Evening star., 1911-06-04
FIFTY YEARS ago
In THB STAR

Tho advance Of Union troops into vir-
ginia having begun. tho Union soldiers
were sent across the Poto-
picket mac in large numbers at
this. time half q century
Lines. ago. In The Star of May
~. 1861. u the following description Of
the military situation in the immediate
vicinity:
''The pickets Of the United States troops
extend out Of Alexandria for . mile on
tho Orange and Alexandria railroad. and
to Hunting Creek bridge on the south:
also to the first tollgate west OF Alexan-
dria on the Little River turnpike and to
the top Of Shooters Hill on the middle
turnpike. nearby. On tho Washington
end OF the line occupied by the United
States troops now In Alexandra county
tho pickets extend from Hunters Chapel
on the Columbia turnpike to Bailey's
Crossroads: thence to Taylor's tavern,
two miles further out. and from Taylor's
around the county road to where the
Loudoun and Hampshire railroad crosses
Riley's branch: thence by Balls Cross
roads back to Hunters Chapel. Thus
these pickets surround Arlington Heights.
by establishing one over the county road
leading from Bailey's Crossroads down to
the nrst tollgate on tho Little River turn
pike. line four miles long: and from
Tayior's tavern up the Columbia turnpike
to the village Of Falls Church 1.-TWO miles):
thence by the county road to Lewins-
Vile. and on to tho Lttle Falls' bridge
From Tayior's Tavern the entire distance
to the Little Falls bridge ID not more
than six or seven miles. II Gen. Sand
ford will so extend his pickets he will In
close a considerable population almost
unanimous for the Union, engaged in
raising provisions for the Washington
markets and will afford them an oppor-
tunity speedily to organize for the Union
cause by insuring them against disunion
molestatfon."
The following paragraph printed In The
Star Of May %. 1861. brings into print the
name of the Union COM
Monou,eu mander who was later to
figure prominently in
Appointed. connection with the first
great battle OF the civil war:
I'VE are happy to be able to say tnat
yesterday afternoon Brig. Gen. Mcdowell
was duly charged with tho command OF
the division of the forces OF tho United
States recently thrown across the Poto-
mao from this point. We infer. from
his selection for this command. that 1t
is the purpose Of the commander-in-cniei
to push field operations with that column
with great vigor. to the present end OF
cutting of the retreat OF tho disunion
forces now at Harpers Ferry and pre-
venting their reinforcement, either OF
which can be effected only by passing
down the Manassas railroad to the juno
tion point within fifteen or sixteen miles
from the most advanced position az pres
ent visited by the scouting parties con.
nected with Gen. Mods command, ana
upon which 1t seems to be proposed TO
advance q considerable portion OF the
army with as little delay as possible.
The selection Of Gen. Mcdowell for this
important command cannot fail to in
spire the troops forming 1t with great
confidence In the success OF the move
ments with the conduct OF which ne mas
been charged-a point OF great impor
tance, as all know VINO may DO seAseu
in military affairs.
I'VE may not inappropriately ado tnat
the fact OF the retention OF Gen. MANS
fleld in command OF the Military Depart
ment Of Washington. In lieu OF senoing
him to tho command to which Gen. NC
Dowell has been assigned, was regarded
by the officers Of the service now IN
WASHINGTON as q clear indication or tho
determination that his serv-
ices are required In commanding IN per
son the column that win not long hence
close down ON Harpers Ferry from this
side of the Potomac. The movements OF
that important column. It VIII pc recoi.
lected. will all be within the limits OF
braces the state Of Maryland as we'll as
tha IhStr1ct of Columbia.
The following paragraph in The Star
Of May 80. 1851. is an indication OF the
great interest taken by
Bibles for the public in the welfare
Of the soldiers who were
0Ol0leIS. sent into the field in the
early stages Of the war:
TN the midst Of the excitement con-
seouent upon the extensive warlike
preparations which have characterized
the past few weeks. 1t Is gratifying to
know that our benevolent organizations
are not inactive or neglectful OF the
wants Of those who have left their fam
lilies and homes to aid IN sustaining our
constitutional government. The Bible
Society has already determined to sup
ply every soldier who may not have one
with q copy Of the New Testament or
the Bible, and 1t is with great pleasure
that we learn that the American Tract
Society Of Boston has employed the same
agency (the superintendents Of divisions
Of the Y. NJ. C. A. OF this city, to dis
tribute their publications among the SOL
diers in and around Washtngton.'
n
The first actual fighting in tho imnne-
diate neighborhood Of Washington oc-
CURED early on the morn
EairfaX ing Of the 1st Of June,
1871 and An YhA QfnH Of