Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-10
n TORIC PL A CES
Some Interesting Recollections of
Old-Time People-The History Of
the Marine Corps.


In the early days of the city. East Wash
irgton contained within its confines some
Of the most beautiful homes in the District
Duddington, the house of Daniel Carroll,
one Of the commissioners appointed by
Washington to lay out the city-was one of
the most imposing at the seat of govern
ment. The large double-brick mansion was
Of the colonial style of architecture, with a
spacious hall running through the center;
a hall as wide as some of the houses of the
present day. Around the mansion were
grouped many outbuildings and servants
quarters all built of brick. and which at a
distance looked like a miniature settlement.
The extensive grounds which surrounded It
took up an entire square and were inclosed
by a high brick wall which gave to IL a ba-
ronial air. A thich growth OF original oaks
shaded the winding paths that led through
the picturesque grounds and lent an addi-
tional air Of antiquity to the place. Mr. Car
roll died at Duddington May .. 1s49, and
was buried at st. Peters Cemetery. His
remains were subsequently removed to
Mount Olivet, where they now repose.
The home Of Maj. Augustus s. Nicholson.
ST.. of the U. 8. marine corps was another
imposing and beautiful place. occupying an
entire square just east Of Duddington and
commanding fine view of the river and
the Virginia hills. The original home OF
the Nicholson's was the picturesque white
house" on South Carolina avenue, and was
more quantity beautiful than the other.
The Enclosure covered an entire square,
which was artistically laid out and pro-
fusely ornamented. 1t is now known as
The Naples" and owned and occupied by
Mrs. Briggs. In the old days 1t was the
scene Of princely hospitality. The major
beloved by all who knew him-was noted
for his hberality and lavish entertainments.
He was a great lover OF fine horses and his
stables boosted Of some of the fastest trot-
tiers in this part Of the country. The old
main road'-now Pennsylvania avenue
east-was the scene of many a friendly
trotting match in which the major often
participated and seldom got left"
Mr.. Thomas Blagden, a wealthy lumber
dealer. owned a very handsome residence
the extensive grounds near the old 'Stone
bridge" just south Of Duddington. He was
also the owner Of the large farm where the
insane asylum now stands. Here he erected
an observatory on the brow of the hill
which could be seen for miles and which
commanded a magnificent view Of both
rivers and the entire city. "Blagden's OBJ
servatory'' was for many years a promi-
beautiful homes In this section Of the city
and well worthy Of mention.
The Marine Barracks.
The greatest attraction of East Wash
ington in the old days was the marine bar
racks. Here was stationed the only body
OF regular troops for the defense of the ma
tional capital. There was a company Of
regular infantry quartered at Fort WASH
ington down the river for a time and a
light battery at Fort McHenry Baltimore
but the marines were the only troops sta
toned In this city for many years Then,
as now, they were considered a fine body
Of well disciplined and remarkably well
drilled troops. Full-dress parades, inspec-
tons and battalion drills made headquar-
tiers an attractive spot and drew large
crowds from the city to witness the we'll
executed evolutions of the men and to lis
ten to the music of the ever-popular Ma
rine Band. which was even then considered
the finest In this country. Its leader at
that time was q Portuguese named FRAY
whose fine musical taste and ARRANGEMENT
made him very popular.
There was generally a much larger force
stationed at the barracks in the old days
than Of late years. and Mai. j. c. Rey-
nolds, one OF the best-drflled infantry off,
GERS In the service and q thorough marti-
net, would at intervals establish the school
of the battalion" On one occasion he gave
battalion drill on the west plaza of the
Capitol before both houses of Congress and
an immense concourse Of people The drill
included firing with blank cartridge and
was pronounced perfect
The old barracks presented a scene of
great animation on the breaking out of the
Mexican war. The Maryland contingent
(Which included one company from WASH
ington) was Quartered and drilled here
prior to their departure for the seat of war
To say that they made things lively Is
drawing IL mildly. The peaceful lives and
quiet scenes of the old burghers of the
Navy Yard were rudely shocked when the
Maryland boys came marching in. Their
merry meetings were changed to "stern
alarums." their "delightful measures to
dreadful marches" and nothing had been
seen like It since the British passed
through" The battalion was Commanded
by Col. w. H. Watson, who was Killed
while CALAMITY leading his men through
the streets of Monterey. The adjutant was
Frank b. Schaeffer. afterward captain of
company ID, and later captain of the orig
inal National Rifles Of this city
Orga nisatiOn of the Marine Corps.
1t may not perhaps be generally known
that the marine corps came into existence
before the organization Of the regular navy.
Mr. Almy Aldrich. in his history OF the
corps. completed by Capt r. s. coIlum,
says: Before a single vessel OF the navy
was sent to sea the corps was organixel,
November TO- lI15, and from the nour OF
their earliest organization the marines
maue nople record Tor themselves anu Tor
tneir country. During the revolutionary
war, whether ashore or anoat, the marines
were conspicuous for their bravery ami won
distinction for Observation-Disclosures in
no small degree to the final success Of the
Americans. In the Algerian war, in the
war of 1872, from the lakes to the gulf: IN
the operations against pirates on the coast
OF Sumatra, in the everglades of Florida,
in nne, as the legend on their colors reIis
us, from Trlpoli TO the halls of the Monte
zumas, and, We may add. up to the fall
of Richmond in the late war they proved
themselves gallant defenders of the repub-
lie and worthy of all honor.
Gen. Archibald Henderson was the COM
mandant Of the corps from 1870 to 1859. He
was brevetted brigadier general January "a,
1887, for gallant and meritorious services
in command of the marines during the
Florida war. He was a prominent figure in
Washington for many years. He was a d.
rector OF the Bank of Washington and long
a vestryman in old Christ Church, Navy
Yard. Maj. A. s. Nicholson mentioned
above) was the quartermaster Mai. Park
G. Howell was the ad5utant and in
spector, and lived in the large dou-
BILE brick house on Fourteenth street
near the Long bridge. Maj. George w.
Walker was the paymaster. Among other
officers who are well remembered by our
old citizens, and who had large property
interests in the city, were Mai. (afterward
colonel James Edelin,. Lieut.. John s. Dew
lin, Maj. H. B. Tyler. Capt. VIM Maddox,
Capt. A. s. Taylor and others. As we re-
call the old days at the post shadowy forms
and familiar faces file slowly by u.s. We
scan the grim old quarters. look out upon
the parade ground and glance down the
long dim arcade in vain for the gallaut y,,en