Year: 1868

Orders 20 the Tr00ps-visit TO the Defences


Around Washington.


WASHINGTON, March 16, IS6S


The information brought to the War Department
week or two ago must certainly have been OF the
greatest importance, for the most elaborate prepara
tions have been made by the cautious Secretary OF
War de Jacto to preserve the capital Of the United
States from capture To any person within the
radius OF ofcal Jurisdiction the extensive character
Of the provisions made against surprise by power
ful and agile enemy would have recalled the perilous
days OF the rebellion. The preparations alluded to
could not have been known to any one not included
or In any way connected with the military service
the orders that were issued were given with such
secrecy and care.


Orders were issued to all the troops composing the
garrison Of washington, and in fact to those in the
Department, directing that officers should not be
permitted to leave their quarters for any considerable
length Of time and that enlisted men should not be
permitted to 60 from their barracks on the usual
visiting permits that are granted to them. Officers
quently during the day, and have the roll called to
be Of the presence OF the In the barracks.
AT the different military cantouments batteries OF
light artillery have been stationed; but as the
artilerymen TO work the batteries are an needed ct
the chain Of forts and batteries on the Virginia side
OF the Potomac such spare officers as can with srfey
be detached from these forts have been instructed to
report to the cantonments for the purpose Of educa





Every day the troops at the several barracks
throughout the city may be seen diligently exercising
in artillery and infantry tactics. The guns assigned
TO the infantry barracks are twelve FOUNDER
Napoleon guns, such as are suitable for
service in narrow streets account OF the ease with
which they may be manGuvred Within the last
week liberal supply OF fixed ammunition has been
dealt out for the service OF these guns.


Among the orders issued to the troops which garri
readiness to march at moments notice, with forty
rounds Of ammunition. Another order has been
given to the Quartermaster's Department to have
forty teams in readiness to engage in the duty OF
hauling ammunition, or TO move the quartermaster
and commissary stores into the garrisoned forts on
The statement made in these dispatches few days
since that strong guard had been sent to the Long
has since been abundantly confirmed. The panic in
the War Department was so great one week ago
called for and an oicer and several men were Tes
patched to the Long Bridge, there to await the ap-
proach OF the dreaded Mosby and his army. The in-
station themselves In o position suitable for
careful observation, and on the approach
to q the War aOd eve 1ns ha &C.
least minutes notice before the said body Of men
would have time to reach that point. All arrange
ments had been made In such way that that length
Of time would have been sufficient to enable the force
located In and around the War Department to have
defend the War Once to the last extremity army anu
After remaining on the look out few hours on the
night In question the officer was relieved by two nom





the post Of duty until the approach OF daylight.


Al apprehension Of q sudden raid from the once
rebellious Virginia Is not yet vanished as all OF these
posted around the Long Bridge are yet In force


sOn inquiring in the vicinity Of the Long Bridge
whether anything had been heard In reference to the
movements Of Mosby, or any other terrible leader OF
radical destroyers, the worthy citizens were amazed
Nothing OF these warlike preparations had vet
reached their ears One or two eossipy individuals
had heard that about fifteen thousand men were
drilling In Virginia but one Of them stated that he
understood they were the niggers at Freedmen's
village. And now what kind OF means have we
who have made the circuit OF the fortcations which
were thrown mp during the war to protect this city
can realize the vast amount OF labor that was ex-
the extent OF precauton taken TO repel aggression
on the national capital. Away FOR q circuit
Of thirty miles on the the northern northern and nearly
city, forts, batteries and redoubts In one con-
tinuous chain extended from hilltop to valley;
by the brook and by the river these frowning
centre Of the nation. When war prevailed and when
such grim protectors were needed, the salient and
the barbette guns showed their grim and gloomy
beautiful country around lost It's look OF pastoral
repose. But now that peace among us, these forts
become curtosities Of the past mementoes Of the
sangunary struggle through which the nation passed
and records OF the troubled and uncertain state OF
mems minds, especially in the city Of Washing
ton. Early had wholesome fear Of this great
between him and the White House, but he affected
TO despise its strength and In moment OF bravado
came up under the very guns intended 70 receive ali
fences when fully manned were strong and appa-
rently invulnerabe is an impression readily received
after observing the naturally commanding position
ros 4 sDc % pS DnS q
fact a. tversifed az the b0wy surfhce Of troubled
sea. the land rises and dips necessarily, leaving
ridges AMI eminepcss Of verous lhtudes.