Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-06

inauguration OF President Lincoln. Among
them were Company a, Union regiment, Capt.
James Kelly; Co. c, Union regiment Capt. Ar
mold; Henderson Guard, Capt. G. j. L. Fox
well; Metr9po raIa Rifles Capt " H. Nailey
hardt; Mechanical Union Rifles, Capt. Ruther-
ford. and Putnam Rifles, Capt. Thisleton, of
James Goddard; Scott Rifles, Capt. ]. o. Berry;
d; c. Rifles, Capt. II. w. Blunt; Anderson
Gap 20 Capt We r. ksaisr and Co.
These with the regular troops, a company of
sappers and miners, Lieut. (aiterward generaD
Duane, and two batteries of artillery partici-
pated in the Inauguration of President Lincoln.
When that event passed off quietly 1t was
thought by many that danger had passed.
consequence was that military matters were
active and companies were rapidly formed and
drilled. About the 9th of April IL was currently
reported that force was secretly forming in
Maryland and Virginia under Major Ben. Nc
Cuiiough for the purpose of taking possession of
news was received that Fort Sumpter had been
fired on military matters here were at fever
heat Gen. Roger G. Weightman was then the
recognized head of the military of the District
with Col. (afterward General Chas. p Stone as
his inspector general, but Gen. Weightman was
then quite infirm and the military of the Dis
trict was under the immediate command of
Gen. T. +. Bacon, who had succeeded Col.
Hickey. A number of additional companies
had been organized during the month Of March
and arms issued to them.
ORDERED OUT FOR INSPECTION.
The report had gone out that Col. Stone was
about to make an inspection of them, and it
was supposed that in this he would take his
time. On the 10th of April. however, the COM
and be inspected. Many OF the members were
taken by surprise, and were not entirely pre-
pared to enter the service at so short a notice.
others from the south, or allied by ties of kim
dred with the SOUTH were dsinclined to go into
the service at all. The call was for service TN
the protection of the District, and the larger
cd m a " r,
ENTER THE SERVICE.
From the Infantry battalion one company was
selected and placed under the command OF
Captain (afterward ColoneD Towers. The
National Guard furnished one company Com
pany z, Captain McKim), and subsequently one
or more companies, and soon the lines were
drawn. Notwithstanding the fact that many
OF the residents here were between two so-called
southern states, having kindred who were on
the eve of entering the service of the south, the
young men were all excitement for some days,
and there was no difficulty experienced on the
ranks. In almost every section of the city COM
panieS were formed, and 1t was not long before
there were over thirty companies actively
drilling. many apprOXimating or exceeding 100
men. Col. Stone was kept continually engaged
In inspecting the various companies.
MASTERING IN.
AT the War Department the troops were
mustered in by Major (afterward Gen.) Nc
Dowell-Major Gen. George C. Thomas, who
commanded a division of the District of Co
lumbia militia, administering the oath. The
companies, after being mustered in, were first
marched to the armOries and then posted in
the Capitol and other public buildings and on
the bridges and roads to the city.
On the first day, April 10th, the company
drawn from the infantry battlion, COMPANY 4.
Union regiment from the northern section of
the city, and the Darlington Home Guards of
then followed the Metropolitan Rifles Capt w
II. Nalley, made up mainly from the MetropoIi-
tan Hook and Ladder com pany; Com pany H.
regiment kSalI frarr, IT,.
first ward; Turner Rifles and Washington
Rifles German companiesl, in which were JOS
afterward served Union generals and the
Putnam Rifles, Capt. Thisleton, from south
Washington, who volunteered in a body
ca Capt sh' aeR sSe asHaa Gnisa
Rifles. Capt: Hotherford, and the Anderson
Rifles, Go. A. OF West Washington, Capt. Ro-
dier, on the 18th; the Henderson Guard, Capt.
g. J. L. Foxwell; Co. y, National Guard, Capt,
+. h King; Co. p, Light Infantry Howitzer
Rifles, who having failed the first day, recruited
and reorganized In q few days, on the 10TH
Then for a week or more new companies were
Then followed Co. b, Anderson Rifles, Capt.
Berry, of West Washington: Slemmer Guards
Capt. II. N. Knight; Washington Light Guard
b. Putnam Rifles, Capt. Greenwell, of South
Washington: Co c, Union Regiment, Capt G.
W., w: Miller, Of Eas! Washington; Co. E, WASH
tain Col. f. f. Ellsworth, who Organized
the n. Y. Fire Zouaves but he was succeeded
In the Command OF Co. by Capt. J. T. POWELL
Co. ID, National Guard, Co. f., National Guard
Capt. X. Morgan; jackson Guard, Capt Nc.
Dermott; Constitutional Guard, Capt. w. II.
Dgges; W atsOn Guard, Capt j. +. Stewart:
Cameron Guard, Capt. Elder; Scott Rifles Capt
Darling; Co. ID, Union Regiment, formed i'm the
National Guard, Capt. Arnold: Turner Rifles Ri w.
Co. b, Capt. afterwards GEN. Kryzanowski,
and other companies. AS a rule these were
formed into battaiiOns, numbering from three
active duty.
SERVICE RENDERED BIZ THE TROOPS
Although there was an understanding that
those who had entered the service would not
be called upon to go beyond the District, when
the time came there were but few who objected
10 go up the POTOMAC TO guard the shores nor
were they reluctant to go out and guard the
railroad, or take possession of the steamers at
Long bridge to 60 After their term of service
was out quite large proportion entered the
service for the remainder OF the war. The mus
vania regiments arrived, and when the railroad
had been torn up, and there was no connection
with the north the District troops guarded that
portion OF IL south or Annapolis Junction.
HUMoRs OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Many OF the three-months' volunteers of the
District were totally inexperienced even in the
ordinary drill, and but few had any idea of
what the service they had entered would be-
knowing nothing whatever of soldiers life II
were
comical scenes enacted, and the reunions which
Will be held Will be enlivened by many q funny
story. In one instance some of the District
volunteers were detailed to put up 10000 ra-
tions Tor shipment, but being ignorant OF the
quantity required tor u regular ration, a ship
ment OF 10000 was the result. In another In.
stance sentry posted near Seneca was told
that his beat extended from q tree to where O
white horse was grazing. When the rounds
We're made by the officer the sentry was no
where to be found, and his comrades were
somewhat exercised as TO whether he had de-
serted TO the enemy or had fallen over a preci-
pice near by. After several hours passed In
suspense daylight arrived, and a corporal and
guard were sent out and succeeded In finding
him about q mile Off. When asked what he
was doing he replied that he was following the
horse.
That the boys enjoyed the campaign can be
inferred from the fact that when in July they
were about to return the common toast over an
immense bowl of punch was: "If this be war
may We never have peace" It was soon appa-
rent, however, that the campaign was not much
ike war, such as was seen afterwards.
Mr.. Downs brings . Libel Suit.
There has been another development in the
Downs case In Boston. A libel suit was brought
Thursday against the Boston Post at the hands
OF the celebrated syndicate. The trouble has
grown out Of tie recent affair with Mr. Dillen-