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

their injury, and everything was msde ready
for possible siege. The prospects Of trouble
we're greatly increased now by the happenings
OF the day in Baltimore. which had apparently
declared itself for secession, thus threatening
the security Of the capital
CUTTING OFF COMMUNICATIONS.
Indeed, Baltimore was on the point Of re-
bellion itself, and that night q monster meet
ing was held at Monument Square, at which
the governor declared his unwillingness to help
the government in the fight against the seced-
ing states After he had retired for the night
q committee waited on him at his bedside in
the house OF Mayor Brown and obtained his
assent to 4 scheme for the destruction Of rail-
road property, designed 20 prevent the further
passage OF troops TO Washington. By morning
several important bridges had been burned
and great deal Of damage done. All the tele-
graph wires around Baltimore. excepting those
connecting that city with the confederate
stronghold at Harper's Ferry. were cut, and
thus Washington was completely isolated from
the rest OF the world as FAR as the sending or
getting Of news was concerned.
The greatest CONSERVATION prevailed here
when this state of things was discovered and
steps were taken at once TO reinforce the small
body OF troops in the capital by loyal citizens.
A meeting was held on the evening of the 18th
OF April OF all guests of the hotels who were
true to the government, and they were organ
lied into the Cassius NJ. Clay battalion, so
named from the leader of the movement. This
force, composed of about hundred men, acted
as the city patrol and served to keep the revo-
lutionary tendencies of the secessionsts then
soiourning in Washington under bounds. They
were CHARTERED in the east room Of the White
House.
The isolated condition of the CITY soon be-
came known in the north. and the most siren
uous efforts were taken at once for her relief
troops we're raised by the thousands. and 1t
was not s5ng before men were on their way
south, determined TO force their way to the
capital, despite the opposition OF Baltimore.
OPENING THE WAY.
Two regiments, the seventh New York and
the eighth Massachusetts,, left New York on the
18th of April for Washington. The eighth was
commanded BY Gen. b. F. Butler and the sew
enth by Gen. Lefferts. Gen. Butler took his
troops from Philadeiphis on the morning of
the goth. in pursuance Of plan to go around
Baltimore by water on q large ferry boat char
tered for the purpose. The trip was made in
safety, but the steamer went aground just of
the wharf at Annapolis, which was her destina-
ton. While all efforts were being made.to get
her off the seventh New York arrived on an
other steamer. and thus the troops were landed
just in time to prevent the Naval Academy and
the ships lying there from falling into the
hands of the confederates.
That night the secessionists tore up the rails
of the Annapolis and Elkton railroad, which
connected Annapolis with the main line OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Annapolis juno
ton. The rails were thrown into bitches and
hedges and every effort was made TO entirely
destroy the line, including the disintegration
of the engines at hand. Gen. Butler set TO work
early the next morning and by nightfall had
the rails in place and an engine refitted through
the efforts Of men in his regiment, many of
whom worked in the shops from which the en-
CINE had been purchased.
Thus connections were established with the
city by means Of the roundabout route from
Philadelphia to Annapolis, and the protesta-
tions had thenceforth no weight in the supply
ing of the city with ample means for defense.
1t was some weeks later that Gen. Butler
took possession Of Baltimore by a brilliant
coup and thus utterly obliterated all obstruc-
tions between Washington and the north. But
those who lived in Washington during the first
week of the war will never forget the perils
and fears Of that period.