The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-10
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL.

We recently took stroll over the Island,
through the deserted bull pen and prison
barracks, and all about the place once so full
-sfHfe and of misery. We were struck with
the awful stiffness of the place, scarcely
man or a live creature OF any kind beng
at bridge or gate.
The buildings are nearly all empty; the
gates, to the prison yard, open; the trees In
-rns-fafge prison enclosure nearly all dead );
the buildings tenantless; the instruments of
torture, the wooden horse, the spread eagle,
the thumb torture, &c, &C., thrown aside, and
the whole place wearing an air of oppressive
sadness,-while the ? 900 graves, near by,
show how fearfully disease and i'll treatment
have done their work.
Under the charge Of the new commandments
Maj. Rodman, and Maj. Kressl the Island
will soon wear a more cheerful face, and the
traces of prison life be oblterated. A com
Portable Though not permanently two story
house, with convenient wings, is being erect
:, at old headquarters; for Maj. Rodman's
residence. lie is now at the east official
business, and the work is in charge of Maj.
John \. Kress, who also resides on the
Island. He. like all regular army officers, is
AN educated gentleman and fills the position
to which he has been ordered, with credit to
himself and to the.governmens.
The rebel hospital buildings and yard are
now used to store q large amount of property
which is being sent here. Some of the build
ings are having shingle roofs put on and be-
ing otherwise made secure from storms.
Among the property already received at
the Island may be seen from 80 to 300
pieces of artillery-6ome of them are the
splendid 80 FOUNDER Parrot ritled guns
Each gun has its carriage, and there is
large number of cassiOns, battery wagons,
&C., &c. There has also been received, some
$500 boxes OF ordnance stores, horse equip
ments for artillery and cavalry. and all the
necessary traps to make complete outfit for
artillery and cavalry service.
This property mostly came from Tennes-
see and was landed ON the Island, by steam
boats, some OF it the Col. Davenport
house, where there is good landing at all
seasons of the year, and some of it ust below
the railroad bridge, where there is another
good landing.
This is only the advance guard of what Is
coming. A large number of heavy siege
guns are Oh the way here, for storage. Also
eighteen million rounds OF small arms cart
ridges. Such u vast amount of ammunition
as will be stored on the Island will render
the greatest care necessary the part of
those in charge. as an explosion would be
certain death to all.
In this connection we would say that we
have heard that there is high authority for
suggesting that new railroad bridge be
built directly from our depot across to Dav-
EXPORT, and thus avoid the danger of fire from
engines crossing the Island, and also get
more eligible sites for buildings near and ON
the railroad trask. Such q bridge would be
much easier tor boats to pass than the present
one, as it would be in still water and not
across rapid current, like the present one
This would wholly remove the railroad from
the Island, which would then be entirely iso-
lated from the surrounding country, and un-
der the exclusive control of the government.
We doubt not that this bridge will. some
day, be built, and the old ones entirely re.
moved from the river.
The arsenal building, at the point of the
Island, is progressing slowly, but probably
as fast as economy and durability will war
rant. The building was projected on too
small plan, and located in bad place, as
is now admitted by all. Those who remem
Der the articles in this paper, on that sub
ject when Maj. kingsbury commenced the
work, now admit their truthfulness. 1t is
also gratifying to Us 10 know that the posi-
tions then taken are endorsed by high auth
GRITTY, now.
The best way, now, is to 20 on and finish
the building in progress. And we learn that
those In charge think another building, as
large or larger, should be erected on the high
ground south of the present one, and the two
connected by large long workshop, thus
making more than four times the room to be
obtained in the present building.
Fine stone houses must also be erected for
officers residences and large magazines,
-.,.bouses. &c., &C., in great numbsrs 10