Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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banks and log rail fences on either side. At intervals there were arching bridges and parkways. It was especially beautiful at this time of autumn because of the trees with their multi-colored leaves. Again we were deep- ly impressed by the natural scenery around us. As we approached Yorktown, we passed some of the French trenches. The road led along the York river and by the wharf of the ferry which goes to Gloucester Point. Passing the Swan Tavern we immediately went to the Park Museum at the corner of Main and Church streets. Parking in front of the museum, we noticed a sign which stated that Yorktown was established in 1691, and that it was the scene of the last major military operation of the American Revolution in 1781. We realized that not a week before, October the nineteenth, was the one hundred and fifty-ninth anni- versary of the victory of Yorktown, and this fact made it all seem more real and interesting to us. This museum contains a large relief map of Yorktown and its vicinity, maps outlining the war, uniforms and costumes, and many other interesting articles. A little way from the main building stands a Naval Museum which is the restored half of a gun deck of a British frigate in which there are guns brought up from the bot- tom of the river. From this museum a guide directed us on a tour of the battle- fields. When we stopped at the Grand French Battery, it was hard for us stand- ing on the field on such a sunny, peaceful day to realize that once there was fighting there. A scenic but bumpy road, on the side of which were old-fashioned snake fences, led us by Surrender Field where the British gave up their arms and colors, by the encampment area of the Virginia militia and that of Lafayette’s troops, as well as by the headquarters of General Lincoln, who was second in command of our army. This beautiful road winding around a lake and through woods brought us to the Moore House where the Articles of Capitulation were drawn up. Here we spent much time go- ing through the house and grounds, and particularly admiring the view from the front yard overlooking the river. Somehow about this time, feeling rather faint, we knew that it was getting near the time to eat, and we headed back for Yorktown, stopping for a few minutes on the way at some British fortifications. We lunched THE MISSILE Page nine

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in Mr. Miller’s car, was exactly what these signs meant, but an explana- tion was never reached. The sun was getting high, and the day was promising to be very warm and clear, as we passed by the Westover church and many homes which, judging from the architecture and landscaping, appeared to have been built in the colonial days. At length we saw Greenway, the birthplace of John Tyler, who was a Governor of Virginia and President of the United States. Later we sighted Sherwood For- est, a white, spacious old mansion where President Tyler retired after his presi- dency and where his grandson still lives. This mansion is a typical Southern homestead with its rambling, one-story wings and wide lawns. Charles City Courthouse, as far as we could see, was composed of the red brick courthouse building, a school, and a small group of homes. About this time we passed several school buses which re- minded us that were we at home, we would be on our way to school. Imag- ine our jubilation on seeing others going to school while we were having such a holiday excursion. In what seemed almost no time at all we were ap- proaching quaint old Williamsburg, once the colonial capital of Virginia. Of course, the most outstanding landmark here is the college of William and Mary, the second oldest in the United States, which was established in 1693. The main building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and the President’s home were pointed out to us. Students were walking about the campus and going in and out of the stores. There was the Bruton Parish church and straight ahead the Governor’s Palace. We regretted that we did not have time to stop in this historical town and visit each and every famous site. Asking which was the way to Yorktown, we were vaguely directed to go straight ahead, turn to the left, then to the right for several blocks, then to the left, etc. Convinced that we knew the way, we finally ended up at a service station through which all four of the cars trailed. The owner came out and watched with a puzzled and amused countenance as his four prospective customers each greeted him and sped away. But after all, what fun is it if you don’t get lost a couple of times ? At last, after finding the famed Colonial Parkway, we all agreed that this highway from Williamsburg to Yorktown was the most beautiful road we had ever traveled. The driveway was broad and curving with green Page eight THE MISSILE

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at the Yorktown picnic grounds on the riverfront since we had all brought picnic lunches. Boy! Did they taste good! It seemed ages since we had eaten early that morning. When someone said he had eaten too much, one of the boys answered that he had a feeling he should have stopped eating ten sandwiches ago! Resting a short time at the Victory Monument, we had our pictures taken — for what trip is complete without a few candid shots? The real highlight of the day was the visit to York Hall, formerly called the Nel- son House. It was Cornwallis’ Head- quarters. We thoroughly enjoyed visit- ing this home and grounds with the sunk- en gardens. This place was especially in- teresting because of a cannon ball lodged in the wall, a secret staircase, and the lovely antiques. Happy, but tired, we once again piled into our cars and very unwillingly started our homeward journey. Silent Witnesses By Jean Ide Oh, town ! what tales your houses and roads could tell ! Each road at first would speak of folks so gay. Each house at first would sing o’ the friendly day. Later those roads felt hoofs with news to tell. Homes heard, too. The bomb had burst its shell! The roads were torn with wheels and blood and fray. House watched house be burned, fall down, decay. All was sunk in strife of war’s mad hell. Cornwallis was stopped at last by the fleet of France And by the American force that camped all ’round. The road and houses saw him break his lance Against the surging force that held him bound. . In short, the tale of house and road would be : “We saw, first hand, the things that made you free !” Page ten THE MISSILE