Headquarters Third
Brigade, U. States Militia, ANNAPOLIS, MD., April 23rd, 1861
To His Excellency THOMAS H. HICKS, Governor of
Maryland
SIR: You were credibly informed that I have taken possession
of the Annapolis and Elk-Ridge Railroad. It might have escaped your notice, but
at the official meeting which was had between your Excellency and the Mayor of
Annapolis and the Committee of the Government and myself, as to my landing my
troops, it was expressly stated as the reason why I should not land, that my
troops could not pass the Railroad because the Company had taken up the rails,
and they were private property. It is difficult to see how it could be that if
my troops could not pass over the Railroad one way the members of the
Legislature could pass the other way. I have taken possession for the purpose
of preventing the carrying out of the threats of the mob as officially
represented to me by the Master of transportation of the Railroad of this City,
“That if my troops passed over the Railroad the Railroad should be destroyed.”
If the Government of the State had taken possession of the
Railroad in any emergency I should have long waited before I entered upon it.
But, as I had the honor to inform your Excellency in regard to another
insinuation against the laws of Maryland, I am here arrived to maintain those
laws if your Excellency desires, and the peace of the United States against all
disorderly persons whatever.
I am endeavoring to save and not to destroy, to obtain means
of transportation so I can vacate the Capitol prior to the sitting of the
Legislature, and not be under the painful necessity of encumbering your
beautiful City while the Legislature is in session. I have the honor to be,
Your Obdt. Servt.,
BENJ. F. BUTLER, Brig.
Genl. Comdg.
SOURCE: Jessie Ames Marshall, Editor, Private and
Official Correspondence of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler During the Period of the
Civil War, Volume 1: April 1860 – June 1862, p. 28-9
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