Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-06-09

masonry and other mechanical work ex
hibit fitness of design, faithfulness Of ex
ecution, and strength of material whic
reflect great credit on oil concerned i
them. We shall proceed to note, a
briefly as possible, the various prominen
points which came under our notice as VI
passed along the line on this occasion.
The viaduct by which the rail road i
carried across at Harper's Ferry to tn
Virginia side of the Potomac, is one thou
sand feet long. 1t is a substantial struc
iure resting on heavy stone piers. Fo
the purpose of passing up the valley of thu
| Potomac without interfering with the Gov
eminent Armory works at this point, i
became necessary to construct a high anC
massive stone wall along the margin o
the river for distance of eighteen hun.
dred feet. Resting on this wall and sup
ported also by series of tressel work o
equal extent, is broad timber platform
on which the railway is laid. The mag
nitude OF this work, and its exc eedingly
difficult and very imposing character can
only be properly appreciated by person
al inspection. short distance west oil
this, the railway is continued across the
Government canal by yiaduct of one
hundred and seventy feet in length.
After proceeding about mile and a
half from the Ferry, solid rocky spur
which runs into the water and effectualy
prevented secure passage around it, is
perforated by tunnel of one hundred feet
in length. The railway in short time
leaves the Potomac, and running across
the valley Of Virginia, passes through
the pretty and hospitable town of Mar
tlnsburg. In its approach to this town it
crosses the Opequon creek, by means of
viaduct of one hundred and sixty feet in
length, at on elevation above the creek of
forty. four feet. Immediately at the town
the railway is supported on a structure of
a chaste and really beautiful appearance.
1t is a bridge of four hundred feet in
length, resting on two abutments and SIX
teen dorc columns of dressed limestone,
each OF which is about eighteen feet high.
We know Of no other instance of bridge
constructed on this plan--the name which
1t bears, The Colonnade Bridge, is quite
appropriate.
In reaching Martinsburg, the party had
advanced westwardly over the new road
about eighteen miles. The entire popu-
lation was out TO see the arrival Of the
train, and on alighting, the party were
greeted with warm and hearty welcomes.
The subject matter of dinner was soon af-
Ter discussed with the practical earnestness
that travellers are always supposed to be-
stow upon it. In due time the shrili whis-
tie of the locomotive sounded the signal
for starting, and the party, now increas-
ed in number, by guests from Martins
burg, were again moving westward.
The line of the road now soon APP
preached the North Mountain-a formid-
able barrier-and at place called Rob
bins Gap, the mountain is passed by a
cut Of fifteen hundred feet in length, and
sixtv-three feet at its greatest depth,
through mass of slate-rock and lime
stone, filed with fossil shells. short dis,
lance beyond this is Blamer's Point cut,
another formidable rocky excavation,
seventy. FIVE feet deep. and three hundred
feet in length. This cut is remarkable
for the singular appearance of the rock,
which resemble mosaic work. II is Of a
slaty character, and full Of fossil shells.
The course Of the road is now more d.
rectlv towards the Potomac, on the banks
of which it comes out at point eleven
miles below Hancock, and opposite to old
Fort Frederick, situated on the Mary land
side. This Fort, if we are rightly in
formed, WINS built in the year 1855, as
one of the advanced posts, to protect the
settlers against the attacks Of the Indians
The walls, portions Of which are yet stand
ing, embrace an area of about two acres
In crossing the valley Of Back Creek
the railway is elevated on great EN-
bankment, whose extreme heigth is fifty
four feet, and its length seventeen hun
bred feet. The viaduct Of Back Creek i
noble structure of limestone, two hun
bred and thirty feet long-simple, chast
and massive-wiih semi-circular arc
of eighty feet span, of dressed limestone
and a height Of fity-four feet from tn
bed of the stream.
To this succeeds Sleepy Creek viaduc
two hundred and forty feet loug-an
soon after passing over this structure tn
present terminus Of the road is reached
at point on the Potomac river, direct
) opposite the picturesque village OF Han
, cock. Nearly two hours were sper
here, when the train was again started o
, its return 10 Mar,nsburg, where the par
ty lodged for the night. We should d
f violence to our feelings were we to ON
, allusion to the manner IN which the cit
zens of Martinsburg received their Wis
5 tiers. The proverbal warm-heartedne'
4 of the people &C the Old Dominion ws
! here manifested 10 way which made in
/ pressions not soon to be eradicated fror
! the hearts of those who were the reclp
/, ents of their kind and generous hospital
ties. To P. C. Pendleton, Esq, Z.
5 Faulkner, Esq, the Rev. Mr.. Harrison
. f. P. Hunter, Esq, and d. II. Conra
t ESQ.,, this acknowledgment: is especial
8 due.
: On Tuesday morning the train with u
9 Baltimore visitors left Martinsburg a.
a quarter before eight, and in six hours y
. GLIDING various stopPages, 1t Preached IN
4 city.
, The cars used for this excursion we
neyv ones constructed after the plan