Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-07-06
From Richmond to Newport News,

correspondence u the AlrNan'iri. Gazette.
llEWLErr' -. VA, June 30.---At 4:1O o'clock
p N. the passenger train left the depot in
Richmond for Newport (''Nrwports' News.
There were three cars, and yet there was
not room for all the passengers. The most
striking feature presented by the travellers
OH this road WAS the unusually large num-
Der of infants and children The next was
the great demand for fruits candies. &c.
In two minutes We were within the west
cln entrance Of Church Hill tunnel, and in
less than five minutes we emerged from its
eastern terminus, under the rugged sides of
that famed scm-muunt;lin Into Il little town
which seemed to derive its prosperity from
the vast number of persons engaged in
brick making. Beyond this the country is
level, but little improved and sparsely
settled, until you near Fort Lee A little
beyond this point you plunge into the far
famed White Oak Swamp. On moderate
eminence to the left, and not far from the
station, is rcd mound which, presume, is
the famed fort From White Oak swamp to
LaneNayou pass through country generally
low and marshy, with occasionally an inter-
evening space Of rolling land. Elko, Rox-
bury and Providence Forge are the consecll-
tive stations. Within this space YOU cross
the Chickahominy OH Il long, low Substan-
tial tressel work: beneath, i'll is now dry,
save an insignificant stream which marks
the channel of the river.
At LaneXa, the next station. there is a
large body Of water several hundred wards
wide. and said to be quite deep. and one of
the finest shad and herring fisheries in the
State This is loop III the Chiciahominy.
which is embraced by lofty hills to the
north and east, i'll the side of the first. and
through the atter,in Il cut 80 feet deep, runs
the road. There is one distinct strata oim;,rl
III this cut. Onward, we cross considera-
bic marsh, with tidal stream running
through it, and still onward IL considerable
stream known us Diascurcd Creek, near
which, is station of the same name From
this point by Toano station to williamsburg
the country is quite rolling, with several
bridges and cuts on the roadway. and the
soil becomes chocholate and still. Occasion
ally, only, to this point, does the road pass
old residences, but rs you approach the an.
clent capital you see quite imposing bull
dings to the right of the road. and the out
lines OF 4 town of very respectable dimcn-
sions, almost buried in Il forest of grand old
trees, beneath the shades CT some of which,
no doubt, the Eurgcsscs of colonial Virginia
have often reposed.
The town seems to rest on an extended
plain on the summit of Il hill of no mean
hight, through cut, Oh the northern slope
of which, passes the railroad. too deeply to
afford view of the town. You can see it
best as you approach it from Richmond, and
then at depression in the hill, at the sta
ton, and again as you whirl beyond it to-
wards Lee Hall, the next station. but one
At this place is an old two-story brick build
ing apparently of colonial architecture. 1t
is but little way below Yorktown junction
and marks very nearly the line between the
rolling lands in the vicinity of Williamsburg
and the extensive level lands beyond
After leaving Lee Hall, you pass through
quite Il level and wooded country, with but
few settlements by Oriana and Morrison's
to Newport News. I was informed that
mari could be found within ten feet of the
surface, in nearly all this district. and that
most of the waters, both well and spring are
impregnated with it.
You approach Newport News OH level plain
over toyOur right. You sccScvrral quite pretcntoils
buildings, among which are the hotel, and the
dcrrc of the artcsian well. On the left arc some
plats Of trucking ground. and nearer the wharf
arc several tencmcnts occupied by the numerous
laborcrs, while Just before YOU arc the spacious
depot, wharvcs. and other works for loading and
! receiving freight. The plateau is level and spa
cious devoid Of trees, except here and there near
the water.
What is to bc the future of this place, should
sweet cool water be procured in the well. no one
can tell That it will become considerable ship
ping point, 10 one can doubt. but whether it will
| ever he Il city. human ken can not now reasonably
conjecture. The brain work, as well rs the ramc
of &. W. Smith, General Manager, can be traced
| all along the route, and if capacity and energy
backed by the capital and libcrality of President
Huntington. can make city, then there will soon
| be one, at Newport News. HANOVER