Evening star., 1920-02-15
BY JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR


Lincoln's birthday recalls his keen
and anxious interest in the battle OF
Fort Stevens on July IL and IL. 1864,
little less than one year before the
martyred President passed to the
great beyond. Indeed. few people at
this distant day realize as Lincoln did
then the distre ssing and far-reaching
effect the loss Of the capital would
have meant to the cause of the Union.
On Monday. July H.. 1854. Lincoln
rounds of the northern fortifications.
the direction of the expected attack
by EarlyS troops. Referring to the
Presidents eagerness on this occa-
sion. The Star OF July II says: The
President rode to the front in the di-
rection of Tennallytown at about 8
am today. accompanied by Assistant
Adjutant General Hardie and a mount
ed escort. Yesterday he paid SINH
lar visit of observation and inspec-
ton. His presence among our gallant
troops will doubtless do much to ami
mate and encourage them in the dis
charge Of their duties"
No one at that time knew the ex-
act strength of the enemy. which was
estimated all the way up to 45.OoV
troops From a reliable source The
Star gave the following estimate:
down the valley $4,000 tsrong. inc1ud-
ing 5000 cavalry. under command OF
Maj. Gen. Jubal Early and Brig. Gems.
Breckenridge, Ransom. Imboden and
McCausland. Longstreet was at Cor
louisville on Tuesday last. with addi-
tional forces to join the rebel army
Of invasion, and the purpose OF that
army was an attempt Of the capture
of Washington by a surprise"
President Lincoln early on the
morning Of the 11th ordered out the
militia and volunteers of the District,
and the following order resulted:
headquarters. D. c. Militia,
Washington. July IL. 1864.
General Order No. 1:
Having this day been ordered by
the President to call out. for imme-
diate service. the militia and volun-
teers of this District and specially as
signed to the command thereof. the
sth Regiment of infantry and the
volunteer force. including cavalry
and infantry. are hereby ordered into
the service of the United States for
thirty days.
Every available man is wanted i'm
mediately. and captains of companies
and colonels of regiments will at once
notify the men of their respective
commands to assemble for muster
without delay.
Brig. Gen. P. F. Bacon will per-
sonaily superintend the details Of this
order and see that it is promptly exc
cuted. GEORGE c. THOMAS,
Maj Gen. CON-"
Indeed. the President did not act any
too soon. as will be seen from The
Stars account Of the operations OF
the first day: The heavy skirmishing
in front Of Fort Stevens. in the vi
cinity- of the 7th street road. yesterday
afternoon. continued until after dark
The rebels held a position in the
woods, from which they threw out
skirmishers. who crept along the
ground or fired from behind trees. AT
one time they succeeded in getting
within range of the fort. and theiI
sharpshooters were enabled to pick
off gunners, two of whom were
wounded. The rebels used no artillery
but their movements indicated that
they were endeavoring to plant bat
terry to bear on Fort Stevens Oately
known as Fort Massachusetts). and In
order to frustrate their designs the
fort threw shells occasionally among
them. About half-past s our cavalry
charged upon them, which had the ef-
feet of driving them back some dis
tance. The skirmishing was still kept
up. however. and a little after Z
o'clock our infantry was brought up
and placed in line in front Of Fort
Stevens. while the cavalry deployed
to the right. The object Of this move
ment. or it's results. was not known
when we left the vicinity OF the scene
of action last night"
Sharpshooters Active.
During the afternoon of the 11th
the sharpshooters were quite active
dences of Mrs. Reeves and Mrs. Car
berry, on either side Of the 7th street
road, and from their concealed posi-
tions picked off three sergeants
shooting them through the head. Due
to the sharpshooters' activities. a
number Of residences had to be de-
stroyed. including the homes of Rich
ard Butts. William Bell. J. H. Nc.
Chesney. Mr.. Shoemaker and the house
occupied by the family of William NJ
Morrison. Time, however. was al
lowed the owners of these to remove
the furniture. and the road leading to
the city was said to be lined with
wagons conveying it to a place OF
safety.
Individual patriotism Of the citi-
zens of Washington was present on
the first day Of the battle, for it is
recorded that several citizens. includ-
ing policemen and others, took active
part in the engagement, prominent
among whom were Augustus Norton,
p McChesney and Officers Boose and
Beale.
President Lincoln was here on this
as well as on the following day. when
he was accompanied by Secretary
Seward and a cavalry escort. It was
on one of these visits that he was
ordered from the top of the parapet
by Gen. Wright, after a surgeon by
his side had been wounded by a
mimic ball. According to Mr.. w. v.
Cox's work on The Defense of Wash
ington." Gen. Wright is reported to
have said: Il entreated the President
not to expose his life to the bullets Of
the enemy but he seemed oblivious
to his surroundings Finally, when I
found my entreaties failed to make
any impression on him, I said, Mr..
President, know you are commander
of the armies of the United States,
but I am in command here. and as
you are not safe where you are
standing, and I am responsible for
your personal safety, 1 order you to
come DOWN Mr.. Lincoln looked at
me, smiled, and then, more in con-
sideration of my earnestness than
from inclination. stepped down and
took position behind the parapet.
Even then he would persist in stand
ing up and exposing his tall FORM.
Secretary Seward is said to nave
been satisfied with viewing the en-
gagement from his carriage at COM
manding point.
T The second days battle began with
considerable skirmishing In the morn
ing. when the Confederate skirmish-
ers worked up to within 300 yards OF