Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1864-05-20
gha @lexHndr{a Gazftt 3.
FRIDAY EVENING. MAY 20.

sktcel Of the Hospitals In CHS place. de
says:
ssThe First Division General Hospital has
it's HEADQUARTERS in Alexandria, at the corner
Fairfax and Cameron streets. The headquar'
tiers are known as the Mansion House Hospl'
raj. and occupy building which was formerly
hotel, the largest in Virginia. (?) tt has been
used as hospital for TWO and half years, AID
we were told, 2 portion Of it was once occupied
as slave~n1arket. AS 8 hotel, it was capable
Of accommodating five hundred people. A
very convenient arrangement IN this hospital
IS fhe presence Of sort Of dumb waiter, by
which not only rovisions are transported from
storv TO story with dispatch and promtatude
but also by which the wounded can carefully
he raised or lowered on stretchors trom one
floor TO another.
I'VE have never before heard that any por-
tion Of the building was ever used as ''slaVe
u,arket.' It was formerly q Bank.
1.-The Mansion street Hospital is the largest
IN Alexandria. Some TWO months ago tragic
incident occurred here. One OF the patlenEs
who was insane, managed to get through, a
window in bis ward and catch hold OF the
caves Of the building. There he hung Tor lit"
tie space. and finally fell upon the balustrade
below, i..iuying himself SO seriously as TO Ole IN
few honrs. He was resident OF Syracuse.
Adjoining this hospital is the Braddock Man
sion, where George Washington received his
commission as commander of our forces. ~
The Sd division general headquarters are at
the corner Of Prince and Columbus streets: -
The HOSPITALS which We visited, formerly be-
|onged TO the Rev. Dr. Johnston, who went II
Richmond, where, for all that is known to the
contrary. he yet resides. The house is COM
modious, and, for coniscated dwelling, is
verv fine 1t is known as the Prince. street
Hospital. That and the Powell Hospital, op-
posire, belong to the same division.
'rrhese mansion are known as the johnston
and Powell Houses, Mr.. Powell. e. was Tor
ually merchant, and like Mr.. johnston
went TO Richmond Almost opposite this
Prinee-street Hospital lies mansion, and
garden, which, if we understood our inform
ant Alright, belongs to relative OF the late
owner Of the Johnston House. The garden
IS thrown open 70 The use of she soldiers. Il
is beautiful and spacious garden, ahording a
delightful place Of repose to those who have
tasted the dangers and distress Of battle fields,
and have experienced ali the unutterable pangs
which under the most favorable circumstances,
beset hospital life. The sun was g!oalng over
The bright beauty, Of the wide spreading YER
elure when we took peep within This garden,
and the air which jazily stirred the million
leaves was tinted With the attenuated per-
lume Of young Towers. The LADY, who owns
these grounds may b. paraoned it she felt at
iirst afraid chat some Of ttelr beauty might
be marred Ly the tread OF careless feet, Or
the desecration Of ruthless hands. She has
had, however, no cause TO fear this. The
soldiers have respected the privileges she bas
accorded them. They look and enjoy, but
haxdio not ann leava .ha Grounds as inviting