The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-26
THE PRESIDENT IN BATTLE.
Fort Stevens, Where Lincoln Was UEde,
Fire.
BY WILLIAM VAN ZANDr cox,
Author of the "Defenses of Washington"

lngt0u WAS ia grave peril anu three tiInes
it was saved to the Union.
- The first was ut the beginning of hos
tilities when the militia of the District OF
Columbia came to the rescue of the small
body of marines and artillery, before the
arrival in the Capital of the troops from
PENNSYLVANIA, Massachusetts, New York
and other Northern States. The second
was Immediately after the battle OF Bull
Run July p, 1861, when it could have
been captured by the Confederates had
they not been more demoraiized by vic
tory than the Federals by defeat. The
third was in July. 1864, when Gen. Early
made his campaign against Washington.
THE IMPORTANT BATTLE AT MONOCACY,
Md. on July 8, 1864. was the first day
fight TO save the Nations Capital, and
Gen. Eariy'S army was victorious. So
unexpected and so rapid were the Confed-
crate Generals movements that he was in
sight of the dome of the Capitol before his
cleverly-conceived plans We're fully real
lied. When the roar of Early's guns was
:. heard and the telegraph announced that
he had defeated Gen. Lew Wallace at
Monocacy Bridge, the heart of the North
auivered with emotion as it contemplated
the defenSeleSsneSs of Washington,
stripped of men and guns for the cam
-paign against Richmond.
"a This daring campaign against Washing
ton and iIs skillful execution caused a
rude awakening in the North, impatiently
waiting for Grant to take Richmond.
Both Washington and Baltimore were Ill
a state of panic, while gold went up to
the highest point. The capture of Wash
ington meant diplomatic complications of
a most serious nature. with foreign powers
awaiting only for a plausible preteXt for
dismembeTment. Never was prize bore
tempting to the Confederates. Never was
there a time when more was at stake for
the Union.
''Wallace defeated at Monocacy after Il
stubborn fight" were the words contained
in the message received at the War De-
partment. but that stubborn fight was as
valuable as a victory for the Union, for
days time had been gained, SO necessary
for the safety of the Capital.
During those exciting days there was
one calm man. and he was none other than
President Lincoln. He was then living at
the Soldiers Home, a mile and quarter
from Fort Stevens. and in addition to his
herculean duties he daily visited the
camps. forts and hospitals. He seemed
devoid of fear. and his chief concern was
at that time the capture of Early's army.
His telegram to Gov. Swami, of Mary
land is characteristic: Let us be vigl-
liant. but keep COOL
Gen. c. c. Augur was in command of
the Department of Washington. Gen.
Alexander McD. McCook had charge of the
northern line of troops and Notifications.
The latter was ordered to establish a
camp on Piney Branch Creek, but the
news from the front was so disquieting
that he proceeded to Fort Stevens, FIVE
miles north of Pennsylvania avenue, on
the Seventh street pike, and took COM
mand of 4 line he had never before seen.
Every man was utilized for defense.
The hospitals were drawn on for conva-
lescents. the Quartermaster' Department
for employees, the National Guard of
Ohio, the District of Columbia Militia, the
Veteran Reserves. and the few unassigned
Regular detachments and unmounted cav
airy. sailors. .firemen, and citizens were in
the trenches and on picket line.
When Gen. Grant realized the gravity
of the situation, and that Hunter could
render no assistance, he first thought of
returning from Petersburg to Washington
to take command in person. On reflection.
however he decided to send the Sixth
Corps. commanded by Gen. Horatio G.
Wright.
The 2jth n. Y. Cav, which left City
Point. Va. on July Z, seems to have been
the first regiment to reach Washington
from the James. and went into camp about
midnight of July 10. near Fort Stevens
On the same day the First and Second
Divisions of the Sixth Corps left City
L Vut ?" "A lew isttel
Gen. w. H Emory, with a part of the
Nineteenth Corps, just returning from
New Orleans to join Grant. left Fortress
Monroe for Washington without disem-
barking from their ocean transports.
THE RACE FOR THE CAPITAL.
What picturei Early with his fighting
legiOns advancing on the Capital from the
North. while fleets bearing the veterans of
the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps were on
their way from the James River and the
Gulf of Mexico to save the Capital they
loved so well North and South looked
on with bated breath and wondered which,
ington first.
On the morning of July II, Gen. Early
left his camp near Rockville, McCausland
taking the Georgetown pike: the infantry
preceded anu fanked by cavalry taking the
Seventh Street pike. Maj. Frye. of
LoweIrs cavalry, met the enemy's cavalry
skirmishers short distance beyond the
picket line near the old Stone Tavern be-
fore noon and forced them back on their
reserves. He, in turn, was driven back by
the enemy, who fired few shots from 4
battery of light artillery.
About IL o'clock. the Signal officer at
Fort Reno, observed
CLOUDS OF DUST AND ARMY
wagons moving up the Seventh Street pike.
About the same time Il message from
Capt. Berry, Sth Ill. Cav, said that the
enemy with artillery. cavalry, and infan-
try was moving in the direction Of Silver
Spring. Gen. McCook ordered the picket
line to contest the ground and to re-
tire slowly on approach of the enemy IN
til within range of the guns of Forts
Stevens. SlOcum, and DeRussy.s
Shortly after noon, riding in advance
with Rodes, whose division, consisting of
GiveH's and Cox's North Carolinians,
Crooks Georgians, and Battles Ala
: bamians. in the van, Gen. Early came, as
he says, in full view of Fort Stevens, and
found it feebly manned, as had been re-
ported to him. Smith, of Imbodens' Cav
airy, according to Early. drove a small
body of Union cavalry before him into
the works.
No time could be lost, and he ordered
the tired and dusty veterans to move for
ward; but before his order could be ex-
ecuted. to his everlasting regret, he saw
trained and disciplined troops move out of
the works. deploy, and form a skirmish
line.
Undismayed and undannted. the tireless
Early and his brave men continued to adj
vance, but with greater caution than be-
fore. 1t was too late! The hopes and
ambitions of only an hour ago could never
be realized. Washington was saved to
the Union!
THE SIXTH CORPS HAD ARRIVED!
Never was there more opportune
movement, never was there a more well
4 Al I. I.,.,