The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-01

Captain John A. Curtis, Colonel L. j. Beall,
Captain William English, G. thinner, and
John A. Lauer, of the committee; Colonel
Cutshaw, Jackson Bolton, and s. B. Jacobs,
OF the Engineers Department; and Judge
Sam. Maccubbin, Edward Mccarthy assist
ant Auditory, DR.. A. A. Scott, and f. E..
Redford, invited guests. Despite the in.
clemency of the day they started on Tues
day morning last on the steam.tug Craig
hill, Captain Cunningham master, hoping
to sail into fair weather. Shortly after pass
ing jamestown Island most substantial and
excellent dinner was served upon the tug.
About ] O'Clock they reached Hampton and
Quartered at Barns's Hotel, and at O'Clock
sat down to special fish, crab, and oyster
supper. The evening was pleasantly spent
in various ways.
On Wednesday morning the party landed
at the National Military Home, at the mouth
of Hampton creek. Captain P. I. Woodfn,
governor Of the Home, extended hearty
welcome, and an hour or more was spent in
an examination Of the grounds and build
iRgs. This is home for the disabled colun-
teers of the Federal army. Billiards, ten
pins, and private tbeatricals are furnished for
their free use and entertainment, and every
thing about the place betokens comfort and
good management. At parting, the line band
of the Home was called out, and treated the
visitors to "Dixie" and other tunes. Hay
ing invited Captain Woodtin on board the
Craighill to partake Of refreshments, be was
captured by the party and taken over to Vue
de FEau for dinner ct that seaside resort.
After dinner en-pins were enjoyed lot an
hour or so. and the party ttcu steamed 10
Fortress Monroe. They put up at the
Hygeia Lolcl, and whilst there were the re-
cipients of Mr. Phoebus's kindest attentions.
Thursday morning our visitors accepted an
invitation from General Barry, commandant
Of Fortress Monroe, to visit the fort. Al
rd.mouutng General Barry was person
ally introduced to the visitors by Colonel l..
J. Beal, who was for about thirty years an
officer in the United States army, and class
mate of General Barry'S. After guard
mounting the band discoursed several choice
selections. and then followed an inspection
Of the barracks, library, museum, dc. Gen
eral Barry personally exhibited and explained
the wonderful Gatln gun, and then conduct
cd the party TO witness firing from tit.
tecn.inch Iodman gun and tWenty-incb
r,ortar, iocul.rly renarEiug that as each
shot cost about $40 tie Council could con.
slider the propriety OF an appropriation to
reimburse hiu. The company were then
uneypec:Cdlv and handsomely entertained
by General Barry at his residence, and after
wards ut the rooms Of the officers club, the
hosnitalities of which were dispensed by
Lieutenant Howard. adjutant of the post
Lieutenant Davis. officer of the day (whost
freedom was specially enlarged by General
Barry; Lieutenant Chase; Or. Smith. sur.
geon of the post; and General Tidballs
Whilst enjoying the after.lunch cigar the
officers were much amused by Captain Cur
tis relating his cruise upon the Tallahassee
and other humorous experiences.
Thursday evening the party set out fol
Norfolk, again taking Captain Woodfin along
with them: this time q not unwilling cap
tive. They put up at the Atlantic Hotel, anC
amused themselves by walks around the city
sc. Friday morning the Craighill made
run around the harbor, and gave the eXcur
sionists BIRDS eye view of Portsmouth, tht
navy-yard, &c.
Returning to Hampton to restore Captain
Woodfn to bis " "home" duties. the company
were welcomed to the Captains luXuriou:
residence by the band stationed in his porch
and were sumptuOusly lunched. Taking a re
luclant leave at . 2o'clock. in the midst OF sc
we're rain, the CraIghill was homewooC
bound and after run of nine hours, speed
ing as swiftly and surely through the storm!
night as in the light of day, Captain Gun
ningham larded his delighted passengers a
Rockatts.
Upon the return trip meeting Of the ex'
cursonists was called to order by MIR. Nc
Cartby with Colonel Beall in the chair
upon whose motion resolutions or thank:
were returned to Colonel Ii. d. Wbitecoml
and the James River improvement Com
mittee for the Use Of the tug to Captall
Cunningham for his exceedingly accommo
dating ard efficient services; and to Captain
j. A. Curtis and c. l.. Todd for their excel
lent arrangements for the. comfort and pleas
ure of the company.
Cpon motion of Judge Maccubbin it wa;
unanimously resolved that the chairman
the committee be directed to prepare suita
BILE resolutions to be forwarded 10 Genera
Barry and Captain Woodtin, expressive
the great pleasure and instruction derived
from their visit TO the tort, &c.