Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-25
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In THE STAR

During the civil war the Potomac river
at this point was a scene of brisk
activity Not alone
Prizes of War were the Federal
Brought Here. the ,oca, wharves
their headquarters constantly in evi-
dence, but from time to time prizes were
brought up here. having been captured
by the blockading fleet In The star
of May 49, 1883. is a news item on this
line:
During the past few days quite num-
her of prizes. some of them valuable,
have arrived here and steps have ALREADY
been taken to secure their condemnation.
The schooner Harvest, having on board
eighty -four bales of cotton. was captured
several days ago by the United States
steamship Juniata of Commodore Wilkes
squadron. having run the blockade near
Charleston She had no papers on board,
but was bound for Nassau and had seven
persons on board, two OF whom. the cap
tain and one who represents himself as
part owner, were brought here ana the
others taken to Key West The schooner
was brought here by prize crew from
the Juniata.
s"The schooners Martha Ann and A.
Corson. from New York. with cargoes
of whisky. molasses. wagons. furniture,
ETC.. ostensibly bound for this port, We're
captured last week by the steamer Vest
ern World of the North Atlantic squad
ron near the mouth of the Chesapeake.
for violating the revenue laws and were
sent to this port. :,
1.-THE Primrose, Capt. Shut, arrived
Sunday evening with the schooners Sarah
Lavinia and Ladies' Delight. The first
was captured on the Sth instant by the
Primrose in Currioman bay. the crew
leaving her as the boats from the Prim-
rose approached and making their es-
cape. She had succeeded In landing her
cargo, consisting of whisky. molasses
-four bacon, etc, about ten miles below.
and when captured had only seven pack
ages of lace on board. Capt. Shut gained
information to satisfy him where the
goods were, and the men from the Cur
made an excursion to the neighborhood
Of the Urbana and succeeded in taking
all the cargo which was found secreted
in different farmhouses. barns. etc.,
among which were 800 pieces OF bacon
which had been purchased for the Con-
federate army and awaited transporta-
ton. While on this expedition the
schooner Ladies' Delight. which was
formerly used in smuggling, was cap
tured and the goods were placed on
sunk, but was raised and was undergoing
refitment for her old purposes"
4 X
The work of recruiting colored regi-
ments was in progress at this time fifty
years ago, and was attend
C0lOred ed by keen public interest
n.A in Washington. where some
AecA uAIo' doubt had been expressed
as to the willingness of the colored peo-
pie to enroll themselves for military duty.
In The Star of May 10, 1853, is a news
paragraph as follows:
1.-The mastering officer for some reason.
did not muster the recruits for the LIST
Regiment, District Of Columbia Volun-
teers. who assembled near the Israel
Church yesterday morning. and the men
ing in tents which were sent down yes
terday afternoon. Commissary stores
were also sent down to them. This morn
ing DR.. Seely of the army. and DR..
Augusta. the lately appointed colored
surgeon, are examining the men, and up
to noon had passed upon about twenty
five and had rejected none 1t is con-
fidently asserted that but few will be re-
jected and that at least two companies
will be mustered in today. The school,
house nearby is being used by the SURE
geons as an Office In which to examine
the men, who, as fast as they are passed
upon are shown into the lot In which the
tents are erected. around which a guard
is kept. the sentries armed with sticks
having their regular beats. Outside the
lot there is large crowd of persons, but
neither the spectators nor the recruits
are as numerous as they were yesterday"
1t is not a matter of general observa-
ton that the triangular pediment of the
south wing of the Capt.
Capitol tol. occupied by the
c.,,1~4,. House of Representa-
0o"APsuAes' tives. has never been
filled with sculptures. At this moment
however. Mr.. Paul Bartlett, who modelled
the statue of Lafayette, presented to the
republic of France by the school children
of America, is at work in execution of a
commission to fill this long vacant space.
The following paragraph printed in The
Star of May q, 1863, is of interest in this
connection:
The statuary intended for the pedi-
ment Of the portico of the north wing
of the Capitol, the most of which has for
a long time been on exhibition in the old
hall Of representatives. has been re-
moved to the foot of the center portico
and is being put together preparatory to
being placed in the position 1t is to oc-
cupy. This statuary is from designs by
Crawford and was executed at the Capt.
toll workshops in admirable style, as
visitors have had occasion to notice.
The central figure is the Goddess OF
Liberty. and on the right are the follow
ing pieces: The Woodman, in the act OF
cutting a tree; the Hunter, an Indian boy
with hound by his side and game slung
on his shoulder; the Indian in pensive at
titude. squaw with papoose and grave.
On the left of the Goddess is a figure
representing the military element of the
country; Commerce, represented by a
merchant seated on a bale Of goods ex-
aiming globe and surrounded by boxes
and bales; Education. represented by a
teacher and scholars: the Industrial
Arts, represented by the mechanic with a
hammer in his hand leaning against q
cog wheel, wheat sheaf and anchor OF
hope"
x
The week ending May 3d. 1868, was one
of successive news Of importance to the
north, as Grant made his
Vicksburg way closer to vicks-
Campaign inn Of ana thu the n M,s.,s open
seemed to be more distinctly in view
Coming as this did soon after the federal
reverse at Charlottesville. the news of