The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 5. Page: 73
vii, 1105 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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UNION AUTHORITIES.
over it, they considered it altogether out of the question. It was dis-
covered, however, that engines hauled an average of fifteen loaded
cars per train, and in many cases twenty-three loaded cars, with one
of our ordinary engines, thus demonstrating the practicability of
supplying a large army over a temporary road constructed in this
manner. The total length of track laid on Army Line, branches, and
sidings was 21 miles 3,955 feet, and total length of trestle work, 1
mile 1,393 feet, an average of twenty-one feet high.
Not much of note in railroad affairs occurred from February 28
to April 3. The construction department was kept busy making
additional improvements wherever needed, and building a wharf at
City Point in the gap between the quartermaster's and railroad
wharves. I also increased our force and made heavy additions to our
rolling-stock, iron, timber, and other material in anticipation of a
movement of our army. April 3, immediately. after the successful
advance of our forces, we abandoned the Army Line and commenced
relaying the track taken up on the South Side Railroad to Petersburg,
our troops having taken possession of that place on the morning of
the 3d. The road was opened and in running order to Petersburg
April 4. A large force was set to work changing the gauge of side-
tracks and switches in yard at Petersburg from five feet to four feet
eight and a half inches, to suit our rolling-stock. We also commenced
changing the gauge on main line of South Side Railroad and completed
it to Burkeville, sixty-two miles from City Point, April 11, and trains
commenced running through with supplies to that point. The road
was found to be in wretched condition. The ties were decayed and
worthless, and most of the iron nearly worn out. For two or three
days it was with the greatest difficulty that trains could be got over
the road; but very soon the condition of it was improved by placing
a large construction force at work renewing ties, relaying and repairing
the track. Trains commenced to run regularly and on time without
any accident of a serious nature, and easily filling all requisitions for
transportation. We also opened the Petersburg and Richmond Rail-
road, and regular trains commenced running from City Point to
Manchester (opposite Richmond), via Petersburg, April 7. On the
24th of April orders were received through General Ingalls to make
the necessary repairs on the Richmond and Danville Railroad and
open communication with Danville, and also to advance on the South
Side Railroad and rebuild the High Bridge near Farmville, seventy-
six miles from City Point. I sent a large force with material to this
bridge, but before the work was fairly under way the order was
countermanded. April 30 an order was received from you to suspend
all work on repairs or rebuilding railroads in Virginia, and only
finish such improvements as had been commenced and were nearly
completed. In compliance, immediate steps were taken to reduce the
expenses in the different departments. As soon as the men could be
spared the greater part of the Construction Corps and transportation
departments were sent to Alexandria and discharged.
By the 1st of June all the force that possibly could be spared had
been discharged, and only a sufficient number retained to insure the
successful operation of the roads. Twenty-four new locomotive
engines and about 275 new box-cars (all 5-feet gauge) arrived at City
Point, loaded on a fleet of about ninety vessels. By your directions
this stock was sent to Manchester (opposite Richmond) and there
unloaded. A wharf had to be built, long sidings laid, and connections
made with the Richmond and Danville road for the purpose of storage.73
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 3, Volume 5. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 3, Volume 5.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 5., book, 1900; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth139267/m1/82/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.