Nothing illustrates better the spirit which animated the
people of the South in their efforts to repair the losses of the
war than the rapidity with which the railroads were recon-
structed and put into operation. They seem to have showed
few signs of discouragement at the disheartening picture
which they were compelled to face upon the return of peace,
but plunged into the work of reconstruction with the same
confidence and enthusiasm with which they took up arms
in the great contest which was destined to inflict incalculable
ruin and misery upon them.

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