Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-08-20
a Trip ON the Manassas Y. Il. 10 VT.
Jackson, Shenandoah Co.
tRorortod for tn @. a layandria GRZette.

ing, few gentlemen assembled at the orange
Alexandria and Manassas Railroad, and en-
barked on q special train in charge OF Conduc-
tor John A. Jones, to make the first trip over
the Manassas Branch to Mt. Jackson. Slowly
rising from the ashes Of her PROSTATE eonuI-
ton, our good old State stretching forth arm
after arm, seeks. to reunitc the bonds that
bound the Valley to the tideWater, severed
rudeIy by the war. The recompletlon OF the
Manassas Gap Railroad to its former terminus
is one more link added to her strength, which
may she soon regain in more than former Vlgor
and energy "
The locomotive Alexandria, which, attached
to mail and passenger car, fitted up III ele-
CANT style, and evidently with an eye 10 the
wants of the party on board, moved slowly oyer
the road as if conscious Of the'preciOus freight
she bore, in all some twenty persons
Those having charge Of the excursion party
possessed in marvellous degree knowledge
of tho wants of human nature, and OF excur-
sion parties in particular, and had improvl5cd
the baggage car as saloon for eating and It's
accompanyments, after manner which did
credit to their taste. 1t is needless 10 say that
that end Of the train wa3 we'll patron
lied throughout the trip.
One feels singularly free from danger OF col
! lsion on train in company with such person
ages as were on board They not only made
| the road; but elfinterest, which holds place
in every heart, willprompt them to keep clear of
! all danger. And so the excursonists moved
| off from Alexandria i'll conscious security.
| The crops on the roadside, attracted Che ut,
tention of the party by their luxurlanc:: or qthe-
wise; the scenery, the veGdaa and foliage were
commented on. The most striking new thing
| is steam saw mill, about four miles above
Fairfax Station, in process Of erection by Mr.
| Otis, formerly Of Washington, D. Q. Mr.. 0.
| has also large vineyard growing PROPOSING
! to embark in the wine business.
Near Manassas, GA the railroad, Is 4 stone
quarry, operated by l company OF gentlemen
also from Washington. The stone IL red free
stone, and Of good quality, and IN lorgt guam
tity, equal to any Northern brown stone
Manassas is still growing, and prosperous.
| The railroad company are building ~" at
| this place for convenience o. shifting trains.
| Thc Confederate cemetery here looks neat and
| TASTEFUL the bodies are no. yet Inferred IN IL,
perhaps for want of funds. As the ladies' arc
| at work 10 raise means, it will not probably be
| long before their object is accomplished.
The various way stations have been rcInstat
I a., LIN
| constructed condition, being left by the war
| mainly in ruins. At several OF them the train
stopped, and the cxcursionists exchanged civil.
tiles with new, or greeted Old acquaintance,
| recognized as former comrades in arms.
The fine mills at Thoroughfarc are lying idle
| with the machinery ia ruins, and the site for
sale. On Broad Run, never falling stream,
these mills, substantial stone structure, would
| seem profitable investment to any capitalist,
located az they are in Il country abundant in
some grain producing lands.
| Gainesville, The Plains, Salem Rectortown,
| Mark ham, were passed and paused at in sue
cession the party being joined at the latter
place by Edward G. Marshall esq, formerly
President of the old lire. Manassas Gap, from
| which the line is named, remained alone to
! pass, and the highest grade being reached, the
descent into the Valley Of the Shenandoah was
| begun. This Gap, it is said, takes its name
| from Bonaface Of the Hebrew sect, who in
| the days Of stages, dispensed his bounty at a
| tavern on tic roadside years before the shrlll
shrek of the locomotive disturbed the quiet OF
| the valley through which Happy Greek flows,
and from which o station takes its name. Soon
| after. Front Royal junction was reached, and
the Shenandoah river, silyery and pelucid, was
crossed on . bridge recently constructed, and
seemingly of sufficient strength to sustain the
| important destinics committed TO If. The track
| here followes the river bank for miles, which,
fringed with sivery willows, flows as peacefully
along the valley as though it had never been
| tinged with blood or Redeemed with carnage.
| From time to time the strength of the party
| was added to, from this to the end OF the
trip.
The eXcurslOnist3 were entertained on the
route by information of most instructive char
acter, the subjects relating mainly to the war.
Jackson's, Moaby's and Early'3 campaigns j;
Fishers Hill was pointed out, and other OBJ
iects Of sad and melancholy interest revealed,
The rapidly shortening candle, and the deep
ening night reminds us that this journey on
paper must draw to an end, and so leaving the
cordial reception at Mt Jackson, and the
comfortable quarters of mine host Of Farra s
Hotel, with much Of interest on railroad affairs
for another chapter, this must for the present
suffice.
The extensive car manufacturing shops Of
the North Missouri Railroad Coin pany in st.
Louis on Monday were totally destJ Dyed by ire
i together with number OF finished and unln-
ished cars, large quantity Of mat erial and all