Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-22
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In THE STAR

Despite the improvements in the rail-
way line between this city and Baltimore.
1t was inadequate half
Double Track century ago to handle
=, the immense traffic flow
No0u0V. ing southwark to the
capital during the early months Of the
war, and a demand arose for the double
tracking of the line. In The Star of Oc-
tober 16, 1861, Is the following paragraph:
1.-The indications are that the sidings.
etc, added to the Baltimore and WASH
ington railroad will not furnish the re-
quired facilities for the accommodation
of freight. etc. seeking passage over the
road. and that the laying down Of dou-
BILE track will afford the only measure Of
relief. AS 1t is, everything is behind
time over the road, not only heavier
articles Of freight, but mails. express
matter and perishable articles. Our fei-
low-citizens engaged in trade in perish
able articles are now losing enormously.
daily barrel after barrel OF such goods
spelling ere being delivered to consignees.
after being kept at times for weeks,
locked up in cars upon the road. Freight
was received yesterday i'm this city that
had been nearly two weeks on the road
from Baltimore to Washington, and
parties here having goods on the way
yet a longer time are informed that there
is no telling when they may be favored
with the opening of cars containing said
freight, failure to get which shortly
will cost owners many times its mere
commercial value. Hundreds Of citizens
are almost daily suffering in the same
way from the current utter failure of
the railroad company to command means
to accommodate the business public. A
double track is certainly absolutely neces-
sary, il not a resumption of the govern
ment's late management Of the road
While the rails were thus congested be-
tween Washington and the north. the
Potomac river was not an
Potomac altogether satisfactory
p.44. means Of approach to the
capital. owing to the activ-
ity of the Confederates In occupying COM
manding positions in the lower reaches
Of the river with batteries. In The Star
of October II. 1861, is a description of
conditions below the city:
1.-The steamer Mount Vernon, Capt.
Mitchell, came up to the navy yard last
night about IL o'clock, having passed the
batteries at and below Shipping point
about 8 O'Clock. About twenty shots
were fired at her from these batteries,
fourteen round shot and six shell, some
passing a little ahead. some astern and
some entirely over her. The tugboat
Pussy, which passed ahead Of the Mount
vernon. was not fired at, but the tug
Robert Leslie. which came close after
her. had several shots come very near
to her. Capt. Mitchell reports thirty to
forty vessels bound up. with government
stores. lying at Smiths point near Sandy
point, where portion Of the Potomac
hotilla is at present. None Of these YES
sells dare pass up. There are three bat
teries, mounting altogether thirteen guns
tsome officers say twenty three There
is a battery just opened on Quantico
hill, on the right bank of Quantico creek,
about half a mile above Shipping point
The other three are between Shipping
point and Eyansport point, distant about
a mile. The river between these points is
about a mile and three-quarters in width,
but widens rapidly below Transport
When the Pawnee and Mount Vernon
went down night before last the Mount
Vernon, with 400 marines aboard, went
ahead and passed the batteries about
'moon-down.' The order was given to
the marines to lie down as they passed
the batteries, and they accordingly lay
about 'two-deep' on deck, thus escaping
the notice of the enemy. The Pawnee
passed the batteries a little after day
light and was fired at by them in sue
cesSiOn. Thirteen shots were fired at
her altogether, and of these six struck
her. One came through her side into
the wardroom very near the magazine
one struck her amidships, just above the
water line; one struck near the cat
heads. one in the hammock rail and two
alOft."
*
Notwithstanding these difficulties in the
way of transportation, immense stores of
supplies and great numbers
Military of animals for military uSe