The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-10-03
From the Dowagiac Boys.
CAMP McKM, BALTIMORE, MD
CAMP OF THE 9TH MICHIGAN REGIMENT,
September 18th. 1881

LD1lO OR OASo w. 1tEA w
have been so fully employed in getting
ourselves settled and organized in our
new encampment here, that l have not
found time until now for the fulfillment
OF. my promise to write you; and now
must write rather hurriedly and with
interruptions such as are the lot of
occupants of the tents of a crowded
camp in a me'like this. & Iigsiir ison
Our movement thither by steamboat
from Detroit to Cleveland and thence
by railroad to this city via Pittsburgh
and Harrisburgh, was all we could de-
sire in comfort of transportation and
the generous hospitalities of the people
along the whole line, with the single
exception of the treatment we received
at Harrisburgh, whereno entertainment
was provided for US and double prices
extorted for all the needed refreshments
we were compelled to buy. Upon the
steamboat and at Cleveland, Pittsburgh,
at the coaling stations upon the Allie
ghany mountains, and on our arrival in
this semi-secession city, luxurious re-
pasts were provided for us gratuitously;
while at the intermediate stopping
places all along the route, our cars
were literally frequsnted with fruits,
cakes and various other dainties, as
patriotic offerings to the Regiment.
Every where except at Harrisburgh,
We received gratifying proof that We
were amongst patriotic friends. AT
Harrisburgh, we might we'll have re-
quired affidavits that we were not
amongst traitorous enemies. But ]
suppose we encountered only the pic
ayune portion of its population those
who pick up living by peddling cheap
pies and smoked herring to railroad
passengers who hav'nt time, as we
hadn't, to procure better fare Of better
people. Be that as it may, we certain
ly did not encounter the class we found
so numerous everywhere else, who sup
ply bounteous refreshments to soldiers
going forth to battle for the govern
ment and liberties of the country. l5fi
We are stationed here in a northern
suburb of the city, and are charged
amongst other duties with the guard
ianship of magazine of over eighty
tons of powder taken before our arrival
from hiding places in which the traitor
secessionists had stored it. We re-
lieved the Massachusetts 18th, which
had been ordered into Washington
Our camp occupies a hill about two
miles from, and opposite to Federal
Hill on the South side of the city which
is also garrisoned and in course Of be-
ing fortified with heavy guns. Two
miles east of us stands Fort McHenry
with its massive walls and scores OF
huge block guns looking out of its win
dows; and on the west side of the city
is another large camp of the country't
guardians. The turbulent city is thus
securely locked in the affectionate EN-
brace of warm hearted soldiers, who
she may be assured, will prove "faithfu
unto DEATH" And to do the traitor
secessionists of her population justice
| they seem to be fully aware that they
are well cared for and will be vigilant
ly protected from straying off into the
by and forbidden paths of treason
| They are, however, good deal NOR,
subdued than satisfied, and the seces
sion venom with which they are sur'
charged, finds vent in various ways
but chiefly through their women ano
children. While the full grown male
secessionist 60 about like whipped ours
without daring to wag their tongues al
us, their women, (whether wives Of
what they are do not know,) occa.
sionally hiss at us from out their win
dows, and the young traitors pipe GU
s'hurray for jeff. Davis."- A few night
ago, a report was circulated that thu
rebel forces had, crossed the Potoma,
and We're advancing upon the city, an,
that their co-conspirators here hat
threatened that we should be driver
: from our camp. Though not particu
larly alarmed by the report or the threat
we concluded to be ready for whateyel
might happen, and by order. of Col
Curtenius,p each man loaded with bal
cartridge and placed his musket besid'
his pallet in his tent. But the repor
of the victorious advance of the rebe
forces from Virginia being unfounded
as it always will be, the expulsion b.
! the Baltimore traitors was 'sindefnitel'
postponed, ,sa essi,
There may be a majority of the peo
pie here who are traitors at heart bu
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