Camp Below Sandy Hook, August 18, 1861.
Well, not so quiet and slow a Sunday, after all. When I
closed and mailed my letter this morning, on the abrupt order to “strike tents
and pack wagons,” I did not foresee the briskness of the day. The whole
regiment, with much expedition, got upon its new camping-ground nearer the
hills and nearer Harper's Ferry. At one o'clock the field of our new encampment
was already white. At about three I started on my horse to ride down to the
canal and hurry off the boat-load of flour that had been seized. Before I got
there I met the report that the Rebel cavalry had entered Harper's Ferry, and
that our men were firing on them from the opposite bank of the Potomac. I
hurried on and galloped into Sandy Hook. The citizens had gathered under the protection
of some buildings. When I got to the Ferry, just above where the old bridge was
burnt, I found Captain Cogswell's company, which was there stationed, watching
its chances to fire on the enemy who might show themselves in the town
opposite. Colonel Andrews, who was there superintending the exit of the flour,
was watching to direct their fire. They had succeeded in dismounting one
or two horsemen, and in scattering the whole body round the point beyond the
hill. Lieutenant Brown, who was loading the ferry-boat, saw the cavalry coming
down the Shenandoah road. His citizen workmen fled incontinently. His soldiers
put the few remaining barrels on board, including that portion of flour which
was the promised pay of the citizen workmen, Brown telling them afterwards they
had lost it by running. Colonel Andrews immediately ordered some of
Captain Cogswell's men to climb the hill so as to bring the Rebel horse within
range. Their shots scattered the cavalry who had formed in the square by the
Armory. A brisk interchange of shots ensued. Captain Cary's company was
stationed above, on the Potomac, to guard the ford. A fatigue party from his
company were down at the river-bank obstructing the passage-way from the ford.
The Rebels opened fire on them.
Captain Cary deployed his company as skirmishers, and they
returned the whistling bullets. I arrived just as the fire was ceasing. After
starting the boat, which, as good luck would have it, had on board every barrel
of flour seized except thirty kept for our own use, I went on to give some
orders to Captain Cary. I found him and his company in cheerful temper, and
watching for “good shots.” Then I went up the hill to our lookout. Lieutenant
Horton was there with a picket. He pointed out where the troops had been, and I
also saw a retreating body of horse on the Charlestown road. Leaving him, I
returned to Colonel Andrews, below, at the ford, found everything quiet, and then
came back to camp to report. This evening I have been again to Sandy Hook, and
all is quiet. We think it is only a sudden dash to prevent our seizure of the
flour which they coveted. By working all night we had got our prey the right
side of the swift river, and the boat went out of range of them on the canal
just as they got to the ferry. Our position, too, on the side of the mountain
in shelter of the trees, enabled us to sprinkle our shots freely through the
town. So their scheme failed. Still we may from time to time exchange shots
with them. We are well posted. They cannot cross the river easily, and we are
not in force to attempt it, so there is no danger, and much amusement and
liveliness in possible store for us. Our flour and some other stores taken have
given us a fine commissariat. We have plenty to eat, and are in good spirits.
A scout from Harper's Ferry reports a company of infantry in
one of their churches. So our successors followed close upon our heels.
SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and
Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 77-9
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