An Incident in the Unwritten History of the Rebellion
In that portion of the Civil War history pertaining to the events in and around the city of Washington D. C. which occurred during the month of July, 1864, it will be shown that the Capitol was besieged as it were, by a rebel force under the command of the Confederate General Early, and known as “Early’s raid on Washington.”
A true account of the prominent part taken by the 149th Regiment O. V. I. in the defence of the Capitol will be found in the foregoing pages of this book, written by a comrade and member of Company A of said Regiment.
The writer of the following incident and a witness to the same, had the honor to hold a Commission, and in command of a company in the Regiment, and having been detailed by the General to store the surplus baggage of the Brigade of which our Regiment was a part (this preparatory to forced marches incident to the aforenamed campaign of defense) was on duty in the city when martial law was declared and was placed in charge of a company of Treasury Department Employees, and reported with the company out on Arlington Heights, and were assigned to a position behind the breast works previously thrown up, every sort of fighting force having been pressed into service for the city’s defense.
The necessity demanding it, for be it understood that the Confederate army under General Early was encamped uncomfortably near the city, and plainly in view from the U. S. signal station on the Heights.
The anxiety of the great president (Mr. Lincoln) for the safety of the Capitol was evidenced when he insisted in being taken to the very out post of the army in defense, giving a word of cheer to the soldiery as he passed along from one post to another, the president himself being actually under fire, as occasionally a bullet from the enemy’s sharpshooters would whiz past.
General Ord in command urged his retirement to a place of safety, and finally under protest was about to enter his carriage, (his military escort in waiting) his attention was attracted to a young calf tied to a tree near a farm house seemingly in great distress. This earth work be it remembered at this time was built through a lawn surrounding a farmer’s house, and after the close of the war bought by the Government and is now the National “Arlington Cemetery.” Mr. Lincoln’s great heart was touched at the distress of the young animal, and stepping from the carriage he was about to enter, went to examine the cause, when it was found that a small bullet had been imbedded in the tail of the calf and bleeding from the fresh wound. Mr. Lincoln taking out his pocket knife cut the ball out, and with a gentle pat on the back of the calf placed the ball in his pocket. Being again advised to retire to safer quarters he reluctantly boarded his carriage and was driven back to the city amid the shouts of the army.
This incident, a piece of unwritten history, proves the great sympathetic heart of the man. That while under the excitement and anxiety consequent on the danger of the besieged Capitol of the Nation, and his own life endangered, yet his sympathy and relief was extended to a poor dumb animal. ’Twas this spirit manifested and the ready relief extended to the boys in blue that entitled him to be called so affectionately “Father Abraham” by not only the boys of the army but the whole loyal North.
Through all dangers and discomforts consequent in “War’s Alarms” ’twas the manifestation of this kindness of heart, courage and sympathy that won the hearts of his countrymen, and made him the greatest American.
Edward R. McKee,
1st Lieut. Commander,
Co. A 149th Regiment O. V. I.