Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-17
TO THE FRONT.
How WashingtOnians Started for the
First Battle OF Bull Run-ReMinls-
ComceS OF q Veteran.

"The day before the first battle of Bull Run, {"
said COL Dayton to STAR reporter the other day,
witnessed the departure OF number OF citizens
from washington for the scene Of the expected
conflict and many Of them had no idea that they
would see other than militia training on rather
large SCALE The result OF that first great battle OF
the war was totally unlocked for. Many
went out on horseback, some In buggies, and
express wagons were in demand zone party was
composed Of eight or ten business men, who had
engaged four-horse express wagon and
smaller wagon, in which the late John Hammack
had the supplies, which consisted OF whisky,
ham, tongue, pickles, &c. This party was very
hllarlous on the way. When they reached small
tavern, about two miles from Fairfax Court
HOuSe, Wnere there was pump on the roadside,
It was found that the stores especially the wet
ones had rapidly decreased Ahalt was called
heard but the washington boys were drinking at
the pump TO the success OF the Union armies.
EXHAUSTED FUGrrIvHs.
In little time, however, fugitive soldiers to the
number OF fifteen hundred or more arrived at the
tavern. and soon the pump ran dry. Many, COM
pletely exhausted, threw themselves on the ground
10 rest The picnic party were entirely oblivious
as 10 what had happened at the 'front.' and 1t Is
doubtful II they could at that time have been
made to believe 1t, although from the continuous
more than a mere militia training was In prOQress
About this time ], with some Rhode Island officers
en- route to Washington. spied the pump and made
Black Horse Cavalry was but a short distance
On; and IN little time the fifteen
toward Washington, as anxious as any to increase
the distance between them and the terrible Black
Horse Cavalry. our party Spied the citizens, and
them. We were ve"y thirsty, and when 1t was
suggested that they had something refreshing in
the wagon halt was at once called.
QUENCHING THIRST
Very soon gallon measure was produced, some
ice cracked and put In with couple OF bottles Of
champagne, and our party was refreshed. While
we were cOngratuating ourselves that we had laid
trimmed the lantern, for It was dark by this time
and our restaurateur prepared another dose like the
preceding. The citizens tasted, but after a few
the mixture. The concoctor OF the beverage,
however. took q long and strong pull,
and soon after turned deathly sick, while others
covered that by some means the oil reservoir from
the lantern had got into the measure, and by
stirring the ice the cap had been knocked OF, and
the Oil had mixed with the wine. Our restaura-
teur continued In much pain, and We were obliged
to tmprOvtse q bed in the bottom OF the wagon and
cover him with blanket.
ABOUT DAYLIGHT
on Monday morning we arrived at Fort ALBANY.
where force had been stationed to turn back the
fugitives Here the wagons were halted by a
guard, and rode up and explained that we had
Gen. Piper Heidsick, who was badly wounded in
the wagon, and had been ordered by Gen Nc
DOwell TO get him TO Washington as soon as posi-
Die. In the meantime poor John under the blanket
was grooming terribly, and the sergeant express
ing sympathy for Gen. Heidsick, allowed the party
70 pass This experience was enough for some OF
the citizens OF the party, and 1t difficult AFTER
ward to get some Of them to drink from anything
save the bottle direct.