Washington, DC. Time Takes Form

[JPK Huson 1863]

Yes, still stuck on Washington, DC pre Civil War and all those crushing years later. " If Washington, DC did not exist it would be necessary to invent it " Voltaire swiped that, little known fact. I think it originally came from Sickles, another little known fact. You heard it here first, at CWT. ( Volataire's quote is ' If God did not exist it would be necessary to invent him. Not as catchy. " Do not believe everything you read on the internet. " JPK Huson 1863)

" Reveille in Washington " may sound dreary; promise it is not. Really recommend anyone who has not read it, immediately find a copy, today. Those who prefer books focusing on the South's war same thing. According to Margaret Leech one aspect rendering life in DC as chaotic, semi-dangerous with an overlay of bizarre was the ability for ' sesesh ' to live and openly champion their cause there unimpeded. Southerners will positively enjoy Leech's beautifully non-deviating, pull-no-punches account of almost losing Washington to Early's stroll into artillery range. Union drawers caught down around their knees, Early enjoying himself hugely, the sesesh confident their day was at hand- city in literal turmoil.

I collect every, single photograph of Washington, DC possible. You know, meeting dodgy characters in dark alleys, exchanging envelopes under assumed names- ok, that never happened It could, if the promise of new photos of the era would find their way into an envelope......

My grgrgrandparents lived there through the entire war- maintained Caspari's House, where Lincoln bowled Congressmen used the hotel as home away from home, handy place right in the capitol complex. 11th and E? There's a photo in this collection which may have been taken from the roof there. Grgrgrandfather welcomed New York troops, on first muster there, grgrgrandmother had all rooms filled with wounded, post Bull Run, they suffered as his brother never came back, captured a political prisoner in the shambles. Seward stayed there when in town sometimes- his namesake, godson, William Henry, my grgrgrandfather and he stricken, the brother's death reached town. Calvin Huson- Google that, in LO
C Newspapers, terrible story. There were strings pulled through levels all the way up, he perished anyway
2 more brothers died in those years the remained In Washington., with Gettysburg wounded still in town and maybe in the house ( have no proof on this part ), my great grandmother and her sister were born.

Will shush. Washington DC during those years has always more than facinated me. Hope other members have some interest- the politics and mud, the elegance and squalor, the fear and belligerence in the face of all-too-near enemies. Knowing these people, our family were there smack in the middle of war smack dead center of the hub- cannot stop trying to ' meet' them.

Sorry so long. It can be boring reading other's stories. I love them- doesn't follow everyone does.

Washington, DC well pre-war, 1843. Pennsylvania Avenue

I do know whose troops are here, must come back and edit,

For Lincoln's inauguration there were 3 photographers, 1 close, 1 midway and one in the back of the crowd. Only these, the long range photos survive which makes me curious. Did the others vanish or are they known to have been destroyed?

The Capitol Dome nearing completion ( has ' Liberty ' been installed? Cannot tell ) with Botanical Gardens in foreground. The perspective in the photo is different than in others inclusive of the gardens.

What gets me is how beautifully these have survived- thank goodness. Still crazy-beautiful, we get to eavesdrop on the History we take for granted while walking by them daily.

Rats- now have forgotten which regiment this is? Cap in the background. I'm crazy about these photos, our nation's Capitol looming over this expanse, soldiers, artillery, horses- a nation at war.

Treasury Building, dawn

Ghosts of DC and LoC

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

I forget the year, cannot remember the fence when the Lincolns were in residence?

I know everyone has seen this, the conservatory attached to the White House. Wish we still had that.

This is cool. It would be cooler if I knew which spire we are seeing.

The Botanical Gardens directly beneath here indicates this was taken from the Capitol, Capitol Dome perhaps? Pretty amazing. Can anyone tell me which streets are what, please?

This is the photo I think could have been taken from Caspari's House- where my grgrgrandparents lived. Either there or in proximity. TERRIBLE with maps but great with visuals, will pull out all we have.

Post Office Building, era

I suppose the wagons constitute work trucks albeit army work trucks? A small supply train?

The Cassius Clay Battalion?

Marine Battalion in the Washington Navy Yard

We've seen this before, I think? If not, other photos. Wish this still existed.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Here is photo with Casparis House on the left.

Early photographic view of Washington, D.C. from the Capitol, looking southeast. LOC #3c27630u

Southeast view with New Jersey Ave. on the right and A Street and B Street (i.e., Independence Ave.) in the foreground; view includes the Washington Navy Yard, the Eastern Branch (i.e., Anacostia River), the Ebenezer United Methodist Church (i.e., Mount Joy Baptist Church), "Duddington" house, temporary government(?) wooden buildings, the Casparis House, Capitol Hill Restaurant and the Holmes Restaurant.

 

[Aussie Billy Sherman]

Great pics. They really take you back. My favourite dc building would have to be willards hotel.

 

[Drew]

I forget the year, cannot remember the fence when the Lincolns were in residence?

My mother was brought to the White House when the Roosevelts were in residence. She was allowed to walk right up to the north entrance, where there was a single guard in front of the door. I'll have to ask about a fence, but if there was one, the gate was open to Americans who wanted to just look.

Wonderful pictures, BTW. Thanks for posting.

 

[18thVirginia]

JPK, the last photo in post #2 is of the White House stables.

 

[18thVirginia]

Government Mess House, 1865, LOC.

 

[18thVirginia]

Old State Department Bldg., Corner 15th and Pennsylvania, LOC

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Here is photo with Casparis House on the left.
View attachment 81699
Early photographic view of Washington, D.C. from the Capitol, looking southeast. LOC #3c27630u

Southeast view with New Jersey Ave. on the right and A Street and B Street (i.e., Independence Ave.) in the foreground; view includes the Washington Navy Yard, the Eastern Branch (i.e., Anacostia River), the Ebenezer United Methodist Church (i.e., Mount Joy Baptist Church), "Duddington" house, temporary government(?) wooden buildings, the Casparis House, Capitol Hill Restaurant and the Holmes Restaurant.

Ha! Love this, thank you! The only place in this photo I knew was Casparis, pretty exciting having the entire photo identified, more individual landmarks toboot. Somewhere there are individual pics of some of these places too. That's the one, Casparis- knowing what was nearby, which street is which ( seeing maps is one thing, nothing gets it straight like a photograph ) what buildings looked like bridges Time somehow.

ME Wolfe knows the city inside out and backwards- could take one look, tell us what's there now, too!

Had to retrieve this from Ancestry- somewhere I have a file with a lot of close-ups, the back yard, the block, etc. Life in 1860's DC- this is right by the Capitol Complex. If anyone has New York ancestors who responded to the first call-up in 1861, quite a few crammed themselves into Casparis the first few days.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Ok, could not resist. Mike's photograph is such an amazing copy it allows an awful lot of editing. Love being able to look at photos in sections- like a weird Time voyeur, wonder if it's legal? ( before anyone reaches for the ' report ' option, promise that's a joke.... )

So- Lincoln hysterically bowled at Casparis. I'll dig up the newspaper article. There are a few mentions ( it's been awhile ). have tried to ascertain where, exactly because the article mentions outside, at Casparis- makes it sound as if it was in a lane or open area, maybe between houses?

Getting away from there, to the right- things like open windows are wonderful. Someone cleaning or sleeping- there's on outhouse visible in one tiny yard another teeny house with no yard at all, a ' restahrant ' ( ? ), a frame with tarp- neighborhood in DC.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Ha! Love this, thank you! The only place in this photo I knew was Casparis, pretty exciting having the entire photo identified, more individual landmarks toboot. Somewhere there are individual pics of some of these places too. That's the one, Casparis- knowing what was nearby, which street is which ( seeing maps is one thing, nothing gets it straight like a photograph ) what buildings looked like bridges Time somehow.

ME Wolfe knows the city inside out and backwards- could take one look, tell us what's there now, too!

View attachment 81732
Had to retrieve this from Ancestry- somewhere I have a file with a lot of close-ups, the back yard, the block, etc. Life in 1860's DC- this is right by the Capitol Complex. If anyone has New York ancestors who responded to the first call-up in 1861, quite a few crammed themselves into Casparis the first few days.

I was trying to identify the spire (post #2, 3rd photo) when I came across this photo. Now, I have found the summary for the 4th photo in post #2!
LOC #3c27632 -
West-southwest view with Maryland Ave. SW and B Street SW (i.e., Independence Ave. SW) to the left, Maine Ave., 3rd, 4 1/2, and 6th streets SW to the center; view includes The Mall, Washington Armory, Armory Square Hospital, Smithsonian Castle, Washington Canal, Botanic Garden, Gas Works, Washington Monument, under construction, and the Potomac River.

 

[Mike Serpa]

@JPK Huson 1863 1st post, 4th photo is the crane and supporting structure. (Edit- And maybe the pedestal for the statue?) The Statue of Freedom was added at the end of 1863. A couple photos of the dome construction in progress and one with the statue installed.

Photograph showing the dome of the Capitol under construction. May 9, 1861. LOC #3a01225

Capitol, Washington, D.C., east front. Statue of Washington in foreground, July 11, 1863. LOC #3a12523

West front of the U.S. Capitol at Washington, D.C., as it appeared the moment the statue was completed, and placed in position by Charles F. Thomas. LOC #3c38101

 

[Mike Serpa]

I might as well include a larger version.