Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-08
Excurs,on orthe NJ Johns Cadets.


the cadet corps of St. Johns Academy up the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal has been furnish
ed by one of the excursionists, and will doubt
less prove interesting to many OF our readers:
AT a. NJ, Oh Monday, June LIST, a guard
was placed over the canal boat Albert 5. Trun
die, and provisions, bedding, &c, were rccev-
ed by the acting quartermaster until 5.
"At half past eight forty-six of the cadets
who proposed participating In the excursion,
assembled on the parade ground, and marched
by Columbus. King, Fairfax, OroDoco, and
Washington streets to the canal basin, where
they found large number of ladies and other
friends assembled to see them OFT. The Captain
had not returned from market, however, and
it was ten o'clock before the boat moved grace
fully off through the basin amid the cheers OF
the cadets and the waving Of handkerchiets by
their friends. The boat is an old fashioned
grain boat, decked all over, and having, con-
scouently, cabin of considerable length.
| Along one side of this cabin mattresses were
laid, which, with the two blankets carried by
each cadet, afforded comfortable sleeping ac-
commodations, and portion rallied off at one
end served for the commissarat. A clock, sta
| tiouary lamp, &c., completed the furniture.
A fresh breeze was blowing, and the trip
| M the Alexandria Canal was delightful. At
| 1915 the boat passed the aqueduct, but was
detained some time at Georgetown 10 q jam.
After passing that place, the colors were fold.
ed, the boys put on their shabbest clothes, aud
| the issue of rations of bread and meat for din
ner commenced. At Cabin John Bridge a stop
of an hour or two was made, enabling the
narty to examine that splendid piece OF ma
sonry, and to indulge in bath. After leaving
that place hot coffee, bread and cheese
were served out for supper, and, as the light
closed in. all but the guards retired thong it
was with difficulty that silence was obtained,
for the boys were so excited with the novelty
of the situation that few slept. The night was
cool, and the early morning found the boat
among the grand scenery beyond the Great
Falls. During the day the stone quarrles at
Seneca were passed, and the saving OF stone
by machinery was witnessed. Towards even
ing the boat approached the Point of Rocks,
where large portion of the inhabitants had
stationed themselves on the bridge to greet the
party. all had been ordered into uniform,
and the liberty of the place was granted for
two hours. Some of the citizens wanted them
| to drill, and proposed to entertain them, but
| il was getting too dark, So after supper, they
e.cmbarked, and continued their journey. Dur
| ing their stop at this place there was an in
tense excitement, caused by the supposed want
| of safety of portion of the tunnel, aud danger
lights were flashed at each approaching train
til number we're collected on each side.
After careful sounding, however, and the throw
| ing down Of portion Of the brick-work sup
posed to be liable to fall, everything was pro-
nounced right, and the trains passed on.
| At2.30 a. N. the boat stopped opposite Har-
per's Ferry, but the guard only was awake,
and it was not until the cold gray OF the morn
ing dawDed that the boys saw the quaint old
village, its churches perched upon rocks, and
its houses rising in tiers above each other.
The rain had now begun to fall, but at 10 a.
m. the boat started fur ,Shepherdstowu. Soon,
however, the rain fell faster and faster, and
the boys were driven from the deck only to find
| that the seams Opened by the sun admitted
water, and that the leaks in the roof of the
cabin were rapidly wetting both the floor and
the bedding. At one, Antietum Furnace was
reached, and more forloru looking crowd has
seldom landed there. Dinner was served out
| in the rain, however, and friend 10 need was
found 10 Mr. Sheaffer, the agent of the works,
who responded to the request of the Principal
for the use of the large stable loft for his tired
and wet boys with courtesy Of manner which
made the boon doubly acceptable Clothes and
blankets were dried by the long lines of blazing
coal which the men were converting into coke,
and by the blast furnace, and, after being cour-
tcously shown through the entire establish
ment, the party witnessed the novel and beau
tiful sight Of the making of pig iron. Before
dark they we're mustered on the hay, ID the
| stable loft, but as no light could be carried
there, those not inclined to sleep, and who
| knew that they could not be identified, had
gay time tumblipg about IN the hay, and pro,
| nounced their night there the most delightful
| tbo m agreed q
those who wished to sleep.
At six Oh Thursday morning the boat lett
| for Harper's Ferry, as the Catholics on board
desired to attend Mass at that place, 1t being
the Feast of Corpus Christi; so much delay,
however, was experienced in the locks, that
thew arrived at St. Peters Church just as the
congregation was leaving 1t.
The rest of the morning was devoted to visit
! ing Jefferson s Rock and other points OF inter-
est, and, after dinner in the armory yard, made
| famous by John Brown raid, invitations we're
accented from two gentlemen to vlsls them.
| The line of march was accordingly taken up
and ON arriving at the residence OF Mayor Cham
beers on Camp Hill that gentleman came
out and in a very brief, but appropri
| ate speech, to which Major Collins replied
| with equal brevity, invited the party into his
| garden, where Rev. Messrs. Kahn OF the Cath:
olic Church, Marsh of the NJ, E, Church, and
Robey of the Nj, E. Church South, and num-
Der of handsome young ladies, their hands
filed with bouquets for distribution, were
seated. Cool lemonade was dispensed with
liberal hospitality, the bouquets were handed
| round, and the guns and swords of the cadets
having been placed 10 large wagon sent by
MIR. g. J. Hagan, the rest with the ladies,
| wendell their way to the residence OF that gen.
temau on Bolivar Heights where several hours
were spent most delightfully."-. Iced lemonade
and cakes we're first served, carriage was
placed at the disposal of those who wished to
drive the young ladies towards Halltown, while
Mr. Hapan. who was one Of the Coafrderates
under Stonewall Jackson, who forced Miles to
surrender, conducted large party over the
battle field and pointed out the positions &c.
of that eventful day..
Towards evening, the whole party was enter
tanned at supper by their host, and came into the
Ferry delighted with the generous hospitality
thew had experienced. Many were again invited