The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-11

largs bodies OF troors along Hilary railways
depend upon considerations in many ways dit-
iercnt from those which influenced tran sporta-
ton along other highways The rolling 81 Ack
available for the men. their arms. euuipmcnt.
animals and commissary is first OF all to be
considered. But the condition Of tho roudbed
and tracks. Of the trestles and bridges. at any
given time when delay Is dangerous II not
fatal constitutes consideration OF equal i'm
portancs in railway transportation.
"Thn railways In the state Of Virginia
which was the seat OF war in tho earlier ne
RODS were Liable TO DO ripped up over night
tho ties and bridges burned. the rails heated
over the same nrcs and then twisted ont OF
shape II. for strategic PURPOSES. the CJufel,
erute:troups worked this Havoc upon any nor
ton OF a limo necessary to the Governments
purposes. Col. SCOTS forces wore a. ones
called into action and wore required. perhans
at an hours notice. IN tie middle Of Hi:ht and
as often rs not in the pouring ran to 60 to the
scene Of destruction, cut new sleerers from
the adjacent forests. hew them into shape. re-
place them. heat ard hammer the rails IN i'm
promptu forces back TO the shane necessary
!or RELAXING, rebuild the trestles and bridges.
and work all tho while in immeliat. danger
Uf an attack 10y tho enemyb sharpshooters.
Such an apprenticeship stood me in good
stead-for this was my second apprenticeship.
What l had learned in the shops now had an
opportunity OF applying on the road. What |
had studied indoors | was called upou' to nut
into practice out ~, doors. OF course Col
Scott would never have sent for me at all il
he had not known the school 81 experience in
which. at Altoona. had been learning TO do
the very things i was now TO demonstrate.
1T is said there are in every mans life
turning points to which lie can look back with
tho reflection that any deviation there would
have changed his future. My perseverance
In tho car shops. / frmlylbeievs. marked such
a crisis in my career. 1t was the means Of
bringing to me my great opportunity. the
chance to see service at the front under tho
personal supervision OF Thomas 4. Scott on
the military railways OF the United. Estates
through rerlol which was also n turning
point in the history Of tho nation. A single eN.
ploit of tho bureau Of Military railways which
experts say resulted in u complete surprise OF
the enemy and far-reachng victory will
show Just what Col Scott could do in ali emer-
gency and by implication what were the In
bors and duties OF the men who were prouc
to work under him.
The plan Of tho battle OF Chickamauga
look out Mountain as Gen. Grant describes IL
in his memoirs was in brief for Sherman to
attack the enemy's right flank. Hooker to per-
form like service on our richt attacking the
8ncmyS lett nhnRl anu lnOicas, with tne
army OF tho Cumberland. to occupy the cen
tre.' Now that Hooker was enabled to make
this decisive attack upon the enemys left
flank was due to the presence In his command
OF two entire new army corps. which were at
short notice transferred by Col. Scott in COM
r'ete fighting form over many hundred miles
Of RAILWAY from the Army OF the Potomac in
Virginia to Lookout Mountain in Tennessee.
The entire success and wonderful CELEBRITY
with which this great movement. up to that
time unprecedented. was performed. was du"
entirely to the magnificent efficiency Of Col.
Scotts corps and to his own genius for gen
eraship There could be no more signal illus
tration Of the importancs and difficulty of rail-
way TRANSPORTATION in war time.
" After Col SCOTS return to the service Of
the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Company to be-
come its President In 1853. remained in tho
Military Railway Bureau. But in June. 1864.
Col Scott invited me to join him in the SER
vice OF the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as
superintendent 81 the Eastern division iP and
f.. and in June 1873. | was made suparin-
tendent Of motive power east OF Pittsburg. In
July. 1874. Il became general manager. in
Octobcr. 1897. Second Vice President, aid on
July -. 1889. First Vice President. On the Sd
day Of February. 1897. ] WAS made President
OF the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Company after
thirty-seven years OF continuous service.
Now. you see. perhaps your son doesn't re-
ali2e what have gone through Which shall
1t be for him kid gloves or ear shopsl'