Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-04
General Wright's Aid in Defense
Of the City in "a.
INTERESTING EVENT OF CIVIL War
Confederate General Early's Raid
and Subsequent Retreat.
HIS REPORT TO GEN. LEE

The death of General H. G.. Wright in
this city Sunday recalls one of the most
interesting incidents of the civil war, Earfy's
attempted raid on Washington. General
Wright commanded the 9Th Corps, and af-
ter Lee had been driven back into Virginia
from Gettysburg this corps was lying on
the left of the federal line near Petersburg
Virginia. When news of Early's movement
en- Washington was obtained, General
Wright was directed to bring his men up
for its defense. His third division had al
ready embarked for Baltimore, and with
lis first and second divisions he left City
Point July 10. 1864. for this city.
After driving Sigel's force to Maryland
Heights. Early moved, the 9Th of July,
around Sigers force through to Frederick,
entering that city the morning of the 9th
Early found General Wallace at Monocacy
junction, and attacked him that afternoon
Wallace was driven back, and retreated to
Baltimore, according to Early The morn
ing of the next day the confederate COM
mander moved toward Washington taking
the route by Rockville, and then turning
to the left to reach the eth street pike.
The weather was extremely hot but thirty
miles were covered by the confederates and
the morning of the 18th of July he re-
sumed his advance on the national capital.
Reaching the vicinity of the fertilization
to the northWard of the city Early found
his men almost completely exhausted be-
cause of the intense heat. Skirmishers were
thrown out by him, and he states he found
the Notifications to be very strong and con-
structed very scientifically.
EarIy's Report to Lee.
These Notifications, reported General
Early to Lee. consisted Of a circle of in
closed forts, connected by breastworks,
with bitches, palisades, and abattis in
front, and every approach swept by a cross
fire of artillery, including some heavy guns
General Early explained to General Lee
that he determined at first to make an as
sault, but that before it could be made it
became apparent to him that the Union
forces had been strongly reinforced Early
also reported to Lee that he knew that the
9TH Corps had arrived on the scene from
Grants army. After consultation with
his division commanders, Early stated that
he became satisfied that the proposed as
sault, even if successful, would require the
sacrifice of his whole force before the VIC
tory could be made available, and, If UNI
successful, would necessarily have result
ed in the loss of his whole force
Early states that he therefore reluctantly
determined to retire, and, as 1t was evident
10 MN that preparations were being made
TO cut Off his retreat and that troops were
gathering around him, making it difficult
Tor him to obtain supplies, he determined
to retire across the Potomac to point
near Leesburg, Va, before it became too
late. Gen. Early explained to Lee that
he was led to this determination by the
conviction that the loss of his force would
nave mad such a depressing effect upon the
con1ederacy and would have so encouraged
the Union forces as to amount to a very
serious, if not fatal, disaster to the con-
federate cause.
The Confederate Strength.
The confederate commander stated that
his force of infantry did not exceed 10 900
men, Breckinridge's infantry though
nominally much larger, really did not ex-
coed 2 800 muskets A considerable part
of his cavalry had proved to be wholly in
efficient, he stated, and, in view of the eff
forts of the federal forces to reinforce
the body opposing him. he says, if he had
met with disaster h. could not have escap-
ed. And on the other hand, if he had sue
ceeded in the assault he believed his force
would have been so crippled that he could
not nave continued the operations so neces-
sary il, an expedition like his.
Therefore, after threatening the CITY all
day of the 18th of July Early retired after
nis htfall and moved to Leesburg. Late in
the afternoon of that day, according to
Earlys claim, thu federals advanced in
line of battle against his skirmshers of
Rhodes division, and that the latter being
reinforced, repulsad the federal forces three
times. Early also claimed that his forces
caused an immense amount of damage to
the federals. taking off over ,O0D horses
He says that $:320R0 in money was levied
and collected in HaGerstown and Frederick
Nd. the money levied and collected being
northern money. He wrote Lee that he
was sorry he did rot succeed in capturing
Washington and releasing the confed crate
prisoners at Point Lookout, Md, bot the
latter, he explained, was impra cticable
after he determined to retire from before
Washington. H truly says there was in
tense excitement and alarm in Washington
and Baltimore and all over the north, but
claims that his force was very greatly ex-
agSerat-d, it being reported, he says, that
Lee was in comma nd having left Beaure-
gard a. Petersburg. Washington" he re-
ported to Lee. "can never be taken by our
troops unless surprised without a force to
defend it,.