Evening star., 1932-10-16
Civil Kv mep Of the denes Of the Chain Bridge
Beautiful Rolling Hills and Delightful
Scenery Haze Alz0ays aroused admiration
ofViatms- History of Clay-Randolbh
BIO0dLess Duel Remembered.

elevation and affording more room for the ice
and driftwood.
In 1872 Congress appropriated 500 600 for
rebuilding the Chain Bridge from which appro-
priation the work has been done"
DERHAPS, historically, the bridge which pre-
] ceded the present one was the most noted
Of all, since it was here during the Civil War,
for brief while during the early days of that
struggle it was the only thing in this vicinity
that separated Union and Confederate soldiers
who guarded 1t from either end. Soon, how
ever when nearby Virginia fell into the hands
of the Northern troops, both ends were care
fully guarded by Union soldiers, Fort Marcy
being erected on the Virginia side little way
up ON the Leesburg and Georgetown Turnpike,
and Fort Ethan Allen a little way of to the
south Both forts being most naturally erected
at strategic points, and for this same reason.
it is quite probable that lookouts were placed
on the high hill upon which stands the resi-
dence Of Secretary Doak, who has at the en-
trance Of bis carriage way a sign which reads:
"Doak
Notre
Mid"
This, the writer at first thought, meant mo
visitors" but later was told it was Spanish for
"our nest" which brings to mind the story Of
the Irishman who, after intently gazing at
side-show picture Of a mermaid, bearing the
name Psyche" was heard to exclaim: That's
q devil of a way to spell fish,"
Not far from the bridge within the District.
were Batteries Martin Scott Kemble and Ver-
mont with Fort Gains little to the rear,
while on the Maryland side, not far from the
river, we're Batteries Bailey and Alexander, and
Forts Mansfield, Davis, Cross, Kirby and Sum-
ner.
Gen. John G. Barnard in his report on the
defenses Of Washington during the Civil War.
made in 1871, refers to the means taken to
10 -hridpe during the earlV months OF
the conflict. He says
"At an early date, defensive measures had
been taken at the Chain Bridge, consisting OF
q barricade Immediately over the first pier from
the Virginia side, with movable staircase, by
which the defenders could retreat over the
fat below leaving the bridge open to the fire
of two mountain howitzers, placed Immediately
at its Maryland end, of battery on the bluff
above Martin Scott Of one 8-inch seacoast
howitzer and two 35-pounders. As even this
last battery was commanded by heights on the
Virginia side, it was deemed proper to erect
another cailed Vermont at higher point,
which should command the Virginia heights,
and at the same time sweep the approaches OF
the enemy along the Maryland shore Of the
Potomac.
But the occupation of the Virginia shore at
the Chain Bridge was essential to the
future operations of our Army in Virginia. to
the prestige of our arms, and incidentally i'm
portant to the defense of Washington. 1t was
only delayed until our force was sufficient to
authorize its accomplishment. Gen. w. F.
Smiths division crossed the bridge on the night
Of September "a, and Forts Ethan Allen and
Marcy were Immediately begun and speedily
finished"
THOUGH this report does not say so, yet IT
] is fact that it was our own $500 three
month District volunteers first troops to
be mustered into the Federal service-who early
guarded this bridge and other important high