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

Wbep General Robert E. Lee, Of
Confederate faue, left his 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 picturesque
bones of the many for whico the south
is Doted
The house and land have been ln
possession Of the government almost
from the outbreak of the rebellion 1t
was wbeo Lee resigned bis commission
10 the Federal army aud FASTENED to
Richmond With his family that the
Federal authorities, realizing that the
war vas on aud that the national cepl.
tai standing so close to the borders Of
ooe of the secediag states, would be a
chief peint of attack by the enemy,
determined to gain a point of vantage
by occupying the hills that border sbe
Potomac 90 the Virginia shore. Then
and there Arlington passed into the
governments hands. 1t was used for
hospital purposes during the war, aod
later, at the suggestion of Quarter
master General NJ G. Meigs, made to
President Lincoln, the magnificent
southern estate was converted into
military cemetery.
HISTORIC HOME
Ooe can see Arlington House from
Washington. 1t has history which is
interesting Tie house was built in
1902 by George Washington Parke
Gusts, SOP of John Parke 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
his Owe ADD .benceferth shey were mem
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 aud
enjoying distinction because Of bis close
relation to the famous general who had
adopted hin as his son. It is said
that among the distinguished men who
were guests at Arlington vas LaFay
cite, who. when be stood 10 the shadows
of the Doric columns that form the front
portico aud sazed as far as the eye
could see, pronounced the ecene as one
of the most beautiful be had ever look
ed upon. Visitors today to the historic
spot say likewise.
FAITH IN SUCCESS.
Although the estate was held BY the
government from the time it first took
possession at the outbreak of the war.
the nation had 20 title to it until it was
purchased for the paltry sum of $26,
100. wheo it vas sold for delinquent
taxes. That was in 1864, before the
eod of the war, and the fact that it was
purchased, lying 10 Virginia as 1t doee,
indicates the deep abiding faith that
Lincoln aud bis followers had for the
successful outcome Of the war, for
other vice it is cot possible that they
would have purchased the site to be
used as national burial groucd. 10
which we're to be inferred the remains
of some 16 600 meu vho died to pre-
vent The lsud whereio the estate liesfrom
baooming foreign territory Years
after the va: was over, wben the bitter
fee::iug that it had epgeudered had died
on. somewhat. George Washington
Custis Lee, heir to the estate
uoder the Castis will, success
fully established his title 20 the proper
ty and a generous government adjusted
settlement by paying him the sun of
$3.50, 600
REGIMENTS OF HEADSTONES.
If one we're to ask me what the most
impressive feature of the oational GENE,
terry is, | would ct once reply that it is
the regiments Of hesdstones. all similar
y cut. bearing the name and regiment
Of the soldier sleeping beneath ard
arranged 10 battalion formation as il
waiting for the command ou the judg
uens day. Think of it, thousands
upop thousands Of these beadstooes
rising only foot aud half from the
ground stand there to mark the graves
of the fallen men They reach in all
directions as far as the eys cao see
It is quiet spos, far removed from
the city's roar No rushing cars or
nurryiog feet disturb the slumbers Of