Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/239

Rh and $400,000,000 of gold on hand for the purchase of ships and other military supplies in the spring of 1863, the strategy of the Gettysburg campaign might not have been required, and the thou- sands of valuable lives, sacrificed from that time on to Appomattox might have been saved to the South.

[From the Wilmington (N. C ) Messenger, March, 1896.]

FAYETTEVILLE ARSENAL.

History of the Sixth (N. C.) Battalion Armory Guards.

HON. WALTER CLARK, Raleigh, N. C. :

Dear Sir In obedience to your request, I beg leave respect- fully to write a sketch of the "6th Battalion Armory Guard," stationed at the Fayetteville Arsenal and Armory during the war between the States.

It may be well to give a brief sketch of the Fayetteville Arsenal and Armory as a matter of historical record, touching the construc- tion of the various buildings (as there is not a vestage of it left), having been totally destroyed by General Sherman on his famous march through the Carolinas. The Fayetteville Arsenal and Armory was located on what is known as "Hay Mount," which overlooks the historic old city of Fayetteville, and was constructed by the United States Government previous to the war, under the immediate supervision of Mr. William Bell, as architect; but in charge of various army officers of high distinction as commandants of the post. It was one of the loveliest spots anywhere in the South, and was very often visited by strangers from various States, and greatly admired. Conspicuous octagonal high brick and stone towers were located at the four corners of the enclosure, while symmetrical walls and massive iron railing and heavy iron gates surrounded the premi- ses. Handsome, two-story brick and stone buildings for officers' quarters and the accommodation of the troops adorned the front and sides, while in the centre, rear and both sides were large commo- dious buildings, used for the storing of small arms, fixed ammunition, commissary and quartermaster supplies. In the centre of the enclo- sure were the gun-carriage and machine-shops, the former with Mr.