The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-06-29
Correspondence of the News
OI
Notes of a HighIander's
Trip to the Centennial.
WAsn1NeroN. D. .C.. June h. lsls.

WASHINGTON, D. C, June IL, 1876
I Iprocured round trip ticket on the B. Il o. R.
r. to the Centennial, for $780, good for so days, to
return via New York, Albany, Niagara Falls and
Cincinnati. Left old Highland on the morning of
the 7th inst, changed cars at Blanchester and took
the mail, but found it too slow and tedious; stop
ped over at Chicothe and waited for the fast Ex-
press, due at 1.2O P. NJ Passed through the South
ern Ohio coal and iron regions at almost lightning
speed, and arrived at Grafton at $50 P. NJ, 100
miles east of Parkersburg, where 1 remained all
night, to enable me to view the mountain scenery
to Washington by daylight. Found good accom-
modatiOns at reasonable prices.
Left Grafton on the sth on the 9.1s A. NJ. Express
and passed through the wild scenery along Cheat
River, and up the Allegheny mountains. Reached
the summit at 1890 p. NJ. when some part of tie
engine gave way, which compelled US to make
halt of two hours until another locomotive was
procured. We then struck the down grade of IL
miles from Altamont to Piedmont and reached
Cumberland in time for dinner. -s,S 4fter leaving
Chilicothe we struck the hills, and they kept in
creasing in size until they eliminated into noun
tains. At Cumberland the country is comparative
ly level until reach Harper's Ferry at $50 P. NJ
The passengers all rush to the windows to get
Siilhpee VI tne rerry anu the Olu engine mouse,
where "Old John Browns barricaded himself and
defed the whole State of Virginia. The old U. S.
Arsenal is in ruins, and all the property belonging
to the U. S. is to be sold at anction sexf month.
AS Harper's Ferry has been described so often,
and so many of the Highland boys have viewed
the scenery with Stonewal Jackson's army in the
background, I will only call to mind the Oft
quoted passage by Jefferson, that ''it is worth a
trip across the Atlantic to see it." The next three
hours run, along the banks of the Potomac, takes
US through the suburbs into Washington where we
arrived at 7.3O p NJ. At the depot met Capt. A
NJ Garroutte, of Iowa, formerly of Highland
county, who is here temporarily on business. He
took me to his boarding house in a private family
near the Patent Office. The fare is 81 per day
Very good hotel accommodations can be had for 50
per day.
June 9th, in company with several Ohio friends,
we visited the Treasury Building and Trophy
Room in the War Department, where the Rebel
flags captured in the late war are preserved. From
there we went to the White House and shook
hands with the President, and then were shown
through the fine parlors and drawing-rooms of the
Presidential mansion. Good rations are begin
ming to show their effect on the General.
OuT ucAI Nlslt was u OulCc, huCEt VIC
spent several hours very proftably, examining the
10000 models that still coming in at the rate
of 14oO per month. 10000 applications filed in
the Office for positions, and as soon as one of the
employees dies is discharged, one of the 10000,
or some other man, takes his place.
Our next place of interest was the Capitol, where
we saw quite a number of fine historical paintings
and statues. Ascending to the top of the dome,
we had fine view of Washington and its sur
roundings. Next dropped in to see the Senate,
but found it very quiet place. Senator Sherman
was speaking on the P. O.. Appropriation bill.
Went over to the House, where we found things
little more lively. Blaine was just stirring up the
Democratic side of the House with his sarcastic
and stinging remarks, and strong indications of
general row. Finally, the opposition let him have
his way about the Caldwell dispatch, and peace
and brotherly love prevailed among them once
more.
Next in order was the Smithsonian Institute,
which is large museum of Natural History, and
has very large number of ancient curiosities and
relics. From thence went to the Art Gallery,
which has fine collection of paintings and statues.
Among the latter is the original Powers "Greek
Slave" which has such a worldwide reputation.
June 9, took the steamer in company with 800 or
400 others for Mt Vernon, at 10 A NJ After delight
full trip of Is miles down the Potomac, we landed
at Mt. Vernon. Washington's tomb is nearly mid
way been the landing and the dwelling. 1t is built
of brick and behind the iron railing the marble
sarcophagi, containing the remains of Gen. and
Martha Washington. The dwelling and outhouses
are kept in good repair by the Ladies' Mt. Vernon
Association, who own the old homestead.
Quite number of articles of interest are to be
seen in the old mansion, such furniture, cloth
ing, &c; also number of old paintings and por-
traits, and relics of by-gone day. The register
showed that the excursoDists were from nearly
every State in the Union also quite a number of
foreigners, principally from France and England.
was quite impressed with what saw, and would
advise all who visit Washington not to neglect to
see Mt Vernon. The fare for the round trip is 81,
and an excellent lunch is served in the old kitchen
for 75 cents.
After two hours stay returned to Washing
ton, and from thence to Arlington Heights, Gen.
Lees residence 1t is undoubtedly the prettiest
Government cemetery in the country. 1t contains
the remains of 1876 Union soldiers, Of whom
2,11I are uIlkno.cn, and are buried under mon
ument.
Highland friends, Col. Frazee and Capt Garrouttc,
both formerly of Lynchburg,) we called on Gen.
Sherman, whom we found at leisure and very talk
atve, as usual. He is getting quite gray, but 9TH
erwise is as hale and hearty as He gave us
an interesting account of his late trip to the old
battlefield of Bull Run and trip Europe, visiting
the old battle-felds, and seeing the armies of the
old world.
On being questioned what chance our volunteers
would stand against the Prussian troops, he re-
piled, that to fight them on their clear and open
plains, he did not know how it would be but to
fight them on our own ground and in our own way,
we could whip them every time. He also remark
ed that in case of another war, if he had anything
to do with it, he would organize the troops in their
own States, and march them to the front, and al
low no transportation by rail or boat then when
they reached the scene of action they would be
ready to take their places beside old soldiers. Af
ter quite conversation of similar character,
took our leave.
This morning made an early visit to the Soldiers
Home, miles from the city, which we found as
Gen Sherman had claimed, to be the finest place of
the kind in the world. A more delightful place
cannot well be imagined. About 800 old soldiers
are quartered there at present.
leave to-day for Philadelphia, and my next let
ter will give some account of the Centennial.
j. A. B.