The daily gazette., 1881-09-05
From the Baltimore Sun.
The Yorktown Centennial-Layine
Out the Grounds.

From the Baltimore Sun.
The Yorktown Centennial-Laying
Out the Grounds.
Col. VIM. P. Craighill, United
States engineers returned from Y ork-
town, Va, this morning, where he
has been looking after the progress
of arrangements for the centennial
celebration at that place. Col Craig
hill was also named and detailed BY
the Secretary of War for that puf-
pose, and also to superintend The con-
struction and erection OF the mon>
ument provided for by Congress. The
site selected for the monument is on
a bluff overlooking the river adjoin-
ing and below the village boundary
line, only deep ravine extending
from the foot OF the bluff and gradu.
ally diminishing until 1t reaches the
level plain, distant few hundred
feet, intervening. Facing the river
and looking to the right eastwardly
the view is unobstructed to the capes
of Virginia, distant about % miles.
In front, northwardly, the view is
directly across the river to Glouces-
ter Point and over Gloucester couns
ty. To the left, westwardly up the
broad river, In direct line to West
Point, the junction of the Pamunsky
and Mattaponi rivers, which form the
York. The other view, southwark,
will overlook the plains of York;
town When erected the monument
will be distinctly visible from all
vessels passing up and down Chesa-
peake bay. The land purchased by
the government for ST. 900 embraces
six acres, and lies just within what
were the British lines. The founda~
tion for the base of the monument
has been dug and filed in with
granite concrete. The corner stone
of granite, taken from Richmond
cuarries-the same from which the
State, War and Navy Department
building at Washington has been
constructed-ls on the ground, ready
to be lowered in position for Masonic
ceremonies. The encampment for
United States troops and military
and Masonic societies will be on the
Temple farm, about mile and a
half distant from the monument site
1t is an open field, nearly level, but
with sufficient undulation for proper
drainage, and we'll adapted to any
encampment. In position the regu,
laas will occupy the right of the field
and General Hancock's headquarters
will be there. The same ground was
occupied by Washington's line one
hundred years ago, and by Gen. Nc
Clellan's arm in 1862. On this fielt
from l 200 to l 500 tents, each shelter
! ing fifteen men and furnished by the
War Department, will be erected.
Fresh water in ample quantity will
be supplied from Wormley's creek
1t will be raised into tanks by tive
engines OF thirty horse power each, ant
distributed throughout the camp, fol
which purpose 10000 feet of pipe will
be used. 1t is estimated about 20, 00(
military and 5000 Masons will be IL
tents. For the accommodation of the
executive officers of the government
members of the cabinet, the congress.
sional commission and distinguished
guests. reception building, 100 fee
long and 30 feet WIDE, is being built
1t will contain room for the com
mission, one for the Secretary of State
one for ladies, but large part of til,
space will be taken up for pur
poses of entertainment. This build.
ing is only few feet from tho site
In addition the commission nave rent
cd the old Nelson House, which 10 un
dergoing thorough repair, and said tt
be Intended fer the French guests
Work is all going forward under til,
personal superintendence of Maj. l.
@. Forsyth, of the quartermaster's de
partment, who has taken up his guar
tiers at Yorktown.
| In addition to these preparations BY
congressional commission, the York
town Centennial Association, com
posed of well known citizens of thu
thirteen original States, of which Hon
John H. Goode, of Virginia, is chair
man, and Col. Peyton, OF New Jersey
general superintendent, is also aiding
the commission. As heretofore an
nounced, they have purchased the Tenn
pie farm and rendered its use fo
camping ground. They have ais,
renovated and repaired, from cellar {,
garrett, the Moore House, which is OF
theTemple farm. 1t will be hand
somely papered and earpeted by New
York aud Philadelphia merchants, ant
rendered to the congressional com.
mission for use by it's guests. 1t wa
in this house the articles of eapitula
ton were considered and agreed to
The association is also about erectin,
a building, 800 by 81 feet, for hote
purposes, designed to accommodate
1000 persons in the beds. On the par
OF the people of Yorktown absolutel
no preparations are being made. 4
little wooden shanty with the word
"Opera House. over the entrance, All
half dozen or more board huts fo
dispensing 'cool llger" have bee
nailed up and seem to have exhauste
the enterprise of the natives. Engir
| GERS b, QxCon and Wahb. If tha Ches