During that heavy snowfall in the winter of 1858, the passenger train
on the then called Virginia Central Railroad--now named the Chesapeake
and Ohio--was stalled and completely held-up by a tremendous drift
just opposite the well known farm, "Strawberry Hill," which is about
six miles from Richmond. On the train, as a passenger, was a Mrs.
Jones, a distinguished actress of that time, and there was also aboard
the cars a Mr. Hugh Fry, of Richmond. The passengers all decided to
leave the train and go up to the house for diversion or entertainment.
Mrs. Jones found herself involved in a dilemma, as she had on but a
very thin pair of shoes, whereupon Mr. Fry, with the gallantry of a
Sir Walter Raleigh, came to her relief and took off the boots he was
wearing and insisted on her using them. Then came up an unforeseen
difficulty to be overcome; the legs of his boots were too small for
the fair lady's understandings, whereupon Mr. Fry with his pen-knife
slit the tops so that they went on smoothly and thus kept the feet of
the fair wearer dry and quite comfortable.
This incident of the antebellum days was regarded as one of the best
displays of knight-errantry in the annals of the Old Dominion.
One of the most pleasant and entertaining clubs in the 1st Company of
the Richmond Howitzers was the card club. Nearly every game in Hoyle
was played, but the most popular one was draw poker. We used corn
grains for chips, and the antes were not very large in amount, as we
were then receiving as pay only twelve dollars per month, and that at
long intervals. When a player had not the cash to settle up with the
game, he would give an order on next forthcoming pay, which was always
honored. Some of the men became good poker players. Many of those who
were then participants in the game of cards, as well as of "grim war,"
have passed away to the other side of the great river of life.
I recall some of the most pleasant times of army life, while we were
encamped in winter quarters, in the enjoyment incident to a good game
of "poker." They were as a rule genial, bright fellows, and good
cannoneers as well, but always ready for the call to arms. We were
then all young and hopeful; the survivors are now old and quite
"unsteady on their pins." Their gait is slow, and many winters have
frosted their once sunny locks.
In the good town of Ashland, in Hanover county, Va., situated about
sixteen miles north of Richmond, on The Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railway, is to be found one of the very prettiest towns in the
South. This place enjoys the distinction of being the birthplace of
the illustrious statesman, Henry Clay, called the "Great Commoner,"
whose efforts in Congress postponed the dreadful strife between the
sections for many years. It was he who uttered the lofty, patriotic
words, "I would rather be right than be President." Ashland is not
very far from Hanover Court House, where John Randolph and Patrick
Henry, the renewed orator of the Revolution, locked horns in the trial
of the famous Parson's tobacco case, in which the former, Mr.
Randolph, came very near putting the great pleader "on the gridiron."
The celebrated college at this place, named after two distinguished
men, "Randolph-Macon," is one of the best and most prosperous
institutions of learning in the State, with a corps of professors of
ripest scholarship and thoroughly equipped for the respective chairs
of instruction which they fill. The town has good water and excellent
social advantages, being two most important elements for comfort and
pleasure in any place of residence. The large, old forest trees, which
still stand in their pristine grandeur in the streets and yards of
Ashland, add much to its appearance and render it attractive. Many
people come to this village to spend the summer months and enjoy the
advantages it affords of country, pure air and also its nearness to
the city. Mr. Robinson, who was one of the first presidents of the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, took great interest in
Ashland and did much to advance it in every respect. He established a
fine, turfed race course and started many other improvements which
have all now passed away and are only remembered by the elder members
of the community. An attractive and well-kept hotel occupies a
prominent position on the main street fronting the railroad, and is
well patronized. So that taking into consideration all the
conveniences and beauties of the town, it may well be called a
desirable place for a home.