The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-04-26
A Tragedy of the Potomac.

In the fOtomac river, opposite the
/ National Capital, and close to the
Virginia shore, lies small island of some
twenty acres in extent, and which takes
the name of Mason" from its former
owner. 1t is also known as Analostan
Island.
Since the war It has been u place OF
considerable resort for pleasure parties,
the mansion and large pavilion erect
cd at a little distance from 1t afiording
ample room and accommodation for
picnics, excursions and the like.
During the continuance of the great
struggle between the North and South,
the island (then united to the sacred soil
of the Old Dominion by narrow cause
way, but which has since been partially
destroyed, was occupied by the govern
ment, but the dwelling remained vacant
-at least 1t was tenantless in 1861, and
up to the time when the Army of the
Potomac embarked for the Peninsula.
There was deserted appearance about
the place when first knew 1t, remind
ing me of various stories of horror over
which had shuddered in my youthful
days; but little did / think at that time
deed as dark and terrible as any of
which had read, was destined 10 be
perpetrated within lis precincts-a deed,
too, of which should be witness.
The fearful scene of nearly twenty
years ago has been freshly called to
mind by notice, recently published in
one of the leading papers of the day, of
the death of the principal actor in the
tragedy and this event having absolved
me from the promise exacted at the
time, propose to make the facts public,
in the hopes that, by disposing of my
secret, may, at least to some extent,
relieve myself of the burden it has for so
long period inflicted upon me.
After the first battle of Bull Run the
regiment of which was member did
garrison and guard duty upon the Vir-
ginia side of the Potomac, directly oppo-
site the cities of Washington and George
town.
was at that time sergeant, and, as
ut happened, was frequently in charge of
the guard stationed at the upper end of
the island, where it was Joined to the
causeway already mentioned.
The post was an important one on
account of its being Immediately at the
landing of the rope-fe ferry, which did
duty until the steamboat Tallaca fur
nished q more convenient means for
transportation to and from the city, and
the detail never comprised less than q
dozen men.
The ferry-house close by was used for
guard.quarters as well as for the accom-
mediation Of the boat hands, who were
civilians.
The Mason House, as old Washing
ton:ans and all who were members of
the Potomac army will know, stood. as
1T yet stands, but short distance from
the causeway, from which it is, or was.
secured from view by vigorous growth
of shade and ornamental trees, and its
appearance is, presume, pretty much
the same now that it was on certain
memorable night in the first year of the
war.
Shortly after crossing into Virginia 1
had taken occasion to explore the man.
sion, and queer old house it seemed TO
me.
The rooms upon and above the ground
floor were cut up into curious little
hooks and corners, with cupboards and
dark recesses scattered about in the most
unexpected localities. The basement.
or more properly cellar, was divided by
heavy walls of solid masonry into
numerous dungeon.like compartments.
lighted from without through heavily
barred openings, the tops of which were
scarcely above the level of the grounds
surrounding the building. Communi-
cation between the cells and with the
outer world was cut off by oaken doors
of massive construction and enormous
strength, supplied with locks and bolts.
but which from long disuse had grown
rusty and immovable.
Those claiming to be we'll posted in
the history of the place maintained that
in former years the cellar had been used
for wine and coal vaults and other gen.
eral purposes, but to me it presented
very much the appearance of prison.
AS already stated, was frequently
stationed at the ferry landing (alternat-
ing between that post and the Aqueduct
BRIDGE, and it nearly as often happened
that the officer of the guard would
chance to be Lieutenant G., of an
other regiment in the brigade from