The Globe-republican., 1893-08-04


surprised, amazed and awe stricken to
see the bronzed faces, dusty blue
clothes, and the corps badges of the
fighting Sixth corps arise, like appari-
tons, before them in the defense of that
fort. There was perceptible wavering
throughout the entire confederate line.
For moment they halted. Then,
knowing that they had met the same
determined veterans before and that
proper relief in superior numbers had
come in time from the Army of the
Potomac, they stood not upon the
order of their going but went to the
rear at once, and the national capital
was saved.
The battle was brief, and, as battles
went in those days, it was bloodless
one. True there were killed and
wounded men on both sides, but the
number was SO few, in comparison with
the battles through which both armies
had recently passed, that it might we'll
be called a bloodless battle. One
month before, fifteen thousand union
soldiers had fallen inside of fifteen
minutes before the earthworks of
Cold Harbor. The casualties at Fort
Stevens were not more than fifteen
hundred on both sides. Although it
may be called mere skirmish, it was
one of the most important engage
ments of the entire war, for the result
was that the national capital was
saved and Grant was enabled to con-
tinue his operations before Richmond
By the battle of Monocacy, two days
before Early appeared. before Fort
,teveds, it became known in Washing
ion what formidable force was ap-
preaching the city. A few prisoners
captured revealed the fact that Gen.
Early, one of Gen. Lees ablest strate-
gists, was in command of the raiders.
The alarm was general throughout the
city. Congress vas in session; the SUI
preme court was in session; the presi-
dent and his cabinet were in the CITY,
The success of Gen. Early meant the
capture, not only of the national cap
ital, but of every member of every
branch of the government. President
Lincoln drove out to Fort Stevens in
carriage, and he was there when the
Twenty-ifth New York cavalry
marched upon the field and took up
their position between Fort Stevens
and Fort De Russey. This regiment
had just been mounted at City Point,
and had travelled all night in order to
reach Washington in time. They ar
rived eight hours before the infantry
men of the Sixth corps reached the
field. The soldiers recognized the
president as they marched past him,
and they went into the fight shouting:
'Hurrah for Lincoln!' Very shortly
afterward the secretary of war, Mr.
Stanton, drove furiously out there and
took Lincoln off the field almost by
main force. He told the president that
if he did not 60 back into the city with
him he would order a squad of soldiers
to put him in an ambulance and com.
pei him to go. The president entered
Stanton's carriage, quietly remarking:
II thought / was commander in chief"
Stanton's reply has not been recorded.
From the well-known character of the
man, however, it is fair to presume
that he informed the president that
while he was secretary of war he in
tended to have his own way; and he
did, not only upon that occasion, but
upon all occasions. The presence OF
Mr.. Lincoln and the cheers of the
men constituted stimulus to the zeal
of the confederates to hasten their on
slaught. They could have captured
Washington that evening. 1t was too
late on the twelfth.
SMITH d. FRY.