Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-10-16

The opening of the Shenandoah Val
ley Railroad to HagerstowD, the estab-
llshment of the Offices at this place, and
the pleasant interchange of courtesies
rendered by citizens of our place and
accepted by officials of the company,
have, very naturally, had the effect of
producing the most agreeable relations
between our citizens and those connect
ed with the railroad company. Under
this pleasant influence, ON Friday last,
Mr.. Joseph II. Sands, Superintendent,
whose duties require of him an iDspec
ton of the road with special train, au-
thotized the younger gentlemen connec-
ted with the office TO invite few OF
their lady and gentlemen friends of Ha-
gerstown TO accompany them Oh the
trip, and most enjoyable picnic party
was thus improvised. The party number
ing nearly score, mostly ladies, and duly
chaproned, left Hagerstowr at O'Clock
in Mr., Sands special car, and received at
Charlestown, most agreeable addition
OF young folk who entered heartily into
the spirit of the trip and added greatly
to its enjoyment. Having reach the
completed end of the line proper
camping ground was found, the baskets
brought out, and all the necessary prep
aratious made for lunch; and the bus
mess OF the Superintendent having been
dispatched, all hands turned IN, with
such appetites as a ride through so beau
tiful valley, on one Of the most lovely
days Of autumn might be suppo's to In
spire, and certainly did enjoy it.
1t was somewhat after night before
the party returned to Hagerstown, and
taking advantage of the AIS afternoon
train, accompanied by gentleman ana
couple of lady friends, We went over as
far as Shepherdstown, to meet the pic
mic party on its return, and had an
hour or two to spend, on the other side
of the river, just at sundown, which at
forced an enjoyment so great and revlv-
ed recollections so impressive that IN
view of the fact tina: the same trip Is
now within reach CT all and very likely
to be embraced by many for their own
dedication, we are induced TO dwell tor
a moment on the recolections which
were then aud there revived and the i'm
pressions produced.
: 1t was Just as near as possible, eigh-
! teen years since we last stood upon that
spot, near to each other as Shepherds
town and Ilagerstown and easy OF &C
cess, and although the beauty OF the
scenery was unchanged, the circumstan-
ces Of our visit were az unlike as beauty
aud deformity, lite and death, peace and
war From the knoll looking north,on
the right OF the railroad where itstrikes
the great bridge, ninety feet above the
surface OF the water, and carries the
Shenandoah Valley Railroad over the
Potomac into Maryland is taken in at
single glance, aprospect which, consld-
ering its varied composition, has not its
equal in our lovely valley stretching
from the Susquehanna TO the headwa-
tiers of the Shenandoah. The various
and varied views from Black Rock,
Pen Mar, Fairview and other mountain
prominences surpass it, OF course in ex-
tent, and in variety; and even the occa-
sional gl.mpses which are caught from
them of our great river impart touches,
| but mere touches, of the beauty OF wa
ter scenery; but it is upon that knoll
alone that this charming feature can be
enjoyed in the fullness OF perfection, &C
cording 10 our experience.
At that point, and almost under the
feet of the spectator, the Potomac, more
majestic than at any other point in its
upper course, makes a curve from the
north between high banks and moves
on towards the east with placid dignity
suggestive of depth and importance, and
is lost in the mountains so far away
that nothing is felt to be wanting TO
the perfection of the picture. Where
it disappears the Antetam joins it, and
the buildings at Antietam Iron Works,
OH the face of the Blue Ridge, peep out
from among the foliage. The rich bills
o. our own county, with the North
Mountain in the background. form the
boundry on the other side, whilst the
stately knob, known as Ferry Hill"
upon which stands the venerable man
sion erected by the late Col. Blacktord,
and the ancient town ofShepherdstown,
It's old Touring mill and new paper mill,
fill up the near perspective.
The sun went down in its full autumn
nal beauty as we stood there, and we
can say with truth richer or a prettier
picture in landscape We have never seen.
Just eighteen years oefore--it mi ght,
perhaps, have been to the day-we were
last there-but how very different the
surroundings. Then the blood was yet
fresh, and the bones and bodies of men
and horses lay bleaching on the field Of
Antietam, which had just been fought,
and now spread before us clothed with
rich harvest Of food lying full in view.
Our worthy friend, now of Gainesville,
DR.. c. w. Macgill, then of Hagerstown,
had hut recently married a Virginia
wife, resident of Shepherdstown, and
had gone with the South, leaving his fam
lily in Maryland. Before the battle of
Antietam was fought, and when inter
course across the Potomac was uni inter-
rup,ed, the two sisters of Mrs. Macgill
Misses Eugenia and Mamie Mem
dre--had come from their home in
Shepherdstown to pay their sister Wis
it, and upon attempting to return home
found their way estopped by the block
ade of the Potomac. AD effort to cross,
which failed, was followed bya violent
a attack of fever in Miss Eugenia Nc
dree, whose case so enlisted the sympa-
thles of powerful friends at Washington,
th.f ON nr1ler from Gen Scott then