John G. Barnard to C. F. Smrru, April 22, 1861
Col. C. F. Smrru, Commanding Department of Washington, Ge. :
CoLONEL: I respectfully suggest that two companies of infantry and one field piece be immediately dispatched to the High Bridge over the Potomac, to establish themselves at the Maryland end of the bridge, with directions to hold it against any assault to the last extremity.
Lalso recommend that two companies of infantry and one field piece be established at once at the Georgetown end of the Aqueduct, to hold it as above.
Vedettes should be thrown out from there just as far as practicable on the Virginia side. ¢
As soon as practicable I will send an Engineer officer to make defenSive arrangements at these two places.
I have not been informed what arrangements are in effect to watch the Potomac, but think that armed steamers should be kept in motion, and that to one should be assigned the especial duty of watching the movements on the river between here and Alexandria.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major of Engineers.
P. S.—The planks of the High Bridge should be ripped up for a distance of one hundred feet at some point of the length near the Maryland end.
Memorandum for Colonel Smith.
Lieutenant Prime, Engineer, is examining the lunatic asylum on the
heights opposite the navy-yard and arsenal, with a view of deciding
whether it should be occupied. In the mean time I cannot too urgently