Milford chronicle., 1923-03-23
MEMORIES OF
AN OLD SOLDIER
The Invasion OF Delaware" By An
Eastern Shore Regiment Told By
J.E. RastelI Of Washington.

In the National Tribune of March
18th, 1928, printed at Washington, D.
c., appeared an article which was
written by J. E. Rastell, who was at
the opening of the Civil War in 1861,
adJutant of the First Maryland Regi-
ment of Infantry. He opens his ar
ticle as fOllows:-
Our regiment, the 1st Md, Eastern
Shore, stationed at Salisbury in the early
part of the war, got orders from Depart
ment Headquarters at Baltimore to go I'D
into Delaware and disarm some secession
companies believed to exist in that State.
We moved at once with several COM
panies. Entraining for Dover, we pro-
ceeded about nine miles, where we stop
ped at Delmar, a station on the line di-
viding Delaware and Maryland. Co. b,
at that place, left the train in a body,
lined up stacked arms, and broke ranks.
With the Colonel, 1 left the train and
we went over to where the men were.
what is the matter?" asked the Colonel.
A spokesman replied that the company
had enlisted for service in Maryland and
did not intend to leave the State.
NO EtllilldIiOH OF SGINlCG
As organizer of the Regiment, I as
sured the men the Government had not
authorized any such limitation of serv-
ice and urged them to return at once to
duty. The Colonel, a loyal man, though
a STAKEHOLDER, was more emphatic, which
aroused the men to persist in their
course. The spokesman became insulting
and remarked that in any event they
would not serve longer under his COM
mand.
The Colonel and I were alone with the
men some distance from the train, but
instantly the Colonel drew a revolver
and pointing it at the man, took him by
the shoulder and ordered him aboard the
train.
The men were largely of the oyster
men class, and I saw some ugly knives
drawn.
The Colonel telegraphed to Salisbury
for Co. c to proceed to Delmar at once,
and ordered the return of Co. B to its
quarters. Without awaiting the outcome
we proceeded with the balance of our
force to Dover and marched to the Capt.
tai building, which we made our head
quarters. We were very coldly received,
and admission to the building refused.
We forced entrance, and for three days
I slept on the Speakers platform of the
House, with my saddle for a pillow.
Searching for Secesh
We began an active search for arms
among the citizens; entering a large
number of private residences of those
known to be disloyal or under suspicion.
A number of prominent men were ar
rested. I assigned them room at the
Capitol and placed an ample guard over
them. We combed the city pretty thor
oughly and captured a number of guns,
etc. From there we went to New Castle.
Our presence in Delaware had created
great excitement. A United States Sen
ator had gone from one end of the State
to the other, speaking from the rear
platform of trains. denouncing our 'in-
vasion of Delaware" The people were
pretty thoroughly aroused. At Dover,
the morning of our departure, the Capt.
tol grounds were filled with citizens in
anything but placid mood who were dis
posed to resent our presence and actions.
AS glanced over the crowds I was
very much concerned as to the outcome.
1t was my duty to Zine up" the troops,
which I did by clearing a suitable space.
After the line was formed I detailed the
left or rear company as guards for the
prisoners, which were still in the build
ing, and returned for them, after forming
the guard company in a hollow square
at the foot of the steps of the Capitol.
An Ugly Crowd
Seeing that everything had been prop
erly left, I went again to the front door
with the prisoners and the few soldiers
which had been guarding them. I was
greatly surprised to find that the Regi-
ment had gone and left only the one
company. The crowd of citizens had NOV
ed up close about the guard company at
the base of the Capitol steps, and it look
ed as if all Dover was there. I ordered
the crowd back, and when I got the pris
oners into the square, returned to the
steps, and at the top of my voice ordered
the soldiers to shoot any man who came
within touch of their bayonets.
The men were all standing at Charge
outwardly. Returning to the center of
the square. ordered, Forward, March"
and away we went down the street to
the depot, the crowd following us-sullen
and threatening.
While we were in Wilmington l was
ordered to take the prisoners to Balti- !
more With a detail of eight men and
a sergeant, I took the prisoners to the
depot only to find that the last train had
left. We therefore, prepared to camp in
the depot overnight
One of the prisoners came to me and |
said that if I would consent to go to a
hotel, they would stand the expenses for
all hands. I agreed to this and ar
ranged to have beds enough in one large |
room to accommodate the prisoners and !
myself.
This done I put a guard inside the
room at the door and one outside, and |
placed the remaining soldiers under
their sergeant in the office with orders |
to change guards every two hours. All
had fixed bayonets. Private instructions
were given all hands, and, tired out 1
lay down and was soon asleep.
Asleep on Duty
I did not remove a garment, not even
my shoes or sword! awol1e during the
night and in the gas light saw that every
prisoner was in place, but the guard was
there were two muskets
leaning against the well.
Getting up quietly, found my two
guards. both asleep, sitting on the floor
The one outside had come in for COM
Dany. and both had yielded.
I sat a moment studying what pest TO
1o Finally I crept up to the sleeping
.oI,7io,.s o,,5 tool, avvav their guns. Then