The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-11
FROM VIRGINIA.


DomInion-The Ancestral Mansion Of
Winfield ScOtt-Scenes OF His BOyhOOd
burial Place Of the Scott Faulty
Beautiful Appearance of the Place
Imposing Scenes-Battle of Five Forks.
RICHMOND, Va, February l.-During .he
pending dearth OF news of political character,
and feeling called upon to maintain the re-
quisite equilibrium of a correspondent 1t occurs
to me that some "reminiscences of rambles
among the homes of the elite of the Old Do
minion, OF national character, may be in
terestlng TO your readers. | propose giving a
briet description OF the time-honored family
seats OF one of those noble Virginians who
graced the nation when the name of Virginia
was the synonym of loyalty to to the Union,
and OF unquestionable national love, and who
also stood by that Union when his State had
hoisted the banners of treason.
To the ancestral summer residence of that
noble hero General Winfield Scott has my atteu-
tion been recently called, and a much desired
interest enkindled TO become fomiliar with ils
history. The scene of the studies, sports ram
bles, and memories of his bOyish days, the stage
upon which his early manhood Gained impetus,
and gave prestige OF that fame which has since
emblaZOned his name, as the great American
hero over the whole civilized world. The man
sion was built originally about one hundred
and twenty years since IN some antlquated style
OF English architecture, which has almost
entirely disappeared, being nearly remodeled
by modern additions. The Pegram family,
whose name are familiar in the late war, were
riage with the SCOTS, and 1t is supposed the
mansion was originally built by them, and after
wards inherited by the SCOTS through the
marriage of some members of the family, being
used onjointly as convenient by both families
as summer residence. About 1888 the whole
Scott property was purchased by Mr.. j. Hill
Smith, OF Richmond, but the portion 10 which
/ now allude as being the residence OF the Gene
raj is still in possession of a son of that gentle
man, who from motives of patriotism its his
toric interest, ETC., would never be induced to
part with IT,
This larm adjons, and is now in full view of
Dnwiddie Court House-hence its name, ''Vil.
lage Vlewn- and presents most charming ap-
pearance. The mansion Is commodious
antique building, with verandah in front the
length of the whole house, surrounded by every
description OF farm building, otnamented by
groves, springs, and orchards. A cultivated
garden and grapery, situated upon one of the
highest points in the county, environed by as
many hills as the famous city on the Tiber. The
whole from the leading country road, which
| passes in front, making most delightful and
| pleasing impression. Immediately in the rear
of the residence. in full view of the road, is the
! family burying ground of the SCOTS, in 10 eX-
| celent state of preservation, and securely
| walled in with granite in the manner of old
! English tombs. In this are deposited the re-
| mains of number of the ancestors of the
! General and his relatives; but the names of
wnom could not exactly ascertain.
! The beautiful farm, IN common with all
| others, shows the desolating ravages of war to
| great extent: the soil Is of the most fertile
nature, and is admirably suited to the cultiva-
| tiOn OF cotton, tobacco, grapes, and all the
! cereals. Granite of the best quality underlies
| the terra trnld and crops out in mammoth
| boulders in great many places. The languish-
| ing condition of the country, particularly the
farming population in this locality, calls here
imperativey for the energy, enterprise, and in
! dustry OF the Yankee, in a beautiful, but
| neglected aud almost despairing region.
The famous "Dlamond Spring" in beautiful
grove In the diamond field, on this farm, was
| the grand scene in the olden times and even
| during the late years OF secession mania, OF
| imposing political gatherings, barbecues, pic
| MICS, and all other summer amusements OF the
| gentry of this and the neighboTing counties.
| Many relatives, am told Of the great Dinwd
dian still live in this section, but are, like the
| remainder, poverty stricken. have often won
| dered that some of the old Generals Northern
| friends and admirers do not appropriate Gas
| his State would have done had he gone with II
/ when the flag ofsecession was unfurled 10 the
! breeze) this sacred spot as a pleasant retreat
| by depicting some OF their Golfers in beautify
ing and adorning this attractive and now
| national place.
This would meet with the sympathies and bes
| wishes of the whole North, and would once
| more make it an oasis in the desert of destruc
| tion created in this region by the late horrld
| war The battle of Five Forks, the last decisive
| one of the war, was fought on portion of thii
| farm, General Sheridan's headquarters were In
| sight of the mansion, both armies alternately
| occupying 1t. My imagination dwells witt
pleasure on this venerated place.