Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-06
control the heavier masses, however wild and
difficult of approach.
Graphic Description Of the March and Trave
from Annapolis to Washington.

| The following account Oh tne march OF tn,
list New York Regiment from Annapolis {,
the Junction, and their journey on to Washing
ton, is quite interesting, and will prove particu
larly readable to our volunteers who are pant
ing for action. IL Is furnished by correspon
dent of the N. Y.WOrld, who accompanied the
regiment:
The Seventy-frst was ordered to march or
Washington by the Baltimore and Annapolis
Junction, at 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the
24th inst. The Seventh had preceded us, and
the Eighth Massachusetts, had relaid the rail-
road track, and communication was open be-
tween the Junction and Washington by rail.
The distance to the junction is twenty-four
miles by the road, and the Junction ia nineteen
miles from Washington. l..
severe thunder storm at 2 o'clock deluged
the roads, and rendered them for that day i'm
passable. At 3 o'clock the next morning the
drums beat, and we hurried to join the ranks to
march. A little after ylight we were on our
way, the baud playing the Star Spangled Ban
ner, Hail Columbia and Dixie Land Every
man had his rations and knapsack, which, with
his r1usket, ammunition and revolver, weighed
about forty pounds. The soldiers were also
compelled to wear their overcosts. The road
was not over fifteen feet wide, and very heavy.
Every mile or two dense woods of spruce and
hemlock, filed with, pnderbrush ntervened be.
tween the farmt WTNever we reached such
place, the bugle s6ddGed the advance, ekir
mishers dashed through the thckets, and the
column followed on the road. At IL o'clock we
halted at Milledgeville for breakfast Cold
beef and two pieces Of hard bread constituted
the repast.
While here, the Rhode leland regiment over.
took US and passed on in advance The SOL
diers cheered each other, and every one was in
high spirits. Our march, unfortunately, was
delayed, not by the Maryland Rangers, but by a
baulky horse in the baggage train of the Rhode
Island regiment. What the rebels OF the State
could not do was done by brute, which neither
blows nor pursuasion could move. Every few
hundred yards the beast would stop, blocking up
the narrow road and bringing US to halt
Finally he was unhtched, and what became of
him afterwards | know not, At A we halted
again, and after march of about nineteen
miles, Colonel Vosburgh and Mr.. Wilkes, editor
OF the "Spirit," acting as his special aid, went
on to Jameston, in advance, to telegraph our
arrival to Washington, and request that a train
be sent down for US. .t. IVA NJ
AT the Junction they found the wires cut
The Rhode Island Regiment had encamped two
and half miles beyond US. Just as night eetin,
Lieut.. Col, Marten ordered us to march. In an
instant the men were in ranks, and the column
on its way. The advance dashed out in lines of
skirmishers, beating the wood on either side for
the enemy. In q few moments the trumpet from
the rear guard sounded for the main body to
halt, and our trumpeter sounded the recall, which
was answered by the bugle Of the skirmishers.
The darkness of the night, the stiffness around
us, only broken by the notes of the trumpet, and
the knowledge that we we're in an enemy's coun.
try ind tho nrnhahilitu Of atko IL.
ment, made the scene impressive. The recruits
did not understand the meaning of these signals,
and supposed an enemy was following in the
rear. They at once demanded to be led back,
that they might be the first to meet the enemy.
AT another time an alarm was given that an
enemy was approaching, and instantly the COL
umn faced about !. No, fear was xisible--theI
soldiers loDged for contest, and one of the re.
cruits, who represents West Washington Mar
ket, remarked; "Confound this musket, l cant
see to shoot any one. Only give me my brass
and Ill lick them back" Our bag
gage horses gave out, and we left them in the |
Rhode Island camp, with company to overtake
Us next day. The Rhode Islanders had their
tires burning brightly, and the reflection of them
fell on the stacks Of rifles, and groups of SOL
iers, some moving round and Others sleeping
On the ground with their blankets about them,
made scene too picturesque to be described.
We passed on, and at o'clock A. NJ, saw the
camp fires of Massachusetts, regiment that
guarded the Junction of the Annapolis and Bal. |
limore railroads. We thus made march of |
twenty-four miles, with heavy knapsacks, and
With the exception of the rest at breakfast and
1inner, were twenty-three hours on our feet,
yet we did not have one straggler nor did any
one give out. had calculated that about five
per cent. would fall behind from fatigue. In a /
short time the men were asleep, wherever they
,ould find a board to lay on, and the heavens
'or their canopy. ...t.
We halted until three o'clock in the afternoon,
Taiting for train. At last 1t came, and, after
We were embarked. news that the enemy was
hree miles off on the Baltimore road, marching
With cannon, was announced. The men instant.
y got out, and were prepared for an attack-the
guns inspected-and the men in readiness.
They all wished to be the first regiment to inau
,urate the war. At ten o'clock at night, thew
we're ordered on the cars, and slept sitting, with
heir guns between their knees. Patrols had
,een sent out for distance of ten miles in ad-
'ance, to guard the road. thought we would
lave difficulty every moment. Signal fires were
deserved on the hills beyond us, and rockets
we're sent up in various directions by the enemy.
At three P. M, we started on the cars for Wash.
ngton, and arrived at about seven A. M, with.
nut casualty.