Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-07-02
delayed Correspondents from Rahbier.)
JoTTINGs BY THE wAYSIDE.
YonK. PA. june z. 1875

zens Of this place, and carried into effect
on the third inst. Your humble cores
pondent constituted one seven hundredth
part Of the crowd, which occupied 5 cars,
and left the station at six o'clock, A. NJ.
The morning was cool, and during the day
cloudy, and seemed designed expressly for
the comfort of the excursionists. No
change of cars at Baltimore, passing under
the outskirts in the recently finished tun-
mel on the Baltimore & Potomac X. r., ar
rived at Washington at 10 O'Clock A. NJ.
Twoboats were in waiting for the party, tone
not being sufficient 10 transport the whole
at the wharf, foot OF 9Th street, West
Leaving the landing, we ran very close to
shore, passing the Arsenal grounds, Navy
Yard. Had u fine view of the National
Insane Asylum on the bank Of the Ana
cost. Made a short stop at Alexandria,
miles below the city, also at Fort Foot an
earth work on the Maryland side of the
Potomac. The next landing was Fort
Washington, on the same side This is an
old (ortification, with apparent impregna-
bic walls, mounting heavy guns in case
mate and barbette. In 1874, when the
British invaded Washington, it was blown
up and abandoned. Was occupied during
the war OF the Rebellion, but is not garri-
soned at present Yet the guns are all in
position on the thick walls.
AT the landing at Mt. Vernon rs miles
from Washington), the Citizens Band Of
York, headed the possession, and PLAYED n
solemn dirge as they approached the tomb
OF Washington. On the arrival at the con-
secrated spot, song" rhe grave Of
| Washington" was sung, followed by Il pa
thetc prayer by Rev. w. III. Rice, and u
song, quartctte-"One hundred ycais ago"
Procession then marched to music by the
Band to the Mansion, and :, parated each
| to crafty his or her curiosity in viewing
the old relics.
| The house fronts the northwest is built
! OF wood, cut in imitation Of stone, and
is 96 feet long, by 30 wide; two stories
high. with attic windows in the roof, and
surmpunted by cupola. The center part
was built by Lawrence Washington, half
brother to the General, to which wing
on each end was added 10y the General
himself. On the corner stone OF the first
structure are beautifully carved the en-
blems of Free Masonry. 1t was named af-
ter admiral Vernon, in whose expedition
Lawrence Washington served in 17I1
The house, out buildings and six acres Of
ground surrounding, as far as practicable le
are just MS they were left by Washington.
The mansion, appertenances and contig-
uous grounds are owned by the Mt. Vernon
Ladies' Association OF the Union, incor-
poratcd in 1856 This Association is rep
resented by one lady from each State, who
control the property and meet here the 81
| Of June each year, to settle and make nee
essarv repairs. They were in session dur
| lao obi lao fret of "a l.. 4
Regent, who, at the present time, is Mad
am Berghman, from Philadelphia. All
the others are Vicc-Rcgcnts, OF whom |
saw Mrs. Case, of II. l., Mrs. Sweat, OF
Maine, Miss Harper,of Mary land, Mrs Eve
of Georgia, and others. In the east par.
lor are interesting relics of Washington
and old suit once worn by him, sword, spy
glass, water-buckets and surveying imple.
ments. In the large dining hall are many
portraits, one very large OF the General in
company OF General Lafayette, Hamilton
Knox, Lincoln and Rocahmbeau, giving
orders to commence the entertainments al
the seige of Yorktown. The mantel to the
fireplace in this room was carved in Italy
of the finest marble, and is the most beau
tiful piece of architecture | ever saw. /
was captured during its transport to thi
country by French cruisers and when as
certaincd it was for the great American
General, President of the United States, i
was Immediately sent to him. A fac simH
r of the old Bastie or French Prison in plas
ter paris and key to same, presented b.
Lafayette.
In the west parlor are the camp eouip
2 age and holsters he had at BraddOck's de
feat, in the French war of 1863. On th
second floor at the head of the stairs is TIN
, room occupied by Lafayette, with some o
: the same old furniture, including his hav
. ing glass. The room on the south end i
where Washington died, with the old fur
!. niture. All the fireplaces and mantels ar
the same as when the General was livin
! and each protected by wire screen. Th
flag stone in the porch was imported iron
= the Isle Of Wight in the Irish Sea.
The flower garden and greenhouse
enclosed by the old brick wall, which h
;, built, and is very beautiful. On the law
a is magnolia tree, planted by his ow
: hands. | am under great obligations t
. Col. Hollingsworth, the Superintendent
and Secretary of the Mt. Vernon ASsocia
ton, for his courtesy and much valuabl
information. Also boquet of flowers, ii
honor OF being newspaper reporter
" which, Mr.. Editor, would like to trans
y NIT to you, but as this is not practicabl
NJ you will please take the willfo the deed
: Before leaving the mansion "The Swor
OF Bunker Hip was sung, followed by
very affecting address by Rev. J. /. Goo
u and another song-"My country, Ills
- thee" &C., after which the excursionists r.
d turned to the boats marching to the tune
r. the "Star Spangled Banner" by the BAN
p omitted to mention (when writing OF Il
q tomb that the vault was designed j
J, Washington and built OF brick, the bac
u part of which is occupied by the Washing
"a ton family; in the front as you look in
il the right is the marble sarcophagus e
pf stone cotfin) containing the remains of III
illustrious Washington. On the top is II
emblem OF the United States-the Amer
N can Eagle perched on shield. Durir
ic the rebellion some curiOus Yankee ha
l. the audacity to get into the vault and ca
e ry off one of the eagles claws as a memel
,e to- On the left is another with the sin
E. pie inscription, "Martha, the consort
Washington, who died May 2lst, lsO
Ie aged II years"
"a There are many interesting places whiC
" we revere, because of the occurrence
Is some event, which impart more than o
N linary pleasure to visit and contemplat
l. In my rambles have visited many sue
70 but never before did have such feelir
OF reverential awe as when perambulatir
u the apartments Of this old mansion, looI
IN ing at the old furniture, &C., the law
v. flower garden, walks, drives, and last, b
by no means least, the toinb of the illustl
Gus Washington Contrasting the pa
u with the present and knowing with VIII
OF energy aud tenacity he led the arm
~ through that seven years. struggle, el
"a countering the well-equipped foe wtho
Is and jealous strife for power and emol
% ments within his own command. with an n
~ my poorly fed and clothed and having ne
r. to no pay, who was victorious and toe
i, the helm of State for eight years, over a n
J. tion which to-day ranks among the mo
le powerful on the face of the earth.
h As We were steaming up the river on ov
@ raInrn frnnn Tie Lnllnwol anoI and lnnE.