The Hattiesburg news., 1915-10-18

plan, OF Tuscumbia, Alabama, Noyem
Der l, 1924. Under the caption, 9Th,
Jackson. or Military Road" the write
iays:
This road. leading from Madt
sonville to Nashville, was pro-
1ected by General Jackson, COM
menced in May, 1917, and COM
pleted at immense labor and ex-
pense in May, 1920, by troops of
the United States. The line was
run by a distinguished officer of
Typographical Engineers, and the
result Of survey made since it's
completion denotes its course N.
S5 s.. distance by actual measure
ment 436 miles, which, adding thir.
ty miles hence to Madisonville.
gives SIG miles as the distance be.
tween New Orleans and Nash
Vile, being shorter cut by 2oS
miles than the old route through
Natchez. No deviation was made
from the direct line, except to gain
preferable ground, whenever the
distance would not be materially
increased thereby.
There were on an average 300
men continuously employed ON the
work. including sawyers. carpen.
ters, blacksmiths, etc., who were
amply furnished with oxen, tray-
cling forges, and all tools and i'm.
plements necessary to its perfect
execution. Thirty-five neat and
substantial bridges, each measur-
ing from so to 200 feet we're erect.
ed, and 10000 feet of causewav
laid. On a calculation of the way.
provisions and clothing of the SOL
diery thus engaged, and making a
moderate allowance for the dete.
rioration and loss of public prom.
erty, we find that the general gov.
eminent disbursed on the occasion
at least three hundred thousand
dollars.
The causeways were laid over
all marshy spots by placing small
tiper close together and in a lat
itndinal direction to the road.
bitches. three feet deep and four
feet wide. were cut on each side
OF the causeways, and the earth
sfrewed over the timber. A few
days exposure to the sun made
these passes equally firm as the
most elevated part of the road.
VI this work there are forty-
nve miles within the State of
Louisiana. about seventy in Mis-.
sissippi, 120 in the Choctaw Ma
ton, and the remaininder in Ala.
Dama and Tennessee. 1t is forty
feet wide throughout, exclusive of
the space allotted to receive the
iaiien trees, which, being cut into
convenient lengths, were rolled IN
either side. The axe was applied
as near to ground as practicable
and directed so as to leave tho
upper part of the stumps concave.
thereby accelerating their decay
by retaining rain and moisture.
strange as it will appear, this
stupendous undertaking, which
reflects honor on its prompt and
indefatigable protector, was be.
gun and completed without any
or understanding be.
ing made between the Supreme
Executive and the States through
which 1t passes, as to its preserya.
ton or repair. The conseouence
is, that between Benya River and
the town Of Columbia, on Tombip-
bee River, a distance. perhaps, of
$50 miles, is impossible for wheel
carriages. the whole distance be-
ing covered with a thick second
growth; the causeways DESTROYED.
bridges dilapidated, and trees
fallen across, thus rendering its
Intended usefulness worse than
useless.
It would exceed the limits of a
to attempt an outline
Of the immense advantages which
are now nearly lost, but which
we're fairly anticipated from the
road at its commencement. If
put in state of repair (and it is
of it at trifling ex-
pense) 1t will add greatly to our
convenience, wealth and safety
Roads have ever been marked
objects Of ancient and modern leg
Station. In other countries they
nave been but too often intended
Is the war-paths of conquest. In
,urs they can facilitate inter-
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