The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-07

the main hotel by passage and door,
and also opened upon the street in the
rear of the house.
The hotel was full of guests, friends
and foes of the union. | consulted with
such as knew to be true to the old
flag. and they agreed with me that the
president and the other officials of the
government and the capital were in
danger of capture.
| ave began Immediately to organize
volunteer force for defense. l was
placed in the leadership. | received but
those whom | knew TO be true, gave the
watchword. and introduced them into
the old theater This nucleus took
others in. All were brought to my pri-
vate room, enrolled and sent into the
common quarters. When the enemy
found out what was going on, they at
tempted to bully me. Three gentlemen,
one a notorious person from California,
finding me alone in my front room.
came in and demanded admission into
my corps. l asked upon whose recon-
mendation, and they answered insolent-
ly upon their own. kept two revol-
vers upon my bed in the next room,
and, going in, came out with one in
each hand and ordered them out. They
slowly did so, but their chief rolled up
some balls in his open hand and then
put them in his pocket, as much as to
say, Wen give you these Very well,
l said. we will meet YOU Again, as
l stood at the door of our quarters as
the crowd of our force were entering, an
unknown face appeared. / challenged
l. Sc, I, +ol,, III ~ L,x
it, and still advancing to enter, | lev
eled my pistol at his head. told him it
was revolutionary times and l would
shoot him. He then retired. The
names of allmy corps were taken down;
very distinguished men they mostly
were, governors, senators, judges. etc.
AS | soon went to Europe, | don't know
what became of this list.
Il was more fortunate in another call
upon Gen. Scott. l gave him my views
and got his consent to arm my men, |
which he did. For the moral effect, |
sending to my quarters to get arms to
arm his household rather than make a
requisition himself. In the meantime
Senator James Lane, of Kansas, had
also raised volunteers. We united our
forces for drill and action. As l had
the most was made chief and he sec
ond. After being organized, armed
ard drilled my force slept in the theatre
ready for immediate action.
ga guard each night was placed
over the presidents house. We werc
Ill called one night to the government.
barracks below Washington, on the
Potomac river, expecting an assault,
out we were not attacked. AS antici-
,ated. the capture Washington, as it
appeared later in the war, was the de-
ign of the rebels. l knew they .?ere in
he city. l gave out to a man ON
new favored the rebel cause, though a
,rofessed friend, in confidence that
the next day Scott would de-
lare martial law, and that many would
,e captured, tried and shot.
1.-The ruse had its effect. That night
if not thousands, left Wash ]
ngton for Virginia Wizards hotel, ;
Which lately was full, was so vacated |
hat the proprietors took up their ca. |
ets and took down their curtains with i
view of closing the house.
''But my absence left me unable to s
ay what was done. So soon rs the S
egiments from New Yorl, and Massa- t
husetts came into Washington our i
force was dissolved. Lincoln, q
trough the secretary of war, gave out f
ody thanks for our patriotic services, $
nd presented me with Colts pistol, j
hich proudly preserve in my family. L
harles Sumner aDd others insisted upon V
~ taking the post of Encouragement on g
0lunteers in the United States service, v
nd his views were backed by the o
lnion safety committee of New York. n
ut | declined beer Use Scott was old, C
nd as my rank would have placed me "
Dove Worth and Wool, veteran regu- q
ar generals. l did not think myself |
lalified to supersede them, rs l had I
lily served as a captain in Mexico, and o
lly. colonel of uniformed volunteers in ft
and had no regular military p
lucation." M r a