February 15, 1861; The New York Herald
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 1861.
The first intimation the public received that Lieutenant General Winfield Scott meditated the occupation of the federal capital by federal troops was through a telegraphic despatch sent by the General from the city of Washington to Fort Leavenworth some two months ago. In this despatch General Scott ordered the presence here, with the utmost despatch, of the United States troops stationed at Leavenworth, excepting a few who were retained to garrison the fort. The nature of this order leaked out somewhere on the line between Washington and St. Louis and the fact was published in the newspapers, much to the chagrin of General Scott, and much to the alarm of some people and to the indignation of others in the federal capital. This initiative movement of General Scott once becoming known, there was but little, at any rate no extraordinary pains taken to conceal subsequent proceedings of a similar character.
WHY GENERAL SCOTT ORDERED THE TROOPS HERE.
Early as November last the acting Commander-in-Chief received intimations that the capital would be in danger on or before the 4th of March. He was informed, from time to time, that bodies of armed men, with hostile intent against the incoming administration, were holding secret meetings, and forming the most diabolical plans against the federal capital. These secret meetings, according to his information, were held in the adjoining States of Virginia and Maryland (especially in the city of Baltimore) and in the city of Washington itself. At one time it was reported that a force of ten thousand men was organized in Virginia to invade the District of Columbia. A close surveillance was instituted in this city upon all military meetings of a secret and suspicious character. General Scott was kept regularly informed of the proceedings of at least one of these meetings, through the faithlessness of one of the conspirators. These organizations, there is reason to believe, at one time numbered some seven hundred men, and were daily or nightly increasing in numbers, until, from several causes, the interest appeared to decline, and at this time it apparently has nearly, if not entirely, died out.
WHY THE CONSPIRACY APPEARS TO HAVE DIED OUT, AND WHY IT MAY BE REVIVED.
The decline in the ardor of the conspirators in this city may be ascribed to several causes. The principal, however, are two: – First, because the disturbing element of disunion was removed from Washington by the withdrawal of its chief advocates from Congress, and their departure to their homes. The absence of a formidable body of agitators, and the failure to receive their encouraging counsels, operated adversely to the cause the malcontents had espoused, and contributed largely to the discouragement of the whole project as laid down in the original programme. The second cause was the avowed intention of General Scott to protect the capital at all hazards, even if he had to call out fifty thousand volunteer troops in addition to the regular army; and he may have to do so yet, for if Virginia and Maryland secede, the grand struggle, as General Scott knows, will be for the possession of the federal capital, the national archives and the concentrated grandeur of a republic that has prospered beyond all example for three generations. The Commander-in-Chief argues with force that whichever of the two sections, North or South, hold possession of the archives of the government, to that section will the governments of Christendom concede the right of recognition. And like a shrewd old warrior, profiting by his experience in the war with Mexico, General Scott – for to his advice and urgent counsels all the regular military movements toward the capital for the last two months may be attributed – has determined to hold fast to that government which is in possession, and to turn the public property over intact, so far as it lies in his power, to that which legally succeeds it.
THE UNITED STATES TROOPS – ARTILLERY, DRAGOONS, SAPPERS AND MINERS, CAVALRY, &C.
Were one to judge from the great amount of talk about, and being planted at the doors of the capital, and all that, it might be readily imagined that an army of at least a hundred thousand regulars, armed cap-a-pie, and thirsting for the lives of innocent citizens, had been ordered to this city, and were here quartered upon the people, sucking their sustenance, if not their life blood. But the contrary appears, from an actual canvass of the troops in their different quarters, to be the case. So far from being a bloodthirsty set there is not a soldier among them who does not feel a melancholy sensation when reviewing his position.
They have been taught to fight for America and Americans, not against them; and while many may conceive it to be their duty to obey orders, even to a war against their own fellow citizens, there are not a few who would rather resign, aye, die, than do it. A very sad instance in the latter connection recently occurred in this city. So far from quartering on, or being a burthen to the citizens, their expenditures for provisions, clothing, fuel, incidentals and luxuries, have contributed not a little relief to our shopkeepers in these severe times.
The following is a list of the different Companies, commencing alphabetically with
COMPANY A, SAPPERS AND MINERS.
This is a detachment comprising sixty four men, rank and file, and three officers, of that truly serviceable branch of the military service, the sappers and miners. There is but one corps of the kind in the United States army, the balance of this company being now on duty in Oregon. The detachment here is commanded by Lieut. J. C. Duane, of New York, who entered the service July 1, 1848. His officers are First Lieut. Godfrey Weidzel, of Ohio, and Second Lieut. John A. Tardy, Jr., of New York.
The sappers and miners are quartered in Columbian Armory – very commodious quarters for the men, but rather confined for the officers. This armory is situated on a large tract of government reservation land, and is finely situated for military purposes, but so far from the city proper that it has been but little used by the local military, for whose service it was originally designed. The duty of the corps of sappers and miners is briefly, to do everything that turns up – to act as engineers, infantry, artillery, everything but cavalry. The corps has been in service fourteen years. It did admirably in Mexico, under Captain Ebenezer Swift, having seen a taste of war on a part of General Taylor’s line, and on the whole of that of General Scott, from Vera Cruz to the Halls of the Montezumas, taking a conspicuous part in every action. It was repeatedly complimented by the Commander-in-Chief in his official despatches. Since the Mexican war it has been detailed upon service in various parts of the country, particularly in Utah, and was among the columns which were sent to reinforce Gen. Johnson during the Mormon troubles. The company was not in any engagement there, the negotiations of the Peace Commissioners having settled the difficulties about the time of their arrival. They had, however, a good opportunity to improve the roads in their long and fatiguing march of 2,500 miles. It is to be hoped that their arrival here will be signalized by an event similar to that which marked their entrance into Utah – a happy solution of our national difficulties through the operations of Peace Commissioners, or by any other means.
COMPANY A, SECOND ARTILLERY,
Musters ninety one men, rank and file. The company is comfortably quartered at the Arsenal, and is commanded by Captain William F. Barry, of New York, who entered the army in 1838, and has seen much active service. His officers and men have also deserved well of their country, and are a fine looking set of men.
COMPANY D, FIRST ARTILLERY,
Is quartered on Capitol Hill, the government having leased several lots of land and erected temporary buildings for the purpose. The company is commanded by Brevet Major Joseph A. Haskin, of New York – a highly meritorious officer. He entered the service in 1839. The quarters of the company are within but a short distance of the place where the inauguration ceremonies usually take place. The company numbers fifty four men.
COMPANY E, SECOND ARTILLERY,
Is armed as infantry, with Minie muskets of 0.58 calibre. The company numbers, rank and file, seventy two with two officers. Commander Captain Arnold Elzey of Maryland – an officer who has served with much distinction in Mexico, Florida and other parts of the country. He and his company were in Kansas during the troublous times under Gov. Walker, having been sent to Fort Leavenworth from Fort Snelling. Afterwards he was ordered to Fort Smith, Arkansas and thence to the arsenal at Augusta, Ga., where he surrendered, with all the honors of war, to the State troops on the 24th of January last. Capt. Elzey distinguished himself at Fort Brown at the commencement of the Mexican war. He was at the siege of Vera Cruz, and at the battles of Cerro Gordo, Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, Chepultepec and City of Mexico, and is a brave and gallant officer. He entered the service in the year 1837. The second in command of company E is First Lieutenant Armstead L. Long, of Virginia, who has been about ten years in the service. No second lieutenant is attached to the corps. Officers ‘quarters are at Mrs. Lamb’s building, Pennsylvania avenue, opposite Willard. The men have good quarters in the new portion of the Treasury building, but cook their victuals and means at the officers’ quarters. In the various rapid marches and changes throughout the West and South Captain Elzey has lost but one man by death and three by desertion.
COMPANY H, SECOND ARTILLERY, Numbers sixty five rank and file, and three officers. In the rank and file are included four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, two artificers and fifty three privates. The corps is acting as foot, and is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Horace Brooks, of Massachusetts, who entered the service in 1835, and has seen military life in all its variety, and severity. Although born in Massachusetts most of his life has been passed in the South, in Cuba, the West and wherever his country demanded his services. His officers are First Lieutenant George L. Hartsuff, born in New York, and Second Lieutenant Stephen D. Ramseur, of North Carolina. Company H is quartered at No. 537 Seventeenth street, opposite the War Department, and appear ready to follow their brave commander anywhere in battle.
COMPANY I, FIRST ARTILLERY, Numbers four officers, ninety men and seventy two horses. The corps has a battery of three guns, six pounders, and one two pound howitzer, with caissons, battery wagon, forge, &c. It also has a harnessmaker, whose business it is to attend to the slightest damage to the harness of the horses, whether on parade, drill or in action. The implements of warfare used by this company are the guns above mentioned, with, of course, the usual side arms of the artillerists, and a destructive ball that is capable of carrying death to a hundred people, when it strikes and explodes. It is a new fashioned life destroying instrument, a patent spherical implement, with a gauge like that of a steam gauge on a first class sound or ocean steamer. It will tell how far the steam, as well as the fuse will go, in practiced hands. The officers of this corps are: – First Lieutenant, James B. Fry, of Illinois: Commanding First Lieutenant, Amos Beckwith, of Vermont (who ranks below Lieut. Slemmer, at Fort Pickens, Pensacola, only nine days); Second Lieutenant, Thomas C. Sullivan, of Ohio; Brevet Second Lieutenant, A. M. C. Pennington, Jr. of New Jersey.
There cannot be the slightest doubt about the proficiency of Company I in any emergency, especially at this time. Their quarters are more eligible and convenient than those of any other United States company called to the seat of government for any specific purpose. The troops, as well as the officers, are quartered on those, extensive premises known as the popular Female Academy, established by Mrs. Smith, whose arrangements, scholastic, gymnastic, aquarian and otherwise, failed to elicit the remunerative approbation of Washington people. The domicil was formerly occupied by Dr. Lawson, a distinguished habitue of the city, and improved in several particulars to accommodate the young ladies who, it was presumed, would flock to the place for mental and physical developement. A more appropriate place for the battery of the gallant corps who now occupy it could not have been selected, for nothing has been required to be done except to erect a line of sheds on the line of the fence of the capacious area for the accommodation of the horses of the troops. It may not be amiss to mention that in the quarters now occupied by United Stated troops the Prince of Wales made his first tournament with American young ladies at tenpins. The balls which company I fire are fixed ammunition. The armament is ready at a moment’s warning to scatter death among American people. The pieces are new, manufactured by C. Alger, of Boston, the same concern that sent a beautiful brass piece to free Italy, through Victor Emanuel, of Sardinia, at the instigation of the solid men of Boston. The old pieces of the corps, those which have seen so much good patriotic service in the cause of the Union, have been left at Fort Leavenworth. Lieutenant Fry, commanding the corps here, has been in service since 1847, and he looks like a determined and a true man.
COMPANY K, SECOND ARTILLERY, is a mounted battery of four pieces – two six pounders, two howitzers. The corps number, rank and file, seventy, with four officers. It is a West Point battery, and the graduates are well represented. The horses are quartered in Judiciary square, near the City Hall, and the men in comfortable dwellings on E street, between Fifth and Sixth. The stables for the horses are temporary structures, erected, like those for a similar purpose for the horses of Company I, by the government. The officers of this corps consist of First Lieutenant Charles Griffin, of Ohio, commanding. Lieutenant Griffin entered the service in 1847, and has the reputation of being a very capable Officer. He has seen service in Indian fights. First Lieutenant Alexander Piper, of Pennsylvania (Third artillery), who has seen some service in Indian warfare; Second Lieutenant Henry C. Symonds, of Massachusetts, an earnest aspirant for military distinction.
THE CARLISLE BARRACKS, PA.,
Are represented by a company of United States dragoons, numbering forty two men. They are quartered at the corner of Fourteenth and D streets, over Burchstable. The corps is commanded by First Lieutenant Jonas P. Holliday, of New York, who entered the service in 1850.
EXPECTED,
A company or detachment from Fort Jackson, Georgia, numbering about fifty men.
HERE NOW,
A company of forty ordnance men, at the arsenal, permanently located.
Five companies of marines, at the barracks, three hundred and fifty strong; Major Terret commanding.
LOCAL MILITARY FORCE.
There are a number of volunteer companies in the District, the principal being the Washington Light Infantry battalion, Colonel J. Y. Davis commanding; Company A., Captain Levi Towers commanding. This company was organized on the 12th of September, 1836, and has been in service from that date. The present captain paraded in the company at the first parade as a private. Company A numbers 70 men. Company B, Capt. P. M. Dubant commanding, also numbers 70 men, and was organized in June, 1860. The armory of companies A and B is on Pennsylvania avenue, between Ninth and Tenth streets, south side. Company C, Capt. Stevens, was organized in June, 1860, and numbers about the same as the other two companies.
National Guard Battalion – Company A, Lieut. Lloyd commanding; company B, Capt. P. King; company C, Capt. –––—, 140 men. This is a very active corps and has recently improved much in drill and discipline.
National Rifles, Capt. F. B. Schaffer commanding; First Lieut. L. D. Watkins; Second do. A. D. Davis; Third do., Henry Noe. This company numbers 117 men, and is armed with the Minie rifle, sabre bayonet. It was organized November 22, 1859. Capt. Schaffer has served several campaigns in the United States service, and at one time was military storekeeper in California. He is a very efficient officer, but an unfortunate misunderstanding has arisen between himself and Major General Weightman, who commands the volunteer force in the District; and so for as Gen. W. is concerned Captain Schaffer will be deprived of his commission. The War Department, on whom the responsibility rests, has, we understand, the matter under advisement. A spicy correspondence, rivalling that of Hayne and Buchanan in piquancy, it is reported, has taken place between Capt. S. and the Major General. It seems that Capt. S., although willing to take the new oath prescribed by Congress to the militia of the District, did not answer certain questions propounded by Gen. Weightman to that gentleman satisfaction. For instance, the General required an answer to the interrogatory whether he (Capt. S.) would, in the event of Maryland – of which State is a native – seceding, fight against her in order to protect the District. Capt. S. replied he would not – preferring to resign rather than do so. Whereupon General Weightman pronounces him disloyal and withholds his commission. Brigadier General Ould, District Attorney, sustains the position assumed by Captain Schaffer, that the Major General had no right to put the questions he did, and that Captain Schaffer was not required to answer them, the oath demanded by the law being all that was necessary to be put to the captain. The taking away of the howitzer belonging to the company by order of General Scott is a source of considerable ill feeling.
The President’s Mounted Guard, commanded by Capt. S. W. Owen, is an efficient cavalry corps, numbering about seventy five men. They have paraded recently and present a very soldierly appearance.
There are a number of other volunteer companies in the District, but space forbids particular enumeration. In all there are about ten volunteer companies in Washington, whose force averages sixty men per company, making an aggregate of six hundred men. In the adjoining precinct of Georgetown there are eight companies of volunteers, armed and equipped, and it is said, will parade on the 22d of February to the number of four hundred strong.
THE WHOLE RELIABLE FORCE,
Therefore, in the district, may be enumerated as follows:
Total United States force………………….. 984
Total Washington volunteer force…………. 600
Total Georgetown volunteer force…………. 400
……………………………………………–—
Total……………………… ……………1,984
In addition to this force, it should be recollected, volunteer enrolments are constantly going on, and drills are nightly held in the different armories. Perhaps a thousand good men may be relied upon from these enrolments for the protection of the city; but the number is uncertain. After all, in the hands of the people themselves, rests the solution of the question whether the Capitol shall or shall not be unlawfully seized and its splendid monuments of our country greatness destroyed.