Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-09-26

friend puts in possession Of some interesting de-
tails relating this important establishment, the force
at which is now engaged in altering old flint lock guns
(o which there are several thousands to percussion
making very efficient weapons. Where they cannot be
altered to advantage they overhaued and repaired
Furnished with new fnts they make very good SER
vice gun Some of Halls breach-loadng rifles have
been altered to carbines, and they make an excellent
gun for cavalry service. Although the first breach
loading gun made they about good as most wea-
pons of that kind now in use on the continent Capt
Hail. the inventor had charge Of the rife factory at
Harpers Ferry for many years. There are also num-
Der OF flint lock pistols to be altered to percussion.
The manufacture Of Aew arms has not yet been COM
menced They are preparing for it, and hope to be
ready by the time the steam engines are received
from Richmond, which will be in two months. The en-
gines are to be horizontal high pressure, and two in
number, OF ssventy-fve horse power each They are
being built by Messrs Talbot & Bro of Richmond, Va.
The large house originally intended for lumber house,
is to be the rife factory. There is large force
Engaged in building addition to it, with two wings,
which will make it commodous enough for the reception
of all the machinery. They will also build house for
the reception Of the engines and boilers.
Everything connected with the Armory works
smoothly. The following are the officers -
CAPTAIN JOHN G. BOOTH is the Executive Officer,
an energetic and courteous gentleman very popular with
all the employees.
Mr.. BURKART, the Master Armorer, is an officer Of
large experience and esteemed by the late u S. Gov
eminent by whom be was employed fer thirty years)
one of the best practical mechanics on this continent
CAPTAIN j. E. P. DA1NGERF1ELD is Paymaster and
Military Sorekeeper He is polite and gentlemanly
man. Mr.. ADAM BROWNE, Assistant Military Store
keeper occupied the position under the old govern
ment. He is faithful, industrious, and strictly upright
MIR. HIRAM HARRINGTON is Master Machinist an(
Draughtsman 4 most excellent selection.
Mr.. BELL, the Master Builder, under whose superin
tend nee all the buildings at the Arsenal were con
structed, is still retained in the position Mr.. Bel
is so long and favoraby known in Fayetteville, and, b.
reputation throughout the State that further remar
is necessary.
The men who assist these officers are not only goo
mechanics but true to the cause Of the South. 1t is
be regretted that the cannot be said about all GU
National Armories but that on the contrary, at one
these the government permits if it does not sanction
the employment of men who have acted as spies for th
Federal army, ard who have declared that they wOul
rather starve than work for the Confederate States
but nOW when they are Grced 10 take one OF Inc wv
alternatives of course choose the latter. We are as
sured that few of the men last referred to possess
abity-are not mechanics, and their places easil
be filed by young men within the limits of the ConfeC
crate States who have relatives in the Confederate army
while those lately sent for to Harpers Ferry have
friends in army but have friends and relations fight
ing against our cause and otherwise aiding our er
emies There are plenty of among the trul
skilled workmen who have gone to Fayetteville, wh
could instruct young men, and in month or two max
them useful than any of those whose services hav
lately been secured. The Harpers Ferry traitors VIII
at first positively refused to enter into the mechanics
service of the Conederacy but remained behind to pile
Patterson and Banks ought to be as little trusted
as soon disposed of possible 1t is due to the tru
men and to the country that this should be DONE