Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-30
Our armp Correspondence.
MOUNT VERNON.


Occasionally the soldier finds leisure to
sheath his sword and make short journey
to some historic place. To what spot on the
face Of the earth, after his home, would the
American soldier turn his steps sooner than
to Mount Vernon, the home Of Washington
of Washington who spent many years to
achieve our independence of Washington
who toiled his whole life TO consolidate these
States into one vast republic, and to eradicate
those jealousies that had existed among the
colonsts from the first settlement Of the
country of Washington who was ever anx-
ious to avoid war, but when forced into il
would never consent to dishonorable peace.
In this dark hour, may all our people profit
by the example of this great and good man
and may our posterity never be allowed to
say of us:--"Their fathers, through many
suiierings, Transmitted a great nation and a
goodly form Of government to them but they,
weak, distracted, selfish, did not transmit them
to us as they received them" No, let not this
be said Of us. If ones heart has ever failed
him, in this gigantic war to sweep civil liber-
y ibut thC tdEAU. ltl Nun Etlitil Apui Tue
character Of Washington, or of William the
Silent, the Father Of the Dutch Republic
Whilst at Camp Vermont quite a number
Of the 18th made visit to Mount Vernon
among which was your correspondent, au /
by the resquest Of my friend Col. Brown l
give the readers Of the journal short ac-
count of what saA.
After getting pass signed by the Colonel
and acting Brig General, we started down
the Potomac. The distance between the
camp and Mount Vernon was called six miles.
Lawrence Washington gave the name to this
place in l744. There is but little or nothing
to attract the stranger there, save that so great
man had once lived tbere--once looked up
on those felds-planted trees there-pan-
ned, meditated-passed his sweetest hours
there with his family, when relieved from
public cares-As soon as we think that we
are walking on the Generals farm, every
thing excites our curosity-Not tree, or
shrub, or vine not stream. or pebble not
an old fence, or bulldog, hslf-iallen down
not of themselves, but from the associa-
tions--but that awake an unusual interest.
We turn off from the main road to the left
follow narrow carriage road for about two
miles--now up and down little hills and over
little streams-now through dense wood of
oak, walnut and cedar-now forest on this
side of the road, now on that-now by the
hut of a negro, with eight or ten occupants
who stare at us from the doors and windows,
as we pass--till we come to q large opening
not plane, but little broken, and here
and there gentle swelis of land-it is Mount
Vernon. The forest has encroached on the
cleared lands till now at least no geomettical
figure will describe them. On the left small
trees, second growth, cover the river banks
nearly down to the mansion on the right is
large meadow. You pass on hundred
rods (old fences and trees of various sizes
are on both sides of the roaa.) turn to the
right-go about twenty rods---A field of
weeds is on the left garden on the right.
Here two men are setting out small cabbages.
They say that they will be fit to pick by the
first OF May. In front are the old brick
shops used by the servants of Washington
You pass along by the side of these to the
lett-turn around them and you are in full
view of the mansion. 1t is two story house,
ninety-iour by thirty-three feet. One at a
distance would think it made of sandstone ;
but as he approaches be finds it wood sanded
On the door is a heavy brass knocker, hand
led (the guide tells us) by Washington's
guests. 1ou enter; a narrow hall is running
through the building from west to east The
inner side has more of an antique appearance
than the outer. A key to that celebrated
puson--the Bastile-w which was DESTROYED
in 7S9 at Paris, is suspended in glass box
on the side of the ceiling. From this hall
you are conducted through a small room into
the dining ball" This is thirty three feet
long, and twenty wide. The lresco work
over head is light and very beautiful a mar
BILE mantle piece, made in Italy, attracts one
attention most Evening is here represented
in base reiief. There is the plough Just turn.
ed out of the furrow the weary horses, with
their ears hanging down, and this farmer
standing by their side one boy is driving
along tie cows, an other is carrying wood to
kindle the fire the maid is drawing water
from the we'll; the innocent lamb laying on
bis side, the wagging dog, the fowls collect
ing together, IN fine here is evening with all
its beauty and serenity summers evening
in the country. The selection OF such d
piece OF art as this doubtless shows the Gen.
erals taste for farming, and rural scenery
Before leaving the house, you are taken up
pair nt stairs into smalish square room
You are told that Washington died here
On the east side of the house, is a high por-
tico, the floor of which is a slaty stone,
brought from Portland. England From this
one has fine view of the Potomac. The
river here is quite large and beautiful. The
tomb-a short distance from the house--is
made of brick You look through iron
CRATES. The ashes of Washington and his
wife lay in two marble Sarcophagus. Small
plain monuments show that several OF the
Washington family have been buried near
the tomb The guide shows you several
tree planted by the General himself Whilst
near the tomb, we heard the roar of cannon
There is fighting in the distance As we
turned away, l could but say, "sleep, sleep,
great warrior. Let not these strifes disturb
thy spirit" The traveller goes to Mount
Vernon not as he would to Rome, or Athens,
for some relic. or specimen of art. for but
few of either are there, and no vandal hand
is allowed to touch them He is pleased il
he is permitted to pluck leaf from some
tree planted by the father of his country"
or flower that bloomed near his tomb, or to
cut cane on his farm. We remained there
till we had only time "enough to reach the
camp of the 18th regiment just at dark, feei-
ing that we were well paid for our journey.
ID