The National Armories; A Review of the System of Superintendency, Civil and Military, Particularly with Reference to Economy, and General Management at the Springfield Armory (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ...not very contracted in size, the style was sufficiently humble. In the year 1820, Hon. John C. Calhoun, the then Secretary of War, being on a visit of observation at the Armory, of his own accord, and without solicitation on the part of Col. Lee, the Superintendent, suggested to that officer, that he ought to be better accommodated: and not long after, the necessary authority was granted to provide a commodious and substantial dwelling; and the building for that purpose was commenced in the autumn of 1820 and completed in the summer ot 1821. The following description, by a person who was intimately acquainted with the construction of the house in all its details, may be relied on: The edifice was of brick, the walls Hi inches thick in the first story, and 12 inches thick in the second story; resting on a block stone cellar wall, with 2 1-2 feet hewn underpinning, all laid in lime mortar. The wood work was done in the most thorough and workmanlike manner, and the materials of the best quality that could be procured, and fully as good as had been used up to that time in any structure in the town of Springfield or in the county of Hampden. The house was situated exactly opposite the centre of the west side of the large square, and opposite the Superintendent's office on the east side. It was of the following dimensions: The main part 45 feet front and 40 feet rear, two stories high, besides the attic. The rear part was 35 feet by 18 feet, and two stories high. A cellar under the whole, and paved throughout with brick. The house had a portico over the front door, and a two story piazza in the rear. This house was at the time it was built (22 years before its destruction, ) as to size and quality inferior to but two houses in Springfield. To those...