Both Wanted ItBy 1861, the B&O Railroad had expanded its routes from the east coast in Virginia to the Ohio River. The railroad was now up to 75 locomotives, 2000 freight cars, and 100 passenger cars. During the Civil War, the busy railroad was claimed by both the Union and the Confederacy. The Confederacy wanted the railroad for important strategical locations including Harpers Ferry. The Union's motivation for the railroad was purely to keep the South away from it. Even though both sides wanted the railroad only one could have it.[1]
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But Only One Could Have ItJohn Garrett, president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was born in Virginia and did not keep secret his support for the Confederacy. Although Garrett's past tied him to the South, he experienced a change of heart due to the business executives who used the railroad to transport their goods. The executives convinced Garrett to move to the side of the Union due to the fact that they were financially and commercially tied to the North. This and the fact that the B&O was located in the northern part of the country made it an easy decision for Garrett to support Abraham Lincoln and the Union. [2]
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Garrett Stays true to NorthEven after the decision to side with North, the Confederacy continued to lobby for the use of the Railroad, especially the location of Harpers Ferry. The South sent threats to Garrett and even forced him to let them train and keep their army in Harpers Ferry and certain points. But, the biggest decision for Garrett came in April of 1861 when Lincoln asked the B&O Railroad to transport 75,000 men from Massachusetts to Washington D.C.. Garrett, who was receiving the worst of his threats at time, agreed, thus letting the North protect D.C. from the Confederacy. HistoryNet's article on the matter describes it best saying, "John Garrett’s wily leadership, and his ability to separate his company’s best interests from his personal preferences and side with the Union, allowed the B&O to remain a viable company through most of the war, despite the hardships visited upon the rail line." [3]
*To the left is a picture of a document advertising the reopening of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1864 after many parts of it had been damaged in the war. |
[1] http://www.historynet.com/baltimore-ohio-railroad-the-unions-most-important-supply-line.htm
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid