The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-11


read with interest, We have no doubt. by
al our readers:
National Capital Centennial, 1900.
Washington City,
January -. 1900.
Dear General Cox An effort is be-
ing made TO preserve old Fort Stevens
on the 9TH street road. which You and
Your North CarolinianS almost reached
on July 18th and 18th, 1861
a meeting will be held for the pu1'-
pose about February 9TH and / write TO
ask if You will not write letter 10 me.
telling of those trying days, now happily
past.
We want to mark the spot nearest the
capitol where YOU and your brave men
fought and which was defended by
equally brave meIl-an engagement in
Sight of the capitol, watched on one side
by John c. Breckinridge, who received
the votes of the seeding States. and on
the other by Abraham Lincoln, from the
parapets of Fort Stevens; the first and
only time President has ever been with
his forces on the field Of battle.
Please let ne hear from You.
Yours very truly,
w V. COX.
Gen. w. r. Cox.
Secretary T. $. Senate
L. s. Senate.
Office Of the Secretary.
Washington.
January % 1900.
Mr.. w. V. Cox. L. S. National Museum,
Washington, y. c.:
Dear Sir: In reply to your esteemed
favor requesting 4 letter from me in re-
gard to the demonstrations against the
capital by Early's Corps on the 18th and
10Th Of July, 1864, and which were wit
messed by President Lincoln and par
ticipated in by John G.. Breckenridge.
who opposed him in the Presidential
campaign preceding, / beg to say but
for the fact that | am preparing to leave
the city, it would give me pleasure to
go over the field of conflict and refer 70
such data as would enable me TO write
a letter of greater historical interest.
As The time intervening between now
and the meeting of your committee is
very short. | submit only such salient
points as are supplied by memory. After
the battle of the Monocacy. where Wal
lace was defeated, we moved on to Rock
vile. The weather was very hot, and
to not unduly fatigue the troops we
moved slowly on to Washington and on
the afternoon of the 18th reached the
city by the Seventh street turnpike. Gen
eral Gordon with one of his staff pushed
forward, rode upon the breastworks. re-
turned and reported to Early that he saw
but one man ON duty and urged him 10
move forward Early hesitated; he fear
cd the troops upon entering the captal
might become demoraliZed. ard getting
beyond control of their officers drink.
burn and pilage. He therefore sunlmon-
cd a council Of war. and the forward
move was advised against. Thereupon
strong skirmiSh line was thrown for
ward, and Rodes division. in which was
my brigade. occupied the left of the
turnpike. Here we remained, recon-
noitering and briskly skirrnishing until it
was ascertained that the 9th and 9th
Corps from Grant army was near the
canltal. Ihereupon at nightfall we beat
a haSty retreat, pursued by cavalry. As
Rodes' division was nearest TO the city.
and my brigade in front. il is believed
my command was the principal sufferer.
as several Of my men We're found among
the dead. Early's deliberate movements
may have resulted from the belief that
he had accomplished one Of his chief OBJ
iects in crossing into Maryland. viz,
alarming the capital, and divertine
Grants forces from his efforts against
Richmond.
While Vice President. Breckenridge
had enjoyed the inequalities of Silver
Springs and was not forgetful of the
friendship of its owners, he fixed his
headquarters near Montgomery Blair
residence, and did all he could to pro-
tect it. and this feeling was appreciated
and respected by us. Therefore it was
a source of much regret that as the army
fell back at night some straSglers fired
the residence.
1t is pleasing to reflect we have arriv-
cd at period when the asperities of the
War Between the States can be viewed
without passion, and alone IN the light of
history.