The National tribune., 1903-05-14

regiments, III batteries, and 500 COM
panies. .---.
SUPPLYING THE ARMIEs.
The army of Gen. Sherman-embrac
ing 100000 men and G0G00 animals
was furnished with supplies from a base
800 miles distant by one Sngle-track rail-
road located mainly in the country of an
active enemy. The effort taxed and meas
ured f0rethOught, energy, patience, and
watchfulness, and is Il most instructive
lesson. The line was maintained for
months, until Atlanta was secured, and
supplies for a new campaign had been
placed there. The army then moved south
east through Georgia, accompanied by
thousands of beef cattle, and trains en-
bracing 3,OG0 wagons filled with war sup
plies.
After the capture of Savannah, the COM
mand was promptly met at that place by
great feet, conveying clothing, tentagc
subsistence for soldiers and animals,
wagons, harness, ammunition, and all else
necessary for the march Or in camp.
The necessary supplies were again in
readiness at Einston and Goldsboro
through the agency of railroads CON
structed TO kihston and to GolGsboro from
Wilmington and Morehead City-each OF
the two roads from the latter places, re-
spectivcly, being % miles in length.
While the foregoing was being accom-
plishcd, other large armies in the East and
West were as promptly and energeticalIy
supplied in all their wants.
During the fiscal year ending June 80,
1865, the demands for water transporta-
ton required a fleet OF 713 vessels (3jl
steamers, Ill steam tugs. 50 sail vessels,
1GS bargesl, aggregating 22i,9S4 tons, at
an average daily cost Of $92, IA.
MILITARY RAILROADS.
The President by the Act of Jan. 81 .
1862 General Order, No. 10, Adiutant-
Generals Office of that year., was au-
thoriZed to take military possession of all
the railroads in the United States: but it
was not found necessary TO exercise the
authority over any of the roads outside tic
limits of insurscnt States.
The military railroad organization (lln-
| der Director and General Manager
funds for its support being supplied by the
| QuartcrmaStef Department., was de-
signed to be a great construction and
| transportation machine for carrying ont
the objects Of the Commanding Generals
so far as it was adapted to the purpose
and it was managed solely with a view
| to efficacy in that direction. 1t was the
| duty Of the QuartermaSter' Department
10 load all the material upon the cars. to
direct where such material should be TAX
en- and to whom delivered. 1t then be
came TIE province Of the Railroad De
partment to comply with said order in the
shortest practicable time, and to perfect
| such arrangements as would ena bic it to
| keep the lines i'll repair under any and all
| circumstances.
During the war there were employed
4l3 engines and G.330 cars-2,1C5 mites of
track were operated. GI2 miles laid or re-
laid; and 2G miles Of bridges built or re-
built.
| The greatest number of men employed
| at the same time aggregated 24.9Gi.
| The cost of construction and operating
amounted to $24, AGA, 142.:J5.
| The Chattahoochec bridge. $50 feet long
and 90 feet high. was completely built in
four and a half days By 600 men.
The Etowah bridge, CD feet long, 10
| feet high, WAS burned, and was rebuilt by
the labor of coo men of the Construction
Corps IN six days.
In October, 1864 Hoods army reached
the rear of SherInans forces, first Mt Big
Shanty, afterward north of Resaca, de-
| strOyng in the aggregate, 80 IL miles of
| track and 40 lineal feet of bridges.
twenty-five miles of track and go feet of
| bridges were reconstructed and trains
were run over the distance in seven I'D Il
half days. In IL days after Hood lea. the
I line, trains were running over the entire
length.
| numerous ttHpT WOnutTlUi EFFORTS are of
record but the foregoing are sufficient to
illustrate the speed with which the Con-
! struction Corps operated. Commanders
had such confidence in if. that in advanc-
ing they were confident that the railroads
| in their rear would not fail to meet the
| wants of their commands. This conf
dence was most important in connection
with lines of operations heightened in
depth. and resulted from the knowledge
| that "none Of the humanity possible pre-
cautions for basing" an army had been
neglected.
MILITARY TELEGRAPH.
Some 1880 miles were constructed dur
ing the war. involving a total expenditure
of S3,219, 400. At one time, in 1865, 1894
miles were in operation. From May l,
| 1861, to Dec. /, 1862. the 3est to maintain
was 500, 600 n month; during 1863 and
| 1864 it averaged monthly, $3S,5G0 and
$93,50O, respectively-the total for the