Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-05-04
The March Of ths soventh---Letter nrOn a
Cleveland Boy.

Hon. R. 2. spslding, from his son, who is q
member Of the Seventh Regiment OF New
York. 1t viii be of special interest to
OIevelauders, from the fact that the writer
was formerly II member Of the Cleveland
Grays, and, in fact paraded With them upon
the 10th of September last:
WAsHMsToN Cry, April %, 1851.
DEAR FHrHER:-Yours of the 18th reached
me soon after our arrival here, having been
forwarded nom New York by Mr.. Myers,
and was very welcome indeed. l wrote a
few lines from Annapolis, and also a hasty
note yesterday from this place, tut as l suppose
you would all like TO know more Of the de-
tails concerning our expedition, | will devote
what spare time 1 have this afternoon to that
purpose.
Weleft New York Friday afternoon about
) o'clock, with a force of s0l men, among
whom were lots OF recruits who were in va
rious stages of transformation from civilian
~ soldier, and many OF them who, like char
lie Hickox, had Joined thin "a hours before
starting. But every man felt while march
ing Gown Broadway amid the plaudits and
blessings Of the crowd who had gathered to
i'd US goodbye, that the eth had started on
40 pleasure excursion, and that it would be
uececesSary ito do or die"
Never were New Workers so excited be-
fore; and it was with d.6culty hat we could
march at all. George followed me to the
depot in Jersey City, and managed to squeeze
through the crowd TO bid me good bye just
IS | was stepping aboard the cars. We had
I special train OF 81 cars, and were received
with enthusiasm all along the route towards
Philadelphia, but did not reach that place
until about 3 A. 81.
The Massachusetts troops having that day
had u fight in Baltimore and the Governor
deciding that no more should pass through
hat place, we waited in the cars until the
lext morning, and then, supplying ourselves
with three days r~ations, started on board a
small steamer 1.-THE Boston, to get to Wash
ngton the best way we could. Probably we
should have come all the way by water, but
Ee heard that the Virginians had erected
forts or batteries along the shore Of the Po-
.omsc, and one mail gun would have blown
IL 10 Davy Jones locker very quick. So We
zept on up the Bay and arrived ef Annspo-
is Monday morning early. Here we found
= part Of the Massachusetts, Regiment, who
mad left Philadelphia by railroad, and, at
1avre'de arehnding they could get no far
her, had seized the ierry-boat used there,
nd gous on 70 Annapolis. They bad the
night before prevented the seizure, by The
rebels At Annapolis aided by Baltimore
2oughs, of the old ship Constitution but
when re found them they were aground off
the city, their pilot having deceived Them
Ne tried 70 get them OF, but found it impos-
iUle, and 80 landed ourselses and sent our
ueamel to land them. We were very Nell
vceived at Annapolis, but found the secession
ceiling quite strong, not only IN the town but
a the Naval School Some OF the officers
nd mlddles resigned when we arrived there
idt there were LOIS Of good Union men left,
aud we got al, NJ hrst rats.
On Tuesday night a feet arrived of the
ny, and the Constitution sent up some rock
;, which were thought TO mean danger.
u minutes we had a iegimenlal line
brmed and every piece 10 ,ded ready to give
uen a warm reception, should they attempt
. land but tn pIoyed TO be New York
egiments that had started lsIer than our
ives and come ali the way by waller.
4 - EN1A III v III
junction, where we were-to take the BaIti
aUrr and Washington Road. This was the
.sFdest part OF ali our journey. The day
vas oxesssively hot and we were obliged 10
AXE the railroad track, mending II often
where the rebels had torn it up, 10 order to
ct the cars along containing our sick and
jur howitzsrs and baggage. The locomotive
lad been Smashed, bridges burned, &C, &C,
tut the Massachusetts Regiment aided us
;reatly, as some OF their members were ma
chlnlsTs and engineers. We sent our two
companies 10 ACT as scouts, as we expected a
kirmish with the Baltimore ROughs, who
threatened 10 kill every man Of US that at
empted TO march 10 Washington; but VIC
arrived at the Junction without loss-ao at
TACK being made-the next morning about
I o'clock, after one OF the hardest marches
ever made by withdrawing been 20 hours
IN going 20 hours. Z
During the first part of the march, nearly
ialt our men had TO give up and stop by the
lde OF the track until the train came along
tHd picked them up. | was able to stick ~
turing the whole march, though when we
lalted had been 4S hours on my feet haV-
ny been engaged the night before in cutting |
Ip pork, hams and beef for the mems rations.
The hardest part TO endure was thirst which
II some cases made the men nearly crazy.
md they left the ranks to seek fsr water
We carried canteens, but the water in them
became so hot that they conld no. drink it.
Well after waiting five or six hours at the
Junction, a special train arrived from Wash
ington, but not cars enough to give them all
seats. However, we were glad TO get aboard,
and about noon vi reached this place, having
Oeen six days on the way, and part of the
time on ratiOns consisting Of two hard
biscuits and salt pork or ham per day. When
We got here we were marched from the oe-
pot TO the White House and received by the
PRESIDENT and then taken to Wizards.
where for the hrst time since leaving home,
We washed up thoroughly and had q warm
meal Of v~ictuals. Aher dinner we marched
up Eere, and took possession Of the House
OF Representatives, where we are now quar-
tered. vi course this is a handsome place.
out sleeping on a marble floor, with nothing
out a blanket under one, is not as comforta-
bic as might at first appear. However, few
OF our boys lay awake the first highland for
myself, l have become so used to it that l
think, perhaps If we stay very long | shall new
er needa bed again Last light Itook a bath
IN the splendid bathing rooms below the
House and for the frst time changed my
clothes after leaving New York. We sleep /.
all ready @ jump into our ranks, and keep
our loaded muskets near US. If Mr. Davis
ttkesthe cityrh has got to work for it, as
we have now about Is, 900 troops here and
more arriving daily. The Government seized
a large quantity Of -four and provisions,
which are stored in the Capital here. The
people of Washington were, in some cases, {
making preparations to leave when we got I
mere, as they were afraid to go to bed at
but now they say they can sleep with
out tear, and they express themselves re- l
loiced at our arrival. | shall call on Mr.. !
Jhase if l can get away from duty long
enough, bat at present they keep US very Q
close We expect to go into eaDp to-mor- /
row, on Georgetown Heights and or lily our. '
selves az that place, which commands the u