The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-07-15


cannot help feeling sad while taking in
the mournful surroundings.
This cemetery is separated from the
Soldiers Home by narrow inlet from
the Hampton creek. 1t contains about
twelve acres of levella Near the centre
of the ground is an imposing monument
of solid granite, sixty-five feet in height,
erected through the efforts of Miss Dix,
of New York, the fence around which is
composed of musket-barrels with bayo-
nets fixed, the posts are of riaed cannon.
No mounds are seen; all is green aud as
level as carpet. lit were not for the
long, straight rows of low headstones,
one would not think it a grave yard for
nearly six thousand soldiers. At the
southeastern side are many graves of the
Confederates. The interments from the
Soldiers Home are said to average five per
month. Religious services are still held
every Sabbath in Bethesda Chapel, which
was erected during the war by the Pres
byterian Missionary Society. We now
visit
HAMPTON.
This town was settled by the English as
early as 1910. 1t contains about four
thousand inhabitants. The last election
gave it over to the entire control Of color
ed officials. Twice this town has been
subjected to pillage, and total destruc-
ton by fire during the late war. One of
the great attractions of the village, which
all good pilgrims are enjoined to visit, is
old st. Johns Church, the walls of which
are brick, imported from England. 1t is
said, this is one of the Oldest churches on
our continent. The church has been
thoroughly repaired aud much of it re-
constructed. We were welcomed therein
by the Sexton and its pastor, and by re-
quest registered our names.
Our next visit was via steamer Luray, to
NORFOLK,
Which is the second largest cotton port
in the United States. The city is pic
turesque and contains many fine public
buildings, &c. One of the principal places
of interest to visitors is the Old st. Paul
Church. This is the only building left
standing from the fire of 1776. On the
south corner can be seen imbedded in the
bricks cannon ball which was fired from
one of the British ships in 1776. There
is much interesting history connected with
this town. We now take the ferry boa
for Portsmouth, which lies on the left
bank of the Elizabeth river, directly OPP
posite Norfolk. One noticeable feature
while on this boat, is, line of distinc-
tion is marked off for the white and color
ed people. The white are supposed to
take one side of the boat and the negroes
under penalty of fine and imprisonment,
are required to take their special side.
The greatest place of attraction to visitors
is the U. s. Navy Yard, which by the as
sistance of a guide, were quite thoroughly
inspected. Here in one of their spacious
rooms the Grand Duke Alexis was enter.
tanned at ball during his visit to this
country. It would require many pages
to describe this immense structure, which
is said to be the largest in the United
States. We were invited to visit the u
8. Receiving Ship FRANKLIN" midway
and near the mouth of Elizabeth river, or
whichsthe marines and sailors are retained
awaiting drafts for vessels in active ser.
vice. This ship has experienced much
hard service. Our attention was called
to the handsomely furnished state room
in which old "Boss" Tweed was quarter
ed during his return home after his cap.
ture. The entire length of this steam
ship is 275 feet, 30 feet draught and 2, 0OC
horse power She contains battery OF
about forty xi-inch smooth-bore guns,
four 100-pound rifles, 80 officers, and a
crew Of $50 men. The officers were very
courteous and polite. Near here is the
U. s. Naval Hospital, an immense, i'm
posing structure, the surroundings OF
which are beautiful.
While at Portsmouth, we had the plea
sure of calling on the Nicely boys, former
ly of Bucks county, who are engaged in
the most extensive lumber trade in that
section. By them we were made most
welcome and received kind invitation
to dinner, which we were obliged to de-
cline for want of time. On our way back
to "Hygeia," we pass over the noted
waters in Hampton Roads. Here is where
the 'Cheese. box mounted on raft" the
little monitor" did important work dur
ing the terrible conflict with the old
"Merrimack," the particulars of which
are well-known to most readers.
We return in time for o'clock din
ner, which was a bountful one for our
hungry party at that time of day. We
now rest for the morrow. Among the
noted guests of the "Hygeia," was the
son Of one of our greatest Presidents,
Robert T. Lincoln, ex-Secretary of War,
and family, to whom Through the Kind
ness of Messrs. Vance and Babcock, mem.
bers of the Editorial Executive Commit
tee), we were formally introduced. Our
evenings were pleasantly spent. In the
Banquet room, which was deliberately fur
nished, were good entertainments, vocal
and instrumental music, Rotations, sc.
The ball room, which was a spacious
one, with excellent music furnished every
evening by our host, afforded all that
could be desired by those who enjoy the
trip Of the fantastic toe. The younger
portion of the Association, as we'll as the
Southern bellies and young officers Of the
U. s. Army, were fully on the alert for
the Editorial Hop" Doubtless our
young folks, too, felt quite honored in
dancing with such distinguished guests,
the Misses Lincoln.
ON TO RICHMOND.
Thursday morning, at 1880, our little