089_(Weather)_Fort Stevens, July 11th, 1864 - WDS Campaign Shenandoah

(Historical) On July 10th, 1864, Washington D.C., the Union capital, was astir with rapid movement. Confederate General Jubal Early was marching toward the city with the intent of capturing it and forcing General Grant to abandon his siege of Petersburg. If successful, it would seem doubtful that the Lincoln Administration could recover, and a new administration would likely seek a negotiated peace. But despite the capitals near panic, capture seemed unlikely. The defense of the city was of paramount importance, and steps were being taken to repel the Confederates. Generals McCook, and Wright were ordered to organize every able bodied man that could hold and shoot a rifle. These included 2,800 convalescents and 1,800 Quartermaster employees. For the Confederates, Early's army was approaching from the northwest. The road was so hot and dusty that nearly every man and beast was facing exhaustion and collapse. The question of whether they would be fit to fight, lingered on the mind the Confederate General. Now is your chance to win the war with a stout rebel yell, or counter it with a call to battle and victory over the rebels at the gates.