The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-11

shining in the light, vast mosaic OF
brilliant and varying colors. Meantime
GOyERE0R LETCHER
appeared on the scene. The people and
the military were now in high eXpecta-
ton. II was evident he had something
OF importance on his mind Mounting a
box in front OF q warehouse near by, be
made a stirring speech 20 The soldiers,
filled with fervent appeals TO their sense
of duty AMI patriotism IN the midst Of
this harangue \ messenger arrived. bring
ing information that courier from City
Point had come with ,idiDgs that the
smoke IL The approaching war steamer
had been seen from that place as she was
entaring "seven mile reach, near Lower
Brandon. The excitement, if possible,
was greater than ever There was per
ce1tible ilutter among the crowd and p
more serious look along the ranks of the
military. These were composed OF the
Governors Guard cavalry, Captain J.
Graltan Cabell; the Fayetie Artillery.
Captain IL. c. Ca6ell; Howiize- CORPS, un-
der Major George W Randolph; Young
Guard, under Captain Richardson.
A MANCHESTER COMPANY
was also on the south side of the river,
and body OF militia were assembling in
the neigbborhood The writer who, OF
course. shared with others the excitement
Of the hour, during the Governors
speech was seated on a timber chest,
listening and observing wha, was
going on. when Of sudden
the whole scene became to
him supremacy ridiculous by the intru-
sion OF single thought. Suppose the
dreaded Pawnee should suddenly ap-
pear from behind yonder poli and send
but a single shell whizzing and scream
ing aud bursting into this vast assem-
bage of excited people How changed
would Ice the panic OF this hour TO that
Of the next moment What frantic re-
treat, amid screams and cries would seize
upon the female mob ON the hills, and
what serious realities would suddenly
engage the attention of even the manly
array below What DOY would become
Of the old muskeis and the men VINO
Eeld them the knives and the dirks
with which they had hoped TO dem0lish
the dreaded "Pawhee w NOtwiihstand
ing the serious turn things lad taken,
The writer could not suppress chuckie
of humOi IN view OF the iarcical effect Of
such an Interference amongst that motley
and quixotic host While thus engaged
the Grafton came TO an end. The rece nj
news from CITY Point caused cOnsulia.
ton Of the civil and military officers 20
be held, and ii was decided that to-.
troops should march at once 20 such a
position on James river as would enable
them 20 prevent the passage OF the
Pawnee further up that stream.
THE COLUMN
was soon on the march The day vas
warm. and men and horses suffered from
the heat. The conviction had come a.
last that the war had actually begun, and
that this was IFS first campaign. Late
that afternoon the troops halted al VII
ton, about six miles below Richmond
The cavalry were dispatched lower down
the country to observe The movements Ot
the expected enemy and report accord
inglv. The loNilZer corps, wiihiis four
brass pieces. occupied the lawn IN front
of the Wilton mansion, commanding the
river from Il high bluff, while the guns OF
lhe Fayutc artillery on the leil per
formed Tie Ike duty. The infantry were
held as supports, or were pickeied along
the river bank 90 serve as sharp shooters
against those Of the enemy. These dis
positions having b en- made, ralions were
served and the men allowed TO rest from
the faiigucs of the day. Confidence in
their ability to arrest the hostile steamers
progress revived the hope that she would
come before nightfall This, however,
she failed 10 do, and as the sun was get
ting low preparations were made for ap-
preaching night. This was the first
biyOuac Of any Virginia troops since tie
John Brown war. Fortunately for the
men Of the lIoNilz-r corps, most of them
had brought either 0yercOats or blankets.
They had no tents, bar lay upon the
ground in grCops under the clear shy,
tired, chilly and Te;tless The writer
well recalls the Intellectual effects 20 keep
warm, and how gladly be welcomed the
dawn Of day and The rising sun. The
experiences Of the night rendered TO
sharpen the appetite, but the ratlOns had
all been consumed la this emergency
the kitchen OF the Wilton establishment
soon became the centre OF attraction. 1t
was pre- sided over by a stout specimen OF
the race-a very duchess Of the dish
rag-black % The ace OF spades when
they are trun.ps, and on the present oc-
casion busy as money and means could
make Der. Never before bad the writer
so much appreciated the merits Of fried
fat bacon, corn bread and scrambled
eggs.
No CAUSE or ALARM.
Rumors and false reports during the
night had exhausted the patience OF all,
when thought suddenly occurred TO
Major Randolph which put an end to all
expectations OF night lie had been an
officer in the United States Navy, knew
the size and armament Of their vessels,
and could, therefore, come TO correct
opinion in the present crisis. As soon
as he was informed Of the average depth
of the water in James river at this and
other points below he came 10 the con-
clusion tina; no war ship of the rate of
the PawDoc could possibly reach Rich
moni at any tide. This opinion settled
the question as to having any trouble
l n tla zoop.r rnrgluai1n mot nm