Evening star., 1920-07-13
NOTED HEROES SEE
TABLET UNVEILED
Fort Stevens Memorial on
Spot Where Lincoln Faced
Hail of Bullets.

HdI vi OulIclS.
yelling yesterday afternoon of a
bronze tablet dedicated to the memory
of Abraham Lincoln. Gen. Horatio
Wright and his soldiers who fell in
battle at Fort Stevens, Brightwood,
July II and u, 1864. on the site indi-
Gated by the tablet
The ceremonies. which celebrated
the tifty-sixth anniversary of the bat
tie OF the fort, were held under the
auspices of the Fort Stevens-Lincoln
Association, composed of veterans of
the civil war. Numerous speakers eX-
tolled the virtues Of the martyred
President and the spirit of Gen.
Wright and his command.
The fight, which took place on the
site marked, is reputed to be the only
one in which a President of the United
States exercised actual command of
troops under fire.
Battle Scenes Recalled.
The tablet was unveiled by Miss
Anna Nicholas Wooton and Edward
of Gen. Wright. Preceding the main
ceremony. incidents of the battle and
its history were told by Col. Barry
Bulkley, DR.. Thomas Calver and Col.
John McElroy. DR.. c. V. Pettys, who
introduced the presiding officer w. v.
~.
the event Numerous comrades of the
battle and their relatives paid tribute
to President Lincoln and the troops
which fought under him fifty-six
years ago. Among those making re-
marks were Mrs. Isabel Worrell Ball
and Capt. II. c. La Rowe.
DR.. George t. Stevens. historian or
the 9Th United States Army Corps. in
a short address, "A Memory of Fort
Stevens" which followed the unveil-
ing of the tablet, gave an interesting
account of important phases of the
battle, together with "reminiscences OF
personalities engaged in the struggle.
Col. Bulkley paid tribute to the
fearlessness of those who fought for
the preservation of the Union, and told
of the brave stand made by Gen. Wright
and especially by President Lincoln
the bullet-swept field to place of com
parative safety. although he realized
that his life was in danger. This was
in Interpretation of the design, Lincoln
Under Fire. from which the tablet
was cast.
Dr. Calver described the march of the
rgallant 9th Corps in glowing terms.
John NJ Kline, jr., touched a responsive
chord of the patriotic audience with a
dramatic recitation of the ''Star Spang-
led Banner" James E. Kelly of New
York. sculptor, who executed the design
for the monument, was introduced.
Salute American Flag.
The exercises were opened with the
sounding of Assembly" by bugler Of
the Navy Yard Band; Immediately fol,
lowing this Frederick D. Owen raised
a flag as the crowd stood rigidly at at
tention. some with their hats to their
breasts. the veterans with the hand sa-
lutte of the Regular Army.
Upon completion of the salute to the
audience still standing, played the "Star
Spangled Banner" the men and women
Joining in with their voices, led by L. F.
Randolph. The Rev. Forest ]. Pretty
man, chaplain of the Senate, then Of
fered the invocation. The unveiling
selection by the band The bendiction
was pronounced by the Rev. George F.
Dudley. rector of st. Stephens Episco-
pal Church.
In introducing DR.. Petteys. who Is
president of the Associated Survivors
of the 9Th Army Corps. DR.. Cox de-
clared that Gen. Wright's timely ar
rival at Fort Stevens with the 9Th
Corps saved Washington from capture
by Confederate troops. He contrasted
the changed appearance of the Battle
ground cemetery with the field of
battle Of more than half a century
ago.
I'VE welcome you to Fort Stevens
where the martyred President stood
exposed to the fire of the Confederate
sharpshooters. the first and only Pres
ident of the United States who was in
tie, an event which will be marked
with bronze and granite this after
noon"
The speaker pointed to the rough
boulder which forms the base of the
monument as marking the parapet
where President Lincoln stood when
ordered by Gen. Wright to retreat to
a place of less danger. He explained
how the idea of preserving the site of
the battle as shrine for those who
died there originated and the steps
taken to carry out the plan of placing
a tablet thereupon.
The names of the forty comrades
killed in action during the battle at
Brightwood. and who are buried in
the cemetery, were read.
List of Contributors.
The list of contributors to the fund
raised to erect the monument follows:
DR.. Charles A. Petteys, Harry Ben
nett, Howard NJ. Gilman, John NJ.
Kline, Gen. J. Warren Keifer. Col. An
drew Cowan. Capt. Henry c.. La
Bundy T. E. Sewell. Alfred H Hull
bart, Ira Soule, C. A. Parsons. Har-
rison Huckins, Lyman A. Upson, Capt
Alex. Scott. George w. Sayre, r. T.
Gregg, J. H C. Brewer. Rosa Wright
Smith daughter 9Th Corps, DR.. H.
w. Wootton, R. H. Moses. j. E. Kelly,
Orville 7. Chamberlain, John w.
Rohoback. Thomas r. Conner, Col
John McElroy, John H. Benning, Peter
l. w. Welteroth. William T. Hilton,
George T. Stevens, M. D., Pr. D: Will
liam Cushing. ]. w. Wadsworth, jr.;
Col Wright Smith, U. S. O.; Mrs
Charles H. Richardson, Gen. William
H. Seward. Cornelius Ten Eick, ]. E.
Clark, Mai. H. S. Kimberly, u. s. A.,