Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-06

worthy men cultivated and developed
them. The fructification of treason
marked the Inauguration OF Abraham
Lincoln. The national capital was n
botbed of secession. The govern
Enent itself was not loyal to the peo-
pie which sustained it. The execu-
tive departments were depleted by
the designations OF clerks who went
forth TO aid those who would destroy
the government.
Lieut.. Gen Scott, venerable and
feeble, was one OF the few upon
..Raso% President Lincoln could posi-
lively rely. The old general re-
ceived reliable Information about the
middle of April. 1901, that on a GER
tain night an attack would be made
npon this city by confederates then
encamped at Alexandria, Va, only
five miles distant. The city was
practically defenseless. There was a
battalion Of men at the arsenal. but
their commander was suspected of
disloyalty, and Gen. Scott could not
trust him. Afterwards he demon
strated his loyalty. President Lin
coin was greatly disturbed, and Gen.
Scott could devise no defense until
soldiers from northern states might
arrive, and they were exceedingly
s NV, their movements having been
delayN1 by reasonable articles.
Gen. Scott at last devised the plan
which saved the capital, and proba-
bly, prevented the immediate recog-
milton OF the confederacy by foreign
governments. The old general sent
Tor Ward III. Lamon, formerly Lin
coins law partner, but then the new
iy appointed United States marshal
for the District of Columbia. He re-
quested Lamon to organize, arm and
equip military force to be known
as the marshal's guard, and to re-
port to army headquarters for or
ders.
Marshal Lamon went TO old Will
iard's hotel, selected ten reliable
men, invited them into private
room where he unfolded the plan of
the lieutenant general, and they
heartily approved the plan. Each
one OF them agreed to select ten
other reliable men and assemble at
the hotel at eight o'clock that night.
Lamon secured the keys to Willard
hall, an adjunct of the hotel, and at
eight o'clock 100 determined men
assembled. Lamon had made reoui-
sition on the war department. for
arms, ammunition and sabers. The
men were told the purpose of the
gathering, they accepted arms and
solemnly vowed to stand together
for the defense of Washington until
the long-expected troops should ar
rive. Lamon offered the command to
James w. Nye, who declined it, say
ing that Cassius NJ. Clay, OF Ken
lucky, had just arrived, and that he
was military man of experience.
Requesting the men TO await his
return, Lamon went at once to Claws
room, stated the object of his visit,
the capitals peril, SCOTS desire, and
then, without waiting to hear more.
Clay ran to his trunk, took from it
his old uniform, sword, hat and sash.
put off his travelling clothes. and
said; IT came here ready for serv-
ice. This uniform ] wore in the
Mexican war. This sword shall al
ways be found flashing beneath the
stars and stripes while live"
They returned to the hall, where
Clay, in uniform, made a speech
which electrified the men. The or
ganization was completed at once
and Gen. Butterfield, of New York
assumed the duties of orderly SER
geant and drill master. Within "a
hours the command was enlarged.
until $40 men were on duty guard
ing the white house, the various ex-
acutive departments and all of the
bridges approaching the city.
Senator-elect James H. Lane, of
Kansas, was invited to join the com
mand, but declined, preferring to
raise separate company. He had
no difficulty In organizing battalion
of 400 men, whom he called the from