Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-09-02

GIVE copy below letter from the
correspondent of the Newly ork Tribune
with the Congressional Excursionsts As
it gives some account Of their visits in
this locaIty it will, no doubt be interest
ing. The modest and graceful notice of
the reception at Castne, will be appre.
ciatcd
BELFAST, August 10Th, 1864.
The Congressional Committee left Ban.
gor this morning at s l-2 o'clock in con.
tinrance of the voyage along the coast.-
As the cutter left the wharf hearty in
terchange Of cheers took place, and
most vigorous waving Of handk erchefs
Captain Webster fired a salute in excel
lent style, which was responded to by the
artillery company Of Bangor. So pleas.
ed had our party been with their recep-
tion and with the beauty and accomplish.
mcnts of the Bangor ladies, that some of
them were captured by some of the dis
tinguished gentlemcn and brought on
board as members Of thc party. This
accession to the ladies already ON board
was more than agreeable, and added
brightness to the trip. A short distance
below Bangor is the town OF Hampdcn,
which possesses historical interest, in be-
ing the spot where u fight occurred in
Sept. 1911, between tho British and
Americans. Interesting statements Of
of the fight were made by John A. Poor
and Judge Godfrey, who was an eye
witness of the fight. Com. Morris. in
the Adams, finding himself pursued BY
the British, ran his vessel ashore, load, d
his guns, and prepared to offer the best
resistance lie could The land forces
were to aid him. lie succeeded in get
ting one of his guns in position on the
heights, and the others he put in battery
Oh the wharf. An artillery company
from Bangor was also in position on the
heights. The British, outnumbering our
united forces, landed below the town,
and moved up tt the attack. There is u
ravine just below the town, and here the
infantry should have been posted under
cover OF the batteries, but on the con-
| trary, they were stationed upon the hill
to support the guns. On seeing the Brit.
ish approach in large numbers, the militia
gracefully retired, thus aaordng the
cnemy an opportunity to flank Com. Nor
ris' men. Seeing this, the gallant Nor
ris with his men wadcd the stream AMI
made good his escape. |: was on this
occasion that the Indian Chet, John
Neptune, piloted our troops across the
country,as ALLUDED to in my letter. These
accounts Of the engagement were quite
entertaining, and gave additional interest
to the voyage. The scenery along the
Pcnobscot is exceedingly fine, and was
much enjoyed by the company on board.
Every turn in the river brought exclama.
tions of wonder and delight, ami almost
every moment the attention Of the party
was called to some new attraction. By
Invitation OF Mr.. Chairman Rice, Rev.
Mr. Ballard, who has devoted much time
to the study OF the carly history of the
State, and particularly to the Indian
tribes and their dialects. offered some re.
marks upon the Indians, their language,
settlements and the discoveries made
along the coast by the early voyagers,
Thus the morning was pleasantly whilcd
away aud Bucksport reached about eleven
O'Clock. TIE party landed here, aud
were terried over to the western bank by
u horse ferry boat. This was thorough
novelty to most Of the passengers and cx-
cited much attention and comment. On
high bluff, Immediately opposite Bucks
port and commanding the river tor miles
above and below, and also the surround
Ing country, is situated Fort Knox, so
named in honor Of Gen. KNOX. the friend
Of Washington and Tor many years Sec
rotary Of War. This Fort was designed
by Gen. Totten, aud is altogether one Of
the most elaborate fortiications in the
country. 1t comprises not oni y main
fort but outlying aad supporting wosks OF
the most form ,dablc character. Consider
able time was spent III thorough exam
aaton Of this elaborate work, and then
the party returned to the other side OF
the river a salute was fired from the
Fort on our arrival, and the reverberation
OF the heavy guns seemed to sheke the
hills amongst which they fingered for it
seemed minutes. When the cutter steam
ed past on Saturday night on its way to
Bangor, those at the Fort, not having
been informed of the trip of the cutter,
were in doubt as to whether she ought to
be allowed to pass up unmolested. But
the character of the boat was discovered
in time to prevent any attempt at stop
ping her.
From Bucksport to Castine, a pleasant
run was made. Here real New Eng
land welcome awaited the party. First
visiting Fort Georges, built in the Rev.
oiutionary war, II work still in a good
state of preservation, and which could be
easily made fit for use now, the company
proceeded to a pine grove on Block Hill,
where an elegant fshchowdcr awaited
them. The table fairly groaued beneath
the delicacies prepared by kindly hands of
the good people OF Castine, who, after a
model grace iovoked by the Rev. Mr.. Ives,
handed round to the company the vianls
aud coffee. There was total lack of
iormality, aud it was generally acknowl-
edged that for true. unostentatious hospi.
taity, this reception was unsurpassed by