Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-06-25
yirc.nia Co,respondence.


field. y almost every house, store, barn.
and mills we're swept away also the or
charis and woodlands were cut down for
military purposes. Military roads were
built in all directions, rail roads. Godfrey
roads, are still visible, only one house, y
large brick mansion, remained ut the close
of the war. in sight of Manassas, that
stood one miles north Of the town. Ii
was occupied as the head quarters of the
army officers. It's presery alton. is large
ly due To- faithful female servant who re.
mained in and about the premises during
the war; ut the close of the war, the own
err gave her ten acres of land, ON which
she and her colored husband now reside
The same rs 10 the destruction OF pro-
perry can be said Of many town in TINS
good old State. The old town otGordons-
Vile, at the junction Of the Linchburg &
Richmond Rail Road, and lying at the cor
ner of Orange, Greene, Albemarie and
Lonira counties, was greatly favored our
ing the war--was never occupied during
the entire war, by either the Union OF Reb-
ell army, while all the towns around her
suffered more or less.
Petersburg is beautiful city, resting
on level plain, on the right bank OF the
Appomattax river. which Is navigable for
light boats or crafts only.
This is the pioneer city, in the common
School enterprise. ins,igsted and set in
running order nv the excrtions of few
active northern men, who are aided by
the Peabody fund Thousands ofthe chill
dren If the blacks and whites are receiv-
inc thorough common school education,
in separate schools, conducted and run
on I he New England system. From the
example here set. it Is expected that Wig
or and lite under the new constitution
(which viii certainly be adopted which
contains ample provisions for putting in
motion and rrnning by State and coun-
" superintendent. common schools sll
over the State In this city. which Is
about the size Of Portland, where major
itv of It's inhabitants are blacks, | saw
no more idlersor beggtrs than it's usual
20 see in most northern cities. was told,
and il was apparent, that the blacks were
in the main, doing much better than could
be expected most of them were doing
something for their support il is true
that few were inclined TO plfer. and not
work for living Business is quite
good in this city.
Richmond is a city which is built, rs II
were, on seven hills. The streets are
quite we'll laid out. hut most OF them take
YOU up and down long rises, or hills. The
burn. district !, purity rebuilt. Business
appears 10 DE rather dull here, many stores
and business places are unoc cupied. From
Richmond, through Carolina, Spctsylya-
MIA and Stafford counties TO Aqua Greek
the land is fair. hut not so good as in
some other parts oil the State North
east of the old town of Fredericksburg,
The land is rather poor. very much broken
in hills and streams. From Aluis Creek
our unte was by boat up the Potomac,
which gives splendid view of Maryland
ON the right. and Va, on the lett. When
the steamer came in sight Of the mansion
and tomb of the Father Of our Country
n i customary, It's bell tolled in honor OF
him who sleeps at Mount Vernon.
Corn, wheat and oats, are the principal
crops raised rye. and potatoes, both Irish
AMI sweet, are raised To some extent
beans and peas. do quite well, aud see
no reason why all kinds ofvegetables and
fruit. will not do well here. although there
is not an abundance raised. saw good
wheat growing in all parts of the State,
where travelled some counties are bet.
ter adapted to wheat raising. than others.
The red soil which appears in London,
Fairfax, Prince William. Fanquier, Cul.
pepper, Orange, and some other counties,
are peculiarly adapted to wheat growing.
saw some splendid fields of wheat near
IL ready for harvest. On the whole Vir-
ginia has fine climate, good soil. and
i destined to become great grain and
stock growing State, when she shall be-
come fully reconstructed on the principles
of equalitya and justice 10 men. Then a tide
of immigration will flow into her borders,
which will enliven and invigorate all hei
resources, and make her fields bud and
blossom ike the rose. j. u.