Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-21

thu frs, volunteers who responded to the call
t,r volunteers and came TO the defense of the
CAPITAL in 1861. He say:
The history Of the very first of the late war
Is 1uite as interesting as the very last part of
il. although there were fewer participants in
the former than in the latter part of that
frightful tragedy
On the 18th of April. 1861. two companies Of
volunteers left louisville. Pa. reaching Har-
risburg that same night, and next morning
we're together with some others who Joined
them there. sworn into the United States service
by ten. Mcdowell l was one of those who
came from Pottsville. and as l WAS quite
Young and a stranger. too. was not permitted
to join either of the two companies until
reached Harrisburg. where of the older
members consented to be my guardian and
have me sworn in i was anxious to become
ffer drummer. which latter position |
faithfully endeavored to tit myself for by two
weeks trial after reaching quarters in the
United States arsenal grounds in this city. But
much to the disgust of myself and to the relief
of others i was ordered ~ stop my noise and
get musket After being sworn III
took the train for Baltimore.
We were a motley crew. many Of us without
arms other than what each one supplied him
self with. Some few had bowie knives. billies
and pocket pistols: the latter weapons
mainly OF that diminutive and old-fashioned
pattern for which box of CD. caps was
indispensable requisite. large number of rs
were without uniform and carried our satchels
in lieu of kna psacks. which contained not only
our change Of clothing, but also many knick-
knaeks. such a. pocket looking-glass. comb
and brush, needles. thread. buttons. pins.
shoe brush and backing. pocket water-ilter.
scissors and Ayers pills. For many of these
articles We were indebted to the loving. loyal
women of Pennsylvania. with the caution to
.'be sure not to lose them" | regret to ac-
knowledge that the majority Of these friendly,
patriotic souvenirs were soon bartered away
with the camp followers for tobacco, or, per-
hsps. ginger beer.
THE MARCH THROUGH BALTIMORE.
We marched through the city of Baltimore
from one depot to another. Before leaving
the cars our officers cautioned us to be wary
and watchful, pay no attention to any one ex-
cept our officers and escorts and to keep close
together. 50 that we might be enabled to aid
one another il needful-" The streets through
which We passed were densely crowded and
the windows of the houses were packed with
women and children. some of whom waved
the seeesh and others the Union flag. The
crowds IN the streets appeared to be composed
largely OF southern sympathizers. many of
whom cursed at and struck In our faces,
frequently tearing away the hats from our
heads. notwithstanding they obliged in
doing so to pass between the lines of police
men who escorted us. Baltimore city owes me
hence reached this city one among the hat
less.
While at the Camden street depot the mob
became furious and endeavored to throw the
freight car in which was seated of the track
by means OF scantllng ana heavy tImbers
which they found there. Some cobble stones
were thrown through our car with little dam
age. Through all this confusing and vexatiOus
display our officers were calm and cool. con-
stantly advising us not to resent it.
tlur march through Raltimore WAS headed
by small company of regular troops under
command (as l afterwards learnedj of Lieut..
PendletOn, who soon after performing that
duty went south and was in command of the
confederate forces during the siege of Vicks-
burg. where had the opportunity of again
seeing him after the memorable Fourth of july
ls63 though under different circumstances and
surrounding When 1 first met him he was
living on Uncle Sam salt hoss and hard tack:
during NV last visit at Vicksburg found he
had discarded the salt hoss for fresh mule and
the tough hard tack for the more brittle johnny
cake. Peace be 90 his ashes as believe his
presence with his regular troops was all that
saved our band of raw. undisciplinesi patriots
from massacre by the Infatuated mob of Balti-
more
ESCAMPED IN THE CAPITOL
Upon reaching this city We were marched to
the Capitol. where We camped the night of the
18th of April. 1851. The only volunteers in the
city of Washington at the time of our arrival
we're the few men who composed the District
militia, many of whom were employed in build
ing the Capitol Our first meal in this city
was largely composed of hard tack which it
said baked for the Mexican war. 1t
large cake about the size of a tin pie
plate and about as tough
On the following d..y april 1s) the sixth
Massachusetts regiment arrived. many Of whom
had their heads and arms bound up, suffering
from the wounds received that day from the
Baltimore mob.
Il we'll he'll, va b..r he
frances To the Capitol with cement barrels. &c.
Ii was well We took this precautiOn. because
the morning after we arrived a squad of recruits
for the confederate army marched from one of
the frame houses which then stood on the same
square where stands the Congressional
Hotel. President Lincoln paid "a visit on
the morning of the 18th and spoke words of
praise To the few who then comprised the army
OF defense for tine capital of our nation. This
city then contained many warm sympathkers
Of the south, which was evidenced by the in
situations and insults heaped upon our men
whenever opportunity offered
Bake ovens were placed in the basement of
the Capitol, where our cooking was done. The
guard house was established in the room which
J. now used as a post office for the House of
Representatives III the Capitol building. |
stood guard there over what was probably the
hrst prisoner of the war He was a man who
Vas arrested for filling shells with sawdust in
the United States arsenal
Upon our arrival every precaution taken
10 make the city a. secure as possible lHt
Long bridge was tarrei ready 10 fire at a mo-
Iavnt's warning il the confederates should at
tempt q crossing. Many OF The numerous con-
tolerate recruiting Offices we're broken up.
Guard dutv and drill rigidly carried out.
Some Of the regulars. who escorted us through
Baltimore, we're detailed 70 dill us. After
some Sigh; mishsps such rs MASKING our owa
OF our neighbour toes. we learned to order
arms anu handle our mu-kets like veterans.
THEIR FIRST UNIFORMS
Our frs. suit Of uniform gray shoddy.
the strength OF which was demonstrated while
On drill duty and after the order ground
arms was given and carried into effect. While
performing this feat some OF us strained our
breeches 30 much that the said garment suffered
10 the extent Of causing a blush on many a
manly brow. The gray shoddy was soon
placed 5y the regulation blue. Had this change
been longer deferred we should all. no doubt,
have been gradually reduced To the '-Dahomey
costume Our first pair OF shoes were pro-
cured az store somewhere on Pennsylvania
avenue between 4 and 10th streets. do not
no| reCOl!ect the exact locality. and perhaps
~ l. well do not. because 1 should deem II my
duty 20 boycott the establishment for the
sOn that said shoes were also shoddy and melted
away during the first heavy rains
Many amusing incidents occurred during our
early drill days. On one occasion young
soldleTly-lOOking Irishman was placed on guard
daring the night-his first guard duty-and
rlH.r h. "a 81. .l,s1l