The New York herald., 1862-01-13
the POTOMAC FLoTIlLA.
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UNITED STATES STEAMER STEPPING SIoSEs
POToMAC RIVER, Jan. 8, 1862.

VisI 10 Maryland Ge,slemca-A &aunch Old Cnionia
and Genuine r. r. M-Succesf,a Foraoing-In CO.
wr-S. Marys Rirer and 81, Tnigo's Creek-Oyaers
Galore Water Fbrl fer the Nilicn-Thc Batteries
Salty Pa&ett-Rei,gn 10 Washington, dc.
Mr. Cotton, residing the Maryland shore, opposite
Blacksones Tor rather Blackstone 50 Island Ia tho gcn
,leman to whom indebted for the transmission by
mail of my last letter We paid him visit on Monday,
when we wore very kindly received. While conversing
before comfoIta coal Gre, the junior members OF Mr.
Colton's family joined us, aud after short soourn
proposed to leave when Mr. c. proposed accomp anying
and introducing Colonel Blackstone staunch Union
man whose plantation at q short distance OIL. Ac-
cordngly we sailed out Captain Grumley arrived with
musket and the young with double barre.ed guns
and followed by number Of pointers took our way TO
the Coonels plantation the hope offang In with
game our way. Our road, straight and admirable
one frozen quite hard lay through fields, with
casonay patches Of forest But though the river ard
creeks abounded with water fowl saw traces Of
game during walk Of about threequarers of mile
save few field larks, one of which the captain shot,
On reaching the Coioncs residence we found the Colo
mel Just about to enter his sleigh for ride to Mr. Col
tons Cor there sufficient hard frozen snow the
ground for the 10 glide smoothly lie de-
ayed tho Journey however, to receive his intended host
and ourselves, which he did with frank hospitality and
soon before his genial fire, listening TO the old
with sume not very complimentary illusions TO tho
bels Tho Colonel is slightly advanced in years, which
he to bear well His ruddy complexion, whbened
hair portly bearing remind of the gcntlcmcn OF
tho Old school of the Revolutionary race. II by the
OF Col Blackstone great portion OF that SC
ton Of 81. Marys county was settled-the island
which the lighthouse stands having derived its name
from the family The plantation now owned BY Mr.. Col
ton and which has been In possession of that gentleman
only few years. belonged originally TO the Bak stone
family. Csc to the dwelling house reoscs the father Of
the rresent representative OF the family the hcadsone
of tie grave bearing afcr the Oates of his birth and
death, tho few simple and emphatic words
Here lies honssr Tom.
An cpitaph chosen by the old gentleman himself just
vious 10 his death All around the graves Of the
Baksoncs several generations Bat the inheritance
Of family that oncc welded important influence n
the state IL had previously in the colony hns been
broken up, and large portion Of IL has passed into the
hands N strangers. But IL Is useless dwelling ON
form Of mutation old ~ property itself.
Having obtained from Mrs. Blackstone supply Of poul
try and other good thgs for our mess returned 10
Mr. Coton's route for the vessel the Colonel passing
US in his sleigh On reaching the house surprise await.
ed In the form OF some excellent singing accompanied
the piano by young lady vsiter We found, too, that
there had been al augmentation of guests, IN the persons
Of Colonel Dhisdell and Captain Il. Humphrey Of the
Eleventh regiment Massachusetts, Volunteers, whose
camp is situated about four miles from where We met
them.
Il was now getting dark and expected that Pay
Crosby had finished the business OF vicuang the
vessels the Stepping stones we reluctantly cut short
a very pleasant visit and fastened on board
We did not, however, leave our anchorage till little
before daylight the following morning. when we
started search Of the schooner Bailey Acting Master
Turner. We found her in the S. Marys river, the
10 st. Ingos creek, and the Paymastcr
busy supplying her. While this was douo began TO
drag our anchor, which Captain Crumey wcsi VT and
stood further up the creek, where there v ~, ding
ground. The water is very deep ttore. ' ..r D. Is
much further up tho creek Indeed, .rs..
dent, whom visited during The =. '..t 4. tlt
during the Of 1912 British ri. d. 10,
creek half n mile further than Wa. The
scenery is very fine in the pesbhoih''. wa IL h5