Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-08-24
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
TROOPS MOBILIZE HERE
Stirring Times Now Recall Scenes
Of Long Ago in Annapolis.
"REMINISCENCES OF 1861.
1t Was the U. S. S. Constitution That
Then Sailed for Philadelphia
Not The Tennessee AS Today.

With the mobilizing of the marines
here for the purpose of emharking on
the Tennessee for aaiti, brings 10
mind the stirring times, when once be-
fore the Naval Academy was the scene
of an armed camp. 1t is a true say
ing that " History Repeats Itself, " but
this time the arrival of tn > troops did
not relieve the anxiety that was oc-
casioned in the year 1861. just prior to
hostilities between the North and
South.
AT that time the troops found all
excitement, but on this occasion there
was hardly ripple on the surface
Of the academy routine.
During the following winter a crisis
in national affairs was at its height
and one state after another seeded
from the Union, and by the middle of
April the situation was alarming
Dissatisfaction prevailed as to the
Union to some extent and the superin-
tendent Captain Blake received in
formation that the academy was
threatened with an attack by large
party from Baltimore.
On the 18th Of April Capt Blake
wrote TO the Secretary Of the Navy
describing the defenseless character Of
the place and submitted a plan of ac-
tion in case of attack. 1t was later
doubted whether such an attack was
contemplated.
II was proposed to destroy the guns
and stores that could not .be removed,
embark officers and midshipmen on the
Constitution and sail for Philadelphia.
The superintendent was especially anx-
ious that the Constitution should not
fall in the hands of the insurgents as
they had declared that the ship shall
be the first ship to hoist the flag Of the
Confederate states" and this Captain
Blake was determined to prevent at
ali hazards.
The Constitution was under the com
and of Lieut.. George w. Rodgers and
her guns were double shotted and
ever, precaution was taken by her
comu ander. This wes made necessary
by persistent report that she was to
be attacked.
Communication was uncertain and
as the telegraph wires had been cut it
was necessary to send dispatches to the
Department by officers Of the school
who were ordered to make their des-
tination as best they could. The su-
perintendent maintained a eonciia-
tory policy toward the citizens of the
town, but. notwithstanding the good
disposition OF the better class of citi-
zens, the officers of the Academy
spent several anxious days and nights.
On the 18th of April the Massa-
chusctts Sixth Regiment was attack
ed by a mob in the streets of Balti-
more. General B 7. Butler with the
Massachusetts, Eighth seeing the i'm
possibility Of taking his men through
Baltimore, OF the goth seized the large
ferry boat Maryland at Perryville,
embarked his men and arrived at An.
napols a little after midnight. He
was surprised to find the town and
Academy lighted up, and people astir
| At first the Maryland was thought tC
be an enemy and the Constitution was
just about to open fire upon her when
they found, to their great relief anC
surprise, that they were friends.
Gov. Thomas Holiday Hicks, OF
| Maryland, protested against the land
ing of the troops and a conference was
held between the Governor and Genera
Butler. On the morning of the 22nC
the Seventh Regiment Of New Yorl
appeared and landed at the academy
wharf. The troops were quartered il
the buildings. as far as possible. ant
the rest camped on the grounds.
| Captain Blake had the distinction o
serving at the academy longer thar
any other officer, as superintendent
He assumed command on Sept. Is
1857, and served until Sept. 9, 1865,
period Of eight years. when ne wa
succeeded by Rear Admiral David d
Porter, who was head Of the Academ
for little over four years.
The presence of the IT, s. S. Ten
nessee, in the Annapolis roads
preparatory to taking the company 0
Marines mobilized here to Philadel
phia, just as the u. s. s. Constitutio
did some fifty-ive years ago, is a stir
ring reminiscence Of those times tina
tried mems souls.