Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-19
CASSIUS M. CLAY BATTALION
Story of It's Organization and the
Services It Rendered.
BIvoUAC IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Exciting Events Preceding the Ad-
vent of Volunteers From the
States In 81.

Battalion and facts concerning that volun-
teer organization. which occupied a prom,-
nent position here and rendered valuable
service in the defense of Washington in
1861 were related to Star reporter by
Mr.. E. w. Reyes who was a member of
Congress from Wisconsin at the breaking
out of the civil war.
L was a member of that body of men,
said MIR. Reyes. 'as a volunteer, and nearly
forty-five years have elapsed since March 4.
1851, when in Washington in attendance
upon the inauguration ceremonies. I wit
messed the outgoing of President Buchanan
and the incoming Of President Lincoln. A
short month elapsed and the country was
found TO be in the commissions of the great
rebellion, the most critical period in our
history
Lincoln was trying, under the most en-
barrassing circumstances. to get secure
hold uDon the reins of the government
The city OF Washington seemed to be the
source and center of the rebellion. 1t was
almost wholly unprotected; only few fed
eral troops under the command of Cen
Scott being available for its defense. This
terrible condition of things passed before
my vision as | fingered on to watch events
and to see what the result likely to be.
Fort Sumter had been attacked, and was
surrendered and evacuated by the federal
troops April IL. The gloomiest day, /
think. ! ever experienced was when the
notice of this result was received in Wash
ington and became generally known. The
federal authorities seemed to be at sea.
There was division in the counsels of the
government, and it seemed difficult to point
out the better course to pursue. But
something had to be done; the emergency
had to be met Washington was In dan
ger. The Union was threa tened. The
rebels were gathering in their might on
every hand. and it was difficult to tell who
were the friends Of the government.
What Might Have Happened.
Lincoln issued his proclamation calling
for 5000 men on the 18TH but 1t would re-
Quire some little time before they would
be able TO respond TO the call In the mean
time what measures could be taken for the
defense of the capital? If the rebels had
known our weakness and their own
strength, 1t is more than probable that they
could have occupied the city of Washington.
The government saw the danger and
ready and anxious to avail itself of every
possible means of defense. At this time
there were in Washington about three hun
bred northern and western men who were
willing to do and die, If necessary for the
defense of the capital. Before the arrival
OF any of the volunteer regiments, which
were on the way and almost daily expected
from the north II was proposed to utilize
this body of men, small as it was.
Cassius NJ. Clay, the gallant Kentuckian,
and Senator James H. Lane of Kansas were
the leaders in the movement They
harangued the people in the streets and
called upon the men of the north and west
to rally for the defense of the capital. The
wOTu passed along the line concerted action
was secured, the 'Cassius NJ. Clay Battalion
and the Frontier Guards were organized,
anu April is the men were accepted by the
government for the defense of Washington.
For several days previous TO this date
they had really been in service, perform
ing guard duty, patroling the streets, guard
Ing the Long bridge and rendering such
service as seemed most necessary. This
service continued until the arrival of a vol
unteer force able to meet the requirements
of the situation, to restore confidence, and
TO give assurance of strength sufficient 10
defend the city.
THE Secretary of War. on the approval
of the President discharged these men
from the service April IS and they were
permitted to return 70 their northern
homes, being among the first. If not the
very first of all that mighty gathering of
volunteers to defend the flag. II IS a fact
that these battalions were on duty render
ing most efficient service, before a single
volunteer from the north had reached the
federal capital.
Of Spontaneous Growth.
THE organization was one of sponta-
neous growth. the sudden gathering to-
gether Of a body of men to meet a great
emergency. Almost every northern and
western state had some representative in
the organization. The members of the
Clay Battalion from Wisconsin included
two of our three representatives in Con-
Kress-LUther Hanchett, John F. Potter
and myself. The headquarters of the bat
TALON were in the concert hall of Wizards
Hotel where the men met for drill during
the day time. their active services being
rendered mostly in the hours of the night
Arms and ammunition had been issued by
the government.
During this Term of service each man
took care OF himself, responding at regu-
lar intervals TO the call Of duty. These
eorIy volunteers received no pay for serv-
ices rendered, and wanted none; but the
government was very glad TO avail itself
of the aid proffered and rendered by these
mortimer The apprehension at that time
was so great that everything was utllized
for the general defense. On one night.
when there was great Apprehension OF
danger one OF the battalions occupied the
east room Of the White House. and from
amid the gorgeous SURROUNDINGS OF TINS
splendid bivouac they issued forth 10 per
form guard duty around the puoHc pulid-
iugs Of the city.
II remember one night, while standing
n, line going through the cYolutious that
were so new to us, I was especially at
tracted 10 the movements of my strange
companion ON the right. The arms which
had been issued 10 us by the war Depart
rpaur were CnrbiuCs. Perhaps no one in
the ranks had ever seen such arms before.
and as a matter Of course. a great deal
Of curiosity was manifested toward them.
At every time We came To rest my friend
began to inspect his gun. lie would sight
along the barrel. he would point his gun
ana aim at some imaginary object; he
would inspect his cartridges. and perhaps
tear one to pieces and separate the ball
Sroy,, the powder. In fact. there was moth
ING that could be done In connection with
ZIG eIin ard its equipment that he did not
resort to-
Then Came an Explanation.
AT last my patience was exhausted
said 70 him:
For Gods sake, what is the matter with
YOU? Can't you keep still in the ranks You
greatly annoy everybody In the line. wish
YOU would keep s,ill FOR while and give
US q rest
II waited for an explosion. In response,
he turned to me In a mild-mannered way
and said: Who are you, anyway
~ replied that / was Reyes. from Wiscou-
SIN: that | wasn't in the ranks to fool
away any time. but 10 attend 10 business.
Who the devil are your J inquired.
He replied: I have never seen such
gun before 1t is new weapon to me. l
want to inspect II and 10 thoroughly under
stand It. because l may have to use il. /
don't intend to be offensive 10 any one but
It's my disposition to understand everything
with which l come in contact and In that
respect l am an inquisitive Yankee
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