The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-05-11

era, I}send you this hasty epistle.' .Lsav.
ing the mountain region of Western
Virginia on the evening of the 26th of
April, we passed through the beauti-
full valleys of the Roanoke and Shenar-
doah, but, unfortunately, "under cover
of darkness" and were unable to enjoy
the magnificent scenery which this coun-
try affords. A glimpse of the famed
'tPeaks Of Otter" after dny-break. was
all that we were permitted to behold of
the vast panorama through which we
passed: At 8 o'clock in the morning. we
arrived ut Lynchburg, that city of in
Vulnerable hills, but with hasty npuard
glance at it's towering heights, we found
ourselves borne rapidly along on the
''South-side," toward Petersburg. The
face OF the country changes rapidly
mountains, hills and valleys soon disap-
pear, and the pine-forests and level tracts
of Eastern Virginia spread their monoto-
nous lengths in every direction. The
change IN climate is also wonderfully
visible. Among the mountains, the trees
are just budding, but as we advanced,
we found them arrayed in robes of liv-
ing green; beginning with the pale, deli
cate infant leaf, and changing, as we
were hurried on, into the full, rich foliage
of mature spring-time. At Petersburg,
we spent day and night This place
has never recovered from the effects of
the war. 1t was previously one of the
most stirring, business localities in the
State. full of life, energy and enterprise,
and aspired to rivalship with Rich
mond. Now there is an air of depression
hanging over the place that I could not
account for. I think it is but tempo
rary suspension, however, the result of
the continued and unavoidable prostra-
tion Of some peculiar branch of trade,
which, as soon the financial and politi-
cal affairs of the country become settled,
of this once thriving city restored. T
hope this mayl be the case, for the state
of affairs generally. in Virginia, seems
gloomy enough.
The route from Petersburg to Weldon
is without interest; the latter place, from
"time immemorial, the dread of the
travelling public, seems to be somewhat
improved; it certainly presents a more
cleanly general appearance. We did not
permit ourselves to test its merits as an
"eating place" from motives of economy,
as we'll as because of never having been
able to recover from old prejudices i'm
bibed against Weldon, before and during
the war. Changing cars, we took the
train to. Wilmington, which place has
been improved by substantial bridge,
preventing tho necessity Of passengers
being ferried across the river, as was
formerly done. The country is not ut
tractive, the scenery monotonous and
tiresome; but this seaboard route has the
advantage of being safe, speedy, and
very comfortable, atfording an uninter-
rupted passage through to any point
South. The cars are in good condition,
and kept scrupulously neat and clean,
lin this respect very much improved
from former years. and attended by ex-
perianced and. generally, we'll bred men,
as conductors. We had the good fortune
to come down under the care of Mr..
Jarvis, quite young man, apparently,
but one whose generous expression and
polite manner at once inspires confidence.
and gives assurance of bis gentlemanly
qualities. Obliging and respectful, his
kind attentions were gratefully appre
dated, and will always be remembered
tune of all other pnrties of ''ladies tra-
travelling on his route, and with con-
ductors, on all other lines of travel, equal
ly polite and obliging.
At Kingsville we again changed cars,
and, after short delay. came on to Co
lumbia, finding the dust and heat much
less annoying than at any time during
the days journey from Wilmington
This is the first opportunity we have had
of visiting Columbia since it was burned.
It is, indeed, most painful to behold the
devastation which has been wrought in
this once beautiful city. The heart
sickens at the sight of such fearful de-
struction OF SO many homes, and so
much that was lovely and valuable. all
laid in ruinel But there is. fortunately,
ray of sunshine lighting up the gloom.
I have been astonished to see so many
buildings newly erected, and such num-
ber Of others in process of erection. A
stranger is impressed, at once, with the
conviction that spirit of vigorous,
earnest vitality prevails in your midst.
and that Columbia, though so long
buried "beneath the ruins Of her former
greatness,nn still lues, and will soon be
called forth to q glorious resurrection.