The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-04-21

almost inexhaustabie agricultural
wealth with the castle-like resi-
dences rising as crowns of beauty
along the highlands and command
ing enchanting views of the spark
ling surface sweep and spread OF
great river, and familiar, particularly,
with the surprising attractions, so
pleasing to the eye and stimulating
to the fancy, about the family seat OF
| the Seddons-thoSe who have looked
upon this pretty prospect under the
glories of the southern sun, will not
share the amazement of the stranger
when he hears that a Prince has
wandered so far beyond the reach OF
the sceptre and the dominion of the
sovereign to live as plain citizen,
amenable to the mandates of pop
ular form of government. Leaving
to others such deductions as may be
drawn from this possible suggestion
of governmental preferences or preiu
dices, it snf1ices US to believe that while
in such a locality the destiny of the
man was determined by the plenti-
tude of his surroundings. "Sabot
Island'' is a part of Goochland coun-
ty, Virginia, twenty miles above
Richmond, on the North side Of
James river, and in fertile belt of
delightful country, possessed for gen
erations by planters of wealth and
culture-among whom was the Hon.
James A. Seldom. In the fast drift
of events that marked that turbulent
period, Mr.. Seldom succeeded Gen.
George w. Randolph as Secretary of
War in the Jefferson Davis Cabinet.
In the winter Of 1864 the capacious
and costly barns and stables on this
noted farm, with the valuable flour.
ing mills near, were all burned in
the reckless raid of the Federal Gen
eral Dahlgreen. Plotted by negro
man, General Dahlgreen, with dash
and daring, hurried his jaded troop.
ers oyer roads running often in close
| proximity of the winter quarters Of
Confederate forces, to a point in the
vicinity of Mr.. SeddOn'S, on the river,
assured by his deluded pilot that the
calvary could ford the river below
the dam. Crossing this perpleXing
barrier, the design was 70 strike and
tear up a part of the South-side rail-
road. which was the chief medium
of supply to Richmond and to Lee,
and move around Petersburg on the
route back to the Federal lines,
When the anxious General discov-
cred that the depth and breadth of
the river precIuded every hope Of
fording, he turned in desperation TO
the unfortunate pilot as traitor, had
him hung, and left his body swing
ing from a tree limb over the public
road from SabOt Island to Rich
mond. The foiied purpose, with its
consequent delay and counter march
ing, proved fatal, Not many hours
after the little tragedy under the
tree, the Inflated commander, already
manned by the loss of leg in earlier
battles, met his death and his follow
ers were scattered and most of them
captured. It's the writer's impression
that to this day the grave of Gen.
Dahlgreen is unmarked and I'M
known. When the heart of the Con-
federacy was stilleI by the fiat at
AppOmattox, and once more Grim
visaged war smOOthed his Wrinkled
'front.'" Mr.. Seldom, after a short inn
prisonment, returned to his delight
full home, where, to hosts of friends
and many distinguished guests, he
dispensed a hospitality for which an
enriched mind, with cOpiOus social
amenities, thoroughly equipped him,
and the like of which the mutations
of time have left but memories
among that people. Since his faith
er's death, the youngest son of Mr..
Seldom has up to the date of this sale
to the noble Russian, resided at the
ancestral home and farmed its ample
lands.
April II, 1888. RELLIM.