Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch. visit to Yorktown — other matters.
New Kent, June 16, 1861.
Last Saturday, (14th,) in company with several others, I started on a visit to Yorktown Having reached Williamsburg by eight o'clock, I called upon Lieut. Col. Ewell, for A ‘"permit"’ to continue my visit.
I found the Col. to be rather below the medium stature; he is very polite and courteous, but still his general air was indicative, I thought, of firm and decided action.
He very readily granted my request, and leaving the now crowded streets of the ‘"Old Capital,"’ journeyed on to that spot which has rendered the 19th of October a memorable epoch in the history of the Thirteen Colonies.
In something like two hours more we reached the vicinity of Yorktown.
There is no thing remarkable to indicate your approach to a ‘"town;"’ but when you have fully reached your destination, when standing on the summit which towers above Cornwallis' cave, what emotions stir the soul and animate the mind!
What a beautiful river is the York, as we behold it from this stand point, tendering its unceasing tribute to the ‘"Father of Waters!"’ We can here contrast the beauties which God has seen fit to bestow upon some of his works with the choice of man's handiworks.
On every hill-top behold the big-mouthed cannon, on every plain and in every valley mark the snowy habitation of the tented solier, the dazzling blaze of fiery indignation which seems to linger on the bristling bayonets, and the huge leviathan riding in its majesty on the bosom of the bay, all noble and grand; but they dwindle into insignificance as regards the sublimity which marks the conceptions of Deity.
I saw during my trip, an old servant who had had the misfortune to be taken by the troops stationed at Hampton; but owing to his age he was incapable of rendering them much service, and to his earnest solicitations they had granted him the privilege of returning home, but cautioning him not to let them take him again.
His account was by no means flattering; as regards the rations furnished the soldiers, it was revolting to his sense of what is essential to sustain the ‘"creature"’ Just here, I will remark that on my way back home I stopped at a meeting of the servants in James City county, and as I, with others of the white congregation, contemplated from the gallery that respectful attentive and well-dressed assembly, as I listened to the thrilling language of ‘"Uncle Billy Thomas,"’ who spoke with a zeal and system rarely surpassed by his white brethren; as I then saw one after another rise and read distinctly the hymns for the congregation.
I asked myself the question, if the people of the North were sincere in their professions of love for the servants, and could see this sight, (which is by no means an exception,) what could they propose by way of an improvement?
The North can exercise none of that Christian liberty and forbearance, which Paul preached to the church at Rome.
Since writing the above, I have been to the sewing society in this neighborhood, for the benefit of the soldiers.
It is called ‘"The Chickahomeny Sewing Society."’ I found seventeen ladies present, with Mrs. Maria Meenley as President, Mrs. Melvina S. Vaiden, Vice President, Miss S. Octie Lacy, as SecretaryVaiden, and Mrs. Victoria Vaiden as Treasurer
Our county has four volunteer companies, and a company of 42 men as Independent Rangers.
Most of our ladies can shoot, as well as sew, and they practice for any emergency. Observer.
