Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-02-15
HE REMEMBERED 1T.
As One OF McClelIan's Boys Saw
the Peninsula.
EDITOR GAZETTE:

EDITOR GAZETTE:
A short time ago had the pleasure
OF receiving the December issue OF
your paper and was very much In.
terested in what l read regarding
your section. Il took me back to the
time when I landed with Mcclellan
at Fortress Monroe, in 1862. Then IL
was that saw the Peninsula at its
best. before war had accomplished its
ruin
Every old soldier that landed at
Fortress Monroe in 1862 and marched
to Fair oaks. Just below Richmond.
could testify TO the wonderful fertility
or a large portion OF the Peninsula
OF Virginia and the lands on the
banks OF the beautiful York and
James. All along the march the army
passed over fields that we're beautiful
and green with a covering OF winter
wheat that was SO rank and forward
tnat no argument was necessary TO
convince the beholder that that indis
pensible cereal was growing in It's
ence Witnessed at some OF the farm
aouses was also OF a character to de.
aote that the soil responded gener.
ously to intelligent cultivation. Al
hundreds of these grand old homes
could be found all that heart couiu
Wish. The large flocks OF sheep ano
poultry, herds OF hogs and cows. the
well-niied cribs and granaries and
natiVe haunt The wealth and afHu-
0arns. well kept fields of grain and
corn SI went 90 show that the PENN.
Suia was by far the most self-sustain
ing country ia America Orchards OF
apples. peaches. pears. plGms, the ex-
eensive vineyards will never be for
gotten. The most charming sight /
saw on that march was a large peach
orchard IN full bloom not far from
Williamsburg Northern farmers upon
visiting the South now seem 20 think
mat present conditions are due to
iaek OF fertility OF the soil. They
Lail TO comprehend the reality of war
Ihe contending armies marched and
remarched over the entire Peninsula
as they did over most sections OF the
SOUTH When the end finally came the
people or the South were stranded no
money, no homes Gin many casesl
lences gone. stock gone, then came
Iour years of Carpet-bag rule which
was almost as bad as war Is IL to be
wondered st that the South Is back.
warog It Is a well known fact that
me bone OF contention was Virginia.
ihe object OF the Northern army was
% capture the Peninsula and the
shenandoah Valley (which was known
a. the granaries OF the South. and |
,ut on their supply-wnen that was
lone II Mas case OF starve. Is IL |
lot a well known fact that both |
armies lived OF these two sections? |
n looking over the Battlefield Map OF l
which Is issued by the Ches- /
'peake q Ohio railway. tie State Is
lothlag but a battlefield. I made A
islt TO your section q few months
go and 1 was much pleased at what
aw, and the Lord willing I exnecf
o spend the remaining days In that
ountry, II can get rid OF what l
ave In the North, A country that
III support two such armles Will de-
eiop Into a fine agricultural state
nth the right kind OF farming. saw
at Its best, saw IL at the close OF
ne war, saw II within the past three
ionthss and am satisfied a man will
lake no mistake In investing In a
ONE near Williamsburg.
ONE OF McLELLAN's BOYS. II