Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

walls Of masonry, which originally went
| out from it to inclose enormous yards on
| both sides, are missing. On one side a
small paling has taken the place Of the
brick wall, and on the other the space is
occupied by several brick buildings
For several years prior to the war this
old building did thriving business. 1t
served as the shipping point for slaves of
Doth sexes and all ages, brought from all
the sections of northern Virginia There
was another not far distant in West End,
Fairfax county, but the business done there
was comparatively insignificant. To the
Duke street house farmers constantly
brought such slaves as they desired to dis
pose or. There they were kept until they
accumulated in large numbers, when thev
were shipped away. A Union veteran, who
was well acquainted with the place, de-
scribed 1T to reporter for The Star In
the basement, he said. were dungeons,
where the stubborn and unruly negroes
were placed. The spacious yards were for
the confinement of the slaves during good
behavior, until they were shipped away.
Numerous huts providing a sort of habit
able covering, were ranged throughout the
Enclosure. In one yard the women were
Kept while the men were assigned to the
other. Finally, when the establishment be-
came crowded, the managers would arrange
Tor Shipment of their human property
There would be pathetic scenes on such oc-
casions Even within the dreary walls of
the slave pen some ties of kindred feeling
and affection would be formed between the
poor creatures pent up there for days and
months A move in many cases probably
meant separation. The slaves knew not
where they were going, nor had they much
conception as to what would be their proba-
BILE fate.
The procession which moved away from
the slave pen was a sort of a wagon train
me women and children rode In vehicles
and the men marched behind, closely
watched by their keepers. In this fashion
M fhn ell
house on Duke street passed by until the
opening of the civil war put an end to the
traffic. During the federal occupancy of
Alexandria the slave house was used as a
prison, and many captured confederates
were confined there.
But Few Battles.
Not many battles were fought in this i'm
mediate vicinity, but the improvised hospi-
tails of this city were crowded with the sick
and wounded from the armies operating in
northern Virginia. When after the war
the government of the United States made
adequate and fitting arrangements for the
burial in marked graves in national GEM
eteries of the soldier dead beautiful GEM
etery was laid out on the southwestern
border of the city. 1t is a most appropriate
place for the 'bivouac of the dead" Every
Memorial day some service is held on the
grounds. There Is usually an Grafton, with
martial music and the singing of solemn
ceremony, conducted by the few Grand
Army survivors now living in Alexandria.
The National Cemetery.
The national cemetery is within the cor
poration limits of Alexandria and is sit
uated close to the other cemeteries on the
west. The lot, which covers a little more
than four acres of undulating land, is in
closed by a red sandstone wall, covered by
a coping of North river bluestone Two
acres Of the land were donated to the United
States by the city of Alexandria. The bal
ance was purchased for a little more than
81 COO. Large double iron gates and two
small side gates stand over the driveway
at the main entrance on the east. From
the gateway an avenue fifteen feet wide
extends due west to the fountain, which is
situated on a natural mound near the CEN
ter of the lot. The cemetery is divided in
the center by path which extends around
the basin, sending OF branches to reach
nearly every section.
In the southeast part, at the right Of the
main entrance. is the lodge house It is a
picturesque building, one and half stories
high, and is built Of Seneca stone It is a
very convenient and comfortable cottage
and is kept In fine order by Capt J. Y.