Making Tracks November 2024
Contents:
The Birth of Virginia Beach Part 15: The Westerners' Excursion Part 2
By Warren Leister {Author’s notes are in
brackets and italics}
About 4 o'clock on a beautiful afternoon we came in sight of Hampton Roads, said to be the most spacious and magnificent harbor in the world. (I came very near saying 'Where all the navies of the world can ride,' But the expression has become hackneyed, It sounded very well at first, but when our Western crowd seized it as a fine expression and used it in two or three dozen speeches it began to be tiresome.) We touched at Fortress Monroe for an instant only, and then pushed on to Norfolk, some fifteen miles off, where we landed safe{ly} and were escorted to the courthouse green and formally welcomed by the Hon. John S. Tucker, Mayor of the city: Mr. Halloway, of Cincinnati, Mr. Jasti, of Louisville, and others responding appropriately, the band playing at intervals ‘Carry Me Back to Old Virginia,’ ‘Red, White and Blue,’ ‘Dixie,’ ‘Yankee Doodle,’ &e., &c."
"Elsewhere in Old Virginia, we were received in the ‘City by the Sea’ {Norfolk, Va.} in the most hospitable manner, and all of us felt that we were among friends and kindred. At 8 o'clock Tuesday morning we were escorted from the hotel to the steamer Manhasset and conveyed to the Norfolk Navyyard, and spent several hours inspecting the place under the guidance of serious workshops and shown many things which were new to many of us Western inland folks. Every description of shot and shell used in naval warfare; models of various ships which were to stand the heaviest bombardment; old guns captured in 1812 and during the last war; fragments of the ships Cumberland and Congress, sunk in Hampton Roads by the Merrimac; a model of the '{John} Ericsson monitor,' the vessel which, on one occasion, found the Merrimac too much for her, and which, by the way, was a little too much for the Merrimac. {the story of the battle during the Civil War of the Union Monitor versus the Confederate Merrimac in Hampton Roads, called the Battle of Hampton Roads, was legendary and ultimately led to the naming of a major bridge tunnel complex that runs from Newport News to Suffolk after them, a detailed account of the battle given by survivors is in possession of this author} Some of us paid our respects to Commodore Creighton, of the navy, who is in command of the Navyyard. All the officers of the place were kind to us, and answered our many questions, politely. We could not stay forever at this interesting place, and when it was announced that the steamer Hampton was waiting for us, we proceeded to embark for a trip to Old Point Comfort. A delightful ride of fifteen miles over the waters of Hampton Roads brought us to Fortress Monroe, where we were met by General Getty, the commander, and staff, who escorted us to the parade ground, where we witnessed the dress parade, and then dispersed in squads, without any particular guidance, to 'see the place.' Of course, we mounted the ramparts as the place of first interest, to examine the immense guns which form the battlements. I don't know how many there are, but if 'all the navies of the world can ride in Hampton Roads,' there are doubtless enough guns mounted at Fortress Monroe to blow them {all} to pieces. The programme for our entertainment was so long and our time so short that we were in a continual hurry, and had but a glance at the many places of interest which we visited, and I am forced to pursue the same plan to get {it} all into one letter. The next point visited after leaving Fortress Monroe was the Hampton Normal School for the education of colored people, situated at Hampton, and in {the} charge of General Armstrong."
"This school was founded by contributions from benevolent persons in the North, and has a yearly fund of ten thousand dollars from the State {Commonwealth} of Virginia. Gen. Armstrong in a brief speech gave a history of the school and its flourishing condition, and paid a just and handsome compliment to the people of the State {Commonwealth} for the encouragement which has been given the school. He said: 'From the Governor down to our humblest neighbor we receive nothing but the greatest kindness and encouragement.' This was received with the most uproarious applause! ..."
"The next place of interest was the 'National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.' This is one of the four branches of the 'National Home for Disabled Soldiers,' founded and sustained by Congress, the other three being located: one near Milwaukee, one near Augusta, Me., and one near Dayton, Oh. They are all under one board of management, appointed by Congress. Captain P. T. Woodfin is deputy governor, and Dr. W. M. Wright surgeon of the Hampton branch. The latter-named gentleman kindly received and escorted us through the place. There are about nine hundred disabled soldiers kindly cared for here. There is one Revolutionary hero-said to be undoubtedly genuine-eight of the war of 1812, and about as many of the Mexican war. The only price for board and lodging is good behavior, and their time is their own. It they are able and choose to work they are paid for such service as they render. The buildings are large and well arranged, the location 'down by the sea,' delightful, and every attention is paid to the comfort of the inmates of the Home. Bidding adieu to Dr. Wright, we boarded our steamer and turned towards Norfolk. We occupied the time on the return trip in the discussion of an elegant collation prepared for us by our Norfolk friends and spread-on board the boat. We were to leave Norfolk that evening at 8 o'clock, and this was the only opportunity her citizens had of feasting us on crabs, fresh oysters, fish, &c., for which the place is famed, and they did it well, providing the choicest champagne and other wines to encourage appetites, to say nothing of the fine old whisk{e}y which some of the Western men 'took to' more naturally. Our experience of the day was characterized by the utmost enjoyment, and no one can leave Norfolk but with the warmest feelings of friendship for her citizens. The formal resolutions of thanks, &c., passed by us feebly express the extent of our enjoyment, and the kindly sentiments we must ever entertain for her citizens."
"Last night at eight o'clock {as
scheduled} the excursion party left for Wilmington, N. C., by the Seaboard
Railroad, but they left behind one of their number who feels that the safety of
his health, if not his life, demands a cessation from such festivities as we
have enjoyed for {the last} four or five days. J. W. B., Special Correspondence of the Cincinnati
Gazette, NORFOLK, VA., May 15."
In another interesting railroad related
report pertaining to the previous western excursion event from the May 16, 1877
edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer datelined May 15, 1877 Norfolk, Va. there is
an article titled “Our Pilgrims,” subtitled “Under the Magnetic Influence of
Champaign and Free Lunch, They Build a New All-Rail Route to Tide-Water – And
go on Conquering and to Conquer – How They Were Entertained Yesterday.” The article begins “There has been
considerable talk here today, occasioned by the arrival of the Western
Pilgrims, as to the future of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O).”
“Next the article goes on to elaborate that in an address by Captain Holloway that the city of Cincinnati would see to it that means will be provided for the completion of the western end of the C&O from Huntington to Cincinnati establishing a western terminus for that railroad.”
“The article continues: “This has
brought out the old problem of an Eastern terminus of the road a prominent
railroad man said to the reporter of the article, ‘The C&O Road must seek
the seaboard. It will not do for it to stop short of Hampton Roads. Then, with
connections direct to Cincinnati, it will become the main artery of commerce
between the East and the West; and indeed from the Pacific to the Atlantic
Ocean.’”
The reporter replies “Then you mean to
make that terminus here at Norfolk?”
The railroad man responds “Not
necessarily, but it must be at Hampton Roads. The James River {at Richmond}
will not answer for an Eastern terminus, any more than the Ohio for the
Western. {the C&O approaches the Ohio river in a remote area between
Huntington, Wv. and Cincinnati, Oh. which is not as suitable as Cincinnati as a
major terminal river port} The road is now embarrassed, but before long
Huntington {Collis P. Huntington the famous President of the C&O one of
the most famous railroad barons of all time who built the C&O and what is
known today as Newport News Shipbuilding and before that was involved as an
original partner in the Central Pacific railroad of transcontinental railroad
fame} will again have it on hand, and then, with better times he will
continue it Eastward.”
“How far?” asks the reporters,
The railroad man responds “Newport
News, that is at the head of the roads {as in Hampton Roads} Wharves can
be constructed with money, equal to those here and the navy of the world can
ride there in safety. {this refers, in general, that most all sea going
vessels can access Newport News, which was then a village, readily due to its
potentially being a deep water port like Norfolk and Portsmouth, today some of
the largest ships in the world namely U. S. Navy Aircraft carriers are built at
Newport News Shipbuilding, this author spent many years there doing that}
“Why not bring it down here {to
Norfolk} where wharves are built and waiting?”
The railroad man responds “Because the
undertaking would require bridging the James, and that Congress would never
consent to. Forty miles of railroad track would enable them to make the
connections with another road, so as to reach Newport News” {meaning that
the C&O could connect possibly with the existing, at that time, Richmond,
York River, and Chesapeake Railroad at or near West Point, Va. and build a
railroad line about 40 plus miles long from there to Newport News, however as
it turned out the C&O didn’t follow that initial plan and ultimately
decided to build an entirely new railroad line themselves directly to Newport
News that connected up with their pre existing line in Richmond} It would
take one hundred miles of road {railroad}, and a bridge across the James
{James River}, to reach here {Norfolk}, and that is the reason
they will stop there.” {at Newport News} ...
“From there the western guests were
provided a most thorough and handsome tour of Hampton Roads.” Furthermore
according to the article “Hon. {Honorable} Marshall Parks, of Norfolk,
known to most of the public men of Ohio, was one of the most attentive of our
hosts on the trip.”
End of Part 15
This concludes “Birth of Virginia Beach Part 15” the next installment,
Part 16, will be published in December 2024.
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Making trees for a model railroad can be a fun and creative process, and there are several methods you can use to create realistic-looking trees. Here are a few popular techniques to build trees for your model railroad:
1. Wire Armature Trees (Using Armatures and Flocking)
This is a popular method to create trees because it allows for a lot of customization, and the results can look very realistic.
Materials:
Steps:
2. Static Grass Trees
Static grass trees are another popular method that mimics the look of tall grasses or trees with sparse foliage. This technique is great for small trees or bushes.
Materials:
Steps:
3. Foam or Tree Armature with Woodland Scenics Kits
If you're looking for a quicker way to make trees without needing to build an armature from scratch, you can use ready-made kits, like those from Woodland Scenics or JTT Scenery Products. These kits often come with tree armatures (skeletons) and various foliage options, such as foam or clump foliage. They are very user-friendly.
Steps:
4. Natural Branch Trees
If you want a more organic, natural look, you can use actual small twigs or branches to form tree trunks and branches.
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5. Using Natural Materials (Moss, Lichen, etc.)
For quick, rustic trees, you can use moss, lichen, or other natural materials.
Materials:
Steps:
6. Final Tips:
Making trees can be a very rewarding part of building a model railroad, and with a little practice, you’ll be able to create incredibly realistic landscapes.
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