The National tribune., 1883-12-06
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

and cordiality, however still existed between
our young commander and the President and
while naturally longing for more active opera
tons to begin, Mr.. Lincoln deferred constantly
to the Judgment and respected the reticence as
TO plans of movements of his popular and much
trusted chief As the November elections ap-
preached certain hot-headed secessionists of
Maryland were working hard to carry the
State. Violent men began to intimidate the
more quiet Union voters, and in some cases in
the lower counties Confederate soldiers crossed
the Potomac in uniform to influence the polls.
This gave US for that month of November what
l have called political campaign" AS the
part was permitted to bear in it won for me
the confidence and communication of General
Casey, and was the means of bringing me. to
the notice of General Sumnep will close this
monograph by introducing brief account of
the expedition, which ! have preserved, dated
headquarters 1st brigade Casey's division, No
yember TO- 1861: az / was sent for to go
TO Washington on Saturday. a week ago. /
rode in in q heavy rain; went to Casey's head
quarters and received orders to move nay bri-
gade to the lower ceunties-Prince George and
Calvert. | was instructed to report to General
Marcy (McClellan's father-in-law) for further
orders, which I did General Marcy told me
to take my brigade to that quarter consult
with Union men, and do what l could to pre-
vent an obstruction of the polls Sent
John to buy an india-rubber coat, returned to
camp lat Bladensburg), prepared the order of
march, and got ready for the next day. 1t
cleared Off before morning Sunday, but the
Eastern Branch which flows between camp
and Bladensburg, had risen so much that 1t
was ten rods across; and when l attempted to
cross over / had to swim my horse and
got pretty coolly wet. We managed to cross
the infantry over the railroad bridge and
back by foot-path bridge into the town.
A ofo lrxya cd tho Aau bnfpra
was with me. These with the wagons, were
able to ford (or SWIM the stream by 10a m.
We continued the march till sunset, making
about fourteen miles, and bivouacked at Gen.
treville, Nd without tents, in an extensive
piece of woods. The roads were unusually
muddy and slippery with the clay, and the
troops were tired but some of them made havoc
of widow lady's fence. / Immediately
put an officer of the 18th Rhode Island under
arrest Ut was a political expedition.) This
had the desired effect. didn't hear any more
of burning the fences. The Both Pennsylvania,
Colonel Miller, number soon changed to S1st,)
started from Good Hope and joined us at Cen
treville. The next day his regiment, with two
companies Of the New Hampshire 9th and
thirty cavalrymen, were left at Upper Marl-
borough, with orders TO send two companies to
Nottingham and vicinity, one to Queen Anne,
and one TO Piscataway.
THE MARYLAND ELECTIONS.
"At daylight, on Monday, we were up and
making ready TO march, when General Sykes,
with another brigade just ahead, delayed US q
little, but by $50 a. n. my brigade was
in motion. In six miles we came to the village
ofUpper Marlborough, quite pretty little town,
about three miles from the Patuxent, with q
court house one or two churches and taverns
This place is full of that kind of seeessionists
who cry peace when there is no peace. found
a few good Union men here. and left Colonel
Miller to consult with them. We passed on to
the Patuxent River found part OF the bridge
carried away; delayed two hours for its re-
| pair; took advantage of the time TO feed men
and horses, and then completed cur march, max
| ing for this day the forced march of twenty
seven miles. Before dark, with the cavalry, we
came upon a large and beautiful estate owned
| by Mr.. Thomas J. Graham. And you never
saw such generous hospitality. Mrs.
Graham co-operated fully in this with her hus-
band. Captain Sewell, DR.. Palmer and
stayed from Monday night till Friday morning
at this delightful place. All the rest of the
i brigade, besides what was left at Upper Marl-
borough, went that Monday night into hlr. Gra-
/ hams woods. Tuesday | sent one regiment,
| Colonel Rodman's Rhode Island, to Lower MARI
| borough, Colonel Welch's thirteen miles to
| Prince Frederick, aud Major Wetherill, Of the
cavalry, with one hundred OF his own and fifty
Of Colonel Welch's 45th Pennsylvania, to St.
Leonards, twenty-six miles. Wednesday morn
| ing every voting place in Prince George and
Calvert counties was occupied by troops. We
made several arrests. One man, Dir. Sellers, st
Prince Frederick, was formerly a member OF
| Congress. He behaved in the most violent
manner threatening to kill any Union man he
could, and striking TO the right and left with
| his bowie knife. Colonel WEIGH arrested him and
| brought him, with four others of like stamp
to Lower Marlborough. Mr.. Sellers was taken i'll
of the govt and was unable to move when left
Friday morning but is under solemn promise
to make his appearance at Washington as soon
as he can. The others released on their taking
the oath of allegiance and promising never to
fight against cur forces, and also receiving their
I word that they never had. Colonel Miller
| brought III cne IN secession dress, whom he
turned over 10 the provost marshal at Washing.
| ton. Wednesday was election day. On Thurs
day the forces were concentrated, and Friday
and Saturday returned TO their old ground
Last night went in after dark to carry my re.
port; went to see General Casey, who com
mended me highly for my promptitude and
faithfuinessp
This detail viii indicate what some of oul
regiments were doing. IN crossing swollen
streams, the long marches through clayey
mud, the bivouacs without canvass, the dis
cipline on friendly soil, and this giving brigh
officers something important 10 do-these were
indeed conducive TO coatentment, TO expert
ence, TO discipline, the needed preparation fol
grander trials amid the coming events which
were to prove more consonant to an armed
force.