The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-09-19
A Visit to Fortress Monroe.

\ visitor at Old Point Comfort is first
struck with the grandeur of the magni-
iiccnt lIygeia hotel, kept and owned by
Mr.. Harrison Phocbus, and the comforts
secured at 1t are unsurpassed by any
hotel at other fashionable summer re-
sorts in this country. In March and
April, we are told, frequently a thousand
guests are comfortably quartered at the
Hygea. This hotel is beautifully loca-
ted, with a water front reaching right up
to its very doors, where the waves of
Chesapeake bay and Hampton Roads
meet aud kiss.
In the rear of the hotel and adjoining,
you may say, is Fortress Monroe, one of
the largest structures Of the kind ill this
country. There are many things here
to attract the attention ard interest the
pleasure seeker. Visitors are allowed to
g. within the walls, examine trophies of
the Revolutionary war, witness the sol
dicrs' drill, hear the military band, see
the cell in which Jefferson Davis was
confined after the fall of the COnfederacy,
etc. The fort commands the passage up
the bay and the entrance to Hampton
Roads, and, until the construction of
iron-clads, was considered impregnablc.
In the first place, Old Point, on which it
is situated, is nearly surrounded by
water; in the second place, if an enemy
should carry the outer walls of the struc-
ture, it would then have to encounter a
canal tit may be called), ten feet deep
and forty OF more wide. This canal en-
circles the entire inner walls of the fort,
and the waters of the Chesapeake ebb
and flow through it, encased in solid
masonry. Bridges are constructed over
the canal for the use Of the garrison; but,
when necessary, they can be rendered
useless in five minutes.
OFF in the distance, about one mile
from shore, sullen and silent stands, the
Rip RapS (now deserted fort), ready
at one time to dispute the passage of an
enemy's boats into Hampton Roads.
Southwest of the Rip Raps stands Sew
ellis Point, which was occupied during
the war by Confederate soldiers, and
which was successfully shelled by the
batteries at the Rip Raps. Sewell's
Point is at OF near the mouth of Eliza
beth river, upon which Norfolk and
Portsmouth are located.
1t is twelve miles by water from Fort
ress Monroe to Norfolk. In going be-
tween these two points You get glimpse
in the distance of the James river, New
port News and the famous battle ground
of the sMerrimac" and Monitor"
On the Sth of March, 1862, the first
named boat steamed out of Elizabeth
river into Hampton Roads, and then into
the James river and played havoc with
the United States war ships off Newport
News-sinking' the Cumberland, dis
abling the Congress and damaging the
minnesota" After doing as much mis-
chief as possible on that day, the "Mer-
rimac'' ran up the Norfolk channel for
the night, but returned bright and early
next morning and commenced operations
again. During the night the United
States war vessel "Monitor" had gone to
the assistance of the injured fleet, and
when the Rebel iron clad resumed opera
tions, the monitor" came out from her
hiding place and made for her. The two
soon became engaged, and the "Merri-
mac" early found that she had more
formidable foe to contend with than the
day before. The contest was hot and
fierce, but the "Merrimac'' finally steam
ed away.
The engagement of these two iron
clads revolutionized naval warfare in this
country, and convinced the government
that wooden ships could not stand against
iron clads. The ''Merrimac' was after
wards blown up by her own men in the
Elizabeth river, above Craney Island,
aud a buoy now marks the place of her
destruction.
~ NlSlGOl W olu OllU uOU ldll
to investigate Hampton, three miles dis
tant; the Indian school, and the Soldiers
Home. The school has an extensive farm
attached to it, and the Indians are taught
to work as well as read, write and cipher.
The Soldiers Home contains about fif-
teen hundred disabled warriors, and not
a sound man can be found in their midst.
Hampton was laid in ashes during the
war, but has arisen again.
The trip was made over the New York,
Philadelphia Il Norfolk railroad, a new
line which has but recently been COM
pleted. 1t connects with the 2. w. & 3.
road at Delmar, Del, runs through Wi
comico, Somerset and Worcester coun-
ties, Maryland, and Northampton and
Accomac counties, Virginia. distance of
% miles. 1t has christened its turmnus
Cape Charles City, where the beautiful
sea-green waters of the Chesapeake greet
one with merry laugh. Here you take
the magnificent steamer Cape Charles"
which is not only a passenger boat, but
has a capacity for transferring train of
cars over to Norfolk. boarding this
steamer, you are borne over the Chesa-
peake bay with rapid flight for % miles,
and then halted at the very doors of the
celebrated Hygeia hotel, Old Point, Va.
A visitor is readily met with owners of
small craft, vho for paltry sum will
take you sailing, fishing, Grabbing and
''show you the sights in general.
At the Rip Raps lives alone member
of the Irish nation, who never goes over
to the mainland more than once or twice
a year, and seems perfectly unconcerned
as to the news of the outside world.
Il. L. +.
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