thedrifter
02-20-07, 09:04 AM
The Lore of the Corps
Marines called in to quell election-day riot in 1857
By Keith A. Milks - Special to the Times
Posted : February 26, 2007
On June 1, 1857, Washington, D.C., was in a state of turmoil. A municipal election was underway, and tensions split the city into violent factions that propelled gangs of thugs to prey on the voters.
Some of the worst instigators were the “Plug Uglies,” a gang from Baltimore that descended upon Washington brandishing knives, pistols and clubs to keep Irish-Americans from voting. The city’s police abandoned their posts, and Mayor William Magruder closed the polls.
President James Buchanan was alarmed by this turn of events and called out the Marine Corps. Shortly after noon, Maj. Henry Tyler and two companies of leathernecks marched from the Marine Barracks and headed downtown. Capts. Jacob Zeilin, a future Marine commandant, and William Maddox commanded the companies.
Accompanying the Marines was an elderly man in civilian clothes carrying a cane — though some historical accounts have described it as an umbrella.
The Marines marched to city hall, where Tyler conferred with Magruder before deploying his force toward the polling headquarters near current-day 5th and K streets.
It was there the Marines met the Plug Uglies. As the two forces squared off, the gang’s ranks opened, and a small cannon was pushed forward and aimed at the Marines.
Suddenly, the old man with the Marines strode forward and planted himself firmly in front of the primed cannon. It was Brevet Brig. Gen. Archibald Henderson, who waved his cane at the gang members, ordered them to disperse and motioned toward the cannon.
“Men, you had better think twice before you fire this piece at the Marines.”
The move of the 74-year-old Henderson, who was in his 37th year as commandant, created enough of a distraction among the Plug Ugly ranks for a squad of Marines, led by the commandant’s own son, to rush forward to grab the cannon.
The Plug Uglies hurled rocks and fired pistols at the advancing Marines, but the volleys did nothing to deter the assault. As the Marines hauled the cannon back toward their ranks, more pistol shots rang out from the Plug Uglies. Under Henderson’s orders, Marine officers and noncommissioned officers were hard pressed to keep their men from firing into the thugs.
At one point in the chaotic melee, a Plug Ugly rushed forward and thrust a pistol in Henderson’s face. Whether the pistol failed to discharge or the shot missed is in question, but the commandant survived the close call and a Marine sergeant shot the would-be murderer in his left arm.
Henderson collared his assailant and delivered the thug into the hands of Magruder. Meanwhile, a pistol round struck a Marine painfully and messily in the cheek, and the Marines could be restrained no longer.
A volley of Marine musket fire slammed into the Plug Uglies. As the leathernecks reloaded, the Plug Uglies fled.
With the Plug Ugly threat dispersed, the Marines remained on the street and at the train station overnight to maintain peace.
The day was the last time Henderson led the Marines to a fight — he died in 1859 after 39 years as the Corps’ commandant.
The writer is a master sergeant. He can be reached at kambtp@aol.com.
Ellie
Marines called in to quell election-day riot in 1857
By Keith A. Milks - Special to the Times
Posted : February 26, 2007
On June 1, 1857, Washington, D.C., was in a state of turmoil. A municipal election was underway, and tensions split the city into violent factions that propelled gangs of thugs to prey on the voters.
Some of the worst instigators were the “Plug Uglies,” a gang from Baltimore that descended upon Washington brandishing knives, pistols and clubs to keep Irish-Americans from voting. The city’s police abandoned their posts, and Mayor William Magruder closed the polls.
President James Buchanan was alarmed by this turn of events and called out the Marine Corps. Shortly after noon, Maj. Henry Tyler and two companies of leathernecks marched from the Marine Barracks and headed downtown. Capts. Jacob Zeilin, a future Marine commandant, and William Maddox commanded the companies.
Accompanying the Marines was an elderly man in civilian clothes carrying a cane — though some historical accounts have described it as an umbrella.
The Marines marched to city hall, where Tyler conferred with Magruder before deploying his force toward the polling headquarters near current-day 5th and K streets.
It was there the Marines met the Plug Uglies. As the two forces squared off, the gang’s ranks opened, and a small cannon was pushed forward and aimed at the Marines.
Suddenly, the old man with the Marines strode forward and planted himself firmly in front of the primed cannon. It was Brevet Brig. Gen. Archibald Henderson, who waved his cane at the gang members, ordered them to disperse and motioned toward the cannon.
“Men, you had better think twice before you fire this piece at the Marines.”
The move of the 74-year-old Henderson, who was in his 37th year as commandant, created enough of a distraction among the Plug Ugly ranks for a squad of Marines, led by the commandant’s own son, to rush forward to grab the cannon.
The Plug Uglies hurled rocks and fired pistols at the advancing Marines, but the volleys did nothing to deter the assault. As the Marines hauled the cannon back toward their ranks, more pistol shots rang out from the Plug Uglies. Under Henderson’s orders, Marine officers and noncommissioned officers were hard pressed to keep their men from firing into the thugs.
At one point in the chaotic melee, a Plug Ugly rushed forward and thrust a pistol in Henderson’s face. Whether the pistol failed to discharge or the shot missed is in question, but the commandant survived the close call and a Marine sergeant shot the would-be murderer in his left arm.
Henderson collared his assailant and delivered the thug into the hands of Magruder. Meanwhile, a pistol round struck a Marine painfully and messily in the cheek, and the Marines could be restrained no longer.
A volley of Marine musket fire slammed into the Plug Uglies. As the leathernecks reloaded, the Plug Uglies fled.
With the Plug Ugly threat dispersed, the Marines remained on the street and at the train station overnight to maintain peace.
The day was the last time Henderson led the Marines to a fight — he died in 1859 after 39 years as the Corps’ commandant.
The writer is a master sergeant. He can be reached at kambtp@aol.com.
Ellie