Head-quarters,
Deportment of Maryland.
Fort McHenry, July 24,1861.
Colonel E. D. Townsend,
Assistant Adjutant-general, Head-quarters of the Army:
Colonel, — I
annex a list of the regiments whose term of service is about to expire, and of
those which are mustered for three years. General Banks persuaded the Sixth
Massachusetts to remain till the 2d of August. I have been to the encampment of
the Twenty-second Pennsylvania, whose term expired yesterday, and the men
consent to continue in service a week longer. The Thirteenth New York resolved
unanimously this morning to go home to-morrow. I have just returned from their
camp, and by the most urgent remonstrances and by strong appeals have induced
them to stay another week. By the 2d of August there will not be one of the
eight first-named regiments in the annexed list left. I shall have only the
three last regiments on the list remaining. I must urge the immediate
re-enforcement of the troops under my command. There ought to be ten thousand
men here and at Annapolis. I would not venture to respond for the quietude of
the Department with a smaller number. The late reverse at Manassas has brought
out manifestations of a most hostile and vindictive feeling in Annapolis as
well as in Baltimore.
Major-general Banks, on the evening of my arrival here,
asked, at my suggestion, for four hundred cavalry. They would, for the special
service required, be equal to a full regiment of infantry. I hope they may be
furnished without delay. It is understood that a regiment of cavalry leaves New
York to-morrow. Can I have a detachment of three or four companies from this
regiment, with a field-officer? I will see to the immediate protection of the
bridges in all directions.
I am, very
respectfully, yours,
John A. Dix, Major-general commanding.
SOURCE: Morgan Dix, Memoirs of John Adams Dix,
Volume 2, p. 25
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