Evening star., 1914-07-19
FIFTY YEARS Ago
IN THE STAR

In I'LL 'UlAN
| at this time are filled with news matters
pertaining to the Confed-
Fort Stevens crate invasion" of Mary
Battle" land which menaced
~' Washington and caused
sharp fighting at the outskirts Of the
city. The fight took place Monday and
Tuesday. July IL and II. 1854. That
| there was no panic in Washington. how
ever. is indicated by the fact that instead
Of Fastening away from the fighting line
largo part Of the local population tried
to get out to the front to see the en-
gagement. In The Star of July 13. 1854.
Is the following paragraph:
The soldiers not engaged in the skir-
mishing did not appear to be at all con-
cerned about what was going on. Some
were joking and laughing in groups;
others were picking blackberries. taking
the chances Of compliment from the
tube of a rebel sharpshooter. The road
to tho fort was literally blockaded by
pedestrians horses and vehicles, about 4
o'clock Pm. guards having been posted
on the hill near the first tollgate to
prevent civilians from going nearer the
scene Of conflict
The Confederate advance against WASH
ington having been checked. the columns
of The Star continued
ConfederateS at to be filled with inter-
esting details. In the
0iAse1 0PAAn6 issue of July Is. 1864.
Is the following:
Rebel sympathizers who on Monday
were jubilant in this city with the idea
that Washington was soon to be in
Confederate possession. and showed their
faith in it. some Of them. to the extent
of going out to assist the rebels in its
capture. now speak Of the invasionists
as a mere raiding party of some 5000
men "a raiding party Of 5000 men. in
deed. with two major generals and half
dozen brigadier generalsD. All the re-
ports received today, brought in by in
telligent parties. resident at various
points visited by the rebels, concur in
| fixing the rebel force in front Of Wash
ington at not less than 10000 men, leav-
ing out Of account rebel detachments
stationed at other points for purposes of
observation or raiding purposes.
From Mr.. J. E. Turton of this city,
who enjoyed superior opportunities for
observation. having been In the hands of
the rebels at Silver Spring during their
| entire stay there, we get some clear and
interesting particulars. He was filling a
contract in remodeling the Montgomery
Blair house, which is-or was-perhaps
an eighth Of a mile from the house OF
Francis P. Blair. At II o'clock Monday
mn incv h
ance of six rebels. who dropped down
upon him as il from the skies. They in
quired whose house it was, and pardcu-
larly II it was the house Of Lincoln S
Postmaster General. and on learning that
| 1t was the leader of the gang exclaimed
to the others. This house must go up.
The house was locked up, and they pro-
ceeded to break open the doors and de-
spoil 1t, scattering books (of which they
seemed to have an Indifferent opinion)
| and papers around in every direction and
carrying off whatever they deemed would
be Of use to them.
They did the same at the house OF
Francis P. Blair, and found there what
they deemed an especial prize. an excel
lent county map of the state of Mary
land. This map was carefully borne away
and for many hours afterward corps of
| rebel craftsmen. occupying the house of
Thomas Gettings at the third tollgate.
| was busily employed over it, making
the rebel forces did not appear in front
Of Fort Stevens, but remained in camp on
the Wilson farm. about mile and half
beyond Blair's. on the 7th street road. At
| or 10000 men Neither did the rebels
bring forth their artillery. but parked 1t
forty pieces of field artillery in the or
chard and fields Of the Blair farm. This
artillery did not arrive until about .
o'clock Monday afternoon. The rebels
IA at of
the Monocacy. Mr.. Turton saw and con-
| versed with the rebel generals, Early,
| Breckenridge, Ransom. Gordon and Ram
seur. Gen. Gordon questioned him par
Washington. Mr.. Turton evading the
questions by saying he had not been in
Washington for some days.
breckenridge has grown stout and
gray. He was dressed. like the other reb-
ell generals, in coarse. homespun gray.
ers. The officers did not let anything
fall in Mr.. Turton's presence to wheth-
er they intended an attack upon Wash
ington, but the men talked quite freely of
what they would do II they got possess
sion Of Washington. The rebels began to
leave the vicinity Of Silver Spring about
8 o'clock Tuesday night. and at IL o'clock
they set fire to the house of Montgomery
They offered no personal harm to Mr.
Turton. but took his change of clothing
and on his demonstrating, they said: We
can't help it. You're where you can get
plenty: we can't"
Proof that 1t was the purpose of the
Confederates to capture Washington If
possible was offered
Ihought to Take in the columns of
wo.h;,,4. The Star of July 16.
1864. as follows:
The letters subjoined were written by
rebel officer. an ex-Washingtonian, well
known in this city. while the rebel army
invasion was in front of the city. If
any evidence is wanting that 1t was
fully the intention of the rebels to make
the attempt to take Washington. and
that they were at one time confident of
success in that attempt. such evidence
is supplied in these letters One letter
was written from Silver Spring. four
miles from Washington dated Tuesday
July II. to the writer's mother. as