From the Richmond Dispatch, 8/28/1880, p. 1, c. 4

The City of Richmond.
FIRST ROUND TRIP FROM RICHMOND TO NORFOLK – A FINE DAY, AN AGREEABLE COMPANY,
AND SATISFACTORY SPEED – NOTES OF THE TRIP AND OF THE HISTORIC JAMES.

…Richmond looked lovely in the soft morning sunlight. Her size – the territory she occupies – indicates a city of a hundred thousand inhabitants, and is a monumental remonstrance against the census of 1880, so far as she is concerned. Chimborazo is now assuming somewhat the shape and appearance of a park. Colonel Cutshaw is changing it from an eyesore to a thing of beauty – to be a joy forever, in particular to those who approach Richmond by water. From its prominence – towering high above all other hills – it deserves to be handsomely improved. First appearances are everything with the traveler. If he is disgusted with a city upon entering it, afterwards it is difficult to make him see any good in it.

With the plans for Chimborazo and Libby Hill are carried out fully, Richmond will present to the stranger who enters her gates by James river a face of unusual charms…

BRIGHT AND PLEASANT CHAPTER.

But let’s proceed. In less than half an hour we pass Drewry’s Bluff and not how fast the young pines and volunteer peach-trees are rooting out all the memorials of the war. Only a little patch of breastworks is to be seen; not a chick or child is near. Solemn stillness and sure defence when the gunboats came booming towards Richmond in 1862. As for Chaffin’s Bluff, it takes an old soldier’s eye to discover where once the Confederate batteries stood. The pines have made a secure lodgment there too...

[remainder of article, describing the trip along the James with particular attention to Dutch Gap, was not transcribed – MDG]

• Prev
• Next