This illustration in the May 25, 1861 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment with some civilians, and mattresses on the floor in the rotunda of the Capitol in Washington. To most Americans, the sight of armed National Guard troops sleeping in the Capitol Rotunda this past week was shocking and disturbing. But it also was an echo of the far-distant past — the Capitol was used as a bivouac for troops during the Civil War.
Insurrection was in the air, and these citizen soldiers had been called up to secure the seat of government.The date was April 27, 1861. The writer was surgeon of the 8th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.Having transcribed my great-grandparents’ Civil War correspondence, I knew that Bowman’s unit had spent the first days of the war bivouacked in what he called “the Hall of the Dome.
And, so, when President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the inusrrection of the Southern states, there was no question but that Bowman -- privileged son of a wealthy industrialist -- would go. While the enlisted men slept in the rotunda, the 10 officers shared a small room just off the main hall.“A little room opening from that serves for my hospital, very small and very inconvenient,” Bowman wrote. “I have not been able to open my medical stores yet and can use only what I can carry about in my bag. I have been on the run Ever since I came here, trying to arrange matters, but red tape rules here and I have been referred from one to another till I am tired out.
The day after their arrival, Bowman and his comrades were treated to a visit from Secretary of State William H. Seward and the president himself. “All that has Ever been said of Lincolns awkwardness is mild compared with the reality,” Bowman wrote. “Some of his gestures would make the fortune of a circus clown.”“The men gave three cheers for Lincoln, three for Seward and three rouses for the Union,” Bowman wrote.
AllenGBreed Not shocking,
AllenGBreed The Confederate flag was never flown in D.C. The man/men who disgraced our House should be put down. This isn't some innocent gathering. This is offense on our Nation. There is no pretending this is not a stain, forever on all of us.
AllenGBreed Didn’t Nancy Pelosi call them storm troopers a few months ago?
AllenGBreed ... echo of historical racial wounds that have not healed. ... echo of un solved racist posturing that have not been resolved. ... echo of uncomfortable conversations the US hasn’t had. HouseGOP SenateGOP gop GOPChairwoman GOPLeader
AllenGBreed Not my America... Trumps he is a cancer on our ideals & beliefts..let him go & let's rebuild on the good..🙏🏻 it's a pleasure not to read his 💩
AllenGBreed At this point Biden’s inauguration is bigger than Trump’s with National Guard numbers alone.
AllenGBreed Bevouacking ain't a new thing
AllenGBreed They need not play. If someone tries to storm; shoot to kill.
AllenGBreed 14th Amendment Section 3 is from around the same time when some members of congress tried to not certify Abe Lincoln in 1864. ExpelTheSeditionists
AllenGBreed Why was Trump banned?
AllenGBreed Just UNREAL and heartbreaking! 💔
AllenGBreed Yeah well, the Trump supporters do want a civil war, that's why they stormed the capitol.
AllenGBreed Stop the Civil War bullshit. This is nothing like that, we're not close to another one... Shut. Up.
AllenGBreed I believe the soviets used the same method in the 1920’s with operation trust
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