Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-04

@Ontlnueu IRON lTSL rage
sharply to a sentinel near the officers
tent. directing the man on post to put
out that light The following dialogue
is said to have followed:
What light, SIR
The light that's shining through the
wall of my tent.
There's no light burning out here. sir"
There is a light shining through my
tent
THAT light is from the moon, sir
Oh
Selects Site for Fort.
AS the National Guard of the District
is now here will probably return next
summer, and may continue to pay annual
visits for an indefinite PERIOD everybody
connected with the brigade seems to be
interested in the history of Fort WASH
ington only few years ago an aban-
doned post but now thoroughly up-tO-
date fertilization. In his investigation of
the subject DR.. James Dudley Morgan OF
Washington found that Gen. Washington.
In order to gain more thorough knowl-
edge of the topography of the country
surrounding the federal city and the
course and tributaries of the Potomac in
1885. accompanied by several friends,
among whom was Gov. Johnson OF Mary
land, made tour of investigation in
canoe of the upper Potomac long before
the removal of the seat of government to
Washington. So it was, before recon-
mendng this promontory on the Potomac
for fort, that he had overlooked. ex-
amined and sojourned in the immediate
neighborhood. and consequently was
thoroughly familiar with the locality and
knew of its many advantages.
Henry Knox, who was Secretary of
War under President Washington, re-
rzsI
The President of the United States. who
is we'll acquainted with the river Poto-
mac conceived that certain bluli of
land on the Maryland side, near Mr.,
Digges'. point formed by an eastern
branch of the Potomac. would be a proper
situation for the fertilization about to be
erected The amount to be expended
for the fort was only to be $4,000.
Washington Frequent Visitor.
The historian says it was often the
custom of George Washington, in going
either to Bladensburg.. Upper Marlboro
to Annapolis. to ferry the Potomac
from Mount Vernon to Warburton. and
thus continue his journey. He often
when tired or belated. or for social in
tercourse. stopped and spent some time
with George or Thomas Digges at War
burton-what is now Fort Washington
Gen. Harries and the officers of his staff
are now occupying what was formerly the
DiggeS manor house. Speaking of the
beautiful and unobstructed view from
Mount Vernon to Fort Washington, the
story is recalled of how Gen. Washington
stood on the knoll little to the front of
his house. and. through the forest vista.
signaled by flag to Warburton. Then
their little boats. with liveried men. would
to bear the invited one to Mount Vernon
or WarburtOn. or to strike trade per-
haps of tobacco, corn or wheat. for cat
tie or sheep.
1t is said to be evident that there was
much social visiting between the Wash
ingtons and the families here and at
other neighboring country seats. In adj
dition to the hospitality extended during
the hunting season, mention is made of
water parties upon the Potomac in
those palmy days. when Mr.. Digges would
receive his guests in a barge rowed by
six negroes arrayed in the uniform, whose
distinguishing features were checked
shirts and black velv~t caps"
L'Enfant Makes Inspection.
From the period of about 1895, accord
ing to the historian when negotiations
were entered into with Mr.. George Digges
for the purchase of part of Warburton,
at the mouth of Piscataway creek. on the
Potomac river for fort, and the further
expense to the government of small sums
of money for intrenchments here. there
was very little done until President Madi-
son. aroused by the imminent danger of
war with Great Britain. directed that
Maj. Pierre Charles L'Ehfant proceed to
Fort Warburton and report to the Sec
rotary of War tn, condition of this de-
Tense. Maj. l. Enfant, in a written re-
port; May q, 1919: told of the dilapdated
condition of the fort and the armament.
and urged a suitable appropriation for
putting the fort in proper condition for
the defense of the Potomac and the
federal city. He spoke of the necessity
of an additional number of heavy guns
at Fort Warburton and an additional fort
in the neighborhood. concluding thus
The whole original design was bad
and 1t is therefore impossible to make
perfect work of it by any alterations"
Best Way to Prevent War.
That LEnfant believed firmly in ade-
duate sea and coast defenses and that the
best way to prevent war was to be pre-
pared, the historian quotes the following
from one of his letters to Gen. Washing
ton. dated September II. 1883:
And now that l am addressing your