The morning times., 1896-06-14
Brookville pike leading into the Seventh

The weather was very hot and there mad
been no rain for weeks. The roads were
full of dust and the movement of troops
was very difficult. Early himself came TO
the front and rode up in sight OF Fort
Stevens. He found the place practically
updefended and apparently could easily
have seized 1t II he could have brought up
his forces at once. But while he was sit
ting there on his horse, out near silver
Springs, cloud OF dust nrose In the rear
OF the fort toward Washington, and he
realized that his chance to surprise Fort
Stevens was gone.
CHECKED EARLY's ADVANCE.
The Sixth and Nineteenth corps, of the
Army OF the Potomac, had sent reinforce
ments and Washington was safe. They
marched through the city and out Seventh
street road, arriving at 1:3O p. m, Just
in time to check Early's advance
The next day occurred the only battle
that was ever fought in the District and
the only fight during the whole war ut
which President Lincoln was present in
person. Early had been checked, but there
was the greatest apprehension all thatnight.
Every aviilable force was summoned to
the front Gen. Anson McD. McCook was
placed in command. President Lincoln
and his secretaries were active in advis-
ing operations.
Gen. NJ. c. Meigs, then quartermaster
general. reorganized a troop OF 1000 men
OF his department, whom he had drilled
considerably ut the outbreak OF the war.
They made Il motley crew but moved to the
front with apparent spirit and courage.
The Second Regiment of District of Co.
lumbia Volunteers. the Seventh Veteran
Reserves, under Gen. Hardin; the first
brigade OF Veteran Reserves; the First
VermoDy Heavy Artillery: Ninth n ew York;
Second Massachusetts; Eighth Illinois and
forts in Early's front next morning.
DEFENsEs WERE STRONG.
He had continued recon noitering during the
afternoon of his arrival. He found. he says,
an exceedingly stron 3 defense, inclosed forts
with heavy artillery tier OF lower works
in front pierced for an immense number of
guns, covered by bitches and strengthened
by abattis- SSirmishing and sharpshooting
combined with reconnoitering were kept
up through the night.
A little before sundown, about 6 p. m,
Gen. Frank Wheaton attacked the Confed-
crates as they approached too near Fort
Stevens. There was sharp rattle of mus
ketry and the booming of. cannon. This
drew the President and members of his
Cabinet tn the field, where they watched
the engagement to its close. The Confed-
crates were finally beaten off, but not till
the Union loss was ESQ killed and wounded.
HEAY GUNS WERE USED.
In the fight the heavy guns at Fort De
Russy as well as the armament at Fort
Stevens were brought to bear in holding
the enemy at bay.
Early was driven back from the farms
OF Mr.. Rives and Mrs. lay and after several
hours further search for a weak spot
where he might break through, gave it up
and retreatcd into Virginia. He thought
his command was outnumbered, and said
In his report that signal on the Soldiers
Home was sufficient to communicate with
all the tropos in the intrenchments and
concentrate them at the point OF attack
He saw NO reason to hope that an effort
to storm the capital would prove success
ful.