The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-07-19

l"sue anu uVtSSu VIII many Deautiiul u
lands, 50 that a command of water power
easily secured along the banks. Here, th
cotton mills are situated, which were neye
$50 busy as since the rebellion. -
The State Capitolis situated on Shockq
Hill, in the midst of a magnificent parl
overlooking the whole city and surround
ling country. The Capitol contains some 0
the finest specimens ofsculpture in Americs
The Governors mansion also stands in thi
capitol park. just across the Shockoe ,creel
on Richmond Hill stands the oli church d
which the immortal patriot, Patrick Henry
delivered bis freedom inspiring grafton.
/, lis is neat white edifce, in ., good state o
preservation. - ,-...s F,..-- !.
The buildings of the city, and especially
the private suberban residences are of a goot
class. y The finest building in the place i.
the United States Custom House and Pos
Office smaller, though not unlike the on,
in Chicago. The Exchange Hotel. just under
the bluffs on which the Capitol stands, long
ranked as the best; kept establishment in tn.
States, and was the resort of Northern trav.
elers .,,.,x, s,.ra ,3sf e,{t 4, s,t,se,
i In its general appearance. Richmond re.
sembles the old Dutch city Of Albany more
nearly than any other Northern town.
Besides the -four and cotton mills, the to-
bacco manufactures, forges, foundrles, roll.
ing mills, machine shops, etc., there was a
good!y number of heavy produce and COM
mission houses, and wholesale firms 10 the
several branches Of the trade which centred
there. There are also half dozen banks. a
dozen newspaper establishments, and two
dozen churches. The largest ofthe churches
was built in the form ola cross. In it di.
vine services were conducted according to
the Methodist order. and attended regularly
by about $500 African communicates. I,
was the common remark af citizens and the
comment of strangers that '.this church COM
prised more sincere. dsEnted worshipers than
any other in Richmond a. ssr.5-sf hs,p,
The surface Of the country in the immedi-
ate vicinity is high, broken, and rolling
The soil was, once considered fertile, and was
highly cultivated. It now bears the curse
Of slavery, and many thousands of acres lie
nntenanted, unfenoed, and ,uncultivated. "A
few miles north is. .Ashland-a railroad sta
tion--dear to every loyal American heart, as
the birth hplace Of Henry Clay. tits a quiet
country village, and contains quite num-
Der Of those neat white cottages and nicely
kept private grounds which are the charac-
teristics usually distinguishing Northern
from Southern villages. Proceeding south
ward from Richmond, the country is low
and marshy, as the information from Nc
Clellan's command amply testifies. n, eas
In the latter part ofthe season this marshy
region generates malaria from the decay OF
excessive vegetation. But does not al
feet the health Of the city, which enjoys one
of the finest climates and ranks among the
healthiest cities in the country u sp,ssyn-
As you follow. the James river to, the
Ocean, the banks are mostly, low, and the
scenery ,ofthat tame style which marks the
Southern streams ;but following westward.
the bluffs rise high and approach near the
water. Occasional rich aIluvial deposits on
its borders yield enormous crops, but the
country generally issas harTsn as other por.
tiopS of thaf wnrsa o,,, n 4 dat pho
~, AZ YOU approach the mountains, becomes
romantic, and the visitor imaginess himself
among the tree Hills Of the Northern States.
aThelexport traie Of Richmond has reach-
ed in. the days Of her loyalty seven millions
ofdoliars per annurp. The past year II has
scarcely had nominal existence lIts i'm
ports fellas short ofone! million in her palmi-
est days. The rehellionanA a ttendant causes
have completely transformed not only the
business but the appearapce' Of the city Its
export 1frade'is rannihilAtcd oFhe traders
have deserted the slave marts. IT'S churches
stand mostvacant It's streets Are throngea
with the bnsy voFkers gip her mals and fac
tories, but their labors are sali consumed al
home, and they no longer get their pay m
gold, but in Confederate scrip. Her public
buildings are converted into arsenals and
hospitals The barren SUBMITS Of her ada
cent hills arelnounted with engines OF war,
and al their sides arecovered with entreneh.
wentsand hristle with bayonets and cannon.