Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-19

Fifty years ago today the seventh
New York regiment reached Washington
and was reviewed by President Linz
coin. With it's arrival, ending the iso-
lation of the capital and re-establishing
communication with the north, the first
crisis of the war was brought to a
close.
For days past the capital had been
cut off from the north. knowing moth
ling of the thousands of men that were
being enlisted and dispatched for its
defense, but only of secessionist gains
and confederate activities; seeing no
new northern uniforms. but only the
campfires of the Virginian troops on
the farther side of the Potomac.
The secession of Virginia on the 18th
had been followed in quick succession
by the burning of Harpers Ferry on
the 18th, the Baltimore riot and de-
struction of railroad bridges on the
18th, the loss and destruction of the
lGosport navy yard and its ships on the
goth.
The evening of Sunday, April 81, had
brought an even greater disaster to the
union THE authorities have possess
sion of office" telegraphed the Baltl-
more operator to the manager OF the
washington office. The latter replied
laeonically. "Of course this stops all
baltimore. having closed the railroad,
HAD now closed the telegraph also and
washington was completely cut of from
Its friends.
WAsHINGToN'S DANGER.
In the absence of actual news, rumors
laourished 1t was reported that the
Potomac was blockaded and that no re-
Inducements could come by that route'
that the Virginians were raising a 1orce
that should join the south California
troops under Beauregard ana COINS anu
lcapture the capital.
! Conferences with Governor Hicks, OF
MARYLAND, his withdrawal of his origi-
lnal proffer of four regiments ana MS
lnlea that northern troops, should keep
lout of the state, the temper OF the peo-
lnle as evinced in Baltimore, all made
liz annear likely that Maryland was
Iabout to follow Virginia into secession
land that Washington was doomed.
The capital had no natural SIRENS IN
las a military post, and the force oe-
1 fendine il was absurdly small Col.
lcbarIes p. stone, who as inspector gem
arol of the District of Columbia had
I charge of its defences, had previously
lenroIiad a district volunteer force com
arising az companies of infantry ana
riflemen and two troops OF cavalry
and the mastering in OF these hao pc
gun on April 10 ,,,,,,r,,D
REsIEGED AND DESERTED.
GRADUALLY the city came to take on the
esnact ~ siege. The bridges over
me potomac wer occupied by Colonel
4 stones men. Patrols were stationed on
Il e,erv road. and guards were placed
nightly in each OF the public bulloings,
The little passenger steamers that phed
the Potomac were occupied by Coionel
and picket boats.t
The doors, windows and stalrWays oi
/ the principal departmental buildings Were
, lbarricaded and their approaches were
g,arded. The capitol, the postofhce, the
natent office. the state and treasury
buildings all had their guardians
J Defended for a siege Washington was
J lheing nrovisioned for siege as We'll
No supplies could now come in by ran
} General Cooke and his Virginians at AL
: exandria were moving stores OF Ilour 10
the interior, cutting on supplies pouno
for washington and sending them back
to the farms.
AlreadV prices of food were rising, and
10 guard against actual famine flour and
Grain in large quantities had been seiz-
"a nv the government at the Georgetown
mills and even from the schooners on
: which II was loaded, and carted to the
public buildings The capitol contained
1000 barrels of flour, the treasury build
ing the same, the postoffce large
quantity.
Meanwhile the city. once SO crowded,
had become empty. Unmartial ofilce
seekers had fled north for safety, by
train while the trains continued then in
any way they might; Wizards hotel was
deserted. At the same time southern SYM
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. clerks. officers of
the army and navy, residents of the dis
trict who feared wholesale Imprisonment
Into military service-hurried off to
friends across the Potomac.
These last, however, made no Ions
farewell and planned a speedy return
one clergyman, it is related, left his
pet cat locked UP in the house with a
three weeks supply of food and water
which he believed sufficient until the
time when Davis should replace Lincoln
: in the White House and the Stars and
Bars the Stars and Stripes.
WAITING.
Nearly all business came to stand
still Theaters and other places OF
amusement were closed. Shutters were
up and doors were locked. All about
were sentinels; here and there marched
platoon of infantry or trotted squad
of cavalry. From General Scott and
Colonel Stone, who had formed plans
for defending the city to the last gasp,
, down to the most obscure clerk or pri-
! vate, all were marking time, waiting
/, for what tomorrow might bring.
On the president the. strain was great
er than on any other. As day succeed
ed day with no news Of the outer world,
no sign or sound Of the regiments he