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{Handwritten in ink in upper lefthand corner: "For Archives? Al Gooch"
THE DIARY OF JOHN HAMILTON CORNISH, 1846-1860
Edited by R. Conover Bartram
Sunday, October 7, 1860...At 10 P.M. I left the Cars to be present according to invitation from the Chairman of the Executive Committee, at the laying of the Corner Stone of the University of the South on the 10th of October on Sewanee Mountain, Tennessee.
Fare to Augusta, Ga. 1/2-35cts. Arrived in Augusta 11 P.M. Omnibus to Georgia R. Road Depot 50 cts. Met there promenading alone Mr. John S. Preston of Columbia, S. C.
Monday, October 8, 1860. Left Augusta at 12 1/2 [o'clock] at night. Fare to Atlanta $5.50 Arrived at Atlanta, Ga. 10 A.M. Left Atlanta XI A.M. Fare to Chattanooga, Tenn. $5. Wrote Martha. A few miles beyond Atlanta a break in the R. Road--which we had to walk around--which delay threw our train out of schedule time so that we had to feel our way, sending a lookout ahead around the many curves of this torturous road. Many on their way to Sewanee got on at different points during the day. Among them Judge Randall of Fla. and ex. Gov. Johnson of La. who gives $40,000 to the enterprise.
Arrived at Chattanooga at 10 P. M. and here we spent the night.
Tuesday, October 9, 1860. Hotel bill $1.50. Fare to Cowan $2.10 with a Return Ticket. Left Chattanooga at 9 A. M. The scenery most of the way to Cowan is wild, mountainous, and picturesque. Arrived at Cowan, a Hotel and a Depot, on a small plain environed by high mountains, at 12 M. After an hour or so we ascended the Sewanee Mountain in the Cars of the Cowan and Locke City R. Road. About 7 miles winding and turning brought us to the University Depot, at 2 P. M. Here Omnibuses &c awaited to take us to the University Place about a mile. On our way passed the residences of B[ishop]s Polk and Eliot. Deposited our baggage at the office, took checks and received tickets for our rooms. Mine was No. 12 in No. 10 which was the attic of a series of log houses in which were some 50 beds.
Wednesday, October 10, 1860. Took a walk on the Corso with Rev. Mr. Glennie. The Corso is a road running around the domain of the University, on the brow of the mountain, following its angles, a beautiful prospect bursts on your sight, arresting you with wonder and admiration. A double log house in University Place.
At 12 M. 9 B[isho]ps in their Robes and some 50 or 60 clergymen, in surplices and gowns, and some 5000 people, formed a procession and, headed by a band of music playing Hail Columbia--marched to the spot where the main building of the University was to be laid. There Old Hundred was sung by the vast multitude, Rev. Mr. Young of Trinity Church, New York acting as Precentor. Then prayer, and the ceremonies of Laying the Corner Stone in which each of the Bishops present took part, B[isho]p Polk laying the stone. Then was sung the Benedicte. Rev. Mr. Young and Rev. Dr. Quintard on opposite sides of the ring singing alternate verses and the whole multitude accompanied by the band, singing the chorus. Thence to the Large Shed seating some two or 3 thousand persons and the Oration by John S. Preston, 2 houres long. Thence to a similar shed to dinner. Speeches from Lieut. Maury, Rev. Dr. Bernard, B[isho]p Smith and others.
Thursday, October 11, 1860. Walked about under the trees where the underbrush is cleared out. Picked up Chesnuts and wonderful acorns for my children as specimens and momentoes of what this wild mountain top is--which is destined, we trust, to bear richer fruit.