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DOWN SO U T H.

CHAPTER I.

66

ACROSS THE ATLANTIC, AND ON TO RICHMOND."

A Motley Group-Fogs and Icebergs-Burial at Sea-A False Alarm-New York Harbour-Scene at the Custom House-Feeling against the "Rebels "—The Kentucky Volunteers-Vineyards of Cincinnati-Insubordination in the Camps-Monument to Henry Clay-An African Church-Firing into a Train-Southern Liberality— Unexpected Visitors-City of Lynchburg-Arrival in Richmond.

I LEFT Southampton for New York on the 22nd of May, in the Hamburg and American Company's steam-ship "Borussia," commanded by Captain Trautman. The living freight comprised some six hundred passengers, about fifty of whom were first-class. Although I had repeatedly crossed the Channel, and could bear the sea tolerably well, I rather dreaded a trip across the Atlantic. Indeed, I have always, in a greater or lesser degree,

VOL. I.

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30 VINU

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ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.

felt some apprehension at sea; a circumstance which, I know, is not uncommon. When a youth my chief delight consisted in perusing books of voyages and travels; and intense was the love of adventure thereby created, which I have not yet quite overcome.

The first-class passengers, among whom were a few ladies, married and single, old and young, consisted of a motley group-Lager beer-drinking Germans, Californian adventurers, sharpsighted Yankees, and a few open-hearted Southerners. Notwithstanding our diversity of character and pursuit, we managed to get along tolerably well. For two or three days the weather was very propitious, and the ocean assumed the placidity of a lake unruffled by the wind. This was contrary to my preconceived notions of the Atlantic, so I felt exceedingly comfortable both in mind and body. A change, however, shortly came over the spirit of my dream; and the soothing feelings which the sight of the ocean at first produced, changed but too rapidly to those of wonderment and terror! The fourth day a strong southerly wind blew, and the sea rose mountains high, as if it had been touched by the wand of the enchanter. From that time until we sighted Sandy Hook, a period of eight weary days, we had a succession of storms, attended

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