CHAPTER VIII.
CIVIL WAR PERIOD In 1861 the Civil War broke out and I was at once summoned to Washington by Mr.Scott, who had been appointed Assistant Secretary of War in charge of the Transportation Department.

I was to act as his assistant in charge of the military railroads and telegraphs of the Government and to organize a force of railway men.

It was one of the most important departments of all at the beginning of the war.
The first regiments of Union troops passing through Baltimore had been attacked, and the railway line cut between Baltimore and Annapolis Junction, destroying communication with Washington.

It was therefore necessary for me, with my corps of assistants, to take train at Philadelphia for Annapolis, a point from which a branch line extended to the Junction, joining the main line to Washington.

Our first duty was to repair this branch and make it passable for heavy trains, a work of some days.