The New York herald., 1876-02-29

haps mile Of the haowed ground. The Northeast
Icn Market dock at hafpast seven A. NJ, followed by
the North Stale at eight A. NJ, alter the arrival Of the
northern train OF the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad,
which IN crowded Considerable numbers OF peO.
pie bad also arrived by the Wilmington Columbia and
Augusta and the Carolina Central railways Proceeding
nearly due north
uP TIE CARE FEAR
we entered the sinuOus wnines Of Black River whose
channel is narrow that the steamer brushed tht
branches OF the trcees either bank We threaded
forests Of laurel bay and ash. With here and there
hoary tree laden with moss, lonely raft, canoe
glancing over the placid water, fishermen drag
gng thcir nets OF succuent shad shorewara,
terrapins baskng their logs, and an occasional
tonished alligator taking plunge out OF sight at our
approach. Now and then group Of people were seen
upon the bank. saw one man with his wife and no
less than nineteen children gazing al us with gaping
admiration. After the debarkaton
THE LINE
taken 10 the memorable field. Martial music
awakened the long Sleeping echoes Of the primeval
woods, and the sunlight glanced upon polished bay
oneis. The Wilmington Light Infantry, the Cape Fear
Light Artillery aud the fire aud hook aud ladder com.
panies OF the city took the lead, accompanied by the
Cornet Concert Club band, or twenty-five pieces, anc
followed by long procession, comprising besides
multitude OF equestrians aud persons poddng along
on loot, vehicles Of every imagnab kind. Arriving
az lhe sle oi The monument on lhe verge OF tue hi
tai oNerlooks Moores Creek on the left hand side OF
tue road, going north found the thick underground
whch surrounded up TO few days ago cleared away
lot about TWO acres, Here large assembiage OF
men, women and children from Cumberland, Jones,
Lenor, Duphn, sampson, Baden, Columbus. Bruins
where beside Ana still they came, aud they kept on
coming TIL there were full 3 600 of thom.
The creek is about thirty feet wide, where II Is
spanned by the famous bridge and Just below makes
sudden sharp detour to the west. The banks ara
here very high and steep The bridge rises
from the each end toward the like the root
OF house. 1t is just such bridge | was told as the
original, and is upon precisely the old site II is in
fact claimed that like the boys ancestral pocket knfe
which was still The same old knife, though no part OF
the primitive article remained, this structure is de-
spite repairs, which have left hardly atom OF the
original material the identical
WIDOW MooRE's
Of 100 years ago. The locality rs dark gloomy and
peculiar" such would suggest grim and bloody
scene like that which makes IL notable. All around
are ancient trees, mostly oaks, sycamores and
dark, heavy pines The eastern bank OF
the creek, which the patriots were posted is higher
than the opposite The whole surrounding coun-
try beyond THIS immediate neighborhood is a vast
plain with scarcely any elevation, and is covered with
dense growth of pines. This spot stands m marked
contrast by of its greater height and the differ
cnt character Of It's forest trees Inc brldge Is ap'
preached at each end through dene or ravine deeply
through the oyerhanging bluffs IL Is about twenty
live feet lower than these BLUFFS and some fifteen ieet
above the surface OF the water. The current Is
strong and rapid, and the stream looks very black.
To unattended visitor must present weird scene.
There is no human habtation within several miles the
nearest village being Ellington six or seven miles dis
tant Apart from today's crowd 1t Is spectacle oi
profound
SOLITUDE AND DEsoLArIoS. =
the bankc clad with mingled mass OF vines brers,
reeds and tangled underground Of almost tropical
numerous washed by rains and frcshets
complete the wJncss Of tho spot parts of which lie in
perpetual shadow, unvsited by any direct ray of sum
light Led by thirst TO the brink OF the creek found
the water clear and sweet, but OF the color of lager
beer 1t is similar in hue and taste TO tho 'Juniper
water" of Lake Drummond in the Great Dismal
Swamp.
A LARGE AMERICAN FLAG
noated from n huge pole Immediately fronting the
monument Smaller decorated the speakers and
music stands. Proudly dying from ts stan was tho
banner OF the Twelfth United States Infantry
borne through the Mexican war, now IN custody OF
George Edward Cantwell, regimental Adjutant Alter
a national salute of thr'yseven guns by the Cape
Fear Light Artillery
THE SERVICES
opened with prayer by Rev. Colin Shaw address OF
welcome by DR.. T. g. Hatchwcll Chairman OF the Cen
tcnnial Executive Committee Captain Samuel A.
Grafton. Eloquent speeches made by State SEN
ator Edward w. Kerr, of Sampson, and Rev. Mr.
Stalings, of Duplin county. Edward Cantwell vet.
OF the Mexican Confederate wars pronounced
CLOSING
We face to face me aidl with Of the grandes
acts of history; the spot consecraed by the blood
the first martyrs of tho Revolution; the first
tory of our indissolube Union won here.
Judge Cantweli's peroraton was magnificent and war
enthusiastically cheercd.
Tho President then read patriotic letters from
Oliver H. Dockery United States senator; Augustus s.
ton by Rev. Julian 7, Faison musketry salute waa
fired by the Wilmington Light Infantry. Sandwchcd
between the speeches were sautcs Of artillery from
A GUN CAPTURED
here from the Highlanders one hundred years ago in
termittcd with music from the Wilmington Citizens'
Cornet Band.
Chief Marshal Colvin maintained excellent order
Notwithstanding the large crowd, and everything
passed of pleasantly. The military display was
usually fine
Toward nightfall the crowd began to thin out
gradually and oblquely falling beams OF the set
ting sun threw the od-tme OZARK and bloody ground
into dismal shadow. And now the cold. calm
peer curiousy down into the SILENT sombre wilderness
but few hours ago vocal with reolcngs and travcrsed
by the steps OF Thousands AS close this the flying
feet OF the proong the festive celebration in
centennial ball" at Ellington. All this is well
Post id6orenl Uotuptds.