The New York herald., 1868-05-24
THE ISAAC BELL EXCURSION.

ParA06-O
ON Board.
The steamship Isaac Bell, Captain Bourne reached
her dock at pier 81 North river at little AFTER twelve
.,clock Friday morning. stin n0rtheaster pre-
vailed on leaving Norfolk and it was the opinion OF
several old salts that it was dangerous for new
and comparatively untried vessel to go to sea In SUCH
weather But is remarkable fact that the steamers
of this rhe Old DOminion line have, almost without
execution sailed punctuay at their regular hour OF
denarture summer and winter. Indeed. this line has
become sort of regular ferry between this port and
Norfolk one vessel coming in as another would be
leaving the several points.
To 90 back little and take up the thread OF the
hasty narrative of this delightful and important
eursion where it was dropped in our last report,
find the goodly company on board the swift little
steamer Eolus, Captain McCarrick, on their way to
Fortress Monroe. This well known point was pre-
sently reached and Major General Barry commander
of the post accompanied by number OF the garri-
son officers received the party and at once escorted
them to the fort. The works are now used as a
school of instruction and drill in artillery practice
The garrison consists of battalion OF five companies,
one from each of the regular artillery regiments,
each company remaining year, when II returns 10 its
regiment and its place is supplied by another. hnme-
diatey on entering the troops went through parade
which won the admiration OF the spectators, from
raDi0ltV
were executed The party then walked around the
parapet viewed the 'big guns" talked ordnance
with the officers and then repaired TO those objects
of special interest," the quarters of Jefferson Davis.
The classmates in which he at first imprisoned
new occupied as officers quarters while the suit OF
rooms in Carroll Hail in which he domiciled
during the visit Of his family are being brushed up
and put in complete order for occupancy. Among
the incidents of the prison life of Davis narrated
curing this brief CALL 1t was stated by officers that
the distinguished State prisoner was greatly incensed
al the Misrepresentation made about himself and
his habits in DR.. Craven's book. He never COM
planned of his treatment by The officers of the fort
after the rigors of his first Imprisonment were over
nor it would appear, was there reason to.
The New York party, particularly the ladies, were
Indebted for polite attentions during their visit to
MAJOR General Barry, General Hayes, General
Roberts, Colonies Baylor, Williston James, Guy
Henry, DR.. Cooper lone of the surgeons in attend
ance upon Davis), Majors Shnn, Aiken, Campbell,
Rlttenhouse Captain Sanger, Quartermaster Howe
rvho occupies Davis casemate for his quarters),
Commander Quackenbush and Paymasters Caswell
and Winslow (the latter a son of the famous Kear-
sarge Winsow) of the Navy Yard and others.
General Sawtele, of the United States Quartermas-
ter's Department, who accompanied the party from
New York. was also cOmplimented for his politeness
during the entire excursion. Without stopping to
compare Fortress Monroe and its surroundings as
they with the lively times that existed DUR
ing the war-when the headquarters Of the New
YORK HERALD were one OF the institutions of the
piace-nor waiting to describe the delay oc-
easloned by the "desertionn of couple of
the party who, 1t appears had been captured by an
DID Fourth Warder Captain John Balch (once an as
sistant engineer of the New York Fire Department,
now the chief OF the Fortress Monroe Department.,
we viii at once re-embark on board the EolUs, and
after rounding the Rip Raps-which Uncle SAM IL
seems after eXpending several millions upon laying
Ms foundations has now to prop up over night to
Keep from slipping out OF sight through the quick
sands-be carried back 10 the old city of Norfolk
Again there, we nnd large and enthusiastic gather
ing OF people, including the Mayors of Norfolk and
Portsmouth, the Boards of Trade, the Pathological
Society lsome called it the "Pummel'' -ogical
Society, IN consequence of slight political
row in which some of its members participated the
night previous) and another grand reception on
board the Bell was the consequences and vast
nmount OF speechilying gone through. pleasant
little incident OF this part OF the day was the presen
tatiOn OF a magnificent basket OF flowers from the
ladies OF Norfolk 10 the ladies on board the Bell,
which was acknowledged by the latter in neat little
the many acts of Kindness they had received during
their trip through the State, and adding, to give the
precise words that it lis another link in the chain
which has always bound us to Southern ssters.r
Speeches were made by the Mayors Of the three cities
represented the Boards OF Trade; the president OF
ii. Chandler, United States District Attorney, who
drew up the Jen Davis h>ctment and is now a can
many Others to give even brief abstract OF which
would occupy more space than we spare.
One might have supposed that this would have
been the last OF the grand round Of receptions which
had welcomed the party since they reached the
sacred soil and waters Of Virginia. But scarcely
had the noble ship got fairly under way and was
brcaSting gallanty and buoyantly the angry waves
al the Old Atlantic, as they roll in during stin north
easter between Cape Henry and Cape Charles when
the voice Of lady heard in the saloon calling
the company 10 order, which it rather dihicut
TO MAINTAIN III consequence OF the unsteady motion
Al nj tncFlN nalt md
pertinent remarks rendering note and vote of
thanks on behalf Of the ladies' of the party to Mr.. Nc
Gready for his "kDd and unremtting attentions,
whleh had made tins excursion TO virginia so very
pleasant" This was Of course received with general
cheering and waving OF handkerchiels, and drew
forth happy response. Following this came the
formal testimonial of thanks OF the eXcursonsts to
The president 0f the company, which was signed by
al sue gentlemen passengers including Mr.. John A.
stOn Oi thls city, whose name heretofore has been
accidentally omitted in the published list of passen
IHANEs TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE OLD DOMINION
COMPANY.
on BOARD THE STEAMER ISAAC BELL,
MAY Il, 1865.
N. j.. MCCEEADY. President, &c.
Sii,--Wc cannot leave the ship which has conveyed
us 80 dehghtlnlly, aud in which we have spent so
many haipy hours without desiring you TO receive
lor Jourhe and 10 express TO your associate dlrec
TOTS our nearly acknowledgements for the munhcent
hospitality which We have enioyed throughout the
voyage now about 30 end so successfully Through
your thoughtful Kindness we have visited the most
interesting historic grounds IN modern American
annals, and have had the opportunity OF seeing now
intimately the Od Dominion ana the Empire state
are united In material interests and ever should be
oornu r t9ge,her ~ patriotic friendship.
Ihe ss,,dunch, wen appointed, admirably managed
home, we leave with regret because il win ALWAYS
recall 10 US such peculiarly agreeable memories OF nn
alloyed enJoyment Bearing the honored name OF
one Of the mos eminent deceased merchants of our
metropolis the Isaac Bell wiz ever remind M of hts
large hearted son the genial host who has contrl-
buted so much TO our happiness.
Wishing all success 10 the Old Dominion Steamship
Company and WIN renewed expressions of our
thanks, we are your friends aud grateful quests.
CONCLUSION.
Thus concluded the public expressions upor
one OF the most delightful ocean excursions ii
one Of the most nohe ships that ever left IN,
port OF New York southern voyage. NJ
amean or ungentiemaply thing was done sal,
during the whole trip. The larder was Iot onl
bountiful, tut exhausjess, and the cuisine ur
IN Ia.