Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-10

An increase In money wages would net
relieve the difficulty.
remember once being, early In the
morning, on the island in James river,
with the ice and frost everywhere, sur
rounded by number OF thnly-clad,
shivering women, and, mounting a flour
barrel. attempted to persuade them by
appeals TO their loyalty and patriotism to
continue at their work until better ar
rangements could be made.
But patriotic appeals had no effect on
shivering, starving women. Very fortu-
nately at this juncture a vessel with a
cargo for the ordnance department ran
the blockade at Wilmington. n. c.. laden,
not with rifles and powder. but with
bacon and syrup and articles for food
| and clothing. these being OF extreme
value. An ordnance store was immedi-
ately established, and food and clothing
sold TO the employees of the arsenal at
| one-fourth the market price. This fortu-
| nate cargo made all happy and relieved
| the impending difficulty.
1 submit herewith a statement Of the
| principal issues from the arsenal made
up TO January l, 1860.
This can be relied on as accurate,
| having been copied from the official re-
| ports preserved at the arsenal, cOnsoli-
| dating all issues.
The report was prepared by my order.
| furnished the Richmond Enquirer, and
published the day OF the evacuation OF
Richmond.
A copy was published in the New Flee
| trio Magazine April. 1865, from which
| this extract is taken.
| STATEMENT OF PRINCIPAL ISSUES
FROM THE ARSENAL.
Statement Of principal issues from the
| Richmond arsenal, from July /. 1851, 20
January 1. 1860:
Artillery Equipments. etc.-3n Colum-
biads and seige- guns; 1906 field pieces OF
all descriptions; f. 75 field-gun carriages
S75 caissons; l52 FORCES; 6,S2j sets arJil-
lery harness; 9z14n rounds field, seige,
and sea-coast ammunition; 1860 fric-
ton primers: 1.ll0966 fuses. H.423 port
fires: 1885 rockets.
Infantry and Cavalry Arms. Acquire
ments etc.--3o3, 231 infantry arms; 340G7
cavalry arms, GOA pistols; Asst swords
and sabres S75.5l0 sets Of infantry and
cavalry accoutrements; 1SS,18 KNAPP
sacks; AIS. 49S havcrsacks; 32S.97 canteens
and straps; l150G gun and carbine sings;
72A3,S4 small arm cartridges; JIG, 20l. 30
percussion caps; Gals cavalry saddles;
s. 139 cavalry brides; 70 6l1 cavalry halt
ers; IS, 1854 saddle blankets; 59,62i pairs
spurs; q, 2S5 horse-brushes; 5G,gO3 curry
combs.
The enormous amount of "thirteen hun
bred 1ield-pieces of all descriptions"
ciassed among the issues, does not sig
Nifty that that number was manufac-
tured at the arsenal, but that number IN
cludes all those obtained by manufac-
ture, by purchase, or by capture, and
9. fvsa, t,r
in the Enquirer further says: Assuming
that the issues from the Richmond arse
raj have been half of all the issues TO
the Confederate armies, which may be
approximately true, and that 10000 of
the enemy were killed, not regarding the
wounded and those who died of disease,
It will appear from the statement OF Is
sues that about 10 pounds Of lead and
$50 pounds OF iron We're fired for every
man killed and if the proportion OF killed
and wounded be as one to six, II would
further appear that one man was dis
abed for every 200 rounds expended. In
former wars with the old smooth-bore
musket it was generally said his weight
in lead is required for every man who
was killed"
And from the issues OF the arsenal it
does not appear that the improved rifle
requires a pound less.
1t will appear to one fond of statistics,
who may reduce the moving force of the
projectile TO horsepower. that the force
required TO kill one man in battle will
be represented by about one thousand
horsepower.
Some general remarks in reference 10
the conclusion of the war and the de-
struction OF the arsenal may not be out
Of place.
There was a large number Of Federal
prisoners in and about the city Libby
prison was Aed with officers, and Belle
Isle with many privates.
To release these was the object of cav
airy raids against the city. when the
main army was absent.
All the operators Of the arsenal, and
the Tredegar- Works, and employees of
the departments were organized in regi-
ments, ana were called TO the field when
a raid was expected.
So they literally worked with their
muskets by their sides-and so valuable
were the lives OF the skilled artisans
that 1t was said Il three iron-workers
in the regiment Of the arsenal were killed
the manufacture of cannon would stop.
But the end was approaching. In the
Confederate Senate / remember listening
enlisting negro troops in the army.
1t was urged by some of the senators
that we should enlist and arm fifty thou
sand negroes, Of course with a pledge Of
freedom
l knew we could not possibly arm five
thousand. The Ordnance Department
was exhausted. One company of negroes
was formed, and l witnessed the drill in
the Capitol Square, but 1 understood as
soon as they got their uniforms they
vanished in one night
As the spring Of 1865 approached the
officers often discussed the situation. We
knew that Lees lines were stretched 10
breaking, we knew the exhausted condi-
ton Of every department, and we knew
the end was near.
Sunday, April I'd. was a bright, beau
tiful spring day. and Richmond was as
sembled at church. 1 was at st. PauPs
church, about four pews in front of me
sat President Davis, and in a pew behind
him General Gorgas. Chief OF the ord
nance Department, and my chief. During
service and before the sermon the sexton
of the church, a well-known individual
in the city. stepped lightly forward. and
touching Mr.. Davis on the shoulder,
whispered something to him.
Mr.. Davis Immediately arose and walk
ed out of the church with calm express
sion, yet causing some little excitement.
In a moment the sexton came back and
called out General Gorgas. | confess l
was made extremely uneasy, and was
rejecting on the probable cause. when,
being touched on the shoulder. and look
ing around, the sexton whispered to me
that messenger from the War Depart
ment awaited me at the door.
/ instantly felt the end had come.