The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-06-17
NOTES BY THE WAY.
Notes OF Travel by Our Special
Correspondent.
Editor Demoerat-star.

Vicksburg had the need, and
has the honor of possessing one ol
the National cemeteries-establish
ed in the South by the United
States authorities. The situation
is Fort Hill, a mile north of town,
Here in 1861, the militia of Mis-
sissippi planted a cannon and
waited patiently to capture the
merchant steamer Silver Wave,
that the secretary of war, Mr..
Floyd, had employed to convey
some 6l-pounders, to Forts Phillip
and Jackson below New Orleans.
This elevated poiut afterwards
fairly bristled with the Digs of war,
and made sad havoc in Uncle
SANS navy. Now 1t is the cits of
the dead" 6,600 citizens sleep
there who gave their lives for their
country between the years 1861
and 1867 SO says the Inscription
over the stone.arched gate, that
cost only $1,000. The terraced
grounds, grayeled walks, shaded
avenues, the marble bead stones,
make u charming picture not often
seen III ones life time. The dead
soldiers now resting there We're
killed or died in and around
Vicksburg, Bakers creek, Grand
Gulf and places not far away. AT
ter the war men were employed to
exhume the bodies, box and send
here for linal interment. When u
body was unknown, u square block
of mable has simply number,
otherwise the name aud State are
inserted. Aside from the sorrow
ful fact, l6,60Odead men lay buried
there, | was charmed with the
beautiful surroundings; but alas,
alas, the horrors of war made me
glad to seek The city Of the living.
The New Orleans aud yicksburg
steamers lave been knCwn as float.
ing palaces. It was our good for
tune to take passage with Captain
WIN. Campbell master of the Robt.
Il. Lee, but now running the John
W. Cannon in place Of tile Lee, for
the summer Captain Campbell
OWNS Il scashore home at Mjssissip-
pi City or Pass Christl'iii. The trip
to Grand Gulf was made in the
night. The mornings early dawn
found us cabled to Grand Gulf
landing waiting for the train from
Port Gibsong The outlook about
! Grand Gulf is desolate, but the
snorting of the locomotive awakes
you out OF your despondency. A
real railroad, iron rails, and On it n
model engine, one passenger coach,
and two box cars. Hark, here they
come around the curve. This looks
like progression. When you enter
the passenger coach and sit down
upon the shady side and rear end
OF the car, don't be surprised if the
polite conductor approaches, say
ing: "Please move forwards this
part of the car Is reserved for the
negroes. They don't like white
folks to sit in their department.
So moved. Eight miles being
traversed, otlr engine whistles for
the city of Port Gibson. This is an
ancient settlement, (see Clalborne's
history of Mississippi.) The place
is a relic of the past South. Chnrch
es that have cost $25,000 aud $780,
900, college buildings-the contri-
button of wealthy Stockholders
beautiful residences, wide streets
delightfully."- shaded, all attract the
eye of stranger. The future of
Port Gibson is bright. A short
period of time only and the Vicks-
burg and Ship Island railroad will
enter its streets, (and even now
eight miles southeast, ut Martin,
the Natchez and Columbus road
passes.) The cannon is mounted
and now on the common. and Bro.
Mason is preparing to- sound the
RerciiIe when the last spike of
the vicksburg and Ship, Island |
railroad is driven home. closing the
existing gap between the outside
world and one OF Mississippi's fair.
est daughters ofaucient date-Port
Gibson. The soil of this secticn is
very fertile and with improved
machinery AMI modes OF cultiva-a
tion, coupled with climate, capital
and railroad transit, Claiborne
county will again swell the assets
of the State auditor.
The waste hill sides and neglect
ed meadow lands are covered With
rich grasses. In many places clo-
yer grows wild and with acres of !
reed cane yet uncleared, cattle have
pasturage the year round. When
ever our Southern farmers can be
cured of the cotton mania, and ex-
port butter cheese, blooded sheep, |
cows and horses of home prcduc-
ton, prosperity will rcturn.ss
The Alcorn University, Rev. Mr..
Revels, ID. d, (eolored) pr 'silent,
IL a.State Institution for the negro
youth Of Mississippi. tits situated |
near Rodney, Miss. Rev. Ii. X.
Singleton Of tue Mississippi con-
ference, preached tho commence
ment sermon, June 1st. lam glad
to lear,i of the prosperity of this
institution.
A pleasant drive, starting at five !