Smyrna times., 1866-11-28
EXCURSION FROM WILMINGTON TO
NORFOLK.

ness men of the former city and q number of i
gentlemen from Pennsylvania interested in the + +
construction of the Wilmington & Reading :;
r. R., was ipaugurated on Monday, the ex- W
cursionists taking passage in the morning train 4
south from Wilmington. Being invited as
member OF the Delaware Press, we joined the
party at Smyrna 1t consisted of the Mayor Z
lValentine), City Council, and large number
of the business men of Wilmington, among I
whom were j. T. Head, tthe principal projec-
tor of the movement) s. NJ. Harrington, jr, y
!, j. P. McLear, NJ. Betts &C., and Hon. Heis- {
ter Clymer, Edw. Brooke, Townsend Walter, 1
H. H. Steele and others connected with the
W. & R. Railroad, Alex. Peterson, of Phila.,
D. Corbett, A. Higgins and many others num-
bering in all lO9 persons. The press had II
representatives, viz: Coleman, of the LedgTT,
Hendrix, of the Associated Press, Lancaster,
of the Phils, Press, Pool of the Boston Adrer-
tiser Wells of the Phis. Bulletin, Richards,
reporter for the Reading Journal and Gazette,
Evans, of the West Chester Record, Hayes,
reporter for the West Chester Republican, and
the following editors from Wilmington: j. H.
jenkins, of the Daily Commercial; Eckles,
: Journal; Vernon, Republican, and johnson,
y Gazette. The party were eagerly devouring a
lunch when we entered the train, and which |
st we joined On the passage much merriment
: was indulged in by the company, While wait
ing at the various stations many humorous
'f transactions took place. The train arrived at
&c Crisfeld on the Annamessex River, Is miles
- from the Bay, at 6 o clock in the evening, ma
rs king distance of l3S miles from " Wilmington.
The Steamer City of Norfolk was in waiting
T. at the disposal of the exeursiOnists, and the
& party Immediately boarded her. This steamer
is one of the largest, finest and staunchest
te specimens of water craft that navigates Ameri-
% can waters. Her length is 225 feet, with 80
feet beam, and lO404 tons burthen. Her sa-
q looms are palatial in equipment and the dining
% hall equal to our irst-class hotels. She con-
tains AZ state-rooms, and berths for the accom-
for mediation of ! 50 passengers in ALL
of The line of steamers consisting of the City
of Norfolk and Lady ofthe Lake. is owned and
ny run by Harlan, Hollingsworth Co., of Will
has mington (the builders) and Chas. Morgan Of
New York
of At o'clock the supper bell gave an omin0rs
md signal, and we soon found ourselves seated in
the magnificent dining room, with IS others,
ot discussing the richest viands the appetite could
an crave with all the eagerness free ticket would
allow. After supper, the party passed the
o, time in various ways-talking, singing, jesting
res res &c.-until midnight when the more quietly
~" disposed wrapped the drapery of their couch
about them and lay down to pleasant dreams. ;
los The balance, on mischief bent" employed
nch their time in pulling each other out of the
al berths, and other pranks, until the wee small
axe hours.
ton The boat got under way at quarter befor
eleven, and steamed out into Tsngier SOunC
1os. and down the Bay under clear moonlight AM
I;,,o gentle breeze. The steamer came to at New
'i'0 port News at 81 O'Clock on Tuesday morning
The party took a view of the desolated breast
es' work, and made numerous inquiries of the cor
III g. trabands, who occupy the few quarters lei
standing by the soldiers, concerning points
aid, interest At u we steamed round to the Fo
} at tress, a distance of eight miles. After som
time consumed in red-tape formula, the part
gained an entrance-Mayor Valentine leadin
the van--and were received by Gen. Haye
the The celebrated Lincoln gun, Carroll Hal
oto jeff s quarters but not JEFF }, and other poin
held of interest, were examined. We embarked
osed 10 for Norfolk, fifteen miles distant, arrivir
An at quarter after eleven.
,s in We were received on the steamer by I'll
and Mayor of the City ~. r. Ludlow and Ci
the the town; and in a short speech the Mayor
orta- sired to let by-gones be by-gones, and meet
e % brethren of one great united country. May
d to Valentine, in response, accepted the hospital
more of our hosts endorsing his sentiments and st
and ted that the great object of the visit was
hose promote q business intercommunication b
ad- tween their respective cities. A processit
with was then formed, headed by the Fortress bal
ship playing Dixie, followed by the corporate
270 of Norfolk, the corporation of Wilmingto
canal members of the press, and the rest of the e
cursionists. The procession marched to 4
,,o..l Opera House where speeches were deliver
,ntU by Hon. John Goode and Chas. Sparks,
oT3 Norfolk, and S. NJ. Harrington of Wilmingto
,bar " The procession then marched through d
principal streets of the city, hating at the
= !, lie lantic Hotel. After lunch we marched to {
and ferry and took passage for the Gosport Ma
Fo~aS Yard. The dgnitaries were most hospital
!. lotou @ received on their arrival by CON- Rowan, a
~ "oA Capt. Rodgers who showed us round the val
'ndnv TUv The Abemdrte and other ex-rebel craft,
80: the charred sites of the various buildings d,
baaT,' troyed by the Rebels are among the objects
- interest Returning about clock, we ags
, -, marched to the Atlantic, where the Norfc
ovar. authorities had gorgeous dinner served
moor for the entertainment Of the entire processiC
= &C. numbering over 200 guests. AT the conclusi
The OF the repast number of toasts were propose
and which were responded to at the request of
we'll CROWD Dy .. M. Harrington, MIR. Clymer,
n he Wells, Of the Bulletin, Mayor Valentine, c
that Lamb, Of Fort Fisher notoriety, Gen Bic
1lemI OF Norfolk, j. T. Head, Alderman Vince
.n;ne and a number of Others This was continu
land, amid the greatest hilarity and witty repart
nerce (enhanced by the liberal potions of champag
. G., until we left for the boat.
aftar- The excursionists were altogether surpri,
'rrant at the warmth and display with which the n
n he tolkites received them, and concluded that
that halt had not been told them of Virginia hos
ahort tality. After the formal meeting, the soci
ar;n~ unreserved intercourse between the two part
th;s was more like family gathering than that
WAC the representatives of the inhabitants of I
tant cities Everything, whittier OF word
enc of deed that could minister to the pleasure
lessed comfort of the Delawaresns was performed
ng of the Virginians.
e for The object of the excursion, to bring
/ Ma route travelled over into public notice as
res of great line of intercommunication between
nntrv. North and the South Wilmington and n
ngers. folk being the termini) was doubtless acoo
onged plised.
: and At in the evening the excursionists w
, was escorted to the steamer, where final sena
num- ton took place about o'clock. We steam
mem for Crisfeld, via Fortress Monroe. about
its of which was reached in ample time 10 taks