that stream,
aud takes its way along the creek as it mean-
dcrsamongst the mountainous elevations be-
longing to the Allegheny range. The work
for the five miles which bring the line to the
opening near Callahan's is very heavy, en-
bracing several bridges whose masonry is
admirable. The track now laid follows the
original location except at the Red Hill
tunnel, which could not be completed III
time, and which is turned by a temporary
trackaiong the creek and around the end oil
the immense hill pierced by the tunnel,
which viii be finished in October.
The engineer had to follow the valley Of
Dunlap's creek but rs it was Of the great
est Importance that the elevation at which
s the main Allegheny ridge was to be crossed
should be attained at the easiest possible
Grade. he had soon to strike off from the
valley, and, entering the hills, to pass OBJ
liqucly along to the gorge which originates
at the low point in the Allegheny, on the
Sweet Springs turnpike, which is tunnclled
for the road. These gigantic hills or ridges
all stand Mt right angles with Dunlap's
creek, as the little streams which have dug
the creek. Thus we may easily imagine
that the work of traycrSing them must be
great. We may safely say that it is without
parallel in the United States. There are
deep cut, fill, and tunnel, i'll succession.
The cuts run from twenty to eighty feet,
and the fills from twenty to one hundred
and eighty. The tunnels are not very nu
mcrous. The longest is the Lewis tunnel,
which is not finished. Temporary tracks
are provided at the Lewis tunnel and
Jcrry's run, the grades Of which are gcntlcr
than that Of the temporary track at Mill
horo' which has been worked with so much
success for many years past
The track will be laid entirely to the White
Sulphur Springs by Saturday week. \ few
days more will be needed to level and bal
last the track, and then the cars will run
regularly to the White.
This Allegheny section will constitute the
most remarkable feature of railroad travel
ling in the Union. For bold and successful
engineering, gigantic works of art, and
grand scenery, ii can have no superior. Such
an achievement is invaluable TO a State for
lis moral effects. 1t must inspire the pub
lie mind with the spirit of enterprise and
perseverance. 1t is living lesson teaching
that perseverance and skill conqucrs Ill OBJ
staclcs.
The energy and skill with which the work
has been pressed onward this year is honor
able to Colonel II. D. WuITCoMB, Chief En-
oinccr, his principal assistant, Colonel \.
l.. RIvEs, and their subaltcrn officers. Ma
jor L. ID. MYERS has had especial direction
of the bridges, and has discharged his task
with decided ability. Colonel RIvEs has
been most indefatigable, not shrinking from
cold nor storm, but beingeyer present along
the line where his supervision was de-
manded. When we consider the paucity OF
means compared with the immense labor
that was to be accomplished in the distance
of twcnty-four miles between Covngton
and the White Sulphur Springs, we must
award to the Chief Engineer and his assist
ants the highest praise. Great credit is due
10 the energetic contractors. Amongst them
Is {. X. MASON, the veteran who never
failed TO come up to time, and never surren-
dcred to any physical obstacle.
We may we'll feel proud of the engineers
OF Virginia. We need go nowhere outside
OF the State for engineering skill. What
our own cannot do we had better abandon.
They want neither skill nor courage.
Now, then, the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad will soon strike the Greenbricr
river. That will be the rropitious period i'll
ITS history. 1t will have passed the great
barrier, and will be kissing the waters that
run To its western terminus. There is a
mystery in the movements even of railroads.
Things inconsidcrable exert influences over
gigantic enterprises in a manner for which
there is no accounting; and we shall see
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad borne on,
as it were, by the tide to its depot on the
Ohio river.