Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-08
SAVED THE CAPITAL
Emergency Companies Or
ganized in 1861.
GEN. SCOTT'S PLAN
CASSIUs M. CLAY THE COMMAND
ING OFFICER.
Drilled by Gen. Dan1 s. Butterdeld,
but Not Uniformed-Two Survivors
Now Government Clerks.

There are two men now employed under
the government. who were among the first
to be enrolled to defend the national CAPT.
tai and incidentally the life Of the republic
The story was told in the Chicago Star some
years ago, but it is very apropos at TINS
time, and is therefore reproduced.
Seeds of dissenson had been sown Tor
manv wears. Ambitions Of unworthy men
cultivated and developed them. Inc 1ruc-
tf3cation of treason marked the Inaugural
ton of Abraham Lincoln. The national
"a initial was hotbed of secession. The gov
eminent itself was not loyal to the people
which sustained It, The executive depart
ments were depleted by the designations OF
clerks who went forth to aid those VINO
would destroy the government.
Lieutenant General Scott, venerable ana
feeble, was one of the few upon whom
President Lincoln could positively rely. Inc
old general received sreiiable Information
about the middle of April 1861, that on
certain night an attacks would be mace upon
this city by confederates then eencampeo AT
Alexandria, Va, only hVe nlies uiS SAL
The CITY was practically defenseless. Ihere
was a battalion Of men at the arsenal, put
their commander was suspected OF dlsloyai-
ty, and Gen. Scott could not trust MN: Al
terward he demonstrated his loyalty. Presl,
dent Lincoln was greatly disturbed, ana
Gen. Scott could devise no defense until
soldiers from northern states might arrive,
and they were exceedingly SLOW, thelr
movements having been delayed by trea-
sonable articles.
Gen. scott's Plan.
Gen. Scott at last devised the plan which
saved the capital, and probably prevented
the immediate recognition OF the confed-
eracv by foreign governments. The old
general sent for Ward H Lamon. formerly
Lincoln's law partner. but then the newly
appointed United States marshal for the
District of Columbia. He requested Lanlon
to organize, arm and equip a military force
to be known as the marshars guard, ana 10
report to army headquarters for orders:
Marshal Lamon went to old Wizards Ho-
tel, selected ten reliable men, 1nvlted them
into a private room, where he unfolded the
plan of the lieutenant general, ana they
heartily approved the plan. Each one or
them agreed to select ten other reilaoie
men and assemble at the hotel at 3 o CLOCK
that night. Lamon secured the Keys 10
Willard Hail. an adjunct of the hotel, ana
at o'clock 100 determined men assembled.
Lamon had made requisition on the War
Department for arms, ammunition ana
sabers. The men were told the purpose OF
the gathering they accepted arms and SOL
EMMY vowed to stand together for the de-
tense Of Washington until the long-expected
troops should arrive Lamon onered the
command to James w. Nye, who declined
IT. saving that Cassius M. Clay Of Kentucky
had lust arrived, and that he was MILL
tary man Of experience
,Reouestine the men to await his return,
Iamon went at once to Clay's room, stated
the object Of his visit, the capitaPs peril,
Scott's DESIRE and then, without waiting to
hear more, Clay ran to his trunk, took from
II his old uniform, sword. hat and sash, put
off his travelling clothes, and said: II came
here ready for service. This uniform
wore in the Mexican war. This sword shall
always be found flashing beneath the stars
and stripes while live"
Organization Completed.
They returned to the hall. where Clay. in
uniform, made a speech which electrified
the men. The organization was completed
at once, and General Butterfeld Of New
York assumed the duties Of orderly ser
geant and drill master. Within twenty-four
hours the command was enlarged, until 80
men were on duty guarding the White
House. the various executive departments
and all Of the bridges approac ching the city.
Senator-elect James H. Lane Of Kansas
was invited to join the command, but de-
clined, preferring to raise separate COM
pany He had no difficulty in organizing g.
battalion of 400 men, whom he called the
Frontier Guards, because nearly all Of
them were from the far western states
The commands acted In concert and with
great determination. Every day, ard par
ticularly every night it was anticipated
that confederates would tempt to enter
the city. Lamon is recorded as having
said: mo more timely and effective serv-
ice was at any time done during the war.
Not one of the men slept in a bed from the
time of his enlistment until his dischc rye
more determined, OF desperate set CT men,"