Sunday morning in Baltimore, and a stiller or more quiet
place I never saw. No sounds are heard, no people or carriages are seen in the street.
It looks and seems like a deserted city. We took a hurried glance at a portion of
the city, visiting Pratt street, where the assault on the 6th Massachusetts
took place. The bullet holes and scars on the walls of the buildings, gave
proof that the boys got a good deal interested, while passing through that
street.
OFF FOR ANNAPOLIS.
We embarked on the steamer Louisiana, about 9 a. m., for
Annapolis. As we steamed past old Fort McHenry, I was reminded of an
interesting scrap of history connected with this fort. When the British fleet
bombarded this fort during the last war with England, there was aboard one of
the ships, an American prisoner, a Mr. Key, I think his name was, who watched with
the most intense anxiety, the result of the bombardment, and during its
progress, wrote the song that has since become famous as one of our national
anthems, The Star Spangled Banner.
"By the cannon's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still
there."
Arrived at Annapolis about noon, and marched up to the Naval
academy, where we quartered and took dinner with the 21st Massachusetts, now
doing garrison duty at this post.
Religious services this afternoon, by Chaplains Ball of the 21st
and James of our own regiment. I cannot say that I was much interested in the meeting,
as I was very tired, and preaching about the Pharisees and other antiquated
sinners of a thousand years ago, did not seem to apply to my ease, or the present
time.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the
25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 10-11
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