The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-04-18
ON the Wing.

FoRD's HOTEL RICHMOND, VA, April 10, 49,
Editor HOrididn Leaving Jacksonville on
the 4lh inst, came ON the steamer St. Johns TO
Charleston, touching on the way at Fernandina
and Savannah Our ride down the ST. Johns
river was delightful, but as soon as we had
crossed the bar and passed the jetties our vessel
rocked to and fire. like drunken man, and a
life on the ocean wave" was deemed far more
poetic than pleasant. Except the sea-sickness,
nothing occurred 10 mar the pleasure of the pas
sengers. Of these there were about 70, most of
them returning visitors, and as our noble steamer
moved out from Fernandna they had farewell
view of Florida on the one hand, and distant
view of Georgia on the other. We could see on
the left Cumberland Island, but not Dungeness,
once the home of General Nathaniel Greene
Even the ruins of this once lordly mansion have
disappeared. Here, as many OF your readers
know, rest the remains OF both General Green and
Lght-H Horse Harry Lee, the father OF the late
General Robert E. Lee. Late in the afternoon,
q fog impeded our progress, but before night it
had passed away. As we approached Tybee
Island we had sun set at sea, a scene always
interesting 10 me. Just after dark we sighted
the light in Tybee lighthouse, and soon AFTER en-
tered the mouth of the Savannah river An
hour later, we were at the city of Savannah. As
we had more than an hour to stay here, quite a
number of the passengers took stroll into the
city. The night was pleasant and the moon
shining brightly. Months ago l had walked
these same streets with other company, and the
absence Of that company now but made me sad
and lonely Having lost some and gained other
passengers, discharged and received freight, the
ST. Johns set out for Charleston. Before clearing
the river your correspondent turned In and
slept as well as was possible on heaving sea-
About daylight next morning the fog signals
aroused him. We were off Charleston bar. and
soon after crossed 1t. Through the mist espied
little later the dim outlines Of Sullivan Island;
then Forts MOullrie and Sumter; and 10 the left
the site of Fort johnson, from which was fired
that omiDous first gun. The sun was now an
hour high, the fog was passing away, and Castle
Pinckney and the city of Charleston were in
full view. Shortly AFTER our steamer made fast,
near the Custom House. when The yells OF the
hackmen and hotel pOrters were more deafening
than the roar Of the old ocean ITSELF
One day and night In this city, visiting In the
mcouuLlS buo D8tscty 8uo OeucA PA@~Se " ANeSs
est, and lefl for Wilmington by rail, passing on
my way Florence ard other growing towns
From Charleston to Florence the country is gen.
orally very poor and seemingly badly cultivated;
bat from Florence to Wilmington the country
improves in appearance, and is evidently better
cultivated. eIxty-three miles nom Wilmington
we crossed the line that divides South from
North Carolina, and just before sunset reached
the city. Il n situated at the head of Cape
Fear river, about thirty miles from the Atlantic
OCEAN, and has population Of about 5000
o. more. The site b usdulaiing or billy. the
streets broad and cFossiag - right angles and
thers are handsome residences and nns business
houses, with number o. chaFches and consid-
cradle shipping Spreading one night here,
cana 10 GcldsboEo', thriving railrosd town. a
miles north Of WIlmingiou; lhepcs 20 miles to
Raleigh, the Capital d North Carolina Phe
country ths1ash which pAsssd d pot 20 pour .
l1had expscsed 70 sss, md generally wslIcultl-
vsisd. usaxH 81 TIE farms being nov wsl