Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-04-08
SAVANNAH. Ga. April "a, l.


Capital And weiI-ssirceied labor.
SAVANNAH, G A., April %. 1870.
DEAR STAR;-Perhaps you win not object to
an occasional letter from a party of Washington
folks travelling on their first visit through the
Sunny South" (soAcalled,) and to receive
brief account Of their experiences and impress
sions
Let nee begin with The remark that the term
Sunny South is fraud, 50 far at least as our
own experiences of weather and climate are
concerned, for we have, thus far, fognd them
much less pleasant than those we left behind US
Possibly our expectations had been raised too
high, for entertaining the idea that we were TO
pass into a land crowned with verdure, adorned
with flowers and radiant with Natures choicest
smiles, We were unprepared for the realities OF
what is termed "a backward spring."
We left Washington on the morning of the ODD
UT, in the good steamer - .'keyport," COM
nanded by Capt Frank Holinshead, that prince
or obliging captains and clever fellows. After
q pleasant four hours ride upon the majestic
and beautiful Potomac, which should be the
channel of great commerce and the motive
power Of thousand factories, but which fas MIR.
Riddle graphically expresses IT. ''fiows on ssdly
to the sea. unvexed save by AN occasional fish
ing smack or q lumber scow," we landed At
Acquia Creek, famous in the rebellion as base
OF supplies for the Army OF the Potomac, and
now notedfOr its snperabundance of ayae and
Fever. The remains of the immense vharves
With their charred and ragged timbers project
ing above the surface of the water now alone re-
call those days Of terrible activity, and forcibly
contrast with the stiffness which at present
reigns Supreme. .yi-t 2" .
Here taking the Richmond and Fredericksbur,
railroad, (which seems to be we'll managed af-
fair 1--WE were whsked along to the ancient town
ofFredericksburg. AS We enter the place (cross-
ing the Rappahannock Iiver)we press forward TO
the platform, and look anxiously for the far
famed Aarye heights, in the efforts to take which
20 many OF our best and bravest lost their lives
We do not need to look long, for ON yonder hii,
rise up thousands upon thousands of white mon
uments to mark the spot and tell the sad story
in language more pathetic and mournfuI tn AN
any which ever fell from mortal lips. The dilan
idated condition of Fredericksburg and the des
olate appearance OF the country through which
we passed on our way to Richmond, yet exhibit
the terrible effects Of "grim-yisaged war;
scarcely house Is to be seen, save the misera-
BILE huts or gopher holes which here and
there dot the sides Of the road, to render the
lanescape more painfully uninteresting We
passed through Ashland, neat little village.
which has some distinction as the birthplace of
Henry Clay; and as We Reared Richmond we
noticed great inroads upon the pine forests in
the piles Of wood which line the road. and give
refreshing signs OF life when compared with
that part of the country through which we tirst
travelled. The day is clear and balmy, and As
We enter the metropolis OF the Old Dominion
an exclamation by the ladies of the party calls
attention to the peach blossoms which ornament
-
spring. with it's numberies~ attractions. Pass
ing through long tunnel, We are backed and
re-backed over high trestle bridge, and are at
length safely landed in the capital Of the would
be Southern COnfederacy. Amidst q crowd OF
yelling, screaming hackmen, seedy loafers. and
importunate lazxaroni, sach as alright even
WashingtOnisns, accustomed though we NAV be
to the intricacies and dangers OF passage
from the Baltimore depot to the street cars
We take seats in not over clean or strong
omnibus, and are driven to the Spotswood
Hotel, comfortable, pleasant house, where
we refresh ourselves and take rest. In the
afternoon we start for walk and make for
.sGamble' IIill from which there is a nagnif-
icent view. Below flows the James river with irs
foaming picturesque, petite rapidsland number
less islands clothed in living green and beyond
spreads beautiful billy country, many OF the
ennirences surmouuted with tine large resi-
denees. The far famed Tredegar Iron Works
(or rather what remains OF them) lie at your
feet belching forth fame and smoke. We paid
them visit and found them only in partial
operation, OWING to a strike amongst the white
operatives. These have been replaced by colored
men, and rails, spikes, &C., Sc, are mad,
in very creditable manner. Fully one
half Of these extensive works we're DESTROYED at
| tha fiyv>a0 0f he nf Riah,
the days of the rebellion they formed the princi-
pal reliance of the confederacy for the manu-
facture of ordnance. From the hill upon which,
we stand we are able to form fair estimate OF
the size and topography Of the city so famous IN,
our history, and our unanimous opinion is thai
Richmond IL '.beautiful for situation and des-
tined to have great future. 1t is a well built.
handsome place and needs only more enter
prise with capital to enable it to stand in the
front rank Of American cities. The State
House 10 q dingy affair, its interior more re-
sembling, In atmosphere and appearance, a
fourth clas bar room than the legislative hall
Of the "mother or States" The grounds are
ornamented with fine colossal statues of Mar
shall, Lee, Patrick Henry, jefferson and other
celebrated yirginians, surmounted by An eques-
trian statue Of Washington modelled we opne
BY the artist who gets up the Tin caralrv eaui,
ments for young America about Christmas
times; for q sitter, more ungrsceful affair
Of the Kind can hardly be found. The
statue Of Czoy, in marble, has been muthated by
some vandal, who has broken of the hand and
otherwise injured this exceedingly homelv.
figure. Libby Prison, 50 celebrated ~ the
" Black Hole" Of the rebellion, and whose his
tory is such IN indelible stain upon the leaders
Of the rebellion, has been 50 often described as
10 render unnecessary any remarks as to its ap-
pearsnce. 1t u now occupied - q sumac fac
tory BY frn Formerly domiciled in Washing
ton. We went through this accursed place, and
saw the spot where sens Of our brave fellows,
after mining . great distance, escaped, bat
wero pursued and taken BY the aid OF blood
hounds. The memories Of Libby and Ander-
sonviile viii never be enaced from the hearts of
patriots. We did not fail to So Castle Thun-
der and the old house where it Is said Washing
ton had his headquarters and entertained La
fayette. The latter 10 an old onsstory building.
somewhs9 different In its appearance fro nj the
residences Of Generals Of the present day.
The great fire which occurred in Richmond
ct the close Of the war Was Of vast service 10 the
city, q the buildings which replace those that