The National tribune., 1886-10-14
FIGHTING THEM OVER
Whai0ur Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
RLuE AND BuTTERNUT.
Graphic Description OF Lees Occupation Of Fred
erick Nd. in 1859.

Graphic Description OF Atth bcrhphhoh VI ffta'
erick, Ma. in 1s6s.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: 1t was soon
after our bloody repulse at Balls Bluff that j
was assigned 10 duty at the old barracks at
Frederick city, Md, TO assist in establishing
division hospital for Gen. Banks's boys, who
were about TO 90 into Winter quarters in and
around that place. j found that DIR. Crane, Of
the Sd Wis, had already routed out a troop OF
Maryland cavalry and occupied one OF the
rooms on the ground floor for hospital, where
he had collected some sick and wounded, be-
longing chiefly TO his own regiment IL was
not great while before our hospital had grown
to considerable size, with fine medical staff in
attendance as an open Winter created large
amount OF sickness in the various camps, some
Of which were very uniavonlbly situated.
The division was composed of the Sd Wis,
Col. Rugcr. doing guard duty in the cityi 18th
Mass. Col Webster; 10th Ind, Col. Hackel-
man: 27th lnd Col. Colgrove; 9th n. Y. ;. NJ,
who wore red stripes down the legs of their
broadclo,h unilorms-that they had themselves
furnished-tony fellows, who, being from the
city, contributed nearly al the details for
clerical duty at the various headquarters; be-
sides other commands that cannot recall
The BOYS had a nice time during the Winter
of '6l 2 earring the mud, that was generally
knee deep attending balls and parties and
making love TO
THE PRETTY Girls OF MARYLAND,
and not a few captures were made from our
ranks by the dear creatures. And yet il was a
bard Winter upon the troops, rs smallpox,
measles .:nd typhoid fever ragged with consider
able severity. and many poor fellow got no
farther in his effort TO suppress the rebellion
than the little cemetery on the hill beyond the
barracks.
Twill not pretend 10 narrate the many in
teresting and amusing events that occurred
during our encampment al Frederick, but all
will remember the habit OF almost everybody
wearing shOgldeT-siraps with great silver letters
I'm German text 10 denote the branch Of service
they belonged TO, and the guards were sorely
puzzled To know how TO salute when an officer
made his appearance, as the NJ. S, q. d., A. ;.
of the Medical STAFF. Quartermasters aud SUIT
lers were often mistaken for general officers.
But Spring came at last, and Gen. Banks
commenced his memorable campaign up the
Shenandoah Valley followed by his equally
memorable retrograde movement out Of il into
Maryland again, which we consoled ourselves
was one OF the most mastery retreats in the
annals OF warfare.
The Summer passed away, and the bloody
battles on the Peninsula had been fought and
Pope defeated, and our hopes and fears were
chasing each other from zero TO blood heat and
back again like the mercury i'm the thermome-
ter Our hospital was no longer division, but a
general hospital, and one of the very best in the
country. Dr. Robert i. Weir u. S. A., was in
charge, with a large staff Of assistants, and St.
Joseph's furnished the nurses from the sister
hood.
THE ALARM.
On Sept 3, 1862, was Officer Of the Day at
the hospital, and Gen. Lee was crossing the
Potomac with his army 10 invade Maryland
The Surgeon in charge late in the evening, bad
gone 10 take little much needed rest, leaving
orders tiIat ] should watch the telegrams from
Gen. Miles 1t Harper's Ferry, aud obey orders,
if amy, 60 the best of my Judgment. The valiant
Provost Marshal had fled with all his I" fixings
long before. Near midnight ] received the fol
lowing dispatch from Gen. Miles and the last h'
sent:
Lees army viii enter Frederick tomorrow. An,
property thai you do not want fall into the hand
of the enemy had better be destroyed. Our com
Mnfs, Commanding
j ordered the long roll beaten, and abou
600 eOnvaleseents with their arms, answered
and were sent OF in charge Of A. A. Surg. C. Z
Harrington towards Gettysburg, Pa, with TIVE
wagons loaded with the most valuable mcdi
cines and other property OF the hospital. TheI
setting frc to the hospital and quartermaste
stores that could not be removed we awaiteS
the arrival of Lees Miserables."
Saturday, Sept. 6, 8 O'Clock a. m, and no reb
els. Dr. Pat. Heany had just relieved me a
Officer Of the Day, and after adjusting his sash
said, as he took his seat among the group 0
officers on the second story of the balcony:
" BE jabers but wouldn't il be purity piec
of work for MS 10 destroy all that property AM
have no Lee put in his appearance at all, a
alp"
DEMAND FOR SURRENDER.
There was a commotion at the entrance Of tn
grounds among the group of watchers as singl
hOTseman clad ia butternut dashed through th
gate, mp To and in front Of where we were sii
ting, refined up his horse, brought his carbin
20 his shoulder covering DIR. Heany, who ha
risen TO his feet and stood at the head of IN
stairs with his badge as Officer OF the Day owe
his shoulder, aud said:
:" ] demand the surrender Of this post in th
name of Gen. Lee and the Confederate State
Of America" stil covering DIR. Heany with hi
carbine.
The Doctor turned to me and asked, "wha
had better dor"
IF you are prepared TO defend the place te
the man so; if not, surrender H." / replied.
Then i surrender, sir" said DIR. Hean
hurTiedly.
The Confederate smiled at the Doctors en-
barrassment, told US he belonged TO White
company Of border cavalry, aud was the az
vance Of Lees army that would soon be up. 4
advised Us 10 keep within the grounds until "a
army had passed and taken possession of Il
city, and then rode of, after promising TO SCI
guard.
DR. Heany soon recovered himself, and aft
the man had gone began To complain that [" q
hsythen would have shot me in momer
without bit Of scruple, really do believe 50
do: and mean trick IL was 30 point rusty O
blunderDns5 al a gentleman niver harm
him IN his lie, so il was; and divil tho I
would j lament il be fell dead in the first figl
the baste"
A roar Of laughter from the officers was n
calculated 10 soothe his wounded feelings.
We were soon placed under guard. and b;
terry OF light artillery encampcd in the grounS
Rebel Surgeons were not loug in making ths
appearance, but except To share our supply
liquors made no demands, aud were satisfied
be our guests
WHILE WE WERE THEIR PRISONERS.
Stonewal Jaclzson's Medical Director, brusul
pomp0us Doctor Of some ability. seemed to
"a best man among them, aud with rare exc,
tiOns all were geHtlcmanly in their behayi
The passage of the army continued day a
night without interval until Wednesday aud
appeared as though IL would never cease
reminded me Of what had read of Peter [
Hermlts followers. The artillery were Oft
mounted on The rudest of carriages, and rickC
old farm wagons were seen moving along
sad contrast with captured United Sta
wagons. The uniforms OF the soldiers were !
uniforms, but consisted Of everything, from
most nothing 10 the most gorgeous apparel
all shades Of c0lors Bot squaloT aud abb
wretchedness appeared 10 predOminate, Will
lack Of skilled mechanics was everywh
apparent.
On Tuesday we were paroled and permit
TO go upon the streets and 90 our hotels;
what change had come over the city Eve
where was found the buttcnut instead of
Dlue Tho general behaVior x-as gona ,