Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-05-28
A Drive to the Maryland Battle Fields,
Written for the ALEXANDRIA GAzETTE.l

& Drive to the Maryland Battle Fields,
Written for the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
Having received pressing Invitation from
some friends in Hsgerstown to make them
a visit and take drive 10 the battle fields
of South Mountain and Sbarpsburg, was
powerless to resist the temptation. Accord
ingiy the eqeniug of the 11th of May found
me seated in comfortable Car on the Me-
tropoli,an branch and swiftly speeding to
nv destination. The many beautiful sub
urban residences that we passed caused me
to picture in my mind the not far distant
time when, with the Mt. Vernon Avenue
completed, our dear old town would be con-
nected with Washington by rows of villas
equally as handsome. Owing to delay Of
half an hour to the Winchester train did
rot reach Hagerslown until 8 p. m., where
a warm welcome awaited me. l found this
handsome city OF ten thousand Inhabitants
beautifully illuminated by electric light,
appearing as if wrapped in the silvery rays
of fnll moon After hearty breakfast
next morning, accompanied by the daugh.
ter and granddaughter OF sny host, we en
tered handsome vehicle drawn by pair
of stylish mares, and started for B0onsboro
Gap and South Mountain. The day was
all that could be desired and ss we rolled
smoothly over the magnificent turnpike
leading to Boousboro, could not help think
ing with feeling of disgust of the wretched
roads in my own section Of Virginia The
roads ip this most beautiful portion Of Mary
land cannot be- surpassed by those in any
locality, the superabundeuce of limestone
furnishing material unequaled by any
other for making first class roads. On every
side appeared the evidence ct good ard sue
cessful farming. Large, substantial barns,
good fences Of limestone Or locust and chest.
nut post eud rail, met the eye continually.
Fields of magnificent wheat and clover ap
peared in endless succession, and In drive
of 80 miles | did not see si0gle field of To-
different wheat. In fact the growth of
wheat was too great, as a great deal OF It
was already tumbling, and should the pres.
ent favorable weather continue, the yield
may be considerably curtaiied by most OF 1t
lodging. After q most delightful drive Of 10
miles we reached Boonaboro and soon com.
menced the ascent TO the gap, which
found somewhat changed from what it was
in the fall of 1862 Mrs. Dalgreen, the wid.
ow Of Admiral Dalgreen, having purchased
the old tavern on the summit, has changed
it into a handsome dwelling. She has also
erected q beautiful chapel to the memory of
her son, who was killed in making raid
near Richmond. The hospitable mstron in
charge of the property brought us pitcher
of deliciously cool water and a large goblet
compensation therefor l had no difficulty
in identifying the spot where nearly twenty
seven wears before was presented with
fn ho chonQ of pnirIa hall
which was carefully kept in the spot where
placed by the donor for more than twenty
six years. After resting and feeding our hor-
ses and partaking of substantial dinner at
the Boonsboro hotel, we we're again rolling
over another splendid road to Sharpsburg.
Fine farms and crops still continued to meet
our gaze as we advanced, varied occasional
ly BY groves of gigantic oak and walnut.
Soon the Sherpsburg monument appeared
in clear relief against the sky and passing
over Burnside's bridge we commenced the
long ascent to the cemetery. This was the
bridge for the possession of which Burnside
40 stubbornly fought on the evening of Sept.
II, 1862. After sustaining very heavy loss
he succeeded in forcing its passage, but A.
P. Hill coming up with g, 500 fresh troops.
he was in turn driven back over Ii to the
other side of the Autetam. Having reached
the cemetery we found it to be charmingly
located and beautifully kept. The figure
surmounting the monument is that of an
infantryman of colossal proportions, cut out
of grew granite. he is dressed In an over.
coat and leans upon his musket standing at
rest. The inscription on the monument,
ssNot for themselves but for their Country"
struck me as beautiful, but somehow could
not diyest myself of the feeling, that in con.
eiderstion of the high price to which boun
ties had attained, at that time, 1t might not
be entirely appropriate. Re-entering our
vehicle we drove through the village of
Sharpsburg, and struck the pike leading
hack to Hsgerstown. We passed the Qusk
ar church, where Gen. Lees line made an
angle back to the river, and which McClel.
Ian fought 30 hard to take in his endeavor
to turn the left flank Of the Confederates.
On the way back to Haeerstown we passed
a continuous succession of fine farms cover
ed by luxurious crops and arrived
at 6 D. m. after one of the most delight.
fnl drives it was ever my fortune
TO enjoy. How different my feelings
in passing over portion of the route from
those experienced the time before. Then I
had bullet in my body now had it 10 my
nooket. But one single circumstance occur
red during the day to detract from my per-
feet enjoyment. This was the fact of dis.
covering, when too late, that had remained
in Boonsboro' for an hour and a-half within
a couple of hundred yards of my old sur
oeon. DR.. John Gaines, who nearly 81 years
before had probed for the bullet had now
In , nv pocket. 1t would have given me 30
much pleasure to have met my old com.
rade and introduced him to the lady who by
simple poultice had rid me of my old keep:
sske. The following day being Sunday l
attended services with my host in his church,
the the Reformed Lutheran, and heard very
able sernon from the Rev. Mr.. Owen. This
- tLo 6 rat time had ever Witnessed the