Some of the superstitious residents of the country regarded the whole affair as a visitation of Providence, or, in other words, a judgment upon the people; for the fisheries are said to have often presented scenes of extraordinary debauchery and immorality.

There is also observable a gradual recession of the waters of this sound, from the shores reaching farthest north.

Now, from the cause and effect in this case, a lesson may be learned with regard to Lynnhaven. Although the proposed canal, to extend to its waters, might not have a tendency similar to that of the Dismal Swamp, yet, independently of this, it appears to be apprehended, by some persons, that at no very distant period, Lynnhaven River may really share a fate, or exhibit a change, not unlike that presented by the formerly celebrated Currituck Sound.

CHAPTER LXII.

Old Point-Place of Resort-Distance from Norfolk-The Name-Fortifications-Castle Calhoun-Appearance-Rip Raps-Hotel-Sea-BathingAmusements-Grove-Cottages-Music-Promenade on the BattlementNew Hotel-Virginia Ocean House-Buildings-Parade Ground—Live Oaks -Troops-Ordnance-Ocean Scenery-Northeaster-Terrific Scene-Storm -Hampton-Captain Smith-Indians-Kecoughtan-Battle in the Revolution-Attack of the British in 1813-Barbarous Deeds-Disgraceful and Infamous Conduct-Cockburn-Beckwith-General Taylor-Summer Resort -Hospitality and Moral Character of Hampton-Prosperity-ChurchesAfton House-The Barrons, &c.-Elizabeth City County-Soil-Inhabitants-Population-Yorktown-Splendid Scenery-Old Church-Foreign Commerce, Wealth, and Power-Neglect-The People-Captain AndersonYork River-West Point-The Capital-Cornwallis's Surrender-CaveBurial-Ground-Hugh Nelson-Nelson Family-Hole made by a Cannon-Shot -Northampton and Accomac-Eastern Shore-The Land-Appearance of the Country-Society, &c.-Horses and Carriages-The Ocean-" Accawmacke"-Indians-Eastville, &c.—Hon. A. P. Upshur-Accomac-Hon. H. A. Wise-Drummondtown-Chincoteague-Splendid Scenery-Cape Charles -Southern Watering-Place.

OLD POINT COMFORT, the location of Fort Monroe, is a very popular place of resort in the summer months. It is distant

It

about 16 miles from Norfolk, and 2 from Hampton. was named Point Comfort, in 1607, "on account of the good channel and safe anchorage it afforded;" and the word Old, was added to distinguish it from New Point Comfort. The fortifications here are upon a truly grand scale. The strength, beauty, and extent of the establishment, and its admirable adaptation to the important purposes of the national defence, combine to render it the most important fortress and military station in the Union; indeed, it is among the greatest in the world.

Between Old Point and Sewell's Point, and opposite to Fort Monroe, at a distance of nineteen hundred yards, is Castle Calhoun, or the Fortress of the Rip Raps. The two forts (Monroe and Calhoun) would "present immense batteries of cannon at an approaching hostile ship." The latter is upon an artificial island, made by throwing over rocks, at a depth of twenty feet. "The present aspect of the place is rough and savage; the music of the surrounding elements of air and sea, is in keeping with the dreariness and desolation of the spot."

"The shoal water, which, under the action of the sea, and reacted upon by the bar, is kept up in an unremitting ripple, has given the name of Rip Raps' to this place." The foundation

6

of Castle Calhoun was laid in 1826.

At Old Point there is a splendid hotel, kept in excellent style; the tables, during the summer months, are plentifully supplied with the choicest viands, among which may be named the best of fish and oysters, which, with the superior facilities for sea-bathing and the delightful ocean breezes, the novelties and attractions connected with the fort, the convenient distance to Norfolk, Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, &c., unite to concentrate a large number of visiters there during the summer season in search of pleasure, and for the purpose of recruiting impaired health. "Detached from the building, are extensive billiard saloons, bowling alleys, and pistol galleries, for exercise and amusement, and commodious bathing-houses; the groves of trees in the front and rear of the house, afford an abundance of shade; vegetation has taken a fresh start at the Point. A short distance from the hotel, are two ranges of neat cottages, enclosed, beautified with vines, flowers, trees, and shrubbery, almost ob

scuring them from view. On three nights in the week, the rich strains of the splendid Garrison Band, fill the air with dulcet sounds, harmonizing with the exhilarated feelings of the listener. On these occasions, a promenade on the battlement of the fortress gives life and vigour to the entire system."

"How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!

Here will we sit, and let the sound of music
Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night,
Become the touches of sweet harmony."

Preliminary arrangements are being made for the erection of an extensive hotel on the beach, not far from the fortress at Old Point, to be called the Virginia Ocean House.

Within the fort are the necessary buildings for the accommodation of the officers; and also, a beautiful parade-ground, partially shaded by live oak trees, which are found no farther north than this particular spot. One or two regiments of troops are generally garrisoned here. The heavy discharges from the fort, when the officers of the Ordnance Department are testing the strength of the guns, are often heard at Norfolk.

"Perhaps there is no place upon the Atlantic coast where the exciting play of wind and water may be seen to such an advantage as at Old Point. The long, frantic procession of billows dashes into the Chesapeake with a fury that is indescribable. During the last summer we happened to witness, from this spot, the full energy of a violent northeaster (the same which drove the bark Elizabeth upon Fire Island), and it was a sight to remember. The scuds of rain, that you could see approaching with a rapidity beyond the flight of the swiftest bird, the flakes of foam upon the beach, the sudden darkness that occasionally came athwart the sky, the Titanic violence of the waves, combined to form a scene at once of beauty and of terror. At such a time it is not desirable to go out in a sail-boat. Indeed, we passed across Hampton Roads in a small steamer, during the fiercest of this gale, and though we had a capital opportunity to observe the wild magnificence of the angry elements, we were very much of opinion with the Englishman who got wet at Niagara, that "certainly it was very well in its way, but that,

on the 'ole, he preferred looking at an hengraving of it in the 'ouse."

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Hampton, the shire town of Elizabeth City County, is distant eighteen miles from this city. The site was visited by Captain John Smith and others, in 1607. Burk, one of the historians of Virginia, says: While engaged in seeking for a fit place for the first settlement, they met five of the natives, who invited them to their town, Kecoughtan, or Kichotan, where Hampton now stands." It became a town in 1705. Hampton was attacked by a British fleet, during the Revolutionary war, and was invaded during the last contest with Great Britain. In October, 1775, the place was bravely and successfully defended by a well-disciplined rifle company, assisted by the inhabitants.

"After the British fleet had been so signally defeated in their attempt on Norfolk and Portsmouth, in June, 1813, by the gallant defence of Craney Island, they proceeded to attack Hampton, which was defended by a garrison of four hundred and fifty militia, protected by some slight fortifications." Perkins, in his history of the late war, says: "Admiral Cockburn, on the 25th of June, with his forces, advanced towards the town in barges and small vessels, throwing shells and rockets while Sir Sidney Beckwith effected a landing below, with two thousand men. Cockburn's party were repulsed by the garrison, and driven back behind a point, until General Beckwith's troops advanced and compelled the garrison to retire. The town being now completely in the possession of the British, was given up to pillage. Many of the inhabitants had fled with their valuable effects; those who remained suffered the most shameful barbarities. That renegade corps, composed of French prisoners, accustomed to plunder and murder in Spain, and who had been induced to enter the British service by promises of similar indulgences in America, were now to be gratified, and were let loose upon the wretched inhabitants of Hampton without restraint." "The battle of Hampton," says another writer, "was marked by deeds of rapine and atrocity by the enemy, which would have disgraced a Vandal host, and reflected lasting infamy on the British name." It was in allusion to these outrages that Sir Sidney Beckwith, in a letter to General R. B. Taylor, who commanded the army in Norfolk and vicinity at the time, as

before stated, made this forcible and striking remark: "Worthless is the laurel that is steeped in woman's tears."

Hampton is also much resorted to in summer for health and recreation. The inhabitants have long been noted for their hospitality and public spirit; and the moral character of the place compares favourably with that of others. The town has greatly improved in appearance within a few years, and continues to give evidence of prosperity and advancement. Old St. John's Church has undergone extensive repairs. There are several

other churches in the place, all kept in good order, a court-house, and other public buildings, besides many neat and commodious private dwellings. There are several well-conducted public houses; among which we mention with pleasure, the Afton House, of which Mr. John Tabb is proprietor. The buildings are finely located; and the establishment presents very strong inducements to persons visiting this delightful little town in search of health and pleasure. The fare is exceedingly fine, and all the arrangements of the house are in good taste and excellent style; indeed, it is conducted by the worthy host and his refined and estimable lady, in a manner which, for polite attention, system, and good order, is scarcely excelled in any section of country. A substantial bridge connects the town with the road leading to Old Point.

Hampton is the birthplace of some notable men; among whom were the Barrons,-who distinguished themselves in the Revolution-one of whom was the father of the late veteran, Commodore James Barron, of the United States Navy. Captains Meredith and Cunningham, of the old State Navy, Major Finn, of the army, and other distinguished men, were also from this place.

Elizabeth City County was one of the divisions of the State made in 1634. It comprises a space of country eighteen miles square. The land is generally fertile, and in some places exceedingly rich and productive. Great attention is paid to the improvement of the soil, and agriculture has long been in a very flourishing condition in this excellent little county, which is considered by some the garden spot of the State. The inhabitants, for the most part, possess a sociable, obliging, and hospi