208 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[July, 
0FrSAMPSON. 
FTnAnsrioHTHn 
FOFLAR GROVe CHURCH. | 
'n&LEK.HKCESi 
dJiOmBD 
FTDUSHANE^S 
u — OUTLTNE SKETCH Off THE LOCATION OF THE PRINCIPAL WORKS AEOtWD PBTEBSBUBO, VA. 
.-reog is a large earthwork called Fort Baldwin, and a 
heavy hallery lies a lillle eiistof Fori Gregg. Nexl, go- 
IliS about a mile to Ihe soiilh-soiutieast. »e passed 
tlirougli a stumpy i'o:id and crossed the outer lines and 
breastworks of the two OMposlng armies, aiid thence to 
a r-rni house, upon the proprietor of which we called, 
atrd had a leniithy and inleresliitg chat. He remained 
here all through the war. and from him we learned 
many particulars of events of which he had been an 
eye-witness. From the high ground northeast of his 
house, is. Ions, the most interesting view any where 
to be seen — inchldln? the location of the two armies from 
SeplemOer lo April, many miles of earthworks, and the 
scene of the final successful strategetic move of the Union 
army. Our forces had for six months held this line, in- 
cluding forts Fisher, Welch, etc., south of us. Frequent 
efforts had been made to pass around to the left and 
reach the South«ide railroad, but without avail. The 
last week in March a heavy force, including Gen. Sheri- 
dan's cavalry and the 5th Army Corps, made a detour 
to the south, and off south-west towards Dinwiddle Court 
House, as if striUini; for Burkesville or some nearer 
point on the Soulhside railroad. To oppose these, Gen. 
Lee drew out a large number of his forces from in and 
around Petersburg, and marched them westward. This 
was just what Gen. Grant desired. When they were far 
enough off, the 6ih and 2-lth corps dashed through from 
Fort Fisher, overcame all resistance, and reached the 
railroad a mile or so north-west of Fort Gregg (rebel). 
This fort and others ne.ar it were captured, and the ene- 
my's army was thus cut in two. This is indeed the 
Waterloo of America, compared with which the old 
Belgian battle field shrinks into insignificance. We ad- 
vise every one coming to Petersburg, to visit this locality 
and from liere, and from Fort Fisher and the observ- 
atory near by, study the whole field. 
Remunerating our fanner friend for his time we were 
consuming, and t;iking him with us a short distance as a 
fuither guide, we next went a little to the south-east 
to Fort Fisher, which is one of the finest constructed 
works lobe seen liere. though hardly so large as Forts 
Wadsworth. Seitgwick and Steadman. From the top of 
Fort Fisher, and especially from the observatory near it, 
150 feet high, one has a grand view of the fields already 
described, andean take in at a glance many square miles 
of the surrounding country. At tills point our entire 
party would have gone home well satisfied with their 
long journey frorahome. if no more was to be seen. But 
I must omit details, beyond calling attention to the nu- 
merous camp huts which cover the country, a few acres 
in a place, for miles around. Following the general 
course indicated by the doited line on the map, and look- 
ing at the fortifications on the way, we next went to the 
"Poplar Grove Church," whose steeple can be seen in 
a grove to the south-east. This Church, and the sur- 
rounding cabins — mansions we might call them— were 
constructed by the 50th N. Y. Engineer Regiment. No- 
where, in this country or in Europe, have I seen rustic 
work that would compare with what is to be seen in this 
camp, and in the hospital camp a hundred rods or so 
northwest. Without Ihe aid of engravings, I will not 
attempt to describe the beautiful arrangement of pine 
logs, poles and twigs in the attractive stnictuies. Let no 
one coming hither, fail to see them. Said a traveling 
companion, as he contrasted these camps and our var- 
ious forts with those of the enemy, " it is no wonder our 
men conquered." The old Poplar Grove Church in the 
vicinity having been burned in the army movements, or 
by the enemy, this Church was presented to the trus- 
tees by the ingenious builders ; otherwise we would ad- 
vocate Its removal to the N. Y. Central Park. Some of 
the huts or dwellings here should certainly be moved to 
more central or accesible points, as monuments of the 
skill of our " thinking bayonets." 
Turning from the Church to the north-east, we next 
went to Fort Wadsworth, on the Weldon Railroad, an- 
other point of much interest. Those who have time may 
well go Southward to Fort Dushane, and still further to 
Reams' Station, and soulh-west along Hatcher's Run, 
the Fire Forks, etc. Those positively limited for time, 
and not too wearied, may continue eastw ard along the 
dotted line, to Forts Howard, Alexander Hayes, Davis, 
Sedgwick, Mahone, etc., and perhaps finish up the tour 
in a single day, though it is too much for most visitors 
who wish to get a full conception of this region. Our 
party examined forts Howard and Hayes, the surrounding 
camps, of which the neatly constructed huts are still 
standing, and then turned up the Weldon Railroad 
towards Petersburg. Passing through the lines of abattis, 
the skirmish line of breastw orks and rifle-pits, bet« een the 
two armies, at the distance of IK miles towards the 
city we struck and examined the very heavy main front 
line of the enemy. We next visited Ihe " lead works " 
on our way to the city, and reached our hotel at ";i P. 
M., most of the party wearied out, but w ith heads and 
hearts full. Retiring early, a good night's sleep put us 
all in good trim for the 
Second Dai/'s rri>.— Starting with the same convey- 
ances as yesterday, we went north-east through the city, 
noting on the way the effects of shells upon the houses, 
and took the Jerusalem Plank Road to the top of " Cem- 
etery Hill," where is a fine bird's-eye view of the works 
east and north-east of the city. A short distance on, we 
turned to the left and visited the "Mine." Our news- 
paper description, read on the spot, brought vividly to the 
mind and eye the events occuring here on the morning of 
July 30lh, 1864. An hour spent here, and over at the 
entrance to the Mine, we returned to the Jerusalem Plank 
Road, and went south-east to Forts Mahone and Sedgwick, 
noting along the way the ditches and traverses through 
w hich troops and supplies from Petersburg reached the 
advanced lines of the enemy, through the high ground, or 
passed from one earthwork to another. Forts Mahonb 
("Damnation") and Sedowick (" Hell") are very near 
each other, and are both on high ground. More men 
were daily killed and wounded at these forts, than at 
any oiher points on the lines. They were fighting almost 
constantly for months. To expose one's person here- 
abouts was almost certain death. The picket-lines 
between these forts, guarded by heavy breastworks, 
were so near that Ihe men could talk familiarly together 
from behind their covers. There is more digging of the 
earth into pits, ditches, etc., at this part of the lines, than 
at any other. Passing on south-east to Fort Davis, we 
turned north, followed the line of Union foitificatlons, 
looking into Forts Rice, Mickle, Morton, and Haskill, 
and entered Fort Steadman. The taking of this by the 
enemy last March, and tlie speedy recovery of it, are 
doubtless well remembered by every reader. The bullet 
and cannon ball and shell marks on almost every square 
foot of the trees, from bottom to top, on every side, show 
plainly the fierceness of the conflict here, but I can not 
spare room for description. Passing on to Fort Mc- 
Gilvery, and back again to the main road from Cily Point, 
we entered Petersburs from the north-east side, and had a 
fresh view of the shell scarred and pierced houses. Every 
rod of the route we have taken, perhaps 15 to 20 miles in 
the two days, is full of interest. No other field of strife 
so extensive, and so varied, has ever been seen in this 
country, or in any other, and we trust never will be. Now, 
no enemies, no bushwhackers, and no restrictions upon 
travel are anywhere to be met with, in or around Peters- 
burg or Richmond. We have not space to describe the 
intensely interesting scenes for forty miles down the 
James River, from Richmond to City Point, a trip alone 
worth the whole journey from New Y^ork. Richmond it- 
self Is a desolation, w ith Its miles of falling walls and 
chimneys in the burned district, comprising the chiel 
business portion. On our way here, we visited sundry 
points in that city, including the hospitals, "Jeff's House," 
Belle Isle, the Tredegar Works, Castle Thunder, and 
especially Libby Prison, from which I have as relics, a 
brick from the wall where the prisoners escaped, and a 
piece of the table in the cell where Hon. Mr. Ely. Capt. 
Fraser, and other officers were confined. These will be 
put upon the exhibition table at the Agriculturist office, 
for the curious to look at. 
Routes to Richmond and Petersburg.— 
From New York, there is a line of large steamers, sailing 
on Wednesdays and Saturdays, direct to Richmond— the 
Yazoo and Creole. Fare, including state-room and 
meals, is now $15. This route gives one a taste of the 
Atlantic Ocean. A better route, perhaps, is to go to 
Baltimore, and take the " New Line " of steamers — Leary 
and Brady. These leave Baltimore at 6 P. M. daily, land 
you at Fortress Monroe at about 5 or 6 A. M. the next 
morning, whence you have a pleasant day's ride up the 
James River, seeing the Rip-Raps, Newport News, the 
scene of Ihe Merrimack and Monitor conflict, and also 
passing Jamestown Island, where the first settlement in 
Virginia was made. The village of Jamestown is burned, 
but the standing chimneys indicate its former site. The 
square brick lower or diminutive church on the upper 
end of the island, shows the spot where Pocahontas saved 
John Smith's life. You also pass Harrison's Landing, 
memorable as the base of the Union army under Mc- 
Clellan in 1862. Returning by this route, you leave Rich- 
mond at 6 A. M., arriving at Fortress Monroe at 2 or 3 P. 
M., and have 2 or 3 hours to loiter around the fortress, 
before taking the 4K o'clock steamer, which lands you 
at Baltimore at daylight next morning. Through fare 
between Baltimore and Richmond is now $S.OO, not in- 
cluding meals and berth or state-room. Fare between 
New York and Baltimore, $6.65. One can leave the 
boat at City Point, and for iO cents go to Petersburg by 
R. R., and then to Richmond by R. R., for $1.00, or go 
around the other way. The railroad will probably be 
opened ere long direct from Washington to Richmond, 
taking one through the interesting scenes at Fredericks- 
burg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, etc. 
The present hotel charges in Richmond and Petersburp 
are $4.00 per day. The weather is becoming hot Tor 
travel now, except to the strong and vigorous; though 
H ith care in diet and drink, our party have had no trouble 
as to hea^h. Every one journeying southwar''. at this 
season of the year, should carry a bottle of prepared 
blackberry root decoction, (described on pa^-e 206) or at 
least some extract ofginger. ORANGE JUDD. 
