 The steam boats brought people and freight up from the most southern point in New Orleans, and then the Memphis and Charleston Railroad was able to move them laterally, eventually connecting the Mississippi River with the port of Charleston.The southerners thought that the “iron horse” would enrich the farmers and well-being of everyone between Charleston and Memphis.In 1852, the local Memphis paper advertised that they needed to hire 50 “able-bodied Negros” every month in order to compete the rail line.