The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-07-18
THE BOOMING CANNON
RECITAlS OF CAMP AND Bat
TIE INCIDENTS.
Survivors of the Rebellion ReInte
Many Amusing and Startling Incl.
dents of Marches, 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 war.
The camps of the battalions of District
three months men in July, 1861, We're
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 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 1861 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 ii was APP
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 McfIenry, Balti-
more. The militia OF the District was
under Major General Weightman. then
very old, and Brigadier General Peter
+. Bacon. Colonel Charles r. 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 tie 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 liz different sec
tions of the District. General f. C.
Darlington raised several companies
for the Union regiment, and some of
the cyolunreer fire companies, for the
time being, became military organiza-
tions. 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 inauguration a de-
tachment of United States engineers. n
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 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 warliSe
preparations in that section. The pro-
lection of the capital was determined
upon On the night of April o, 1861.
Colonel Stone visited the various ar
mories and stated that the President
had asked for troops to defend rhe
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 inspectins- the compa-
MES, Major Mcdowell being the mus
tering officer, Nld General G.. C.
Thomas, as notary public. administer
ing the oath. They were sworn for the
defense of the District of Columbia.
and Il was explained that they would
not be called beyond 1t. But, as stated
above. when the time came they made
no objection TO service beyond the Dis
trict lines. Under Colonel Stone they
we're 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
Ing 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 p and
others to follow Some of the friends
of the south had about this time plan
ned to derail the first train with troops
aboard and ire into the wreck with an
old cannon. but some one told, and
neither broken rails, wires nor old can
non interfered with the movement IF
troops fran the junction.
One OF the companies was actually
in service some days before the muster
for the Presidents mounted guard.
Services were needed for orderly duty
and reconnoitering. and nearly all the
companies the government then asked
for were sworn in before all opportuni-
ty was found for their formal entry.
The entire force was paraded en-
masse but once during their term. This
occasion was May day, for which Cen
eral Scott gave them permission. Then
they were reviewed by President Lin
coin and several members of his cabi-
nf nd