Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-21

drtve 70 Wiilards hotel, and call upon the Pyoo-
ident-elect. Tho two were to ride ip the paaqe
carriage, between double files Of Q SQUAD
ron Of the District Of Columbia cavalry.
The company OF eappers and miners were
to march In front Of the Presidential car.
riage, and the infantry and rfhemen Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia were to follow IL. Rihemen
in squads were to be placed on the roofs of Ger
tain commanding houses which had selected
along Pennsylvania avenue, with orders to watch
the windows on the opposite side and to fire
upon them in case any attempt should be made
TO fire from those windows on the presidential
carriage. The small force of regular cavalry
which had arrived was to guard the side-street
crossings Of Pennsylvania avenue. and to move
from one to another during the passage Of the
procession. battalion of District of Columbia
troops were to be placed near the steps of the
Capitol and riflemen In the windows of the
wings of the Capitol On the arrival of the
presidential party at the Capitol the troops were
20 De stationed SO as to return in the same order
after the ceremony.
To illustrate the state of uncertainty in which
we were at that time concerning men. may here
state that the Northumberland, military secre-
tary OF the general-in-chief, who had that after
noon recorded the conclusions Of the General In
conference, and who afterward wrote out for me
the instructions regarding the disposition of
troops. resigned his commission that very night,
and departed for the south, where he Joined the
Confederate army.
During the night of the Sd of March.
notice was brought me that an attempt would
be made to blow up the platform on which the
President would stand to take the oath of Office.
Immediately placed men under the steps, and
at daybreak q trusted battalion OF district
troops Gf rememberrightly. it was the National
Guard. under Col. Tait) formed in a semiclrcle
at the foot of the great stairway. and prevented
all entrance from without. When the crowd
large number of policemen in plain clothes
were scattered through the mass to observe
closely. to place themselves near any individual
who might act suspiciously, and to strike down
any hand which might raise weapon.
At the appointed hour Mr. Buchanan was es-
corted to Wizards hotel, which he entered
There found number of mounted I" marslals
Of the day." and posted them around the car
riage, within the cavalry guard. The two
Presidents were saluted by the troops as they
came out Of the hotel and took their places in
the carriage: The procession started. During
the march to the Capitol rode near the car
rlage, and by an apparently clumsy use of my
spurs managed to keep the horses Of the cavalry
In an uneasy state. so that it would have been
very difficult for even very good rifle shot to
get an aim at one OF the inmates of the carriage
between the dancing horses.
After the inaugural ceremony, the Presi-
dent and the ex-President were escorted in
the same order to the White House. Ar
rived there. MIR. Buchanan walked to the
door with Mr. Lincoln. and there babe him
welcome to the house and good morning.
The infantry escort formed in line from the
gate of the White House to the house of Mr.
Ould, whittier Mr.. Buchanan Drove and the
cavalry escorted his carriage. The infantry line
presented arms to TIE ex-President as he passed,
and the cavalry escort saluted as he left the car
riage and entered the house. Mr.. Buchanan
turned on the steps, gracefully acknowledged
the salute and disappeared. The District of
Columbia volunteers had given to President
Lincoln his first military salute and to Mr..
Buchanan his last