Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-18
LETTERS FROM THE 1NFANTRY-NO. le.
CAMP BUTLER, ELKRIpeE LANDING, MD,
AIn,. IL 1871

cludcd to occupy a little time this morning
in giving you and your readers a few items of
interest from the camp of the sixth regiment.
AS l am myself in the hospital, | will com
mence here, for anything relating 10 the com.
fort of the sick and disabled must of course he
Of interest The hospital is a dwelling house,
located over fifty rods from camp, on ii side
h overlooking beautifully romantic val
ley or ravne. The house is surrounded by
forest trees, and is more than hundred rods
from any road 1t is really a beautiful loca-
ton, and the sick and disabled soldiers receive
every possible attention from those in charge.
The birds sing merrily in the tree branches,
and little rivulet flows its sparkling water
through the ravine, where those who are able
can go and battle. The bel accommodations
might be better, and ,coud be if the excellent
surgeon could have his way.
Camp Butler is now almost deserted. Only
the sick and lame, with some sixty others 10
do guard duty, are left in camp, while tie
Regiment is stationed at Federal Hill in BalIi-
more. Gen. Butler is with the Regiment, and
is vastly popular with all the boys. He is
winning golden opinions, not only from tbs
troops but from all the people hereabouts
| Last night, the infamous rebel, Ross Wi
Mans was arrested at the Relay House, near
our camp, by Col. Fay, Lieut. Emory, and
! Sergeant Church Howe, who had charge oil
that post at the time. Night before last Ma
Jor Watson, with fifty of our Regiment, pro
ceeded to Frederick City Tor the purpose of
arresting him, but returned unable to find
him. Last night he was discovered IN the
cars, on his return from Frederick 10 Bati-
more. He is member of the state assembly,
and has furnished large amounts OF money
and munitions of war to the rebel army, and
but a few days ago was at Harpers Ferry,
where he was the lion Of the rebel troops. 1t
is said that he was the principal man melting
the Baltimore mob to attack us on the 18th
ult Gov. Hicks was on the train last night
with large numbers of the general assembly,
and the arrest caused much excitement. I'm
der guard OF twelve men, Winans was taken
to Annapolis, where, it is hoped, he will re-
ceive such punishment as he deserves.
| When Gen. Butler reached Baltimore, lie
sent for the Mayor, and His Holor soon APP
peared, accompanied by several gentlemen of
the city. The mayor said he was surprised
that the General thought it necessary to occu.
py Baltimore, as he 1.-THE mayor) had force
enough TO preserve the osder and peace of the
city but Gen. Butler put an extinguisher
upon that idea, by informing the mayor that
his city was constantly supplying ''aid and
comfort" 10 the rebels, manufacturing fire
arms, cartridges, sending off military goods,
steam guns, &C., to aid the rebels in fighting
against cur government, and as the city gov
eminent had not stopped this sort of ILLEGAL
business, he (Gen. B proposed to take the
matter into his own hands, and while he
would like the cooperation of Mayor Brown,
| he had sufficient force in and about Baltimore
to enable him to say that he could suppress,
for the future, all such furnishing of ''aid and
comfort" without assistance from His Honor.
The General then produced a sample bail,
most murderous invention, which was being
manufactured in Baltimore and sent south in
large quantities. 1t is a ball having a cham
Der for the insertion of percussion powder, and
a copper rammer arranged SOFAS to explode
the powder and scattering the ball, on its
7 The undcrsighefd sgpIhe 6een appointed Agent IS
| above named responsible Comnanies 80 mars
fff baltimore possessed by General Butler y;
| and he assured the General that the city au.
thorities would use every effort to preserve
the peace of the city. Perhaps it is not I'M
proper for me to say that the knowledge of the
manufacture of those murderous balls and the
possession of the sample by Gen. Butler, is
due to Mr.. Parker, of the w. L. l., who WIS.,
tied Baltimore few days since, on tour Of
inspection. When friend Parker is con his
muscle" with his eyes and lars open, there
will be "doings" Immediately after.
The Sixth Regiment had rough time the
first night they occupied Federal Hill. 1t rain
ed hard all night, and the boys were compel
led } remain out without ANY shelter wlatev-
er. The Sixth Regiment has got used to
hardships, and can now endure almost any
deprivation of comfort. Considering what we
have been compelled to endure, it is surprising
there has been so little complaint. Under
popular con mander, nothing but an enemy in
vastly superior numbers could break us down.
Our commissary department las improved un-
der the management of Sergeant Church
Howe. The Sixth Regiment will never for
get his efforts for our comfort. Large supplies
of extra ratons, in shape OF excellent pickles.
cod fish, and potatoes, have been received
from Observation-Disclosures enough jackets TO
supply the regiment. We have looked anx
iously for the box Of clothing, especially the
pants from Worcester. Some of our boys are
Obliged to appear in their drawers and but few
have whole pants to wear The Eighth Mas
sachusetts Regiment arrived here last night.
Our papers come very irrcgularly. We have
seen no Spy since the one of May s. The big
steam gun is at our camp, but there is some
doubt as to its ever being made available as
means of attack or defence. j. w.D.
No. 10.
The following is from private letter from
Captain Pratt of the Light Infantry =
In CAMP ON FEDERAL HILL
baltimore, May 10, 1861.
We left the Relay House camp day before
yesterday, at an hours notice, for this city,
without baggage, tents, or anything But our
overcoats and blankets A portion OF the
Eighth of New York and a section Of the Light
| Artillery OF Boston came with us. We came