The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-14

OctOCks ~ r-ray..E ED .ts-
A GRAND c-Nrc-ExcURs1oN ON THE
YORK RIVER RAILRoAD.-One of the most
delightful picnic parties that 1t has ever
been our pleasure to attend came off on
yesterday. The morning promised bright
and beautiful day, and the sun had hardly
risen before many bright and merry little
ones, and not few Of more years, began
their preparations for the excursion. It
was generally understood that train had
been chartered to carry the party on the
York River railroad, tho managers having
contemplated q bivouac upon the planta-
tion of General W. H. F. Lee, in the neigh
borhood Of the White House, on the Pa
munkey river. Almost every family in
the eastern portion Of the city sent its re-
preventative, and by O'clock large crowd
of ladies-young, old, and of an uncertain
age-young men to play the part of beaux,
children of both sexes, and few Of our
more advanced citizens, were gathered
at the spot, and waited impatiently for the
starting of the train.
At length the scholars Of St. Johns Sun.
day school, for whose benefit the picnic
was especially designed, filed through the
gateway and found their places in the
cars. A rush succeeded, and in q few
moments every one of the coaches was
crowded with the excursionists. Now the
brick walls and graded streets are left.
Our eyes fall upon green fields, while we
breathe the free, pure air of the country.
Dashing along through fenceless fields and
forests of underground, past grass-grown
breastworks and deserted bastions, few
of the gay. party remember that we are
passing over classic soil-felds that will
be famous in the history of our country's
battles. The woods which fell before the
axes Of the Confederate soldiers are now
superseded by scrubby oaks and thickets
Of dwarfed pines-the fields then covered
with the Federal tents or Confederate
huts are now as quiet as the most retired
valley in the Alleghanies. Who could tell
that here Stuart dashed along with his
conquering cavalry, just five years ago, on
his "ride around Mcclellan that here
brave men were stretched beneath the shell
ter Of the hospital tent, or that there the
deadly strife was thick, and showering
bullets and whistling shells brought hun
dreds of patriots to the ground in agony Of
death. The ploughman urges his oxen
over the battlefield, thinking of nought
but the "stubborn glebe," and the squirrel
sports upon the tree beneath whose
branches Lee watched with anxious eye
the tide Of battle, or Johnston received O
wound from Federal bullet.
Occasionally we stop, and as the name
of Savage's, Dispatch, Meadow, Fair Oaks,
and Tunstalrs-names suggestive of many
stirring scenes Of the war-fall upon the
ear, few alight to pluck twig or leaf
in memory of the spot, or search for more
substantial relics of the war. As the train
rumbles over long bridge every eye looks
out to view the turbid waters Of Chicka-
hominy swamp, filled with the debris of O
destroyed bridge, railroad cars, or explo-
ded wagons.
The majority of the party, however,
think little Of these things, but are filed
with delight at the refreshing breezes, and
eagerly look forward to the halting place.
At length this is reached, the cars suddenly
bringing up within full view Of the Pamun-
key river, and all prepare to alight. Scout
ing parties, however, are unable to find
shady spot, and after short halt the train
is backed two miles, when the spot Of all
others for such treat is reached. Soon
the merry party Of children are dispersed
through the woods, and ramble over the
hills and dells in exuberance Of joy.
Games commence cPOquet, baseball, ,
and grace hoops and each have their de-
yotees, while love-lorn youth and CO.
quettish damsels stroll arm in arm through
winding paths, and matrons begin at once
to prepare for the MONDAY meal.
Soon the ground is covered with the
tempting display of eatables, and the
wanderers eagerly gather in groups to dis
cuss substantials, sweet meats, and des-
serts, which well-skilled har Is have spread
upon the sward. The cornucopia seems
to have been emptied here for, marvellous
to relate, every man, woman, and child re-
ceived more than enough, and choice delica-
cies, to use the language Of one of the fair
Mattresses, "went a-begging." Dinner,
however, did not last all day. Games
we're again commenced, and until the sun
was far down, the merry crowd were con-
tent to remain. Then again, the cry Of sail
aboard" is heard, and we are Oft for
Richmond.
At 7 O'Clock the train filed along Water
street, bearing the same cheering, light
| uedTIeu CTOWus n VI hucSOhs ohA1ossS-
ment has been passed with not one thing
to mar its pleasure.
Not the least pleasant Of the exercises
was the singing by the children, led BY
good voices. An appropriate address BY
Mr.. R. n. Lockwood, of New York. Al
hour was thus occupied.
The Sunday school of st. Johns church
numbers only about one hundred ant
twenty-five scholars, but about three hun
dred persons enjoyed the excursion
Every arrangement had been made by tht
superintendents, Messrs. A. Y. Stokes AMI
Thomas Potts, for the comfort and plea
sure Of the party, and all were ready =
ioin in three rounds of cheers which tn
boys gave for these gentlemen and tn
worthy pastor Of the church. Genera
w. II. F. Lee, who was present, added hi
4 share to the entertainment Of the party