Evening star., 1938-05-08

and the Chain Bridge, were guarded
by the Union troops. However, while
the Chain Bridge was still being
picketed on the Virginia side by
Southern men. the results were not
always satisfactory to the North. and
certainly not to the people Of the
District, for upon one occasion We find 1
that all milk teams crossing this
bridge for Georgetown were stopped
on the Virginia side. and not per-
mitted to cross over, with the result
that the Georgetown residents had to
go without milk upon that occasion.
But after the secession of Virginia
became fact, formidable precautions
were taken to protect the Capital and
the new waterworks which had only
recently been completed from Great
Falls to Washington For this pur- .
pose, not far from the District side
Of the bridge were erected Batteries
Martin Scott, Kemble and Vermont,
with Fort Gains a little to the rear,
while farther up the river on the
Maryland side were Forts Sumner,
Kirby, Cross and Davis, and Batteries
Bailey, Benson and Alexander.
ZEN. JOHN Q. BARNARD, in n
report on the dSfenses of WASH
ington during the Civil War, made
in 1871, refers to the means taken
to protect this bridge during the eafiy
months of the conflict He says:
AT an early date defensive meas
ures had been taken at the Chain
Bridge. consisting of barricade i'm
mediately over the first pier from the
Virginia side. with movable STAIR
case, by which the defenders could
retreat over the fiat below. leaving
the bridge open to the fire of two noun
tain howitzers, placed Immediately at
its Maryland end, of battery on
the bluff above Martin Scott of one
8-inch seacoast howitzer and two 35-
Founders. AS even this last battery
was commanded by heights on the
Virginia side, it was deemed proper
to erect another, called Vermont, at
q higher point. which should com->
mand 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 essen.
tial to the future operations of our
Army in Virginia, to the prestige OF
our arms, and incidentally important
to the defense of Washington. 1t was
only delayed until our force was suf-
ficient to authorize its acrum1.Ssh. ),
ment. 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
L 10, yet it is a fact that It was our
own $500 three-month District Vol
unteers-the first troops to be mus
tered into the Federal service-who
early guarded this bridge and other
important highways around the Dis
trict, as well as public property within
the city itself, before and after the
arrival Of outside assistance, and.
although this statement is known to
be true, yet the remarks on the subject
made by COL Charles p. Stone, u. S. A.,
will add to its support and weight.
He said:
They guarded the public buildings
and property. They, at the same time.
guarded the bridges and roads giving
entrance to the city, holding . line
Of about 18 miles in length when
Washington was cut OF from COM il.
munication with the rest Of the coun-
try. They seized and guarded the
supply Of flour which made bread for
lsee PROCTOR, Page C-S.)