The Indianapolis journal., 1885-12-06

going up the valley Whether he intended for
Washington to take care of itself little for
once, never will be known. General Lew
Wallace was here, and he organized the
hundred day men. with few regiments, IN a
command, advanced to the Monocacy, and there,
with raw and undisciplined troops, made a most
gallant fight. Bat he was contending with
heavy force, once part of the old Stonewan
jackson command, and the gritty Hoosiers had
to retire to Eiiicopt's Mills to cover Baltimore,
and be in position where he could unite with
other forces to save the capital if necessary.
Early moved to his right, coming direct to Wash
ington. The advance arrived at Silver Springs,
Montgomery Blairs country residence, on the
ii tn of July. There they halted to rest and let
some more of the command arrive. Effecting an
entrance into the wine cellar, which was well
flled; they soon a became .; more III, in,
in pressing on to Washington. More wine added
to their happy condition; they robbed the ward
robe of the ladies' dresses, put them on and were
dancing In fine style when Early came up,
furious over their fatal delay. There they were
within two hours march of the environs of the
city of Washington while the steamers convey
ing the Sixth and Nineteeth corps were yet in
the Chesapeake, making all possible speed for
Washinton under the directions of Grant.
ION Thanksgiving day, in company with a
party of gentlemen, visited the fort and there
learned from Mrs. Thomas, colored woman who
has lived there fifty years-the old house stand
ing where the fort was built-that there were
only a few troops there on the 11th of July to
oppose the advance of the enemy. The clerks
in the departments had been organized into
companies and drilled in anticipation of just
such emergency. But they had to be de-
poyed to the left. in the direction of Tennally
town, and to the right around the Soldiers
Home, towards Fort Bunker Hill An entrench-
ment for infantry had been cut clear around that
semi-circle for several miles. Washington had
been easily taken before and Madison was COM
PEELED to fly; so Lincoln decided to visit Fort
Stevens and the condition of the defenses
there. While he standing in the fort, looking
in the direction of Silver Springs which was
only two short miles away. battery advanced
and fired shot which struck in the fort near the
President. Those around him virtually com
PEELED him to retire, evidently they were max
ing that cluster of officers a target soldier
from Vermont (Seth l.. Clark, who was in the
fort at the time, corroborates Mrs. Thomas's
statement of these facts. Near where he stood
in the fort was growing nice honeysuckle
bush, as if to mark the spot. That was given to
to represent that conflict in my collection on
my farm. near Union City. Soon Early had his
troops well in hand to advance on the 18th, and
the old reliable Sixth and the gallant boys of the
Nineteenth corps were there, ready to give them
a warm reception. They advanced their line of
battle to within a short half-mie of our works
close enough to feel the strength of our position
and the character of the troops-when they
withdrew and returned through the valley
whence they came. The old landmarks are we'll
preserved, and the field is of interest"