which are destined to be in the near future, the most extensive works of
the kind probably in the world. Indeed, army officers who have traveled
extensively in the Old World, say they have never seen anything to
compare with it, in elegant grounds, water power and buildings, and with
such facilities for moving anything to and from the Arsenal. These works
were commenced under the supervision of Gen. Rodman, the inventor of the
Rodman gun, and since the death of the General, D. W. Flagler, Lieut.
Col. of Ordinance, has been in command, and a more efficient and better
qualified officer for the place could not have been found in the army.
There are already completed ten massive stone buildings, which are used
for work shops, storage, etc., officers' quarters, both durable and
comfortable, and many other buildings. The former residence of Col.
George Davenport, (the House in which he as killed for money many
years ago) built in 1831, of solid hewed timber, and afterwards
weather-boarded, still stands unoccupied.
The Island is mostly covered with trees of different varieties, which
are kept neatly trimmed, and is laid out like a park, with wide avenues
extending its whole length, which makes the most elegant drives and
shady walks for the thousands of visitors who flock to the Island to
feast their eyes upon its magnificence.