The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-18

blood Of the nation literally spilled in
its defense and perpetuation. II is
sacred soil and must forever remain
such, not only to the brave survivors
of that mighty struggle. but to every
student of American history. For sew
eral miles we ran parallel to the ro-
tomac, going through Woodbridge and
Quantico, then bent slightly TO the
west crossing the Rappahannock and
sltirting Fredericksburg. Farther on
we passed through Milford Boutwell,,
Hanover and made short detour
around the city of Richmond. the capt.
tai of the Confederate states, whose
lights were quite distinct.
CROSSED THE JAMES.
At half-past twelve we had crossed
the James river, so inseparably con-
nected not alone with the operations OF
the Federal and the Confederate armies
in 1s61-5. but also with the first strug-
giles of civilized man in the original
thirteen colonies. The boys were all
asleep as they were swept through
Drewry's. Centralia, chester. Walthall
and Petersburg, which place has so
many stirring memories for the veter-
reached at half-past three In the morn
ing, passed from Virginia into North
Carolina at o'clock, and reached the
city Of Weldon at els, and the city of
Raleigh. the state capital. at s, by
which time everybody was awake and
on the alert. Between Washington and
Raleigh the average speed of each Sec
tion was 81 2-l5 miles an hour. which
was good time, considering the cirCum-
stances. and the heavy, twelve-car
trains which had to be hauled.
From Weldon to Raleigh the country
is as beautiful as ii is uncultiVatCd. In
every direction as far as the eye can
reach not "A mountain or even a hill,
was visible. Small. impoverished look =
ing farm houses dotted the landscape
here and there, ana the only signs OF
industry were snowy fields Of cotton,
which grows in abundance, pastures.
gardens of cabbage and large tracts OF
corn. Occasionally the scene is varied
by Clumps of pine or Of oak trees. The
difference between this country and the
neighborhood of Camp Meade becomes
plain at glance.
The meals for the boys have SO far
been few and far between. Supper
was served or rather distributed. last
evening at s o'clock. and consisted Of
canned salmon. beans and hard bread.
We had breakfast at Raleigh at 8
o'clock. IT consisted of canned beef
sandwich. The second installment of
half a pint of coffee was received at
Sanford station shortly before 10
o'clock The boys ave not being over
fed. but nevertheless are in fine health.
They are doing splendidly. Last night
they made the hest of their surround
ings, huddled themselves together
wrapped in their blankets and slept un-
disturbed until the warm Southern sun
woke them.
GOOD BEHAVIOR OF MEN.
In a former message notice was TAX
on of the very good behavior of the
men. They are still keeping it up. and
in consequence everything runs
smoothly. Tho officers have no COM
plant. and not the least trouble is Civ
en-. Good will prevails throughout and
all orders are obcyed without a mur
mur
1t is a strange feeling which comes
over a person when he reflects that he
is in "A land where the color line is
tightly drawn. where one race lives SUI
pr"me and the other is simply tolerat-
ed. This is the case here, and it is
just now dawning upon the minds Of
the members of the Thirteenth what a
difference exists here between the black
man and his white neiEhbor Nearly
every railroad station has prominently
displayed the Sisnifcant signs. Wait
ing Room for White People" waiting
Room for COlOred People
Just after breakfast Tuesday morn
ing the boys saw something of which
they had merely read up to that time
The train wound its way slowly past
the North Carolina state penitentiary--
large, three-story brick building. sur
| rounded on all sides by a high wall. or
| the top of the wall are constructed
! sentry boxes and plank walk protect.
| ed by a railing. At regular intervals
| are posted sentinels. who pace M and
| down over this elevated plank walk
| carrying well-loaded rifles and ready
| for business at any moment in case o'
| trouble. Another curiosity was an ole
| engine. which used wood instead o
| coal. 1t attracted no small amount o.
| interest.
The Southern heat is already becom
| ing very noticeable.
Richard j. Bourke