‘Let’s make history’
With beginning of war, Clay rushed
to protect Washington, president

The newly appointed minister to Russia was preparing to leave for St. Petersburg just when the nation was cast into the Civil War.

With the first shots fired at Fort Sumter April 12, 1861, Cassius Clay’s first thought was who’s going to protect Washington and President Abraham Lincoln.

Never one to back off from a challenge, or a suspected one, Clay arrived in Washington, enlisted volunteers and organized Clay’s Battalion, which he commanded until troops arrived from the north.

Clay guarded the Navy Yard and cleared the District of Columbia of masses of southern sympathizers. The Madison County native first had offered his services to Secretary of War Simon Cameron, who protested: “I don’t believe I ever heard of where a foreign minister volunteered in the ranks.”

“Then, let’s make history,” Clay responded.

The Lion of White Hall had legitimate military experience. He entered the Mexican War as captain of a volunteer company that, as an organization, already had distinguished itself at Tippecanoe in 1811. He was taken prisoner in 1847 with several others while more than 100 miles in advance of the main army. He was credited with saving the lives of the party by gallantry and presence of mind.

Clay resigned his Russian post in June 1862 and accepted a position as major general of volunteers. He formed the initial Union defense at the Kentucky River palisades just prior to the Battle of Richmond, but was relieved of command by Gen. William (Bull) Nelson in what was termed a political and military dispute.

After resigning his military post in March, Clay again was appointed minister to Russia.

Lincoln gave Clay a colt revolver in expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the Clay Battalion.