National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-19

Excursion to Fortress Monroe and sewnlr-
Poist-scenes and Incidents - Pleasure
Under Adverse circumstances.

Excursion to FORTRESS. Monroe and sewnirs
Poiat-seenes and Incidents - Pleasure
Under Adverse Circumstances.
Saturday night was exceedingly unpropltlous
and unlnvlting, In Its weather aspect, to those |
who contemplated making an excursion on the |
river aud BAY. The sky was dark and gloomy, l
the atmosphere damp and chilly, and not even |
solitary star came out to give token Of bright
and cheerful morrow. When the elements thus
consplre against eScursionists a postponement
OF the anticipated enjoyment usually follows,
or II the trip be undertaken disappointment and
dlspleasure are sure to follow.
The excursion OF the Young Catholics Friend
Society was an exception to this general rule.
It was not postponed, as many thought 1t would
be, on account Of the Indictment weather, nor
was H. though starting under adverse circum-
stances, In any sense failure. On the contrary,
the gloom without only made the brightness by
contrast more animated and cheerful within. II
would have been hard to md q more pleasant,
gentlemen than that gathered on Saturday even
ing, TO the number Of about two hundred, In the
saloon parors and on the decks OF the steamer
VINO WERE THERE.
Among those who favored the occasion by
their presence were Rev. D. 7. WiRet, chaplain;
William FORSYTH and wife, Mrs. Demonet and
| family, Mr.. Nicholas shea and wife, with Miss
To3le; DIS, Csssin and Taylor and wives, George
Nj. ]. Anderson, Paul Grinlth and ladies, Mr..
Thomas Stewart and wife, Mr.. Joseph Gawler,
X, and lady, Mt. =. n. Dem9net and wife, MT
sister, Mr.. Y. r. Mullay, Messrs. NJ. and p. Foley
Me-. Howard BUSHNELL, Mr.. d. McMinlmln and
s% s s sSss,s an. SSd re NJ NJ saHs
Mr.. Eugene Mccarthy, Mr.. J, A. Bonn, Mr.. J. II.
Mamlnsly, Peter Durnin, and others.
Win party IN which so many elements OF
pleasure were happily combined, and with com.
| mittce Of arrangements consisting Of Messrs.
James Lsekey, John bingham, George Bogus,
John Fuller, j. A. McDermott, T. V. Noonan and
Robert Mitchell, u was easy to foresee by merely
| glancing over the company that they intended,
come storm OF sunshine, far weather Or foul, 70
the trip one OF real enjoyment, so far as they
could contribute to such happy result.
Il was 900 O'Clock when the Lady Of the Lake
gracefully swung from her moorings, and IN
view Of the darkness and TO insure safety, pro.
cecded slowly down the river, at the rate OF
about ten miles per hour, her customary rate
MUSIC, SONG. AND DANCE.
pleasure parties according to their different
tastes. Some were gathered around the piano
IN the saloon parlor, enraptrred with the sweet
J. A Bohn, Mr.. Gfumm, Mr.. Fitzgerald and
others; many more were gliding through the
mazes OF the dance to the ekhilaratng music Of
Doughertys nne string band; others were play
ing enchre, whist and other games for mere d.
version; storytelling and conversational parties
an ,hs ontcr d.ct were eni,ying companionshln
win fragrant Havana. and irving 10 peer
through the darkness that hrooded over the river.
by twelve O'Clock The music Of song and dance
bad ceased ami nearly ali had rrilred 10 woo
natures sweet restorer, sleep. But a party OF
young men, who had organized themselves Into
"Modoc" band, under the lead OF a bogus
captain jack" determined to let the sleepers
have no peace. With war songs and dances OF
her from many weary eve mat eourtcd N. and
let no one have any rest, uniii about . O'Clock
| | renose on the m,itresses tbat were strewn aver
me narior moor
WV POINTS or INTEREST.
The deep shadows that rested upon the river
and ia snrronndlny "a nonceaieI from obseryation
the MANY polnts OF Interest that are 10 be seen
by daylight on the Potomac, and 40 In the dark
mum. Broad creek Fort Washiueton, Mount Yer
! non. Marshali Hall the White Iiouse Holloway
Point, Craney Island, GIymont, Indian Head,
Mattawoman creek, Cockpit Point, Quantico
creek, sandy Point Liverpool Point, Smiths
, Point, Aqua creek, Maryland Point, Nanjemoy
creek, Cellar Point light Matthias Point and Per
simmon Point
The day was lust dawnIne when we passed the
| Lower Cedar IIxhIs THE clSuds which had Tobed
! the night were passing swiftly away 70 the
northwest and the golden glelins that lighted up
the eastern HORIZON gave Cheerful promise Of a
fair and pleasant day.
with Increased speed tho steamer soon passed
| X,
, bay, Blackstoneis island Machadac river Ragged
Point, Piney Point, 81, Marys river Point Look
out. smith's Point the i,appahannocI. Wolf
Tran. YORK SpIt light and Rack river light. when
| Fortress Monroes doomed In sight. which was
reached a few minutes before noon,
RRIIGIors DEyorIoSs.
On arriving nj inc wharf the party immed ate,y
dlsembarkeI and procee,isd 10 the CathOllc
| chanel near nv. where Mass was celebrated nv
Rev. Father Higet, assisted by Rev. Father IA.
! ~ a number OF ladies' and gentlemen who are
members OF Catholic cholTs In this city, the
principal singers being Mis-, Sweeney, alto; MT.
! DassO. Mira shea Dreaded At the mciOJeon.
TuE CUArEL
nsa, and nanaso q. sruS,ure Of Gothic
dalton of the troops nj tho fort MANY OF whom
are Caiholics Il is attended regularly every
, sunday ~ Father nagan. The altar Is plain,
, window In the rear. Containing 4 picture OF the
Blessed Virgin crushing the head OF the serpent.
i Joseph. The windows are all OF stained glass,
, cmbiazoneI with Catholic emblems. and mic,
lures Of the Stations aiorn the walls.
THE YORTnEss
= After Mass the eompany passeJ an bour anil
| a half in rambling through and around the fort.
/ and examining the ''big guns" and other objects
/ | Of interest, T'he famous "ITDion" gun. which
weighs iihioo pounds and carries a ao.inch hall
Is one Of the especial wonders 10 visitors. IL /,
not mounted. hut Tests upon skuis a short dls.
, lance outside Of The fort which n eauippeJ with
i 10 and Io-inch DahIgrea guns. ''''''' "'''
famous a. a grest depot ~ saaply au an nv
late war and also as the ate on Inc conference
between the peace cOmnl.sl0uers. IL WINS %.
, tabiished In ISIS IL il now used princIpaIly a.
school OF artillery, and il under The command
Of Gen. WIN. =. barry, distinguished oricer.
. Comfort there are $50 acres. The fort IA nj
! miles from Washington and IS from Norfolk, Va.
I The town Of Hampton Is three mlles distant.
) Hampton roads the nayles OF the world couII