Frontier Guard at the White House, Kansas

THE FRONTIER GUARD AT THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, 1861

It is generally understood that there 120 members of the Frontier Guard, but the following names, numbering 51, are all that it has been possible for the State Historical Society to obtain. The Society has the original discharge of Sidney Clarke, a certified copy of the discharge of Cunningham Hazlett, and a photographic copy of the discharge of L. Holtslander, furnished by Hon. Eugene F. Ware, August 4, 1902, while Pension commissioner. Mr. Ware says:

"I send herewith a photographic copy of a very strange military discharge which I have found here in Washington. I have the original in my possession, and I have gone to the extent and expense of having the document photographed so that it may be preserved, and that you may have a copy."

OFFICERS

Captain James H. Lane Lawrence

First Lieutenant Mark W.Delahay Leavenworth

Second Lieutenant J. B. Stockton Leavenworth

First Sergeant D. S. Gordon United States Army

Second Sergeant John T. Burris Olathe

Third Sergeant L. Holtslander

First Corporal John P. Hatterscheidt Leavenworth

Second Corporal J. W. Jenkins Lawrence

PRIVATES

Henry J. Adams, Leavenworth Charles Howells, New York

Daniel R. Anthony, Leavenworth William Hutchinson, Lawrence

D. H. Bailey, Leavenworth M. H. Insley, Leavenworth

T. D. Bancroft, New York J. B. Irvin, Doniphan County

John K. Bartlett, Leavenworth George H. Keller, Leavenworth

George Bassett, Lawrence Robert McBratney, Junction City

G. F. Clark Marcus J. Parrott, Leavenworth

Gen. John S. Clark Jarred Phillips, Paola

Sidney Clarke, Lawrence Samuel C. Pomeroy, Atchison

D. A. Clayton, Leavenworth W. W. Ross, Topeka

J. A. Cody, Doniphan County Turner, Sampson, Lawrence

Edward Daniels Phillip C. Schuyler, Burlingame

A. Danford, Paola Thomas Shankland

Charles F. De Vivaldi, Manhattan J. S. Smith, Philadelphia

Jeff L. Dugger T. A. Syphers, Virginia

Thos. Ewing, Jr., Leavenworth Samuel F. Tappan, Lawrence

Henry C. Fields, Leavenworth Chester Thomas, Topeka

David Gardner, Fort Myer John C. Vaughan, Leavenworth

S. W. Greer, Topeka G. F. Warren, Leavenworth

Clark J. Hanks, Leavenworth A. A. Wheelock, New York

Cunningham, Hazlett A. Carter Wilder, Leavenworth

James H. Holmes, Lawrence

STATEMENT BY ADJUTANT-GENERAL

"After the 19th of April, 1861, when the Sixth Massachusetts regiment was attacked by the mob in Baltimore, there being but few troops in the city of Washington, the government accepted the services of a number of volunteer organizations of the District of Columbia. All of these companies were mustered in except the "Clay Guards," commanded by Casius M. Clay, of Kentucky, and the "Frontier Guard," commanded by Gen. James H. Lane, of Kansas, United States senator. The Frontier Guard was composed of citizens from Kansas and Illinois, and was doing duty at the White House and it is no doubt that the organization referred to by Judge Adams, of Kansas."

"Herewith are copies from articles published in the New York Herald, April 19, 1861, and the Washington Evening Star of April 19, 20, 24, and 27, 1861, relative to the Frontier Guard; also a copy of a discharge (from the original kindly loaned by Mrs. Hazlett), which is the best evidence that this company was doing duty at the White House in April, 1861."

"There is no roll of this organization on file in the adjutant-general's office."
R. C. Drum, Adjutant-general

There is also no mention whatever in the records of the Adjutant general's office, state of Kansas, of such an organization as the Frontier Guard of White House service.

EXTRACTS

From the Washington Evening Star:
April 19, 1861: "Beside the regular guard which ahs been stationed in the vicinity of the President's house for some time, a guard of sixty under the command of Gen. James H. Lane, of Kansas, occupied the east room and slept upon their arms last night. This company has been organized but a day or two, yet a large force is already enrolled, and the corps increasing rapidly. Late in the evening the President attempted to enter the east room, but as the sentinel at the door had received orders to admit no one without the countersign, Mr. Lincoln was forced to beat a retreat, to the no small amusement of the company."

"This company goes on duty at the Executive Mansion every night at 8:30 o'clock and will continue to guard the White House until there is no danger of an attack upon the city."

April 21, 1861: "The two new companies organized by General Lane of Kansas and Cassius M. Clay, of Kentucky noticed the Star yesterday, are increasing in number very rapidly. The officers of General Lane's company are M. W. Delahay and J. B. Stockton, lieutenants; D. S. Gordon and J. T. Burris, sergeants; John P. Hatterscheidt and J. W. Jenkins, corporals."

"Last night General Lane's company was excused from serving on guard at the White House and dismissed with orders to rally there at the first alarm. The other guards were on duty as usual."

April 24, 1861: "A squad of fifty men of Gen. James H. Lane's company of 125, Frontier Guard, were on parade Monday night on Pennsylvania avenue. This company is armed with Minie rifles, several bayonets, and navy-sized revolvers, and are among the most skillful marksmen connected with the present service."

April 27, 1861: "The Frontier Guard, commanded by General Lane, who have been stationed during the past week in the neighborhood of the Executive Mansion, waited upon the President yesterday afternoon in a body, at the White House. They formed at General Lane's headquarters, Willard's Hotel, numbering 120 men and marched thither, making a formidable appearance. They were ushered into the east room where they were formed in line, and upon the entrance of the President was introduced by their commander. Colonel Vaughan of South Carolina a member of the company, then made some remarks, to which the President replied."

From the New York Herald of April 19, 1861: "Arrangements for the defense of the capital."

"The mustering of men is going on briskly tonight. All the northern and western men in the city are organized for active service."

"General Lane, United States senator from Kansas, commands about 100 men, Kansas, Illinois and Massachusetts men. His colleague, General Pomeroy, is a lieutenant in the same company."

(Source: Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka, 1908, pages 419-421)