Evening star., 1934-05-27

sideration Of my earneStness than from inch
nation, stepped down and took position behind
the parapet. Even then, he would persist In
standing up and exposing his tall form"
Fort Stevens was erected in October 1851,
and first called Fort Massachusetts, but
a year later this name was changed to Fort
Stevens in honor of Gen. Isaac ingalls, Stevens,
who was killed at Chantilly, Va The rampartS
of this defense extended from a point about
so feet north of old Brightwood SchoolhouSe
on Georgia avenue. in a northern direction for
about 160 feet then in general northwest
direction for 140 feet then northwest at q
more acute angle for 80 feet, then nearly west
for 220 feet, then southwest for about 80 feet,
with perimeter of ,I25 feet.
The fort had two magazines, one where
Emory Church stands. and the other to the
west where the depression is still visible 1t
was armed with 19 guns and mortarS.
THERE is question of doubt as to the
casualties. Gen Frank Wheaton reported
So killed in the 1st and Sd Brigade 9Th Corps
and las wounded. Dr. Robert Reyburn gives
the casualties of the 22d Corps as II killed.
81 wounded. and while the New York Cavalry
suffered severely on July IL, no losses are men
toned. although five of this regiment are
buried in battle-ground National Cemetery, and
others who died later are buried in Soldiers
Home and Arlington. which indicates the in
correctness of the official reports giving 81
killed and 319 wounded. The Confederate
losses given as 600 killed and wounded.
A number of physicians from Washington
went to the battle to render assistance and in
this connection The Star reports: "Dr Du-
hamel was present at the fort, and rendered
all the professional aid he could when re-
refs To Tlr n
Duhamel, father of former New York State
Senator, James F. Duhamel member of the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants
Naturally, there was much destruction of
property during this engagement by both
forces. but probably the most unjustifiable act
the burning of Falkland, the home of
Montgomery Blair, member of Lncoln's cab
met, by the enemy. However, the home of the
father. Francis Preston Blair was kept un-
harmed. perhaps because it was needed for
hospital purposes, for, after ALL the senior
Blair had another son, Francis Preston Blair.
jr, who was not only pro- Union. but major
general of volunteers in the Federal Army.
When the Confederate Army retreated from
Washington they left at the home of the
elder Blair. IL officers and 80 men, too severely
wounded in the action of July IL to be carried
away.
One of the reasons given for Early's not
being able to capture the city is said to have
been the discovery of barrel of Bourbon whis-
ky in the senior Blair'S cellar.
In the battle-ground National Cemetery. on
Georgia avenue, opposite the Walter Reed Gen
eral Hospital grounds lie the remains of 40
soldiers who gave their lives for the preserv-
ing of the Union and the saving of the Ma
tions Capital On Memorial day, little chill
dren will strew their graves with flowers and
Blair Lee will deliver the grafton
Just how many men participated in the bat
tie of Fort Stevens. or who were available in
crisis for service is hard to state with anY
degree of accuracy.
The Federal forces could not have exceeded
20,400 men, if all the available troops located
north and south of the Potomac had been at
Fort Stevens where there were actually 1886,