Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-10-21
REBELS IN WASHINGTON.
GEN. EARLY's MEN IN THE CAPITAL
CITY IN 1S84.-soME LIrTLE-KNowN
HISTORY,

Editor Democrat:
One of the most important events of
the war of the Rebellion Is known to but
few-and those the soldiers now living
who participated in it. None of the
histories of the war give any account
of the affair, news of it being suppressed
at the time Kept out of the papers) on
account of the discouraging effect 1t
might have upon the country.
know that time will dim the memory
somewhat as to everyday affairs, but my
recollection of what took place on that
July morning, nearly forty years ago, Is
just as fresh in my mind to-day as If it
happened but yesterday.
In July, 1854, the 18th Maine Regi-
ment arrived in Washington from New
Orleans. We landed from the boat at
midnight, and at break of day the drum
mers beat the long roll, and the Off
GERS gave orders to fall in line, saying,
"The rebels are in Washington!' The
regiment was formed in line in less than
one minute, and we were on the double
quick driving the enemy before us. They
had invaded the city with quite large
force. The following letter from Com
rade Robinson gives the part his corps
had in the affair, and additional testi-
mony can be furnished, but we trust that
this will be satisfactory to those who
have doubted that the rebels ever march
ed their troops into Washington during
the war.
HENRY II. MAXIM.
South Paris, Maine.
HARTFORD, ME-, Oct. 9th, 1902.
DEAR COMRADE:
Your esteemed favor duly at hand
You are perfectly right. Jubal Early's
troops did get into Washington in July
1864. When he made his raid down the
valley, his object was to capture Wash
ington, it being the first time that all the
Union troops had ever been sent to the
front and the capital left uncovered.
Our corps-the 8th-was hastily de
tached from in front of Petersburg and
forwarded with all possible haste by
transports to Washington. We got there
not minute too soon. We double
lquicked down the gang plank and up into
the city. We met rebel column swarminl
up Beech Street, and one of our division
batteries 1.-THE 9Th Maine, l think,) un
limbered under the personal direction O
Gen. Upton and raked that street will
grape and canister.
In the meantime another detachment
of Early's troops had got into For
lStevens, and had nearly turned two O
the heavy 1OO-pound guns around in al
effort to fire on the capitol building. Gu
division, the 1st of the 9th corps, witt
Upton leading, charged the fort and re
covered it.
simply kno,o this, as was one in
Significant unit in that charge. We fol
lowed them out some miles, and at tn
same time made junction with corp
just arrived from the Department of tn
Gulf-the 19th-and with the 9Th Corps
and these three corps formed will
Clusters cavalry, the Army of til
Shenandoah; Gen. Wright in comman
; until the arrival of Sheridan.
We played game of hide and seel
through Maryland and Virginia fror
that time until Sept. 10th, when we &c
+ at them at Winchester or Opequan Greek
/ think this affair was not niue
spoken of in the public press until afte
we had smashed Early at WincheSte
and Fishers Hill.
81 Very Truly Yours,
w. SCOTT ROBINSON.