The Old Pike Part 12

CHAPTER XIII.

_The Iron Bridge over Dunlap's Creek at Brownsville--Interesting facts relating to its projection and construction--The first step--Several respectable Gentlemen of Brownsville call the attention of the Government's Agent to the subject._

NATIONAL ROAD, 85-5/8 MILES FROM c.u.mBERLAND, August 15, 1832.

_Sir_: Yesterday, as I pa.s.sed through Brownsville, I was waited on by several of the most respectable gentlemen of that place, who were anxious to have me examine the bridge over Dunlap's creek, between Brownsville and Bridgeport, to see its condition, and to give my opinion as to its renewal. Accordingly, I observed that I thought the bridge would not stand a twelve-month, and that I did not feel myself authorized to renew it, as the bridge had never been made by the government, but recommended that they write to the department for a decision; and, agreeably to their request, observed that I would likewise report the actual condition of the bridge. Consequently, I enclose to the department a leaf from my note book, giving a rough sketch of the bridge, and pointing out its defects. The reason why this bridge was not originally constructed by the government, as well as a bridge over the Monongahela river, are better known to the department than I am able to conjecture.

I have to observe that a company is now constructing a substantial bridge over the Monongahela river, across from Bridgeport, thereby making the bridge over Dunlap's creek an important link in the road; and that a bridge, to ensure the purpose of a common highway, would not be suitable for the only connecting point between two important and increasing towns.

I have the honor to be, sir, Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, J. K. F. MANSFIELD, Lieutenant Corps of Engineers.

Gen. C. Gratiot, Chief Engineer.

THE SUBJECT TO BE EXAMINED.

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, August 20, 1832.

_Sir_: Your letter of the 15th inst., informing the department that you had, at the request of the citizens of Brownsville, made an examination of the bridge over Dunlap's creek, with a view to an opinion on the question of its removal, and transmitting a rough sketch of the bridge as it at present exists, is received.

In consequence of the views presented in your letter, it will be necessary to make a thorough examination of this bridge to ascertain whether it is sufficiently substantial to answer all the purposes of the road, by putting proper repairs upon it, or whether it will be necessary to remove it entirely, and to build a new one.

You will accordingly make this examination, and with your report on the subject you will transmit such drawings and explanatory notes as may be necessary to present a full and clear view of the repairs, or new bridge, as the case may be, accompanied by the proper estimates for their execution.

You will also ascertain, by the best oral testimony that can be obtained in the vicinity of the bridge, whether it is on the line of the road as originally located, and make known the fact in your report.

The Secretary of War has been written to on the subject, and, as soon as his decision is known at the department, you will be instructed accordingly.

I am, &c., &c., C. GRATIOT.

Lieut. J. K. P. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa.

AN EXAMINATION MADE, AND AN ADVERSE DECISION RENDERED.

UNIONTOWN, PA., August 24, 1832.

_Sir_: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of the department on the subject of the bridge over Dunlap's creek, at Brownsville, and to state that I have completed the examination of the road to the Virginia line, and have already given out notices for contracts, two of which are enclosed for the perusal of the department.

I am, &c., J. K. F. MANSFIELD, Lieutenant Corps of Engineers.

Gen. Charles Gratiot, Chief Engineer.

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, October 11, 1832.

_Sir_: You were informed by letter from the department, under date of 20th August last, that the Secretary of War had been written to on the subject of building a new bridge over Dunlap's creek in the place of that which is at present in the line of the c.u.mberland Road, between Brownsville and Bridgeport, and which was referred to in your communication to the Chief Engineer of the 15th of August last. I now have to inform you that the Secretary of War has decided that the bridge in question cannot be built at the expense of the government, under the law making appropriation for the repairs of the c.u.mberland Road east of the Ohio river.

Very respectfully, &c., By order: WM. H. C. BARTLETT, Lieut. of Engineers, and a.s.sistant to Chief Engineer.

Lieut. J. K. F. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa., or Capt. Delafield.

THE DECISION REVERSED, AND THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT.

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 13, 1833.

_Sir_: The Secretary of War has determined that a new bridge shall be built across the mouth of Dunlap's creek, in the line of the c.u.mberland Road; you will, therefore, be pleased to submit a plan, and estimate, with as little delay as practicable, with the view to the erection of this bridge during the present year.

I am, sir, &c., C. GRATIOT, Brig. General.

Capt. R. Delafield, Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa.

A SERIOUS QUESTION AS TO LOCATION ARISES--A REQUEST THAT BARRIERS BE USED ON THE ROAD.

Extract from a letter dated BROWNSVILLE, May 14, 1834.

_Sir_: To establish the location of Dunlap's creek bridge, I desire the field notes of the commissioners, if on file in your office, and Mr.

Shriver's notes of location. From these, I am inclined to believe it will appear that the most favorable route for the bridge was pointed out by the commissioners, and the route over the bridge now used, no part of the National Road, but a county bridge, that we have no right to interfere with. May I request such information as is within your reach on this subject?

The road may be called a very excellent turnpike between this and Frostburg, at the present time; so smooth that already the stage proprietors have commenced the use of a "rough lock," that materially injures the surface. Some defects are clearly observable, growing out of the constant travel and wear of the center of the road from the prohibition to use barriers to change the travel.

Without being permitted to use barriers of logs, stumps and stones, it is out of our power ever to make a perfect Macadamized road, and far from being as good as the expenditure should produce. Such a system has been resorted to on every road I have seen made, and every officer a.s.sociated with me concurs in the opinion that we cannot succeed without using them. Permit me to ask a reconsideration of the order prohibiting their use.

Respectfully, your obedient servant, RICH'D DELAFIELD, Captain of Engineers.

Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, Chief Engineer.

THE USE OF BARRIERS PERMITTED--A ROAD BEGINNING AT UNIONTOWN, AND ENDING AT WASHINGTON.

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 20, 1834.

_Sir_: Your communication, dated the 14th instant, was duly received. In conformity with your request, a detail of two officers, as your a.s.sistants on the c.u.mberland Road, has been applied for. Herewith is transmitted a book containing, as stated, "the notes of a location of the United States western road, beginning at Uniontown, and ending at the turnpike near Washington," which is the only doc.u.ment among the papers transferred from the Treasury Department to this office, relating to the c.u.mberland Road, embraced in the notes, required to be forwarded to you.

(On the subject of regulating the travel so as to preserve the surface of the road from injury mentioned in your letter, you will again resort to the use of barriers, wood only, to be used for the purpose, and placed only on one side of the road at the same time, provided the object can thus be accomplished, and so elevated as to be very conspicuous, that the travel by night may not be endangered by the barriers.)

I am, &c., C. GRATIOT, Brig. General.

Capt. R. Delafield, Corps of Engineers, Brownsville, Pa.

A BIG APPROPRIATION, BUT THE BRIDGE ABANDONED.

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, June 25, 1834.

_Sir_: Three hundred thousand dollars have just been appropriated for the repairs of the c.u.mberland Road east of the Ohio. You will perceive by the law, a printed copy of which is herewith enclosed, that the intention is that this sum shall complete the repairs. You will, therefore, take your measures accordingly, and put the road in as good condition as this sum will admit of. The new section to turn Wills hill will be completed on the plan already commenced, but the plan of operations on the other sections must be modified to suit the requirements of the law. The iron bridge over Dunlap's creek will be abandoned. Your project, when matured, will be transmitted for the approval of the department.