Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-10-05
For the Ssaunton Spectator.

Mr. EDITOR "A recent visit to Yorktown,
va., gives us an excuse for being en- rapport,
for a few lines with your excellent journal
Now, as to what we saw there-First, the
Old Nelson House. once owned and occupied
by Hero OF the Revolution of '76, General
Nelson-a Patriot, who sacrificed interest to
conscience and gave up all Of his property to
assist his destitute country; which sacrifice,
the Sculptor has forever embodied in enduring
marble-int this lifeless marble his genius has
breathed the ideal we have of the Virginia
gentleman-iha highest type of enlightened
society. We refer 10 the last statue placed on
the monument adorniug the Capitol Square of
our Metropolis and which represents General
Nelson as presenting the roii of bonds which
gave to his country his possessions, and to
himself Fame.
History says she possessed the finest house
in York, which was occupied by the enemy
percelving that from a consideration for his In
terests the American arterists avoided direct
ing their pieces to that particular spot, he pro-
claimed reward Of a guinea for every shot
that should be lodged in bis house In a few
minutes, it was abandoned by the British,
though not before it had been riddled with
balls The effects of this cannonading are
still to be seen in the grey old walls of this
time honored mansion The timber and bricks
with which it is built were brought from Eng
land. In those ante-bellum days, the English
settlers thought there was virtue in what came
from the old country. Many houses on the
Peninsula, (perheps the Oldest settlement in
the States, may be said to have sprung from
the soil of England even as did their occu-
pants. En- possaat some of the names occur
ing In Percy's Reiques are repeated on the
Peninsula, where there has been less immigra-
ton or emigration, than in most regions Of
this restless country.
The old residence is still in possession of de-
scendants of General Nelson, one of whom, "a
rare and radiant maiden" was our lovely young
guide through the fine old halls showing us
the intricacies of the spiral staircase, recesses
in the wall, &C. This last peculiarity in archi-
lecture was much affected by the builders of
Virginia mansions in the olden time perhaps
designed to conceal treasure from the Indians.
The windows overlook Bay and River both
so beautiful and so blue they seem an outlet
from the sky" A number Of fishing skiffs
in anticipation Of the equinoctial gale, were
gathered near the shore, looking like flock of
white-winged sea-hir1s But then, ''all was
calm, as though earth ne er could know anoth-
er storm. The track of the enemy may be
known on the land by desolation and ruin; but
no trace Of his presence is seen on the blue
waves of the beautiful river, abounding (shall
it be expressed in prose p in fish, oysters crabs
soft. crabs hard. clans, turtles, terrapins. &c,
and an incident of frequent occurrence in the
street of York, is to meet freedmen with
lunches Of fish for sale-fish of the most ex-
quiSite kind Geography says, York river at
this point is one mile wide and about ten faith
oms Deep
The old town is more interesting in its an
tiqnities than in its improvements, but as re-
CARDS progress, one or two fine stores have been
built by enterprising citizens, who have moved
there since the Marylanders, and a large
hotel is in contemplation The land round
about and the peninsula generally, is just wait
ing to have its fertility brought ont by ener-
getic purchasers, as it is now, much of it, lying
idle--the only crop produced, being taxes-a
crop which never fails, and increasing year by
year.
Many Incidents connected with the occupa-
tion of York by the Confederates and BY the
enemy have become material for the Historian.
but this letter, already too long, will not admit
even reference to them.
One of the objects of interest pointed ont to
the tourist, is the plain where terminated the
war, 10th October, 1881. On the road to York,
the traveller passes the field on which was
fought the battle Of Williamsburg, MAY 5,h.
1862 As we looked on the foliage around it.
crimson with the breath of autumn we were
reminded of the fables Of antiquity, telling of
flowers arising from ground consccra'ed to the
burial of the brave Fancy would say, their
bright red leaves were nurtured by that Grim
son tide of life, given as an Offering on the al
tar of their country by our martyred Heroes,
who fell on that ensanguined plain.
FALAISE.
PENINSULA, Sept 23rd, so.