Washington D.C.

Oliver Edwards

It was after sunset July 9th that the 6th Corps received orders to march to City Point there to embark for Washington, but it was late in the day of July 10th before we were embarked. Gen. D.A.Russell’s headquarters, and my Brigade’s Headquarters, with the 6th Maine Regiment were on a fast despatch[sic] boat and we landed at Washington June 11th at 12.30P.M. twenty-four hours ahead of the rest of my brigade.

               The 2nd Division of the 6th Corps reached Washington at the same time as a steamer loaded with troops of the 19th Corps from the Dept. of the Gulf; they were met at the wharf by President Lincoln and the crowds were wild in their enthusiastic greeting of the veterans of the 6th and 19th Corps. Before the arrival of these veterans Departmental Clerks, and hasty levys of one hundred day men, were about all there were between Early and Washington, but these veterans were quite another thing, and when we saw “Father Abraham’s” face light up as he welcomed us, we appreciated the relief he felt at the sight of his veterans, and we felt we could “whip our weight in wild cats”.

[page 101] Early on June 12th I sent Captain T.G.Colt to the landing at the wharves to await the arrival of my brigade and with General D.A.Russell rode out on 7th St. to Fort Stevens and inspected the front covered by the enemy; every foot of the ground was familiar to me, as “Couch’s division”, including my old brigade, had occupied the front covered by these Forts now threatened by Early. We now had our orders that the 2nd division would attack the enemy in front of Fort Slocum, and to the right of it, and that my brigade would attack in front of Fort Stevens.

               About 2 o’clock P.M. President Lincoln, General Wright, General Russell, General Upton and volunteer surgeon with others, including myself, were in Fort Stevens. I climbed on to the parapet to study the enemy’s position, my brigade was to attack and General Upton climbed up and stood on my left. I was standing close to an embrasure by a siege gun; a puff of smoke not over 150 yards in front and a sharpshooter’s bullet just missed my leg, and glancing from the wheel of the siege gun, passed close to Mr. Lincoln, and went through the thigh of the surgeon. General Wright with difficulty induced the President to sit down on the earth floor of the fort. Across the road that passed between Forts Steven and Slocum the 100 days men had built a barricade of rails full 10 ft. high, and as the head of my column came up, and the Pioneers received my order to “remove obstacles” the air was full of flying rails, and my brigade at the double quick moved in front of the fortified line, and deployed in front of Fort Stevens; then charged the enemy’s skirmish line. As we climbed the second fence within 200 yards, the enemy’s skirmishers ceased firing for a few seconds, standing motionless, and looking at us. It was then they saw the badge of the Greek Cross and knew for the first time that they had veteran troops in their front. We occupied their skirmish line, and the siege of Washington was raised. As we were deploying in front of Fort Masshcusetts[sic] I saw the President’s tall hat, and revered face above the parapet of the Fort, and General Wright could not induce him to keep in a safe place when his veterans were advancing.

[page 102] In my front the rebels were easily driven, but to my right the attacking lines suffered severely. We bivouacked on the field until midnight, when we were relieved from the front line.

               The enemy retreated all night, but it was noon on the 13th before pursuit was commenced. AAs we passed the “Black Bear Inn” I was greeted warmly by Col. John Hay, Private Secretary to the President. We pushed rapidly in pursuit, making nearly twenty miles before bivouacking for the night. On my arrival in Washington ahead of my command, I had visited the Ordnance Dept. and Captain Balch, Assistant Chief, offered to do me any favor “in their line”. When I asked for Spencer magazine army rifles for the 37th Mass. Captain B. said it was impossible to grant my request, but seeing some blanks- form 40 – special requisitions, on a desk, I made out requisition in duplicate, and bidding good bye to Captain Balch, told him I should send the Quarter Master of the 37th Mass. for the Spencers, and I got them; they were received here June 14th, and they enabled the 37th Mass. to render the service of five times their number armed with muzzle loading guns. Within 1000 yards range, this Spencer rifle was as deadly a weapon as the latest improved army rifle is now.

               It was really due to the fatherly care and foresight for his State’s regiments of Governor John A. Andrew, that I secured this deadly arm for the 37th Mass. as it was owing to the fact that Governor Andrew had turned over the War Dept. 1800 Spencers on condition that they should only be issued to Massahcusetts[sic] troops, and in the hands of this grand Massachusetts regiment, they did such invaluable service as to cover the 37th Mass. and the inventor, C.M. Spencer, with glory.