The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-16


Colonel Baum's losses being 700. On the
25th. Howe moved on philadelphia, but
was held back by Washington until the
battle of Brandywine on September II.
On August 20. 1873, the Americans we're
defeated at Quaker Hill. R. l., and on
the 18th, in 1873, the little squadron of
vessels fitted out by Massachusetts TO
aid the cause on the sea was destroyed
off the mouth of the Penobseot.
The First Steamboat.
On August %. 1887, John Fitch's
steamboat made its trial trip in the
Delaware River. in view of the mem
bers OF the convention met to frame
the Constitution. In 1907, on the 18th of
the month, Fulton's Clermont sailed
up the Hudson from New York to AL
bany. and made regular trips there
after as packet. On the 25th, in 1919.
James Watt, who perfected the steam
| engine, died near Birmingham, England
August 10, 1872, Captain Hull, with the
frigate Constitution, captured and de-
stroyed the British ship Guerrier off the
Massachusetts coast. On August 2. 1913,
command of Major George Croghan, was
attacked by a superior British force.
He fought off the assault and defended
the post until relieved by re-enforce-
ments. Though the battle OF Lake Erie
was not fought until September 10,
preparations were pushed forward dur
ing the month of August Commodore
Perry. who commanded the American
ships, was born August %, 1855. and
of Trinidad. in 1919.
Fort Erie was besieged by the British
forces under General Gaines on August
4, 1914. The siege lasted until Novem-
Der 5. On August % General Gaines
was wounded and relinquished the
command to General Brown. On Au-
gust and 10 Commodore Hardy, of the
British fleet. bombarded Stonington.
Conn. but in attempting to land was
repulsed by the militia.
The British under General Ross de-
feated the Americans at Bladensburg
on August "a. 1914. and the following
day marched into Washington and
burned the Capitol and other public
buildings.
Northwest Boundary Line.
The boundaries between Canada and
the United States were long a matter OF
! contention. Finally the matter was re-
| ferred to Lord Ashburton and Daniel
| Webster. who settled all the points in
| dispute in the treaty bearing their
|
ratified by the Senate on the 10th
On the 31st OF the month the first ses-
! sion of the Twenty-eiehth Congress ad-
/ journed.
Out of the annexation of Texas grew
the war with Mexico. which the states
men IN Washington sought 10 avert
! On August s, 1916, President Polk sent
a special message to Congress to APP
propriate money to pay for territory
annexed. The bill providing s., 900 ,OOj
/ for the purpose brought out the VII
mot proviso that there should be nc
slavery in the acquired territory. The
! bill passed the House, but failed in the
! Senate. The same pIovfso was attached
20 the bill to organize Oregon as a Ter
| ritory. After a stormy first session the
| Twenty-ninth Congress adjourned Au-
gust b.
The following year war was declared
and on August Z. Is47. General Scott
began his advance upon Mexico from
| Pueblo.
First Atlantic Cable.
August 5, 1883, was a memorable day
in the history of the world. The steamer
Niagara sailed into Trinity Bay, New
| foundland, with the cable which had
been successfully laid from Valentia
Bay in Ireland. The line was imme-
diately completed and the first message
was sent over the wire On August 10
/ August. 1860, was a trying month for
the people Of the United States. There
were four parties In the field of ma.
| tionai politics. Secession was in the
air and events were hurrying on to the
election of Lincoln and the civil war.
On the I'd of the month in 1851 was the
minor battle of Dug Springs, Mo. On the
18th General Grant assumed command OF
| the West Missouri district, and or
August 10 one of the hardest battles o.
the war was fought at Wilson's Creek
in which General Lyon was killed, and
the Federals retreated under General
! Sisel. On the 9th was the battle o.
Wayne Courthouse. w. Va, and on the
31st the skirmish at Munson's Hill, Va
Movements of 1862.
Both sides were active in 1862 On the
4th President Lincoln proclaimed the
first draft for 100000 men. The next day
was the battle of Baton Rouge, La
where General Breckenridge with 5,OOt
men was repulsed and General Wilson
killed. On the 9Th came the fight at Rict
Mountain. W. Va, and of Cedar Noun
tain, Va. where Stonewall Jackson de-
feated part of Pope's army John Nor
gan and his raiders captured Gallatin
Tenn, on the 18th, but were driver
away on the 18th by Ohio and Michigan
Volunteers. Battles took place at Cat.
let's Station, Va, and Big Hill. KY, OIL
the 23d, and at Bolivar, Miss, on the
25th. There were cavalry battles at Mad
isonville. KY. and at Rienza, and Kos
suth, Miss, on the 18th. The followin.
day small forces were engaged at Kettle
Run, Va. and Fort McCook. Ala. On tn,