Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-05-02
WHISkEY SAVED THE CAPITAL.
That is the Conclusion to be Drawn
From a BaItimorean's Story.

That is the Conclusion to be Drawn
From Baltimorean's Story.
Edward Babcock of Baltimore. in
speaking yesterday Of the civil war,
gave an interesting version of General
Jubai A. Early's famous raid which
came so near resulting in the capture
of Washington, says the New York
Tribune. Mr.. Babcock states that
the reason for General Early's failure
was his emitting to take advantage OF
his opportunity and sack the city
when it lay comparatively unacned
and at his mercy.
As every student OF the history of
the war knows, said Mr. Babcock, the
Confederates came within an ace OF
capturing the city of Washington dur
ing the dark days Of the civil war.
That fearless daredevil, Jubal A.
Early in one of his cavalry aids,
reached the town Of Silver Spring.
which lies ut seven miles from Wash
ington. The city at that time was
practically defenseless. There were
| but few or no troops in Washington
| and every one there was panic striok-
en- when news came of Ear'y's
proximity. Fortunately, however, he
delayed at Silver Spring for a length
Of time sufficient to hurry up troops
which were hastily thrown between
him and the threatened city.
Early made his headquarters When
he reached Silver Spring at the house
Of Mr.. Blair, the father Of Mont
gomery Blair, who was then lost
master general in Lincoln's cabinet
After the confederates had withdrawn
the Blairs went out to Silver Spring
again. Mrs. Blair found scattered all
about the lawns great balls Of fluffy
white stuff, which on investiga vio1
proved to be the lint which had come
from her linen, of which she had 4
great store The confederates had
unearthed it and torn it into bandages
The lint they had rolled into balls and
thrown upon the lawn, where Mrs
Blair afterward found them.
Some time prior to this raid Of Gen
eral Early's there was sold by the
navy department a large quantity Of
naval whiskey. 1t had to be sold, and
the late Admiral Lee, who lived al
Silver Spring, knowing that it would
| probably go at a cheap figure, told
his friends and neighbors in the
vicinity of Silver Spring that they
would do we'll to come to the sale and
bid in a supply Of it. AS he hal e.
pected, the whiskey went for
phenomenally low price. 1t was
gobbled up by those who were
present, and the result was that e very
body in that part Of the country had :
barrel of it.
The confederates found this out t.
their great joy and made merry. Thi!
it was that caused them to make the
fatal delay a Silver Spring. nac
Early kept on he could unquestion
ably have raided and burned the
capital. It was defenseless at the
time, and utterly at his mercy had h
ridden in, but both he and his lne1
had led lives of great hardship, ant
the supply of good things that they
unearthed in the country, and pa1ticu
l2rly that great supply of goot
whiskey, was too much for them; me,
simply could not resist it.
If Admiral Lee had not recon
mended to his neighbors the purcnast
of this whiskey the chances are tina
the capitol at Washington would have
suffered the tremendous indignity o
having been sacked by a confederate
commander. Thus it is that grea
oaks from little acorns grow.