Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1876-11-02
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Our Visit to Mount Yer
non.
For the Fsyetteyi ls Observer.

For the Fsyetteyi le Observer.
On Tuesday morning, Sep
tember Z6th, notwithstanding
the rain that was drifting surfit-
ly down, and the wind that
whistled past the domes and
spires Of the "city of distance, y
were seen four or five hundred
persons hurrying along 7th
street to the boat landing for
Mt. Vernon. Those who had
failed to procure a place on the
horse cars, were trudging swift
ly down the stormy street, with
extended umbrellas. At 10 o.
clock a. M, all the party having
gone OH board the steamer "Ma-
ry Washington" we launched
forth on the famous Potomac,
bound for the most sacred spot
of our glorious nation, which is
beautifully situated on the riv-
er's bank about fifteen miles
below the city of Washington.
AS the distance grew between
the warf and our boat, the rain
came down in torrents, while
dense fog hovered over the
broad river, redering US, in a
great measure, unconscious of
our surroundings. A sort of
disappointed look could be
traced on the countenance of
the company, on account of the.
gloomy aspect. Groups here
and there could be heard ex-
pressing a desire for a clear and
pleasant day. This state of
affairs continued until we land
ed at Alexandria, a very ancient
city, being founded in 1748.
It is also famous as being the
place where Washington and
Robert E. Lee attended public
worship. This city is situated
about seven miles below Wash
ington, on the bank OF the riv-
er. AS we launched again the
wind had driven away the heavy
mist, and the sun began to pour
his refreshing rays at intervals,
as he looked down between the
clouds which were seen to give
place to a lovely sky. The
wishes Of an hour before were
beginning to be realized, and
happy faces glanced at each 9th
er, hilemerry laughter resound-
ed through the floating palace.
The beautiful banks on each
side Of the river had emerged
from obscurity and lay in full
luxuriance, as the bright sun
made every fresh raindrop as a
bead Of silver, while the ver-
dure shed q supernatural APP
pearance. To add to the grand
uer Of the scene, an imposing
mansion would occasionally
lift its snowy tower above the
trees. All had with the day
undergone a lovely change. At
half past eleven o'clock we ap-
preached the warf at Mt. Ver-
non. The first thought that
passes the Observers mind as
the home and tomb of the no
bic Washington is ushered be-
fore him is, "W hat a charming
situation" The gradual slope
Of the eminencc-the pictures
que road leading from the land
mg-the dense groves that sur
rounded the mansion, and the
old flag of union and liberty,
from the emincnce surmounted
high in the air floating majes-
tically over all. arc some of the
principal objects of interest as
the visiter approaches. Pro-
ceeding from the landing up the
winding way, which the father
of his country has often trod,
we passed on our right some
weeping willows from the grave
of Napoleon Bonaparte, among
other attractive trees and shrub
berry. Having proceeded about
two hundred yards, we were inn
mediately in front Of Washing
tons grave. A look Of solem-
nifty passed through the whole
company as we removed our
hats and stood for the first time
around that humble, though sa-
cred tomb-a spot most dear to
every true American heart, a
place always to be kept sacred
by a grateful nation, because
in that small enclosure is all
that remains on earth Of the
noble Washington, The place
is marked by simple brick
structure arched over, forming
an irclosufc. The front is
closed by large iron gate to
shut out all inruders or relic
hunters. Within this vault is the
marble sarcophagus in which
rerosc Tic dust OF thc Hero Of