Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-02-24
For the oxford Democrat.
Tir0inia Correspondence.

have several times before, taken my
pen in hand, thinking to write CON
munication for your valuable paper, but
laid il aside, fearing what should write
would not beintcresting TO your numerous
readers. And now, rs so many things
crowd upon my mind, am undecided
what TO write about, fearing that may
spin out too long yarn about nothing.
1t will require judgment, to know when
To stop. so as not to tax your patience,
and the readers too severely.
After fifteen months residence in the
Old Dominion, must pronounce the eli
mate here decided Improvement on that
in the New England States. 1t is per
ieclly healthy. and do believe that
many persons with weak lungs, such al
are predisposed to consumption. die an
nnally in the northern States, who would
live many years longer in SO mild and
genial climate rs this; many such from
even The Middle States, (New York, New
jersey and Pennsylvania arc seeking
homes in the balmy South. We have
had more winter weather this year than
last, vet wo have had little SNOW there is
none here now, and the ground has not
been frozen but part of tho time so n
to prevent the farmers from plowng
There is no lrosi in the ground now, and
many of the farmers have considerable
ground ploughcd for spring crops. Stock
does not require half the feed rs il does
in Mqine. Sheep, colts. and young stock
do not require but very little feed in tho
winter.
While canvassing this County last SUM-.
mer in taking the Census, had an op.
porlunity to see something of Southern
r. lille aud customs, being obliged to visit
every family, and applying numerous
qucS ions to obtain the desired iniorma-
, lion; obtained Information not all legiti
= mate to the business in hand, but useful
, in other respects saw the sad rcsultt
OF slavery the disgraceiul mixing of the
races thc dcbauching and demoralizing
effect of the same. However strong the
statement nm abort 10 make my ap-
| pear, nevertheless it is true, that seven
cigIths Of the colorcd population OF this
County, show more or less the mixture
of white blood; they are Of all shades
, from white 10 black. Yes. | was several
times told by the leading men OF Viz
giri.. when inquired as TO how | should
class certain colorcd persons who vera
, living on their premises--being in doubt
"you will find but few persons Of pure
African blood here" In many of tbs
! white families with large numbers Of
children OF all ages, | found none that
could read or write. 1t was sad TO SEQ
whole Emiics growing up in that way
yet thcy did not regard it as much loss,
generally some, however, spoke Of it ag
a real loss, and hoped ter n better op-
portunitv for their children. The now
Constitution and School law, which arc
, about being put in operation, will dn
much to remedy this great evil. We
have State and County superintendent
of schools. with town Supervisors OF
three persons in each town.
5 Tie Board appointed by the Legisla"
, turc to divide this County into towns,
made six towns in the County and nam.
cd them. viz: Manassas, GAINESVILLE,
Brcntsvile, Coles, Dumpier and Deco"
quan. They are large in territory the
. two last named towns lay on the Potoo
mac river There is prospect of L
, railroad from the Potomac in this County,
starting from Evanspolt in Dumpier, anil
coming through the lower end of our
County TO Manassas Junction; this would
, greatly benefit the same There is an
other Railroad being built from Alex
, andria down the liver thro' our County
to Frcdei ickshurg.
The battle fields in this, Prince William
County are many, two Of which will be-
| remembered in all coming time rs promi-
nent in the history OF the great slave re-
bclion OF 1860 they are both located
in our town, Manassas. When | visited
the lst Bull Run battle field for the frs,
time, had the situation OF both armies
pointed out to me hy Miss Henry,
who then lived within ten rods Of tho
monument on the spot where the great
fight occurred. She lived there when Tho
fight commenced, and lives there still, -
although the old house was riddled by
shot and shell, and her mother, who was
an invalid, Was killed in the bed where
she lay the daughter remained unharm'
ed during this terrible fight and slaughter
al around her, although her hearing is
very much affected by the awful cannon
aiding so near their house. A new house
is erected OH tho same spot, and the
mother is buried close to the house and
monument It made me feel sad to
think Of the many brave solies who los.
their lives here. just southeast Of this
monument, on rise of ground, is where
Stonewal Jackson took his final stand in
that momentous battle, where he stood
The shock and charge Of battle like wall
thus giving him the name of Stone waH.
His ground was well chosen. This battle.
field monument is located about one halt
mile southeast Of tho Stone House on
The Wor,enton turnrikc. The second