Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-29
FROM THE BATTALION.

Fort Carroll Garrisoned-The Maryland Flee
tion-Life and Work in Fort McHenry-The
Massachusetts, Boys Earning all the "Lau-
rels'-General Banks-Munitions from Pixies
vile.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BATTALION RIFLES,
Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md, June 26, lS6l.j
Editor Of the Spy-In my last communica-
tion omitted to state that Fort Carroll Is gar"
risoned by detachment of men from our
battalion, under Sergeant johnson, Co. A, w.
C. G. Fort Carroll is in an unfinished condi-
ton, yet, by virtue of its situation itwould
proye a great obstacle to any rebel vessel that
Baltimore or the vicinity of Fort McHenry, if
properly provided with cannon, and men to
serve them. Fort Carroll is situated five miles
south of Fort McHenry, in the midst of what
is called the Patapsco River, or the arm Of
Chesapeake Bay, at the head of which Balti.
more les. The plan OF this fort is said to be
magnificent, and the work laid out will require
considerable time yet to bring it to its contem.
plated end.
The election in Maryland was, as Whole,
for the Union; but the city of Baltimore in
itself has saved her good old reputation" of
being in love with the rebels. Mr.. Davis, the
unconditional Union man, was defeated by
large majority; also Mr.. Preston, declared
secessionist, had a majority of 800 over Mr..
Leary, the Union candidate, in the CITY Of
Baltimore. Mr.. Leary gained the day only
by the smajorities which he received from dis
tricts outside of Baltimore. The day after
election the rebels of Baltimore were iubiant,
and manifested their joy by various demon
STATIONS. know it is said that Mr.. May, the
opponent of Mr.. Davis, is Union man. But
a conditional Union man" is sort of a po-
litical frog who can live in the water and on
land, who can say yes and no in the same
breath, and who is living standardization.
To be conditional Union man means to go
theoretically for the Union, but practically for dis
union, to give the south all she asks and say
amen To ignore the hottest compact if one par
ty becomes traitorous TO it, to disregard every.
thing that constitutes the duty of citizen, if
the fulilment of that duty cannot be made
subservient to personal ambition and the within
Of a moment.
~ made mention of the neglected condition
in whieA Fort Carroll is l will speak now of
Fort McHenfy-tlie fort in which we have
been since the Sd of May. When we arrived
here but few of the guns were mounted, eve
rytbing was IN sort Of harmonious confusion,
covered with the dust and rubbish of many
years peace. Wherever you looked you
could see the evidence that the old maxim {:
81 pace,a, para 6ellum, (If you want TO have
peace, prepare for war; had been forgotten.
Fort McHenry could have been taken at that
time with but little sacrifice of human life,' if
accession treason had been organized in the
state OF Maryland. This organization, fortu-
nately prevented, would have taken place had
the government slept much longer in belief
that ''peace would be restored within ninety
days" Every since we came here we have
worked day by day mounting gun carriages
and guns, loading, unloading, and piling can
non balls, and, in short, doing everything
within the scope Of garrison life. All this
manual labor we have to perform besides our
drilling, which amounts 10 four hours on very
hot days, and to five or six hours on cooler
uh1s. MUCH VI tlllS ldpOI Couiu NC uUAe III d
simpler way if draught animals could be used
in moving the heavy guns. This work is call
ed in military parlance fatigue duty" and
there is really meant by it what it expresses.
The men work hard and accomplish more in
one day than the REGULARS" can dream of in
two. The latter seem to be exempted from al
most all fatigue duty, at least l have
seen them but twice occupied in mount.
ing cannon as long as we have been
here. / presume the commander of tho
post, Major Morris, wishes to give the Massa.
chusetts volunteers an opportunity TO earn all
the laurels. lie has repeatedly spoken in
praise Of their energy, skill, and willingness,
as laborers and mechanics. Many Of our bat
TALON are also detailed for Especial duty as
mechanics. These are exempted from other
duties, and receive 40 cents a day extra, in
payment for working 10 hours day. Yet,