The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-27

The following letter received too late for last
weeks issue:
James Ri0er-hlamd Naoigation-he Nary
Yard ut Portsmouth-6,c., &c.

James Rioer-Inland Nooigatton-he Nagy
Yard ut Portsmouth-6,c, &c.
NORFOLK, Aug. 18th, 1861.
Mr.. EDITOR: Since my last from Richmond, l
have found but little that would be likely to in
terest your readers. Your correspondent, in COM
pany with Nr. W. and lady (the latter the worthy
and estimable president OF the Mecklenburg
HOSP ital Association, on voyage of mercy to our
sick soldiery at Yorktown,) embarked on board of
most comfortable and easy going steamer at
Richmond down James River The scenery,
every inch of which, as far as we dare 90 on
account of the enemy will amply repay one for
the time and expense of the excursion. The trip
is made in day to point known Stone
House Wharf, and back to Richmond The
officers exceedingly gentlemanly and polite;
and, as 1t was noticed on the up trip attentive and
kind to the returning sick soldiers-t was especially
so on board the steamer Curtis Peck (the name of
the captain have forgotten, which | regret, as his
kindness to our brave volunteers is worthy Of
especial attention.) l recommend to our people
going to Yorktown to be sure to 90 and return by
the James river route.
At jamestown Cor rather the site of what was
once Jamestown) you find nothing to remind you
of that ancient city but broken column of an
ancient church steeple, where the first settlers of
America were wont to worship. 1t is the sole rep
resentative Of city and generation that has
past away.
Lying in the stream, just opposite this point, we
passed the Southern Confederate steamer Patrick
Henry. The number of guns she carries | could
not learn, the number of men understood to be
one hundred and rnety. What is to be her field
of operations depends, | presume, on circum-
stances. To get out to she will be compelled
to run the kade-passine the u. S. war vessels
at Newport News and at Old Point She must
therefore avail herself Of the darkness of the night
to get to sea, as it would be the height OF folly
and madness to attempt it in open day.
The topography of this and the adjacent
country of the sea coast of North Carolina is but
little known to our up-country people AS this
country, and especially the n &. coast is likely to
be the scene of operations of our active and
tursome little navy that is guarding the inland
navigation of hazardous and exceedingly
dangerous coast, it is proper that our people
should form some general idea of the great utility,
especially at this crisis. of this great inland navi
cation. Without it, our little navy would be
petely paralized. The Legislature of N. Carolina
in 1854 chartered the Chesapeake and Albemarle
Canal, the object Of which was to gi complete
inland navigation, land-locked, connecting Abe
marie Sound with Chesapeake Bay, thereby giving
free communication between their waters without
going out to sea- vessels drawing eight feet water
now pass without interruption from Norfolk to
Beaufort, Washington, Elizabeth City, Edenton,
Newbern, &c; and | learn that vessels drawing
more than four feet get far Wilmington
without encountering enemy. Nature has made
our " inhosptable shore haven Of rest to the
patriot and to us, and indeed | may say to the
Confederate States, Of more utility than the
patton of both Newport News and Ft. Monroe.
We have met on several occasions here our
Young and accomplished naval friend, native of
Charlotte Lieut.. Joe Alexander.
will not tire your readers by attempting
description of the confagraton here or the charac-
ter of the millions of property destroyed by the
Hessans at the Navy Yard. | will mention, how
ever that the cost of one ship, the Nlerrimac,
one million and a half Of dollars. They have
raised her hull and are now busily employed in
changing her into floating battery. Her upper
deck has been taken away, instead Of which large
beams of timber are thrown across at angle Of
forty-fve degrees, somewhat like the ratter to
house-her lower portion will be entirely sub
merged. and the beams will be sheeted with iron
her prov will be one solid mass Of square logs or
timber to be used as battering ram, running into
the enemy with full head of steam and if posi-
ble sinking her outright. The copper taken from
this immense ship, | learn, is worth one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars
There is in this yard uine hundred hands in the
employ OF the government Iue liuius
has proven quite a success. The first one expert
mented upon was tested two days ago, and sue
ceeded beyond all expectation. There are hun
dreds of them here that will undergo the same
and hereafter it is expected that
rifed cannon alone will be used. The additional
strength is given them by putting around them
three bands-heated and shrunk upon them on
the principle of putting tire upon wagon wheel
The making of shell, shot, &c, is carried on here
with great energy
The yard and works under the supervision of
one of the most venerable, polite and accomplished
officers Commodore Forrest) it has been my
fortune in long time to meet with. Upon en-
tering his office [ made known to him that [
was stranger in the place, citizen OF \, e., and
iesrous of visiting the yard and grounds, &c, sta
ting at the same time that | had no means Of
Identifying myself save through pass [ had OBJ
tanned in Richmond, You may imagine my sur
prise when he responded your face is sufficient
and Immediately wrote, - Per-
mission given to Mr. - to visit the yard in his
carriage, in company with his wife" This was
done in the politest manner possible, and not
notwithstanding 1t is considered
speciut favor to pass a carriage into the yard.
The next place of interest is the Navy Hospital,
located at the extreme lower portion OF the town
IF Portsmouth, 1t is beautifully located on the
river, with ground and yard neatly and tastefully
aid off and adorned with walks, groves, flowers,
,hrubbery. &c, to say nothing of blind batteries
Il is so pleasing aud interesting place that one
would scarce suppose that the design end construc-
ion was alone for the sick and afflicted mariner.