The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-07-23

July 21.-The announcement a
couple of weeks ago Of "grand ex-
cursion to Fortress Monroe, Norfolk
and the Capes," to leave here last
Saturday and return in time for busi
ness hours Monday morning, caused
ripple among the pleasure seekers
Learning that Washington "upper-
tendon" would turn out en- masse,
and having received very cordial
invitation from friends, determined
to take in the excursion. At Z
o'clock Saturday evening L made my
way to the dock at the foot of 9TH
street, where | found an immense
concourse of people. The scene was
very like the departure of one of our
big Louisville excursions from the
Union Depot. The excursion was
under the direct management of fif-
teen gentlemen, who spared no pains
to make every one comfortable and
happy. The "Jane Mosely," one of
the fieetest and best boats on the Po-
tomac, had been chartered for the oc
casion. At 5 o'clock, with four hun
dred gay pleasure seekers on board,
the Mosely weighed anchor and bent
her brave prov toward the Chesa-
peake. The merry laughter and cho-
ruses of sweet music, and the waving
Of handkerchiefs, and the jolly good
byes to the friends Oh shore, made
the occasion truly delightful. The
trip was not entirely new to me, and
was the more anxious to take it be-
cause l hoped to see some reminders
cf my voyage when | was "a wearin'
of the blue" Famed by the gentle
breezes, our voyage down the river
was very pleasant one indeed. After
glorious sleep we awoke to find
ourselves at sunrise steaming out on
the broad bosom of the Chesapeake.
Soon the grand old Fortress hove in
sight, with its humble companion, the
solitary old "Rip-raps, which used to
be the terror to evil doers among the
soldiers during the War. The Grip
raps," as you know, is a small island
in the Chesapeake, opposite Fortress
Monroe, and commanding the en-
trance to Hampton Roads, a magnifi
cent haven, in which, it IS said, the
fleets of the world could float in safe.
ty The Government erected fort
on this island which was used during
the war as prison in which the
most desperate of disorderly Union
soldiers were confined. 1t is simply
barren isle without foot of soil OF
green sprig upon it. 1t is, indeed
desolate looking place. 1t was al
one time thought that the place woulC
become the most important fortress il
the United States, but [ am informed
that the engineers have decided tha
great fortress can not be erected OF
it, and that the island itself is grad
ually disappearing.
was sorely tempted to leave th'
party at the Fortress, and spend th'
day in seeing the sights there and Wis
iting the Hampton Normal and In
dustrial School. If had done so
am sure 1 could have given you
more interesting letter, but my de
sire to have good time and to Sc
the ancient city of Norfolk prevaile'
over my sense of duty to the reader
of the Leader, and when the whistl
{ blew | could not resist the Temptation
to 60 aboard. 1t is but truthful
however, that | should state that m
going on was in no small part due t
, the pressing request of some hand
some young ladies, who had apparent
, ly taken an interest in me, KNOWN
me, as they did, to be stranger, an
) considering me sort of an orphan
} deservingof sympathy and encoul
i agement. We reached Norfolk ;
, 1870. 1 received very pressing il
: vitation from Mr.. Minkens, prom
!. inent gentleman of the city, to be h