Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-21
'sWASHINGTON on THE EVE OF THE
WAR;"
How Washington Was Saved and
Lincoln Inaugurated.
THE IMPORTANT SERVICES OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA VOLUNTEERS.

COLUMBIA VOLUNTEERS.
Gen. Charles P. stonei in The Century for July.
During the summer and autumn of 1860.
was in Washington, supervising the preparation
of maps of the reconnaissance which had been
made by the scientific commission under my
orders during the years 1S51-5S-59; and
at the same time preparing my report
on the operations of the commission.
1t was my desire to preface the report by a his
tory OF all previous surveys and explorations of
the western coast Of North America. / had ac-
cess 70 the large and valuable library Of the late
Gen. Peter Force probably the most complete col
lection of rare works on American history that
then existed Gen Force was a sergeant of volun-
teers for the defense of the capital at the time of
its invasion by the British in 1918. He had been
from that time forward attached to the militia
organization of the District of Columbia. and
had passed through every grade from sergeant
to msjor general. thus arriving at the highest
grade known i'm the corps In which he had been
enrolled fifty years before. He showed me a
copy of bin which the Secretary Of War had
prepared. abolishing all existing laws regarding
the District Of Columbia militia and volunteers
and providing for new organization. He said
that the bill would no doubt pass the two houses
of Congress, and that meantime all the old Or
CARNATIONS had been abandoned excepting few
companies and these were awaiting the advan-
tages of the new Jaw to reOrganiZe on the new
basis He then requested me to aid him in or
ganiZing his new division. i willingly con-
sented, and began to study the matter with
reference to the distribution of the volunteer
organizations between the two divisions, the
arrangement OF the rolls of the militamen, etc.
The country at this time (Dec. 1860 was in a
curious and alarming condition; one state (SOuth
Cardinal had already passed an ordinance of
secession from the Union and other states were
preparing to follow her lead.
The only regular troops near the capital of the
country were three hundred or four hundred
marines at the marine barracks, and perhaps a
hundred enlisted men of ordnance at the WASH
ingtOn arsenal. The old militia system had been
abandoned (withOut being legally abolishedD
and Congress had passed no law establishing a
new one The only armed volunteer OrganiZa-
tions i'm the District of Columbia were: One
company of rihemen at Georgetown Cthe
Potomac Light Infantry. one company of
ritiemen in Washington Ghe National
fantry 0he Washington Light Infantry of about
one hundred and sixty men. and another small
organization called the National Guard Batta-
lion.
1t was evident that on its assembling in De-
ceElber Congress would have far different work
to consider than the organization of the Dis
trict Of Columbia militia; and also that it would
not be the policy of the President, at the very
outset of the session. in the delicate position Of
affairs. to propose the military organization of
the federal District. 1t was also evident that,
should he be so disposed. the Senators and Rep
resentatives of the southern states would oppose
and denOunce the project.
What force. then. would the government have
at its disposal in the federal District for the
simple maintenance of order i'm case OF need?
Evidently but ahandful; and as to calling thither
promptly any regular troops, that was out of
the question. since they had already all been
distributed by the southern sympathlZers to the
distant frontiers of the Indian cOuntry-Texas.
tab Nnxr- and "nch int
TerritOry-and winter was rapidly approaching.
1t must be remembered that in those days there
were no railways reaching out into these dis
tant regions. and months would have been he
cessary to concentrate at Washington. in that
season, a force of three thousand regular troops.
Even had President Buchanan been DESTROYS OF
bringing troops to the capital. the feverish con-
ditEOn OF the public mind would, as the eXecu-
tive believed have been badly affected by any
movement of the Kind, and the approaching
crisis might have been preeptated.
saw at once that the only force which could
be readily made of service was a volunteer force
raised from among the welldispOsed men of the
District, and that this must be organized, 1t at
oil. under the old law OF 1879.
By careful consultation with gentlemen we'll
acquainted with the various classes of Washing
ton society, canvassed the District to learn
what proportion of the able-bOdied population
could be counted on TO sustain the government
should it need support from armed and organ
lied citizens.
All who knew Washington in the days of De-
cemher. 1860 know what thoughts reicned in
the minds of all thinking men. Whatever their
daily occupations. they went about them with
their thoughts always bent on the possible dis
asters OF the near future: some wishing to see
the Union destroyed, and laboring night ard
dag to that end; Others stralning their minds to
discover how it might be saved and the civil
war, which seemed imminent, might be ayerted.
On the 31st of December, 1850, Lieutenant
General Scott. commander-in-chef of the army
(xnhr 1,o1 It,
In Washington. The President at last thor
Ougbly alarmed at the results of continued con-
cessions to secession, had called him for con-
sultatiOn on the situation.
On the evening Of that day went to paw my
respects to my old commander, and was re-
ceved by him at Wormley's hotel. / found the
General alone at the dinner-table. Just finishing
his evening meal. He chatted pleasantly with
me for a few minutes, recalling past service in
the Mexican war. etc; and when the occasion
presented itself, remarked that was glad to
see him in good spirits. for that proved to me
that he took a more cheerful view CT the state
Of public affairs than he had on his arrival
more cheerful than those who resided in WASH
ton hal dared TO take during the past few days.
Yes. my young friend" said the General,
I" l fee more cheerful about the affairs of the
country than did this morning; for believe
that safer policy than has hitherto been fol-
lowed will now be adopted. The policy of en-
tire Cancellation, which has so far been pursued,
would soon have led to ruin. We are now in
eueh state that policy of pure force would
praeptate a crisis for which we are not pre-
pared mixed policy of force and Cancellation
Is now necessary. ana believe 1t will be adopted
anil carried out" He then looked at his watch.
rose and said:--" must be with the President
In quarter Of an hour" and ordered his car
riage- He walked up and down the dining
room, but suddenly stopped and faced me-
saving" How is the feeling in the District Of
Columbia What proportion Of the population
would sustain the government by force If neces-
sary!"
REPLIED
:" General, II Is my belief that two-thrds of
the fighting stock of this population would sus-
tain the government in defending ITSELF il called
upon. But they are uncertain as to what can
be done or what the government desires to have
done and they have no rallyng point"
The General walked the room again In silence
The carriage came to the door, and / accompa-
MED him toward II. As he was leaving the room
he turned suddenly. looked me i'm the face
placed his hand on my shoulder. and said:
These people have no rallying point. Make
yourself that raliying point"
The next day / was commissioned BY