Excitement was mounting in Washington. The first troops arrived to defend the capital on April 18, 1861, a fine group of 400 from the 25th Pennsylvania Volunteers and led by Colonel Henry L. Cake, a newspaper man from Northumberland. The following day, the president received the troubling news that the 6th Massachusetts regiment on its way to Washington City was attacked by a mob while passing through Baltimore, Maryland. Three soldiers were killed and another eleven were wounded. The troops fired in retaliation, killing eleven civilians and injuring many more.
As Mr. Lincoln was being pulled in every possible direction, needed here and there to make another split second decision, I tried to shelter him in the bowls of the White House for a few minutes at a time.
I was sworn in as U.S. Federal Marshal to the District of Columbia, pending approval by the Senate that is not in session. I am to be in charge of the federal prisons and prisoners, and to report directly to Mr. Lincoln.
Today Mr. Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the country. He said he thought it necessary in time of war. He expressed to me that he thought he would be hearing from Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roger B. Taney on that subject in the not too distant future.
W. H. Lamon
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