Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-30
TELLS OF L|NCOLN'S
FORT STEVENS VISIT
Dr.. George T. Stevens Relates
Memorable Event July
IL, 1864.
HISTORIC ADDRESSA
REUNION OF SIXTH CORPS
Only Battle Fought Within the Dis
trict and the Only One in U. S.
History Witnessed by President.


The memorable visit by President
Lincoln to Fort Stevens at the time of
the battle the afternoon of July II.
1864, was related in detail Tuesday
by DIR. George T. STEVENS of the 18th
Regiment, at the reunion of the 9Th
Army Corps at the fertilization near
Brightwood which played such an i'm
portant part in the defeat of Gen.
Early's forces when they attempted a
raid on the National Capital.
DR.. Stevens was operating surgeon
in a temporary hospital which was set
up in the fort. He was the first man
that President Lincoln spoke to when he
arrived at the fort. Col. Stevens escorted
Mrs. Lincoln from her carriage to the
center of the fort and remained with
her until his services were needed in
the hospital, a number of wounded men
having been brought in from the battle
line.
The battle of Fort Stevens was the only
engagement of the civil war that was
fought within the District of Columbia
1t was the only battle in the history of the
United States that was witnessed by a
President.
DR.. Stevens Address.
DR.. Stevens address at Tuesdays re-
union of the 9Th Corps was entitled Per
sonal "reminiscences of President Lincoln
the Battle at Fort Stevens"
1t follows. in part:
1T was early the 10th of July, 1864
that two divisions of the 9Th Corps hav-
Ing left the remainder of the Army of the
Potomac at petersburg during the pre-
CRdinY night haN hot v,ierl,f
marched fourteen miles over a road into
the sand and dust of which they had sunk
almost ankle deep at every step, arrived
tired and with threats. eyes and nostrils
hlled with dust. prepared to embark upon
transports from City Point to Washing
ton.
The first division of the corps, under
command of Gen. Ricketts,. had been sent
forward day or two before and had al
ready reached Baltimore.
Every man of the two divisions which
embarked the morning of the 10th
oreathed more freely as the several ships
swung out upon the river and the yari-
Gus brigade bands sounded a goodbye
70 the scenes Of the recent labors and
priVations of the men who wore the Greek
cross.
Fleet OF for Washington.
Our fleet was soon steamine down
the James river. passing scenes of inter.
est which revived the memories of cam
paigns of previous years. We passed va
rious Union gunboats and, from time tn
ume' point on the river made memora-
Die by our earlier experiences on the
peninsula LAG
We passed into Chesapeake bav and
tnen INTO the Potomac river and at length
our meet OF transports gathered the morn
ing OF the 11th at the appointed rendez
In Washington
As the process of DISSEMINATING
commenced the tall figure of the great
war President was observed as he min
seu WIN the men as they left the
s sfansports. He talked with one. ques-
sIohed another and accepted hard tack
from sun another. and in these WAYS
lhoicated his sympathy with the men
., All oelng landed, we took I'D the
me or march through the city. No
narch up 9TH street in Washington on
That 18th day of July, 1864. will ever
forget the scene while he is in nos
session of his faculties
Greeted by Thousands Along Route.
Thousands of people were gathered
aions the route of march. for WASH
heton was in state of panic, and the
ADVENT OF veteran troops was a matter
Of no small interest. The Confederate
general. Early. had reached the sub
irbs of the city AMI was threatening
It's capture. An improyised army ~
Treasury clerks, invalid CORPS men and
citizens had been quickly collected. and
.hese hasty ievics had been sent as
-apidiy as possible to the forts about
The city as reinforcements to the few
here.
AS we marched between the crowds
81 eager spectators, many of whom
we're women holding children in their
arms. the veterans. with bronzed faces
and with uniforms grimed by a cam
oaign lasting from the Wilderness
through Cold Harbor and Petersburg,
we're the subjects of intense interest
ana curiosity We heard repeated from
mouth TO mouth, over and over again.
rs though it were one continuous
chorus: Thank God! We are safe
now It's the old 9Th Corps. They
Them's no clerks exclaimed one in
NY hearing. Them's fighters"
Bivouacked for the Night.
The two divisions of the corps
oivouacked for the night on the heights
In the rear of Washington. Cowan and
ais famous battery arriving later
The afternoon of the 18th came. A
large part of our second division was
n the vicinity of Fort Stevens With
ny associates ! had arranged n divi-
zion hospital in the barracks just in
The rear of the fort. In front of the
.ort and within bullet range the Con-
tolerate advance had been occupied
Turing the day in picket diminishing
With our own outpoSts.
At o'clock a carriage, in which
we're seated President and Mrs. Lin
soln. attended by no one but the coach
nan and footman. halted in front of
The improvised hospital l was stand
ng there at the moment, and the Presi-
lent and his affable wife entered at
,nce into conversation. inviting me to
AXE seat in the carriage, the Presi-
lent remarking that it would be more
iociable. As we conversed the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Lincoln most kindly
showed that they well knew the record
Of our men. and they assured me that
me people Of the country knew and ap-
prcciated the wearers of the Creek
ross.
Eluded His Bodyguard.
II have already mentioned that when
the President and Mrs. Lincoln arrived
in the vicinity of the fort they were
unattended exceDt nv their Goa CHINA N