Norwich bulletin., 1922-02-06
CAPT. SAMUEL b. KNAPP, 81.
ENTERTAINS ON BIRTHDAY

In his home No. 35 Washington
street, Capt. Samuel R. Knapp was host
to party on his S7th birthday, and pro-
vided a very pleasant evening for COM
pany of IL neighbors and friends. Among
the guests was Mrs. Rebecca Morarty OF
Worcester, Mass. who has been passing
several months with relatives in Norwich
and who observed her saith birthday Jan
10 by receiving many relatives and
friends, among them Captain Knapp. At
the gathering Friday evening delicious
cake and ice cream was served. A dec
GRATED birthday cake bore the figures 81,
the outline being formed with lighted
candles. Captain Knapp received a num-
Der Of gifts, cards, candy, etc. also
growing plant from Clara Barton tent,
No 7, d. of V.
Captain Knapp is one of the few sur
vivors of Company L 18th regiment, Con-
necticut volunteers. He was mustered
into service in Norwich Aug. s. 1862. The
18th regiment left this state Aug q; few
changes transpired for the first four
months. while in Baltimore and vicinity
| Jan. l. 1853, found the regiment in COM
| Portable quarters with but few excep-
| tons, one Of these was Company I, with
Captain Knapp in charge. A report hav-
| ing gained credence that Stuart's famous
| cavalry was contemplating a descent on
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Dec 80,
! 1852, Companies c, and I. with de-
tachment from other regiments, number
ing in all about 1900 men, were placed
under command of Col. w G. Ely and
| ordered up the railroad toward Frederick
City. After preparations for three days
| light marching orders, the companies IN
| driving storm marched through the city
| to the station Of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. were packed into old freight
cars and hurried off in the direction
| where the trouble was expected.
About o'clock next morning the cars
halted at place called Mt Airy and
Company 1 was left on guard. while the
other two companies were taken to a
station 10 miles further. which was dis
lance Of so miles from Baltimore AT
Mt. Airy Company 1 had various experi-
ences, being left about half mile above
the depot. near high embankrnent, in a
strange country, and SO intensely dark
that there was nothing to do but wait for
daylight.
i. Captain Knapp rolled himself up in his
blankets, and after an hours sleep awoke
nearly frozen and found his men trying
to make themselves comfortable by q
large fire. Ed Spalding handed him .
cup of hot coffee which, with the fire out.
, side, finally warmed him UP. Some Of
the company struck off in the dark, found
farmhouses. gained admission, and tool
comfortable possession Almost ever,
family in the place were rebels, but Cap
tain Knapp discovered one Union mai
who fully acquainted him with the sit
uation and pointed out a large barn nea
, by which the command could confiscat
l for military purposes. The owner wa
interviewed and the inquiry made IL h
, would clean out the barn for the Yam
KEGS. He was disinclined to compis
Very WELL replied Captain Knapp, e
/, will do 1t for you. as I have plenty o
help" The rebel thereupon took tn.
hint and despatched about dozen ne
. groes to remove the hay and straw, an,
. after the work had been completed Com
, pany 1 moved in. The captain told tn
boys they must find a stove and after
sortie they found one in blacksmith
shop, two miles distant; this they con
veyed to headquarters. The situatio
soon assumed a pleasanter aspect. tn
4 straw about a foot thick, making a sof
. bed for the night.
/ Captain Knapp had four invitations I
5 breakfast the next morning, the citizen
k having concluded it would be for thei
Ii interest to show every attention to tn
y Union boys. especially the officers. Thi
y was New Years morning, and after Co
onel Ely had received a despatch that h
= | return with his command to Baltimori
( that evening found Company C at Fol
4, Marshall again, and Companies I and
l. in Stuart's woods. at the termination {
n West Baltimore street, where the form,
n remained two months.
= The most active service Of these CON
A, panies and what looked most like wa
l. up to this time happened during tn
- period. Because of illness, CAPITAL
! Knapp resigned June 6. 1863.