Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18

EARLYS RAID AND THE DEFENSE OF
~ Washington has been one of the promi-
nent incidents Of the war and has probably
been the subject of more discussion than any
other movement Of like magnitude. In the
light of better information a. to the actual
weakness of the defense, Gen. Early has been
criticised by southern historians for not cap
turing the capital 1t is now a matter of con-
graduation TO the whole country that that move
ment was not persisted in with greater vigor;
but rather than criticism of Early for too
much caution, praise is due those who de-
Tended the capital for skillful arrange
ment of the defenses and the conceal
ment of their weakness from the knowl-
edge of the enemy. One thing that
Gen. Early complains of in his writings on the
subject which added 20 his perpiexity is that
none of his sympathizers in this city commu-
nlcated with him TO give him information. This,
perhaps as much as the demonstration on the
defenses. led him to suppose that the federal
forces at the capital were much stronger than
he had anticipated.
wELL-coScEALED WEAKNESS.
This shows an alertness and care on the part
Of those in charge of the defense, which counts
almost as an army in such an emergency
Early In the war il was adopted as an important
part Of the federal policy to have such a force
about Washington as to give feeling of en-
tire security. and il was the unanimous opIn-
ion OF the council OF corps commanders that
40. 900 men should be held for the defense Of
Washington. The necessities of the war
were such that the best troops-aii
the available troops-should be kept to
the front and contrary to the desire of the au-
thorities, the forces had to be drawn of from
Washington and the city was for most Of the
time left in almost a practically defenseless
condition. The knowledge of this fact now
makes confederate leaders feel that they mad @
a mistake in not doing their utmost to capture
the city.
Raw recruits. three months men with their
terms Vf enlistment almost expired, local VOL
lunteers and Q small veteran reserve made IN
the defensive force. Almost as fast as the men
gained experience and efficiency by careful
drilling they had to be ordered elsewhere, so
that the safety Of the city depended largely on
the manner in which the enemy we're kept oc-
cupied elsewhere. At times the capital was
well protected. but almos. cs soon as this con-
dition was reached there was a call for the
troops elsewhere.
proaches to the city, though of the simplest
sort, were constructed and arranged with skill,
30 that when Early appeared before them with
his army he was impressed with their strength,
hesita,ed and finally declined to make an as
sault
THE AVAILABLE FORCE FOR DEFENSE
On the 10th OF July, 1864, when Washington
thrown into state of excitement and
alarm by the approach Of Early, there were
20, 400 men here, but Of these but 5000, mostly
raw recruits. constituted the garrison Of the
dsfenses and a considerable number Of the
rest were unavailable and the whole force in
sufficient for service on the line.
There was hardly more than one-hfth the
infantry necessary to make the parapets and
in the garrison but single relief Of gunners
This force consisted Of the one hundred and
fiftieth. one hundred and fifty first and the one
hundred and SEVENTEEN Ohio National Guard,
enlisted for one hundred days: fifteen COM
panies oi heavy volunteer artillery two COM
panies OF light artillery and two companies Of
regular artillery under Gen. Harden, north Of
the Potomac; the enc hundred and thirty
h1th. the one hundred aud forty-fifth, the
one hundred and forty-seventh, the one hum
dred and sixty-fourth, the one hundred and
| siGy-sixth and the one hundred and sixty-
ninth Ohio National Guard. six companies Of
heavy aud twelve Of light artillery and two
companies VI regular artillery, under Gen. De
Russy.
The effective forces we're 1873 infantry.
i ,S34 artillery and 63 cavalry north of the Po
| tomac, and south Of the Potomac 4 O6S in
| fantry, Ina artillery and 81 cavalry. The
frst and second District OF Columbia yolnn
teers and detnchments amounted TO g. 500 men
under Gems. wisewell and slough. on auard
duty, and 4, 400 veteran reserves. At the nrtll-
lery camp Of instruction there were 6z7 men
and 800 effective cavalry at Falls Church,
under command Col. Lowell.
EAnLys MARCH ON THE CAPITAL.
On the 18th Of June Gen. Early vas ordered