Evening star., 1941-09-07
By John ClageH Proctor.

By John ClageH Proctor.
Arlington County, Va, and nearby
Fairfax County contain many historic
sites and record many interesting oc-
eurences dating back to Colonial days.
But to find something historically in
teresting in either of these counties one
does not have 70 go back farther than
the Civil War. During the Early months
of that conflict, at least, both counties
were alternately in the hands of the
North or the South, and even later, too,
since Mosby and his men frequently
spread alarm when sudden dash was
made upon some Union outpost or small
unsupported detachment of Northern
troops.
However, by November 20, 1861, things
seem to have been safe enough for Gen.
Mcclellan to stage at Baileys Cross
Roads, in Fairfax County, one of the
greatest of the grand reviews that the
Union Army had during the war, and
here many man had his first military
training for the great conflict fought
between 1861 and 1865.
Naturally, for the assembling and
drilling of this large army. the surround
ing country was we'll fortified and pro-
tected, nearly all the country traversed
by the Seminary road, which led to a
large seminary building for educational
purposes near Alexandra, being COW
cred by abatis a few fortified points
ie,Io Jirton
Parades More Frequent
"Little Mack" as he was affectionately
called by his men, was much for show
and strong for reviews. Indeed, he
seems to have rather liked the spectacu-
lar side of military life, and even prior
TO this inspection gave another review
right here in Washington, the result
of which is chronicled by Regis de Tro-
brand, brevet major general, United
States Volunteers, as follows:
"The first occasion which was offered
to me to appreciate with any correct
ness, what progress the organization of
the Army had already made, was a
grand review of cavalry and artillery by
Gen. Mcclellan. 1t took place on the
oath of September, in the field east of
Washington, behind the Capitol. At that
time we were not yet plase on military
parades, which became more and more
frequent as the troops became better
prepared to figure in them to advantage,
by their bearing and by their instruction
to- n1y1fIn If he hYNn o
present, maneuvering was not yet on the
program. The movements were confined
to passing in review and defiling The
weather was magnificent. The people
thronged upon the drill grounds, and
admired without reserve nine batteries
of artillery, each having six pieces; 81
guns of different models, mostly new,
everything in perfect order. The men
appeared as we'll as the 'materiel,' each
one at his post, irreproachable in bear
ing. Three thousand cavalry we're in
line, we'll dressed, not so well mounted,
betraying their inexperience in the for
nation in column and defihng.
Prince and Nephews
quite a number OF superior officers
had obtained permission to witness the
review and received invitations to join
the staff of the general in chief.
amid these uniforms without en-
broidery, but severely military, three
horsemen in civil dress naturally drew
to themselves the attention of all. These
three privileged citizens, whose names
were asked, were Prince de Joinville and
his two nepheWs, the Comte de Paris and
Duke de Chatres, scions of a dethroned
royalty. The young princes came to offer
their services TO the Federal Government
and to follow in republican army and
career of arms which had already led
one of them to the field of battle in
Italy.
AT this review, where saw for the
firsS time the young prince, there was
seen very simple open carriage min
Cling on terms of democratic equality
with other carriages loaded with spec
tators. And yet it carried Mr.. Lincoln
and his family. 1t was to be observed
that the eyes of the people were not
upon the President of the Republic.
The man upon whom more. than upon
any other depended the safety or ruin
of the country at the hour of supreme
peril, upon whom weighed the highest
responsibility, remained unnoticed in the
crowd except by those in his immediate
vicinity, without guard or without at
tendants."
Review on Grand Scale
However, the Baileys Cross Roads re-
view was undoubtedly arranged upon