Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-07

After the burning Of the Virginia Mill
liant fight of the cadet corps at New Mar
ket. the Virginia Military Institute was
revived at what is now the Richmond
Blues Hotel
Christmastide was at hand, the brave
little band of cadets were to have q hoi1-
day, but, alas! few had homes to go TO-,
as GRIM isaged war had not yet smooth
ed her front. T, with a host of boys
therefore, had to remain 1t barracks Win Win
clothless tables, cups and plates CT tn
to fill which the boys would sell their
last remaining article OF civilian apparel
to a vender of pies, apples, and nuts.
However, they survived, and some or
that number now grace the United states
Senate chamber, and the bench and par
throughout the country is literally hllleo
from our roster.
Christmas was near at hand, and lin
the SAUNDERS of midnight the soldier boy
lay, dreaming of home and good proV1-
sions A fellow cadet and We're discuss
ing our plans for the holidays, which
promised to be little more than a dreary
n1onotony, when DR.. 49,, OF the Con
federate army. suggested that we, my
companion being his son, should take his
horse and ride and tie down to White
Marsh, his beautiful home in the county
of Gloucester. Gladly espouslng his idea.
the next morning my cadet colleague ana
I started, he on horseback and on foot
our destination being ninety miles east
of Richmond. The cold grey dawn had
scarcely become lightened by the lazy
winter sun when we reached Mechanics
vile on the Pike, and the country from
there on was subject to the raids of both
FeGerals and Confederates. But FORUM
ately we made our journey with little
difficulty, save that of crossing the Pa
nlunky river.
On the evening Of the third day after
Our departure we passed through Glou-
cester Courthouse all dismantied and de-
serted. The shades of night were thick
ening as we reached White Marsh, q
stately mansion in the forks of the Ware
and Severn rivers, which shone like sill
yer threads in the misty moonbeams.
A dear, good woman welcomed US to the
warmth and glow of the fireside. for she
all too well realized the hardships we had
undergone, and the risks we had run in
getting there, for the Yorktown was the
headquarters of an immense Federal
army and :naraudjrg bands frequently
overran the country.
After feasting on some picked York
river oysters, which had been prepared
for General Bob Lee. JOHN and I turned
into the softest bed I ever felt ard were
socn sleeping the healthy seeI, of tired
youth. We were as fresh as the morn
ing air when we came down to breakfast.
Our hostess with her charming niece
sent over ana invited the young ladies to
come over and see 1.-THE boys from Rich.
mond. For a few days we enjoyed life
talking and dancing with the lovely girls
while within a few miles lay our enemy
at Yorktown. and as we looked at them
through field glass it indeed seemed
that their name was legion.
The lawn and fields around: this stately
home had through sad neglect grown
into veritable wilderness, so the ma
rauding parties and the rebel bushwack.
ers scarcely ever entered there, so our
horse was comparatively safe. We. too.
felt safe with the fair faces to welcome
us and latd us as the heroes of New Mar
ket How, indeed could we have felt
fear?
At last the happy days drew to a close
and the last night of our stay had ar
rived. To drive away the dread thought
Of the departure in the morning, it was
suggested that we improvise Romeo and
Juliet, the serenest OF lovers rornances.
Blinds were closed, doors barred, and the