Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 132, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1914 — Left Capital Vulnerable. [ARTICLE]

Left Capital Vulnerable.

One hundred years ago the residents of Washington .were seriously disturbed by rumors that the British were planning an expedition for the capture of their city. Grave as was the danger, the authorities were slow to move. After considerable delay a fleet of gunboats and barges were assembled and placed under the command of the veteran Commodore Barney, who had served with distinction in' the Revolution. But the land defenses were almost totally neglected. Though the government called for 15< 000 troops, the actual defense force about the national capital consisted of but a few hundred militia. In consequence, when the British finally marched on the city in midsummer they encountered little opposition.