The evening times., 1899-05-06
GEOGRbPHERS MEET
ON HISTORIC GROUND.
Eleventh Annual Outing Of
the National Society.
An Enjoyable Day Spent at Brad
dock Heigh.s.
A Brief hut Interesting Field Pro.
gramme-Res esmi n iscences OF the
Frederick Valley.

uiiy Soo Aueiubclo vi thC 3Ndtiohai oSo-
graphic Society left the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad station this morning at $50
O'Clock for Braddock Heights, Md, which
was the place chosen this year as the OBJ
jective point for their eleventh annual ex-
cursicn and field meeting
The weather, as far as the temperature
was concerned. was ali that could be de-
sired. The skies were overcast with
clouds. however. but the party considered
itself safe from the wrath of the ele-
ments, inasmuch as Prof. Willis L. Moore,
Chief of the Weather Bureau, was at the
head of the committee on arrangements:
special train carried the excursionists
to Frederick, the trip requiring about two
hours. AT Frederick many OF the party left
the train and bearded the cars OF the elec-
trio line running between that point and
Myersville, which is near Braddock
Heights, arriving at their destination about
1:20 O'Clock. Those who did not avail
themselves of the transportation afforded
by the electric cars hired carriages and
drove over the pleasant roads to the
Heights, arriving there shortly after the
main body OF the excursionists.
of historical interest were inspected and
the excursionists broke up into small bands
and strolied over the country in the i'm
mediate vicinity enjoying the magnificent
views TO be obtained from the elevation.
About 12:l5 o'clock the excursionist; as
sembled and Chairman Moore called the
meeting to order. In brief address, he
introduced to the assembled geographers
Hon. Milton G. Urner. Of Frederick, who
delivered an eloquent address. taking for
his theme. Historic Events in and Around
Frederick"
Henry Gannett. the geogTapher of the
United States Geological Survey, was in
troduced by the chairman. Mr.. Gannett
delivered talk on ''Mapmaking." which
lasted about fifteen minutes. He Illus
trated his remarks by exhibiting a plane
table, explaining its use in topogre phical
work. Following him Prof. c. F. Marvin.
OF the United States Weather Bureau, lee
tured, taking for his subject "A Modern
Kite At the close of his remarks Prof
Marvin exhibited kite of the latest
model. explaining its operation in detail.
Shortly after the completion of the pro-
gramme lunch was served, and from that
time until late in the afternoon the party
wandered over the surrounding country,
taking in the points of interest and dis
The party will proceed from Braddock
Heights to-Frederick in time to leave for
Washington at 1870 O'Clock this afternoon.
arriving in the city about 6 o'clock
Braddock Heights was selected for the
outing place on account Of the many his
tcrical incidents which have occurred in its
vicinity. 1t is located on the slopes of the
Aiieghanies in spur of rugged heights
known as the Catoctin Mountains 1t was
a nj fv,f Oh,
fcr their meeting that Gen. Edward Brad
dock crossed these mountains with his ar
my which he led from Washington in 1855.
against the French forces then stationed
1urther to the westward The expedition
ieft Frederick on April 80 and canned
eighteen miles to the westward. crossing
the Catoctin Mountain.
Braddock Heights is narrow ridge inst
south of the old National Turnpike. be-
tween Baltimore and Wheeling 1t COM
mands an excellent view of the fertile
Frederick Valley on the east and the Mid
dletown Valley on the west, while stretch,
ing away to the southwest is the gap in
the Blue Ridge at Harper's Ferry through
Whlch the Potomac forced its way many
ages ago. On the southeast is Sugar Loaf
Mountain, which rises rapidly to a height
OF 1,25O feet above the sea. Immediately
TO the westward across the Middletowu
Valley is South Mountain, the scene Of
sharp engagement during the civil war.
The battle of South Mountain was prelim-
mary to the greater one at Antietam
few days later, and within less than a year
both armies were again In Maryland mar
shaling their columns for decisive action
at Gettysburg. Another year passed and
again the rattle of musketry was heard In
Frederick. The battle of MCnocacy, in
which more men were killed and wounded
than in the entire campaign by land and
sea at Santiago, was fought at Frederick
Junction (Arabyl, on the route of the
excursion and but three miles from Fred
erick.
The committee in charge of the cutting
consisted of Prof. Willis L. Moore. chair
man: Alfred ]. Henry, w MCGEE, Fred
erick v. Coville, Henry S. Pritchett. Mrs.
Gardiner G. Hubbard. Miss Flora Wilson.
Miss Elsie Bell, Mrs. B. H. Warner and
Mrs. Charles d. Walcott.