The National tribune., 1888-05-10
TIE "B0Y SPY. :"
His Visit to Virginia, and What lie
Saw There.
R1cHn1nNn. Va Nav . 1888.

RICHMOND, Va, May 2, 1888.
The "Boy Spy avals himself of the priv
ilege of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNEs columns to
reply in general to the numerous and pleasant
letters of inquiry, of confederation, sympathy
and curiosity that have been handed to him by
the Editor, l may, say in regard to myself, that
my bangs are only slightly silvered, the bald
spot on top of my head is appropriately tinted
in pink, the dimples are elongated, my step
is light, and in feeling | am an old boy" yet
and did not marry Geno, of whom more anon.
Nearly all my life have been engaged in this
same occupation of scouting; at present,
and almost continuously since the war, being
employed as a news gatherer in Washington,
nosing around among rebels for information.
With view of asCertaning something tangi-
bic in regard to the
POLITICAL OUTLOOK IN THE SOUTH
in its bearings on the tariff in the coming cam
paign, | made another trip through Virginia,
reyisiting, in a business way, former scenes so
familiar to the Boy Spy" and talking with
ex-Coniederates about the past, the present and
the future 1t is Of the impressions of this trip
that l desire to talk with the kind readers of
the Boy Spy"
This letter is dated from the identical room in
the hotel l occupied in Richmond during the
Fall and Winter of 1861-'62 1t viii be re-
membeTed that it was here l lay sick for weeks,
fed and cared for by the colored servant and
during my cOnyalescenceI met in this old hotel,
then the Powhatan now remodeed into Ford's),
the . Colonel and Elkton, with whom / sub
sequeHtly became associated in the Sd Nd.
battery.
l came to Richmond this trip via the James
River and Peninsular route, If | may be per-
mltted to offer a suggestion to old soldiers and
their families who may visit Washington, it is
IN 10 ft,,. In 81,
Potomac River to Fort Monroe, thence up the
James River TO Richmond and return to Wash
ngton by rail, being particular TO stop at
Fredericksburg, which TO my mind is the most
interesting point for visitor in all Virginia,
because at one time or another every soldier Of
both armies was there, and viii recognize the
old landmarks rs ! did.
That the boys who may contemplate visiting
their old fields during the coming quarterly
centennial at Gettysburg may see how it can
be done, l viii 20 over the route hastily, CIV
ing the time, expenses and note briefly what is
to be seen on this tour Of the last grand rounds.
After doing Washington you will all be tired
out and want a rest. Instead, however, Of go
ing to an expensive hotel to take a dinner
among the
FASHIONABLE PEOPLE,
get on a strect-car reaching the Sixth street
wharf at 4 p. M, and board one of the elegant
and Old Point The fare is but $50; a state
room suitable for two persons, or even four in q
pinch IS to be secured for an additional dollar,
which altogether about equals the sum the
hotel in Washington viii charge for a back
room Oh the top floor
On the boat one has view that, might say,
without eXaggeration, is the most interesting
historical panorama Of real life to be seen in
America. The Washington Monument must
be viewed from the water level to be fully APP
pTeciated. From the deck of the smooth sail
ing boats you viii be surprised to find that the
dome Of the Capitol IS almost dWarfcd by the
tall shaft. a grand view is had of Arlington,
the setting sun disclosing above the tree-tOps
the pretty red and white bars Of the flag The
island, or park, that has been literally raised
up from the bottom Of the river, viii astOnish
the Old fellows, who will be sure to remember
there used to be nasty marsh where now all
IS becoming a beautiful park covered with will
IOwy foliage. On the leftis the Arsenal grounds,
with soldiers, and big caunous parked about
threateningly. Inside the officers barracks
the court sat which tried and convicted the
Lincoln Consprators. Here they were all hung,
and beneath those stone slabs were buried not
only their bodies, but also that of J. Wilkes
Booth. until resHrrected.
At Alexandria a stop is made perhaps long
enough to permit an eager visitor to rush
through the lazy old towns streets to the spot
where
COL. ELLSWORTH VAS KILLED.
On the hills in the background of this piano.
ramic view are to be seen the remains OF the
old Washington forts, that nearly every old
soldier who was in this section will recog-
nize. After an hours ride in the beautiful tTi-
light, the tOiliug bell signals TO all on board
that We are gliding by Mt. Vernon All of us
VIII stay on deck until we have passed Acauia
Greek. which VIII be recalled as the landing
place TO and from fredericksburg From this
point and the ueighborng Belle Plains were
brought all the wounded from Fredericksburg
Chancellorsyiilc, Sp0ttsylyania and the Wilder
ness.
little further down we reach Matthias
Point, and instead Of the rebel battery that used
TO be there and annoyed oar boats so terribly
we find the first lighthouse flashing out caution
aud lnsuriu2 protection to the naVigatOTs
Here the river wideus until the shores arc al.
most lost to sight IN the coming darkness, and
except Tor the frequent Campirs Of the shad-
/ fishing stations along the banks, a stranger
can scarcely tell where the water leaves of
and the log land begins.
| On one Of my trips down the river happen.
! ed to be in the company OF q celebrated e3.
/ Congressman, Hon Mr. Belford, the genial and
Compani0nabe red headed rooster Of the Rocky
/ Mountains, as he was familiarity termed in the
! House. Mr. Bedford was raised in the West
/ ana ndu never before VISITED the SeaSHOTe. lie
! was so much impressed with the - waste q
/ water" laid out before him that he kept the
/ crowd aboard the boat in hilarious mood by
/ his quaint speeches. In reply to suggestion
| that it was time to retire, the Congressman
! blurted out:
No, am not going to bed tonight Why
/ my heavens just look ont there at the water
/ Great scott; why it's on all sides Of us, too
/ You must remember that l came from Colorado
/ where they
HAUL WATER AROUND IN BARRELS
and sell it. No PA going to stay right her
| and see it all while | have Il chance"
At his suggestion all hands went beloy
! TO sample the water" in the bar, arte
| which the Western Congressman lighted hi
/ cigar, went out on the "baciI porch, as h
called the afterguards, put his feet on th
fence" and sat there hour after hour
The proper thing for the first visitor to do j
to rise early, that Inc may see the sun comin
up out Of the water" as the boat is now al
most out Of sight OF land.
The steamer lands you at Old Point for break
fast at the Hygeia Hotel, which is expensive
but as fine as can be had on the continent: afte
which an hour may be spent on the rampant
Of old Fortress Monroe, watching the Regular
20 through guard mounting, etc.
Fortress Monroe covers so acres of ground
The walls are of granite, 81 feet high, SUI