Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

the howitzers of the Anacostia, Lieutenant
Fillibrown. These precautions were taken
in addition to having the Marine Guard
under Lieutenant Tatnall and the ordnance
men, who were well up in the use of fire
arms. and a large number of employees,
members Of District militia companies,
available when arms were placed IN their
hands. The Washington Light Guard, Cap
tain Marks; Company F, National Guard
Battalion Captain w P. Ferguson; Com
pany C, Union Regiment, CAPTAIN G. w.
Miller, and the companies Of the Light In
fantry Battalion bore numbers of navy
yard employees on their rolls.
Many Rumors.
Frequently during the early part of 81
reports were prevalent of attempts to cap
ture the yard, and that in the ordnance de-
partment men were treacherousy making
cartridges and shells either harmless or
more dangerous to those who would fire
them than to those fired on; but. as events
proved, no mob attacked the yard and there
was only the slimmest foundation for the
other reports. The time passed till
March rolled around and the President was
inaugurated. and although it was known
that most Of the officers were of southern
birth for some weeks at least they ap-
peared to be perfectly loyal and intent on
having the arrangements for the protec-
ton of the yard most effectual. After the
than and at times extra precautions
were taken and it may be said that the
war commenced. at least as far as the navy
yard and the District people were con-
cerned. early in April.
In April there We're but few government
vessels at the yard-the Pawnee, Anacos-
tia water Witch and one or two others.
In anticipation of the demand for ord
nance stores, machinery, etc, the several
departments were rapidly increasing their
rolls and in a short time the ordnance de-
partmsnt especially was a veritable bee
hive.
Seizure of Vessels.
The exciting time at the yard was about
the 10th Of April, and the few DAYS subse-
ouent thereto. Some Pennsylvania troops
had arrived on the 18th, the Massachusetts,
9th had, after passing through the attack
at Baltimore, reached the capital on the
10Th, and while there were advices Of
other troops being en- route, the number
of vessels at the yard were about to be
reinforced by steamers seized by the nil
tary at the It'll street wharf. 1t was Fri
day afternoon when informal ton was given
Captain Colonel Towers of Company A,
Washington Light Infantry, that the AQUA
creek boats. Powhattan, Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Mt Vernon, were that night
to be sent to AQUA creek. He immediate
ly reported the fact to General Scott, who
then had his office at what is now 402 9th
he could muster at once proceed to the
wharf 9th street, and take possession of
and place guard on boats, and to hold them
for further orders Captain Towers return
ed to the armory. found less than half his
command and in less than thirty minutes
had executed the order. This was not DONE
however, without some protestationS for
the regular boat was to have left that
afternoon, and some of the passengers had
embarked for their homes in the south, but
they could not go by this line. That night
it was rumored that an organisation of
southern sympathizers intended to take the
boats and deliver them to the Virginia
authorities, and the infantry threw out
pickets to prevent surprise. This rumor
reached General Scott, and he at once sent
an order to the 9Th Massachusetts at the
Capitol to send Colonel Towers reinforce
ment of fifty men. A detail was at once
made and marched to the support of the
Infantry, and remained with them till re-
lieved the next afternoon. This Is said to
have been the first actual service of state
troops during the war.
The Commandment Resigns.
On the following Sunday orders were re-
ceived by Captain Buchanan to have the
steamers named above, which had been
seized and turned oyer to the navy, equip
ped for war service, and he Immediately re-
signed his commission. The steamers
Mount Vernon, Powhattan and Baltimore
were brought around to the yard that even
ing the Powhattan (afterward the King
Philip first, Capt. Bob Walters being the
pilot, and Captain Haney plotting the
others. Commander Dahlgren was then the
ranking officer, and the following morning 4
he was ordered to assume TEMPORARY COM
mand, and at once proceeded to execute the
orders as to arming the boats, and the same
day reported that a 32-pound gun had been
on the Mount Vernon, breech-load-
ing rifles for each man placed on board and
Boatswain George Wellmuth placed in COM
mand, and she left the same night to recon-
hotter. From the report made the authori-
ties vert satisfied mat attempts would be
mada to- interfere with the commerce on
the rfyer and that an attempt would be