Charles Ellet, Jr. Papers, 1795-1941 (majority within 1838-1863)

Summary

Creator:

Ellet, Charles, Jr., 1810-1862

Abstract:

The records of the Charles Ellet, Jr. papers include correspondence, court documents, technical drawings and plans, general orders, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, notebooks, diaries, photographs, and ephemera.

Extent:

20.0 Linear feet (33 manuscript boxes 11 flat oversized boxes)

Language:

The material is in .

Authors:

Finding aid prepared by Lauren Lincoln-Chavez

Background

Scope and Content:

The papers of Charles Ellet, Jr. (1810-1862) span the years 1827-1954. The papers documents Charles Ellet, Jr.’s important contributions as a civil engineer to 19th century public works projects: building wire suspension bridges, canals, and railroads; conducting the first government funded survey of the lower Mississippi River Delta; constructing and commanding the U.S. Ram Fleet; and his contributions to economic transportation theory. The papers are arranged into seven series: Correspondence; Subject Files; Technical Drawings and Plans; Newspapers; Photographs; Notebooks; and Artifacts.

The bulk of the Charles Ellet, Jr. papers contain correspondence, dating 1838-1863. The papers also contain technical drawings and plans, newspaper clippings, legal documents, survey notebooks, scrapbooks, photographs, survey reports, publication drafts, general orders, ephemera, and building specifications for canals, locks, and railroads. The Correspondence series creates an intimate portrait of his family life and professional career; including notable correspondence with Lot Clark, Charles Davis, Edwin Stanton, Benjamin Wright, Charles B. Stuart, Joseph Cabell, and John Roebling. The Subject Files series records his professional contributions, containing organizational documents and records related to his work developing public works projects, lobbying for river improvements, the legal dispute surrounding the Niagara Falls Suspension bridge, and his command of the U.S Ram Fleet during the Civil War. The Technical Drawings and Plans series consists of survey drawings and maps for the construction of railroads and canals, with significant material from his survey of the Lower Mississippi River Delta. Missing from the Technical Drawings and Plans series are plans for the U.S. Ram Fleet. The Newspapers series contains many clippings relating to the Ellet family genealogical history, and the U.S. Ram Fleet’s service during the Civil War. The Notebooks series consists primarily of survey books from his survey of Philadelphia County, 1840-1841. The Charles Ellet, Jr. papers also contain family papers illuminating the life and military career of Charles Rivers Ellet and Alfred W. Ellet.

Through the steadfast preservation, collection, and promotion of Charles Ellet, Jr.’s life and work, Mary Virginia Ellet sold the Charles Ellet, Jr. papers to the University of Michigan’s Transportation History Collection in 1936.

Biographical / Historical:

Charles Ellet, Jr., a prominent early American civil engineer and a colonel in the Union Army, brought significant innovation to the United State’s early 19th century public works projects and naval warfare during the Civil War. In his career as a civil engineer, Charles Ellet, Jr. is best known for his design and introduction of wire suspension bridge technology to the United States, conducting the first government survey of the Mississippi River Delta with a comprehensive plan for flood control and river improvements, and the construction of the first elevated mountain top track through Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. He also made pioneering contributions to transportation economic theory through his work An Essay on the Laws of Trade in Reference to the Works of Internal Improvement in the United States (1839), and successfully aided in the Union effort to win the Civil War through the development and command of the U.S. Ram Fleet.

Born in 1810, and raised on a farm in Pennsylvania, Charles Ellet, Jr. left his home at seventeen to begin his career as a rodman for the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. After studying engineering at École nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris in 1830, and touring public works in Europe, Charles Ellet, Jr. began developing his first design for a wire suspension bridge across the Potomac. His design was rejected but he later constructed three wire suspension bridges in the United States: Schuylkill River, Philadelphia (1842), Niagara Falls, New York (1848), and the Wheeling Bridge, West Virginia (1849).

Spanning 1,010 feet, and connecting the National Road, the Wheeling Bridge was Ellet’s ‘crown jewel.’ It quickly became embroiled in controversy. In 1849, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit against the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company in support of railroad and steamboat interests, declaring the Wheeling Bridge an obstruction to commerce on the Ohio-Mississippi waterway. The Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company argued that the bridge did not significantly obstruct commerce on the Ohio River, and advocated for the communities’ right to gain free navigation of the headway and waterway. In a momentous victory, Congress signed a law in 1852 declaring the Wheeling Bridge part of a post road, and not subject to the decree of the Supreme Court.

Spanning an international border, the Niagara Falls Suspension bridge was also surrounded in controversy. Faced with an economic recession, the bridge companies pushed Ellet to alter his bridge plans and investment. The legal dispute centered on ownership of the bridge and possession of the collection of tolls. Charles Ellet, Jr. completed a light suspension bridge hung on wooden towers in 1848. Using Ellet’s bridge as scaffolding, the Niagara Falls Suspension bridge was rebuilt by John A. Roebling in 1855.

Charles Ellet, Jr. married his beloved wife Elvira (Ellie) in 1837, while working as chief engineer for the James River Kanawha Company. They raised four children: Mary (1839), Charles Rivers (1843), Cornelia (1849), and William (1854). The first year of marriage was filled with constant separation, as he conducted business trips and visited portions of the James River improvement. Ellet’s family provided him with great pride and joy, especially the birth of his son Charles Rivers. His life and legacy is predominantly preserved through his correspondence with Ellie.

Charles Ellet, Jr. spent the year of 1861 offering aid to the U.S. War Department, proposing various defense strategies, and offering his services as an engineer. He published scathing critiques of the military, “Military incapacity, and what it Costs the Country,” and “The Army of the Potomac, and its Mismanagement.” After the Merrimac’s devastating blow to the Union fleet at Hampton Roads in 1862, Charles Ellet, Jr. was appointed Colonel of the U.S Ram Fleet, where he outfitted nine steamers with battering rams. In Ellet’s innovative approach, the crushing power of the steam-powered vessel was generated through velocity and weight. The steamers were painted black and reinforced, their hulls strengthened and manned with twenty sharpshooters. On June 6, 1862, at the Battle of Memphis, the U.S Ram Fleet joined Commodore Davis’s flotillas on the Mississippi at Memphis, resulting in the destruction of eight Confederate vessels and the city’s capture. While in command of the flagship Queen of the West, Charles Ellet, Jr. was mortally wounded by a gunshot wound to the knee during the Battle of Memphis. He later died at Cairo, Ohio on June 21, 1862. His beloved wife, Elvira died of grief seven days later. In November 1862, Charles Rivers Ellet was appointed Colonel of the U.S Ram Fleet, becoming best known for his command of the Queen of the West during the Vicksburg campaign in 1863.

Timeline

1810, January 1 Charles Ellet Jr. is born to Mary Israel Ellet and Charles Ellet in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His mother fostered his study of mathematics.

1827 Worked as a Rodman on the North Branch Susquehanna Canals.

1828 Employed as a Volunteer Assistant for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

1829 Became Assistant Engineer for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, surveyed the North Branch of the Susquehanna River from Northumberland to the New York state line.

1830 Resigned from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Trip to Paris to study public works. The French Revolution erupted (July).

1831 Attended engineering lectures at Ecole des Ponts et Chausses. Toured France and Switzerland.

1832 Offered a position at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal by C.F. Mercer. The offer was declined. Submitted design for suspension bridge across Potomac to the Secretary of the Treasury, Louis McLane.

1833 Worked as Assistant Engineer, for the Utica and Schenectady Railroad creating surveys to locate the western division for a line to connect Albany and Buffalo.

1834 Left Utica and Schenectady Railroad survey. Began survey for New York and Erie Railroad at Tioga Point, N.Y superintending two survey crews fifty miles apart. Published:

1835 Worked as Assistant Engineer, James River and Kanawha Canal Company, charged with developing maps and profiles for the division between Lynchburg and Tye River. Sent to Philadelphia and New York to view the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and purchase leveling instruments.

1836 Appointed Chief Engineer, James River and Kanawha Canal Company. Viewed canal line from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.

1837 Married Elvira Daniel Cabell; ‘Point of Honor’ Lynchburg, Virginia. Visited sites of dams upon the Lehigh, Susqhenna, and Allegheny Rivers. Business trips: Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. Panic of 1837.

1838 Conducted survey for extension of the canal at Lynchburg to the Ohio River for the James River and Kanawha Company.

1839 Mary Virginia Ellet is born (January). Replaced as Chief Engineer by Benjamin Wright at the James River and Kanawha Company. Prepared report on a proposal for the Mississippi Bridge, which was rejected by St. Louis city council. Submitted plan for suspension bridge across Schuylkill; Fairmount. Judge William Daniels dies, leaving Ellet a sizable estate. Traveled on an “extended tour of the West.”

1840 Filed suit against James River and Kanawha Company for salary balance in 1839. Travelled extensively to interest cities to promote plans for suspension bridge, especially along the Ohio River. Illness while in Cincinnati, especially after the medical treatment bloodletting. Sent for Ellie (May). Supervised the survey of Philadelphia County.

1841 Proposal for the first suspension bridge is accepted; Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. Construction begins (July). Appeared before a committee of the New York legislature to promote plans for bridge across Hudson River between Albany and Troy. Andrew Young obtains Schuylkill bridge contract (April). Ellet wins contract back (June). Eliza Bryan dies, Ellet’s sister.

1842 Schuylkill Bridge is completed. Family trip to Havana, Cuba.

1843 Return from Cuba (Spring). Charlie Rivers Ellet is born.

1844 Trip to Europe, observation of canals and railroads in Great Britain. Returned to the U.S (August).

1845 Worked as an agent for Schuylkill Navigation Company to procure loans and conduct a public campaign to emphasize advantages of the canal to the Reading Rainbow. Spent the year in New York or Boston. Wager with John Gihon (large stockholder of the Reading Railroad); $1,000 if Reading Railroad could transport 100,000 tons of coal during a month. Began plans for suspension bridge across Niagara River (October). Elected President of Schuylkill Navigation Company during period of enlargement (December).

1846 Continued improvements for Schuylkill Navigation Company. Competed with Roebling for the Niagara Suspension Bridge contract.

1847 Resigned from Schuylkill Navigation Company after completing the enlargement. Awarded Niagara River Suspension Bridge contract. Employment for Wheeling and Belmont Suspension Bridge company begins (July). Charles Ellet, Sr. (father) and Hannah Ellet Hale (sister) die.

1848 Prepared report for bridge across the Connecticut River near Middleton. Hartford Committee decides to postpone bridge; Ellet severs connection. Completed light suspension bridge hung on wood towers at Niagara (July). Construction of the Wheeling and Belmont Suspension Bridge begins. Controversy and legal dispute over possession and control of the Niagara Falls Bridge begins. Niagara company took possession of the bridge (August). Court returns control of Niagara Suspension Bridge to Ellet (October). Ellet relinquishes the Niagara Suspension bridge contract (December).

1849 Presented plans for a suspension bridge over the Connecticut River, Cincinnati. Suit is brought against the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company by the State of Pennsylvania (August). Cornelia Daniel Ellet is born. Wheeling Suspension Bridge completed (October). Ellet family resided in Wheeling, Virginia.

1850 Petitioned Congress for funds to construct reservoirs on tributary streams of the Ohio River (April). Served as council for City of Wheeling in dispute between the city and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to determine proper route into the city of Wheeling. Appointed by the War Department to supervise the surveys of the Lower Mississippi to determine flood prevention program. Began work as Chief Engineer, Hempfield Railroad to construct line connecting the city of Wheeling with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Greensburg (November). Commissioners report states the Wheeling Suspension bridge is an obstruction to the free passage of the waterway. Ellet family resided in New Orleans.

1851 Worked on Mississippi River Delta survey. Court declares the Wheeling Suspension Bridge an obstruction to sea vessels.

1852 Established headquarters in Harrisburg to convince Pennsylvania legislature to abandon Wheeling bridge lawsuit (January). Supreme Court delivers opinion against the bridge (May). Bill is signed into law declaring the Wheeling Bridge a portion of a post road and not subject to decree of Supreme Court (August). Submitted a new proposal for a suspension bridge spanning 1,000 feet over the Potomac River. Employed as Chief Engineer at Hempfield Railroad.

1853 Chief Engineer, Hempfield Railroad. Worked as Chief Engineer, Virginia Central Railroad to build a temporary mountain top track through Blue Ridge Mountains. Ellet family spent winters in Washington, D.C. and summers in Virginia.

1854 Virginia Central Railroad’s Blue Ridge Mountain Top Track opens to traffic. Wheeling Bridge collapses after a terrible storm (May). Stanton incurs an injunction to prevent rebuilding the bridge; the proceedings were dropped (July). A temporary bridge was completed and open for traffic at Wheeling (July). William D. Ellet is born. Ellet is sent to Europe to negotiate securities for the Virginia Central and Hempfield railroads, and purchase railroad irons. The family accompanies him to Europe. Charles Rivers attends a French boarding school. Ellet assumed a position as Consulting Engineer at the Virginia Central Railroad developing railroad rates.

1855 Resigned from Chief Engineering position at Hempfield Railroad. Proposed steam naval battering rams: Russia, England, U.S.

1856 Worked as Consulting Engineer for the Virginia Central Railroad. Lobbied for river improvements proposal for the Mississippi River. Purchased a home in Georgetown, District of Columbia.

1857 Purchased “Clifton” farm near Georgetown. Charlie Rivers is enrolled as a medical student at Georgetown University. Economic Depression begins. Ellet family resides at Clifton farm.

1858 Employed by James River and Kanawha Company to survey the Kanawha River and develop a plan for improving the Ohio River and its tributaries through artificial reservoirs. Resigned from Consulting Engineer position at the Virginia Central Railroad. Ellie’s health begins to decline.

1859 Charles Rivers appointed lay cadet in Virginia Military Institute. Continued efforts to promote steam ram idea.

1860 Charles Rivers expelled from Virginia Military Institute; sent for medical training in Illinois. Roebling is employed to continue repairs on the Wheeling Suspension bridge. Threat of Civil War halts professional duties.

1861 Charles Ellet, Jr. made numerous recommendations to assist efforts with the Civil War.

1862 The Battle of Hampton Roads (March 8-9). Charles Ellet, Jr. is appointed Colonel of the U.S. Ram Fleet, constructing nine steam naval battle rams, and three coal barges reinforced to guard the fleet from enemy fire. Charlie Rivers and Alfred Ellet joined the fleet. Battle of Memphis (June 6), Charles Ellet, Jr. sustains a gunshot in the leg. Charles Rivers hangs the flag on the Memphis post office. In worsening condition, command of the Ram Fleet is given to Alfred Ellet (June 16). Charles Ellet, Jr. dies near Cairo, Ohio (June 21). Alfred is promoted to Brigadier General (November), and placed in command of the Mississippi Marine Brigade. Charles Rivers is made Colonel of the Marine Brigade. Mortal gunshot wound,. Charles Ellet, Jr. died June 6. Alfred Ellet promoted to Brigadere General.

1863 Alfred has Charlie arrested. Charlie is place in command of the ram fleet. Successful campaign at Vicksburg. Charlie Rivers is honorably discharged due to health concerns (September). Charlie Rivers dies at Bunker Hill (October).

1938 The USS Ellet (DD-398) is launched.

Charles Ellet, Jr. Publications

Ellet, C. (1834). Bridge Across Potomac at Washington: Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting a communication from Charles Ellet, Jr. on the subject of the contemplated bridge across the Potomac at Washington. (House Document. United States. Congress. House. No. 374). Washington D.C.: Gales and Seaton.

Ellet, C. (1836). Report on the survey for a ship canal from Richmond to Warwick, being the plan proposed for the connection of the James River and Kanawha improvement with tide water. Richmond: Shepard and Collin.

Ellet, C.; James River and Kanawha Company. (1838). Report of the Chief Engineer, on the survey for the extension of the James River and Kanawha improvement from Lynchburg to the Ohio River. Richmond: James River and Kanawha Company.

Ellet, C. (1839). An essay on the laws of trade in reference to the works of internal improvement in the United States. New York: A.M. Kelley (1966). Ellet, C. (1839). A popular notice of wire suspension bridges. Richmond: P.D. Bernard, Printer.

Ellet, C. (1839). A popular exposition of the incorrectness of the tariffs of toll in use on the public improvement of the United States [Place of publication not identified]: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C. (1839). Report in relation to the water power on the line of the James River and Kanawha Canal. Richmond: P.T. Bernard.

Ellet, C. (1840). Report and Plan for a wire suspension bridge proposed to be constructed across the Mississippi River at Saint Louis. Philadelphia: W. Stavely.

Ellet, C. (1840). The law of trade applied to the determination of the most advantageous fare for passengers on rail roads. Philadelphia. Ellet, C. (1841). Exposition of the causes which have conduced to the failure of many rail-roads in the United States. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark, printer.

Ellet, C. (1843). A popular notice of wire suspension bridges with a brief description of the wire bridge across the Schuylkill, at Fairmount. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark.

Ellet, C. (1845). The position and prospectus of the Schuylkill Navigation Company. Philadelphia: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C. (1845). The Reading Railroad Company. New York: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C.; Common Sense. (1845). Essence of Humbug. New York: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C. (1847). Report on the Wheeling and Belmont Suspension Bridge to the City Council of Wheeling. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark.

Ellet, C.; Schuylkill Navigation Company; Joseph Kite & Co. (1847). Report of the President and Managers of the Schuylkill Navigation Company, to the stockholders, January 4th, 1847. Philadelphia: printed by Joseph Kite & Co., no 50 North Fourth Street.

Ellet, C. (1848). Report on the rail-way suspension bridge across the Conneticut, at Middletown with a proposal for its construction, to a committee of the citizens of Hartford. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark

Ellet, C. (1848). Report to the President and Managers of the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Co. Wheeling: James E. Wharton.

Ellet, C. (1849). Contributions to the Physical Geography of the United States./Part I, of the physical geography of the Mississippi Valley, with suggestions for the improvement of the navigation of the Ohio and other rivers. Washington D.C.: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C. (1849). Letter on the proposed bridge across the Ohio River at Cincinnati,: with a single span of 1400 feet, and an elevation of 112 feet above low water. Columbus.

Ellet, C. (1850). Report on the location of the western portion of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-road : to a committee of the City Council of Wheeling. Philadelphia: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C. (1850). Contributions to the physical geography of the United States. Part I, of the physical geography of the Mississippi Valley, with suggestions for the improvement of the navigation of the Ohio and other rivers. Washington: Smithsonian Institute.

Ellet, C. (1850). Second report on the location of the western portion of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-Road: to a committee of the city council of Wheeling. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark Printer.

Ellet, C. (1850). Remarks on the Revised Comparative Estimates of the Grave Creek and Fish Creek routes. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark Printer.

Ellet, C.; Knight, J. (1850). General principles for the comparison of the Grave Creek and Fish Creek routes. Philadelphia: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C.; Georgetown (Washington D.C.). (1852). Report on a suspension bridge across the Potomac, for rail road and common travel: addressed to the mayor and city council of Georgetown, D.C. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark printer.

Ellet, C. (1852). Remarks touching the Wheeling Bridge suit: addressed to the Hon. G.W. Thompson. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark printer.

Ellet, C. (1852). Report on the Overflows of the Delta of the Mississippi. Washington: printed by A.B. Hamilton

Ellet, C. (1852). The Wheeling Bridge. Philadelphia: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C.; Hempfield Railroad Company. (1852). The Hempfield rail road and its principal tributaries. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark Printer.

Ellet, C.; General Assembly, Virginia. (1852). Memorial of Charles Ellet, Jr.. a stockholder in the Wheeling Bridge Company. To the Legislature of Virginia. Wheeling: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C. (1853). The Mississippi and Ohio rivers: containing plans for the protection of the delta from inundation; and investigations of the practicability and cost of improving the navigation of the Ohio and other rivers by means of reservoirs, with an appendix, on the bars at the mouths of the Mississippi. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo, and Co.

Ellet, C. (1853). Remarks on the gauge of the Covington and Ohio railroad.: Extracted from the report of the chief engineer to the president and directors of the Virginia Central Railroad. Richmond: Collin & Nowlan, Eleventh Street.

Ellet, C.; Pennsylvania Railroad. (1854). Subscriptions to western rail roads: addressed to the president and directors of the Pennsylvania Rail Road Company. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark & Son printers.

Ellet, C. (1854). Report on a suspension bridge across the Potomac, for rail road and common travel: addressed to the mayor and City Council of Georgetown, D.C. Philadelphia: J.C. Clark printer.

Ellet, C. (1855). Letter of Charles Ellet, jr., relative to short track railroad between Richmond and Charlottesville, 1855-6. Richmond: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C.; Navy Department, United States. (1855). Coast and harbor defenses, or The substitution of steam battering rams for ships of war. Philadelphia: John C. Clark & Son, printers, 68 Dock Street.

Ellet, C. (1855). Coast and harbor defenses. Philadelphia: John C. Clark & Son, printers.

Ellet, C. (1855). The Schuylkill Navigation: why it pays no dividends. Addressed to the old stockholders. Philadelphia: John C. Clark & Son, printers, 68 Dock Street.

Ellet, C. (1856). The mountain top track: a description of the railroad across the Blue Ridge at Rock Fish Gap, in the state of Virginia: maximum grade, 296 feet per mile, least radius of curvature, 234 feet. Philadelphia: T.K & P.G. Collins.

Ellet, C. (1856). The mountain top track. A description of the railroad across the Blue Ridge at Rock Fish Gap, in the state of Virginia. Philadelphia: [s.n.].

Ellet, C. (1857). Proceedings of the Convention of railroad and canal companies of the state of Virginia, held in the city of Richmond, December 8, 1857; to which is appended a letter of Charles Ellet, jr., on the subject of railroad charges for freight and passengers. Richmond, Printed at the Whig Book and Job Office.

Ellet, C. (1857). The reservoir plan. Washington, D.C., February 23, 1857. Washington, D.C.: [publisher not identified]. Ellet, C.; Virginia Central Railroad Company. (1858). Report on the tariff of toll for the Virginia Central Railroad. [Washington, D.C.?]: [publisher not identified].

Ellet, C. (1858). Report on the improvement of the Kanawha, and incidentally of the Ohio River: by means of artificial lakes. Philadelphia: Collins.

Ellet, C. (1862). Military incapacity, and what it costs the country. New York: Ross & Tousey; Philadelphia: J.R. Callender.

Ellet, C. (1862). The Army of the Potomac, and its mismanagement: respectfully addressed to Congress. Washington: Printed by L. Towers & Co.

Acquisition Information:

The Charles Ellet, Jr. paper were purchased by the University of Michigan, Transportation History Library from Mary Virginia Ellet Cabell in 1936.

Arrangement:

The collection is divided into seven series:

Correspondence, 1827-1904

Subject Files, 1830-1925

Technical Drawings and Plans, 1823-1862

Newspapers, 1830-1938

Photographs, 1830-1919

Notebooks, 1826-1895

Artifacts, 1862-1938

The chronological arrangement of the collection was maintained throughout the processing of the collection. Drawings, photographs, and notebooks are arranged based on subject.

Rules or Conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related

Additional Descriptive Data:

Related Archival Materials note

A microfilm copy of the Charles Ellet, Jr. papers is available at the University of Illinois Library.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Rivers--Surveying
Battering Rams
Bridges, Suspension
Bridges--Design and construction--Costs
Bridges--Law and legislation
Bridges--Pennsylvania--Schuylkill River
Canals, Interoceanic
Canals--Design and construction--Costs
Canals--rates and tolls
Civil Engineering--Early works to 1850
Civil Engineering--History
Economics--Transport
Mountain passes--Blue Ridge Mountains
Mountain Railroads--United States
Public works--New York (State)--Niagara Falls
Railroads--Design and construction
Railroads--Design and construction--Costs
Railroads--Freight--Rates
Railroads--United States
Stream channelization
Suspension Bridges--Design and construction
Toll bridges--law and legislation
Transportation -- History -- 20th century.
Transportation--Rates--United States
United States--Defenses
United States-History-Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Navy--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Water Power--United States

Names:

Badger, George E, 1795-1866
Bell, John, 1796-1869
Cabell, Joseph C. , (Joseph Carrington), 1778-1856
Cabell, Mayo
Davis, C.H. , (Charles Henry), 1807-1877
Ellet, Alfred Washington, 1820-1895
Ellet, Charles Rivers, 1843-1863
Ellet, Elvira Augusta Daniel, 1817-1862
Ellet, Mary Israel, 1780-1870
Lane, William Carr, 1789-1863
Lippincott, Thomas
McLane, Louis , Secretary of Treasury, 1786-1857
Porter, David D. , (David Dixon), 1813-1891
Roebling, John Augustus, 1806-1869
Sedgwick, C.B. , (Charles Baldwin), 1815-1883
Seward, William H. , (William Henry), 1801-1872
Stanton, Edwin M. , 1814-1869
Stuart, Charles B. , 1814-1881
Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878
Wright, Benjamin, 1770-1842
Zane, Daniel

Places:

Blue Ridge Mountains
James River and Kanawha Canal (Va.)
Mississippi River Delta (La.)
Niagara River (river)
West Branch Schuylkill River (river)
Wheeling and Belmont Bridge (Wheeling, W. Va.)