Evening star., 1948-07-11

of the Potomac, a few Regulars and
militia made up of citizens and de-
partmental employees. However. there
seemed to have been no lack Of Off
GERS, for it was facetiously said that
there were -four times as many gen.
erals in Washington as privates."
Here was Early's opportunity.
That he faltered and failed was
fortunate for the country, but 1t is
probable he would have succeeded
had he taken the chance then and
there. Early's men needed rest. He
was willing to kill the enemy, but
not his own soldiers. While his
army was resting, the gallant 9th
Corps was hitting only the high
spots on the Seventh street pike,
and when, on the morning of the
18th he saw through his glasses
Gen. Wright's magnificent army
manning the fort in front of him,
he no doubt abandoned all iaten-
ton of attempting to enter the
Capital. True, the oath New York
Cavalry had arrived from the
James, on July 16, but even this re-
Enforcement would not have been
sufficient to have repulsed Early
without the help of the 9Th Corps.
Whisky Obstruction
One of the reasons assigned for
Early not entering Washington i'm
mediately upon his arrival was that
his men came upon perfectly good
barrel of Bourbon whisky in the
cellar of the home of Francis P.
Blair of Silver Spring, and that
they could not be induced to leave
it for fear it might spoil or evapo-
rate in their absence. Montgomery
Blair, then Lincolns Postmaster
General, and Francis P.'s son, lived
nearby and he did not fare so well,
for his home was burned.
Under the cover OF darkness, Gen.
Early, on the night of July II, with
drew his forces and crossed over
into Virginia at Whites Ford III
Loudoun County. The retreat was
done with skill and perfection, and
the Union forces were not aware OF
his retreat until he was too far
away to be overtaken.
One of the most interesting things
about Fort Stevens is the fact that
it was here, during the engagement
referred to, that President Lincoln
was under fire Various accounts
of this episode are given, but the
most interesting of all, taken from
an account printed many years ago,
is as follows:
President Lincoln. accompanied
by his wife. came on the grounds
in a carriage Seeing Gen, Wright,
he at once extended his hand, say
ing: General. I am very glad to
see you. This looks as though we
were going to do something.
Lincoln Under Fire
"Mr. President, said the general,
pointing toward Fort Stevens, If
you'll Just come along down there
with me, I'll show you one of the
prettiest little fights you could wish
to see
"'No sooner were the words out of
my mouth remarked Gen. Wright,
in speaking of the matter after
ward, than I deeply regretted hav-
ing uttered them. fully realized
that the Presidents life was far too
valuable to be brought into danger
by any careless words of mine. But
it was too late. He not only accepted
my invitation but insisted upon &C
companying me, Notwithstanding all
I could say to prevent him. He sent
his wife back and when I mounted
the parapet, there he was beside me,
looking out upon the scene with a
great deal of interest. The enemy's
sharpshooters were firing pretty
closely and I explained to him that
the place was entirely too danger
GUS for him.
att is not more dangerous for me
than it is for you,' he replied coolly.
"'But, it is my duty to be here
while it is your duty not to expose
Yourself. Your position requires