Camp Below Sandy Hook, August 18, 1861.
Progress is the law
of life. Therefore retreat is I abnormal and depressing. When I looked at
Harper's Ferry drifting again under bare poles into secessionism, I felt
low. There was the flagstaff in the silent town, — the flag had just been
hauled down. The last flat-boat, with its last company, was coming across the
river. On Friday evening the orders came to strike tents, leave a force on the
Heights, and for the regiment to be ready to move. Colonel Gordon left me, with
three companies, on our old ground. He took the rest below and waited the
crossing of the river by Colonel Andrews.
It was just at dusk
when the regiment moved off. The mists were drifting thickly down the mountain
sides as the men wound off into the woods. I posted a new guard, got the men
under cover as well as I could, and awaited the inevitable rain. We were
without tents and without huts. The night passed wearily in a driving rain. The
bands were playing confusedly on the other side of the mountain, as the forces
were moving down the river. At last came light enough to call it Saturday
morning. I was up and out agitating the breakfast question. By good luck I got
hold of some stores accidentally left by the Quartermaster, and distributing
them, succeeded in getting a hot breakfast into my three wet companies. Then I
waited orders. At last Colonel Andrews brought them. I got the men in marching
order, and in the blue rain we started. I got my command safely down to
the river, and rejoined the regiment in Sandy Hook, where I found it just ready
to march. Then again came orders to remain to hold Sandy Hook, and to send a
force over to Harper's Ferry to seize all the flour in Herr's mill. Colonel
Andrews returned to the Ferry with five companies. All last night the flour was
coming across the river in boats. Our friend Mr. Herr was treated very
unceremoniously, but he liked it. He seemed to think it a choice between
secession bonds and Union gold; and if he could get the latter for his flour,
he would be content. So the troops seized his premises and took his flour, and
he acquiesced with a good grace. The rest of the regiment came down two miles
below Harper's Ferry, and here we are, this Sunday morning, waiting to be
joined by Colonel Andrews's companies, who have recrossed the river this morning,
with all their flour safe on this side. I am scribbling this letter in the
Doctor's tent, interrupted by questions, and bothered by difficulties of
commissariat. These sudden moves and this detached service are hard tests of
ingenuity. You see all the army conveniences move with the army. The regiment
that is left behind is ill provided. We have been using the telegraph, and
killing fresh beef, and seizing flour, and I think we shall not go hungry. The
impression seems to be, that an attempt will be made by the Rebels to reach
Baltimore, or get round Washington. That is thought to be the cause of our
movement. If such an attempt is made, it will fail. My baggage is all
gone.
I have nothing but
a tent and a blanket, and so am free from care. Colonel Gordon is just
galloping into camp. Orders are out for striking tents. We shall soon be in the
midst of the work of getting into shape in a new camp nearer Harper's Ferry.
SOURCE: Elizabeth
Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col.
Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 75-7
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