Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12
further investigating the Union lines HI
says in his memoirs:

further investigating the Union lines He
SAYS In his memoirs:
As soon as II was light enough 10 I rode b
the mont and found the parapsts lined with
all hopes Of capturing Washington. sfter had
arrived in sishI OF the dome OF the Capitol, and
given the Federal authorities a terrible fright.
After abandoning the idea Of capturing
Washington ! determined 10 remain in front Of
the Notifications during the 18TH and retire a.
night. as was satisfied remain longer would
cause the loss Of my entire force.
In the meantime the Union forces had
more strongly entrenched themselves and
were preparing to drive the Confederate
army back. Early's determination to re-
tire voluntarily that night OF course
unknown to them. Daylight revealed the
confederate sharpshooters on an elevated
piece of ground in full view of Fort Ste
vens, large number finding shelter be-
hind a frame building known as the
Rives house. and in an orchard nearby.
Puns of white smoke and the crack OF
rlnes told that they were at work. but
except for this all was quiet. During the
forenoon the Union commanders were
laying plans to charge the Confederate
position: the Confederates were waiting
for nightfall. when they would withdraw
by the same road they came. The hours
passed slowly by and still all was quiet
save the occasional exchange OF shots
between the skirmshers.
Four o'clock came and President and
Mrs. Lincoln drove up to the rear of Fort
Stevens. unattended save by their coach
man, and freely mingled with the excited
crowd. At length Gen. Wright arrived
and went. with the President, to the fort
Here they waited for Gen. Bidwell and
the Sd Brigade, I'd Division of the IA
nous 9Th Corps. which had been selected
to make the charge. About 6 o'clock they
came from the direction of Fort De
Russy, where they had spent the night
and. marching past the fort, formed In
two lines for the charge. They were
anxious. excited, determined. 1t was an
inspiring sight-these men who wore the
Greek cross. who knew no fear. who be-
fore had won merited renown on many Q
oattieneld. Theirs was a hard task, but
nowhere could men be found who were
more worthy or capable for it.
On the parapet of the fort, amid the
Whizzing bullets. stood President Lincoln
watching with that grave and pensive
countenance" the progress of the battle.
Beside him surgeon was wounded by
mimic ball. but still he stood. intent on
the scene before him and needless of the
entreaties to step down. At length Gen.
Wright said to him:
Mr.. President. 1 know you are COM
mander of the armies of the United
States, but am in command here and as
you are not safe where You are stand
ing i order you to come down.
Smiling, the President reluctantly obey
ed, but even then persisted in standing
up and exposing his tall form. In strange
contrast to this figure. on an eminence
near the Confederate advance stood John
c. Breckenridge. Vice President of the
United States four years before and the
candidate receiving the votes of the Sc
ceding states for President in 1850. Such
is one phase of civil warfare.
Rarely did an engagement present so
good an opportunity for viewing its prog
ress. Near the President were members
of his cabinet and a crowd of citizens.
both men and women, breathless with ex-
element watching the fortunes OF the
fight.
Under the cover of night Early began
withdrawing his troops. and a day or two
later found him again in the Shenandoah
valley. Here he remained until Sheridan,
in a series of brilliant battles, drove him
southwark and rendered it forever i'm
possible for him again to menace WASH