Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-06-05
For the Spectator.
A Trip to Gordonsville- and Sup
per by the Piedmont Relief Association.
STATNTON. May %. I3G


Mr. E1tior On last Friday morning, when
the Conductor on the Central Train, bound for
Richmond, gave the commando aboard -
we found ourselves snugly enconsced on cush-
Toned seat, prepared for trip to Gordonsvile,
at which place the ladies of the Piedmont Re
lief Association had made all the necessary az
Engagements to give a concert and supper for
the purpose of raising money to be applied to
the noble object Of disintering and removing to
the Soldiers Cemetery of that place, the re-
mains of the many fallen heroes who lie unpro-
tected in the surrounding country.
The string having been pulled we soon
found ourselves at the little village of Wayne>-
boro', where we were favored with a beautiful
piece of music by the 'Stonewall Band, which
was aboard the train bound for the same desti-
nation, for the purpose of assisting in the CON
cert. Having taken on several passengers and
exchanged mail bags, we again steamed off,
and, almost i'll Il twinkling, found ourselves
wv hizzing through the mountain
envelopcd in almost total darkness, having run
into a hole in the mountain, called the Blue
Ridge Tunnel; but very soon we were llshered
into the beautiful sunlight, on the eastern side
of the mountain, where the landscape which
spread out before us was SO beautiful that all
nature seemed to be laughing for joy. Passing
several stations OF less note, We soon arrived at
the University of Va, that old and famous in
stitution OF learning. where the minds OF SO
many of our bright and shining lights in the
world have been stored with knowledge and
polished for the highest and noblest pursuits Of
life, where we again received a considerable re-
enforcement OF passengers, and another tune by
the Band. On arriving at the next station
Charlottesvillc-we were hearty reinforced by
gay and lively crowd Of the youth and beauty
of the place.
Having picked up passengers at every station
along the road, by the time we arrived at the
point Of attraction the train was crowded with
the old, the young, the rich, the poor the
white, the black, the free and the treeso-called,
ali anxious to participate in the festivities Of
the occasion. We arrived at GordonsviIle about
the middle of the day. and the time passed
heavily until about half past six clock, when
it was announced that the
Banquet waits your presence"
and on entering the supper room we found ev-
erything cotton up in the very best style mag
Unable, and being rather fond Of eating, we
pitched in, and
Dire the clash of plates, of knife and fork,
That mere less fell like tomahawks to work"
Ample justice having been done this part of
the programme, we now repaired to the back
yard Of the building formerly occupied by Col
Kemper's school, in old Gordonsville, where a
large canvass and seats had been erected capa-
and to our pleasant surprise we found it more
than crowded by the lovely maidens OF our
sweet sunny south. The porch, which was
beautifully festooned with cedars and flowers,
was occupied by the musicians stage. On
scanning the audience by the light Of lamps
which were hanging round the canvass, we i'm
agined we had been transported from thisworld
of trouble and sorrow to some far off enchanted
land,
But soon the eyes rendered the ears their right
For such strange harmony we seemed to hear,
That all our senses iocked into our ear
And every faculty wished to be seated there"
As the sweet strains of harmonious music by
the ''Stonewall Band, burst forth on our en-
raptured soul We were lost to the world. .
The Band having opened the concert, they were
followed by a song from two young ladies ofthe
association, and they by a string band from Gull
pepper G. III. The programme consisted of a
great variety of the best selections from the
most celebrated operas. The performers all ac-
quilted themselves admirably, and it would be
too invidous to attempt any determinations.
Altogether the occasion was magnificent sue
cess, and we understand the Association real
lied the handsome sum of 5000, which we
have no doubt will be economically and Judi
cously expended in the good cause of honorne
and respecting our no5le dead q