The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-12-04
from Mai. Ekfk5ourne
FoRTREss MONROE, Nov. 25.


posted on their condition and wherea
bouts but, you know We were separated
; by our excellent Governor. Still I be-
lieve that the Union-loving people of my
loved county would be glad to hear frou
the 45th regiment. There are quite 9
number of men here from Potter in this
regiment; Squire Douley of Pike, Abram
Ellsworth, Thos. Laning and--Wil,
kinson of Hector, and others Thomas
Welsh of Lancaster is Col. of this Regi
ment On the 2lst of October we left
Camp Curtin and arrived in Washington
two days after and pitched our tents uear
the city. We remained here but short
time. We were marched TO Bladensburg
! Our encampment here was on the ground
formerly occupied by Massachusetts
Regiment ard was in very unhealthy
location this Regiment leaving behind
them over one hundred sick and buried
some af,er we came upon the ground.
Here we were brigadcd: {: Rhode Island
4th, New Hampshire 9th, Penna. 6lst,
and the 45th, commanded by Brig Gen.
Howard Of Me We were not satisfied
with this Brigade A few days before
the Maryland election we were ordered
to prepare two days rations, and took up
our line of march. Oar Brigade was
posted at different points in this section
of Maryland to protect the Uuion men in
their efforts to vote for Unionists, Our
Regiment was posted at Prince Frederick,
the county-seat of Calvert county. Here
we found a nest of vipers who had deter
mined to keep the Union men from the
polls and carry the election for the rebel
candidates by force We also found a
few bold Union men who stood up man
fully for the Constitution and Laws hand
ed down to them BY their fathers. We
entered the town headed by our Colonel,
who is himself a host; tall, straight,
heavy black beard, and eyes into which
no rebel can look without remembering
that he is traitor and should have just
such men to chastise him for his sins
then it was that "secesh" run to and fro
like a nest of hornets stirred up with a
long pole. "Secesh" wanted to know
what we had come for-Union mer did
know for they had pegitioned to have US
come. Here we encampe1 for the night
and after the boys singing "The Star
Spangled Banner" and other patriotic
Songs we went to bed. Ladies Of Potter,
look with YOUR minds eye and see one
thousand men lying on tie cold ground
with nothing but blanket and the blue
arch over them, hundreds of miles away
from home and friends, wives and chill
dren. What does it prove? Simply
that they love their country more than
all else in the world
The next morning was election, and
the FIRST thing we did was to hoist the
United States flag on the pole where but
the day before the Rebel flag foated. We
then placed guard at the polls to see
that all men who had right to vote,
voted; and yet not interfere with any
Rebels votes. Here slightly ridiculous
incident occurred an cx-m5mber Of Con
gress named Lotter, who was drunk, said
he would kill any Union man who came
before him. A guard was placed over
him and he was sent to his Office when
he sent a challenge to Col Welsh by a
! friend who was good enough friend not
: to deliver it to the Colonel. After all the
: companies had left the town the Rebels
thought they were strong enough to res
cue their chief. Just at this time the
Major marched in to town with two hun.
dred men and formed an L from the
J Court House 10 the read the left fronting
the Rebels Office. Near this place was /
: Union Hotel, the landlord of which re.
: cue, ted a guard to be placed at his door
3 TO keep order. | took six mon and gave
, orders to arrest every man who expressed
sympathy with the Rebeis-no one must
talk treason before our troops or down
goes his house. Presently one fellow
; more daring than the rest began to curse
the Yankees and hurra for Jeff. Davis
: Some Que reminded him that he might
I be arrested; he then drew the ugliest
} knife | ever saw Capt. Hill and myself
wrested the knife from him.
After making few more arrests, we
/ started toward Washington with our pris.
. oners. Upon coming to our Camp at
? Graham's wood the General compliment.
) ed US upon the result Of the expedition
and after trying the prisoners, he decided
, that they must be taken to Washington
, What was our surprise when we found
! on arising the next morning that they
; had been discharged upon taking the oath
Of allegiance. These rebels take the oath
, as easy as they can lake glass of bad
/ whisky. This war can never be brought
10 close if we continue to administer the
r oath of allegiance to rebels whose souls
are already stepped in perjury and trea,
son. Upon arriving at our Camp in Bla-