Evening star., 1939-05-07
carriages. Fort Washington VI

the carriages. Fort Washington W;
most respectable defense; il
mounted two 52-pounders, two 30
Founders, eight 24-pounders; In a
martello tower two 12-pounders.
with two lopholes for musketry, and
a battery in the rear mounting two
II and six pound field pieces"
1t was probably August % when
the fort was blown up and aban-
doned, or four days after the in
vasion Of Washington by the British.
Alexandria was captured on August
% and the enemy took away with
them 10000 barrels of flour. 1000
hogsheads of tobacco. $50 bales of
cotton and $4,000 worth of wines,
sugar and miscellaneous articles.
Alexandria also lost ships, brigs,
several bay and river craft and some
vessels that were burned.
Return Rumored.
After the British had left Alex
andria, and had sailed down the
river, there was rumor that they
intended to return, a rumor that
proved unfounded. But the people
Of the District Of Columbia were
quite alarmed and according to
Christian Hines met at
Lewis Tavern, on Pennsylvania
avenue. In an old brick house, near
where DR.. johnson now resides, be-
tween Seventeenth and Eighteenth
streets west. There we discussed the
matter, and finally concluded to ap-
point committee of three to make
collections among the citizens for
the purpose of employing workmen
to go to Fort Washington to assist
IN repairing it. An election was held
which resulted in the. selection of
William Worthington and John
Gardiner. Esqs., and myself as COL
lectors for that purpose. I believe
1t was George Graham, Esq, who
favored me with the nomination
On the next morning we commenced
the work of collecting and succeed
ed in raising about as much as
would enable us to purchase pro-
visions sufficient to last about a
week. And, as what was to be done
had to be accomplished quickly,
1t was concluded among us that 1,
being the youngest and most active
at that time, should make all neces-
sary arrangements to employ la
borers, engage vessel to take us
down to Fort Washington and to
do whatever else was necessary to
our speedy departure on our expe-
dition, while they would continue
the collection of money and be
prepared to pay of the men on
our return from the fort.
Labor Secured.
With this arrangement I was well
pleased. and Immediately COM
menced operations. I was authorized
to offer 81 per day and one pint of
whisky for laborers as an induce
ment, besides finding them. in
rations. I Immediately proceeded to
Blodgett's Hotel. where the general
post office now stands, in the vicinity
OF which I knew many Irish laborers.
particularly John and Morgan
Donoho. John, I knew, was an ex-
pert workman in his line Of business
and him I procured to assist me in
obtaining other suitable persons, and
concluded to make him foreman of
the workmen.
Il then went over to GEORGETOWN
and chartered the packet of my old
friend and acquaintance, Harry
Macpherson. to take us down to the
fort. and left directions to sail over
to Lear's Wharf early in the morning
In the meantime I procured pro-
visions by the assistance Of my
brothers, sufficient to last about
week, and sent them down to the
fort. The most Of them. however,
were potatoes. After this, having
prepared everything necessary for
our trip, notified the men where
and at what time to meet together
in the morning.
"Al being now in readiness, I went
to DR.. Blake, by appointment, who
gave me an open letter to Mr.. lie
Enfant, the engineer, in which the
doctor spoke Of me in high terms.
DR.. Blake was, at that time, Mayor
OF Washington. On the next morning
the men assembled at the old house
where still reside, near the corner
OF Twentieth and I streets, LIST ward,
with their picks and shovels on
their shoulders. After resting awhile
we started down to Lear's wharf
(Stone House,, went on board the
packet and sailed down to Fort
Washington.
L'Enfant Directed.
1T was late in the evening when
we arrived at the fort, and after
landing and securing my men under
shelter, I started of to Diggs' (about
half mile from the fort), where I
found the house pretty well crowded
with gentlemen from the neighbor-
hood. I presented my letter to Mr..
LIE Enfant. the engineer, conversed
with him q while. took . glass Of
wine with him and then went back
to my men. In the morning Mr..
(see Fort washington, Page C-SJ