Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-04-22
Letter FROM ShemamdI0 an IN
Valley.
Eds. Independent.

Eds. Independent:
Compliments of the season, Il
the INDEPENDENT and It's many
readers.
With M ch Joy, Nom De Plume
again makes his appearance in
the columns of this excellent pa
per, and begs the editor to kindly
allow him space TO briefly give q
description of his trip from Berke
ley to Frederick county. After
bidding very reluci ant farewell
to many new, but dear friends At
Hedgesville, we starr ed in hack
for your city When we arrived
ut the depot in M, we learned the
train would not be due for an hour;
so we spent the time pleasantly
with a friend, visiting the Il. Il D..
r. r. repair shops, and other
places of interest. When our time
had expired, we boarded the ac-
commodation train bound for
Harpers' Ferry. On the way
through this beautiful country, We
could see on right and left fields
clothed In their mantle of green,
most pleasing to the eye. After
passing many beautiful hamlets,
we reached Harpers' Ferry, a
place noted for it's his orical remi-
niscence aud romantic scenery.
The grand old Potomac flows
proudly to the left, while to the
right stands the foundation Of the
ODD Armory, aud on the east end
of their grounds stands John
Browns fort" with his name
panied in bold characters. Near
the confluence of the Potomac and
Shenandoah rivers. stretches the
magnificent iron hiidge, the prop
erty OF the B. & O. r. r. Compa-
ny On the Maryland side, is the
Majestic Heights overlooking the
scene below. As FL f is the
junction, we crossed the road to
the valley branch, where we found
the valley train waiting under the
management Of the efficient on
ductor Capt Roderick This road
for several miles runs in close
proximity to the Shenandoah riv-
er. We noticed quite number of
fisherman watching their poles
with great care and untiring in
terest. After passing many small
places of more or less note, our
train pulled up at Stephensons de-
pot, where we were surprised to
hear the familiar voice of an old
Berkeley friend who met US with
heart and hand, and joined US in
occupying jointly, rather a promi-
nent seat. The country between
Stephensons and Winchester will
compare very favorably with any
country in Virginia. To the right
and to the left as far as the eye can
see, many fine old estates came to
our view. AS our Berkeley friend
had been soldier in the late civil
strife, he pointed out to US many
battle fields. We reached Win
chester about 4:30; as the train
left w. we cast look in the di-
rection of Stenewall Cemetery
where sleeps many of Virginia's
noblest sons. Touring high above
shrubbery ,statuary &c. the mOnu-
ment to the unknown dead, on
which is surmounted a soldier, life
size, leaning on his musket as
with watchful eye he seems to
guard that sacred spot. A short
distance from this quietly sleeps
the Boys in Blue, while high
above them floats with thu breeze
the stars and stripes. AS we gaz-
ed upon the resting places of thou
sands OF both armies, who will
peacefully slumber till the reser-
rection, we thought what a pity.
when in life those sleepers had no
personal revenge, but their cir
cumstances and position compell-
ed them to seek the life of each
other upon the field of carnage,
too dreadful TO describe, but now
life's battle is ended and they sleep
sweetly and peacefully side Dy
side. This to US is an inscrutable
Providence. After bidding adieu
to this hallowed spot, we soon
passed Kernstown and Stephens
city stations, when the conductor
informed us that we had reached
our destination where we met the
old time hospitality at the hands
of our Va. friends. AS our letter
has grown lengthy we will close,
promising to give in our next
communication, the general news
of the Shenandoah Valley, its pol
itics, &C.,
With many thanks to the edi-
tor for the space in his popular pa
per, we bid you adieu, until our
next. Nom DE PLUME.
Shall Brooklyn be added to
New YORK? is the question which
1nannnlA ut million