I have searched for this information but have had no luck. My interest; I have become convinced that General William Sooy Smith was involved in the construction of the Mempis & Vicksburg Rail Road / Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railway oYazoo & Mississippi Valley Rail Road COmpay / Illinois Central Rail Road Bridge over the Yazoo River located 10 miles north of Vicksburg, Missispspi. They had many problems. Today if found the first hard evidence;
"The Vicksburg Evening Post Newspaper," Vicksburg, Warren County, Misssisppi, Monday, September 03, 1883 - The Local Items; General William Sooy Smith, who had the Oroginal Contract for the Bidge across the Yazoo River for the Louisville. New Orleans & Texas Rail Road Company, came in this mroning on the Vicksburg & Meridian Train.
"The Vicksburg Evening Post Newspaper," Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi, Tuesady, september 04th, 1883: Captain Grant, Gneral Sooy Smith and Major Ellior are now at Athony's Ferry giving te construcitonof the foundation for the Louisville, New Orlenas & Texas Rail Road bridge across he Yazoo River, their personal attention.
(A note - Anthony's Ferry was the name given the Ferry on te Yazoo River at what is today Redwood, Missisisppi, near the point where United States Hgihway crosses the Yazoo River. Anthony's Ferry and Redwood are located 10 miles northward from Vickburg, Missisisppi.)