A history of Anne Arundel County in Maryland : adapted for use in the schools of the county, Part 12

Author: Riley, Elihu S. (Elihu Samuel), 1845-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Annapolis : C.G. Feldmeyer
Number of Pages: 258


USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > A history of Anne Arundel County in Maryland : adapted for use in the schools of the county > Part 12


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1816. A British Frigate arrived at Annapolis, March 16th, with the British Minister aboard. The Frigate saluted the town and the City Battery returned the salute. President Madison visited Annapolis in March.


1817. A steamboat, the Surprise, now regularly ran between Baltimore and Annapolis.


1818. Efforts were made in this year to remove the capital to Baltimore. Sunday Schools were opened in Annapolis in April.


PARAGRAPH 1. (a) From what period has Annapolis been a place of public interest? (b) What attracted the attention of the Colonies and England to Maryland? (c) What did the revolutionary record of Maryland win for her? (d) Who held Annapolis in affectionate remembrance? (e) What action did the Maryland Legislature take in 1826? (f) To what city is Annapolis the rear door of its capture? (g) What leading events have occurred at Annapolis? (h) Can you name some of the leading events in the history of Annapolis from 1815 to 1845?


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1821. The Act of Assembly was passed that provided for the building of the present Court House.


1822. Party local names at the city election this year were "Caneus " and "Anti-Canens." Canens won.


1823. A bill was passed to incorporate a company to build a bridge over the Severn.


1824. A census of Annapolis was taken, that, with the soldiers in the Fort, made the inhabitants number 2,500. Monday, April 19th, the boiler of the Steam- boat Eagle, on her first trip from Baltimore to Annapolis, exploded off North Point. A soldier from Fort Severn and Henry M. Murray, of Annapolis, lost their lives by this accident.


1827. The State Library was established in this year.


1828. In the election of delegates to the Legislature this year in Annapolis, the tickets were Jackson and Adams. One Jackson and one Adams delegate was elected.


1829. An act was passed to form a company to extend the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to Annapolis.


1830. A number of citizens pledged themselves to vote for no man who gave drink, money or anything else to purchase votes.


1835. The corner-stone of Humphrey Hall, St. John's College, was laid June 25th.


1840. The first passenger train left Annapolis for the Junction on Christmas day of this year.


CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTH.


THE NAVAL ACADEMY ESTABLISHED AT ANNAPOLIS.


1. An event of lasting importance to Annapolis, occurred on October 10th, 1845, when the Naval Academy was established there. For this the city of Annap- olis is indebted to a citizen of the county, Commodore Isaac Mayo, of the United States Navy. He knew the value of Annapolis as the site of the institution, and, as a member of the board of five officers to choose its location, from the first vote to the last ballot, Commodore Mayo supported the claims of Annapolis. Two places,


PARAGRAPH 1. (a) What occurred in Annapolis on October 10th, 1845? (b) To whom is the city of Annapolis indebted for the location of the Naval Academy in its midst? (c) What two places had two votes at the beginning?


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League Island and Newport, each had two votes at the beginning. Gradually the vote turned to Annapolis and it was chosen.


2. Previous to the location of the Academy, at Annapolis, first called the Poly- technie School, then the Naval School, and finally, the Naval Academy, Fort Severn and its gronds, consisting of nine acres, on which were the officers' quarters and the barracks for the garrison, were turned over to the naval authorities for the site of the new establishment. The growth of the Naval Academy in numbers and impor- tance has been marvellous. From scarcely fifty students, it has now nearly a thousand Midshipmen enjoying its curriculum ; from a handful of mean and dilapi- dated buildings, it is being transformed, by its commodious and magnificent edifices, into one of the architectural wonders of the world. The first sod, in this transfor- mation, was turned on April 24th, 1899, by Rear Admiral Frank V. McNair, then superintendent of the Naval Academy, and, at the time, the oldest living graduate of the Academy in the active service of the Navy.


3. The grounds of the Academy have equally increased in importance and acreage. From scarce ten acres in 1845, the Academy now covers 200 acres in Annapolis, and the Government Farm, practically a part of the institution, has 114 acres in its bounds. Across the Severn, a half mile distant from the Academy, are the grounds of Fort Madison, now used as an Experimental Station, and a rifle range for Marines and Midshipmen. They contain 90 acres of land.


4. The establishment of the Naval Academy at Annapolis quickened its waning trade, increased the value of its realties, enlarged its social advantages, and benefitted its citizens by contact with a large body of educated and professional men. Youth, as well as mature age, has been helped by the location of the institution here-the sports and festivities have been of large interest and constant entertainment to the active mind and enterprising energies of youth. The institution itself, acknowledged " as the best naval school in the world," has supplied the American Navy with a superior body of capable and efficient officers.


PARAGRAPH 2. (a) What was the Naval Academy first called? (b) How many acres did it con- tain when established? (c) What was turned over to the naval authorities for the site of the new establishment? (d) What has been the growth in numbers and importance of the Naval Academy? (e) How many midshipmen are there now? (f) How many were there when the Academy com- menced? (g) What change has taken place in its buildings? (A) Who turned the first sod of the new Naval Academy? (i) What was its date? (j) What was Admiral MeNair at this tinie ?


PARAGRAPH 3. (a) How have the grounds of the Academy increased? (b) To what extent have they grown?


PARAGRAPH 4. (a) What has the establishment of the Naval Academy at Annapolis done for the city?


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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINTH.


ANNE ARUNDEL FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT.


1. In the year 1866, the Naval Academy returned from Newport to Annapolis, and in 1870 St. John's College that had been closed during the civil war, resumed operations, under the Presidency of James C. Welling.


For the first time in the history of the whole country, at Annapolis, May 30th, 1883, the Union and Confederates joined together and decorated the graves of the common dead of the civil war. Meade Post, of the Grand Army of the Republic, set this patriotic example, by inviting Lieut. Samuel . T. Mccullough, late of the Confederate Army, to deliver the address on the occasion. The invitation was accepted in the same generous spirit in which it was tendered, and Federal and Confederate marched together to the silent city of the dead and laid their immor- telles on the graves of those who had died for their convictions on both sides of the great conflict.


On Wednesday, March 9th, 1887, the Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line began the running of its first regular trains.


On March 5th, 1894, the City of Annapolis and the Legislature celebrated the 200th anniversary of the removal of the capital from St. Mary's to Annapolis.


On April 8th, 1896, President Mckinley visited the Naval Academy. On May 11th and 12th, the Maryland Division of the Sons of the Veterans met at Annapolis.


2. The Chase Home was aglow Saturday afternoon, January 16, 1897, from 2 o'clock to 7, with the spirit of that colonial social life which made the charms and graces of Annapolis society famous to the remotest bounds of the American planta- tions. The brilliant occasion was the opening tea of a series of entertainments that were given during the season to aid the fund for the maintenance of the Chase Home. The historie house, with its broad halls and ample rooms, filled with the rich and antique, was an inviting spectacle to the hundreds of delighted visitors who came from Annapolis, Baltimore and the Naval Academy to enjoy the social festivities of the tea, and the sight of so many rare and valuable treasures of art and history. As one of the receiving ladies, well posted in chronology, said "adding the three lost years of history, we are now in the 20th century, and this house represents, in its furniture and fittings, four centuries, the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th."


PARAGRAPH 1. (@) When did the Naval Academy return to Annapolis from Newport ? (b) What year, after the civil war, did St. John's College re-open? (c) What was the first time that Union and Confederate soldiers joined together to decorate the graves of the common dead of the civil war? (d) At what place did the remarkable event occur? (e) Who set this patriotic example? (f) When dlid the Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line run its first train? (g) What notable anniversary was celebrated on March 5th, 1894? (A) Who visited Annapolis on April 6th. 1898?


PARAGRAPH 2. (4) What brilliant social event took place in Annapolis on January 16th, 1897?


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The receiving party was Mrs. J. Caile Harrison, directress of the Chase Home ; Mrs. William G. Ridont, Miss Prue Ridont, the Misses Craven, Miss MeFarland, Mrs. Engene Worthington, Miss Milligan and Miss Nelson of Annapolis ; Miss Juliette Wise, of the Naval Academy ; Miss Cora Rogers and Miss Virginia Wilson of Baltimore. The tea was served in the old dining room, to the right of the main hall and busy were the receiving ladies in waiting on their numerous guests. On the table were four pieces of candelabra, two single and two with three lights, that illuminated the Chase Home when Lafayette was a gnest here in 1824. These were used for the first time since the last owner's death, eight years ago, then having been stowed away in the vanlts of the Farmers' National Bank of Annapolis, and were only brought ont to grace the occasion.


3. Annapolis city became intensely patriotic at the opening of the Spanish- American War, and many volunteers immediately offered their services to the Government. Amongst these was Company G, of the First Regiment of the National Guard, commanded by Captain James C. Porter ; Lient. Philip E. Porter, and Lient. George R. Tydings. It was a most inspiring spectacle, as the hour for departure arrived, to witness the company file out of their Armory on Maryland Avenue, headed by their captain and, forming under the national colors stretched across the street, march away to camp escorted by the Naval Academy Band and the St. John's Battalion. Annapolis alone furnished to the Army and Navy about two lindred white volunteers. In addition to Company G, Company A, of the First Regiment, M. N. G., had a number of Annapolis volunteers in it. Amongst the officers of this company were Captain Edwin D. Pusey and Lient. Hugh Ridgely Riley, of Annapolis. These two companies served ten months, part of the time, at Camp Meade in Pennsylvania, then at Fortress Monroe, and later at Camp Mackenzie, in Augusta, Georgia.


4. After the battle off Santiago, July 3d, 1898, the Spanish Officers, captured from Cervera's fleet, were sent to the Naval Academy as prisoners of war. The captives were treated with marked consideration, and given the freedom of Annapolis every day until eight in the evening, when they had to report to the Academy. Admiral Cervera showed his confidence in the American people by walking through the streets of Annapolis, in company with several of his officers, the morning after his arrival, to attend worship at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They soon became familiar figures on the streets of " ye antient capital of Maryland," and, accepting many courtesies from our citizens, made warm friendships. The prisoners at once showed their respect for America by nneovering and saluting "Old Glory " as the morning colors rose, the day after they arrived, on the flag-staff at the Naval Academy. The cap- tives were both surprised and grateful for the courtesies they received, and, returned, after a nominal captivity of several months, to their country, with a high apprecia- tion of the American character.


PARAGRAPH 3. (@) How did Annapolis become at the opening of the Spanish-American war? (b) How many white volunteers did Annapolis furnish to the Army and Navy?


PARAGRAPH 4. (#) Who were sent as prisoners of war to Annapolis after naval action off San- tiago? (b) How were the captives treated? (() How did the prisoners show their respect for America?


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5. On February 12th, 1899, the great " blizzard " began at Annapolis, and for three days Annapolis was cut off from communication by road, rail, and water, from all other cities.


6. On May 14th, 1900, women voted in Annapolis for the first time in its history. Under an Act of Assembly, all taxpayers, as well as legal voters, were authorized to vote on a question of issning $121,000 of bonds to pay off a floating indebtedness of 821.000, and to improve, with the balance of the issue, the City Dock and Streets of Annapolis. A number of women taxpayers availed themselves of the privilege, two-thirds of whom voted for the bond issue. The ballot was indirectly made an educational test, as all voters had to write on the official ballot, "for" or "against the bonds," as they desired to vote. Few illiterates attempted to cast a ballot. The bond issue was carried by a large majority.


7. On May 21st, 1901, dedicatory ceremonies of the Southgate Memorial Shaft and Fountain, took place here. The Fountain and Shaft are located on Church Circle at the head of College Avenue, under the shadow of St. Anne's Protestant Episcopal Church, where Dr. William Southgate, in whose memory they are erected, by the citizens of Annapolis and by Old Parishioners of St. Anne's, served as rector for thirty years. The day was the second anniversary of his death.


S. The work on the " Addition to the State House" began in the fall of 1902. The addition is intended as the Hall of the House of Delegates and the Chamber of the Senate of Maryland, with apartments and committee rooms, for the use of the two Houses of the Legislature. The historic Senate Chamber and the State House, as it was when first erected in 1770, were preserved and the effort was made to secure an architecture in the addition in harmony with the old building. The editice, opposite the addition, known as the State building and commenced in 1901, is used as the apartments of the Court of Appeals and the State Library. There is room in the library rooms for 150,000 volumes.


9. This year (1902) the city lost one of its most historie houses. The Naval Academy authorities demolished the building which, from 1753 to 1867, had been the residence of all the Governors of Maryland. General Washington had been a guest in the house and many illustrious heroes of the Revolution had lived in this building, known as the Government House of Maryland.


10. On Monday, May 18, 1903, the Colonial Theatre was opened at Annapolis, on Church and Conduit streets, with the play of " The Holy City." Work was com- menced on the building December 4, 1902.


PARAGRAPH 5. (a) How long was Annapolis eut off from outside communication by the blizzard of February 12th, 1899?


PARAGRAPH 6. (@) Who voted in Annapolis for the first time on May 14th, 1900? (b) What was the occasion of their eligibility to vote? (c) How did the women taxpayers vote?


PARAGRAPH 7. (a) What was dedicated on May 21st, 1901, at Annapolis? (b) In whose memory was the shaft dedicated?


PARAGRAPH 8. (a) When did work on the addition to the State House begin?


PARAGRAPH 9. (a) What historie house did Annapolis lose in 1902?


PARAGRAPH 10. (a) When was the Colonial Theatre opened ?


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II. On October 5, 1903, the School of Application for the education of marine officers was opened at Annapolis, under the charge of Major Charles A. Doyen, U. S. M. C.


12. The year 1904 witnessed the restoration of Annapolis to its ancient digni- ties of the head of the civil government of Maryland. At this time Governor Warfield took up his residence, not only in its official, but its social and personal sense, and identified himself at once with the interests of Annapolis, reflecting the spirit of the age where its colonial and other subsequent Governors made it the focal point of State government. He opened the Governor's Mansion as "the people's honse," and made its charming apartments the scene of many social and official festivities.


13. On February 8th, 1904, the day after the commencement of the great fire in Baltimore, companies M and G, of the First Regiment, of the Maryland National Guard, were ordered with their regiment, to service in the guard of the Burnt District. The two companies were commanded by Major James C. Porter, and the companies were respectively officered, Company M, by Captain Hugh Ridgely Riley, and Lien- tenants William E. Hollidayoke and Zachary H. Cranford ; and Company G, by Cap- tain James C. Porter, and Lieutenants George R. Tydings and George T. Tydings. After eight days a number of the men of the two companies were detached, and a Provisional Company formed, with Captain Riley in command. This company served five days additional.


14. On May 15th, 1905, the Annapolis Banking and Trust Company, with Luther H. Gadd, as President, was opened for business. The one of the most noted events in Annapolitan annals in this year was the restoration of the Senate Chamber of Maryland to its ancient adornments and fixtures, as far as was possible, to the designs that obtained in it, when the great incidents that made it historie, occurred in this notable room. The old Gallery, the ancient Fire-Place, the Niche at the rear of the President's desk, have been duplicated, and the Governor, who took the keenest interest in the restoration, by his personal effort, secured, from a citizen of Annapolis, the desk that stood in the Chamber when Washington resigned his commission to Congress.


PARAGRAPH 11. (a) When was the School of Application opened?


PARAGRAPH 12. () What was witnessed this year in Annapolis?


PARAGRAPH 13. (a) What two Aunapolis companies were ordered to Baltimore after the great fire of February 7th, 1904?


PARAGRAPH 14. («) What was opened in Annapolis on May 15th, 1905?


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CHAPTER THIRTIETH.


RECEPTION OF THE REMAINS OF JOHN PAUL JONES.


1. An event, international in its interest, occurred at Annapolis, on July 24th, 1905, when the remains of John Paul Jones were received from the French nation by the representatives of the American Republic. The squadron of warships, under Rear Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee, U. S. N., from Cherbourg, France, bearing the body of John Paul Jones for burial at Annapolis, arrived in the Chesapeake, July 22, 1905. The squadron consisted of the flagship Brooklyn, which had the casket on board, the Galveston, Tacoma and Chattanooga. The ships were met outside the Virginia Capes by the Battleship Squadron of the North Atlantic Fleet, under Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans. This squadron was organized in two divisions, the first in the command of Rear Admiral Evans and the second commanded by Rear Admiral Charles H. Davis.


2. Admiral Sigsbee's squadron received a salute of fifteen gums from each division of the escorting ships, in honor of Admiral Jones as a vice-admiral. Upon reaching Cape Henry, Admiral Evans' Squadron, composed of the Maine as flagship, the Missouri, Kentucky and Kearsarge, passed into the lower Chesapeake Bay. Then came Admiral Sigsbee's squadron, and following the vessels of Rear Admiral Davis's division, composed of the battleships Alabama, Illinois, Massachusetts and Iowa.


3. Admirals Sigsbee and Davis's squadrons proceeded immediately up Chesa- peake Bay, bearing the body of Admiral Jones toward Annapolis, while the vessels of Admiral Evans' squadron sailed toward to Old Point Comfort, Va., en route to Lambert's Point, where they anchored.


4. At the peak of each warship the tri-color of France fluttered in the fresh breeze, while the American colors flew half-masted on the staff. The French cruiser Jnrien de la Graviere lay off Annapolis when the American fleet arrived.


5. On July 24th the body of Admiral Jones was transferred from the Brooklyn with due ceremony, and, amid the usual salutes, to the tug Standish, which bore the body to the shore, where an imposing guard was drawn up to receive it.


6. The escort consisted of midshipmen from each of the ships of the fleet, a battalion of sailors from the fleet, two companies of marines from the Naval


PARAGRAPH 1. () What noted event occurred in Annapolis in July, 1905?


PARAGRAPH 2. (1) How was Admiral Sigsbee's squadron received?


PARAGRAPH 3. (4) Toward what place did squadrons of Admiral Sigsbee and Davis proceed.


PARAGRAPH 4. («) How were colors of France and America placed upon their respective ships?


PARAGRAPH 5. (@) With what ceremonies were the remains of John Paul Jones transferred?


PARAGRAPH 6. (a) Of what did the escort consist?


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Academy, the battalion of midshipmen then at the Naval Academy and all the officers of the fleet and station.


7. The cortege was commanded by Rear Admiral Sigsbee and was headed by the Naval Academy band, under Prof. Charles A. Zimmerman. Next in the line were the marines of the home station, consisting of two companies, and following came the brigade of marines from the fleet. The band from the Brooklyn led the sailors' battalion, which was next, the fifty French blue jackets first and then the American ; then followed the midshipmen, the officers of the fleet and of the Academy. The hearse followed, flanked by the pall-bearers and followed by the French and American sailors who acted as honorary body bearers.


8. Admiral Sigsbee who was in command, marched in the rear, as the regula- tions for the occasion required. The body-bearers consisted of Rear Admiral James H. Sands and Charles H. Davis, Capt. Benjamin F. Tilley, Capt. E. D. Taussig, Captain William H. Reeder, U. S. N., and Capt. E. E. Gervais, command- ing the French cruiser Jurien de la Graviere. In front of the bier marched Chaplain H. H. Clark, of the Naval Academy, who conducted the religious services at the temporary vault, and Chaplain George L. Bayard, of the Brooklyn, who assisted him.


9. The assemblage of over a thousand men of the navy, in uniforms, made an impressive display. After a brief but most appropriate ceremony, the bier on which lay the casket was slowly pushed to the vault and deposited on trusses by the pall-bearers. The grating was then locked, the sentry posted, and the troops retired. The whole ceremony had occupied a little over half an hour. Not an untoward incident had marred it, and it was in every way as solemn and dignified as the notable event demanded.


10. Rear Admiral Sigsbee was in command of the exercises ashore and afloat. Rear Admiral Sands, superintendent of the Naval Academy, made all the shore arrangements. The first battalion of sailors was under command of Lient. Comdr. Henry F. Bryan, of the Alabama, the second under Lient. Comdr. Harry George, of the Tacoma ; the brigade, composed of the two battalions, was under Comdr. Reginald F. Nicholson, of the Tacoma. The marines were commanded by Captain Theodore H. Low, of the Alabama.


11. The formal national reception of the body, with appropriate exercises, is reserved until it shall be placed in the splendid naval chapel now being erected near the site of the temporary vanlt.


PARAGRAPH 7. (t) Who commanded the cortege? (b) Can you describe the procession?


PARAGRAPH 8. (a) Where did Admiral Sigsbee march? (b) Who were the body bearers? (€) Who conducted the religious exercises?


PARAGRAPH 9. (@) Of how many men did the assemblage consist? (b) Where was the body of John Paul Jones placed ?


PARAGRAPH 10. (a) Who commanded the exercises ashore and alloat?


PARAGRAPH 11. (a) To what time are the formal national exercises of the reception of the remains of Admiral Jones reserved ?


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CHAPTER THIRTY-FIRST.


WAR SCENES IN ANNAPOLIS.


1. On the 23d of April, 1861, after a dramatic correspondence with Gov. Hicks, in which he protested vehemently against the landing of Federal troops, Gen. Butler embarked his command from the Steamer Maryland, and seized the Annapolis and Elkridge Railroad. This called forth another protest from Governor Hicks who insisted that the occupancy of the road " would prevent the members of the Legislature from reaching Annapolis." The Governor had called the Legisla- ture in extra session to consider the serious condition of affairs in the State and Federal Union, growing out of the secession of the Southern States, and the resort to arms by the Federal authorities to bring them into subjection to the Federal Government. The place of meeting of the General Assembly was, upon the occu- paney of Annapolis by the Federal troops, changed to Frederick city.




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