146 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK. 



STrDcutg-seronb Slag. 



Stanwix Hall, 



Rome, New York, 



May Thirtieth. 



"Was compelled to remain in Utica until four o'clock 

 in the afternoon in order to have my saddle padded. 

 This brief delay, while favoring my equine friend, was 

 in some particulars also favorable to his rider, as it af- 

 forded me an excellent opportunity to gather informa- 

 tion I desired concerning the growth of this enterpris- 

 ing town. 



Rode up to Rome on the south bank of the 

 Mohawk. Soon after my arrival at the Stanwix I 

 met a large number of Grand Army comrades. Room 

 *' 14 '^ had been enfyasred and made a rendezvous, and 

 here until a late hour the experiences of the late war 

 were told over a2:ain and our battles re-fou^ht. This 

 gathering of comrades to celebrate Memorial Day was 

 marked by deep and enthusiastic feeling ; and, although 

 my day's journey had somewhat fatigued me, I felt 

 this was no time to show a lack of spirit; so I cheer- 

 fully yielded to the old maxim, *^When in Rome do as 

 the Romans do." Through the courtesy of Captain 

 Joseph Porter, then Commander of Skillen Post 47, 1 

 was introduced to Hon. H. J. Coggeshall, of Water- 

 ville; Colonel G. A. Cantine, Hon. W. F. Bliss, Mr. 

 X ay lor, editor of the Sentinelj and many others. 



Rome lies on a level stretch of land at the head of 

 the valley, whence I could see its spires as I 

 approached. On its site once stood old Fort Stanwix, 

 of Revolutionary fame, which cost the British <£60,000 

 sterling. It was built as a defence against the French 



