National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-19
TheTFasedyO KaSon'S (AnalOStan) Island.


Written for The National Republican.
In the Potomac 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 a. Mason" from it:
former owner. Ii is also known as Analostan Is
land.
Since the war it has been place of considerable
resort for pleasure parties, the mansion and large
pav11on erected at Titrie distance from it afford
ing ample room and accommodations for picnicS
excursions, and the like.
During the continuance of the great struggle be-
tween the North and South the island then united
to the sacred soil of the Old Dominion by narrow
eanseway, but which has since been partially de-
stroyed) was occupied by the Government, but the
dwelling remained Vacant-at least it was tenant
less 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 it, reminding me ofvaTious tales
ofhorror over which 1 had shuddered in my
youthful days. but little did think at that time
deed as dark and terrible as any of which had
read destined to be perpetrated within its pre-
eincts-a deed, too, of which should be a witness
The fearful scene of nearly twenty years ago has
been freshly called to mind by notice, recently
published in of the leading papers of the day,
ofthe death of the principal actor in the tragedy
and this event having absolyed me from the prom
Use exacted at the time propose to make the facts
public in the hope that, by disposng ofmy secret,
1may, at least to some extent relieve myself of the
burden it has for so long period inicted upon me-
After the first battle of Bull Run the regiment of
which was member did garrison and guard
duty upon the Virginia side of the Potomac, di-
rectly opposite the cities of Washington and
Georgetown.
was at that time q sergeant, and as it hap
pened, was frequently in charge of the guard sta
toned 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 ferry
which did duty until the steamboat Tallaca fur
nished more convenient means for tTansporta-
ton to ana from the city, and the detail never
comprised less than dozen men.
The ferry house close by was used for guard
quarters, as well as for the accommodation of the
boat hands, who were civilians.
The Mason House, as old Washingtonians and
all who were members of the Potomac army will
know, stood, as it yet stands, but short distance
from the causeway, from which it is, or was Sc
cured from view by vigorous growth of shade and
ornamental trees and its appearance is, 1 pre-
sumo, pretty much the same now that it was on a
certain memorable night in the first year ofthe war
Shortly after crossing into Virginia had taken
occasion TO explore the mansion, and queer old
house ii 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
narrow, heavily barred openings, the tops of
which were scarcely above the level of the
grounds Cl1rrOl1Odinp no huildinp
ton 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 well posted in the history
of the place maintained that in former years the
cellar had been used for wine and coal vaults and
other general purposes but to it presented very
much the appearance of prison.
As already stated, was frequently stationed at
the ferry landing alternating between that post
and the Aqueduct BRIDGE and it nearly as often
happened that the officer OF the guard would
chance TO be Lieutenant c., of another regiment
inthe brigade from which the detail for guard duty
was made up, headquarters being located at or
near Halls Hill my own regimental headquarters
near Fort Corcoran. The Lieutcnantwa generally
accompanied on his rounds by youth of ap-
parently not more than sixteen or seventeen wears
Il
PRODUCTION became necessary, as his brother. No
two persons could be more unlike. The Lieuten-
antwas well-developed and stalwart specimen of
manhood, with blonde complexion, light thrown
hair, and roguiSh, twinkling eyes, which were al
ways upon the lookout for something to laugh at
beside which he had frank, hearty manner of
meeting folk that was continually making new
acquaintance and winning him new friends
His companion, on the contrary, was quite small
L..
hair shading features perfectly regular yet inclined
to thinness of the brunette order; and such eyes
No one ever succeeded in getting near enough to
them, save the Lieutenant himself to determine
their color, but the Judgment generally rendered
was that they were rich, dark brown. There was
q shy, retiring disposition manifested by their
owner that prevented any advances toward an in
innate acquaintance being attempted, and hence
it came about that we knew as little of the Lieu
tenants brother in October as We had in the early
part of August preceding, when he first made his
appearance in our midst.
The battle of Balls Bluff was fought upon the
10Th OF 2st Of October, and during the night sue
ceeding that event the greatest confusion pre-
vailed All the troops that could be spared from
the Notifications were ordered up in the direction
of Chain Bridge, and those upon guard, myself in
cluded, were forced to remain on duty for more
than foTty-cight hours
About midnight, or shortly after, Lieutenant G.
came to me at the ferry landing, stating that he
had been ordered out with his regiment, and was
to start al once, and requested me to so inform his
brother when he should arrive next morning from
the city, whittier he had gone the day previous ON
business. He also suggested that his brother
should recross to Washington, and there remain at
their old stopping place until the return of the
troops: Receiving my promise to see his wishes
carried out he departed
The next day 1 was much occupied by the
throngs of troops, citizens, and teams crossing the
ferry, and twas not until evening that 1 remem-
bered my plejg. TO the Lieutenant; and then,
when came to think Of the matter, soon satisfied