rustycoinUT
November 28th, 2005, 12:56 PM
Here is a little information on the only major battle fought in our nations capitol.
Fort Stevens
July 1864
On July 11, Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early’s exhausted Confederates reached the outskirts of Washington near Silver Spring. Skirmishers advanced to feel the fortifications which at the time were manned only by Home Guards, clerks, convalescents, teamsters, and basically anyone who could hold a rifle and wear blue. There were a few veteran cavalry among them, dismounted after Sheridan had worn some units out at Trevalian Station. Early’s men captured a veteran trooper and this may have made him more cautious, but his men were dog-tired anyway and had little momentum.
During the night, veteran units from the Union VI Corps disembarked from troop transports and marched north through the streets of Washington to bolster the defenses. On July 12, Early was finally able to make a strong demonstration, but it was repulsed by the Union veterans. In the afternoon, VI Corps units sortied against the Confederate skirmishers, driving them back from their advanced positions in front of Forts Stevens and DeRussy. President Lincoln watched the action from Fort Stevens and came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., then a captain, yelled at the lanky civilian “Get down, you **** fool”
Recognizing that the Union capitol was now defended by veterans, Early abandoned any thought of taking the city. Early withdrew during the night, marching toward White’s Ford on the Potomac, ending his invasion of Maryland. “We didn’t take Washington,” Early told his staff officers, “but we scared Abe Lincoln like Hell.”
There was around 900 casulties in this little known battle for our countries capitol. If there is anyone with more information on this battle or any type of military action fought in our capitol send me an email or personal message.
Thanks
rustycoinUT
Fort Stevens
July 1864
On July 11, Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early’s exhausted Confederates reached the outskirts of Washington near Silver Spring. Skirmishers advanced to feel the fortifications which at the time were manned only by Home Guards, clerks, convalescents, teamsters, and basically anyone who could hold a rifle and wear blue. There were a few veteran cavalry among them, dismounted after Sheridan had worn some units out at Trevalian Station. Early’s men captured a veteran trooper and this may have made him more cautious, but his men were dog-tired anyway and had little momentum.
During the night, veteran units from the Union VI Corps disembarked from troop transports and marched north through the streets of Washington to bolster the defenses. On July 12, Early was finally able to make a strong demonstration, but it was repulsed by the Union veterans. In the afternoon, VI Corps units sortied against the Confederate skirmishers, driving them back from their advanced positions in front of Forts Stevens and DeRussy. President Lincoln watched the action from Fort Stevens and came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., then a captain, yelled at the lanky civilian “Get down, you **** fool”
Recognizing that the Union capitol was now defended by veterans, Early abandoned any thought of taking the city. Early withdrew during the night, marching toward White’s Ford on the Potomac, ending his invasion of Maryland. “We didn’t take Washington,” Early told his staff officers, “but we scared Abe Lincoln like Hell.”
There was around 900 casulties in this little known battle for our countries capitol. If there is anyone with more information on this battle or any type of military action fought in our capitol send me an email or personal message.
Thanks
rustycoinUT