Milford chronicle., 1885-01-30
The Rambler at Fortress HonrOe.

OLD POINT COAIFORT, Dec 22nd.
After a few days soiOuTn in the Cap
itol where affairs Of state are in statue
qu0, through the courtesy Of an old
friend we find ourselves at historic Old
Point Comfort, or Fortress Monroe; a
crude sketch of which may be of inter-
est to the readers of the CHRONICLE.
The land upon which the fortress
stands was ceded to the United States
by the legislature of Virginia in 1910,
and in 1917 the ground plan was traced
and the work of erection commenced
under the direction of General Ber-
uard. The fortress covers about eighty
acres. It has six sides, two command
ing the water front, at the confluence
of Chesapeake Bay and the James
River, while the other four look out
uuOn the land. The walls are of gran
ite and thirty-fve feet high. Around
I the entire structure is Il mOat faced
with granite, the water in which rises
/ to the heighth of eight feet On the
| land side the ramparts arc solid, while
on the water side the armament con-
/ siss of two tiers of guns. Its cost, up
| to the breaking out of the war, was
about 81 100000. The above facts were
obtained through the kindness Of the
commander of The post, General q. w.
Getty.
We cross the bridge which spans
/ the mOat and enter the open gates
pass the sentinel on his mOnOtOnOus
| beat (by the way, wearing the same
uniform as the gallant Torbert Guards
and fad ourselves behind its frown-
ing walls. The interior is well laid
I out with broad and partially shaded
( walks. Numerous live-Oaks are planted
about the parade ground, and the super
/ stition prevails among the inhabitants
| of Old Point Comfort, that the northern
rampant of Fortress Monroe makes the
limit north of which the live-Oak has
never grown, never may, can or shall
grow in the future. These trees af-
ford luXuriant Shade, under which the
visitor in summer may pass his time
listening to the sweet strains of the
fine military band stationed here.
From the ramparts we have a fine
view of Hampton Roads, the water side
and Of the surrounding level, but pic
turesque country, with its farms and
villages, dotted here and there on the
land side. The country almost too
forcibly reminds one of Sussex; but
we are told it IS the most fertile land
in the State. Leaving the promenade
on the ramparts, We visit the museum
filed with curiosities and relies OF
warfare. From the time of our en-
trance to the time of leaving, we dis.
covered new points Of interest. Here
JEFF Davis was imprisoned and almost
opposite the fortress occurred the terri
bic battle between the Monitor and the
Merrimac, and we could not but fee
that we were on ground made sacred
by the scenes Ofwar.
We met but few officers or soldiers
and occasionally a detail squad. But
, we must remember that this is not only
fortified garrison, but also school
Here officers from West Point take &
postgraduate course in artillery study
and practice. There is guard
= in the morning, dress parade. in the
evening, and target-practice aud coast
firing every day. Regular services
are held each Sunday by Chaplain
Herrick.
= Perhaps the largest hotel on the con
/ tinent, the Hygia, is located at Ole
Point, and We may safely say that it,
waterfront would reach from IlOl
lands corner to North Front street
1t is a favorite spring resort, and fire.
quently 800 or more guests are enter
, tanned here at time.
In our next we will try to give 1
brief description Ofthe Soldiers Home
e only two miles distant from Fortress
e Monroe, n spot in which every Amer
lean citizen should be Interested.
THE RAarRT.rR