Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-04
OLD FORT STEVENS
Movement to Preserve Site of Mo-
mentous Event.
ONLY CIVIL WAR BATTLE IN DISTRICT
Meeting of Those interested Held
Last Evening.
THE LEGISLATION IN VIEW

II Il LEU LOLA IloN IN Il
a well-attended meeting was held last
evening at the board of trade rooms. Star
building, of those Interested in preserving
the site of Fort Stevens. at Brightwood,
where engagements took place in July,
1864. that saved the city of Washington
from capture by General Early. This
the only battle that took place In the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and was important for
the reason mentioned above and for the
fact that Abraham Lincoln. then President
OF the United States. stood on the parapet
Ivy the side of General Wright. commander
of the 9th Corps. exposed to the fire of the
enemy.
General Vincent made some brief re-
marks In calling the meeting to order. stat
ing that the movement was not only
connected with the survivors of the civil
war and their children. but was intimately
associated with the war of the revolution,
under the direction of Washington a
public was created, and under the direc-
ton of Abraham Lincoln it was preserved.
General Vincent also stated that the saw
ing of the fort is prompted by a thor
oughly patriotic motive, and among
those Interested were members of the
Grand Army of the Republic, Union
Veteran Union. Union Veteran Lee
gion. Loyal Legion, 9th Corps Associa-
ton, Sons of the American Revolution.
Sons of the Revolution. Colonial Wars. cit
liens associations board of trade, Business
Mems Association and the old soldiers and
citizens generally.
He reviewed what had been accomplished
since the last meeting, mentioning the Me-
mortal day exercises at Battle Ground
cemetery near Fort Stevens the hosting
OF the American flag on the fort by Mrs.
Rosa Wright Smith. daughter of Gen.
Wright. on Flag day last June. and the
part taken in the demonstration by the Old
soldiers and children of the public schools
He said the special object of the meeting
of last night to consider the bill for
saving the old fort and earthworks which
in 1894 saved the capita. and called on
DR.. Petteys to read the bill which had been
drawn under his direction.
The Bill Submitted.
DR.. Petteys submitted the bill and a series
Of maps showing the proposed boundaries
OF the park. together with photographs of
scenes during the war. He laid consid-
cradle stress on the part taken by the 9th
Corps. concluding by complimenting the
gallant commander of the valiant 9th
Corps, Gen. Horatio G. Wright.
Col Bramhall said: Il submit that there
an important defense by certain troops
before Gen. Wright. in command of the 9th
Corps. arrived, which was in a great de-
gree as important as the action of the 9TH
Corps itself, and in justice to all parties 1
think they should be so recognized as not
to slight any of those noble men who turn
ed out in defense of the national capital.
There is no question as to the action of the
9th Corps, but there was a critical time
before the arrival of that corps. and there
were other volunteer forces gathered there
to make a demonstration and to defend the
fort and Washington. l took no part in
i'll was not here-but in justice to all who
had part in 1t l think the bill should be
broad enough to include al. 1t should be
AN official recognition of the defenders OF
Washington a. Fort Stevens"
Provokes Discussion.
Discussion followed, which was particle
rated In by most of the old soldiers present.
Mr.. ". V. Cox, chairman of the historical
committee Of the Brightwood Citizens AS
ISOLATION. pointed out the great desrabilty
of marking the line of engagements of July
IL and r. 1864. He said it was possible
and comparatively inexpensive, owing to
the fact that many important points In the
line already belonged to the United States,
>heginning a Fort Reno on the west, where
the reservoir now stands, and Rock Creek
Park. containing Fort DeRussey and Bat
terry kingsbury earthworks. which are
in good preservation. If the line were en-
tended to include the earthworks still
standing east of Fort Stevens, it would
require but few acres of ground. which
for hstory's sake should be taken. He
thought it to be very desirable that the
eastern line should continue as far as Fort
Slocum which fort took part in the en-
2agement.
Mai. f. r. Campbell made an address, in
which he spoke of the Qualifications Which
lie helped TO construct and afterward &C
cupied. He empha sized the point that sufil-
cient ground should be taken for making a
Well-defned battle line.
1t was finally decided that authority be
given the President to select an executive
committee and such other committees as
may be necessary, including the oae TO
present the bill, which it was propos@d 10
have Introduced in Congress, and report
back to future meeting.
Mr. White stated that he hau called Oh
Gen. Frank Wheaton, who is now In the
city, and had a long interview with MIN
On the battle IN which the general was
conspicuous leader. General Wheaton ex-
pressed sympathy with the movement, ana
would have been present last evening nut
for severe cold. General Wheaton stated
that it would be great pleasure to him to
aid in any way within his power 10 pre-
serve the old earthworks over which his
troops charged to victory.
Letters From Prominent Citizens.
A letter was read from Judge Nevius Of
New Jersey, member Of the 9th New
York Cavalry. who lost an arm in this en-
sagement, expressing interest in the preser
walton OF the fortifcations; also letter
from Col. A. r. Raymond Of New York city,
"a member of the same regiment, and from
Gov. George X. Nash of Ohio. member OF
the 150th Ohio which was stationed at Fort
Stevens a letter from Cen L. A Grant,
formerly assistant secretary Of war. who
commanded a brigade at Fort Stevens, and
from Rev. A. 3. Giliett, and from each OF
several others, including Mr. Robert T. Lin
coin. son Of President Lincoln, who said In
his letter to General Vincent:
1T was very critical moment when they
gave UP their lives. and l agree with you
In thinking that the site Of old Fort Stew
ems should be specially dedicated as patri-
otto shrine"
Among those present were Gen. Thomas
NJ Vincent e. s. A, chairman; A. 8. Per-
ham, secretary. Col. William l.. Bramhall.
It. F. Brown. Maj. Hiram Buckingham,
Maj. E r. Campbell. p. b. Corwin, w. V.
NJ Iegg, Donald McCathran, A E. Nc
Laughlin. DIR. Charles Volney Petteys. Lew
IS C. White E; A. WILDER and Edward T.