I am reading a series of books by Gary Goodson. " The Confederate 7000" In one volume he quotes the diary(s) of a member of the 42nd Ga infantry. They were traveling from Miss. to NC to join up with Johnson in Jan/Feb of 1865. One entry says they got off the train before reaching Milledgeville Ga and marched several miles beyond there to get on another train. The diarist doesnt mention the reason, but it is known that federal troops led by Sherman had passed here a few weeks before and had wrecked every track and bridge they encountered. I would think all the rails bent and twisted would be of little use afterward.

Does anyone know how long it took the railroad companies, or states, or the CSA to rebuild these decimated railroads after this?