Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-24
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


steamer Powhatan, Capt. Charles Mitchell, left
her wharf, foot Of Sixth street. with the party OF
excursionists, numbering some three hundred
persons The assembled company was well Sc
iected and in capital good spirits, and the guam
tity of hampers Of provisions and baskets of nick
hacks brought on board by each little family
PARTY, indicated, more powerfully than words
could have done, that there was TO be no lack OF
good cheer on board; and the suppoSition was
subsequently more than justified
The time-honOred Infantry company, with
their uSual good management and tact, had taken
every precaution to have excursion this year
that should surpass in pleasure to its participants
Good and substantial steamboat, with an able
and experienced captain. The next thing was to
see that the creature comforts for the passengers
were well looked after. This was effected by the
Company in securing the services of the popular
caterer Reynolds, to whom was entrusted this
most important part Of the campaign. Suose-
Quent Developments, in the way OF dinners, DC,
proved this to be a judicious arrangement on The
part of the committee. Various confectionery
stands were arranged around the sides OF the
forward deck, and ice cream soda water, &c,
were plentifully supplied by Mr.. Wright. Speak
ing Of soda water, his is a touch above the COM
mon, being the pure article, manufactured by
himself.
The Powhatan plowed her way along at about
seventeen miles per hour, touching at Alexandria
for a moment for chance passengers. Pretty soon
after leaving Alexandria, the forward deck was
cleared Of benches, chairs, &C., and then the
dance began, and was kept up with occasional
variations, such as short visits to the bar below
on the part of the gentlemen who did not take
along with them carpet bag, containing (osten-
sibly) change Of linen; and plates of ice cream
on the part Of the ladies, until the bell rung the
signal for supper.
The supper table was well supplied with beef
steaks, mutton chop, fried chicken, coffee, tea,
and all the necessary ''llers in, to incite the ap
petite of the epicuTe the dyspeptic. The attack
was simultaneous and we'll sustained, with mill
tary precision, led by the interchangeable Lieut.
Tucker, and, knife and fork in hand, all fought
bravely until hunger was defeated, and the well
spread table was cleared Of all that had made it
attractive a short time previous.
The room was then cleared for dancing and
here the major part of the crowd was congregated,
and to the lively strains of Withers' band, busy
feet were going through all sorts of nazes, and
the flushed cheek and brilliant lip told tale of
ten-fOld enjoy ment among the merry makers. At
bed time commenced hunting up of berths and
bed clothes, and, for some hours thereafter, was
kept rich scene of pillow throwing and blanket
stealing. By one o'clock all became quiet, each
man having provided himself, '.bv hook or by
crook, y with some Kind of sleeping accommOda-
lions.
Soon after daylight the next morning we were
I'm sight of Smiths Point. The morning, like
the previous night, was delightful. In one hour
and half the RapPahannock light was passed,
and the beams OF the rising sun shed cheerful
and beautiful influence all around. The various
lighthouses, Wolf Trap, Seven foot knoll, Buck
River, WiliOughby's Light, New Point Comfort
were successfully passed, and about 10 o'clock
we were steaming it up Hampton Roads, where
the view, always beautiful on either side was
enhanced by the many vessels, steamers, and
various other river craft with which the inter-
Old Point at a speed of about Is miles the hour,
the steamer made her onward course to Norfolk
where We arrived at IL o'clock 2. IN, with stream
erS nylng and WltherS' band playing in excellent
style, while the passengers who crowded the
decks were exchanging words of jOvial greeting
with the people who hOcked to the wharf
Here the eXcursionists were to stop for the dav,
and the passengers were soon scattering in little
parties IN all directions, each intent Oh the
execution of some particular scheme-some to
look for fresh fish and OYSTERS while others, hay-
ing ladies in charge dispersed to look for any fun
that might turn up. We felt little inclined to
participate in Norfolk designations, and. in COM
pany with two Washington friends we crossed
over to Portsmouth, visiting the market house
the Navy Yard, and finally boarding the Penn
sylvania, where we were treated to a glass of
clear, pure water, which has been in the hold OF
the ship since 1885, just - years.
Coming back to Norfolk, we strolled up town
going through the market house, where we found
our caterer, Mr.. REYNOLDS, busily engaged in Law
ing in aS many fresh fish he could find for din
ner: Passing through the market we strolled up
Catharlne street TO the corner Of Freemason
where we stopped to admire the beautiful Baptist
Church, built, we believe, in the Gothic STYLE
ana nued up Inside with excellent taste, and
having fine organ. Passing down Freema-
son TO Church street we encountered the old St
Paul's Episcopal Church of America. This
church Is in the form of "A Greek cross and built
Of brick imported from England, in 1889
Want Of time prevents detail of the many
pleasant events of the stay in Norfolk suffice II
TO say, the enjOymentS were universal, and at )
II. IN all came aboard well pleased, and amid
the hearty huZZaS Of the company and the music
OF the band the Powhatan left the wharf on her
Arrived ct Old Point the party spent the night
In fishing, bathing, and dancing on the wharf
below the Fort.
the Fort, where We witnessed the parade of the
troops, numbering some two hundred and fifty
Officers and men, after which baths Were the OF
der OF the day, then crab fishing, in which every
one who could ind line and piece Of raw beef
paTtic pated.
At ? O'Clock D. m. the signal bell for orr de-
pdFture sounded and N a feNyF otf
started the boat for Piney Point The gratifica
tion Of the passengers was universal throughout
called in the captains cabin, and Andrew Joyce
was called TO the chair. The chair announced
that the meeting was called to take measures in
respect TO the trip.
On motion of Mr.. Boycrau a committee of five
persons, consisting of Messrs. Arnold, Dyser
boycedu, SpringInan, and II Reynolds were
appointed To draft and report resolutions express
slVe OF the sense Of the meeting. After few mo-
meats, the committee returned the following pre-
amble and resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, we feel highly gratified at the kind
ana hosPitable treatment which we have received
at the hands OF the Washington Light Infantry
daring the present excursion; and whereas the
Sentemanly Poliicness Of Capt. Charles Mitchell
and bis officers Of the steamer Powhatan has CON
d9ced greatly TO the comfort and qualification OF
all on board during the trip; and whereas the
successful issue Of the present excursion is at
tributabe to their united and hearty operation
IN anordins every facility to the passengers
RsSOirsd, That the hearty thanks OF this COM
pany are due TO Lient. John F. Tucker, in com
Inand OF the w ashin9ton Light Infantry, capt
James Y. Davis being absent J and the various
oncers and men OF the Company, for the uniform
good order and un7nimity with which the pres
ent excursion has been characterized throughout
RsSoIred, That our united thanks are due To
capt Charles Mitchell and the officers and men
OF the steamer POwhatan, for the safe and pleas
ant conduct Of this trip under his and their ex-
cellent management.
RsSOIrsd, That to the skilful and munihcent
caterer, Mr.. J. c. Reynolds, who has throughout
the IMP provided In the most ample manner for
the entertainment OF the passengers we tender
our sincere and hearty thanks
RsSoEred, That the music furnished this excur-
zion by the City Band, under the skilfu Direction
OF MI VIM. Withers, has pleased gratifed and
delighted all on board, and our thanks are due
MN and his band for their successful efforts TO
entertain this company.
m fbat