The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-09-21
Corrcspondcnce Of the Times.

| Correspondence of the Times.
NEwBURc, N. Y, Sept. 1859.
Dear Colonel: According to promise, will
give yon little Of my experience in this "von
leetlc trip" from the west to sway deown East"
It is just no trick at ALL now days, to go East.
Just take the M. & NJ. r. r. at Prairie du
Chen for Milwaukee, then get aboard one of
thos, new steamers, the "DErRoIr or the
MILWAUKEE" perfect mates, cousins, if not
sisters, and beauties too and in four or FIVE
hours, more like a short pleasure excursion
than any common steamboat riding, you are
safe across the lake at Grand Haven-run
across Michigan on the real "Central route ~
take the Great Western to the "Bridge," then
sleeping Car, and after few hours sleep, you
will wake, not tired, but refreshed, in Albany.
No time is lost on the whole route, you get =
fine view Of two Of the noblest works of God
and MANTLE Falls and Suspension Bridge
Ineed not describe either, for doth not the gen.
cral reader know full well that the falls are
par excellence, The FALLS the world over; and
where is there another r. X. bridge of over
oOO feet span. By-the-way, it has been said
that the bridge is failing. As old Bullion would
say, 1t Is not so, sir-it is not 50, sir. have
examined it, felt it, walked over it, under it,
through it, and all round it, and pronounce it
not only not failing, but growing daily stronger
really stronger-and instead of sagging it is
really grooming in the centre from end to end,
and stands as if in defiant mockery of the H.
heller who said it sagged.
They make good time on the M. & NJ r. r.
and across the Lake. Through Michigan they
don't run slow, for they have good road !;
they "put through" across Canada but on
the NY, Central and Hudson River r. R.,
Oh, Jemima how they go it 1t makes ordi-
nary R. R. travelling seem tedious.
This Newburg is right smart town, some
10000 people, should judge, wide awake, and
with the times. 1t is a place fit to be West !;
it has life and vigor in it. The N. Y. & Erie
road has branch to this place so that travel
and from here either to N. Y. city or the most
direct Being on the noble Hudson, it has the
advantage of tide water, 60 miles above N. Y,
and more noble scenery is seldom found than
on the Hudson, with its shipping, its green and
rocky banks, its thriving cities, and its world of
trade and travel. This placeis celebrated for be-
ing and still keeping in good repair the "Head-
quarters" Of General Washington, during a
great part of the war of the revolution. had
| the pleasure of visiting the house and grounds
occupied by the Father" and saw many in
teresting relics of that time. The old house is
in neat repair, under the care of a venerable
keeper and his family. saw hanging upon
the walls the very swords and fire-locks used in
that olden time. the huge horseman's pistols,
the spurs, saddles, and other equippage that
had once done the State service the spears
and bayonets of the "revolutioners )" the real,
old fashioned, wicked tomahawks and scalpng
knives, all quiet, and pinioned side by side on
the walls, and red with accommodating rust. My
mind required at once to that beautiful scene
of the Lost Ship, by Mrs. Hemans:
"sword, pistol, carbine, sabre,
Hang on the cabin wall
With many q curious dagger
But rust hath spoiled them anv'
Here were specimens of the boots of curious
workmanship. worn by the Hessians the veri-
table cartridge boxes that had been used in
battle ; guns taken from the tories, and swords
worn by gay young officers on State occasions.
One large room is hung all round with auto.
graphic relics of Washington and his compat-
riots, including orders, commissions, invitations
to dinners, and replies friendly correspond
ence. &c. On the old, broad back of the chin.
ney still hangs and swings the "lug-pole and
chains and francis, with the very tea.kettle
and iron pot used by Washington while the
doors are still opened and shut with the same
old wrought iron handles and latches in use
three quarters of century ago! know you
would have enjoyed the sight.
Passing from the house into the yard, We
found the Generals time -piece still faithful to
the hours. 1t consisted of curiously wrought
sun dial neatly mounted and well preserved
In large clubhouse near by, are kept wolarge
long logs side by side, and fastened together by
huge links Of an iron chain at either end
These logs and chain-work are a part of that
famous "chain" stretched across the river
little below this point, to keep the "bloody
Britishers " from ascending the river from New
York, to join their northern army under Bur.
goyne. Instead of its being chain, it was only |
series of logs and clasps connected together |
by huge links of iron, and resembled q mon
ster bracelet thrown across the river it must
either shore. 1t is needless to say it proved en-.
tirely ineffective for the purpose intended. 1t
was, no doubt, considered a monster work of
skill and genius in it's day, but at the present
time it seems quite Insignificant. The iron
tooth Of time, aided by the tide.water of the |
Hudson, has made sad havoc with those huge
links, and they are fast falling away to dust.
We drank from the old well of pure, cold va.
ter, close by the door, and registered our names
in the great book kept for the thousands who
yearly visit the place.
In the yard in front of the house, stands, rea. |
dy mounted and poised so as to overlook the
beautiful river, monstrous iron cannon, some !
twelve feet in length, and with bore so large as
to readily take in common sized hat, for we
tried it. A few rods to the left is the grave of
one of Washington's Life Guards, who died
few years ago, near here, at very advanced
age; surrounding this grave are three cannons,
one of iron and two of brass The brass ones
are old French guns, and, strangely enough,
one of them bears the motto, +" Liberte, Ega.
lite - A handsome monument is now being
prepared to be erected over this grave Of the
last Of the old Guard. The State Of New
York has bought and repaired the premises,
and now, by a law of the State, the stars and
stripes float daily on the breeze from the top
of tall flag staff. and ell visitors are ever vel.
come to the house and grounds.