The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-02-05
CHAPTER n.
DISCRIMINATION IN NMARYLAND-MARC
UPON BALTIMORE-THE DEATH
OF GEN ROSS.

The moon had set, and there was no
light in the sky, except that which a
multitude of brilliant stars afforded,
when general stir throughout the
fleet gave notice that the moment Of
Decentralization was at hand. The sol
diers, rousing from their sleep, began
to assemble upon the decks in the Or
der in which it had been previously
agreed that they should step into the
boats; the seamen, applying seduously
to their tasks, hoisted out barges,
launches. gigs, ETC., with all dispatch;
whilst the few stores deemed essential
to the operations of the campaign were
so arranged, as to be transported at
once from the shipping to the beach.
All, however, was done in profound 81
lence. No conversation passed from
rank to rank, and even the cries of the
sailors were repressed; lest being over
h ard by the parties which. we could
not doubt, were watching us from the
shore, an alarm might be communica-
ted, and the people of Baltimore APP
prised of their danger.
Whilst these things were doing in
the other vessels, light gun-brig,
which had weighed anchor for the pur-
pose about an hour before, ran in with
the tide; and took her station, broad
side on, Within cables length Oh the
beach. There she lay ready, in case
of need. to sweep the shore with her
fire. Every gun was loaded to the
mnzzle with grape and cannon shot.
But the event proved that no opposi-
tion to the landing was contemplated.
The leading boat touched the strand
in safety; the soldiers contained in it
sprang up the slope, and spreading
| themselves in extended order along the
ridge, lay down. Others quickly fol
lowed, and in half an hour after the
| first movement had been made, a thou
sand men were in line, to cover the ar
rival Of their comrades. A II this took
place before the first blush of dawn had
shown itself in the eastern horizon
| Nor was the remainder of the Army
tardy in reaching its destination Ex.
erting themselves to the utmost, oul
gallant tars, without any intermission
of labor for several hours, pulled back
wards and forwards, and by seven
o'clock, infantry, artillery, baggage
and horses appeared to be all on shore
1t so happened, that the transport
in which l was embarked lay very neal
the land, by which means our division
made good its debarkation among tie
first; and | shall not readily forget the
nature of the scene which was thus
brought before me- When we gained
the shore, only single boat, contain
ing about twenty soldiers, had reached
it. We leaped from the bow, one after
another, and collecting close to the wa.
ters edge proceeded, at a quick pace,
to ascend the sloping sand-bank; at tie
summit of which we found our com
panions. The officer in command o1
that small party alone stood upright
the men were fiat upon their bellies
but at our suggestion they rose, and
advancing about forty yards further in
land, we all lay down again. Let the
reader recollect, that we knew nothing
Of the preparations which had been
made for our reception; for aught We
could tell, a whole army might be il
| position within a stones throw of our