The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-05
The York River Line.'
fCorrespondence Or the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
...-c Rnrrxnur June 3. 1874,

E BALTIMORE, June 8, 1874.
I made pleasant journey to this city ria
the York River line. The road Is in good
order, and the cars fine and well ventilated.
I arrived Mt West Point In about two hours
from Richmond INCLUDING stoppages), where
I took passage in the Savannah, Captain
Freeman, and was off from the wharf in
about the time it takes me to tell the fact.
Down the York, We passed to the Cnesa.
peake bay, and were on that lovely sheet OF
water, bounding with the high waves, as Inc
full moon began to spread her sllVery iiSnt
over them.
The passage down the York is voyage as
delightful Us you can possibly nave upon the
water. The river itself is very beautiful. Its
indented shores and handsome homesteads are
quite beautiful, and marked by cneer'u'
serenity, which is to good extent peculiar.
The boat moves rapidly, and there being an
abundance of water there Is never any sucn
thing as slowing speed except when about
to land at the long wharves which start out
from the shore. Moving rapidly along this
fine river, with view as far as the eye coulu
accommodate itself to The rounded form OF
the globe, and famed by briSk breeze,
made in part by the rapid movement OF tue
boat, the passenger was profoundly nappy'
with no cause of discomfort 10 aisturo nun.
AS we neared the Yorktown wharf tne
sun went down in glory in the west never
Saw II look more grand and more brilliant.
The golden rays thrown in her decline
othwart the earth seemed to envelope 1t IN
Golden light. Looking upon her as she went
down behind the west, forgot myself. and
for awhile did not think of where | was.
Rising from reyerie, / gazed upon the old
and classic town with the same interest that
excited me when | first saw it. There be-
fore me lay the theatre of the closing
act of the drama of the American
rendition: q rebellion not sanctifed by
tithe of the wrongs which led to the late
fruit|ess war but rebellion that trlumphed.
Under the circumstances then prevailing
there was no escape for the British CON-
mandcr Cornwalis. He was in Il cuL De sac.
He could not get away on account OF storm
which sat in from sea and wrecked two OF
his vessels. He could not make the short
ferriaee between Yorktown and gloucester
Point. and inglOriou>ly surrendered TO IN
army which, for numbers and appointments,
was misera6ly insignificant compared with
the force set in the field during the late civil
var.
As favorable as were the circumstances by
which the American army conducted its re-
sistance it could not have succeeded save
through the help of France, and l have al
wavs thought that our reply to France when
she called for help was more proof OF our
feebleness than iustiiabe response to ma
ton which had rescued the country anu
made good the rebellion at the very critical
hour, when, unaided, defeat would have been
the inevitable fate OF our ancestors.
The scene was quite promotive OF retlec'
tions, and ! INDUCED them untllthe steam
whistle broke the connection, and we BABE
adieu to Yorktown and the motley assem-
blage upon her wharf, that had been plea
with chickens and eggs, and peas and straw.
berries, which we carried with Us to Bal1l-
more for the delectation of her people.
Having had very good supper-consist-
Ing of saltwater luxuries, including soft
crabs. fried chicken, all sorts of meat, and
strawberries with frozen crealn-We soon
turned in to delicious sleep, from which
we were aroused in the morning near Balti'
more We had an excellent early breakfast,
and landed upon the wharf at the hour OF
half-past /.
Think of il. A calm and delightful jour-
new from Richmond between Z. ii. one
day and u A. NJ. the next, to Baltimore
about five business hours only-the remain
der of the time being that Of rest and repoSe.
The route is uuqueslionaby pleasant and
economical. The daily line Is kept up by the
Savannah, Captain Freeman, and the Sue,
Captain Nickel. They are admirable boats,
fuullessly commanded. The fare on both
is the very best, aud The passenger cannot
fail to enjoy Il satisfactory journey by either
of them.
l hope this line, so valuable to Richmond,
may be well sustained and prosperous. 1t
certainly merits the general support of Rich
mond and Baltimore. TRAVELLER.