Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-10
HALF CENTURY AGO
Activity in District in Anticipa-
ton of Civil War.
DEFENSE OF THE CAPITAL
Muster-In of Militia by Direction of
the War Department.
CALL APRIL Is FOR $4,000 MEN
President Lincoln Issues Proclama-
ton Calling Congress to Meet in
Extra Session July a.
DEFENSE OF THE CAPITAL
CALL APRIL Is FOR $4,000 MEN
BY James Croggon.

April 1861 issued proclamation for
the dispersion of all persons in arms
against the United States; called for
5000 troops for government service and
assembling an extra secession of Con
gress to meet July following. Five
days before, April 10, the muster-in of
the District militia for defense of the
capital commenced by the War Depart
ment and it was carried on daily for two
weeks. So we'll did the organization OF
the various military companies of the
city succeed that the requisition on Maj.
Gen. Roger c. Weightman, commanding
the District militia. was more than filled
Thirty-fve companies, many exceeding
the maximum strength, were mustered
into the service of the country and as
signed to duty. There were many more
companies in the District preparing to
enter the service when the muster ceased
greatly to the regret of those omitted.
To the call of April II the governors of
various states quickly responded and
ere long there We're many regiments and
other organizations of state troops here
or on the way
COL Charles L. Stone. inspector general
Of the District militia. had been since the
first of the year busily engaged n-the Or
saniza ton of the companies as they were
enlisted. The government then had, in
Guiding the marines, a force of nearly a
thousand men. Inc regular artillery mad,
April - been placed under the immediate
charge of Maj. j. Il. Magruder. VINO AFTER
ward became a noted Confederate gem
eral and April : Rrevet Col. G. r. Smith
of the 10th Infantry was assigned to the
command of the Department of Washing
ton.
Government Property in Peril.
The protection of the government prop
erty was then in the hands of mere
handful of sworn troops. and the air was
filled with rumors of attacks upon the
city. One report was that the Treasury
was to be robbed. and some of the Off
GERS living thereabout became so I'M
easy that the construction OF a tunnel
across 10Th street to ths Easements OF
houses on F. street whose walls could be
pierced for use in getting the money away
on the first alarm was suggested. Inc
Treasury building was then guarded by
Company E of the I'd Artillery, of which
Capt. Ely. afterward Confederate gem
eral was the commander.
April o the following requisition was re-
ceived by Gen. Weightman from simon
Cameron. Secretary of War:
''Sir: Under the 24th section of the act
approved March 3. 1903. the President de-
sires YOU to call ten companies OF mihtla,
consisting preferably OF the uniformed
volunteer companies. Maj. Mcdowell will
muster them into the service or the
United States as soon as presented.
Col Stone at once notified the COM
manding officers of the companies and
arranged for inspection. ETC., at their re-
spective armories.
On the 9th and 10th these companies
were visited by Col. Stone and he passed
favorably on the condition of the men.
arms and equipment. handing out. at the
close Of the inspection, orders TO report
to their companies at the War Depart
ment for service undeg the United States.
The companies APPEARED each at the
designated hour. in the north yard of the
War Department. where Maj. Mcdowell.
assistant adjutant general. was ready to
receive them. The provisions of the oath
were explained as we'll as the duties ex-
pected of the men in the protection OF the
capital of the nation. Those not willing
to accept the conditions were told to step
out of line. and the rolls being called. the
remainder were sworn in by Gen. G. c.
Thomas. notary public
Some Decline to Take the Oath.
Some few companies. however, were
left without the requisite number in ranks
by their members refusing to take the
oath. Some gave family or business rea-
sons others assigned friendship for the
southern people, and few were prepar-
ing to join the confederacy if their states
withdrew from the Union. Large crowds
Of spectators were attracted to the rem
devious, and when company to a man
took the oath the spectators broke into
cheers. while those who stepped from
the ranks received looks of disapproval
and some were greeted with groans.
The latter reproof was not always merit
ed, however, for there were some cases
where men afterward gave such valuable
information to the government to over
balance anything they could have done
In the ranks.
The muster continued daily until the
Path Of April. and the companies as they
were accepted were marched back to
the armorfes and instructed as to their
duties. At first the men were allowed
10 continue to perform their civilian du-
ties during the day, being subject to
call at any moment. and at night they
guarded the public buildings. roads and
bridges: but soon there was little time
for other than military duty. April I6
Col. Stone was assigned TO their command.
On the same day four companies of