The Washington herald., 1919-01-19

some or the rlne plts ana "eiWofH
earthworks on the battlefield Of Fort
Stevens are still visible and are OBJ
jects of historical interest to visitors.
Several years ago, largely through the
efforts of Mr.. William V. Cox, his
torian, patriotic citizen, president Of
the Board of Education. vice presi-
dent of the Second National Bank
and member of the Board of Trade,
"a bill was introduced in Congress TO
establish a military park at Fort Ste
vens and thus preserve for all time
the scene OF action representing the
nearest approach OF the Confederates
to the capture of Washington. This
project has not been abandoned and
will again be urged following the Pc
riod OF reconstruction in the wake OF
the greatest war in history.
Mr.. Cox believes the preservation OF
Fort Stevens is demanded in the in
terest of history The old earthworks
thus far have been rescued from COM
plete obliteration by private enter
prise. 1t is pointed out that the eff
forts of citizens to preserve this place
where history was made should be
supplemented by Congressional action.
which will involve but slight cost to
the government
The permanent committee on mark
ing points Of historic interest in the
District of Columbia, of which Mr..
William P. Van Wickle is chairman
and Mr.. w. V. Cox is vice chairman.
have already marked with suitable
tablets some of the interesting places
on the battle-ground of nearly fifty
FIVE years ago. These include the
"high-water mark" the nearest -ap-
proach to Washington reached on the
old Seventh street pike by Confeder-
ate skirmishers. the Lincoln parapet
of Fort Stevens, the battle-ground
Cemetery, within the sacred precincts
of which repose the remains of some
of the men in blue who defended the
Capital; magazine. where Emory
Chapel now stands, and the home OF
Elizabeth Thomas, a colored woman.
within the fort inclosure
Many years after the battle the re-
mains Of a Confederate sharpshooter
were found in a thicket on the Blair
farm in front of Fort Stevens. He
had evidently crawled into the covert
place after being mortally wounded.
The skeleton was inferred in a lone
grave, which was decorated with
flowers on each succeeding Confeder-
ate memorial day by those living
near by. Numerous relics were COL
lected from the battlefield after Gen.
Early and his men had retreated to
rejoin Gen. Lees army. then in front
of Petersburg, Va. engaged in the
last stages Of the war.
"Tbe Rebels Are Coming
Current history explains in detail
why Gen. Lee detached the command
of Gen. Early from his main army to
make the dash on Washington, so I
will confne myself to some of the
more intimate details of the battle
Preceding the fight of July II and Il.
1864, the city had been enjoying a
period of unusual wartime quiet, as
it was reported that Gen. Grant held
the Confederates at bay near Peters
burg and there was no danger of an
enemy advance upon the Capital
While the good citizens were reveling
in this fancied security a Maryland
farmer galloped into the city. like
Paul Revere of Revolutionary War
fame. bearing ilI-tidings. He came
via the dusty Seventh street pike and
excitedly announced:
THE rebels are coming"
The farmer proceeded down town
and at the National Hotel told his
story in detail to an excited crowd.
He declared every road leading TO
Washington from the north and north
west was congested with oncominC
men in gray bent upon pillaging and
destroying the city and capturing or
killing its inhabitants. The exagger-
ated story spread like wildfire and
Washington was thrown into a panic.
Families loaded their most valuable
belonging on wagons and were hasten
ing from the city. Panic-stricken Of
fcials rushed hither and thither, and
the few troops in the city were