Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-17
PROTECTING THE CAPITAL.
How the District VOlumtecrs Responded
to their C0untry's Call.

In their report recommending the passage of the
bill to pay bOunties to the District volunteers the
House war claims committee Incorporates
the report OF the Congress before. 1t tells
again the story OF how the District men
came to the protection OF the national
capital In 1851. In the very first month
OF that year, Gen. Scott, then in command OF the
Army. became convinced that there was a secret
organization in the city OF washington drilling
and recruiting for the purpose OF taking posses
sion of Government property. Tocircumvent this
movement he authorized Gen. Chas. p. stone to
organize the loyal men in the District. Under
an order Of the President thirty-flve companies
were organized. They did duty In guarding prop
coin, and continued on duty from that time until
they were mustered into the service In April All
the service they rendered prior TO being mustered
own uniforms and subsistence.
LETTER FROM GEN. STONE,
Incorporated In the report, says: ''The responses
OF the men Of the Federal District was prompt
and not to be mistaken or misunderstood. Old
volunteer organizations assembled and filled their
ranks and new companies OF volunteers formed
rapidly and presented themselves. The people
were enthusiastic, and the newly formed com.
panies purchased their uniforms themselves, hired
and paid for arm0ries In which to assemble for
drill, and called upon the Government for arms.
equipments and ammunition only. BY the 22d OF
February respectable force OF, as nearly a. can
paraded in honor Of the day, and made it evident
to all present In the capital that the Government
had at It's disposal at least certain military
force In case OF necessity. The number OF COM
panies increased daily, or almost daily, and 1t was
this force which, on the 4th OF March, 1851, to-
gether with handful Of regular troops which
remember two batteries OF artillery, one COM
pany engineer troops and some 200 cavalry rem
ration Of the constitutionaily- elected President
battalion OF District troops guarded, under Col
Onel TAFT, the position where the President took
District OF Columbia volunteer cavalry guarded
the carriage in which the two Presidents rode
while the engineer company Duane marched be.
District volunteer rifiemen occupied the windows
OF the Capitol overlooking the ceremony OF 1nauR.
uration, and also occupied the roofs OF the houses
along Pennsylvania avenue through which the
procession passed During the month OF March.
1861, these volunteers were active in drilling and
Vet mustered into the service, most OF them
held themselves constantly ready for service
in case of need. The case OF need soon
saos against Fort SUMTER the cond,tiSn Of
affairs at the capital rendered IL necessary
for the Government TO have troops for the
muster into service OF at first four companies
then eight companies, ana before that could be &C.
complshed Of all the District volunteers, was
ordered, This muster-tn was commenced on the
10th OF April, 1851. As had organized these
troops and Instructed them, the honor OF COM
it is with full knowledge Of the duty performed BY
them and Of the manner in which II was performed
that can state their service. They number ed say
g. 500 men, and can truthfully state that during
much OF their three months service they performed
duty which In ordinary war service would reason
ably require twice their number. They guarded
the public buildings AMI property. They at the
same time guarded the bridges and roads giving
entrance TO the city holding line OF about miles
in length when washington was cut on nom COM
munication with the rest OF the country They
seized and guarded the supply OF hour which made
bread for the people Of the bstnct for themselves
They seized and held the steamers which, had they
left for AcQuia Creek and Baltimore, would have
been seized &C Alexandra. They occupied the Bal.
timore and Ohio Rauroad between washington
for the arrival Of friendly troops fhsy advanced
the advance-guard In the 0rst movement into Viz
ginia when Alexandria was captured They cap
tured the nrst uniformed prisoners taken from the
been rendered fully secure By the arrival OF masses
OF troops from New York, Pennsylvania Msssa-
chusettA New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut,
and Rhode Island they followed me up the line OF
ward over the capital at good Distance nom 1t.
Later they Followed me 70 the strengthening OF
Gen. ParCors0ns force, and although the term OF
service for which some OF them had engaged ex-
the enemy thsy remained without any question as
to the time although did not insult them by 90
much q asking them II they were willing 70 %
Il have commanded many troops IN nv time. rut
none more willing and anxious 70 40 their whole
duty a. soldlrrs than were the majority OF the
District Of Columbia volunteers OF AprilJuiy, 1851
know thai they deserve well OF this country.
disgFace and calamity Of an abandonment OF the
capital BY the constituted authortieso the time
nj - ysrsasn n Arsse1eS MINI Inn" - -