The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-05
LOWERING OF THE STORM.
The Military Situation in Washington in
1851.
by MARCUS BENJAMIN,

The Winter months of the year 1861 81
were fully of gloom to the residents
of Washington. The fearful apprehension
of the terrible nearness of the dreaded
Civil War was constantly before them.
1t will be remembered that after an in
tensely earnest and anxious canvass, Abra-
ham Lincoln. the candidate Of the Repub,i-
can party. had been elected on platform
that denied the extension of slavery in the
new States Distinct threats that the
success of the Republican candidate would
be the signal for disunion, made during
the heat of the canvass by extreme leaders
in the Southern States. We're soon found
to be true. On Dec. 20. 1860 South Caro-
lima passed an ordinance: of secession and
several of the leading members of Mr.. Blu
chanan's Cabinet manifested their clearly
defined opinions by promptly withdrawing
from their offices. 1t was indeed fortunate
that Stanch Union men. such as John 4.
Dix and Joseph Holt, We're induced to take
up the arduous duties of the Treasury De-
partment at that critical period. even
though it was but for Il few months.
A FAMOUS DISPATCH.
OF the former, whose appointment was
maize at the urgent request of the inan-
cial men of New York city, it is Il matter
of official record that when he took office
there were Two revenue GutlciS at view
Orleans which he ordered to New York.
The Captain of one of these, after consult
ing with the Collector in New Orleans.
refused to obey. Secretary Dix there
upon telegraphed
Tell Lieut.. Caldwell to arrest Capt.
Breshwood, assume command of the
cutter. and obey the order L gave through
you. If Capt. Breshwood, after arrest.
undertakes to interfere with the command
of 81 all I o1J 70
slider him as a mutineer, and treat him ac-
cordingly. If anyone attempts TO haul
down the American flag, shoot him on the
spot
These memorable words. written in
Washington. will live so long as the Stars
and Stripes continue TO float over our
glorious country.
Passing to the military sitna ton. n bill
had been prepared under the direction of
the retiring Secretary of War. abolishing
all existing laws regulating the District of
Columbia militia and volunteers and pro-
viding for Il new organization, so that. to
quote Gen. Charles =. Stone, who became,
at the request of Gen. Scott. Inspector
General of the District of Columbia, on
Jan. ., 1861:
'The only Regular troons near the Cap
ital of the country were 200 or AUG marines
at the Marine Barracks. and perhaps 100
ton Arsenal. The old militia system had
been abandoned without being legally
abolished). and Congress had passed no
law establishing new one. The only
armed volunteer organizations in the Dis
trict of Columbia were: One company of
riflemen at Georgetown 1.-THE Potomac
Light Infantry, one company of riflemen
in Washington 1.-THE National Rifies). a
skeleton battalion of infantry Ctbe Wash
ington Light Infantry of about 16O men,
and another small organization called the
National Guard Battalion"
OF these local organizations the Poto-
mac Light Infantry Company of George
town was fairly drilled. well armed, and
from careful information it seemed certain
that the majority of its members could be
depended upon in case of need. The Ma
tional Rifles, through their commanding
officer, announced as their purpose ito
guard the frontier of Maryland and help
to keep the Yankees from coming down
to coerce the South . On the other hand,
the Washington Light Infantry organiZa-
ton and the National Guard were old vol
unteers, composed of residents of Wash
ington, and were almost to a man faithful
to the Government.
THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS.
Col Stone at once set to work to organ
iZe volunteers for the preservation of order
in the District, and in six weeks, or by
the middle of February, was able to report
that ''333 companies of infantry and rifle
men and two troops of cavalry We're OH
the lists of the District volunteer force;
and all had been uniformed, equipped and
put under frequent drill"
The necessity of this force soon became
apparent. A plan had been organized for
the purpose of Selling the public depart
ments at an opportune moment and eb-
tanning possession of the seals of the Gov
eminent. The part assigned to the bat
TALON organized under the name of the
National Volunteers was to take pos
session of the Treasury Department for
the benefit of a new provisional Govern
ment.
This project. through the energetic eff
forts Of Col. Stone, was effectually pre-
vented by his refusal to honor u requisi-
ton for arms and armament.
In this connection it is eminently desir-
able to again quote from Col. Stone, VINO
has expressed his thorough appreciation
of the services of these volunteer soldiers
in the following terms:
EARNEsTNEss AND LOYALTY.
81 think that the country has never pro-
perly appreciates the services Of those
District of Columbia volunteers. 1t GER
tainly has not appreciated the difficulties
surmounted in their organization. Those
volunteers We're citizens of the Federal
District, and therefore had not Mt the time
nor have they ever since had. the power
full stimulant of State feeling. nor the
powerful support Of n State Government.
q States pride. State press to set forth
and make much of their services. They
did their duty quietly. and they did it well
ard faithfully, Although not mustered
into the service and placed on pay until
after The fatal day when the flag was fired
upon, for the first time, ut SUMTER yet
they rendered great service before that
time in giving confidence TO those citizens
of the District who were faithful to the
Government, in giving confidence to mem
bers of the National Legislature. and in
giving confidence also to the President in
the knowledge that there was ut least
small force Mt its disposition ready 10 re-
srond at any moment to his call. 1t should
also be remembered of them, that the first
troops mustered into the service We're 16
companies of these volunteers; and that
during the dark days when Washington
was INT off from communication with the
North, when railway bridges were burned
and tracks torn up, when the Potomac
WAS blockaded, these troops were the only
reliance of the Government for guarding
the public Departments. for preserving
order and for holding the bridges and other
outposts: that these were the troops which
recovered possession of the railway from
Washington to Annapolis junction and
made practicable the reopening of COM
munication. They also formed the ad-
IL.