May 5, 1863
Repairing The Bridges On The B. & O. R. R. - The two span bridge over Buffalo creek, about half a mile east of Barracksville, to replace the one burned, was completed on Sunday evening at 6 o'clock. The train carrying Maj. Showalter's men, immediately passed over and proceeded to Fairmont, to which place communication is now perfect. The small bridge over Coal run, just above Fairmont station was destroyed, but is [sic] was expected it would be rebuilt by last evening. The company displays great energy in the replacing of these bridges. All for force that can work at them is put on; the timber is provided beforehand for the repair of any bridge on the line; so that it is at once shipped to the point needed, and the bridges are put up on the shortest possible notice. It is wonderful too, how well it is done. These wooden structures appear to be fully as solid and safe for the passage of trains as the original iron ones. They will very shortly be replaced with iron ones.
The rebuilding of the bridge over the Monongahela will cause more delay than all the others, but the work is already going bravely on. There will have to be three long spans of trestling. We understand a ferry will be established at once for transferring passengers and freight, so that communication through will begin immediately.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: May 1863