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

sition. but did not inform him of nv appoint-
ment, which he would be certain to learn the
following morning from the newspapers
1t must be admitted that this was not a yery
cheerful beginning.
On inspecting the s'National Rifles" found
that Schaeffer had more than one hundred men
on his rolls. and was almost daily adding to the
number, and that he had a full supply of rifles
with two hundred rounds of ball cartridges, two
mountain hOYtzers with harness and carriages,
a supply of sabers and Of revovers and amInu-
milton. all drawn from the United States
| arsenal went to the chief of ordnance to
learn how it was that this company of rifiemen
happened to be SO unusually armed.
and found at the ordnance office that
an order had been given by the late Sec
rotary of War (Floyd) directing the chief of
ordnance to cause to be issued to Captain
Schaeffer ''all the ordnance and ordnance stores
| that he might require for his company" l as
certained also that Floyd had nominated Cap
tain Schaeffer to the President for the commits
| sion Of major in the District of Columbia militia.
and that the commission had already been sent
to the President for his signature.
| l Immediately presented the matter to the
new Secretary OF War (Holt) and procured from
him two orders: One. an order to the chief of
ordnance to issue no arms to any militia or vol
unteers in the District of Columbia unless tine
regusitiOn should be countersigned by the in
spectOr general; the other that all commissions
issued to officers OF the District Of Columbia
should be sent to the Inspector general for de-
livery.
An office was assigned me in the War Depart
ment, convenient to the army registers and near
the Secretary Of War, who kindly gave orders
that should at all times be admitted to his
cabinet without waiting. and room was made
for me in the office of Major General Weight
man, the senior major general of the District,
where each day passed several hours to confer
with him. and to be able promptly to obtain his
authority for any necessary order to the District
forces
The Washington Light Infantry organization
and the National Guard were old volunteers
! almost to man faithful to the government.
OF their officers Major General Weightman,
though aged, and Major General Force, aged
and 1nfirn, were active. and true as steel;
Brigadier Generals Bacon and CARING
ton were young. active, and true. Brig Gen.
Ould. who took no part in the preparations of
the winter, joined the confederates as soon as
virginia passed her ordinance Of secession and
his known sentiments precluded consultation
with him.
Having thus studied the ground, and taken
the first necessary steps toward security, COM
menced the work of providing force of yolun-
teers. 1 addressed individual letters to some
forty well-knOwn and esteemed gentlemen of
the District. informing each one that it would
De agreeable to the government should he in
his neighborhOOd raise and organize company
OF volunteers for the preservation of order in
the District To some Of these letters received
no replies. To some 1 received replies courte-
Ously declining the service To some received
letters sarcastically declining. But to many
received replies enthusiastically accepting the
service and promising to raise companies of
good men.
Each week thenceforth until the middle of
February, brought to my Office the rolls of seve-
raj new companies formed, SO that in about six
weeks thirty-three companies OF infantry and
rif1emen and two troops of cavalry were on the
lists Of the District volunteer force; and all had
been uniformed; equipped and put under ffe-
quent drill.
The Northern Liberties fire companies brought
their quota; the Lafayette hose company was
prompt to enroll; the masons, the carpenters
the stone-cutters and the painters, the German
turner's responded; each corporation formed it's
companies, and drilled industriously Petty
rivalries disappeared. and each company strova
to excel the other in drill and discipline While
the newly-Organized companies thus strOve to
perfect themselves, the older organizations re-
sumed their drills and filled their ranks with
good recruits.
The National Rifles company Capt schaef-
fers) was carefully observed. and it was found
that its ranks received constant accessions. in
Guiding the most openly declared secessiOnists
and even members of Congress from the states
proposing to secede. This company was very
frequently drilled in its armory, and its recruits
were drilled nearly every night
Having, as Inspector general, a secret service
force at my disposition, placed detective in
the company, and had regular reports of the
proceedings of it's captain. He was evidently
pushing for an Independent command of in
fantry, artillery and cavalry, having his rifles,
cannon, sabers and revoivers stored in his
armOry. He also began to prepare for action.
ordering his men to take their rifles and equip
ments home with them. with supply of ammu-
milton, so that even should his armOry be Cccu-
pied, they could assemble On short notice, ready
for action. Meantime, his commission as major
was signed by the President and sent to me.
reported these matters to Gen. Scott who
ordered me to watch these proceedings care
fully, and to be ready to suppress any attempt
at violence, but to avoid if possible, any shock,
for, said he, 'We are now in such state that a
dog-hght might cause the cutters of the capital
to run with blood"
While the volunteer force for the support Of
the government was organizing another force
with exactly the opposite purpose was in course
OF formation. learned that the great hall over
Blrch's livery stable wasnghtly filed with men,
who were actively drilled. DR.. B, Of
well known secession tendencies, was
the moving spirit of these men, and
he was assisted by other citizens of
high standing, among whom was a connection
OF the Governor of Virginia. The numbers of
these occupants of Birchs hall increased rapidly.
and found it we'll to have skillful New York
detective officer, who had been placed at my
disposition, enrolled among them. These men
called themselves National Volunteers" and
openly discussed. in their meetings. the seizure
VI thC hatiouaI SdpitdA DIT Tie proper moment.
They drilled industriously and had regular
business meetings, full reports Of which were
regularly laid before me every following morn
Ing by 'the New York member" In the meet
ing at which the uniform to be adopted was dis
cussed. the vote was for gray Kentucky Jeans.
with the Maryland button. cautious member
suggested that they must remember that. in or
der to procure arms, it would be necessary to
get the requisition signed by old Stone and II
he saw that they had adopted the Maryland but
ton. and not that of the United States. he might
suspect them and refuse the issue of arms!"
Doctor B supported the idea Of the Mary
land button, and said that, II Stone refused the
arms, his connection, the Governor of Virginia,
would see them furnished. etc. These gentle
men probably little thought that full report
of their remarks would be read the next MORN
ing by "Old Stone" to the General-in- Chief.
The procuring of arms was difficult matter
Tor Them for it required the election of officers
the regular enrolling Of the men. the certificate
OF elections, and the muster-rolls, all to be re-
ported to the. inspector general. The matter
was long discussed by them, and it was finally
arranged that, out of the three hundred and
sixty men In their midst. q pretended company
should be organized, officers elected, and the
demand for arms made. This project was car
ried out. and nag member brought to me early