How Did US Locomotive Washington Get to Richmond (1863)?

DaveBrt

1st Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 6, 2010
Location
Charlotte, NC
It appears that there were 3 locomotives named Washington that worked the US line from Aquia to Fredericksburg during the war. The first one, a 4x4x0, is the one in question here.

When the Union prepared to leave Aquia in September, 1862, they listed 7 locomotives present and removed. An additional locomotive was not listed for removal, and, in fact, was abandoned. This was the "old locomotive Washington, so crippled she could not be moved. (OR)" The Union destroyed the bridges on the road.

On October 27th, the President of the RF&P RR wrote to the QMG about the old engine left by the Yankees in Fredericksburg. The date is good, but the exact statement is the summary made by a clerk in the Letters Received Register; the letter has not been found.

On November 15, Lee ordered that the Aquia branch be completely destroyed, removing the iron, if possible. By November 26, Union forces had so re-established themselves east of Fredericksburg that the RF&P line into the city was removed at night by Pickett's Division.

I have found no other reference to any Confederate effort to either destroy more fully the Aquia branch or remove any iron from it. The RF&P had just re-established service to Fredericksburg and then almost immediately had to fall back 5 miles. The removal of the Aquia branch iron in 1863 and 1864 is well documented (and was fruitful), but there is not a word about such effort in the few days between the 15th and 26th of November. The 1863 and 1864 iron removals were painfully slow in getting underway, with much correspondence about wagons, slaves, military escort, Engineer Department supervision, etc. -- none of which survives from 1862.

Since the Aquia branch bridges were destroyed by the departing Federals, since the locomotive Washington was in such bad condition that it could not even be moved onto a barge and since there is no documentation of even an effort by the Confederates to remove any Aqua branch material in 1862, I wonder if the Washington was abandoned, but not removed by the Confederates.

This conclusion, however, does fit well with the Union desire that since the Washington had caused so much trouble that it would be well if it fell off the new bridge (the beanpole and cornstalk bridge) later. Perhaps the Union eventually repaired the old hulk and it was that locomotive that was so unloved.

Final fact, a Washington is listed as a captured US locomotive on the list of engines on the Richmond & Petersburg RR. If this locomotives was called Washington by the US (some captured locomotives had their names changed), is this the "old junk locomotive?" If so, how did it get to Richmond from Aquia?
 
Could they have disassembled her and moved her piece-by-piece? That sort of effort would have left a paper-trail, no?

Just spit-balling...
USS ALASKA
 
Could they have disassembled her and moved her piece-by-piece? That sort of effort would have left a paper-trail, no?

Just spit-balling...
USS ALASKA
Yes, my guess is that the RF&P did some quick disassembly in place. But how did they get the main parts (boiler, drivers, etc) across the water (Aquia Creek and Rappahannock River) when the Union had control of the waterways? They had to be fast -- about Oct 27 to Nov 17 or so. I'm surprised that the RF&P did not mention this operation in their Directors Minutes or Annual Report -- even if the work was done by the R&P, the final owners of the locomotive. Just so many places for a bit of paper, but no sign of one.
 
I hate when you do this as you know I'm going to try and find out. I think we need to eliminate the other 2 Washington's and go from there. Loco's left a paper trail on both sides of the Mason Dixon so there has got be a record, letter, orders etc from the CS on the movement of the 3rd Washington.
 
I hate when you do this as you know I'm going to try and find out. I think we need to eliminate the other 2 Washington's and go from there. Loco's left a paper trail on both sides of the Mason Dixon so there has got be a record, letter, orders etc from the CS on the movement of the 3rd Washington.
Dive in --- I hope your find the answer.
 
I'm guessing this isn't it based on the James River location?

From the Richmond Dispatch,
3/8/1862, p. 2, c. 2


Moving Under Difficulties. – A locomotive, of large size, brought to Richmond from Mr. Allan’s plantation (Claremont) on James river, was moved yesterday to the depot of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. It was mounted upon stout wheels, and in the absence of steam, some thirty mules and horses were attached; but even with this power, it was found no easy matter to haul the iron monster to its destination. Near the corner of Main and 13th streets, the traces parted, and a dozen mules shot gaily forward, relieved of their burden, while the majority, with the locomotive, stuck fast to the pavement. An immense crowd assembled, and the incident afforded considerable excitement for an hour or two. At length the team was properly hitched up again, but the combined horse and mule power, with the whips and “hi hi’s” of the drivers, availed nothing. It was an uphill business. Finally a strong rope was procured, and made fast to the ponderous vehicle, and some two hundred of the bystanders took their places in the line to aid the quadrupeds in their labor. The experiment succeeded. With a long pull and a strong pull, and amid vociferous shouting, the work was successfully accomplished and the locomotive to the depot on Broad street.
282

Cheers,
USS ALASKA
 
I'm guessing this isn't it based on the James River location?

From the Richmond Dispatch,
3/8/1862, p. 2, c. 2


Moving Under Difficulties. – A locomotive, of large size, brought to Richmond from Mr. Allan’s plantation (Claremont) on James river, was moved yesterday to the depot of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. It was mounted upon stout wheels, and in the absence of steam, some thirty mules and horses were attached; but even with this power, it was found no easy matter to haul the iron monster to its destination. Near the corner of Main and 13th streets, the traces parted, and a dozen mules shot gaily forward, relieved of their burden, while the majority, with the locomotive, stuck fast to the pavement. An immense crowd assembled, and the incident afforded considerable excitement for an hour or two. At length the team was properly hitched up again, but the combined horse and mule power, with the whips and “hi hi’s” of the drivers, availed nothing. It was an uphill business. Finally a strong rope was procured, and made fast to the ponderous vehicle, and some two hundred of the bystanders took their places in the line to aid the quadrupeds in their labor. The experiment succeeded. With a long pull and a strong pull, and amid vociferous shouting, the work was successfully accomplished and the locomotive to the depot on Broad street.
282

Cheers,
USS ALASKA
Sorry, Mr Allen had a plantation southeast of Petersburg with a RR on it. This locomotive was the J. M. Short, sold to the RF&P RR on March 10, 1862, and renamed the R. W. Haxwell.
 
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