The National tribune., 1881-09-03
THE TRAGEDY OF ANALOSTAN ISLAND.

THE TRAGEDY OF RNALOSIAN ISLAND
In the Potomac River, opposite the National
CAPITAL and close to the Virginia shore lies a
small island of some twenty acres in extent, and
which takes the name OF Mason" from It's for
mer owner 1t is also known as AnalOstan Island.
Since the war it has been place of considerable
resort for pleasure parties the mansion and a
large pavilion erected at a little distance from it
atfording 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
a narrow causeway. but which has since been
partially destroyed, occupied by the Gov
ernment but the dwelling remained vacant-at
least it was tenantless in 1861 and up to the time
when the Army Of the Potomac embarked for the
Peninsula.
There was a deserted appearance about the
place when | first knew it, reminding me OF vari-
Gus tales Of horror over which | i'd 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 to be perpetrated
within its precinctS-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, re-
Gently published in of the leading papers Of
the day of the death of the principal actor in the
tragedy: and this event having absOlyed me from
the promise exacted at the time, | propose to
make the facts public, in the hope that, by dis
posing of my secret, may, at least to some ex-
tent, relieve myself of the burden it has for so
long period inflicted upon me.
=, 81, 81 DILL +J,o
of which | was a 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 sergeant, and as 1t 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
furnished more convenient means for transpOr-
tatiOn to and 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 accOmmOd alton of the
boat-hands, who were civilians.
The Mason House, as old WashingtOnans and
all who were members Of the Potomac Army well
know, stood as it yet stands, but short distance
from the causeway, from which it is, or was Sc
cured from view by a vigorous growth of shade
and ornamental trees. and its appearance is, [
presume. pretty much the same now that it was
on a certain memorable night in the first year of
the war.
Shortly after crossing into Virginia | had taken
occasion TO explore the mansion, 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
narrow, heavily barred openings the tops Of which
were scarcely above the level of the grounds sur
rounding the building. Communication 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 immovabIe.
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 me it presented
very much the appearance OF prison.
As already stated, l 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 G., of another regi-
ment in the 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 Lieuten-
ant was generally accompanied on his rounds by
youth of apparently not more than sixteen OF
seventeen years of age, and whom he introduced,