Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-10-27
\ TAUNTON THE POTOMAC.

uOWu tHe olpHjdc IL lllSNt SeSu surprising 10
hear that Of al seasons the present is the most
delightful for jaunt from the metropolis to
the lower Potomac and rcturo, the principal
feature Of which is a visit to all the landings,
through lane of varlegated autumnal foliage,
on both the Maryland aDd Virginia shores en
route, the Doveity Of scene at all ard the inter-
change of sentiment furnishing Incidents both
amusing and instructive.
Take, for Instance trip on the Pilot Boy
the route being the one formerly run by the
ill-lated steamer Wawaset, and leaving on Sat
urday morning last at clock, with H Harry''
Capt. Wn'. II BycS) 10 command, we pass
Alexandria, Forts Foot and Washington, Mt
Vernon and G!ymont, al which latter place the
landings OF historic interest, aud which are
made all by daylight only by this route con-
mence. Here also, ii may be said the Poto.
mac river, as it free from the restraints of its
parent stem aud anxious to assert its ndepen-
dence, sweeps out boldly to width of about
i've miles, the surface of which is dotted as far
as the eye can reach with the whitened sails of
c0aatwlSe schooDers freight with produce of
all descriptions, the outward bound vessels be.
ing principally laden with Cumberland coal
from the wharves Of Georgetown and Alcxan.
ira. Here and there can be spied the indus
trlous little tug, in tow OF a vessel freighted to
the waters edge, the owner preterriug to iocur
this expense rather than trust to uncertain
wlnds, bur at this point generally all sailing
vessels spread their canvas and rely Oh the
compass. Passing Evausport batteries, Onan
tco and Sandy Point, land it is no m,snomer
either, for the mixed sharp sand, so scarce in
the District Is SO deep there that it would
mike our District contractors mouths water 10
see II, we strike Liverpool Point, landing of
DO interest other than that il was here oolv
two years ago the full hundred passenpeTs of
the WaWaSet lett TO cross the liver to Chat
tcrtrn, little dreaming that in that short dis.
tancc they would reach that bourne from
whence no traveller returns Passing Chat
tcrt0n, the
WAWASET CEMETERY
rones 10 view, and can only be distinguished
from The lact that dilapidatcd fence reveals
the neglected mounds under which rest Fl ry
seven OF the unrecognizcl victims Of that dlsas.
ter Almost immediately abreast of this little
city OF the dead is like mammoth coffin in
d.cay, the hull Of the steamer from which all
the machinery aud iron work has been long
since removed and sold in Alexandria. Passing
Smiths and Cottage wharves, We reach Stu
arts, from whence the scene of the burnipp
steamer was witnessed by parties who, although
10 full hearing OF the screams of the suffering
women and children, We're poweress to help
them. Striking diagooaIly to Telson's wharf,
return is made to Matthias Point, on the
Virginia shore, locality of
HISTORIC INTEREST
during the late unpleasautncss. Here it w:s
that the famous rebel batteries were located,
which invariably paid their respects in terms
more forcible than pleasant to every passing
craft, as the survivors Of the Potomac hota
well remember. Situated well up on the bluffs,
they defed the skill Of our gunncrs, al d but
short distance from the wharf is pointed out
the spot where the lamentcd Captain Ward re-
ccved the unerring bullet Of sharpshootcr,
while endeavorlng to land for the purpose of
dlslodgiug the enemy and occupying the pos:-
ton permanently. Further on we come to I,w
er Cedar Point, known now as DIS wharf
from the fact that it is owned by Peter Dill
formerly of this District, the foundation
Of whose fortune is said to have bcen the
discovery OF large sum Of money III the eel
lar OF building which he bought some years
ago for an ordinary figure 10 Georgetowu and
the bexl landings arc on Mattox Creek Vir-
giuia tributary of the Potomac. Doting the eu-
trance of this creek is the !arm Of
FRANK RIvEs,
of this city, and lovely place, the only one
indeed, along the Potomac showing evidence
of Improvement agricultural implements and
true farming economy, Instead of the old
r.ckety barns and ou;houses so common 10 Vir-
gInla. gllded Weathervane points TO regular
ankee built barn, substantial granaries and
excellent fencing. The former proprietor of
this farm was killed 10 his bed during the war
on account OF his Union scutiments and the
place was afterwards purchased by Mr. Rives,
who has made it model farm in every re-
spect. Its front is one Of the best ducking
shores on the river, and here the lae Jeff
hives has been knjwn to bring down from
seventy five to one hundred canvass backs with
one discharge Of his famous breech- loading
ducklng gun. now 10 possession of George NJ
llenault, Of this District. Bending around
the creek bat few hundred yards is Writ $
wharf, and here is
WESTMORELAND COUNTY,
where some of the greatest men of the country,
l"cludiug 'G W. himseli, first saw the light.
Ouiy short distance from here, and in full view
Sthe burial ground of the Monroe family ,aud 80
sadly neglected that it is fortunate that he who
cav prominence to the name rests not there,
but in Hollywood at Richmond. Within
radius of twenty miles are many old mansions
built of Euglish brick, some Of which are said
to have been bombarded in two wars-lSl2
and 1861 65-aud 10 general appearance the
land seems to have passed from generation to
generation OF families, each drawing on it to
us 1ull extent, without return of fertilizers or
other such help. Agents of New York firms
are 10 the county now gathering up heavy tim
Der for shipment to Northern cities for wharf
and bridge building purposes, and large car
goes have been sent off during the past wear.
LiiaV'ng Mattox creek We pass Blackistou's
Island aud Coltop's, the wharf at which latter
Place Is thronged with oyster boats, and fnally,
alter delightful day ride
ARRIVE AT CURRIoMAN,
On the Virginia side, and the end of the route,
"here the boat remains all night. The first
nlan OF on the wharf to greet Washiogtonians
was FIRE Commissioner B. W. Reed, of F
street. who has lately purchased valuable
i'rt'' ,' known as "Bush6eld," in that neigh
pofhood. He had been taking "a days snort