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Loudon Bridge/Civil War Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2686

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of nine letters and two printed bridge diagrams on silk regarding the rebuilding of the burned bridge crossing the Tennessee River at Loudon, Tennessee during the United States Civil War. These letters consists of orders for rebuilding the bridge, transfer of troops from Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky to Loudon, and technical information. In a letter dated February 9, 1864, Col. D. C. McCallum, General Manager of the R. R. Division of the Mississippi, informs Lt. Col. J. L. Donaldson, General and Supr. Qr. Ms. Dept. of the Cumberland, I have this day closed a contract with W. H. Bristol for the reconstruction of the Tenn. River Bridge at Louden . . . I have in behalf of the U. S. agreed, that men, materials, and supplies shall be transported from Cincinnati or Louisville to Nashville, by Boat or Railroad, at the rates paid by the United States, and from thence to Louden free. The other letters related to the rebuilding of the Loudon bridge discuss splice blocks, rails, spikes, and ties; ordering a pile driver to be sent to Johnsonville, and are from manufacturers of a steam pumping machine and a drilling machine with pile driver and hydraulic sand pump.

In addition, the collection also contains two other Civil War era letters. The first letter, dated August 7, 1862, concerns a transfer of money via Adams Express between Major Zalmon S. Main and P. S. Lincoln. Main sends $160 to Lincoln noting that I feel myself under many obligations to you for past favors. The second letter written by Margaret A. Kirkland to Mrs. White on November 16, 1863, discusses domestic affairs and the wages paid to teachers in Kansas. Kirkland states that school teachers do not get paid as good wages in Kansas as they do in the eastern states for there are a great many willing to teach and not very much money in the county to pay them.

Dates

  • 1862-1865, undated

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.3 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection consists of nine letters and two printed bridge diagrams on silk regarding the rebuilding of the burned bridge crossing the Tennessee River at Loudon, Tennessee during the United States Civil War. In addition, the collection also contains two other Civil War era letters.

Biographical/Historical Note

The Loudon Bridge at Loudon, Tennessee was the longest bridge crossing the Tennessee River on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad and ran between Knoxville, Tennessee and Dalton, Georgia. The bridge represented an important transportation link between the southern and western Confederacy. In September 1863, Confederate soldiers burned the bridge to prevent Union General James L. Shackleford from capturing the strategic bridge. In early 1864, the United States government closed a contract with W. H. Bristol to reconstruct the Tennessee River Bridge at Loudon.

Arrangement

Collection consists of three folders.

Acquisition Note

Collection was purchased by Special Collection in April 2004

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480