The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-06


made acquainted with the proceedings in re-
ference TO the establishment of an Arinory, for
the manufacture of i'm plelneDtS of war, an
extensive scale, in tn 5 city but very few,
we imagine are aware OF the progress that
has already been made, under the super
vision of Capt. Charles DiInmock, in that di-
rection. We visited the Armory yesterday,
and took Il survey or matters and things gene
rally. The interior of the western wing of the
building has been entirely rebuilt. New tim
bPrS and iron columns have been introduced,
new floors laid and everything recons tructed
in the most substantial manner. 1t will r."
quire but Il few days TO complete this portion
of the establishment. The easter wing will
then undergo similar process OF improve
ment, and 1t is probable that the whole Will
be finished early i'll the spring. ready for the
movements of the contractor III the depart
ment OF machinery. There is ample room for
carrying on the necessary manufacture ope-
rations, with T-poWer sufficient for any
emergency.
In the repairing room of the Armory may
be seen Il great variety of weapons, including
the pattern muSkets and rifles that have been
sent here from England and elsewhere. The
gun used by old John Brown is prominent
object OF interest. The veteran Armorer, Mr..
Barnes, who has been employed here for forty
years, without losing scarcely Il day, still
purspes his occupation in this department.
The Laboratory, at present, is the busiest
portion Of the establishment. On the first
floor we saw Il large uantIty of shell strapped
shot and shrapnell, with other munitions of
war in abundance In the room above, a large
force is employed in the manufacture OF car
tridgcs. They turn out from / coo to 5000
musllet ami rifle cartridges per DAY Every
thing prepared here is packed in strong boxes,
and appropriately marked. The neatness and
order prevailing in the Laboratory reflect
credit upon the superintendent.
In the shop adjoining a subs initial gun
| carriage has Just been completed. We We're
| Informed that the small force now employed
can finish one OF these carriages in about eight
| days.
The AImory grounds require especial
notice, for most OF our citizens are familiar
! with the general arrangement. The old flag
| staff, with its unique ornament" has been
! removed from the tower over the main
! trance, ard new one substituted. The flag
| will be hosted to-day, mark of res i,ect to
| the Governor and the Armory Commit ttee,
| who propose to make visit of inspec ton.
| With Il view of showing that the work con-
templatcd by the Legislature has been prompt
| ly carried forward we have given this brief
| description, ana we may add that the proven
| bal energy of the con tractor for the machinery
| leaves no room to doubt that he WILL ac the
| proper time, as promptly fulfll his engage
| ments
| DefenSice Preparations. any one doubts
| that the South is in earnest in her present at
| titude, a visit to the Tredegar Works, in this
city, will dispel the delusion. Even the ''emi
nent Seward = might learn something from
| q survey of operations there at the present
| time. We have heretofore noticed the ship
lnent of formidable implements of war to the
| seeding States, and there more of the
same sort in preparation. Two ten inch Co
| Iumbiads, destined Tor Alabama, are nearly
completed and two fierce looking mortars for
| South Carolina Will shortly be READY for the
| troops of that Republic. IN the casting OF on,
mortar AND one gun, last week, 5000 pounds
OF metal Were used. Shell and cannon shot
lay about promiscuously and in heaps, and Il
large number OF men are engaged III the manu-
! facture OF these destructive messengers. Seve-
raj cannon, of large and small caiibre, are in
process of manufacture, or already compet-
ed and in another department the gun-car-
ritgcs are getting ready, under the hands OF
competent workmen. The whole place has /.
Warlike aspect, which looks strange to us who
have so long lived i'll piping times OF peace.