Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet., 1868-05-12
Communicated.
Pleasure Excursion.
On STEAMER WILD WAGNER /
Mny 7th. 1865.

May 7th, 1865.
Mr.. EYitor-IIere we are on board Of this
magnificent steamer on route TO Natchez,
under charge Of Captain Goddin, AZ clever
and genial gentleman as ever walked the
deck. The Wagoner is noble boat and
moves as gayly through the water, as
though she was IN thing Of lfe." With
Posey and Major Powell in tho Office and
Goddin as bor commander, she is fast
building for herself in tho coast trade u
name and reputation second TO no other
boat on the Western waters. We dislike
the "claptrap" style by which name and
famc for an hour, is, in these enlightened
times brought TO do service by the putting
process. We prefer the old fashioned way,
whore all were required to be their own
architects and good deeds with honest
purposes were recognized as the best cvi-
denoo. Tho officers Of this boat, by their
uniform kindness and aecomm odating dis
positions, have made for themselves an
enviable name. The Wagonor, with tho
trading public, must soon be a synonym
for speed and comfort.
The beauty of Baton Rouge, and her
sister pgrishes fill the cabin; Prof Bon
ming leads the band and music, with its
"soft voluptious swell }" stirs every heart.
Waterloo and Port Hudson, the latter, re-
plee with historic fame, whose crested
hills, II little while back, were crowned by
"great dogs OF war;" which kept, in the
name OF "the lost cause" watch and ward
over the Father of waters,' but now as
quiet and unnssuming as though its mis-
sion had ever been peace, was quickly
passed, and left in the distance. AS we
sped on our way, at ii O'Clock in the even
ing, we hove in sight of Natchez and en-
tered port by the sound Of merry music.
The cabin Of the steamer presented ne
lovely a bouquet Of living beauty % ever
blessed the eye or softeuea heart. Misses
Il. H., M. H., II. D., NJ. b, l.. T., i. r.,
+. G., and Miss G.. j., Represented Baton
Rouge. Miss Il. q. and l.. q did honor
to West Felciana, while 81. Helena found
u worthy representative in Miss q. s. A
large party joined us at Natchez: many
of the ladies' names have escaped my
memory, but what we saw Of the beauty
of the "Ilill City," was enough to shake
the finty heart of more than one old
Benedict from Baton Rouge. Miss II. and
Miss l.. W. were particularly attractive. |
regret that / cannot, IN Jennie Jones'
happy way give you an idea Of the dresses,
fashions, &c. But, the fact is, | am uni
formly timid in the presence Of ladies', my
memory becomes remarkably troacherous,
and sweet face or bright smile "chills me,
fills mo with fantastic tcrrors never felt
before" Dancing was the order of the
night, which was kept up until the "wee
small hours of night" had passed away.
AT eight o'clock we rang our last bell,
pulled in the staging and the steamer
headed for home. Our Natchez night, rs !
some one called it, will long be looked !
to as n bright particular page in the |
volume Of memory, and as tho city and
bluff faded from our vision, there was
m orc than one long drawn sigh from
The Bcnedicts, which told Of hearts
crushed and hopes departed. At 8 o'clock
p NJ, we reached Baton Rouge, and bade
,he Captain and his officers adieu and
iod speed. Long may the "Wild Wug-
,ner" under her present officers pursue her
career of usefulness, free from mists and
storms, and may her final end be glorious
md profitable, was the earnest prayer Of
more than one Of the
EXCURSIONISTS.