Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-11-21
EIISCELLANY.
The Arlington Estate.


This historical place, situated upon Airing
ton Heights, and in full view OF the city OF
Washington, is still an object of interest, and
claims the attention of hundreds OF VISITORS
To those who remember its appearance years
since, with its splendid walks, beautiful trees
and shrubery 1t presents sad commentary
fupon the effects OF the late civil war. The
Washington Chronicle, in describing the pre-
sent appearance Of this property, romarks
Formerly the property Of George Washing
ton Parke Gusts, the adopted son Of the Ia
tber of his Country" it was left by him 10 his
daughter and her children. Mary, the only
daughter. was the wife of General Robert h.
Lee. by whom the estate was occupied at the
BEGINNING of the late war. For nearly three
quarters Of a century it was the abode Of ele-
CANT hospitality, and its owners were dstin-
suished by that ease and afability that spring
from the knowledge of the possession Of peace
aud plenty The pleasurc-goers OF this city
will remember the many happy hours passed
at Arlington Spring, which was always a ia
nous resort. The mansion, whicn Is large
one. was built of Virginia freestone, and both
the internal and external arrangements were all
that one could wish for. Shortly after the out
break Of the rebellion the family Of Gen. Lee
hastily abandoned the manslon-house and re-
moved TO Richmond, Va, taking the most OF
| Its contents with them.
J The article; lrli ~ enc Locs wora oithoF car
ried oil or destroyed, and many oil tie noble
trees. and much shrubbery, &c, that lent such
dignity to otheapproachesoi the Great House,
as II was called, were cut down and converted
into frewood or cabins, and the house itself
somewhat damaged by It's constant use rs head
quarters. Offices, &c, during the war, it having
/ been seized by our soldiers IN the name Of the
Government, who have since retained possession
ofit. Aiterward a soldiers cemetery was pro-
ected aud carried out upon an extensive scale,
and there now sleep in quiet repose, " after
| Hfes fitlul fever" many thousand soldiers OF
the Union, who fell in its defence or by disease
contracted in the service.
/ Arlington is still held by the United States
government. aud has on it a treedmeu's village.
/ SUNDAY schools for colored children, national
/ cemetery. three immense vaults filed with sol
/ dicrt bones from the hatte-iieds Of Virginia,
and one or two churches. in one Of which meets
/ weekly the Arlington Republican Club. The
| government had at first only possessory title
/ fo the place but it now holds title from tie
lffDtl states lilA 4fi7l y
hurst and Watson, by whom it was sold for
uou-uaymeut Of the direct war tax, ON the lith
iuf June. 1864 The amount Of tax was 593.-
/ o.. with fifty per cent. penalty, and ten peg
cent interest. Attbe sale, advertised by the
! commissioners. the estate was bid in 10y order Of
( the then President Abraham Lincoln, lDr go
/ yernmeut use. for war, military, charitable, and
/ educational purposes. The transfer If the IL
| tie. which is recorded 10 tie Aiexaudua County
/ Court. wa, perfected March Z, 1861 by the
| ackuuw cdgement of the commissioners when
/ the deed was admitted 10 record.
Tho amount understood % havc been paid
bv the United States for the property was
/ 100000 As there was nobody 20 pay this
amount 90. 10 is presumed that tie sum named
/ was only transferred on the books 40 Washing
I ton. and charged 10 the account Of Arlington.
/ As WAS stated in the beginning Of this notice,
Arlington belongs, by the viii Of is former
/ owner. 20 hi, daughter during her life, and 70
/ Eer children at Der death. The well-knowu
/ White House on james river, owned by Old
/ Sir. Custis. was wi.led in tie same way, and Is
now .the house having been burned by MrCIcl-
/ Ian during the war; being cultivated by one oi
l Custis's grandchildren Arlington was worth
about $500. 900, and hardly could have been
purchased from any Of the Lee family for any
| consideration