Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-08-01
BAND Excursion TO KeIIey,s Island.

" Band Excursion 20 KeIley,a Island.
On Tuesday last the Silver Cornet Band of
this place, had pic ME excursion down the
river and bay to Kelleys Island. The day was
as beautiful as could have been desired The
steamer Island Queen with its whole-hearted
Captain ORR, left our dock about o'clock, with
few less than 200 seekers after pleasure and re-
creation. The ride down the river and bay was
fine the air fresh and invigorating from the copi-
Gus rain of the night previous. The scenery on
the banks of the Sandusky is not so romantic or
grand as that of the Hudson or the Niagara, still
it has historic interest to the people of this
section, which will not be forgotten by them or
their children. Forty-nine years ago British
ships loaded with troops and munitions of war;
sailed up its quiet waters, while five hundred
dusky warriors with tomahawk and scalping-
knife traled along the banks to the little stock
ade of Fort Stephenson, with exultation that the
band of noble heroes under CRoGHAN would
soon be their captives. The Cd Of August, lsl3
the decisive struggle took place, CRocHAN and
his gallant Kentuckians were victorious, with
the loss of but one of their number When the
sun rose on the morning of the Sd, scores of dead
Britons and Indians lay outside the pickets as
evidence of the unering aim of our rifles and our
single 6-pounder-"O Betsey" and we've got
her yet;-and not live Indian or lordly Brit.
on remained; they had all fled. After having
once tested the resoluteness of our gallant boys
to their terrible loss, they were very anxious t.
get away.
But we have digressed. The boat reached
Il c. an
the Band boys gave the Bay City folks two OIL
three specimens of MUSIC. (If they didn't vote
our boys knew HOW to make it, they're not com,
4 petent judges of the article--in our opinion.
We slowed it by "secessia," the Band playing
yankee Doodle" and "Hail Columbia;" the sol
diers giving cheers, the rebel prisoners waving
n BLACK FLAG and a RED FLAG. Att p. m
the Queen made East to Carpenters dock ant
the company with about an hundred baskets
took possession Of the grove and soon improvis
ed hotel with tables on the green sod Tha
} was repast hungry man would look on with
lcovetousness, who'd blame him2 but then sigh
only, would not satisfy desire. Hunger forced
a charge on the good things, and after the skir
mish was over, no impartial looker-On coulC
/.
skillful one. If any left mot satisfied" h> Ger.
} tainly did not sit in our mess Didn't we heal
same propose to go and jump awhile and then
eat again. Lake water iced with lemonade fur
nished beverage that even the far-famed Kell
ey's Island wine is not to be compared with
Two delightful hours were spent in the grove
} The steamboat bell rang. Empty baskets ant
wine bottles, some full ones and satisfied excur
sionists at half past two left the beautiful lake
bosomed Island for home We touched at thu
"rebel prisoners depot dock and left half doz
en- soldiers who were Of our company, and ami,
pleasant converse, music and the dance, time an,
the Queen sped on. At 8 o'clock We reached
home well assured the day had not been "lost.
We have promised ourself another just ike !
some time, Every one have written down tn
Island Queen a tip top boat and her gentleman
) ly Captain-J W. oRR-tip topper.
The Band, we are happy to say will net SOM
500 by the excursion. We congratulate them