Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-12
IN DAYS OF PERIL.
How 1t Happened That Troops Came to
Washington by Way of Annapolis.

Washington by Way of Annapolis.
To the Editor of The Evening Star
In your paper of yesterday you published an
article headed, "A War Reminiscence"-How
it happened that troops came to Washington by
way of Annapolis.
This version may be true. but it certainly is
strange that at the same time that Messrs. j.
Morrison Harris and Anthony Kennedy were in
communication in Washington with President
Abraham Lincoln. Secretary of State Mr..
Seward, Gen Scott and Secretary of War Gen.
simon Cameron, ON April 20, 1861, the bridges
between Havre de Grace, Nd, and Baltimore,
on the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti-
more railroad. were burning. if not burned
already. Consequently, the compromise
or plan he speaks about must have been
forced on the government, because the Hon.
Maury b. Lowry, confidential business agent
Of Gen. Cameron, was sent with verbal dis
patch to Gen. Cadwallader. at Philadelphia,
Pa, and in order to reach him he had to resort
to all the ruses known in warfare to cross
Maryland. Mr.. Lowry reached Baltimore at
night, April 20, 1861, and went to his farm near
Canton, Baltimore county, which was rented
TO Mr.. Lusby, a truck farmer (and Bell and
Everett supporter), where he had to hide I'M
der a bedstead until he was brought to my
fathers farm on Sunday morning. April Il.
1861, at o'clock am. My father president
of the Baltimore County Republican Associa-
ton.
When he arrived he found himself safe Cor
the time being.
the sofa in our dining room and awaking felt
greatly refreshed and encouraged. He then
took breakfast and told father, at the risk of
his life or one Of his sons to get him through
Maryland and save the capital, saving, I'm
less military possession be taken before mid
night of Perryville. Md, the bridges will,
know. from boastings openly made, suffer the
same fate from Perryville to Wilmington. Del.
as the bridges between Baltimore and Havre de
Grace. The capital must fall unless the An
napolis road be kept open"
Father then gave him horse and carriage
and at o'clock g. m. We started for Havre de
Grace.
After numerous stoppages by armed mobs
and the so-calle1 Hartford county cavalry we
at last after escaping several close calls reached
Havre de Grace at 1870 d. m. We then hired
boat after considerable trouble and crossed
the Susquehanna river to Perryville, Nd.
Mr.. Lowry at once autographed to Gen. Cad
wallader and very shortly thereafter IL locomo-
tive and tender was placed at his disposal in
which he proceeded on his way. Col. Lyle
with four regiments, took possession of Perry
vile that night.
returned home on Sunday night and found
my family had fled from the house and were
compelled to seek shelter in large fishing boat
on Back river. which bordered our farm. be-
cause one of fathers houses had been burned
and the destruction of the manor house threat
ened by bowling mob.
A remarkable incident of this night was that
my mothers hair turned from brown TO gray
from the fright received.
On the following day. in order to secure our
lives and property, father, my brother, one
farm hand. a neighbor, Mr.. Schmuck. a wheel
wright, and two wounded soldiers of Col Smalrs
regiment, concealed upon our premises,
namely, Mr.. Fred Reinhardt and Hy Brinck-
man, who were unable to travel and whom DR..
Mace, our family physician, attended while
with us, had TO take a two-horse wagon and fee
from the state at the risk of our lives.
ADoLPH VAN REUTH