The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-05-13
PORT DEPOSIT:
Forty Years Ago and No
LETTER No. -.

and Bells Ferry, and give some reminis
cences of the trade on the west side of the
Susquehanna in connection with Port De
post. Before proceeding to do so, let me
say, that standing on this summit, the face
of the mountain looks almost perpendicu
lar; but | have seen strong men attempt tC
throw a stone from it's top into the river
who were surprised to find it lodge on the
side of the mountain, not more than hall
way to the water.
How enthusiastic must have been that
lover, who sang to his sweetheart:
90 For thee I'd climb to Arrarats peak
And think its steep,
Though dark and dread,
Heavens pathway-if to thee it led
To those who have never witnessed it, let
me say, that the view from this peak is
grandly beautiful. l know that great an
thorities have differed as to whether an
object, or place, or scene can, at the same
time, be both grand and beautiful. With
all due Difference to their superior iudg-
ment and perceptions, beg to think that
the one is not necessarily incompatible with,
or separate from, the other. But that
grandeur and beauty may combine in the
same object.
From my stand point, looking out on the
Chesapeake bay, broad and placid, with
Spesutia Island sitting like swan on it's
| bosom, the red banks at the mouth of North
East river, Turkey Point further south,
| Havre de Grace sloping gently from the
head of the bay, Perryville on the opposite
shore, connected by the magnificent iron
railroad bridge of the Philadelphia, Will
mington and Baltimore Railroad, Watson
! Island rising cone like at the mouth of the
river, the Tide Water Canal flowing slug
gishly on the west side, the iron horse
rushing at fiery speed beneath my feet, on
the east side, Port Deposit clinging to the
hills on the right, Bells Ferry, Rock Run,
and Stafford stretching to the northwest
! kerr's, Steels, and other islands at the
head of navigation; the Susquehanna which,
! with it's tributaries from the States of Penn
/ sylvania and New York, numbering some
/ twelve hundred miles in length, ever roll
/ ing downward and emptying into the Chesa
peake, thence flowing to the great Atlantic,
/ from whence to rise in mists, and by the
winds of heaven, iloated back in clouds, to
! descend in rains, and again roll onward to
the sea; the numberless small islands that
stud the river as far as vision can extend,
the towering cliffs on either bank of the
river, clad in natures varied hues and its
gorgeous sunsets, all combined, is a piano.
rama of sublime beauty. If the scenery of
the world renowned Hudson excels that of
the Susquehanna at all, it is because its
banks have been improved by the hand Of
art. But enough of this; for to be appre-
ciated it must be seen, and hope l may be
excused for this depression.
Mr.. Editor, all your readers know (or at
least ought to know that in 1918 Admiral
Cockburn sailed up the Chesapeake, de-
stroying and pillaging the small towns and
farm houses on its head waters: and here
allow me to digress again to relate some ir-
cidents connected with Cockburn's move
ments on the Sassafras and Elk rivers after
he had withdrawn from the Susquehanna.
At Georgetown, the men were very brave
until the British hove in sight, then stam-
pede followed. One man alone, William
Wilson, remained secreted in the thicket,
on the banks of the river, till one of the
barges came opposite to him. He then fired
his long duck gun, called "Old Toney,"
and (as he has told the writer saw his man
fall. The smoke from Old Toney revealed
his ambush, and his only hope was in "leg-
ging it, He had to cross an open field,
and said the bullets whizzed thick and fast
around him in his flight, but he escaped
untouched. The men of the town having
tied, Mss Kitty Knight iaunt of William
/ Knight, of Sassafras Neck, the father of
of Senator Knight of Cecil, Il lady of
culture, refinement and rare attraction,
with a heroism worthy of historical record,
went boldly to the river shore, met the
British officers and invited them to a COLA
ton at her own house. After being wined
and dined and fascinated with her beauty,
grace and sparkling wit, she asked that
her house should be spared, the promise
was given; then for the old English church
and the rectory, this was promised; then
for all Georgetown, this was denied; and
the town was burned, excepting the reserv-
atoms that had been promised. The writer
enjoyed a personal acquaintance with this
lady. She lived to ripe old age.
At Fredericktown, Col. Veasey was in
command of about fifty militia, most of
whom fled On approach of the barges; but
the Colonel, with a few brave men, made
bold stand till they saw that further re-
sistance was useless, when they fled and
the town was burned. Frenchtown (below
Elkton) was place of considerable i'm
portance, being the landing and place of
deposit on the stage and packet line between
Philadelphia and Baltimore. This was
destroyed without opposition, the militia
from the surrounding country not deeming
it prudent to draw the British fire.
Hayre de Grace was then quite village,
and the citizens had erected a battery on
the beach and planted some cannons and
were "spoiling for u .t3ht." On the morn
ing of the 3rd of May, before daylight, the
British announced their coming by the roar
Of cannon and "the rockets red glare"
! The town awoke in CONSERVATION, and the
most Of the men "fled to the mountains :"
few of the bravest repaired at once to
the battery; but when the barges came in
| sight, all fled but one, a brave son of the
Emerald Isle, by the name of O'Neal He
stood by his gun. His natural enmity to
the Red Coats and his love of the freedom
he had enjoyed under the stars and stripes,
impeled him to dare to die in defense of
"his affairs and his fires" He continued
to fire on the enemy till wounded by the
/ bursting of his own cannon, and after be-
ing thus disabled, he fought with musket
till the British landed and captured him.