The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-07-01
MODEL EXPERIMENT STATION.
Uncle Sa11as Farm on What was Formerly
Gen. r.. E. Lees Estate at Arlington.

war the rooms Of the mansion
were stored with rich and valuable
collection Of mementos and memorials,
many Of which were brought from
Mount Vernon. They consisted Of
portraits, pictures, silver table ware,
household furniture and ornaments.
Some of these are now on exhibition
in the National Museum, while others
have been returned to their original
place at Mount Vernon. Mr.. Custis
was a talented man and much of his
time was employed in painting battle
scenes of the Revolution. The old
well, from which Gen. Washington 8
table was supplied with sparkling
water, has been preserved, and visi-
tors to this historic place are permit
ted to lower the bucket and drink of
the refreshing water. After the death
Of George Washington Parke Custis,
Gen. Lee who married the sistcr Of
the younger Custis, occupied the estate.
Gen. Lee left Arlington April 22,
1861, to take the field at the begin
ming of the civil war. After the de-
parture of Gen. Lee and his family
tho Federal troops took possession of
Arlington and the precious mementos
with which the mansion was filed
were dispersed and many of them have
never been recovered. The home of
Gen. Lee is' now occupied by the
superintendent Of the grounds. In
the room on the left Of the hall, for
merly the main drawing room, is kept
register in which visitors record
their names. With the advent of the
Federal troops the mansion was con-
verted into headquarters for the
officers and the grounds into camp.
AS the war progressed and tho wound
ed increased in number a hospital gas
! established. When other cemetery
grounds no longer sufficed for the
! buria! Of the dead the level plateaux
! and grassy slopes Of Arlington we're,
by order of Quartermaster Gen. Mcigs,
devoted to the purpose of a military
cemetery. BY the irony of fate the
first grave prepared was for Confed-
crate prisoner. Before tho close of
the war the property was sold for de-
linquent taxes and the Government
purchased it, paying $26, 100. In 1877
George Washington Lee, heir under
the Custis will, instiA Led suit to re-
cover the estate. He succeeded in
establishing his legal title to the
property, but was barred by the Unit
ed States Courts from further action
to secure possession. The claim was
adjusted, however, to his satisfac.
tion by the payment to him by the
United States Government of $780,
600. George Washington Parke Gus
tbs and bis wife are hurled at Arling-
ton. A marble shaft marks their
| graves, which are in q retired spot
near the limit Of the southwestern
plateau. Gen. Lee and Mary Custis
were married in tho drawing room of
/ Arlington, where visitors to-day regis
ter their names. Many Of the leading
Federal generals are buried at Arling-
ton, and one Of the most interesting
spots in this historic place is monu-
mont to the unknown dead. Their
names, their frien Is, and their homes
we've all unknown. The simple and
dramatic story is told in the letters
chiselled on the monuments granite
face:
Beneath this Stone
Repose the Bones of Two Thousand
One Huncred and Eleven
Unknown Soldiers,
Gathered After the War from the
Fields Of Bull Run and the Route
to the Rappahannock.
Their Remains could not be Identi6e
but their Names and Death are
Recorded in the Archives of their
Country and its Grateful Citizens
Honor Them as of their Noble Army
Of Martyrs.
May they rest in peace.
September, A. D., 1866.
Soldiers are buried at Arlington
every day. By far the most interest