Montgomery County sentinel., 1878-08-09
Live and Enjoy Life.
MARYLAND. August s. /

Ae6Not ~ 'ofo'
Mr. Editor 81 am so much pleased with a
trip that cannot help asking you TO give it
some little notice. After the daily routine of
life, its many hsrdships and adversities, so af-
ter the harvest was gathered | made up my
mind 10 have some little recreation. | was
handed ticket good for trip down the
Chesapeake Bay 10 Capes Charles and Henry,
stopping at many points OF interest. Thurs
day found our party in Washington where
for two dollars a ticket could be procured for
the trip on board the elegant steamer Jane
Mosely, which had been chartered by the East
ern Presby yteran church, Of Washington
AT G O'Clock we were under way, and when
we reached Alexandria our party was increas-
ed to three hundred.
After passing Mount Vernon the first thing
of interest was storm at sea. The pealing
thunder, the forked lightning darting in each
direction, the wind rolling high the water and
the steamer bravely plowinS through the
rough waters made scene, which, although
the major part Of the party were ladies, was
greatly enjoyed by all.
Dancing and singing were INDUCED until IL
o'clock, when repose was sought. II was
truly amusing TO see the gentlemen making
the bed for his family or friends. Mairasses
were provided for all by the owners of the
boat, and staterooms were not used by many
as sleeping apartments as all seemed rather to
enjoy the breezes on deck. At o clock, A.
NJ, we passed Piney Pont-a place very fitly
named. AT 0 clock we landed at historical
Yorktown. The steamer was soon relieved Of
its precious freight, all bent upon sightseeing.
II was hard to find proper guide. boy
was procured, but all he knew was General
Corvallis cave, as he said, and IL was a hole
dug in the ground, about ten feet square and
Eve feet high, with another hole adjoining not
SO large. 1t is said that Cornwallis slept here
during the vigorous bombardment by the al
lied armies Of the Americans and French. We
were shown the old house where the terms of
capitulation were signed. Ii is in rather good
condition, being built of brick, and is now
occupied. We were denied close scrutiny
of this place as we had wasted much valuable
time in talking to an old negress, who was
not, for wonder servant of Gen. Washing
ton. She did no: know her age, but remem-
bered LaFayette's visit. She was grandma
ther at the time.
Boarding the boat we reached Fortress Mon.
roe at IL o'clock, where four houis were spent
in grabbing. bathing, &c. The Fort was of
the most interest here, being truly q massive
work, and it seems impossible for a fleet to
pass within reach Of its guns, and ss for a
land force to storm IL seems impossible as a
deep canal surroundsi il. 1t is kept as tidy as
a new pin, and contains about ten acres. There
is another fort about a-half mile out in the
bay, and then the formidable Rip Raps-ths
is the main defence Of our National Capital
against the invasion of a foreign feet. At
8 o'clock we had headed for the Atlantic, and
reached Cape Henry on the Virginia side. 1t
consists, as il would seem, OF sand as white
as snow piled up high and running far out
into the ocean. counted with the aid of a
glass thrty-three sails and steamers carrying
the industries Of the world in different direc-
tions. Truly sublime sight.
AS We headed toward home the band struck
up "Home Sweet Home" which was Joined
in by the excursionisis. We arrived at 8
o clock in Washington.
Among those on board from your county
were Mr.. o. s. Maus aud family and Mr.. W.
S. Ofut and family.
Too much credit cannot be given to those
| responsible for the pleasant trip, as well as to
Mr.. Miles, the genial caterer, and to the ofic-
ers and crew Of the Jane Mosey.
ExcURsIoNIsT,