Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-24

coats never lacked for powder and
shot, thanks to old Bcliona.
Heightened the War.
President Lincoln and his generals
agreed that the war would end il
every effort was made TO do this.
However. it WAS no, until Richmond
fen that the, United States govern
m."i rrniizrd That ihr arsenal sold
! states had been found by him and
I put 10 good use for the Confederacy.
Al the conclusion OF the struggle.
I the government claimed Bcllona "a;
\ spo!lS of war. but General Cooke put
/ IN 4 countcrclaim THAI IL was his
( private property and only leased by
| rise TO the lawsuit which resulted
IN The interesting papers now or nlc
thourH thc '' court Inrious sly Gn@us H..
| to Dr. Archer. who held n deed Of
trust on it. and three subsequent sales
United states has never seemed 10
realize that il long ago passed out
of its possession.
/ Us late as the year laii. letter
rom the War Department stated:
There IS no record in this Office
showing that the property has ever
| been disposed OF ana ii is still mills
IarE reservation OF the United
wr"t": Tho disposition OF the Bel
| Iona Arsenal Will be determined i'm
the near future" While those who
fartnrnt Of War dislike to question
| It's efficiency. il is hard to under
STAND how tho court settlement made
$40 $40 many years 1Go has never been
H!td IN Inc government archives.
Part Yet Standing.
portion Of the arsenal is standing
today. but II is sadly chanSed and
.!eh; buildings, hut four remain,
The great grove of oak trees used
SuGce SstuiIy by the Confcderates to
hide their powder supply. is s;iii
mere. The old Gun Road built by
Major Clarke. over which famous
people have journcycd to visit the
stanch magazine. still circles about
INC place. ana folds in it's arms broad
sweeps OF green fields lcnuthenimg
,,ht" woodiands and high hills swept
py the cool brcc2cs from James River
Today the 26.5o acres of BELONG
Srsrha! crown productive plan
talon Upon it's commanding blum,
500 feet above the river. one, avs
may travel into the counties Of
i, n.GIt err, and l!Gnrico. Gooch-
me site OF Major CIarke's foundry
row follows the peaceful pursuit or
Erindimg meal. The brass scrapings
piled az the foot OF the hill are yivid
reminders of wha, the place once ~ ="
Was, anu the cannon balls to be seen
VERY now and ihcu. arc silent in
'h@,r tribute TO the days OF co
from the proving grounds n, IN.
cannon factory, wild balls crossed ,bo
river ana iel! upon the fertile fields
- EtcfSlie and Lorraine: they
p INV into the earth at wha; is
ample ni Il modern American country
sent From the ruins OF an old build
h tmE 10 DE- seen on this estate, it may
njacc % n'T NJ ne, temporary resting
Wien lie ilcd from the red coats
liter The capture OF Charleston dur
inE The Revolution.
me history OF this journey. which
Is not long. shows that Mr.. Bull. IN"
l'"sseSsor OF great number OF ne
SroeS ana large personal propcriy
Il i'F wisn ri in plate, did not think
rannctN OF the English. Therefore.
WaEons laden with his effects he
h5s o." S, Tor lanes River upon which
he lived In ncacc un;ii pamnnint
Arnold invaded Virginia and seem"G
Arsenal Little known.
rev OF this day remember tho
stories which cluster about Tho or,
arsenal and form ono OF tho most
fl,n,tereStlng portions Of tho history of !
Gsheis'erii"id County. In fact, so little |
annearG t. be 2 hit Of unracorJ"1
history OF the glowing and PAS |
,,",h'' pictures Of its early DAYS |
ntt!c more than the frame and the |
sentiment lingering about them nov
remain. But its memories are In,
tense fnd 70 less proud for IL aid !
is part under two distinct Govern
i0ents ana in every way lived II, !
10 tn traditions Of tho mighty Cod !
acss or War from: whom IL gained |
ia name
Standing before the old arsenal IN |
N" tw,i'@h' and saying good by, II |
!o"ks re som" aged. cricvinE mother
i"nc,nr for the children who have |
iei- me- never to return. We can al |
most hear the scntry's clear "Alvs |
well! followed by the crack. of n !
riNe shot as would intrudcrs !
cared glimpse OF the treasures OF |
~" fertilization The massive old |
ston" magazine looks to the heavens
for it's only roof: vines "f many kinds .
now drapc The sides and fringe the |
Top i-arEe-"ycd owls ny in and /
"ui. th"'r hcoi the only war cry. /
and the old oak grove. once piled |
with ammunition, knows now no |
troubl" save an occasional storm
Many gay parties were held nj |
EeiIona when the Confcderacy was !
Young MANI Graycoat lost his |
heart for al. time when he danced |
10 the strains of the arsenal band. |
In iancy We can sec the romantic
Hood-bys as the couplos leave the |
magaZ! ne grove with only the silvcrv |
virginia moon u tell Of the loves OF |
al IL