Headquarters. Third Brigade Mass. Vol.
Militia, ANNAPOLIS, Apr.
23, 1861
To His
Excellency JoHN A. ANDREw,
Com. in Chief
DEAR SIR: By
telegraph I kept your Excellency advised of the movement of the 8th Regt. to
Friday April 19, & so far as I thought it reliable of the sad mishaps &
glorious action of the Sixth Regt. I also forwarded you a memorial of a
proposed plan of action, which plan I have the honor to announce has been
successfully carried out. Through the loyal exertions and generous sympathy of
S. M. Felton, Esq. Pres. of Phil. and Wilmington R.R., I had the Steam Boat
“Maryland,” which plied between Havre de Grace and Perryville, put fully at my
disposal, and acting under the advice of the Major. We had learned that the
bridges had been burned between Havre de Grace and Baltimore, and all means of
communication through to Baltimore had been cut off. It occurred to me that the
best method of opening communication between the Northern States for the loyal
citizens and soldiers of the Union could be best through the city of Annapolis,
that the Route that way would be but little if any longer in point of time than
the more direct way through Baltimore, which required two transhipments of any
considerable body of troops by the cars.
The passage
from Perryville to Annapolis being but six hours, and the passage from Baltimore
being four, besides the time for the passage by horse-cars across the city; and
the distance from Washington being 40 miles against 46 via Baltimore, — acting
under the advice of S. M. Felton and other gentlemen who feared that the Eighth
Regiment was too small a force for such an undertaking, I waited at
Philadelphia six hours for the N.Y.V. under Col. Lefferts to come up. But
fearing lest the Ferry Steamer, which was all important to our enterprise,
might be seized upon by the enemies of the country, I detailed Capt.
Devereaux’, Co. of Salem, and Capt. Briggs’, Co. of Pittsfield, for the special
duty of proceeding forward by train and seizing the Ferry Boat at one o’clock
Friday. Their march was successfully made to place where they found Col. Lefferts'
Regt. had arrived, but he declined to take part in the expedition, therefore
they did not go forward to seize the boat. At eight o’clock in the morning,
after telegraphing for Maj. (Cook's) Battery, which I am happy to inform your
Excellency arrived at Annapolis on the morning of 25, & is now drilling on
the grounds of the Academy, I put forward the 8 Regt. in position and got on
towards the cars at Phil. at 10 o’clock. After waiting two hours time in a vain
attempt to induce Col. Lefferts to accompany us, we determined to go on alone.
On our Route to Perryville we heard at various stations that 1800 of a
Baltimore mob were waiting at Perryville for the purpose of disputing with us
the passage of the Susquehanna. This information was one of the thousand exaggerated
rumors which reached us and undoubtedly reached you, & is only mentioned
here for the purpose of showing to your Excellency and people of Commonwealth
how the men under my command behaved themselves in firm belief of its truth.
During the passage from Phil. to Perryville the Regt. prepared itself for the
attack. Ammunition, 10 rounds to each man was distributed, & our muskets
were carefully inspected and loaded. About 100 men who know nothing about the
use of arms were furnished by me at Phil. with axes, pickaxes, & other
intrenching tools. Arriving within a mile of Perryville, and not intending to
be caught in the cars by a mob as had been the 6th Regt., we left the cars and
made our dispositions for the purpose of forcing a passage to the Boat. Capt.
Devereaux's command were thrown out in advance as skirmishers, to occupy both
sides of the Road supported by Capt. Briggs’ Co. one hundred paces in the rear.
He was immediately followed by a detachment of our axe and hatchet men, who
were instructed to rush upon any barrier and cut it down, while covered by the
fire of our skirmishers. The rest of the Regt. we formed in solid columns, 50
paces in the rear with orders to march steadily forward & throw themselves
into the boat by the weight of the column. The Company then marched steadily
forward, not a man blanched or faltered, – indeed the prospect of meeting those
in battle who had murdered our brothers in Baltimore seemed to give them
pleasure, so that I can hardly say that, when in reaching the Boat we found
there was no foe to oppose us, the surprise was more agreeable than
disagreeable. I can assure your Excellency, however, that to myself it was most
agreeable, for it relieved me from a great weight & a fearful
responsibility.
The
embarkation was immediately effected, & the boat steamed down the bay at
six o'clock in the evening. At this time we had scarcely two days’ rations with
us, — the men exhausted by the night march from Boston of Thursday night and
Friday, the incessant preparation of Friday night at Phil. threw themselves
upon their blankets on the deck of the boat and were soon buried in the
profoundest slumber, — so profound, indeed, that when it became necessary, in
the course of official duties, to go about the Boat among them, I found myself
literally stepping upon them without breaking their slumbers.
We arrived
off the bar at Annapolis about 12 at night, and instead of finding that quiet
old town buried in repose (great care having been taken that our destination
should not be known), we were surprised to find our approach signaled by
rockets, lights dancing on the shore, and that we were evidently expected. In
the uncertainty of a descent upon the shore by night we came to anchor some two
miles below the town. Soon after a boat came alongside, and Lieut. Mathews, a
gentleman of the U.S. Naval Academy, announced himself as the bearer of a
dispatch from his Exc'y the gov. of Maryland, which is as follows – to wit1
. . . & detailed Capt. Haggerty of my staff to accompany Lieut. Mathews to
the Gov. of Maryland. While Capt. Haggerty was absent — being uncertain as to
the good faith of those dispatches of the state of things in the town — I sent
my brother, Col. Andrew J. Butler of California (who happened to be with me on
a visit) in plain clothes in a boat belonging to the Steamer to make a
reconnaissance of the town, & to report as to the best place & manner
of landing the troops. About daybreak Capt. Haggerty returned, bringing with
him Capt. Blake of the U.S. Navy, Superintendent of the Naval School at
Annapolis, to whom for his loyalty to the Union, untiring efforts to aid us in
our enterprise, & his kindness & attention to our wants, too much
praise cannot be given. If Mass. at this unhappy junction, could separate
herself from the Union in so far as to give a reward for well-doing in an
officer of the U.S. I know of no one who would deserve it more than Capt.
Blake.
From him I
learned that there was this special cause of anxiety. The Frigate
“Constitution,” in use as a practice ship for the Naval Academy, lay at her
mooring in Annapolis with a crew of less than 30 men to take care of her, &
the Secessionists were ready to erect a battery on the opposite side of the
river to command her. He expressed great anxiety lest she could not be got off,
and informed me that the Confederate States had determined to take her and to
raise upon old “Iron Sides” their flag.
Capt. Blake
inquired of me if my instructions would permit me to put my boat alongside her,
take out of her her guns, and tow her into the outer harbor & to detail a
sufficient guard for her to prevent a sudden surprise. To this I replied that
your Excy's instructions left me a latitude for the exercise of my discretion,
& I thought it indispensable to save the “Constitution,” whether the ship
or form of Govt., from the enemies of the country; & that I would coöperate
with him for the purpose of cutting her out. I immediately lay our steamer
alongside & commenced to lighten her by taking her heavy guns on board our
boat. One hundred fifty workmen of my command were detailed to assist the crew
in getting off the ship, and in this service the men of Marblehead were
conspicuous for their strength and alacrity. At half past two in the afternoon
we had the pleasure of seeing the good Frigate towed down the bay, safe beyond
the reach of her enemies. On the morning of Tuesday the 21st the Brig. order
was issued which I herewith submit to your Exc'y’s inspection.
In the
afternoon, as we were towing the “Constitution,” our boat ran aground in
endeavouring to save the life of a man who had fallen overboard, and remained
there hard and fast until the following Tuesday morning at one o’clock, when
she was got off and brought up to this city and the men on board landed.
On Monday
morning I received a communication from His Excellency the Gov. of Maryland
which is herewith submitted, together with my reply. On Monday morning the
Steamer “Boston” appeared off the bay, having on board Col. Lefferts’ Regiment.
Before he had spoken to us I had issued the enclosed order. Finding it
impossible to get the steamer off after several efforts, I went on board the
“Boston” and proceeded to effect a landing with Col. Lefferts' Reg’t, but
before landing I had addressed the enclosed communication to Gov. Hicks, the
only reply to which was a protest against my landing my troops at all. After I
got ashore I met Gov. Hicks and city authorities at the office of the Supt. of
the Naval Academy. I was informed by Gov. Hicks that the State of Maryland
would make no interference with my landing, but said I must march my troops
three or more miles out of the city.
In this
request he was joined by the Mayor and city authorities, who said that at a
meeting of the corporation it had been voted that I should not be molested, but
that there were bad men in the place and others might come from Baltimore and
other places whom they could not control, therefore it was better that I should
march out of town, that if I remained in town their people were much excited,
and they were afraid they would not be able to control them. I asked, as I was
in need of supplies, if they would furnish me if I would march. To that they
replied they would not, nor allow me to buy anything in the city. I asked if I
could be furnished with means of transportation to Washington, to that they
replied I could not, there were not five horses in the place, and that the
Railroad Co. had taken up their tracks to prevent the troops from passing over
it. To all this I replied in substance that without supplies I could not march,
that I could not put three or four miles between me and my boats, which were
the basis of my operations, when the alleged reason why I should march was that
in marching I should leave between myself and boats so very excited a mob that
the city authorities were not able to control it, and that my troops from
Massachusetts were also very much excited because of the murder of their brothers
at Baltimore by a mob. But therein I had this advantage, that we could not only
control our own excitement, but could also control and suppress the excitement
of others, but that I proposed to stay as long as convenient at Annapolis, and
march when it was convenient, that if we were attacked we would repel the
attack, and that there were none that we should be more happy to see than a
representation of the murderers of Baltimore whenever and wherever they should
choose to visit us, and that while we staid at Annapolis, if the citizens chose
not to have any collision with us, there must be on their part neither stray
bricks, nor fugitive shots, thrown at us, and whoever should attempt would find
it an unsafe operation.
During the
night the Eighth Regiment occupied the Naval Academy. On the following morning
Lieut. Hinks, having under his command Capt. Newhall’s Co. of Lynn, having with
them an Engineer party of eighty under Lieut. Hodges, proceeded and took
possession of the Rail Road, where we found the rolling stock disabled, and the
rails taken up. They went forward on the track about four miles where they encamped
for the night. The next morning the 8th Regt. went forward, and were followed
by the 7th N.Y. Regiment.
I should have
stated, before this, that I had detailed Capt. Devereaux Co. & Capt.
Briggs’ Co. to go on board the “Constitution,” to defend her against surprise,
so that they did not march with the Regiment.
On the
morning of Thursday large bodies of troops, including the 5th Regt. 3 Batt.,
Rifles, and Cook's battery arrived here, and were safely landed.
As soon as
preparations could be made I forwarded the 5th regiment with three days’
rations for Washington. They marched last evening at 8 o’clock. I have retained
the Rifles and Cook's battery to defend this post, which I am ordered to hold
and fortify by Genl. Scott.
I have
received information from Fortress Monroe. Col. Wardrop's and Col. Packard’s
Regts. are in good health. Col. Wardrop's Regt. made a dashing attack on
Norfolk Navy Yard, burning and destroying it, so that it could be of no use to
the enemies of the country. Col. Jones’ Regt. is in Washington, the men fast
recovering from their wounds & bruises, and in the enjoyment of good
health. It is now ten days since the Mass. troops were first called into the
field, and their operations may be summed up thus: Two Regts. have relieved Fortress
Monroe and put it beyond danger of attack; one, Col. Jones’, marched to the aid
of the Federal Capitol through Baltimore, and were baptized in blood; another,
the 8th, has rescued the Frigate “Constitution” and put her on the side of law
and order, has taken possession of Annapolis and of the Railroad, building it
as they went, and together with their brethren of the 5th have marched to the
Capital & thereby opened a communication through which thousands of troops
are now passing. The two battalions are now guarding this depot of troops. Are
not these sufficient deeds for a campaign of many months?
At a future
day, as soon as communications are freely opened, I shall have the honor to
report in full detail the state and condition of the men under my command; the
present disturbed state of things renders that nearly impossible. There is one
subject, however, I desire to press upon your Excellency’s most serious
attention, — it is the necessity of a light uniform for the troops. I would
suggest a blue light flannel, similar to that worn by the Rhode Island troops,
to be made plain and serviceable without ornament or tinsel. There is needed at
this moment four thousand such uniforms to supply the troops in the field. The
form or shape should be that of a short “round about,” or a jacket like an
undress in the Army. Let the cloth be bought at once and the swift, sympathetic
fingers of our sisters and sweethearts be employed in making it up. These are
practical suggestions, and I will have no doubt meet your Excellency's views. I
have the honor
to be
Very Respectfully, Your obedient
servant,
BENJ. F. BUTLER
_______________
1 It was General Butler's habit to
prepare the drafts of his letters by his own hand, leaving quotations,
references, etc. to be inserted by his secretary. It is, therefore, sometimes
difficult to identify the addenda referred to. In the present instance,
undoubtedly, the reference is to the letter
from Governor Hicks on page 18.
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. 43-9
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