| From the Richmond Daily Dispatch |
| |
| September 21, 1863 |
| |
| A trip South |
| Clayton, Ala. {45 miles northwest
of Montgomery}, Sept. 12th, 1863 |
| After a week of tedious travel by rail
from Richmond I have at length reached my destination. When it is
remembered that the trip by the identical route was, several months
ago, accomplished in three days, you will derive a correct idea how
the iron-horse now annihilates time and space. It is presumed,
however, that the war has compelled railroad companies, like other
corporations, to the practice of economy, else with very rapid
traveling our resources in this regard would soon be exhausted. It was
suspected by a majority of the passengers, especially on the
Wilmington & Manchester road, that the slow progress and frequent
and unnecessary delays were prompted by the collusion of one of the
conductors with certain railroad hotels. It is certain that official
observed when the train left Wilmington that he didn't expect to make
the connection at Kingsville, although we started at schedule time. As
was expected, we arrived at the latter delectable caravansary at 6
o'clock the next morning, although the train was due there at 7 P. M.,
the previous day. The frequency of these failures has caused the
traveling public to ascribe them to the reason above suggested.
Seriously, it is a great annoyance to the passenger on urgent
business, and especially to the hundreds of furloughed soldiers that
daily crowd the trains on their way southward to snatch a brief
interval of peace and quiet with loved ones at home, and who measure
time by no golden standard. |
| The trip from Richmond was marked by
little of interest to the traveler or the reading public. At a certain
important point in upper North Carolina Gen. Matt W. Ransom's brigade
was stationed, and industrious as beavers erecting entrenchments and
fortifications, in anticipation of an expected raid by the Yankees on
the coast. The same spirit seemed to prevail along the line of the
railroad, and, as far as I could learn from inquiry, prevailed
throughout the State. At every station the soldiers received
gratifying manifestations of sympathy from the ladies, who are not
behind their fair sisters of other States in exhibitions of practical
patriotism. The first meeting of ladies in the Confederacy that I have
seen recorded in response to the appeal of the President in relation
to skulkers and deserters was held in Rockingham, N.C. |
| Gov. Vance had called out the militia to
the defence of the State, and they were hastening to the several
points selected for rendezvous in prompt obedience to the
call.--Crowds of these could be seen at one or more places on the
principal thoroughfare of travel in the State. *** |
| Leaving Kingsville{,
S. C.}, a ride of twelve hours over the South Carolina road
brought us to the beautiful city of Augusta, Georgia, next to Savannah
the most important city in the State. The streets are broad, laid off
with great regularity, and shaded by rows of beautiful trees. It is
adorned by many tasteful public and private buildings, and the store
houses seem to have been planned with special reference to convenience
in the transaction of business. Its healthfulness, eligible location
on the west bank of the Savannah, refined society, and commercial
importance, render it very desirable as a place of residence. *** Like
Richmond and other larger cities of the Confederacy, Augusta contains
many young and apparently able-bodied men, who promenade the streets
in polished boots and immaculate linen. I learned, however, that many
have made arrangements to enter the service under the late call of the
President. No city of its population has contributed more of personnel
and material to this war than Augusta. It contains an extensive
hospital, in operation, and another in course of preparation. It
accommodates from three to four hundred sick and wounded soldiers, a
majority of whom are at present from Charleston. *** |
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