H. Washington to Edmund P. Turner, August 31, 1863

Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER, Assistant Adjutant-General :

Sir: I have the honor to report that immediately on receiving your order of the 7th instant to furnish information with a view to the location of iron-works on Trinity River, I addressed letters to gentlemen in the iron region of the highest character and intelligence and long residence in our State, thinking it better to rely on their combined information, acquired through a series of years, than on the doubtful and unsatisfactory results of such an examination as would have been able to make in person. Their replies have begun to reach me; and as I have already received enough to establish the material facts, I think it better to report at once, under the possibility of General [Benjamin 192 W. FLA., 8S. ALA., 8. MISS., L. A., TEX., N. MEX. (Cnar. XXXVIIL

‘Huger’s arrival, and then to continue to collect such further information as may be useful.

The chief iron region of Texas lies in the northeast portion of the State, beginning in Nacogdoches and San Augustine Counties, and running northwardly, increasing in value as it proceeds, and has been very successfully worked in Cass County, in the northeast corner of the State. From this main region the ore extends laterally toward the Trinity River, through Smith, Cherokee, Anderson, and a part of Henderson Counties, coming within 10 or 12 miles of the river in Anderson and the southern portion of Henderson County, with an abundance of timber for fuel. There a suitable location can probably be found, within between 10 and 20 miles of the river, which, presume, will be a sufficient compliance with the spirit of the orders from the Ordnance Bureau.

My correspondents inform me that the ore increases in richness and extent as it approaches Trinity River; and the best guarantee of the success of the Governmentoperations ip that region is that two foundries and forges are now being established in Anderson County by private persons whose characters are such that they would not probably engage in anything of uncertain success.

From the tenor of your orders, and their reference to the papers inclosed, it seems to have been contemplated that I should select the point for the iron-works. This I could not undertake to do. Having spent some time in the iron region of Pennsylvania, I know that the location of a furnace requires scientific qualifications and experience in mining which I do not possess. The ore must be assayed to determinue its richness, and, I suppose, partially analyzed, to ascertain whether it contains substances unfavorable to its snecessful working. I have seen an extensive region in Pennsylvania, abounding with rich specimens of iron ore, which I was told could not be worked because it contained too much sulphur. Combination with phosphorus, I believe, and perhaps with other mineral substances, produces similar effects; and Dr. B. F. Shumard, the State geologist, reports some iron ore in Western Texas as useless from containing too much silex. Besides, the appearance of eveu rich specimens of iron ore on the surface is only slight presumptive evidence of the existence of what is necessary for a furnace. Explorations must be made, under the direction of experienced miners, to determine the size and extent of the veins, and sometimes expensive excavations are necessary. Even with all these precautions, I have seen iron masters suffer severely from the exhaustion or change in character of the veins on which they relied. 1 could not, therefore, undertake to select a site without the risk of involving the Government in the consequences of an improper location.

My assumption of such a responsibility seems to have been made unnecessary by the appointment of a special agent from the Mining Bureau, who doubtless possesses every qualification, and would prefer to make his own selection. It seems, therefore, that I can only hope to be useful by procuring such information as may enable him to determine where to commence, and in what direction to prosecute his examination with the best chance of success. To this I am now directing my particular attention, and hope to have obtained full and satisfactory information before it will be needed. I am also prosecuting inquiries with regard to the present state of forwardness and probable time of completion of the foundries being established in Anderson County, with a view of ascertaining whether they may be useful in furnishing iron to the Government, if needed, in advance of the successful operation of its own iron-works.

If the furnace should be established near the Trinity, in the region indicated, and foundry, &c., at Liberty, then the navigation of the river becomes an important element in the calculation of their usefulness. Its navigation above Liberty, which is the head of tide-water, depends entirely on the rains, and cannot be relied on, excepting for a few months in the spring, and even then it is sometimes so baffling and uncertain as to be almost useless. The river usually falls about the close of the month of May, and remains very low during the summer and fall, and, generally, the winter. Unless, therefore, the furnace can be put in successful operation in time to produce the necessary amount of iron to be boated down on the rise of next spring, another year would be lost, excepting so far as hauling with wagons would be practicable at a distance of between 150 and 200 miles. So, afterward, unless a full year’s supply of iron can be shipped down during the brief and uncertain navigation of each spring, the foundry must be idle during a portion of the year. How far these facts may militate against placing them so far apart, connected for only a small portion of the year, and then by the most precarious navigation, is a question respectfully suggested for consideration.

Though there seems at present every reason to hope that a suitable location can be obtained near the Trinity in the region mentioned, yet as the ore there has never been successfully worked, these anticipations may fail, and we may be obliged to resort to the more eastern portion of the iron region, the availability of which has been fully proved by the successful working in Cass County. The Angelina and Sabine Rivers are in that region, both of which are nearly as navigable as the Trinity. A location on one of these rivers comes near to meeting the conditions sought, as the iron could be boated down either of them to Beaumont, and thence forwarded by railroad to Liberty. I am, therefore, endeavoring to obtain all necessary information with regard to those rivers and favorable locations on them for iron-works, holding this information in reserve, and not intending to trouble the majorgeneral commanding with it unless it should be needed.

The iron region of Texas which I have described lies in the tertiary strata of the geologists, and the iron usually appears in the form of the red and brown oxides (hematites), though the State geologist claims to have discovered also important deposits of carbonate of iron, which is the ore chiefly relied on in the English furnaces. ‘The whole region abounds with timber, and extensive beds of lignite have been found in some parts of it, though not in the neighborhood of the Trinity.

Dr. Riddell, of the State geological survey, ascertained by analysis that the iron ore used in the Cass County furnace contained nearly 80 per cent. of iron, and a specimen from Rusk County over 71 per cent. The Hon. J. R. Anderson, of Cherokee County, informs me that specimens have been examined in that county which contained 80 per cent.

If the arsenal workshops and foundry should be established at Liberty, it will not be necessary to resort to the Neches for oak timber, as is supposed. It grows on the Trinity above Liberty in great abundance and variety and of excellent quality.

I will report again so soon as I shall have collected such further information as may seem necessary to enable the special agent of the Mining Bureau to determine where to commence and how to prosecute his examination for selecting a suitable site for the iron-works.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,