Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-12
CHARLToN.-Mr. Almon Sanlpson has been
-e4sv4tl 1hE TWENTY-FIRsT REGIMENT
Picket GUARD, 21st Reg. Mass Volunteers
On the Annapolis and Elk Ridge r. r.,
MARYLAND. SeDfputbpr 9TH 1851

PICKET GUARD, list Reg. Mass Volunteers,
On the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Il. r.,
Maryland, September 18th. 1861.
Mr.. Edltor:-I suppose you are pretty well
informed in regard to all matters Of interest in
this vicinity, but perhaps l may be able 10
give you few items of news.
Our regiment has been divided six com.
panies being stationed at Annapolis, and the
remaining Mt Annapolis junction strong de
tachments of pickets guarding the entire line
of railroad between these two stations This
is the road (which was repaired by the Mass
sixth last spring, after having been SO badly
damaged by the rebels. The engine 81 II
Nicholson" which the rebels thought they had
completely "done for" and which was also
set in running order by our boys of the sixth,
daily passes our line of tickets.
We find the people along the line friendly
mostly from choice, though sometimes from
necessity. Donations OF fruit, pies, &c, are
frequently sent in TO us by our Union neigh
bors, and some of our boys are invited out TO
tea nearly every afternoon. We enjoy this
sort of life very well, but do not exactly relish
the idea of being so far removed from the aeat
Of war; and having our brother soldiers more
fortunate in location than ourselves, to have
all the fun, and reap all the glory.
Maryla contains many true patriots, who
are strongly in favor of the Union and the EN-.
forcement of the laws; but there are great
many secessionists in the state, who are using
every endeavor to plunge the state into the
vortex of secession. The coming November
election will be hotIy contested by the friends
both of Union and secession. The secession
lists style themselves the 'peace party" In
this way they gain many friends who would
not join them were they to stand forth under
their true colors.
The Unlonists know they have hard bat
tie to fight, and they are preparing manfully
for the strife. They have established "Union
Leagues in nearly every district (they have
no toWnS here) throughout the state l attend.
ed one Of their meetings last evening, aud the
patriotism and devotion TO the Union there
displayed would do credit to any section of
our country. Speeches were made by various
members, completely unmasking the so-called
peace party" and showing their peace pro-
pensities by saying that the leaders of said
party were at this moment engaged at various
points in Scraping lint, and storing away arms
to be used against the United States. The
results that would attend a secession of the
state We're portrayed in ali their fearful hor.
rors, and the benefits to be derived from re.
manning true to the government, even in the
event of dissolution of the Union.
The legality of some of President Lineoln's
proceedings were touched upon, and one
speaker in defending his course spoke of Jeff,
Davis by way of contrast. Said he "the
course of jeff. Davis has been one continued
string OF illegality from beginning to end, and
his last official act was even impious. In his
proclamation for day of fasting and PRAYER.
he not only told the people when to prav
where to pray, and how to pray, but he even
directed the Almighty how to answer their
prayers !"
The southern people, of whatever party, are
very jealous in the defence of their cause, be
it good or bad. One gentleman, in speaking
of the ultimate success of the federal forces,
said ;-"Succeed Why We are bound to
succeed, All the powers of Europe combined
could not overthrow the government Of these