Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-28

Grown, as It has during late years
to making monster guns which the
battleships of the day require and
turning out the big gun ammunition
unheard of in the days of the civil war;
the Washington navy yard located at
the foot of Sth street southeast will
hold a sentimental interest for the
veterans who are attending this en-
campment. Not only will the naval
veterans be particularly interested in
this big gun factory. but those of the
land forces had associations there dur
ing the war. where many of them made
preparations to defend 1t.
In the early part of 1861 Capt. Frank
lin Buchanan (afterward admiral of
the Confederate service) was COM
mandant. with Commander McBlair,
Lieuts. H. H. Lewis and Semmes. Sergt
McClenahan and Paymaster Alison
under him.
The ordnance department was in
charge of Commander John A. Dahl
gren. with Lieuts. Richard Wainwright.
Early Military Activity.
Military operations about the navy
when rumors began to fly that a mob
was planning to seize the yard and
obtain ordnance material with which
to prevent the Inauguration of Lincoln
Capt Buchanan ordered the yards de-
lenses prepared, instructing that the
entrances and the river front were to
be protected with twelve-inch how
itzers.
These preparations were made in ad-
IN ho yiraCr fhn ri ord
der Lieut.. Tatnall and the ordnance
men who were we'll up in the use Of
firearms. and a large number of en-
ployes belonging to the District militia
companies. available when arms were
placed in their hands. The Washington
Light Guard. Capt. Marks: Company F.
National Guard Battalion, Capt. w. P.
Ferguson; Company c, Union Regiment,
Capt. G. W. Miller, and the companies
Of the Light Infantry Battalion. bore
numbers OF navy yard employees on
their rolls.
Steamers Saved From Seizure.
Extra precautions had to be taken
from time to time in order to protect
the property. The exciting time at the
yard was about April 10 and the few
days subsequent thereto. Some Penn
sylvania troops had arrived on the 18th:
the 9Th Massachusetts, had, after pass
ing through the attack at Baltimore.
reached the capital on the 18th. and
while there were advices of other
troops being en- route. the vessels at the
or two others, were about to be REIN
forced by steamers seized by the mill
tary at the 7th street wharf. 1t was
Friday afternoon when information
was given Capt. (ColoneD Towers of
Company A, Washington Light Infan-
try. that the Aqua creek boats, Pow
hatan. Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Mount Vernon, were that night to be
sent to Aqua creek. He Immediately
reported the fact to Gen. Scott, who
9Th street northwest, and was directed
to take what men he could muster at
once proceed to the wharf. seize these
craft and place guard thereon.
That night, however. there was a
rumor that an organization of southern
sympathfzers intended to take the boats
and deliver them to the Virginia au-
thorities When it reached Gen. Scott
he ordered the 9Th Massachusetts, to send
Col Towers some reinforcements. A
detail was sent and remained through
the night. This is said to have been
the first actual service of state troops
during the war.
Resigned as Commandant.
When Capt. Buchanan, the following
Sunday, received instructions to pre-
pare these newly acquired boats for war
service, he Immediately resigned his
commission. Commander Dahlgren, the
ranking officer, was instructed to take
command. He executed the orders, arm
ing the boats with thirty-two-pounders
and providing a breech-loading rifle for
each man on board. Boatswain George
Wellmuth was placed in command of
the Powhatan and she left the Same
night to reconnoiter. From her reports
the authorities were satisfied that at
tempts would be made to interfere with
the commerce on the river and that an
attempt would be made to capture the
yard, which was regarded as OF inn
portance, not only as a navy yard and
supply depot, hut as an important po-
sition in the defense OF the southwest
ern part of the city.
The commandment fortified the yard
placing two howitzers to
guard the bridge. A few days after
that the District troops were relieved
by the arrival of the list New York
State Militia, Col. Vosburgh, and May
q the colonel died after a few days
sickness.
When the advance was made by the
army into Virginia the steamers Bal
Mount Vernon and Guy took
Ellsworth's Zouaves from Giesboro
point, where the steel plant now is To-
Gated, to Alexandria, where the gallant
colonel was killed. In July ITO sea-
men and forty marines were sent from
the yard to reinforce Fort Ellsworth
and to assist in it's defense against an
attack.
Many Rumors Of Attack.