Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-04
DOWN TO FREDERICKSBURG
The National Geographic sooiety's Annual
Field Day.
The Members of the Society Three
Day In the Historic Old Town.

Rain or shine the excursion will be
made" said the printed announcement of
the National Geographic Societys field day
at Fredericksburg, and at o'clock sharp
this morning their train pulled out of the
Baltimore and Potomac station with about
800 people in the five cars. Last evening,
at the Rifles Armory, there was a crowd
ed meeting to listen to descriptions of the
region OF Fredericksburg. Mr.. N. H. OAR
ton spoke Of the geography and geology of
the region. Maj. Gilbert Thompson de-
scribed the survey and mapping of the
ground where the battle was fought, and
how the permanent and pontoon bridges
were constructed across the river.
The Battle Described.
Gen. Gibbon and Maj. Jed Hotchkiss each
described the battle of Fredericksburg, the
former from the standpoint of the Union
side, the latter from the confederate SHE.
Their accounts were intensely interesting,
and both were cheered long and loud.
The excursion today is a basket picnic in
Buckner's Grove on Hazel run, half
mile from the town of Fredericksburg. The
train will stop within a few rods of the
airy program will be enjoyed there in the
grove. If the weather forbids, the party
will go on into the town and hold its picnic
and exercises in the opera house.
marks. by President Hubbard; address of
welcome on the part CT the city, by A. p.
Rowe, mayor of Fredericksburg; address
on the part of the state Of Virginia, by
Major Jed Hotchkiss of Staunton; Freder-
icksburg Past and Present, by Rev. R. r.
Howison of Braehead. near Fredericks-
burg; Geographic History of the Kappa
hammock Valley, by w. J. MCGEE of Wash
inSton; Local Points and Events, by w.
Seymour White.
Jnunts About Fre,lericksburu
About 1 o'clock parties will be formed,
under the direction of conductors, to visit
Lees fort. from which magnificent view
of the Rappahannock valley may be ell
joyed; the National cemetery, the Marye
mansion and Sunk road" points of note
in the history of the war: the Mary Wash
inston monument, the Mary Washington
house in the city OF Fredericksburg, the
historic village of Falmouth, points of spe-
and Fredericksburg. Through the Kindness
of the Mary Washington Monument Asso-
citation, special facilities will be afforded
for the inspection of the Mary Washington
house, and, through the courtesy Of Major
Rowe and Mr.. A. P. Rowe, the grounds
about the Marye mansion will be thrown
open to the party.
The program of the excursion contains
an excellent typographical map of Fred
ericksburg and vicinity and the Fredericks-
burg sheet of the geological SURVEYS topo-
graphical map of Virginia was distributed
to each member of the party. A large pro-
portion OF the party consisted OF ladies'
who were amply provided with lunch
baskets, wraps and umbrellas
Among those who went were Mr.. Car
diner u. Hubbard, DR.. Rankin, Prof Ger
don. Prof. Simon Newcomb, Gen. REYNOLDS
Prof: Gannett, Rev. Mackay-Smith, Gen.
Greedy, Prof. Wiley, Mr.. Farauhar, Prof
MCGEE, ex-Assistant Secretary Willetts
Prof harrington, Major ]. w. Powell
John Joy Edison, AIRS and Miss Waite Col
H. F.: Blount, Col. Weston Flint, Mr.. c.
j. Bell, Prof. Marcus Baker, Capt ]. Crit
tenden Watson, DR.. David 7. Day, Mr.
Gr9soy >. MOVES, Major Jed Hotchkiss, Gen.
John Gibbon, Prof. w. b. Powell. Prof r
Hart Merriam. Mr.. N. II. barton, Major
Gilbert Thompson.