Smyrna times., 1951-02-01
MY MEMORIES OF THE CIVIL
WAR IN SMYRNA
By Margaret H. Roe
Written in 1915

There were so many sympathiz-
ers in Delaware that the state
came very near seeding, and feel
ing against the Union was great
that at the time of President Lin
coins election (1S60) that a COM
pany of the Sixth New York Artil-
lery was sent to guard the poles
in Smyrna, as it was claimed that
the Democrats had refused to let
the Republicans vote. 1 can see
them today as they stood in line
before the Smyrna House (the pol
ing place., with their guns and
bayonets ready for any disturb
ance. Some of their faces are still
fresh in my memory, as well as the
faces of other soldiers who guard
ed the town, some of whom became
warm friends after the war was
over. The artillerymen stood in the
street from early morning until
late at night, when the votes were
read out. do not know how long
they remained in Smyrna
The Quaker Westinghouse that
occupies the site of the present
Bailey lumberyard was filled by
the officers Of Maryland Cavalry
Company and Of the Quartermas-
ter's Department, while the caval-
rymen filled the tents in the neigh
horhood, their horses occupying
hastily-erected stables. The Union
ladies furnished a fine dinner for
them, which they thoroughly en-
Joyed. They had such a supply of
apple pies that Corporal Zack
Gammel, (who afterward helped to
capture Azteroth, one Of the con
Spirators in the death of President
Lincoln), and another of the sold
lers, were found slipping number
of pies under their hunks, think
ing to have repast of their own
later on. Such eating They did
enjoy that good dinner. My moth
er was one of those who provided
it, and Emma Boyer and 1 helped
wait on the tables. 1t filed us with
joy to do anything for the soldiers.
Zack Gammel was later given
three thousand dollars for the cap
ture of Azteroth of the conspiracy,
as he was head of the squad.
I remember the raising of the
new and beautiful flag at their en-
campment, the military music, the
great crowd, and the cheering as
the flag was unfurled to the breeze.
It was carried into the battlefield
when they went into active service.
How we loved to watch the mount
ed cavalry as they passed through
the streets. At the corner of North
and Main Streets (Mr. Daniels
lott, there was stationed a COM
pany of Maryland infantry under
a Captain Yardley, who was very
severe disciplinarian and who in
CURED the displeasure of many
citizens by 'bucking and gagging"
one of the company for not coming
out on parade when he was too
sick for duty. The captain was
forced to release the man. In the
yard of Number Three Schoolhouse
on North Street where the tents of
the Delaware Home Guards, reach
ing over to the brick kiln. The
schoolhouse was used for the Com
missary and the Hospital. We Of
ten went to see them, tasted their
hardtack, etc. The two-sory brick
house on Main Street above North,
next to the lot where the infantry
was stationed, was used by the In
valid Corp, where they were sent
to recover, and the brick house at
Glenwood Cemetery was a hospital
for the sick.
There was a sham battle given
for practice and drill in the lot op-
posite Glenwood Cemetery. The in
fantry stood in, a solid square in
the center of the lot with fixed bay
bnets to receive the charge of the
cavalry. 1t was a beautiful sight,