Maryland Heights, August 11,1861.
There is nothing very new to write, everything is quiet;
drills go on three times daily. I had command of the picket at Sandy Hook
Thursday night, consisting of some sixty men. We had frequent alarms, through
the night, from the other side of the river, caused by firing across the
Shenandoah; the long roll was beaten and several of the battalions turned out
under arms, but nothing came of it but a pig and dog being killed on our side.
The orders to me were to allow no one to pass the ford or ferry without a pass
from General Banks or Colonel Gordon, and to shoot any one who attempted to
pass without.
I had an interview with Banks Friday morning, to get some
orders from him, and give him some information. He was very pleasant and gave
me a great deal of discretionary power about shutting up stores, hotels, etc.,
whenever I had any trouble with liquor. The whole discipline of the army is
improving very fast; the soldiers and officers are all obliged to stay by their
camps except on special occasions. There is going to be an examination before a
military board of officers which will probably throw out a great many
inefficient ones. I am happy to say we get some of our pay very soon now; our
muster rolls have gone to Washington, and the Paymaster will be here some time
this week. We are paid from May 11th until June 30th, this time; that is for me
about one hundred and forty dollars.
I just heard that we were to move away from here tomorrow
and join our brigade, some four miles off. I shall be glad, on some accounts,
as it will join our regiment together again and get us off from this continual
guard duty. The weather here is steadily hot, averaging from ninety to one
hundred degrees.
SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 15-6
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