The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-06-21

|
peace, and more perfect happiness This place
has many visitors and there is in contemplation
the building of hotel by the owner of the
grounds, who has, we learned already asked
permission to do so. He was present at the time
and showed us, near by, sulphur spring quite
strongly impregnated, and near it cold spring,
all of which would offer inducements to visitors.
From there we proceed to Fort Sedgwick, alias
For Hell, also now, as i'll times past, place of
interest, and these, together with Fort Steadman,
are now the most frequently visited by strangers,
who, having heard their. history desire to look
| upon their remains. Fort He'll is we'll known as
having been one of the hottest places on our
whole line, hence the name given it by those who
knew its history from sad experience. This also
Iremains the same excepting that now no cannon
is there to send forth it's touching and tender
messages of affection and love (of country and
none from those once the enemy's in 'front.' to
give back theirs in return. Ills approaching
night, and we return, trying our skill in horse
manship by picking our way from point to point
and the road regained John Gilpn like, retreat
ing towards the city.
Here we found quite force of our soldiers
stationed in and around. They are mostly cav
airy, and now preparations being made to
muster out all those who are dismounted. TITS
quite amusing to see them now, choosing rather
to be on foot than be the, by them considered
unlucky, possessor of a horse. Their motto
seems to be "No horse no horse my kingdom
for no horsev' They have so far gained the
respect of the citizens genenerally that their
pleasure, and they look upon them not as here
tofore as cruel Yankees clothed in the form of
devils, but as friends, for in many things are
they assisting in the establishment of free nsti-
tutions, and aiding every effort to promote law
,xtI N-Io,, NJ
the establishing of a free school for the benefit
of the white children just the river (Appo-
mattox,) in place called "Ettricks," quite a
village, and which we are informed was former
ly incorporated with the city. This school we
visited, and should be lost to the great prnci-
pie for which it is established, were to make no
mention OF 1T. Perry Chandler, private belong
ing to the LIST Maine Cavalry, is the teacher, is
detailed as such and has the honor of this the
first free school of the kind being established
through his exertions. He has upward of eighty
in attendance, for the most part quite young.
and must say it is one of the most interesting
schools have ever visited. They are mostly of
the poorer class to whom the privilege is nov
city, and the interest they take is surprising
He has the assistance of young lady of the
place, and both are giving their time and doing
all in their power to carry forward the good
work. The children seem almost to worship
their teachers, and well they may for through
them are they receiving new ideas of life being
started in way they have not before known,
and fitted for more prominent part in the great
drama OF life. 1t is hoped these schools will be-
come general, that the parents will become in
terested in them for the sake of their children,
and that thus all, as well as part may come to
know the value of knowledge which is beyond
all price. We think they will, and feel that in