Camp Stampede, Maryland Heights,
Tuesday Evening, August
20, 1861.
A soldier's life is always gay! Yesterday, Colonel Andrews
and I went out prospecting, as they say in this country, —
reconnoitring, I prefer to call it.
At the Ferry we found a slight panic caused by the reported
advent of a few cavalry in the town. Colonel A. and I went on up the mountain
and spent the afternoon in looking about, &c. We wound down the new
mountain road, built by the immortal Massachusetts Second, just at sunset,
after enjoying the glorious views up the two valleys. Then we had a quiet
dress-parade, and composed ourselves for the night. Composed ourselves for the
night! Here comes the incident of my letter. Now for the catastrophe of my
story. The Doctor appeared at the door of my tent, breaking the first sleep, to
say the Colonel had just received a special message, and ridden off on horse. I
refused to be disturbed or excited, and got asleep again. At half past one the
Colonel appeared. “Major, get the tents struck, and set the men cooking
rations. I have information that the Rebels are advancing on Harper's Ferry.”
Up I went. Captains were awakened. Soon the camp was silently busy on its work
for starting. Then I was ordered to saddle my horse and get a messenger to call
the Massachusetts Thirteenth, Colonel Leonard, from Sharpsburg. I went
galloping off in the night through the fields to a house where a Union man
lives, who gave me the direction of a safe messenger, then back to camp. Then
Dr. Sargent was despatched to Berlin, down the river, to get two pieces of
artillery which General Banks had ordered up to protect the ford. Then the
camp-fires were glowing, and I spent an hour among the cooks, urging on the
rations. Then the dawn began to peep. Colonel Andrews went up the hill to gaze,
through the first light, at Harper's Ferry and its surroundings. Light brought
the conviction that our haste was premature.
The packed wagons were ready to move. The regiment was ready
to hold ford and ferry as long as possible, and we were all agog. The
morning came, and no enemy were in position. We had our stampede. The reports
of the enemy were circumstantial and probable, but the appearance failed to
confirm them. This morning the camp is composed again. But life has been lively
and brisk, though fruitless, for the last twelve hours
Here comes the Colonel, who has been down to Sandy Hook. He
brings news that the paymaster is coming. Hurrah! Also that three hundred
car-loads of troops went into Washington on Monday. Good!
We are awaking, I hope, to the size of the work. A short war
is the policy, but a war. I am glad you are getting awake to it. No one
who can come, effectively, has a right to stay at home.
SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and
Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 79-81
