Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-08
THE SOUTHERN ROADS.
ReOpening of the Norfolk and Petersburg
Railroad.

Ra1krOau.
Richmond Correspondence of the N. Y. Herald)
RICHMOND. February Is, 1866.
Eccursionarv Trips by The Gouernor, State Legista-
tltre and Petersburg and Norfolk Common Councils
Incidents of the Trip-PGst, Present and Prospective
Condition Of the Road, DC.
Another and substantial and altogether one Of the
most pleasing evidences of progressive reconstruction
succeeding the sad havoc OF war has Just shown Itself
in the completion of the Norfolk and Petersburg
Railroad. This road was opened yesterday and the
first through train run from here to Norfolk. To
properly inaugurate the opening and give becoming
and dignifed eclot to the occasion General Malone,
President of the road invited Governor Plerpont and
the members of the State Legislature, 10 make the
eXcurslonary trip over the road. Inc invitations
were accepted, and the party left this city at halt
past three P. NJ. yesterday, proceeding by rail- to
Petersburg
At six p NJ the excursionists were fairly on their
way on the newly opened road. new engine and
new passenger cars. handsomely fitted up comprised
the train. Slowly the train started on, leaving the
Cockade City There was much OF interest here to
be seen. Many of the excursionists had spent long
and anxious months in this vicinity; but their soJourn
was behind earthwOrks and under the almost cease
less fire of bullets and tercest Smelling. Except the
Immediate line of the road the external conformation
of the ground has not been much changed. The
pOnderous earthworks, dminutive mountain range
IN appearance, abattiS cheVauX de trlSe and stock
AIDES there still, and the bare and deSolate
camp ruins and burned dwellings and rusty muskets.
anu th9Se saddest ana most nen9raolG mement9eS Of
al-sOldierS graves. Sight of this old battle field
the most qstrious of all Of the battle fields OF the
war brought up many "reminiscences and recitals of
marches, charges, ambuShing, intrenching and hand
to-hand conflicts. At length we left behind the
scenes of Grants brilliant victories, and where was
dealt the death blow to the revolution. The road is
in excellent condition. At speed of the wind we
passed villages and hamlets, and Numbered over
bridges and through pine forests. The Dismal
Swamp. which we passed, ELECTED, of course, its
proper share of notice. Only three stoppages were
made and these for wood and water. The distance
of eighty miles made in little over three hours
and II seemed much less time than this, the party
were in such enjoyable tune and such pains being
taken to make the journey pleasant.
Arrived at Norfolk, Mayor Iabb and embers of
the Common Council and the officers at that end of
the road, headed by Henry Fink, Superintendent;
Col IhOs Corprew, Treasurer, and Col. " ID. Grover
agent at ortolk, met the party and welcomed them.
Mayor Tabb made the welcoming speech. to which Gov.
Plerpont appropriately responded. A comfortable
supper awaited the party at the restaurant of Mr. E.
s. Pepper Speeches and sentiment ensued, and it
was late when the company rose and were escorted
to the Atlantic Hotel, where rooms had been pro
Vided for them.
At ten o'clock this morning. through the invitation
of Mr: Ii. V. Tomkins, agent of the new Baltimore
line Of steamers, the party took sail down to Fort
ress Monroe and vicinity, on the elegant and fast
sailing steamer James 7. Brady, Captain Lands
10 those who had never been here before there was
OF course, absorbing interest IN noting point
ed out to them Craney Island, the old mooring place
OF the Merrmac the stretch of earthworkS encircling
SewallS Point the scene of the sinking by the Merri-
Of the United States trigadeS Congress and Cum
berland, off Newport News, and last but not least,
the tort itself, within whose gray, grim walls still lin
gers jeff Davis, the head and hope of the con-
tederacy. On the steamer a sumptuOus collation. was
provided. Here were more outburstS of oratory
agreeably mingled with the exhilarating flow Of
champagne and baser huids-altogether jovial vet
dgnified feast of reason and flow of soul. Speaker
Baldwin, Judge Camden, of Harrison county: Colonel
Gray, of Rockingham county: Mr.. HanSbrOugh of
Stafford county; Senator Robinson, of Norf0rk and
others did the speaking. was happy to notice here
as on the evening previoUS-and ! mention the fact
as emphatic refutation of the calumnious state
ment touching the loyalty of the people of Virginia
that vein of sterling patriotism and devotion to
the Union pervaded the speeches. All enjoyed the
sail and the repast immensely, and on retouchng the
wharf and waving thanks and adieu, to Mr.. Tonp-
kinS and Captain Lands, started for the railroad
depot, and at ?. NJ. the return trip home
The excursiOnists arrived here at halfpas seven
NJ, safe, sound and well pleased. The only delay in
going and returning on the Richmond and Peters
burg Railroad slow, tedious and horse concern
The Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, as will be
remembered, running eight years before the war
Over quarter Of the road which had been destroyed
by our armies has had to be entirely rebuilt and the
track Of nearly much to be wdened to secure
uniformity of gauge. Through connections with the
Southside, Virginia and Tennessee and East Tennes-
see and Georgia railroads this road will connect with
Memphis. From Norfolk north it will connect with
the Baltimore line of steamers. Viewed in the
light Of its connection there is not more important
railroad through the whole region of the vast South
passenger trains will not commence running regular
Iy until the 18th inst. Meantime there are to be
more excursion trains Tomorrow one for the bene-
Mt OF the Petersburg Common Council the next day
Tor the Common Council of Norfolk and the day after
a grand free ride to everybody.