The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-09-14
1sIMINSTER MD, SATURDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER H. 1872

Late nj night, while out inspecting
the country in trout Of our line, he no
ticed at Que place near the turnpike
that there was evidently n great excite
ment among our hitherto quiet and
sullen troops. Presently a great cheer
went up, then another and another
what could it meanY
He stopped to listen.
Far out on the road towards Taney
town he could hear the roar of rolling
cannon wheels aud the tramp, tramp Of
thousands Of feet
1t was the gallant old Fifth Corps
under Sykes Fastening to join in the
coming battle.
Presently another shout went up -
"The Fiith's oomingl Hurrah! hur-
rahw
He turned and rode hastily away
well he knew what that shout meant.
The Fifth Corps there was fight
in the very name of it.
| All that night, our men came hurry.
ing up; and when morning dawned,
Lee had before him, blocking his way,
his old enemy-the army Of the Poto.
mac.
Sedgwick did not receive his orders
until far into the night, but when he
did get them, he delayed not moment,
and soon the long lines of his men
were marching through our streets on
their way TO tho front.
lie marched all that night.
The whole of the next day, we could
bear the boom, boom Of cannon far
away towards Gettysburg, and knew
that terrible battle was being fought
but, being ignorant of the presence of
the army Of the Potomac, we thought
that Sedgwick alone was fighting it.
The reports that were circulated on
the street though vague enough, were
sufficient to give all Union men every
disquiet.
Sedgwick, weakened by his nights
march, had been repulsed early 10 the
morning, and was fighting and slowly
retreatiug on Westminster. He intend.
ed to intrench himself near Westminster
and again give battle. lie had lost
heavily aud now had but 10000 men
left him. With these he had to resist
the hundred thousand who had broken
into our State under Lee.
Under Lee
What warrior was there, however
famous and skillful, that could fight at
odds with him
We heard all these things and trem-
bled. Sedgwick might resist until he
perished ut his post, but swarms of
Rebels would pass over his dead men
into our city, and then woe to all Union
lists whom they found there!
Alarm and confusion once more pre-
vailed. The merchants closed their
stores, and the citizens generally focked
again into the streets The noise of the
battle and the rattle Of the ammunition
trains kept up all day, but no news
could be obtained from tho front. At
evening, however, report became cur
rent that the army Of the Potomac was
really engaged with Lee, and had obtain
cd great victory. The truth of this
seemed to be established later on for
ambulances came to town, laden with
Confederate wounded, and detachments
of prisoners were from time to time
brought in.
But carly the next morning, the
boom Of cannon was again heard, and
continued without intermisson through.
out the whole day. Our citizens were
now, however, aware Of all the facts
that are here stated, and felt more as
surod of their safety.
The prisoners were q great curiosity
to all, and large crowds were continu-
ally gathered around these unfortunates
A vacant lot near the railroad formed
the prison, around which sentries were
stationed with loaded muskets. Within
the pen, the scene was certainly novel
and ludicrous one. Not less than
thousand men, in motley, ragged cos
tunes, with long hair, and lean, wild,
haggard faces, were gathered in groups
or in pairs about the field. They stared
arouud at the spectators in silence
and most Of them seemed to be weary |
and hungry, while all were sullen and |
depressed. Some were wrapped in
blankets of rag carpet, aud others we're
bare footed aud nearly naked. Others
again were without either hats OF jackets,
and their heads were bound with hand |
kerchicis. Some appeared in rcd shirts
some in stiff beaver hats some were
attircd in shrods aud patches Of cloth
and few wore the soiled garments Of |
citizen gentlemen, but the mass adhered
to homespun suits of gray, or "butter-
nut" and the coarse blue kessey COM
mon to slaves.
Occasionally might be seen red
Aouavc brecches and lsggiugs; blue
Federal caps, Federal coats, aud Fedc.
raj blouses /; but these were the spoils
Of battle and had been stripped from
the slain.
Most Of the men lay on the bare
ground; others chatted nervously
amongst themselves MS if doubtful Of
their future treatment, and all looked
sullen and vindictive.
In the evening, they were placed on
a long train Of cars and sent of to Bal
timore.
When our citizens arose the next
morning, the morning Of the 4th, a
great change had taken place. The
sound Of cannon was no longer heard I
no soldiers lounged about the street
the continuous rattle of long trains Of
cars had entirely ceased, and the noisy,
shouting teamsters, with their strug-
ling little mules, and heavy rumbline