Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-14
GENERAL SORROW.
LEAVING THE CHECK"
A Dispatch Mans TwO-Days' Drive
Through snOw-Drifts.

Correspondence OF the Dispatch)
FREDERICKSBURG. VA, February
12-Your correspondent recently making
a tour of 1.-The Northern Neck Of Vir-
ginia," had quite an experience in re-
treating from that neighborhood. The
retreat commenced at WaEsaw, In Rich
mond county. and ending at Fredericks-
burg. The Potomac and Rappahannock
rivers were either frozen over or rem
dered impossible by floating lee, and to
get out OF the Neck could only be ac-
complished by the overland trip--through
the snow drifts to Fredericksburg. a dis
lance Of sixty-five miles.
In the beginning, be IL known that
this wish to get out OF the Meek was
from no lack of hospitality on the part
OF the good people of that isolated but
separate and distinct territory with not
mile OF railroad communication with the
outside world. The desire to get out Of
1.-THE Neck" was prompted solely by the
wish 10 re-establish mall communications
with the Richmond Dispatch.
CUT OFF
This region, now covered with a deep
snow. has been absolutely cut off from
the world for week. and can only be
entered by way of Fredericksburg-over
land by horseback or wagon through
long stretches OF snow-drifts-in many
places six or eight feet deep. This IL
notably the case where the road winds
its way through long clearings with no
fences or hedges on it's side to catch
or bank the snow. The roadway through
the woods is not so bad. as the bushes
prevented drifts. In making the trip
from Warsaw. Richmond county, TO
fredericksburg. l was told that 1t could
10 .,.tto hnI
out Of ''the Neck over this route since
the first snowfall Indeed. the ride was
found to be as hazardous as represented.
as had to make the first break through
the snow.
Notwithstanding that. / had two mag
nifSent draft horses. the driver and
owner of the team. Mr.. NJ. H. Sanders.
and the writer had frequently to dis
mount and make our way through snow
drifts five and six feet deep. Through
these the horses could only make their
way eight or ten feet at a time, when
they would have to stop and be urged
another ten feet
DROP IN THE SNOW.
These faithful animals. weakened by
the cold and great fatigue. would often
drop in the snow from exhaustion. Many
times Mr.. Sanders. who had seen service
urge his horses through the drifts by
getting out of the vehicle. laying side
ways on the snow heaps, with his reins
In his hand. aud as the horses would
painfully make their way through the
drifts he would slide In the position on
the snow for several hundred yards until
the drift was passed.
COLONEL WASHINGTON.
The first days journey was from War
saw to townsville. a distance OF thirty
miles, through westmoreIand and Rich
mond counties. into King George. The
track was unbroken the whole distance
only one person was met on the road,
and that was Colonel Washington, the
commemorative Attorney of Westmors-
iand county. who. by the way, Is the
nearest living relative of General WASH
ington. He seemed to be making his
way to the courthouse. The next days
ride. last Sunday. into Fredericksburg
was also 'path-finding' venture through
worse drifts than those already passed.
Only two or three persons were seen ON
the road, and they near the town.
LONELY DRIVE.
Nothing can be more lonely than was
this drive. The weather was so bitter
cold that the ordinary curiosity shown
by country people in coming out OF their
houses 10 look at "passers-by" was not
INDUCED in. Not a dog barked nor a
crow cowed. With the trees Bonded
down with thsir white weight, the wind
moaning and signing through the sombre
pine thickets. and the horses stumbling
and falling in the snow. one could almost
fancy himself in the Russian steppes. and
hear the wolves long howl on the dis