Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-12

Col. Benjamin F. Bingham,
Past Department Commander
a memorial to those brave and loyal sons
of Onondaga county n. Y, who died and
were wounded, and today sees the culmina-
ton of that earnest purpose.
ut hardly seems forty-three years have
rolled by since the firing upon Fort Sumter
and the call to arms was heard in our
land.
The Attack on Washington.
I'm June, 1864. General Lee decided for a
third time an invasion into the northern
states making the Shenandoah valley the
highway of his marching columns. His
purpose being as he later said in his official
report to repel the force of General Hun
ter which was threatening Lynchburg." and
by threatening Washington and Baltimore
General Grant would be compelled either to
weaken himself much for their protec-
ton to afford an opportunity to attack
him or that he might be induced to attack
us Orders were issued June - following
to General Jubal A. Early to move with
an army into the Shenandoah valley, and
going by way of Winchester, Va, Hagers-
town and Frederick, Md. threaten Balti-
more and Washington. This invading army
of some 25,0C0 veterans dashed proudly on
through the garden of Virginia and into
the ripenng harvest fields of western
Maryland on their errand of duty to their
chief and the confederate cause-then bad
~ needing stimulus of unusual force and
effect In less than a month, meeting with
little resistance from the Union forces
Early and his army were in Maryland, the
hopeful and defiant troops firmly believing
that their purpose would be accomplished.
In the meantime the authorities at the
capital had apprised General Grant of
Early's northward march, and later that
he was threatening Washington. July 10
the President telegra phed General Grant
that have absolutely force here fit
to take the field. Wallace, with some odds
and ends, and part OF what came up with
Ricketts,, was so badly beaten yesterday
at Monocacy that what is left can attempt
no more than to defend Baltimore. Now,
what / think is that you should provide to
retain your hold where you are. certainly,
and bring the rest with you personally.
and make a vigorous effort to destroy the
enemys force in this vicinity.
Thus | have shown the danger felt in
Washington by the President and his ad-
visers. In reply to the Presidents call for
help, at 1880 2. M, July 10, General Grant
telegraphed that he had sent the 9th
Corps, commanded by an excellent officer
besides some 5000 other troops and ono
division of the 10Th Corps
IA this time the garrisonS in the forts
about Washington were made up of heavy
artillery, hundred-day men and detach-
mentS from the invalid corps, convalescents
from the hospitals and clerks in the depart
ments and citizens. To meet the approach
ing danger of attack upon Washington,
General Grant dispatched the Bird division
of the 9th Corps, under General Ricketts,,
by way of Baltimore into Maryland. where
it arrived July s. On the 10th General
Wright, the corps commander, left the army
of the Potomac with the LIST and I'd Divis
ions, going down the James and up the
Potomac river to Washington.
General Earlys guns were heard at
Frederick on the Sth and the 9th our forces
were defeated at Monocacy. Md, under
General Lew Wallace, where the 3d~DiViS-
ion of our corps played a conspicuous part
in staying for twenty-four hours the ad-
vance of General Early'S army No doubt
this battle in which our losses were heavy.
especially in the old Sd Division. prevented
the capture and sacking of Washington, on
the 10th, or morning of the 18th of July,
1864. All honor, then, l say, to the bravery
and power of resistance of this brave divis-
ion of the 9th Corps and other troops as
displayed at the battle of Monocacy in hold
ing back for day, at that critical period
General Early and his army of -, 900 train
ed soldiers, experienced in war and sur
vivors of many fierce battles.
No wonder the President felt alarmed
and wanted some of Grants veterans to
meet the enemy then approaching the gates
OF the capital city. The troops in the forts
and trenches. the old soldiers and the new
recruits convalescents and department
clerks were not enough to stay the oncom-
ing enemy, then only a few miles distant
oh! for help. Where the veterans
from the army of the Potomac which Gem
erai Grant promised the President and Sec
rotary of War he would send to save Wash
ington?' 1t is Monday morning, July IL, when
General McCook wired General Anger:
The advance cavalry pickets two and
half miles beyond Notifications report the
enemy advancing in 9orce on the Leesburg
road. My force is small, but will do my
best; and again at 1870 pm. the COM
handing general sent this dispatch: The
enemy is advancing on my front with cav
airy, artillery and infantry The signal
officer, stationed at the Emery House
vii Nha ie- I.
of Fort Stevens
But shortly after noon of that day the
head of the column was seen coming up
7th street and marching to the rear of
the line of defense at Fort Stevens and
Fort DeRussy. Cheer after cheer rent
the air. No troops We more welcome
than the veterans of the 9th Corps, none
ever received a greater ovation in their
march through Washington, and none were
more needed when they arrived, at the
north line of the chain of forts surround
July IL. 1864 Not an hour too soon had
they come. for this very day the enemys
picket line was advanced within quarter
of a mile of the salient of Fort Stevens,
and his lines of battle and batteries were
visible on the ridges less than mile from
the fort. The victors of many battles were
then on the verge of ordering the charge.
and move into the works. If they could,
as their intrepid leader says was their
purpose and flushed with their victory
gained over troops at Monocacy, how
COnHuent anu HOpelul luey nave DtcD.
Work for the 9Th Corps.
But there was work for the 9th Corps
boys, and they were not long in finding it,
for nearly one thousand were that evening
placed on the skirmish line, under General
Frank Wheaton, where they remained for
the next twenty-four hours. Upon its
arrival General McCook placed it on the
reserve, but seeing the effectiveness of the
work already done by the skirmishers, the
next day he decided to put the corps in the
front line. The enemy still held the Rves
and Lay houses among others. from which
points their sharpshooters and pickets con-
tinued to annoy our forces. About o clock
Tuesday evening" July H. General
Wheaton's brigade (first of the second di-
vision) was ordered to advance and take
possession of the enemys skirmish line.
The Sd Brigade of the division Colonel d.
d. Bidwell. commanding, was directed to