The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-10-05
CHAPTER \.
DISEMBARKATIONI IN NMARYLAND-MARCH
UPON BALTINORE--THE DEATH
OF GEN. ROSS.


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 a 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 bad been previoutly
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
silence. No conversation passed from
rank to rank, and even the cries of the
sailors were repressed; lest being over
heard by the parties which, we could
not doubt, were watching us from the
shore, an alarm might be communi-
Gated, and the people Of Baltimore ap-
,ricoI of hoir do
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 of the
beach. There she lay ready, in case
OF need, to sweep the shore with her
fire. Every gun was loaded to the
muzzle 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 All 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 intcrmission
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 | was embarked lay very near
the land, by which means cur division
made good its deharkation among the
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 af: ell
another, and collecting close to the wa
tcr's edge proceeded, at quick pace
to ascend the sloping sand-bank; at the
summit of which we found our com
Danions. The officer in command OF
that small party alone stood upright:
the men were flat upon their bellies:
but at our suggestion they rose, and
advancing about forty yards further in
land, we all lay down again. Let the
OF the preparations which had been
made for our reception; for aught we
could tell, 4 whole army might be in
position within stones throw of oul
ground; and he will not be surprised
to learn, that we held our breath, in
anxious expectation of what the next
instant might bring forth. Yet was
the eXcitation very far from being dis
agreeable. True, we might be called
upon to sustain the first shock OF q
force a great deal too numerous to be
long opposed with success; but sc
were aware, that succor would not IL
slow in arriving; and we could not iol
a moment doubt as to the final issue
Then there was much in our position
and attitude in the highest degree i'm
posing. You could tell that troop:
were in line beside YOU, only by an oc
casional rustic in the long grass il
which they crouched; for all kept clost
to the earth, and not a man spoke
even in n whisper, to his nearest neigh
hor.
As day dawncd, however, it became
abundantly manifest that SO much cau
ton had been quite unnecessary: not :
living creature was IN sight, nor coult
the smallest trace that even Il pickle
had kept guard here be observed. Be
fore us lay few open green fields