USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Centennial history of the city of Washington, D. C. With full outline of the natural advantages, accounts of the Indian tribes, selection of the site, founding of the city to the present time > Part 21
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might have been, the results of his great work are everywhere visible; they are enjoyed by those who opposed and criticized him as well as by those who approved his work and stood by him. The great debt created has been advantageously funded, and will be paid by the future as well as by the present. At this time many of those who were his detractors have become his eulogists.
In closing this chapter it may be well to present in brief the number and extent of the public reservations and the length of the streets and avenues. The public grounds of the city of Washington consist of 331 reservations, containing 413.32 acres of land. Fifty-five of these are highly improved, and contain 231.28 acres; 47 of them are partially improved, containing 110.55 acres; and 229 remain unim- proved, containing 71.49 acres. This statement does not include Rock Creek Park, lately condemned and converted into the largest park in the city, embracing within its limits nearly 2,000 acres, and costing nearly one million and a half of dollars.
Following is a summary of the length in miles and area in square yards of the various kinds of pavements at present upon the streets of Washington: Of sheet asphalt, 49.7 miles, 1,089,858 square yards; coal tar, 38.2 miles, 881,939 square yards; asphalt block, 10.1 miles, 242,736 square yards; granite blocks, 24.5 miles, 609,687 square yards; cobble and blue rock, 10.8 miles, 440,754 square yards; macadam, 10.4 miles, 293,218 square yards; gravel, 26.2 miles, 530,188 square yards. Total length of paved streets, 169.9 miles; total area, 4,088,380 square yards. The length of streets unimproved is 65.6, miles, making the total length of the streets 235.5 miles. The area of the unimproved streets is 1,167,672 square yards, making the total area of the streets 5,256,052 square yards.
The march of improvement in the city, begun in 1871, has been ceaselessly onward. Twenty years of constant, unremitting, intelligent attention to its progress has worked wonders in the appearance of the Capital. Pushing outward along the magnificent avennes, the grand plan of L'Enfant is being developed, as the city progresses, in a way that astonishes and delights its citizens. Already this progress has overleaped the old boundaries, and passing the confines intended by our forefathers, is peopling the hills that surround it like an amphi- theater. The style of buildings is in keeping with the grandeur of the plan; while the beautiful parks, trees, flowers, and shrubs, the fountains, statues, and splendid public edifices, all combined, make it a city worthy of the name of Washington.
CHAPTER VIII.
MILITARY HISTORY.
The Causes of the War of 1812-15-The Embargoes-Tammany Society of Washington to President Jefferson - War in Prospect -President Madison Convenes Congress- Congress Declares War - Recruiting in Washington - Reorganization of the Militia of the District - Military Organizations- British Ships in the Potomac-Excitement in Washington - General Winder Arrives in Washington -- The Battle of St. Leonard's - The Battle of Bladensburg - President Madison's Proclamation - Peace through the Treaty of Ghent -The War with Mexico - Annexation of Texas by Treaty or Joint Resolution - Organization of Troops for the War-Peace with Mexico - The War of the Rebellion - Brief Statement of its Causes-The Insurrection at Harper's Ferry - Ratification Meetings - Attack on the Republican Headquarters - Meeting of Southern Senators to Further the Secession of Their States-The Peace Convention - Mr. Lincoln's Arrival in Washington - His Inauguration - Military Companies - Proclamation Calling for Seventy-five Thousand Men - First Troops to Arrive in Washington - Military Department Created - Militia Officers Commissioned - Battalions Organized - Crossing the Potomac -Colonel Ellsworth Killed - Fortifications Around the City - First War Dispatch from a Balloon - Battle of Bull Run-The Army Bakery -Troops in Defense of Washington - War Meeting in the Capitol - Second Battle of Bull Run - Battle of Antietam - Hos- pitals in Washington - Proclamation of Emancipation - Drafts in the District - Ladies' Relief Association - General Early Attacks Washington -Surrender of Richmond - Lee's Surrender -- Assassination of President Lincoln - Confiscation of Property -The Grand Review - Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia.
T' MIIE War of 1812-15 had its remote origin in the fact that Great Britain claimed and exercised the right to impress seamen from American vessels into her own service, upon the principle that a subject of Great Britain could not expatriate himself. For several years before the commencement of actual hostilities, in fact as far back as the close of the Revolutionary War, the newspapers of the United States contained frequent advertisements in the form of lists of American citizens serving on board of American vessels, arbitrarily seized while engaged in the performance of their duty, and thus impressed into the service of that nation, together with appeals to their friends for proof that they were citizens of the United States, and for the adoption of measures that would lead to the recovery of their liberty. Then, too, deserters from the British navy sometimes enlisted in the service of the United States, to whom, when discov- ered, but little merey was shown.
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In the spring of 1807, three of the seamen of the British ship Melampus deserted her and enlisted as a portion of the crew of the American frigate Chesapeake, then being fitted out at the Navy Yard at Washington to join the Mediterranean squadron. Mr. Erskine, who was then British minister at Washington, made a formal demand upon the President of the United States for their surrender. The Government of the United States instituted an investigation into the case of these deserters, by means of which it was well established that all three of the men were American subjects previously to their enlistment on board the Melampus. Their names were William Ware, John Strachan, and Daniel Martin. Martin was a colored man and a citizen of Massachusetts; the other two being white men and citizens of Maryland. These facts being sufficiently authenticated, the Gov- ernment of course refused to surrender them, and Mr. Erskine said no more upon the subject.
The failure to secure the surrender of these three men led Vice- Admiral Berkeley to an assumption of authority which caused a great deal of trouble between the two nations. Vice-Admiral Berkeley was on the Halifax Station, and a fleet under his command was at the time lying off Lynnhaven Bay, watching a French fleet that was on the coast, as well as American commercial movements. About the beginning of June, 1807, the Chesapeake sailed from Washington to Norfolk, where she reported as ready for sea to Commodore James Barron, the flag officer of the Mediterranean squadron, June 22. She sailed from Hampton Roads under the immediate command of Captain Gordon, armed with twenty-eight eighteen pounders on her gun deck and twelve carronades on her upper deck. Her crew numbered three hundred and seventy-five men. The British squadron in Lynnhaven Bay were watching her,, as well as the French frigates, the Leonard, of the British squadron, being particularly on the lookout for the Chesapeake. The Leonard, mounting fifty-six guns, preceded the Chesa- peake to sea several miles, until about three o'clock in the afternoon, when she bore down upon the Chesapeake and hailed her, informing Commodore Barron that she had a dispatch for him. The lieutenant of the British boat which came alongside, who was politely received by the Commodore in the cabin of the Chesapeake, informed the Commodore that he was in search of deserters, and, giving their names, demanded their release, in accordance with instructions issued June 1, 1807, by Vice-Admiral Berkeley, to all the captains in the British squadron. Commodore Barron replied that he knew of no deserters on board of his ship, and that his crew could not be mus-
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tered except by their own officers. In the meantime, the officers of the Chesapeake, suspicious of intended mischief, prepared the ship as well as they could for action, and upon the retirement of the British lieutenant, Commodore Barron, himself fearing hostile action in con- sequence of his refusal to surrender the deserters, called his men to quarters. Soon afterward a shot was sent from the Leonard across the bow of the Chesapeake, and in a few moments another, and then a whole broadside was fired into the American ship. In several broad- sides that followed, three of Commodore Barron's men were killed and eighteen wounded. The Chesapeake, being really in a helpless condition, could offer no resistance, and was compelled to surrender. The three deserters above mentioned, and one other named Jolm Wilson, were found on board the Chesapeake, taken - on board the Leonard, and thence to Halifax, where Wilson, who was a British subject, was tried and hanged. The other three were reprieved on condition of reentering the British service. One of the three Amer- icans died in captivity, and the other two, in June, 1812, were restored to the ship from which they had been taken.
This act of Vice-Admiral Berkeley, when brought to the atten- tion of the British Government, was disavowed by Earl Canning, and Berkeley was recalled from his command. The commander of the Leonard was discharged from his command, and never again employed by his Government. On the other hand, Commodore Barron was greatly blamed by the American people for his misfortune. The national pride was deeply wounded, and it was necessary that it should be appeased. He was accused of neglect of duty, was tried on this charge by a court martial, found guilty, and suspended for five years without pay. Captain Gordon was also tried on the same charge, as well as Captain Hall, but both were ouly privately repri- manded, while the gunner was cashiered for not having sufficient priming powder prepared. It is altogether likely, however, that the blame rested with the Government more than with the officers of the Chesapeake, though it is not deemed proper to pursue the investi- gation of this point in this volume.
The President, on July 2, issued a proclamation, in which he complained bitterly of the habitual insolence of the British cruisers, expressed his belief that the outrage on the Chesapeake was unauthor- ized, and ordered all British armed vessels to leave the waters of the United States immediately. The schooner Recenge was sent to England with instructions to the American ministers, Monroe and Pinckney, who demanded reparation for insults and injuries in the case of the
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Chesapeake, and insisted by way of security for the future, that the right of visitation of American vessels in search of British subjects should be totally relinquished. The British Government refused to treat on any subject except that of reparation. A disavowal of the act had already been made, and every disposition shown to be just and friendly. But no satisfactory understanding could be arrived at.
President Jefferson, in his message to Congress, December 18, 1807, on account of the attempted destruction by France under Napoleon, and by the British Government, of the commerce of the United States, by the operation of the Berlin decree of the former and the orders of the Council of the latter, suggested by way of retaliation the passage of an embargo act. And what is most remark- able, the Senate on the same day, after four hours' debate, passed such an act by a large majority. Three days later the House passed the same act, and on the 22d the President approved it. The object of this act was to preserve and develop the resources of the United States and to compel France and England to relinquish their hostility to the commerce of a neutral nation. But in both directions it was a failure, except that to a slight extent it tended to develop American manufactures. But how to develop commerce through its destrue- tion is a problem that has not yet been solved. It turned out to be of assistance to France in her efforts to destroy the commerce of England, and the pride of England would not permit her to modify her action with reference thereto, she thinking she could endure the inconveniences of the American embargo as long as could the United States. In this position England was correct. The United States could not prosper without intercourse with the outside world, and the evils inflicted on her commerce by her own embargo were far greater than those inflicted on that of England or France. After considerable unfortunate experience, the policy of decree, orders, and embargo were alike abandoned.
On the occasion of the taking of the Chesapeake, the Tammany Society of Washington City sent an address to the "Grand Sachem of the Seventeen United Tribes of America," Thomas Jefferson, Presi- dent of the United States, expressing regret that they had reason to believe that the calumet of peace was to be exchanged for the toma- hawk of war, the Nation having been insulted and menaced by a foreign tribe. They beheld with horror the perfidious attack made upon our national canoe, the Chesapeake, on our own shore by the mer- cenary warriors of another tribe, beyond the wide waters, professing toward us amity and friendship.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
About the time of these occurrences news came to Washington from all along the northern frontier that the English were exciting the Indians against the Americans, and making treaties with them to the end that they would certainly be on the side of the British in case of war. Even as far toward the north and west as Chicago it was firmly believed that war with Great Britain was inevitable. Then, too, to add to the gloom of the prospect, the embargo was bitterly denounced in many sections; though of course it was sustained by the friends of Mr. Jefferson and many others, who, though not especially his friends, yet were friends of their country without refer- ence to his administration. The probable effect of the embargo was not understood by all, and many had so much confidence in Mr. Jefferson's wisdom that through this confidence they sustained the embargo, instead of through knowledge of its nature. "In 1794 an embargo did not produce a war, and we hope in 1807 it will avert one. If in this we should be disappointed it will at least yield the means of waging it with good effect."
In April, 1808, the names of seventy seamen claiming to be citi- zens of the United States were published by the War Department, with the request that their friends would supply the department with the proof necessary to establish their citizenship, and the promise was made that then measures would be taken to secure their liberty.
Thus matters continued until after Mr. Madison was elected President, and all through his first term,-the English persisting in their aggressions and the United States Government striving to avoid a war. At length, on July 24, 1811, President Madison, desirons_of serving a second term, and hearing the ground trembling with dissatis- faction at his peaceful policy, convened Congress in extra session, to meet November 4, that year. This Congress, in January, 1812, passed a measure providing for the addition of 25,000 men to the military forces, which was the first war measure adopted. On February 21, 1812, appropriations were made for sustaining this additional force, and on the 24th nearly six hundred nominations of officers were sent into the Senate by the President, which nominations were confirmed March 12. During this month recruiting for the addition to the military was commeneed, and by the 15th the mails were burdened with notifica- tions of appointment to officers in all parts of the country.
April 4, 1812, another embargo was laid upon all ships and vessels in the ports of the United States, for ninety days from the passage of the act, with certain exceptions. April 13, a meeting was held at which was organized a company to manufacture solid shot, the factory
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MILITARY HISTORY.
established being named "Bruff's Pressed Shot Factory." By May 1, Thomas Ewell & Company had their gunpowder mills in operation, the capacity of which was two thousand pounds per day, both of these establishments being in the immediate vicinity of Washington.
War was declared by Congress, June 18, 1812. The enlistment of troops proceeded somewhat slowly until the surrender of Detroit by General Hull, August 16, 1812. This surrender filled the country with indignation, it being felt as an inglorious stain upon the country's honor. Then volunteers in great numbers flocked to arms, impelled by the noblest sentiments of patriotism. This sentiment now was well-nigh universal; for while previously there had been a difference of opinion as to the necessity or policy of war, yet, when actual hostil- ities commenced, and a stigma had been cast upon the American name, it became almost universally the opinion that no course but that of war was admissible. In Washington, the "Union Light Infantry Company" was organized, and commanded by Captain Davidson, and the " Washington Troop of Horse," by Captain Elias B. Caldwell. By September 29, a full company of one hundred and sixty men was ready for the field in Alexandria, having been organized on the 26th by the election of James McGuire captain, Robert Smith lieu- tenant, and Charles L. Nevitt ensign. Their services were tendered to and accepted by the President. The "First Legion of the District of Columbia" was officered as follows: William Smith, lieutenant- colonel, commanding; George Peter, adjutant; William Whaun, quar- termaster; Clement Smith, paymaster; Dr. Frederick May, surgeon; John Ott, surgeon's mate; E. Cummings, quartermaster's sergeant; John Simpson, fife major.
February 16, 1813, Adjutant George C. Washington, by order of Brigadier-General John P. Van Ness, required the commanding officers of the cavalry of the District to be ready to march at the sound of the trumpet, and on March 30 Brigadier-General Van Ness issued orders to the cavalry to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice. John Tayloe was lieutenant-colonel of cavalry. In connection with these orders was published a list of the officers of the several companies, together with the dates of their several commissions, as follows:
Columbian Dragoons-Captain, William Thornton, June 6, 1811; John Law, first lieutenant, June 6, 1811.
Georgetown Hussars- Captain, John Peter, June 6, 1811; first lieu- tenant, J. S. Williams, June 15, 1811; second lieutenant, William S. Ridgely, May 30, 1812.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Washington Light Horse-Captain, Elias B. Caldwell, May 30, 1812; first lieutenant, R. C. Weightman, May 30, 1812; second lieu- tenant, N. L. Queen, May 30, 1812.
Alexandria Dragoons-Captain, J. H. Mandeville, June 6, 1811; first lieutenant, William H. Maynadier, June 6, 1811; second lieuten- ant, John Dulany, May 8, 1811.
The regimental staff was as follows: Adjutant, George C. Wash- ington; quartermaster, William Crawford; paymaster, Daniel Brent; surgeon, Dr. G. Clark; sergeant-major, Nicholas Worthington. Benja- min H. Latrobe was civil and military engineer at the Navy Yard.
May 8, 1813, there was a mass meeting of the citizens of Wash- ington held to consider the propriety of adopting such measures as might further promote the defense of the city. Mayor Daniel Rapine was called to the chair, and Joseph Gales, Jr., made secretary. After some discussion it was determined to appoint a vigilance committee, whose duty it should be to consult with the citizens of the District and to communicate with the General Government on behalf of the city upon the subject of the probable security or danger of the city. The committee as appointed consisted of the Mayor and eight other citizens as follows: Thomas Munroe, John Davidson, Walter Jones, Jr., Peter Lenox, Buckner Thruston, Daniel Carroll of Dud- dington, Alexander Mc Williams, and John Davis of Abel.
About this time the militia of the District was reorganized, with the following officers:
Major-general, John P. Van Ness; brigadier-generals, Robert Young and Walter Smith; adjutant-general, John Cox; assistant adjutant-gen- eral, George Peter; brigade-majors, Philip Triplett and John S. Wil- liams; colonels, George Magruder, William Brent, and William Allen Dangerfield; lieutenant-colonels, James Thompson, Michael Nourse, and Adam Lynn; majors, Lawrence Hoof, Adam King, and Joel Brown.
Captains of infantry, Charles L. Nevitt, David Whann, Josiah M. Speake, Richard Johns, James Cassin, John llollingshead, Elisha W. Williams, Craven T. Peyton, George Fitzgerald, and Alexander Hunter; captain of riffemen, Horace Field.
Captain of artillery, Benjamin Burch, with numerous lieutenants and ensigns, as follows: Lieutenants of infantry, Edward Edmonston, Abraham Wingart, John Fowler, Henry Beatty, Charles Warren, Wil- liam Morton, Thomas L. McKenny, Bernard II. Tomlinson, Ambrose White, Thomas W. Peyton, Levin Moreland, Leonard Adams, Gustavus Harrison, Robert Smith, and Alexander L. Joncherez.
Lieutenant of riflemen, David Mankins; first lieutenant of artillery,
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Alexander McCormick; second lieutenant of artillery, Shadrack Davis; lieutenant of grenadiers, John Goddard; ensign of grenadiers, George Ripple; ensign of riflemen, Francis Huceru; ensigns of infantry, Gus- tavus Alexander, Marsham Jamesou, John Mitchell, James B. Holmead, William Williams, Francis Lowndes, Robert B. Kirby, and John Gilily.
May 11, 1813, Assistant Adjutant-General C. K. Gardner issued orders to Major-General Jolm P. Van Ness that he should furnish from his division of militia the following detachment, to rendezvous at Washington on the 20th of the same month, under the law of February 28, 1795, and to report to Colonel Carberry, of the Thirty- sixth Regiment of United States Infantry :
Of infantry, 1 major, 4 captains, 4 lieutenants, 4 ensigns, and 400 rank and file; of artillery, 1 captain, 1 first lieutenant, 1 second lieu- tenant, 1 adjutant, 1 quartermaster, 1 surgeon's mate, and 100 rank and file.
The militia of the District had already, on the day before, been organized as follows, by Major-General Van Ness:
" The President of the United States having been pleased, under the authority vested in him by law, to adopt a new organization for the militia of the District of Columbia, better adapted to its present circumstances and more agreeable to the present army arrangements, whereby the militia of the District is formed into a division consisting of two brigades, each brigade to consist of two regiments," etc.
"In reminding the officers of the division of the late arrange- ments the Major-General thinks proper, in conformity therewith, to order that Colonels Magruder and Brent, and the regiments under their respective commands, compose the First Brigade, under the immediate command of Brigadier-General Smith; and that Colonel Dangerfield and Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant Tayloe, with the regiments under their respective commands, compose the Second Bri- gade, under the immediate command of Brigadier-General Young.
" Majors Robert Y. Brent and William S. Radcliff are selected as Major-General's aids-de-camp."
Brigade orders were issued, May 13, by Brigadier-General Walter Smith, to the effect that the militia of the District of Columbia, with the exception of the cavalry, should be formed into two distinct regiments, and constitute the First Columbian Brigade; the First Regiment to be commanded by Colonel George Magruder, assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, and to consist of the following compa- nies: Captains Ross's and Briscoe's infantry, and the infantry previously commanded by Captains Nourse, Keely, and Brown, who had been
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promoted; Captains Davidson's and Ruth's light infantry, Captain Stull's riflemen, and Captain Edmonstou's grenadiers. The Second Regiment was to be commanded by Colonel William Brent, and to consist of Captains Morse's, MeKee's, Parry's, B. King's, Bestor's, Blake's, Var- num's, and Hughes's infantry, Burch's artillery, and Cassin's, Lenox's, and Young's light infantry.
The "senior volunteers," who had enrolled themselves in the summer of 1812, were requested to meet May 20, in order to be reorganized into a company, and the citizens of the Third Ward who were above the age of forty-five were also requested to meet May 22 for the same purpose. Accompanying these requests, the hope went forth that no one was so old as to have no patriotism in his bosom. According to the National Intelligencer, there was a good deal of a military spirit manifest among the people at that time. There had then recently been formed several companies, as has been narrated in our late paragraphs, and particular mention was made of the artillery company under Captain Burch. Four hundred of the militia of the District, drafted in accordance with a requisition of the War Depart- ment, and under the command of Major King, had been placed in the command of Colonel Carberry, of the regular army, and were then encamped on the hill above Way's Glass Works, between Georgetown and the Potomac River. The Government was roused to the necessity of guarding against any possible danger, and it was believed that the steps taken were sufficient to defend the city against any invading foree the enemy could bring against it.
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