Senator Lane: Kansans to protect the White House (LOC - LC-BH82- 4185)
A day after the Virginia convention passed a secession ordinance there were still lots of rumors about a Confederate attack on Washington, D.C.
From The New-York Times April 19, 1861:
WASHINGTON, Thursday, April 18. …
REPORTED ATTACK ON WASHINGTON.
There has been much anxiety here to-day, became of reports that 2,500 men from Virginia were to attack Washington to-night, and vigilance, to prevent surprise, is doubled. Everybody is on the qui vive, even private citizens supplying themselves with arms and ammunition to be ready for any emergency.
The belief is very general that the attack will be made within the next two days. This is highly improbable, as we have now over 3,000 men here under arms, with picket guards stationed in every direction outside the city. The Long Bridge, connecting the city with Virginia, is guarded constantly by both artillery and infantry. It has two draws which can be thrown open by two men. The Georgetown Aqueduct, and all the other approaches, are equally well watched, and the distance to the city by any other route from Virginia, is so great that any movement of a large body of troops would be discovered, and reported in ample time to concentrate a force for its defence.
David Hunter: in charge of the Frontier Guards April 1861 (LOC)
Senator JIM LANE, of Kansas, has formed a corps of volunteers, who have been accepted by the Government, and appointed for special guard duty at the White House. They already have seventy-five men. The East room is their armory; one-half do duty while the others sleep. They were received at the White House by the President. …
DISPATCH TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, April 18. …
It is the intention of the War Department to muster companies enough in this District to yield a force approaching three thousand men.
The soldiers of the war of 1812 are about adopting a military organization and offering their services for the defence of the seat of Government. …
The rumors of an attempted invasion of Washington to-night, has excited much war feeling. Whatever may be the ground for such reports it is certain that the Government is expeditiously making preparations for all emergencies.
Nice Barracks: White House East Room during A. Johnson administration (Collection of Jim Hood)
The Kansas men now here, about six hundred in number, have formed a company called the Frontier Guards. The have been given the post of honor in the East Room of the President’s House.
So many houses have been altered free of charge by citizens for the quartering of troops, that it is unnecessary to rent any more for that purpose. …
The entire atory is at The New York Times Archive
James Henry Lane had been recently elected as one of Kansas’ first U.S. senators and is said to have arrived in Washington on April 13th.
David Hunter accompanied President-elect Lincoln on his February train trip from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C
You can see a photo of the Frontier Guards in front of the White House at The Cleveland Civil War Rountable.
