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


and anxious interest in the battle OF
Fort Stevens on July II and II. 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 distressing and far-reaching
effect the loss of the capital would
have meant to the cause of the Union.
On Monday. July H.. 1854. Lincoln
was early in the field making his
rounds of the northern Notifications.
the direction of the expected attack
by Early's 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 3
am. today. accompanied by Assistant
Adjutant General Hardie and mount
ed escort. Yesterday he paid a simi-
lar visit of observation and inspec-
tfon. 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.O0O
troops. From a reliable source The
Star gave the following estimate:
The rebel army of invasion marched
down the valley $4,000 tsrong. includ-
ing 5000 cavalry. under command OF
Maj. Gen. Jubal Early and Brig. Gems:
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"
N a
morning of the 18th ordered out the
militia and volunteers of the District
and the following order resulted:
headquarters. D. c. Militia,
Washington. July II. 1854.
General Order No. 1:
Having this day been ordered by
the President to call out. for imme-
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 inn
| m ediat tely. 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-
sonally superintend the details of this
/; order and see that it is promptly exc
cuted. GEORGE c. THOMAS,
Maj Gen. Com"
Indeed. the President did not act an!
too soon, as will be seen from Th'
! Stars account of the operations o
the first day: The heavy skirmishine
| in front of Fort Stevens. in the vi
cinity of the 7th street road, yesterda.
| afternoon. continued until after dark
The rebels held a position in thu
| woods. from which they threw ou
skirmishers. who crept along thu
ground or fired from behind trees. A
one time they succeeded in getting
within range of the fort. and thell
off gunners. two of whom wer'
wounded. The rebels used no artillery
| but their movements indicated tha
they were endeavoring to plant bat
terry to bear on Fort Stevens Qately
known as Fort Massachusetts,, and IL
order to frustrate their designs thu
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 skfrmishing was still KEEP
up: however. and a little after
o'clock our infantry was brought W
and placed in line in front Of For
Stevens. while the cavalry deployet
to the right. The object Of this move
ment. or it's results, was not knowr
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
and annoying, occupying the resi-
| berry, on either side of the 7th stree
road, and from their concealed posi-
tions picked off three sergeants
shooting them through the head. Du'
to the sharpshooters' activities, {
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 hous,
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 t.
wagons conveying it to a place o,
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 cavalry escort. 1t was
on one of these visits that he was
ordered from the top of the parapet
by Gen. Wright, after 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
h q n
not to expose his life to the bullets of
the enemy; but he seemed oblivious
to his surroundings. Finally, when
found my entreaties failed to make
any impression on him, I said, Mr..
President, I 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, l 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 have
been satisfied with viewing the en-
gagement from his carriage at GULL
mandfng point.
The second days battle began with
considerable skirmishing in the morn
ing, when the Confederate skirmish.
ers worked up to within goo yards OF
the fort, being finally disiodged. Suo
saouentiy. the Confederates appeared
in Carbery's woods, on Rock creek,
between Clagett's place and Fort De
Russey, but well-aimed fire OF snens
caused them to get speedily unoer
cover. and doing great executioh'
ID. c. Volunteers Active.