Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-07-19
THE BOOMING CANNON
RECITALS OF CAMP AND BAT.
TIE INCIDENTS.
Survivors of the Rebellion Relate
Many Amusinr and Startling Incl
dents of March -, Camp Life, ForaG-
Ing Experiences and Battle Scenes.

IF this be war may 1t never end"
This was the sentiment that was drunk
in more than one camp Of the troops
first called in service during the war
The camps of the battalions Of District
three months men in July, 1861, were
nearly all along the banks Of the Poto-
mac, extending as far as Seneca, and
as their term of enlistment was about
to close the Fourth Of July was cele-
brated with considerable eclat Taken
from their avocations in the profess
sional, mercantile and mechanical
branches the duties of a soldier were
novel to them and So agreeable was the
general experience Of the men that the
sentiment above was the common ex-
preston. They had not then expert
enced much Of the hardship Of war,
and few thinking the war would ex-
tend over many months were ready to
re-enter the service when two full regi-
ments and several troops Of cavalry
represented the District. The popula-
ton Of the District was not in 1881 IN
full accord on the questions Of the day,
and much concern was felt as to the
Inauguration of President Lincoln, who
it was freely predicted, would not be
permitted to be sworn in as President.
Indeed, open threats had been made
that he would never reach Washington.
Military companies were formed for
the express purpose Of seating the
President, and one or two with the
avowed purpose Of taking the part Of
the south.
1t needed no prophetic eye to see the
approach Of the conflict, and it was ap-
parent to all that to seat the President
show of military force would he
necessary, and that arms should be in
the hands Of loyal men. General Win
field Scott resided here, but the regu
lar army, aggregating 10000 men, was
scattered far and wide over the coun-
try, the nearest stations being Fortress
Monroe. Va, and Fort McHenry, Balti-
more. The militia of the District was
under Major General Weightman, then
very old, and Brigadier General Peter
f. Bacon. Colonel Charles P. Stone Of
General SCOTS staff was made inspect
or general of the District militia, and
he not only saw that the companies
were properly armed and equipped, but
| that the men were loyal to the govern
| ment. Several States having seeded
and United States property having
been seized, the flames were famed,
and public meetings in the interest Of
enlistments were held 1T different sec
lions of the District. General e. c..
Darlington raised several companies
for the Union regiment, and some of
the cvolunteer fire companies, for the
time being. became military organiza-
lions. General BacOn's brigade of Dis
| trict militia consequently embraced, on
March 4, over twenty companies, the
| Washington Light Infantry National
Guard, and Union regiment each hav-
ing a battalion General Scott had or
dered here for the inaugurati ton a de-
tachment of United States engineers, a
troop of cavalry, two light batteries Of
the artillery and one or two foot bat
teries, who with a handful of ordnance
men made up the army contingent. In
addition there were a few hundred ma
rines at the navy yard and barracks.
These were so disposed about the city
that the inauguration was successfully
accomplished.
The signs of the times pointed to
war, while many were hopeful for
some honorable solution of ali difficult
ty. News was daily received of the
seizure of some fort, arsenal or public
building in the south and of warlike
preparations in that section. The pro-
lection of the capital was determined
upon. On the night of April 9, 1861,
Colonel Stone visited the various ar
mories and stated that the President
had asked for troops to defend the
capital and they would be mustered IN
the United States service on the fol-
lowing day. Before 10 o'clock on the
next day several companies appeared
on the north front of the department
and the work of muster commenced,
Colonel Stone inspecting the compa-
MES. Major Mcdowell being the mus
tering officer, and General G. c.
Thomas, as notary public, administer
ing the oath. They were sworn for the
defense of the District Of Columbia,
and it was explained that they would
not be called beyond It, But, as stated
above, when the time came they made
no objection to service beyond the Dis
trict lines Under Colonel Stone they
were organized into battalions and put
in service guarding the public build
ings, roads and bridges, and that part
of the Baltimore and Ohio south of An
napolis Junction. Thus, when the
troops landed in Annapolis were repair
ling the Annapolis and Elkridge Rail-
road. which had been torn up. that por-
ton of the Baltimore and Ohio south
of the junction was kept intact, and
enabled the New York Seventh Regi-
ment to reach the city on April % and
| of rrio dc