The Whig standard., 1843-11-25
SMITHS ISLAND.

WILD CATrLE.-During one OF the trips ol
the Oceola, Captain Mitchell, 10 the vicinity OF
Smiths Island, the steamer had occasion to let
off her steam, when suddenly there came rush
ing to the beach from sixty to seventy Of the
wild cattle of the island, attracted, no doubt, by
a sight and sound SO unusual, and forming a
spectacle the most novel and picturesque. When
the sleamng ceased, the cattle scampered away
TO their haunts and coverts In the thickly wooded
parts of the island.
The wild cattle of Smiths Island may be said
to be indigena to the soil. the stock having been
placed there more than century ago, and un-
dergoing neither change nor improvement save
by the hand of nature. Captain Mitchell de-
scribes the group that greeted the arrival of the
Oceola as being sleek as antelopes.
Smiths Island, the property of George w. ?.
Custis, Esq, of Arlington, lies in the Atlantic,
Immediately off Cape Charles. 1t is fourteen
miles in length, from east TO west, and Of various
breadths containing about five thousand acres.
About half of the island is wooded, which forms
shelter for the wild cattle and sheep. This
part is pierced by glades, running lengthwise,
computed to afford two thousand acres OF pas
turage at all seasons. The cattle and sheep be-
come very fat in autumn and winter. The sheep
are remarkable for being shorn twice in the
year, being taken by stralagem in large enclo-
sures for that purpose, and also for the superior
fairness and flavor OF the mutton. Not even a
tradition exists Of the origin of the wild cattle
and sheep of the sea island. The cattle are ex-
ceedingly shy and difficult TO approach, but be-
come very fierce and dangerous when wounded.
Several families are settled on the island, the
duties Of the islanders being to dig wells Of fresh
water for the stock. The soil is rich, and the
situation peculiarly salubrious.
A famous wild horse ranged for great num-
ber OF years through the glades and woods OF
Smiths Island. He was an entire horse, and
was said by an aged islander to have swan on
shore from the wreck of Spanish vessel during
the revolutionary war, of a splendid appearance,
remarkable color, and with a name and tail tha,
swept the ground. The Andalusian courser
spurned all attempts at domestication. Various
efforts were made to take him, with view to
perpetuate his breed, but without success and
after ranging for long years, free and uncon-
trolled, through his sea girt domain, the wild
horse of Smiths Island died of extreme old age.
The distance Of the island from the main at
the nearest point (Cape Charles) is little more
than mile. The sound is nayigable for YES
sells OF considerable burden, and abounds in oys-
| tiers, CLANS, and wild fowl, in their respective
seasons, while the Sleeps head and hog fish are
very numerous, and of the finest quality. The
eggs OF certain description of the sea-fowl are
| considered great deicacy. Near TO the light
| house are the remains of salt-works and salt
springs, which were worked to advantage during
the Revolution
With beach fourteen miles in length, firm
as pavement, on which the oceans surf rolls
in all its grandeur, with the salubrity arising
from the sea breezes, and the various luxuries
with which both land and water abound, Smiths
Island Is one of the most eligible situations fol
q sea-bathing establishment that the world af
fords. alexandria Gazette.