The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-05-02
federate ram Merrimac and the Mont

federate ram Merrimac and the Moni
tor, in which the "cheese box on raft
saved the day for the Union forces.
After the Midday mear' and a stroll
around the fort three of the party tool
a ride, and the colored driver proved al
excellent guide. Within the reserva
ton is Hotel Sherwood, modes
hostelry compared with the magnifi
| cent Chamberlain, where it is said eth,
traveller finds home-like rooms, goo(
food and hearty welcome" In thu
immediate vicinity are residences oc
cupied by army officers, and enlisted
men in fatigue uniform were at work
on the grounds. The roads in the
reservation are smooth as floor and
our driver said they were made of as.
phalt or concrete blocks. Outside the
reservation, in the town of Hampton,
the dirt roads were in horrible condi.
ton from recent rain, but it was
said that they would soon dry off.
Our first visit was to the National
Soldiers Home. The main building
was until the time of the Civil War the
Chesapeake Female Institute, and was
subsequently bought by Gen. B. F.
Butler, who later sold it to the govern
ment. 1t was used as hospital dur
ing the war, and then devoted to its
present purpose. 1t is beautiful place
of p acres, the grounds fronting on
Hampton Roads, with ample lawns,
shade trees, Conservatives, hospital,
theatre and other necessary buildings
There is ball ground on which in the
season game is played once week by
professionals for the entertainment of
the veterans, and once a week per-
Torrance is given in the theatre for
their benefit. The canteen is closed,
by act of Congress, and the veterans
frequent the beer saloons and low
groggeries outside the gates; and for
over-indulgence, as our driver inform
ed US, are set to various tasks about
the buildings and grounds. 1t was evil
dent that he was believer in the cam
teen. At the time of our visit a mild
temperature and bright sunshine pre-
vailed and many of the veterans were
seated on benches on the water front.
Many were MANNED and all bore the
marks Of the great conflict in which
they were engaged Four thousand of
the boys in blue are domiciled here and
it would seem that there is nothing left
undone that could conduce to their
comfort.
We next drove through the fine
grounds of the late Harrison Phoebus,
where stands stately residence COM
manding fine views of the Roads and the
necessary outbuildings for a large farm.
Here were raised most of the fruits
and vegetables used in the famous
Hygeia Hotel.
Our itinerary called for trolley ride
to Newport News from Old Point Com
fort,-a place that within a few years
has grown from small insignificant
hamlet to large and prosperous city,
with the finest dockyard in the country,
employing between 1000 and 5000 work
men and turning out the largest battle
ships afioat. There, after time for look
ing over the city, we were to have
boarded the good ship Kershaw that
brought us from Boston and con-
tinue the voyage to Baltimore. The
longshoremen's strike at Norfolk pre-
vented, however. An agent of the
steamship company notified us that we
must return to Norfolk at once, where
other arrangements had been made for
our transportation. On reporting on
board the Kershaw we were told that
supper would be served on that ship
and then we were to embark on the
Oregon, a sister ship, which would
leave at sp. m. for Baltimore. In max
ing the transfer the wiser ones carried
their dress suit cases, while those who
trusted to others did not receive their
grips" until several days later.
A word or two in regard to the James,
town Exposition may be in order here
In going to and from Old Point Com
fort we had good views of the grounds
and the various buildings were pointed
out We had not the time for nearer
view, and it was known that, as usual
in undertakings of this kind, the prepa-
rations for opening were far from CON-
plete. 1t was at Jamestown that, for
the first time in America, an English
marriage was solemnized and an Eng
lish child born. At jamestown, the
first trial by jury was held and the
first legislative body convened. From
jamestown grew all the settlements
that overspread Virginia, and Virgin.
las prosperity induced the settlements
which covered the coast from Florida
to Canada. 1t is these results that the
Jamestown Tercentennial Exposition
will memorabilia.
1t may be we'll to add, as warning
to future visitors, that the usual army
of pickpockets, thieves and cut Threats
is already gathering and the Norfolk
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