Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-10
Brightwood Citizens Association
Wants a Street Opened.
SATISFIED With EITHER OF TWO NAMED
Resolutions in Favor of an Opposi-
ton Telephone Company.
POLICE AND STREET LIGHTS

of 18th or 14th street from the present
terminus to the District line. The resolu-
lions. which were offered by Mr.. L. p.
Shoemaker, president of the organization,
state that: Resolutions have been hereto
fore adopted by the Brightwood Citizens
Association setting forth the necessity for
and the desire to secure, the extension of
either 18th or 18th street. Action, however
by this association has been delayed until
necessary legislation for the extension Of
18th street could be secured This legisla-
ton has now been obtained, and the con-
sideration which has for some months been
given to the extension of 18th and 18th
streets has developed not only the great
necessity existing for one, but for both Of
these important thoroughfares, so that it
has been difficult for the committees of the
association, or the association in public
meetings. to agree OF to decide as to a
preference with reference thereto.
The BrightwOod Citizens Association, in
public meeting assembled on this the 9th
day OF February, 1900, therefore declares
that Eha association desires to bring to the
attention of the Commissioners and the
Congress Of the United States the great de-
mand and necessity that exists for both Of
these streets, in order to secure not only
the development of this section of the Dis
trfct of Columbia, but to enable the ade-
auate extension of Washington city, which
is pressing rapidly toward Brightwood.
Will BE Satisfied With Either.
That while this association recognizes
not only the Importance, but the necessity,
for the extension Of both Of these streets,
it hereby earnestly pledges itself to support
the extension Of the one which can be most
readily, most economically, secured, and
upon which the most land will be donated
for such purpose, WELL also, the one
which the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia and Congress shall approve"
In supporting the resolutions Mr.. Shoema-
ker said in part:
Il am Of the opinion this action approx
ing both streets should be taken. The as
sociItion will then be acting united, and
We can present all the claims for each street
70 approve.
In my opinion It would be a great mis-
take FOR the association to express 4 prefer
ence as 20 either. 1t is impossible for US
TO tell now what influence may be in the
future available as to either street.
After all. the preference of the associa-
ton will not give us either street. 1t will
come from Congress after we have been
able to show the advantages and disad-
vantages attending each.
We want both Of these streets and
ought 10 have them. Therefore. why d.
vide the strength and influence Of the as
ISOLATION by expressing a preference for
one. and by this means fritter away the
valuable time now before u.s."
Historical Data.
Mr.. W V. Cox made a preliminary re-
port on the history of the neighborhood,
promising to make complete report at
special meeting 81 the association to be
held later. He spoke as follows:
During the civil war the 18th street pike
fare TO and from the nations capital. Where
the GORDON of forts crossed it, five miles
from the Capitol, fort was built in 1862
BY Massachusetts troops, who named it
after the old bay state, Fort Massachu-
setts. April /. 1863. the name was changed
70 Fort Stevens, in honor of General Isaac
l. Stevens of Massachusetts, who had re-
Gently lost his life at Chantilly, Va.
Fort Stevens was one of the nineteen
forts between Fort Sumner on the west and
Fort Lincoln on the east. There were also
four batteries of heavy and twenty-three OF
light artillery stationed there. July -,
1854. IN front OF Fort Stevens there came
u an end one of the cleverest of plans con-
ceiyed by Robert Z. Lee during the civil
war by the defeat of Jubal Early in his
effort 70 capture Washington.
a serious condition of affairs confront
Ell Lee in the summer OF 1864. Grant was
slowly forcing him back Richmond.
Hunter had defeated Jones and was threat
ening Lynchburg. on which the confeder-
war. Lee held a conference with Early
June ~. and it was decided that Early
should destroy Hunter, proceed down the
valley, enter Maryland and capture Wash
ington. He thought this would force Grant
either to divide his army or again attack
the confederates in their strongholds, when
he hoped 10 destroy Grant.
June l.; Early taking Ewelrs corps. start
ed On his famous campaign. He struck
Hunter III the rear, who. to Early's salts
faction. retreated down the Kanawha.
Early then proceeded down the valley and
was IN Maryland before Grant would be-
lieve he was not in his front. He drove
Siegel into the Maryland Heights, and the
next day, July s. he moved around Siegel
On July he was at Frederick. and. NOV
ing out. he defeated Wallace at Monocacy
river So ambitious was he to capture the
capital that he did not follow up his VIC
tory. but pushed forward on Washington.
On July 10 he appeared at Rockville, and
on the nth. about noon, in front of Fort
Stevens.
Wright in Command.
when Grant realized the situation he
first thought Of returning and taking COM
nand in person. but on reflection he sent
Horatio Wright, an excellent officer, with
the 9Th Corps
The coufederates We're driven back, but
the little brigade, numbering only 1000
men when 1t went into action, had lost $50
of It's number The commanding officer of
every regiment in that charge had been
either killed or wounded. Fort Stevens had
proved TO be a wall to Jubal EARLY; Fort
stevens nal proved ltSell the DulWark OF
the nations capital.
in conclusion. I desire to say to mem
bers Of the association that have signifed
In writing my desire to dedicate a portion
Of the old earthworks to the United States
or the District Of Columbia, on the con-
dition that other owners OF property join
Ing the old fort do the same. 1 will go
farther than that, and tonight I say to
you that for history's sake 1 will also in
Clude that part of the old parapet on which
Lincoln stood while under fire, the point
identified by Gen. Horatio GouVenir Wright
the gallant commander of the gallant 9th
Corps"
Resolutions Adopted.
Resolutions offered by Mr.. Cox were
adopted by a unanimous vote, to the effect
that. as Fort Stevens, north Of the city Of
Washington. was the center of the chain
Of forts that formed the defense of the
CT pital of the nation, and during the trying
days OF July. 1864, this fort, ably defended, |
saved the capital from invasion when
threatened by Gen. Jubai Early. and also
because Abraham Lincoln stood on the
of Fort Stevens. under fire, en-
the soldiers of the Union army
to deeds of valor-the FIRST and only time a
President of the United States was ever
in command Of an army in battle:
therefore the Brightwood Avenue Citizens
recommends that the property
n,,I fa.l 1frrr -