Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22

William Bell, a. architect; but IN charge
OF various army officers OF high distinc-
ton as commandants OF the post. IL
was one of the loveliest spots anywhere
in the South, and was very often visited
by strangers from various States. and
greatly admired. Conspicuous octagonal
high brick and stone towers were located
at the four corners Of the enclosure
while symmetrical walls and massive
iron railing and heavy iron gates sur
rounded the premises Handsome. two
story brick and stone buildings for Of
fcers quarters and the accommoda-
ton Of the troops adorned the front
and sides, while In the centre. rear. ana
both sides were large. commodious build
ings. used for the storing Of small arms.
fixed ammunition, commissary, and
quartermaster supplies. In the centre
OF the enclosure were the gun-carriage
and machine shops-the former with MT.
T. s. Barratt as superintendent who had
served the United States Government
formerly at Old Point Comfort for
number OF years before the war, while
In the rear part of this enclosure was a
large rifie-factory containing ell OF the
fireworks brought from Harpers Fer
~, Va, and handsome frame dwell
ings for various officers quarters.
With the exception of these last all the
other buildings were constructed Of brick,
trimmed with stone Mr.. Bell continued
during the entire war as architect or all
buildings, and was Scotchman OF ma
| tonal reputation.
Some 100 yards from the rine-factory
were two large brick magazines for
storage OF powder and fixed ammuni-
| ton.
OLD OFFICERS.
The commanding officers Of this post,
previous to the war, were in order as
follows: Major Laidley, United States
army; Captain Dwyer. United States
army; Captain ]. A. ]. Bradford, United
| States army, the latter being In command
at the opening of hostilities as United
| States army officer. Captain Bradford re-
signed from the United States army. and
was made colonel in the Confederate
service In 1853. 1 think 1t was. he was
taken desperately Ill and died, and was
| buried with military honors by the bat
talon In the rear OF the arsenal building.
at his particular request had the honor
| Of commanding the escort. There was
stationed at the post, under command
| of Lieutenant ]. A. DeLagnel, company
Of United States artillery. who held the
post up to the day when, by order OF
Governor John w. Ellis. General Walter
Draughon. in command OF the State mill
tia, was ordered to take possession OF the
arsenal. General Draughon gathered his
| forces, consisting OF the Fayetteville In
dependent Light Infantry Company, un-
der command Of Major Wright Huske;
the Lafayette Light Infantry. under com
mand OF Captain Joseph Il. Starr. and
organized other companies from Gross
| Creek" "Flea-Hill," Rock Fish," and
"Oue Whifle' districts, representing
branches OF the artillery, cavalry, and IN
| fantry service. numbering In all about 700
men. General Draughon assembled the
hin and halted his command just OUTSIDE
| of the arsenal enclosure, and made
formal demand Of the surrender OF this
| property In the name or his Excel
lency, John w. Ellis, Governor OF tne
! State.
Lieutenant DeLagnel accompanied Gene
raj Draughon where he could make an
| iuspection of his command, when thu FOL
lowing conversation took place between
himself and the famous old Captain
Bula": Lieutenant DeLagnel halted In
| front of Captain Bulla's command, and re-
marked to the Captain that he had seemed
| to have arms. but no ammunition, wDere-
upon Captain Bulla ran his hands In Doth
pockets of his pants. pulling out buckshot
and powder-horns, and, extending them
to him, said: Lieutenant DeLagnel. are
these all the men you have to capture
nv battery and the arsenalr NO,
said CAPTAIN b., 1.-The woods II fun OF
them"
Lieutenant DeLagnel having satisfied
himself that any effort on his part 10
resistance would be fruitless, not only on
account OF the number OF Confederates
opposing him, compared with his hand-
full of men, coupled with Captain Bulias
announcement, that the WOODS was
.Har rua "a
pljshed without the firing OF gun. ex-
cent the salute by Lieutenant Delay
neps Battery on hauling down the
limited States flag Lieutenant DeLag-
mel. with his command, marched out OF
the enclosure with their small arms and
equipments, and the State troops
marched in and took possession. Inc
State troops were kept on guard until
the Confederate States forces took
charge.
RETURNED SOUTH.
Lieutenant DeLagnel took the steamer
for Wilmington, and shipped by vessel
for New York, where he gave up MS
command and resigned his United States
commission, and returned South and
Joined the Confederate army. and was
one Of the most distinguished and GAL
liant officers In the service. He was Sc
verely wounded. / think, at the battle
of s'Rich Mountain" In Virginia. and
for two days and nights remained In
the woods within the enemy's lines.
for fear of being taken prisoner, and
without any attention Of a surgeon TO
look after his wound. and It was In mid
winter which caused him great sur
fering.
Captain John c. Booth was placed In
command of the arsenal. and was also
an old United States army man, and
thoroughly versed in ordnance duties,
and was selected for the position on that
account. The task OF organizing. en-
Iarging the buildings, and adding an
armory of construction was a gigantic
undertaking. Captain Booth worked In
cessantly, never considering that every
day his bodily strength was growing
weaker. until he was forced TO take 10
his bed. and In few short months ne
died. He was buried with military hon.
ors by his battalion, and had the honor
~ commanding the escort He was
an officer Of marked ability, splendid
executive officer. and was universally
loved by the entire army force. He was
promoted to the rank OF major during
his Illness. On the death OF Major Booth
Cantain Charles p. Bolles assumed COM
mand until Lieutenant Colonel ]. A. De-
Iagnel was placed In command, which
was. y think. about three weeks. Col
onel DeLagnel only remained at the post
about six months, when he returned
to the field again in Virginia He was
relieved at the arsenal by Lieutenant
Colonel F. L. Childs. who continued In
command until the close Of the war.
SIXTH BATTALION ARMoRY GUARD.
The companies composing this COM
mand were the Ordnance Corps. OF
ATTY men and three artificers-Joseph ID.
C,,rlev Neill L Monroe, and Alexander