Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-03-12
Interesting Letter-A Trim Smith

We are indebted to a young lady friend O
Augusta, now in Lock Haven, Pa, for paper
OF that city containing series of very interest
Ing letters by Mr.. s R Peale, prominent citi
zen OF Lock Haven, giving an account of wha
ne saw, heard and thought during recen
business trip through Virginia, North Carolins
and South Carolina. These letters are we'll writ.
ten, and are important as giving us some idea
OF what northern man thinks of our country,
our people, and our manners. His description
OF the condition of the country from the Pc.
tomac to the Dan is only too true, when he saws
Tor distance of over four hundred miles Vir-
glnia is waste-fenceess, stockless. anparent.
ly deserted-Richmond and its immediate
vicinity being the only exception" He at.
tributes too much of this, we think. to the svs.
tenn OF farming pursued by Virginiaus prior to
the war, and seems to forget the fact, that the
country through which he passed was for four
long years, the theatre of bloody war, and that
the whole system of agriculture in this State.
and throughout the South has been revolution.
lzed, and there has not yet been time. nor have
the people had the means to adopt the thrifty
system of Pennsylvania farmers. Moreover we
are Inclined to believe, that had the fertile felix
ut efHsnsXXs aia-baen- snhiaetaa IN four veafsau
all this, to four more terrible years of carpet
bag rule and plunder, they would present no
better appearance than do now the waste and
dilapidated fields of Eastern Virginia. He ex-
cepts the Valley-not having seen it. The
Valley is more like Pennsylvania, as he would
fud, if be were to visit it. The remaining pur-
ton of his first letter is devoted to description
of Richmond and vicinity, which we give in
full.
RICHMOND.
Richmond is on its feet. Immense improve
ments have been made. The burnt district Is
handsomely rebuilt, new streets are being open
ed, new park laid out, new railroad connec-
tions made, &c. 1t has increased about 10.-
900 In population since the war, now contain
ing over &C, 900 souls, and bids fair to become
one of the leading cities of the Union. Its Cit
izens seem to have made up their minds to ac-
ccpt the situation and pitch in" for live
lihood. They feel that they are. poor and de-
pendent upon their energies, so they work. AS
a lady, whose family name is conspicuous IN
Virginia history, and with whom | had the
honor of riding about the city, remarked, I'VE
are all poor together, so we laugh at each Other
and try to be happy" Richmond is like Rome
only more so, being built on more than sever
hills, and some of the sesesh say the likeness
is striking in another respect, lnasmuch as 1t
too, was taken by the northern Cloths and Van
| dals.
PLACES OF NOTE.
| T visited Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, JEFF
| Davis Mansion, Hollywood and Union GENE
teries, Washington Headquarters and Wash
ipeton's Monument, &c. Libby Prison is
broad, fiat warehouse, being about one hundred
feet long by about sixty feet wide. 1t Is bull
of brick. is three low stories high and has smal
orated windows. Il was built in 1S45 for
Tobacco warehouse, and it is now used as such
Near it is Castle Thunder, which is only cas-
tIe in name. its thunder has ceased. 1t, too !
a warehouse, buils of BRICK is three stories high
with large airy windows 1t is not so large no
50 strong building as Libby, but decided
nreferable as place of retirement. Slmpl
warehouses in time of peace, blood-stalned pr
sons ia time of war, they have passed into his
torv. Libby Prison Who shall write its tai
of woe? How many streaming eyes have look
ed through its grated windows and ionged fo
home? How many brave boys suffered thel
for the flag they loved? How many noble sou
escaped its dread walls to JOIN the unfettere
throng above!
THE UNKNOWN"
In nassine through Union Cemetery to-da
INV heart was touched at the sight of six tho,
sand graves of Union soldiers, over which wei
mere boards containing this sad inscription
s.nnknown Six thousand eight hundred an
,b,rtv-two chosen samples of hale manhood
who left their northern homes with hearts bea
ing high, cheered to deeds OF herolsm-deet
l that would write their names In living letters
the roll of fame-sleep here and over nearly 9
stands this cruel memorial, unknown. Vi
known to the country for which they died; III
known to the loving ones who Woulo lain car
!, them TO the church yard upon their natl
q hills: unknown to all, but God. les, he kno'
:: them, and they are marching on. LOOK!
. the grand procession crosses the heaven
. plains. List to lis tramp, tramp, tramp,
n II masses up the golden streets on It's way to Il
g throne OF Him who was to the Greeks the U
known Cod but is to them the God OF t
+ ..unknown.'' Hollywood Cemetery Is beau
: full place, resembling Greenwood Cemetel
/ New York. Its chief attraction Is gram
& nvramid erected to the memory OF the Cc
federate dead. 1t was built by the ladies, CT
4, $40 900. and looks as ii it would stand iorev
y Around its base are planted evergreen cllmbe
~ which in few years will cover the whole mt
,e ument. thus keeping evergreen the memory
d. the men who lived and died in the days Il
is tried men S souls.
IL OTHER PLACES OF NOTE.
The mansion in which Jefferson Davis res
ed during the war, known in Richmond as :
Presidential Mansion, stands upon an e