Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-29
IN THE nuRAY CAvERNs.
A Savannah Boys Brief Account of
What He Saw There.

what He Saw There.
PIEDMONT, VA, Sept, 25.--I send you a
few lines about what saw in the great
Luray Cayerns. l stopped at Manassas
and paid visit to its ''frst battle field"
II all great battle fields have the same APP
pearance as this, must say that the cas-
ual observer will be but little interested
by visiting them. In this instance / was
fortunate in having one with me who had
participated in the battle during the en-
tire day. The lines of both armies were
clearly pointed out to me, and almost
seemed to see the masses OF Federal troops
in the distance making their great nank
movement. which nearly proved success
ful. stood upon the spot where GeorElHns
poured out their first blood on Nirginla's
soil From that place | coald see
where GEM ohnstOn's troops under stone
wall jackson turned the fortunes OF the
day.
The next morning after reaching the
hotel at Luray, ! wondered If the earth
could possibly contain anything beneath
il grauuer and more sublime than the
scenery OF the MassanuttOn mountain,
which rose up before me ike some mighty
wall built by the giants Of past ages, in
their efforts to reach the abode OF the
bOAAs 7 MS AulEnLN AhOuuANiu~ % AiAus 80
strait seemed 10 have been severed into
two parts, in order that man might more
easily visit this beautiful valley. We de-
seconded into the cave by forty stone steps,
aud Immediately all the wonders and
magnifcence of the subterranean world
burst upon us. l know not the effect on
more mature minds, but upon my youth
full Imagination rushed feelings that ii is
impossible for me to describe. The lights in
~
brought out everything in clear and strik-
ing lines. On my left, ! could see rep
resentauou of a market, where seemed
thousands and thousands of vegetables
and fish clearly defined by the hanging
stalactites. Further on, with bowed
heads we passed under mighty tOrma-
ton, supported by a single small pillar,
so nicely balanced, that it seemed as if
the slightest sound would cause 1t TO fall
and crush those beneath IT, Then sud
denly we were ushered into a room with
mighty columns Of bronze, thirty or forty
feet high, so regularly grOoYed or
futed rs if Just from the hands OF
the mOst skillul sculptor. The
broken and fallen columns of all sizes,
reminded one Of walking through the
ruins of some vast ancient temple of pre-
historic ages. The ceiling was one vast
array Of beautiful stalsctites, variegated
with every color Of the rainbow. The
guide would place his light behind some
thin formation, and we would be surprised
70 see a perfect representation of cur
tain, with every fold and every border
clearly defined. The capitalization on
the walls of this portion of the cavern Is
In beautiful waves and folds resembling
drapery. No language can convey or
pen describe the vastness, the grandeur,
the sublimity, ana exquisite beauty Of
these numberless apartments. The great
est depth we descended was 260 feet, the
greatest length was two miles. consuming
three hours to visit every portion. This
cryetallized formation requires 400 years
% form one cubic inch. One ''large fallen
column" is estimated, from the decay
that has taken place. to have fallen 1000
years ago. 1t Is vain to attempt an ac-
eurate description Of all the wonders we
saw. no. S.