The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-04
LOST BY THE LEES.
Their Beautiful Estate Which
Is Now National Cemetery.

Wneo denerai Robert Il. Lse, Of
Confederate fame, left bis beautiful
mansion at Arlington and FASTENED to
Richmond to assume command of the
troops Of bis native state at the out.
break Of the civil war, be left one of
the most beautiful and pictures que
homes Of the many for which the south
is noted
The house and land have been 10
possession of the government almost
from the outbreak of the rebellion Il
was when Lee resigned bis commission
10 the Federal army aud hastened to
Richmond With bis family that the
Federal authorities. realizing that the
war was on aud that the national capi.
tal, standing so close to the borders of
ous of the seeding states. would be q
chief point of attack by tie enemy,
determined to gain Q point Of vantage
oy occupying sbe bills that border the
Potomac on the Virginia shore. Then
and there AIRING eton passed into the
governments hands. 1t was used for
hospital purposes during the war, aud
later, at the suggestion of Quarter
master General NJ G. Meigs. made to
President Lincoln, the magnificent
southern estate was converted into q
military cemetery.
HISTORIC HOME
One osu see Arlington House from
Washington. It has q history which is
interesting The house was bull. 10
1902 BY George Washington Parke
Custis, 500 Of John Psrke Cus.is,
whose widowed mother became Mrs
Martha Washington. wife of George
Washington. When Colonel Gusts
died during the Revolutionary war
Washington adopted the two children as
bis owo and theOOefor.h they we're N EN-.
bers OF the Washington household at
Mt Vernon When Washington died, ,
however. young Custis removed to the
Arlington estate. There be lived like
southern gentleman. entertaining
friends Of prominence aud of fame and
enjoying distinction because of bis close
relation to the famous general who had
adopted him as his con. It is said
that among the distiue uisbed men who
we're guests az Arlington was L,Fsy
cite. who. when hs stood 10 the chad O We
OF the Doric columns that form tho front
portieo aud Sased "a far as the eye
could see. pronounced the sceue ss one
Of the most beautiful be had ever look.
cd upon. Visitors today to the historic
spot cay likewise.
FAITH IN SUCCESS.
Although the estate Was held bv the
government from the time it frst took
possession ct tho outbreak OF tho war.
the nation bad 10 title to it uuti! il vas
purchased for the paltry sum Of $26,
100. wheo it was sold for deliuq ueus
taxes. That was 10 1864, before the
eGd OF tbe war, aud the fact that it was
purchased. lying 10 Virgins ss it does,
indicates the deep abiding faith that
Lincoln aud bis followers had for the
successful outcome OF the wor, for
otherwise it is cot possible that thew
would have purchased the site to be
used ss q national burial grouud. 10
which we're to be inferred the remains
OF some l6 600 meu who died to pre.
vent the land wherein the estate lies e. ON
osoomlog foreigo territory. Years
after the war was over, when the bitter
feeling that it bad epgeodered had died
out somewhat. George Washiueto
Gusts Lee, heir to the estate
under toe Custis will, success
fully established bis title to the proper.
y sud generous govern ment adjusted
settlement BY psyiog him the SUN Of
Sl5O.0O0
REGIMENTS OF HEADsToNEs.
II one we're to ask me what the most
impressive feature Of the uatioual oeme /,
terry is. | would at once reply that is is
the regiments Of hesdstoues. all similar
y cut. bearing the name and regiment
of the soldier sleeping beneath and
arranged 10 battalion formation as il
waiting for the command 90 tho jude
uent day. Think of il, thousands
upon thousands Of these headstoue.
rising only foot and q half from the
ground stand there TO mark the graves