Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29

Guilty the Confederate Memorial Literary
Society" was incorporated, Its personnel
being practically the same as that OF
the Hollywood Association. Possession
OF the mansion was transferred to the
society In June, 1894. and under their
efforts the work has progressed.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.
A building was erected for the central
School" at the end OF the old garden,
and about $1,000 was raised for recon.
structing the mansion-chieiy through a
bazaar held for the purpose some time
since. This sum OF money has all been
expended in the improvements. The WORK
consisted OF practical reconstruction OF
the interior. The original n0oT-plan was
consulted. and pains taken to restore
each room 90 as nearly its former cOndi-
ton as possible. The most important
part of this work was the fireprooiing
OF the interior. TO make IL safe reDosi-
tory for relies. The walls and ceilings
are composed of an improved, fireprOof
terra Gotta structure. and were replaster-
ed and kalsomined, while the floors are
laid with artificial stone pavements. The
old woodwork has been replaced as FAR
as possible, iron staircases constructed,
and the entire exterior given coat OF
dark-brown stucco, 50 that 1t is practi-
caily new house.
The entrance TO the house is through
classic portico on the Clay-street, or north,
front, and leads into a semi-circular hall.
in whose walls inches are placed on either
side, for statuary. door to the right
leads into the main staircase-hall, where
a graceful circular flight of steps leads
TO the upper floors. on the opposite SIDE
of the entrance-hall, a passage leads to a
narrower fight of stairs. and opens upon
a balcony running along the west side
of the mansion, and commanding fine
view of the valley beneath. Three great
apartments, of most palatisl dimensions,
and with huge. broad windows, extend
across the south side of the house, and
open upon the pillared portico, and an
other smaller room at the corner OF the
house overlooking the two streets, adds
another TO the apartments upon this floor
The second story has a large staircase
hail. and four rooms, corresponding with
those of the first floor while five large
chambers upon the third floor, and several
more In the basement, complete the list
The furniture and movable decorations OF
the rooms were confscated, and sold by
the Federal authorities at the close OF
the war, but, through the efforts of the
association, Ii was discovered that most
of this property had been bought by Rich
mond people and preserved as relies, ana
1t is likely that many of these movable
articles will be restored to their former
places, so that each of the principal rooms
will be restored approximately TO its con-
dition when occupied by Mr.. Davis.
MOVEMENT SPREAD RAPIDLY.
The project to make the mansion a
shrine Of Confederate memories, while
local at first, spread rapidly throughout
the entire South, because Of the opportuni-
ties Of the building as a historic land
mark, the associations connected with 1t
and the sentimental interest II must have
for every follower Of the former Con-
federacy. SO 1t happened that the mu-
scum will have representation from every
State formerly comprising the Confede-
racy, and 10 carry out this idea Of uni
versatility a room has been assigned 10
each of these respective States. The col
lection aims to illustrate the life of the
army and the people of the South from
1861 10 1865, and many of the relics will
be memorials to some soldier or sailor,
or some battle, siege, or march.
Among the objects Of interest already
promised are General Lees sword, hol-
sters, pistols, and army blanket; General
Johnsons saddle which he used in both
the Mexican war and the civil war. and
from which he was shot three times; the
battle-iag carried by the company OF
General a. =. Hill, made by his wife
from the white silk of her wedding-dress;
and a Confederate uniform that is so
ragged that "a niger would be laughed
at If he wore II to-day" as one OF the
ladies OF the Memorial Society said in
describing It. In this same category is
also classed two ears of corn which were
the sole rations OF a Confederate soldier
upon the day before Lees surrender. He
saved them for his family. and went
hungry that day. and when the end came
saved them as a relic OF the hardships he
had undergone.
Aside from these and many similar
relies, interesting mercy as curiosities.
tho museum will also include complete
collection Of the paper money of the Con-
federacy, and a great array Of original
manuscripts relating 10 the war times.
These number among them many OF the
original papers of President Davis. and
most notable Of all the original Constitu-
ton Of the Southern Oonfederacy,
which will be included in a collection de-
posted as a memorial to Mrs. Mary De
Henne. of Savannah. Ga.
The museum will be governed by a corps
of regents, somewhat similar to the body
Of administration at Mount Vernon.
WashingtOn's home. Each OF the States
composing the Confederacy will be repre-
scented by regent, and the list of these
include such women as Miss Winnie
Davis, daughter of JEFF" Davis, from
the State of Mississippi, and Miss Mildred
Lee daughter of General Lee. who will
represent Virginia. The council OF re-
gents thus established will work in con-
junction with another governing body of
regents, composed Of women residing in
this city, and they viii be collectively
represented by the curator at the mu-
scum.