steamer Logan--the Connexions with the York River Railroad.
Yorktown, Sept. 13, 1861.
The steamer Logan, since the commencement of our troubles, has been of invaluable service to our cause, (especially in this department,) in transporting not only troops and munitions of war, but in accommodating the traveling public.
Now, this much set forth, I wish — not as a personal friend to the steamer or owner, but as a friend to the Southern cause and to the traveling public, composed both of soldiers and friends visiting them — to call your attention to a better schedule, provided the railroad will only be a little accommodating.
Now, there is only one connexion on York River to Richmond, the one from Yorktown, leaving the Richmond passengers to lie over at West Point all night and a large part of the day. The railroad, I understand, is unwilling to make any change at all — thinks the steamer ought to do all. I am of a different opinion, and for the reason that, to let the railroad continue its present schedule, would necessarily compel the boat to lie at Yorktown all night.
The wharves here are very old, dilapidated, and, in a word, unsafe; and no captain, certainly not Capt. Kirwan, with his experience, would allow the only steamer on the river to lie at a wharf where she might very easily, by the slightest storm, be forced upon the wharf, which giving way, she would be immediately thrust upon the shore.
To keep up steam is an expense — a waste of money — and, to say the least, very injudicious, wearing out rapidly the fixtures of the steamer.
Now, my proposition is for the railroad to be a little compromising — a little obliging in this matter.
Leave Richmond at the time that all the other trains do, at 6 o'clock A. M., reach West Point at 8; steamer leave immediately for Yorktown, arriving about 10, giving full-time — say, four hours; returning at 2 P. M., and the cars finally reaching Richmond about 6--thus making a round trip to Yorktown in a day, and giving ample time to persons desirous of seeing their friends and visiting the fortifications.
The railroad and the boat, of course, are loosing the fare of from 75 to 100 persons a day. I see this every day. Yorktown is crowded with hacks for the Grove Wharf every morning.
Traveler. 