The Grand Union Barbecue

Maysville, September, 1861.  Having attended the Grand Union Barbecue recently held near this place, I  seized the opportunity to make a sketch of the beautiful little city.  It was necessarily a hasty one, but will serve to give you an idea of the scenery and situation.  It was through Maysville that the government arms were first distributed into Kentucky which has so marked an effect in preventing "precipitation;" and near here, in the lovely woodland, just beyond the lofty precipitous hill on the extreme right of the picture, around which you may see winding the magnificent Macadamized road that leads to Lexington, and within sight of La Bell Rivierie, was held the barbecue of which I spoke.  This was the largest gathering I have seen for years. There were speakers from Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Among those from the last named state was Hon. Horace Maynard.  Colonel Charles Marshall, a prominent citizen of this county (Mason), contemplates the establishment of a camp in the vicinity of this place.

Before the introduction of railroads into the State, Maysville was the grand gate-way of trade and travel between the South and East.  It is still a town of considerable importance, but is principally remarkable at present for the gallantry and hospitality of its people, and the beauty of its situation and its women.  [signed] Buckeye

This story is from the Harpers Weekly of October 12, 1861.  Page 647.