The National tribune., 1894-04-12

aud had an opportunity of seeing more Of
actual warfare than usually fell to the lot CI
short-term regiment.
The threatened attack upon the National
Capital occasioned intense excitement among
the citizens and in military circles, and every
effort was put forth to man the lines of for
| iifcations around that city.
Dsmounted cavalrymen, convalescents
from the various camps, clerks from the
Departments, and men from all other
available sources were hurriedly organ
lied into regiments, armed and equipped.
and marched TO the front All these, how
ever, with the assistance Of the Invalid
Corps and the 100-days men, would have
made but poor showing in a combat with
Early's veteran legions, and would have
failed in their efforts to prevent the capture
of the city, but just as the advance-guard OF
Early's army appeared at Silver Springs, in
front of Washington July II, the First and
Second Divisions of the Sixth Corps were
debarking from the transports that had
brought them from City Point. This OPP
perfume reinforcement to the defenders Of
Washington was welcomed by the President
and its arrival hailed with great satisfaction
by the citizens.
With banners proudly floating and drums
beating, these waT-worn, broDzed veterans
marched through the city and were at once
moved out Seventh street to the rear of the
Notifications near Fort Stevens, it being
evident that this would be the point assailed
should the enemy decide TO make an attack.
The rebel skirmishers had worked their
way quite close up to the line of fortifica-
tions, and their fire annoyed the troops who
occupied the works, but the show made by
tn ind 10
with any certainty the strength of the force
that was threatening the city.
Gen. Wright, commander of the Sixth
Corps, was of the opinion that the force
then at Silver Springs and vicinity was SIM
ply raiding party, that could easily be
driven off by veteran troops. Hence he
asked Gen. Augur's permission to send out
one of his (Wright's) brgades to brush
away the skirmishers, feel of the enemy,
and develop their strength, but Gen. Augur
did not approve OF the suggestion.
Gen. McCook had been placed in the i'm
mediate command of the entire line, ard
upon the arrival of the troops of the Sixth
Corps, notwithstanding the fact that his in
structions were to hold that organization in
reserve, he was so impressed with the neces-
sity of having the picket and skirmish-line
held by veteran troops that he ordered Gen.
Wright to furnish 900 men TO relieve the
troops on duty in front of Fort Stevens and
to establish the picket-line at greater dis
lance from the Notifications.
Several regiments of Gen. Wheaton's First
Brigade, Second Division, were moved to the
front, and in very short time had forced
the enemy's line back quite distance, al
though they still held possession of the Lay
Tor Carberry) house, to the left, and the
Rives house, to the right of Seventh street,
about fve-eighths of mile from Fort
Stevens.
On the morning of the 18th, from the
parapets OF the fort, the camp of the enemy
could be seen, indicating the presence of a
force variously estimated at from 10000 to
10000 according to the temperament of the
observer.
Their skirmishers were pushed well to the
front and kept up an annoying fire, more
particularly from the shelter of the Lay
Tor Carberry) house and the Rives house
These houses were located on separate ele-
vations, each of which commanded view
of the ground held by the enemy, which
could not be observed from the iortifica-
lions. They also were points of advantage
to the enemy in that they commanded our
picket-lines, and their sharpshooters and
skirmishers availed themselves of cover
there, and during the 18th killed and
wounded quite a number of Wheaton's
Brigade.-S. A. MCDONALD. 122d n. Y,
Cleveland, o.
(To ne co.,t;n,,s5l