Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-04-20

0unmef-1he Forest City Of the
ness Improvement-Sa -Sanisary Wanss
In 80uehefn CftleH-A much Oh
sspue1ed Stream-fOrt Palaski, IHil.
ton Head, md Beaufort.
p Correspondence OF The Star.
.fF MOBILE, April 8, 1sso.
DEAR STAR: We are ferried across the
Cooper river, from Charleston, and take the
cars for Savannah. The swamps increase as we
dash along this road, which Is a perfect level,
without curve or variation, thus affording q
view for miles. This was the famous stamping
ground" OF Marions troopers, OF Revolutionary
fame, and later the scene OF the exploits of
Sherman's bold "bummer'' boys, OF whose
handwork the rails and road still bear marks.
The dense foliage and wonderful luxuriance of
vegetation, ct first pleasing to the sight, sson
become monotonous, though the magnificent
live oak trees are beautiful 10 look upon, I'm
their comeliness. symmetry, and bright refresh
ing color. The stations along the line of this
road rejoice in euphonious names, such as Salt
kahatchie, Yemassee, Pocotoligo, Coosahatchie
and others of equally difficult pronunciation.
At the last-named place are the remains O:
earthwOrks erected by the Confederates to pre-
vent our gunboats from ascending the river and
destroying the railroad. Eighty nine miles from
Charleston we cross the Savannah rivera
beautiful stream, somewhat turbid and swollen
from late rains-snd soon after enter the
Forest City," which, in the estimation of its
inhabitants, is the handsomest place on the con-
tinent.
Savannah is a thrifty, enterprising place,
beautifully planned, and containing many
vacant squares and parks. In the spring time il
must be delightful spot, but the late season
does not now permit 1t to be seen with adyan
tn nj nf fa;x
to the heroes OF the revolution. That to GenI
Green is Of plain marble, and noticeable for its
LONELINESS. The one in memory OF Pulaski is
much finer affair, having on one side OF its base
bas relief representing the patriot falling
wounded from his horse. Forsyth Park Is an At
tractve reservation, kept in excellent condition
with q finished, elegant leok. not observable In
the others. The streets are terribly sandy, and
pleasure driving is therefore impracticable. Ii
is strange that this should be the case. as the
abundance and cheapness OF lumber should sug
gest general adoption Of pavements of wood.
Several squares rejoice in the Nicholson pave
ment, and the "Stow foundation" is to be tested
at the Custom House. But little attention is
paid to cleanliness or sewerage, and the un-
healthiness OF Southern cities generally is per
haps due to neglect OF these essentials to
sound sanitary condition.
crease. During the past five months the cotton
exported amounted to 300, 900 bales, whilst that
shipped from Charleston was about $50 900. Th..
duties on imports here have averaged per month
S65,OO0 in gold. Considerable Northern capitai
Is hnding its way to this place, and so far A.
business is concerned, Savannah seems to hay,
taken the lead of most OF the cities of the South
Great care has been taken in the erection or
massive stone walls along the banks of the
river, and all the arrangements for commercial
purposes appear substantial and complete
Immediately opposite the Custom House Is tn
point at which Sherman crossed his yalian
army, while on the other side Of the city are nu-
merous and extensive fortiications, erected 70,
its defence against the Union troops. One
the principal features in the vicinity of Sayap
nah is the Bena Ventura Cemetery, three mile
distant, and reached by q shell road. Sucl.
magnificent natural arches, formed by the inter
laced boughs Of the live oak, are without a
parallel, and we gazed with unaffected admira
ton upon these grand old trees, hoary with ag,
and verdurous with moss. The cemetery is i'm
very bad condition, and the little that has been
done to improve the place is in striking contrast
with the gifts which it has received from nature
Within short distance is the Thunderbol
river, placid little stream, which adds to the
beauty Of the scene. From its waters are OBJ
tanned in great abundance q fair specimen OF
the oyster. The entire drive on the shell road
must be about ten miles, through q fair, fat
country, admirably adapted for garden pur-
poses.
The Savannah river is the most thoroughly
obstructed stream We have thus far seen. Vas,
numbers of inlets, creeks, and rivers fiow into
its waters, and in cruising towards the ocean
one cannot but admire the persistent and deter
mined efforts Of these people to accomplish
what they believed 50 necessary for their pro-
lection. DISTINCTIONS OF every kind, and sunk
in every conceivable way, greet the eye. Even
the paving stones were torn from the beds OF
the streets and thrown into the channel. Nayi-
CATION Is consequently quite dangerous, and i'm
some places two vessels can hardly pass without
danger Of collision. Much money and consid-
erable time will be required to put this river I'm
navigable condition, and 1t would seem emf
nently proper that the people who placed thc
distractions there should bear the expense O,
their removal.
We visited Fort Pulaski and saw the fearfu,
breach made in this noble fort by Gilmore,
guns. At the end of this island is Tybee I,ioh,
house, which we clambered to be repaid by a
very extensive view. Fronting this beacon Is
a"Martello Tower"-an ancient circulated for
uncauon, ouiit some centuries ago by the
oiuS-t IL sAlQ In 1867. 1t is An interesting
rum ot concrete with walls ten feet in thickness
and yet in tolerable state Of preservation. ",
cruised through Calilsgue Sound toward Bean
iort, stopped at Hilton's Head, passed MANY
beautiful islands and landed on one, formerly a
masmnoent estate Of thousands OF acres, with
drives miles in length through avenues Of over
arcning trees but with the melancholy ruins
OF mansion whose former owners lived In ~.
nuence and pomp to be succeeded by q few
negro families, who exc out scanty subsistence
Dy primitive cultivation Of the SOIL
Beaufort, once the Saratoga or the South,
presents, perhaps, the saddsst sight We have VET
seen. Many Of the residences bear the marks of
great taste, and are commodisus in the extreme.
Most OF them ere now occupied BY persons of
color, who, leading . vagrant life, and subsist-
ing on fish and oysters, al the halls where few
years since were wont to gather the beauty,
wealth, intellect and chivalry Of the Palmetto
State. The ses-vaIl, erected year go along
The waters edge, has been washed away; and