Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-07-13
THE BOOMING CANNON
RECiTALS OF CAMP AND SAT
TIE INCIDENTS.
Survivors of the Rebellion Relate
Many Amusin~ and Startling Incl
dents of March >, Camp Life, Forag-

IF this be war may it never end"
This was the sentiment that was drunk
In more than one. camp OF the troops
first called In service during the wan
The camps OF the battalions of District
three months men in July, 1851, We're
nearly all along the banks of the Poto-
as their term OF enlistment was about
to close the Fourth Of July was cele-
hrateaL with considerable eClat Taken
from their avocations in the profess
sional mercantile and mechanical
branches, the duties Of soldier were
novel to them, and 80 agreeable was the
general experience of the~hen 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 20
re-enter the service when two full regl-
ments and several troops of cavalry
represented the District The popula-
ton 0f the District was not in 1861 In
full accord on the questions of the day,
ana much concern was felt as to the
Inauguration of President Lincoln. who
Ii was freely predicted. would not be
permitted TO be sworn in rs 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 1t was APP
parent to all that to seat the President
a 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 In different sec
lions of the District. General Il. c.
burlington raised several companies
for the Union regiment and some Of
the cvolunteer fire companies. for the
time being, became military organiza-
lions. General Bacou's brigade of Dis
trkct 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 inauguration de-
NAANAALAiNiAt vi Y |l4lltN FNldtNS engineers, a
troop Of cavalry. two light batteries of
the artillery and one or two foot bat
teries. who with handful Of ordnance
men made up the army contingent In
addition there were few hundred ma
rines at the navy ward and barracks.
These We're 50 disposed about the CITY
that the Inauguration was successfully
accomplished
The signs Of the tines pointed TO
war, while many we're hopeful for
some honorable solution of all difficult
ty. News was daily received Of the
seizure Of some fort. arsenal or public
building in the south and of warli&e
preparations in that section. The pro
lection Of the capital was determined
upon. On the night Of April .. 1861.
Colonel Stone visited the various ar
morieS and stated that the President
had asked for troops 10 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-
mics. Major Mcdowell being the mus
terlnc officer. and General G. G..
Thomas as notary public, administer
Ing the oath. They were sworn for the
defense Of the District Of Columbia.