The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-05-04

The train was run upon 4 raft OF
iatsboat andEtuygedu cross the river
by a steamer at a little village called
Ben-Wood. The track on the raft
and on the shore met, and the tram
passed off with ease. The R. r
passes up a stream that heads high
up in the mountain meadows, and
empties in the Ohio al this point
This IS nowW Vest Virginia
Soon after crossing the river the
country becomes very rough and bro
ken. The train passed around many
bold curves, and through long tunnels
dark as midnight. At 9 o'clock we
arrived at Grafton, where we partook
of q fine breakfast, with n good relish,
that had been prepared for us by the
Railroad Company.
After satisfying the inner man, We
bid this place an affectionate good bye
and felt better. The country increas-
es in wild scenery as we ascend tow
ard the summit of the mountains =
Here we pass through a tunnel near a
mile in length, and come out upon one
of the branches of the Cheat river.
Here tho scenery becomes magnificent,
grand beyond dos .ription. The train
passes through cuts tolty feet deep
and a half mile in length, carved
through solid rock! We round curves
frequently, where the rocks, three
hundred feet above us, hang over the
%trainsl We pass over trustle work
seventy FIVE feet in height!
To construct such n road, over
three hundred miles long, was a bold
undertaking, and its successful COM
pletion would have made the achieve
ment famous in any age. To an
Ohio farmer, the whole thing seems
almost like a dream In the language
of the past we exclaim:
From rocks and sends,
And barron lands
Kind fortune set us free"
I am told, however, that this region
is exceedingly fertile. and yields coal,
iron and copper ; and modern science
is compelling these hills and noun
tain to yield their wealth for the bene-
fit of mankind.
At Cranberry Station, on the sum-
nit of the mountain, we found snow
three inches deep. We now began to
descend the mountain range, and APP
proach the valley of tina head waters
of the Potomac. Here in the same
view one takes in the snow capped
mountain and verdant valley, adorn-
ed with flowers, a scene that might ex-
Gle the daliest imagination.
We now pass Frederick, n thrifty
city of the second class. The battle
ground Of Antietam is but three miles
distant. South mountain, with up
lifted crest is plainly in view. Here
the deadly conflict between the heroes
ofthe North and South took place.
side by side, they lay moulder-
ing in their graves, and dream no
more of wars sad havoc.
Harpers Ferry is passed with it,
story of John Brown, and its capture
by the heroic "StonewalP' Jackson
We glanced at its curving bridge and
the cottages OF its alpine sides. Here
night closed in on us, and the broad
to the Relay House was shut
from view.
Al the Relay, the President and
agents of the Ohio State Association,
from Washington city, met US, to
learn our wishes and number, and
telegraph ahead to make the necessa
nv arrangements. At 1 o'clock L.
NJ. we arrived at Washington, after n
continuous ride of $40 miles. In
honor of our arrival the National
Capitol was Illuminated, and brilliant
lights cleaned from a thousand win
dows.
We took quarters at the different
leading notes.-the majority putting
Up at Willards.
TO BE CONTINUED.