Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-08-11
Notes of summer Travel.


The day boats, up and down the river, run
very favorable to give short trip between New
burg and the West Point Academy, and on Sat
urday last, the writer enjoyed such an excursion.
The burning sun had kept us as quiet as
grass-hoppers at noon, but cool mornings and
evenings with clear shining skies now invited to
the majestic Hudson, and as the Daniel Dre'o
came dancing along from Albany, at 30 T. NJ,
our party, hurrying on board, were soon amalga-
mated with the travelling company OF men,
women and children
The only stopping place was Cornwell, and
directly after our paddles sent the little waves
directly against the base of the towering 'Crows
Nest, hut swiftly we are borne past little bays
and promontaries in sight of old Fort Putnam,
and in about forty minutes, we brought too, at
the West Point Landing.
long. steep road, made on and under
the high rocks, carries You, by carriage or ON
nibus or on foot up the river, till you come out
upon the vast campus over which We passed to
the West Point Hotel
nm the river, and thence inspected and took de-
light in studying az many elements OF natural
beauty as are often crowded into so narrow a
circle.
For ten miles up you follow the stream, having
Newburg, even to the steeples, distinctly III view
but the river seems crowded by the spurs of the
Highland running out and down to the water;
vet il is not angular rock or dirty earth, but
rounded and clothed in green, with the surface
30 scooped as to give play to the sunshine and
shadow beautifully mixed at this hour by the
white fieecy clouds which, as they felt the airy
breath above would change and chase the shadows
cn tho hills At the same time nne
perspective was given by the high position OF
the spectator, whilst life and motion spread over
the scene by reason of the river craft, half
IL, uIn and srbpOparE with all their Wllte
sails set, making their way mp OF down
Being now ready for a stroll we walked leisure
ly round the great plain, keeping under the
shade of the fine elms and NAPLES with whch
| the ground is encircled. Passing from right to
| left. a battery il first encountered through the
openings in the fortification, commanding mp
tile stream, having every instrument IN readiness
| for sudden fight This il on the water level ;
above, on the brow of the plain, stand several
| guns on carriages, with caissons all ready, prob
ABLY. except ammunition, for action. And this
sight carried me, by quick association, to the
banks of the Rhine which is soon to hear the
| thunder of a Thousand murderons pieces.
| Walking little further we found ourselves
/ among some old costly guns and mortars, the
| proud trophies of the Mexican war, at ferote,
| Cberebusco, &c, with one big Armstrong gun,
probably taken in the rebellion
| A fine bronze statue of General Sedgwick
erected by the Sixth Army Corps, adorns tnis
shady walk then come the dwellings, OF the
Superintendent and Professors, TILL OH the op
nosite side of the circle from which we started
Is fine Dormitory for cadets then building
probably for rectations then the chapel, ant
next and last stands the library
The remaining section of the campus Is on tn
front river side, having fine walks RUNNING
northward to rocky point overlooking tn
water, and southwark, at least, down the riye
to the Cavalry Barracks, where we found two o
three scores of fine horses, haltered under tn
trees, rather than kept in the stables.
On this the east side, commanding the river,
| Fort Clinton, in fine repair, and furnished wit
| artillery that would have astonished and please
| our glorious fathers, when they kept guard 70
MS. and looked out day and night over this mag
nifcent scenery.
OF still greater interest than anything we hav
| mentioned is the body of students. the cadets
now in training for our future National defence
5 though let our prayer go forth that peace an
Union may he our perpetual portion. At pres
ent. the upper class is absent on furlough; tn
rest are encamped living in tent lif'
: and here the picturesque feature OF III
scene is presented, as you loo
up and down the lines OF canvass, patrolied
: short light blue coat, brass buttons, and sno
white pants, the sentinels on duty night and da
as il in an enemys country all, to give them pra
tice in what may become real experience ).
S Daily, the young men are drilled, unless it
/ Saturday at this time of year, and morning al
It evening parade is never omitted, nor the firlr
of the morning and evening gun, exploding al
ia reverberating among the hills.
AT this season, the two hotels are full OF VII
n tors, the West Point and Cozzens', mile or "
70 down the river, and it may be supposed, tn
% these visitors are composed of the friends OF Il
A. young gentlemen, still detained on duty. Tel
porary visitors, like ourselves are multitudinou
aud opportunities are given the blue coats,
promenade and accomdate their lady friends al
others, as we observed from point to point
i denial of which would prove as unnecessary,
q cruel.
"a After spending three hours on the ground,
~ - foot, we reached the Dock and waited long
" the Mary Po,reR to carry us home. 1t was t
late week and Saturday night, bringing up
crowd of eight hundred people, made SLOW
speed however, seven o'clock of a summe
:" eve, only made the Hudson more cool and char
al ing, as we retraced our steps, past Break Ne
ed ed and Crowsnest, among the shadows below q
=; u; under the bright, clear, crescent moon above,
y, M after discharging three hundred, amidst eroV
n5 of carriages, at Cornwall, with most Of the re
:" we walked ashore at Newburs, and thus enc
our expedition.
- NEwpuRa N. Y, Aug 1, 1870.