Introduction
November 26 at 6 A.M., companies A, B, E and H
set off towards Hancock, 26 miles west
of Williamsport. Fighting was reported there the previous day and it
was thought re-enforcements were necessary. After a 10 mile
trek in darkness up a mountain road the detachment
stopped for the night at Clear Spring Hotel where most of the men slept
in the attached
barn. After a hotel breakfast the following
morning, the remaining 10 miles or so to Hancock was made. By
now the 13
Regiment soldiers were experts at marching.Past Indian Springs they
crossed the bare summit of a mountain which
revealed “a magnificent prospect” of “numberless hills” with blue
mountains beyond,
and the winding Potomac below. The distant sound of
cannonading gave haste
to their footsteps and hurried them to Hancock. The fighting proved to
be
several miles beyond, so they took up their quarters in town.
John Noyes described the town as having about
800 inhabitants and one of the busiest places in this part of Maryland,
the center of business for that state as will as for miles
around. Captain James A. Fox, Company A, 13th
Mass, was acting Major in command of the detachment.
Captain Fox, age 34, studied law at the Harvard
Law
School
and in Boston in the office of John
C. Park. In July 1860, he was 1st
Lieutenant in the Boston Militia, the
'Boston City
Guards," and was one of the committee that petitioned
the governor to appoint Samuel H. Leonard captain in that organization
to fill a recent
vacancy. (now Colonel Leonard, 13th
Mass) When the 4th Battalion of Rifles was organized Fox became
Captain of Co. A. Private John B. Noyes,
(Co. B) wrote of him “He is a very good officer, but his ambition has
been the
Majority which he thinks he may never obtain. He is a man of
property and likes a life of ease better than tent
life.” Fox
returned to Boston in January 1862 on a recruiting
mission of indefinite length. It appears he never returned to
the
field. He was popular with his men and
missed. They were disappointed when he resigned in
August
1862. His post war career in politics was very
successful. Fox was ever present at 13th
Regiment re-unions and special occasions after the war. His
enthusiasm for the organization never diminished. He was one
of
the orators at the dedication
of the regiment’s monument at Gettysburg
in 1885.
Two days after arriving in Hancock, Company E was
dispatched
6 miles further up river on Nov. 29th, to guard the fords at Sir John’s
Run depot. On the 30th they had a skirmish
with rebel forces. George S. Cheney of
Co. E was slightly wounded.
The detachment played tag with about 500 – 900 rebel pickets
in the vicinity. Frequent expeditions
were made across the river to Bath, Virginia
in search of prisoners and forage. Companies
A, B, & H were all present for the first of these expeditions
Dec.
4th. Unfamiliar with the ground, the men deployed
as skirmishers along the hilly road leading to Bath. Reaching
the
top Corporal Walter Beaumont, Co. B,
reported seeing the rebel pickets’ tents. It proved to be
only
laundry blowing in the breeze. The men reminded Beaumont
of his vigilance by asking “Who found the rebel tents?” to which the
reply was “Beaumont.”
Captain Clarke of Company H, took a Mr. Swan,
of Bath, prisoner as he was riding
home in his buggy. Mrs.
Swan scolded the captain saying she hoped he would be taken
prisoner. The captain replied he hoped she
would not
be taken prisoner. Excerpts from "The History of the 39th
Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry", describe members of the Swan
family and give an amusing anecdote involving Capt. Joseph Cary,
Company B, and soldiers of Company A.
John B. Noyes was impressed with the size of the
large
hotel
at Bath run by Colonel John Strother veteran
of the war of 1812 and father of Col. David Hunter, (of General Bank’s
staff); pseudonym
“Porte Crayon” whose travel sketches of Virginia
decorated the pages of Harper’s Monthly. The hot
springs
at Bath was a popular destination before the war dating back to George
Washington's time. Noyes also reported the lack of currency
in
the depopulated town, the site of gold and silver coins causing the few
inhabitants eyes to pop.
By mid December the bridges and tracks of the
Baltimore
and Ohio railroad were repaired
and trains resumed daily service from Cumberland
to Hancock. December 16th the
39th Illinois arrived
with their 1,000 new Springfield
rifles.. They soon took positions at Bath
& nearby, guarding the B & O railroad and
bridges. The 5th Connecticut
was also camped nearby, ¾ of a mile from Hancock. The
increased troops made it livelier in town
and business was brisk at the local saloons. The 13th had to
establish 7 additional liquor guard
posts. Other than guard duty every three
days the duty at Hancock was light, and it seemed like a five week
vacation for
the men stationed there. There were no
drills or dress parades or fatigue duty. It was possible to
be absent all day as long as they answered roll call
at 8:30 p.m. No questions were asked so the men were free
to do as they pleased. The abundance of
game, partridges, rabbits, pheasants and some deer made hunting a
popular
activity.
Ironically, General Stonewall Jackson attacked
the town just
two days after the detachment was recalled to Williamsport in
early January. Jackson had been bothered by the build up of
Federal troops along the Potomac and at Romney, WVa. &
considered his
force at Winchester vulnerable to attack.
Return to Top of Page
The March to Hancock
|
(Letter
transcription taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
Chelsea Telegraph and Pioneer, December 7,
1861
Page 2, Col. 4.
November 30, 1861.
THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS
Detachment
of Advance Guard
Of the Upper Potomac,
Barracks Co. B., 13th Regt. Rifles,
Massachusetts Volunteers.
Hancock, Md., Nov. 30th, 1861.
Friend Editor:
Last Tuesday
we had orders to pack up our traps and
get ready for a force march. These orders came to us at 3
o’clock
P.M., and at 6 P.M. we started with three other companies (Cos. A, E,
and H,) under command of Capt. Fox, acting Major. It was very
dark and rained almost all night. After marching about two
and a
half miles, we had to ford two creeks, so that most of us had to march
the rest of the way with wet feet, which, on a cold frosty night is not
quite so agreeable.
At one
o’clock at night we arrived at a town called
Clear Spring. The hotels, and many of the private houses,
were
thrown open to receive us. We stopped in town till 7 o’clock
next
morning; then started over the mountain, it raining and hailing al the
time, and at last came to a place called Hancock, twenty-seven miles
from where we started the day before. On arriving, we learned
that the rebels had been trying to cross the river for several days, as
there is a great quantity of salt stored in the warehouses
here.
We had one piece of artillery with us, and a few shot and shell from
this made the rebels scatter in every direction. It took them by
surprise, as they did not dream that there where any soldiers in
Hancock. They annoyed our pickets very much by firing across
at
them, but no one has been hurt yet. We are in a very
comfortable
quarters, as we are in a large hall (formerly used as town hall); Co. A
is in a large house, Co. E in a church, Co. H are quartered in a grain
warehouse. Friday, Nov. 29, Co. E went to a place six miles
above, opposite Sir John’s Run, Va., to guard that ford, so that only
three of our Cos. Remain in town. The citizens of Hancock are most of
them strong Union people, and they do all in their power to make us as
comfortable as possible.
More some
other time.
A Chelsea Boy,
Co. B, 13th Regt. Rifles.
|
Return to Top of Page
 The town of Hancock looks much
the same today as it did during the time of the Civil War; as shown in this
contemporary photograph taken by Mr. Wayne Keefer, secretary, and Board of Trustees Member
of the Hancock Historical Society. The picture is taken from the same vantage point
as the vintage photograph
at the top of the page.
Skirmish at Sir John' Run,
Company E
Company E
advanced a few miles farther up the river from Hancock to a place
opposite Sir John's Run, Virginia.
(Letter
transcription taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
ROXBURY CITY GAZETTE
13TH MASSACHUSETTS.
DECEMBER 19, 1861.
Editor of the Gazette
– Dear Sir: I presume you have long before this heard of our move, or
rather of the moving of four companies, A B E and H.
We left
Williamsport Tuesday, 26th
ult., for Hancock; marched to Clear Springs that night, and stowed
ourselves away, some in barns, others in houses, and made ourselves as
comfortable as possible, under the circumstances; resumed our march
next morning to Hancock. We are again in the mountainous part
of
Maryland. This march seemed rather more tiresome to some of
us
than usual. I scarcely know what to say about the scenery, it
is
of a character so grand, in many places so truly magnificent, that
common place remarks fail to approach it. Soon after leaving
Clear Spring, we began our journey up the North Mountain, arriving at
Fair View Inn, we get a view which richly repays the tired
traveler. Standing in the door of the inn, you see spread out
before you nature and art commingled together; fields, many of which
still present to the eye, spots of that beauty which once covered them
– forests stripped of their foliage, reminding one of a vast array of
shipping – the rail car, scarcely seen in the dim distance winding its
way among the mountain fast, ness, - streams meandering their way o’er
rocky cliffs, or gently flowing through pleasant valleys, dancing in
the sunlight,
Like some dark beauteous bird, Whose plume is sparkling with unnumbered
eyes.
Towns, villages,
streams, plains,
mountains, – art and nature – all dwelling on the bosom cannot fail to
impress the beholder with awe. We lose ourselves amid these
scenes of nature, and turning from ourselves, look to the
Great Source of all beauty
and life. – From Fair View Inn twenty-six towns can be distinctly seen.
Passing on our journey
we arrive at Hancock, a town containing about an equal number of Secesh
and Union loving inhabitants. There are several churches, two
hotels, Union and National, quite a number of stores; and last, but not
least, a larger number of pretty girls than is usually found in one
small town. Until we came here, I had about made up my mind
that
a handsome woman could not be found in Maryland.
The companies are
quartered in different buildings. Co. E for two nights
occupied a
church. Friday morning at ten o’clock we were again under
marching orders, (Co. E) After one of the most tiresome,
muddy marches, we reached Sir John’s Run, at
about 2 o’clock, P. M. – distance traveled, six miles. We
there
met Capt. Carnes, Co. B, 1st Vermont Regiment, he having come through
on the canal boat. Seeing a wagon load of goods over in
Dixie, he
concluded to appropriate them to his own use. Covered by our
rifles, be brought the goods to our side. They consisted of a
sofa, spices, shoes, and quite a number of very very small shirts, with
other articles to match. – Several shots were fired across.
Carnes proceeded up the canal – we to look up our quarters for the
night, finding which, after stationing pickets, we turned in.
All
was quite during the night. The next morning Capt. Pratt’s
presence was called for at the river. While he, together with
Lieuts. Colburn and Frost were standing there, the rebels, by way of
introduction, opened the ball, one of which landed rather close to our
gentlemanly officers. ‘Twas very uncivil in the rebels, but
nothing compared to their afterpiece. The first ball was a
summons to arms. The boys hastened to the scene of action,
(just
like the old folks of eighty odd years since) and at it we
went.
The rebels outnumbered us two to one, were completely sheltered behind
houses and trees. We were obliged to do the best we
could.
We had a pretty little skirmish; the bullets flew around with a perfect
looseness, whizzing and humming every which way; we found it very
necessary to dodge quite often, when would come a ball, cutting the
branches over our head; co chuck, behind us on the bank another would
strike, until after two hours firing, the rebels, from some cause,
natural or unnatural, stopped their fire. But one of our
number
was wounded. He received a flesh wound in the right leg, but
is
doing well, and will be out next week. One thing is certain,
the
rebels made a mistake; they know nothing about us – did not suppose we
had rifles, and having found out their mistake, will let us alone for
the future. Co. E’s boys went over to Dixie yesterday, with
what
success I did not learn. Co’s A and B also crossed yesterday,
bringing home a wagon load of corn, rakes, ? nails, turkeys, &
c.,
& c. Co. H, captured a Mr. Swan, a noted rebel. I
don’t think
we shall remain here long.
Respectfully Yours,
Roxbury,
[Digital Transcription by James Burton.]
|
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Page
Letter of James Ramsey
James Ramsey describes the skirmish
mentioned in the
newsclipping above. (There is little puntuation in Ramsey's
letters, but it is generally clear where sentences
begin and
end).
|
Sumners
Store opposite
Sir John’s run Va. Nov 29th 1861.
Dear Mother
I am well I received your
letter yesterday
afternoon in a church in Hancock I had no time to
write as
we had orders to march to Sir John’s run early next
morning
I was glad to hear from you I wrote a letter to
Father and
sent the money by Mr. Cook also a letter to Ella with the daguerotype
which I hope you will get. I suppose you will hear about the
thanksgiving dinner. I enjoyed it as well as might be
expected Nov. 30th 1861. I was on picket
at the time
of commencing this letter I was called off to take my
post.
We had a setting room of a house for a guard house it poured all night
and two of us had to keep still as death back to back so as to hear any
one who attempted to cross the river I am wet
through on the morning watch I was call
down to the
waters edge by a women in Virginia she told me the rebels had
been reinforced by @ 500 men at Bath a distance of two miles
she
said she thought they would fight and wanted to cross the river into
Maryland. I told her I would see the captain about
it. After I had been relieved from guard
and was
eating my dinner breakfast I heard firing and most
of the
men took their guns and went out on the bluff I
went up
into the hay loft where our mess are quarterted and looked out of the
door I saw a gun fired out of the woods on the
opposite
bank of the river to the left of the town in and instant a
dozen
bullets went in that direction I took my
equipments
and gun and went out on the bluff and fired one shot at the thicket
where they were firing from the way the bullets
whistled by
my ears I left double quick for a rail fence the orders were to find
cover. I squat down and commenced to load and
fire
the battle then began to be pretty hot they were
under
cover of the woods while
(p2)
while we were on a hill with but one rail fence through which
the
bullets would come and two or three trees the place
in the
fence where I was the bullets would go cochunk into the rails it made
me think of home and pray while I was firing they
could not
see me but they fired in the direction of the smoke
there
was two other in the same place one of the fellows left and I began to
think of a safer place I loaded fired and
would
retreat about ten feet and then dropp load and fire till I got a better
position where I pepered away at them the bullets came as close as
ever. one of our boys was shot in the leg he left on a run
for
shelter of our barracks one of our fellows helped him along I
gess some of the rebels were killed I heard one
yell among
them they found our rifles to hot for them and retreated to a mill
where they had the advantage of us after to hours hot fighting we with
drew We expect to be at it again soon it
was the
first battle I ever was in I don’t think one of the
boys
acted cowardly I don’t think I acted a cowards part although
I
did not like the idea of being shot I
might have got
away and no one have been the wiser but I was among the last to leave
the field I think I should have been among the
angels had I
been killed I felt happy. One of our men
with a
companion went over the river in a boat and went through the
town a women told them there was about 500 there in
the
morning they have got back safe. I do not know how
long we
shall stay in this place I cannot think of any more
to
write by the way this paper come from Virginia yesterday
afternoon I will write some time about the journey
here we are in comfortable
quarter You need not
worry about me I have found a savior in Christ or I
would
not have felt as I did in my first battle perhaps
you will
get the news by the paper before this letter this
will set
your mind at ease Good by for the present
Give my love to all Kiss Hugh for me
From your son
James
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Letter of George S.
Cheney, Co. E; wounded at Sir John's Run
Cheney's
letter home conveys the confidence the Union troops had that the war
would be short. The skirmishing had an air of
excitement
and fun about it.
|
(Letter
transcription taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
LETTERS OF
THE CIVIL WAR
DECEMBER 12, 1861.
From a letter received from George S. Cheney
of this city, who is a soldier in the Massachusetts Thirteenth, and was
wounded
in the engagement at Sir John’s Run, we learn the following particulars
in
regard to his condition. He says :-
“I have everything for my comfort – as much
so as though I were at home. When I
received the shot, I was placed in a very critical position, for a
moment. At the commencement of the engagement, I
stationed myself behind some bushes. As
several of us were together, firing rapidly, we soon drew the rebel
fire upon
us, the bullets cutting the branches from the bushes, and scattering
the leaves
about us. Seven buried themselves in the
ground not a foot from our position, finding which to be a little too
hot, and
copying a tree in the middle of the field, I attempted to gain
it. Three times I started, and three times the
balls stopped me, but I finally managed to reach the tree.
When
there I found I could not get as good a
shot as I wanted, and concluded to get the cover of a rail
fence.
I started and got about two-thirds of the
way, when I was stopped by one of their balls. A volley was
fired
by the rebels, and the balls whistled about my ears
in a manner truly astonishing. I seemed
to hear the one that hit me before it struck. I stopped very
quick, and rolled up my pants to se where I was hit. The
balls
continuing to fly, the boys called
out to me to lie down. I told them I was
shot, and in spite of the danger, many of them rushed towards
me.
A noble set of fellows are E’s boys. I walked to the
barracks,
Lieut. Colburn with
me. My wound is a flesh wound, somewhat
sore and painful, but no wise dangerous. I escaped by a
miracle. Had I
been one inch farther in the rear, by leg would have been crushed to
powder; as
it is, neither bone, cord nor muscle are injured. People may
say
what they please to the
contrary, there is music in the hum and whistling of bullets.
Company E has stood as hot fire as any
company. The firing continued two hours,
being begun by the rebels, who were sheltered by houses and trees,
while we
were badly exposed. They must have been
astonished at the effect of our Enfield balls. They have been
used to being shot at with the
old muskets, and probably did not know what kind of arms we
had.
They had at least four hundred men, while our
number was about eighty. I am the only
one shot, but quite a number had bullets through their pants.
I
have suffered very little indeed, and have
been treated with the greatest kindness by Lieuts. Colburn and Frost,
and all
the boys; in fact nothing has been left undone to make me
comfortable. I shall be out in a week or two, not able to
do duty, but able to walk around. I am
impatient to get out, as there is more or less firing going on between
Co. E
and the rebels every day.
[Digital
Transcription by James Burton.]
|
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Page
Roxbury
City Gazette; Expedition to Bath
|
(Letter
transcription taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
Our
Army Correspondence.
Letter from the 13th Regt.
DECEMBER
8, 1861.
Dumplin
Valley Md,
Opposite Sir John’s Run, Va., Dec. 8.
Friend Hutchinson:–
Here we are, right side up,
in Dumplin Valley; ain’t that a gay name? Who or what this
place
is named after, I
don’t know, but it is a hard country, any way. – The rebels who were
stationed
opposite us have left: they don’t like our Yankee guns and
pluck.
They came up here to steal what they could
from the Union people, and to tear up the railroad, but they did not
try
it. Another object they had, was to
press all the Union men they could into their army, but they did not
make much
at that; they got fifteen and lost twenty; the fact is the people here
are for
the Union, and they won’t fight against
it. Yesterday, while I was in Virginia, I met three men who
had
just
got away from them, who were going up into the mountains for safety,
and they
told me they had slept in the woods and mountains for weeks, and even
months. We have been having some gay
times here in Dixie. Yesterday our company went to Bath,
where is
situated Berkly
Springs, a famous watering place. There
are many small hotels, the largest of which the boys took – also the
bath house
for their own use. We meet some few
secesh, and the female portion are very particular to let you know that
they
are such. We have not got much valuable
property yet; yesterday the Captain got a mule and some padlocks and
two mail
bags from a post office, where the post master had turned secesh and
run
off. There are a great many refugees
here from Virginia, and it is sad to hear the
stories of their wrongs and sufferings. After the troops
left, it
was astonishing to see the Union people come down to the river to
ask the Captain if they could come over to get coffee, sugar and salt,
all of
which articles seem to be in great demand. No use though –
can’t
let them have it. The people over there are actually
starving,
but it won’t last much
longer. The railroad is almost completed
to this place, and when finished we can pile in as many troops as we
will
want. – Some of the boys have been up the road for a number of miles on
the
hand cars. The cars will be run down
opposite to us. It is shameful to see
the destruction of property on the railroad; before many weeks every
thing will
be all right in this part of the country. The people say that
they wish the Yankees would come over in strong
force, then they would
surrender.
Yours respectfully,
Rockey.
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Letter
of John B. Noyes, Hancock; December 14, 1861
Always keenly observant and ready to report on everything,
John
B. Noyes writes his aunt about regional differences in dialect
&
food. This fascinating
letter is as much a commentary on New England as Maryland.
Noyes
fondness for making puns is evident throughout the letter.
Ms Am 2332
(23c) "By permission of the Houghton Library, Harvard University."
Hancock Md. Saturday December 14th 1861.
Dear Aunt Rebecca
I half
promised in my last letter
to Charles to write you, and mother, about culinary matters in Maryland
and Virginia. I do not now speak of our culinary matters,
because
the soldier’s fare though not much varied is restricted to the
army. We have as you know beef & corn beef – beef
steak &
roast beef, corn beef, hot & cold – occasionally, but very
seldom,
salt beef hash, although there have been times when salt beef &
fried pork were our only substantial food. Those times are
now
past, perhaps never to return. There is
nothing now
to complain of respecting army fare; it is good and wholesome and with
butter purchased at private expense I am content. To day we
had
roast mutton, tender, but an exception to our usual fare, for yesterday
while, off guard, I was in Pennsylvania enjoying private hospitality,
several members of our company were in Va. on a foraging
party.
They brought back for our Co. 4 sheep and one or two oxen. I
haven’t had mutton since I left the Miller’s at Antietam so you may
judge how I enjoyed it.
I wish to
speak of what I have
seen at the boards of private families here in Md. And
perhaps
before I speak of eatables it may be well to speak of cooking
essentials. You do not take the water pail to fill the kettle
with, but the water bucket. If you were to make Buck wheats
you
would use the tin bucket, not the tin pail. You need not turn
pale at this information though you are allowed to smile.
Very
likely use would be made of coal hods in our kitchens; coal buckets
(the same thing) are only used here. The damper of a stove
pipe,
not a funnel is turned here, and you pour vinegar into a cruet through
a funnel, and not, as with us, through a tunnel. The milk
maid
does not bring us milk in a can, or even in a pail, but in a milk
bucket, which in reality is nothing but a common Massachusetts tin pail.
There are
times for
hog-butchering, and of course “scraps” can be easily made, but if you
were to ask till you were hoarse, as I am now, you would never get any
scraps in Maryland. Say “cracklings” however, and you would
be
very likely to get “scrap” though very few Md. people eat
them.
They do not understand how to make them truly edible and wonder at
Eastern people ever liking them. Apple butter is a
very
common sauce here. It may be quaker apple sauce, but of this
I am
doubtful. It is boiled a good many hours & will keep
for
years. Quince & Peach butter probably derive their
name from
a like mode of cooking. Apple sauce is different from apple
butter, so I understand; and peach butter is different from peach
preserve, which last is here invariably eaten with the most delicious
cream. Citron is also eaten in the same manner & it
is truly
delicious. To sauce perhaps saus–age comes next in
order.
Sausage is sausage the country over, probably so called from the fact
that sour sage is used in its make. Now sausage is not hog pudding,
here called “pudding,” although it looks just like it. Very
likely you do not know what “hog pudding” is; well it looks just like a
sausage, but tastes a great deal better, being made of the liver of the
hog. High livers justly prefer this pudding to the common
sausage. If you ever come to Maryland, call on the Misses
Brosius
who live on the Pennsylvania Line, near the small village of
Waffordsburgh, three miles or so from Hancock and ask in my name for
hog pudding. You need ‘nt ask there for broiled rabbit also,
because they may not have been able to snare any “small deer” about the
time of your coming. Our meats are not so common here as with
us
at home. This may be from the fact that people here live more
on
what they raise on their farms. Still you may get a round of
beef, if you busy yourself about it. Chicken is the staple
here. You may have it roast or fried. You will have it for
breakfast, dinner, or supper. Happen in as you may you are
welcomed to chicken. Ham is also found here now adays fresh
pork
fried. Thus at Mr. Kirke’s in Pennsylvania I always have for
high
tea, perhaps I ought to say for supper fresh pork & fried
chicken. Buckwheats are an institution here. They
are eaten
at any and every meal. When a young lady, by mistake, sent
some
to Chandler I ate my Breakfast & blessed the lady for her
mistake
as well as here cakes. I have eaten them many times
here.
And how light and hot they are! Whether eaten with syrup as at Mrs.
Henderson’s or with nothing but butter as at other places.
Imagine your obedient servant at table dissecting a chicken and as he
is passing a nice peace of drum stick to his mouth, interrupted by a
little contraband who till the meal is finished brings to his side
cakes fire new. The Professor could not eat bread with one
fish
ball. Even I cannot eat bread, where I have so much
difficulty in
disposing of a couple of buck–wheats before my plate is darkened with
two more; - I beg your pardon, I mean before the darky is round
again. This eating from grid–iron to mouth is much better
than
eating from hand to mouth. I do not know whether squashes are rare
here, or whether it is or is not turnip time. At any rate I
haven’t seen any squash or turnip here or even cranberry.
Instead
you would very likely see hominy. “Hominy “ you will say “I
declare!” No, not [what] we call hominy but hulled
corn.
For it does not pay for hulled corn venders to travel in these sparsely
settled regions. Hominy is eaten without sugar or milk and
may
answer to our samp. You would also see “slaugh”, that is
something made up of cabbage, cut up fine, and served hot or cold, an
excellent condiment extremely common here. I wish this dish
was
not over-slaughed in our system of cooking. Pickles, honey, and
blackberry jam might be on the table also. You might perhaps
also
see Dutch Pudding which I have heard spoken of often, though I have
seen it only at Williamsport on my Thanksgiving table. It
then
tasted so much like soap, that I forebore to test it further.
Perhaps that I had was not equal to the average. At any rate
the
dish is liked by many. In the Eve’g. while calling
on a
lady or gentleman you are likely to be treated to apples &
ginger
bread and chestnuts & a glass of currant wine or blackbury
cordial. I have thus described as well as possible Maryland
dishes. I do not recollect to have seen pies or puddings at
any
meal here, and I judge they are not much depended upon.
Indeed
when meat or chicken is so often used at supper, there seems to be
little room left for pies on the table, - or elsewhere. Pies
are
made here however for we buy them, though they are not equal to
ours. Indeed Williamsport beats the rest of Maryland easily
on
pies, though private families may make them better. Mince
pies
here are not worth a “fip”. Mrs. Henderson tried one of
Chandler’s cold, and said it was unlike hers and extremely
nice.
Still Miss Thomas said her Aunt somebody made mince pies even nicer
than that she tasted. It’s always the Aunts that
make nice
pies. By the way I had almost forgotten to say that one of
the
most delicious Washington pies I ever tasted indeed two pies, one on
the top of the other, - four pieces of cake & two layers of
blackberry jam – was called fruit cake. So I have seen pie on
the
table after all. But enough of this.
How do you
do & why don’t you
write occasionally. How is Dr. Pryon? My regards to
him. Frank Stimpson & I want to find out his address
so we
can get a letter to him. I understand Norton Folsom is a
cadet in
the Medical service. Is he at home or away & if so
where? although the question should be more properly directed
to
father. Give my regards to Miss
Francis. Indeed
you may give my regards to any ladies whom I know & who may
enquire
about me. I make you my attorney for this purpose.
This
letter you regard as a “power.” I had a very pleasant letter
from
Cousin Sophie a day or two ago. She writes a capital letter
&
I could’nt help roaring at her demure wit. She reports all
well
at Salem. As it is now after evening roll call, I will close
this
letter which has already extended to a much greater length than I at
first expected. You know I am something of a gourmand,
especially
fond of mince pies, with brandy in them, although I am a moderate
temperance man of 23 years standing, and will pardon any error of
omission of dishes here used, in my haste to describe my favorites.
With love
to all, including Charles & Mary, I am
Your Affectionate Nephew
John B.
Noyes.
Notes:
Samp is dried corn kernals stamped and chopped until broken but not as
fine as meal. (from Wikipedia).
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Letter
of James Ramsey, Expedition to Bath, Va.
Sir John’s
run Va Dec 14th 1861.
Dear Mother,
I am well and enjoying myself it is a pleasant day to day. I
have
nothing to do to day but to write although I hardly know what to
write You got that letter about our fight
Company C
has had another fight at Cherry run and one of their men was killed I
have not found out his name yet. The other night our first
Lieut
took 31 of us and started at 9 oclock and went 16 miles into the
country within 20 miles of Winchester to get two spies We
surrounded the house while some looked for the spies but we did not
find them we started for home again and on the way
we
searched some houses. We searched the house of Col Buck a
rebel
colonel of the same regim’t we had our fight with and took a horse and
team and all of his poultry. We got back pretty tired after
marching 32 miles in 12 hours after searching half a dozen
houses. At Col Buck’s house we got some Richmond papers of
the
21st Nov. here is a piece of poetry I copied from
the
Richmond enquirer
Picket
Guard
What are your thoughts poor soldiers
On picket guard to night ?
Are you weary and sick with watching
‘Neath the silent stars so bright ?
Do your thoughts wander back to the homestead,
Where mother and sister so dear,
Are dreaming of you in their slumbers,
And even in sleep shed a tear ?
Are you thinking of one fend and faithful,
Ever ready to yield up her life
To shield and protect you from danger,
The loved one, your own angel wife ?
Then do not be weary with watching,
But think of he loved ones a far,
And pray that the Ruler in Heaven,
May shield you from dangers of war.
May the bright Star of Hope never flicker
But first in thy heart run its sway
And courage nerve thy arm in fierce battle
And victory smile o’er thy way.
Unknown.
I got Ella’s letter the other day and these
feather are for her I get them out of a turkey from Va
This secesh ribon is for Georgie
Give my love to all Kiss Hugh for me
from your
Son.
Note: There
isn't any record of a Co. C man killed at this time, Warren Freeman
mentions James 'Kennay' (spelling from the roster) of Co. C
who
was shot several times during the skirmish at Dam no. 5, but survived.
Kennay mustered out April 9, 1864, and mustered into the 57th
Mass. as a 1st Lieutenant.
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Roxbury
City Gazette; An Unflattering Comment at Hancock
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(Letter
transcription taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
Our Army Correspondence
Thirteenth Massachusetts.
DECEMBER 16,
1861.
Dec. 16,
1861.
Hancock, Md
Editor of the Gazette:
DEAR SIR . – There is
nothing special to write about; two companies of cavalry passed through
town yesterday on their way to join Gen. Kelley. The 39th
Illinois regiment arrived here last night; I don’t know, but I
certainly think they suffer by comparison with any Massachusetts
regiment I have yet seen. They have crossed the river, and
will
act as picket guard on the Railroad; they are a hard set of
fellows, and are well armed, having the Springfield rifle bore muskets
– as fine a looking rifle as I have ever seen. May they use
them
on none but the enemies of the Union. I was much amused to
hear
them growl about the long march they were obliged to make.
Only
think, all the way from Williamsport to Hancock; when they come to
march
sixty miles with knapsacks on, then they can grumble to their heart’s
content, and no person will blame them. Now they are here,
the
question is what is to be done with us. Time will
determine. We are not needed here, for they will guard the
Railroad for a distance of ? miles. I hope we shall return to
Williamsport, or if otherwise determined I hope the balance of the
regiment will come here, for at the present time company H is at least
forty miles, and company E thirty-five miles from Williamsport, which
latter place you are aware is the Headquarters of the regiment.
A few evenings since
some of the boys became rather excited, on account of being called
Lincoln’s Niggers, by a somewhat high spirited specimen of ?, a
daughter of a prisoner warned away, drew upon her head the wrath of our
good old Bay State boys: they complimented her one evening, uttering
before her house certain unearthly noises, resembling groans: they
might have gone farther had they not been checked by Capt. Fox, (acting
Major ) he having satisfied them, they quietly returned to their
quarters. Capt. Fox, of company A is one of the finest
gentlemen
I have ever met, of a genial, kindly disposition, and his hand and
heart work together: all love and respect him. Capt. Carey,
Lieuts. Neat and Bush, are also gentlemanly soldiers.
There seems to be some
mistake or blunder somewhere, about that skirmish of the 30th
ult. Captain Pratt was on the field, and company E’s boys are
not
the ones to run. The only fault they have – if fault it can
be
called – is that they are too anxious to fight, without regard to odds
against them. I have no fears of company E or any other
company
in the 13th regiment.
Hoping something will turn up soon to interest both yourself and
readers.
I remain
respectfully yours,
Roxbury,
{Digital Transcription by James Burton.]
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Reminiscences from the 39th Illinois
The following is
taken from
"The History of the 39th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry" By Dr.
Charles M. Clark, Chicago, Illinois, 1889.
December 15th,
1861, the regiment broke camp and departed for Hancock, Md.some sixteen
miles distant, the camp and garrison equipage being transported by
canal-boat. It arrived at Hancock on the following day, after
bivouacking at Clear Spring over night, and at once crossed the Potomac
river to Alpine Station, Va., having orders to guard the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad.
The
various companies of the command were distributed as follows: Companies
A, B, C, and F at Alpine Station and vicinity; Company E at Sir John's
Run, six miles distant up the road in the direction of Cumberland;
Company G, at Great Cacapon bridge, (pictured); and Companies D, K, and I at Bath
or Berkeley Springs, six miles in the interior, back from the river.
The regimental headquarters were established at Alpine, taking
possession of the vacant house belonging to Johnson Orrick, then a
member of the Confederate Congress, and who had removed his family to
Richmond. The hospital was also established at this place. The Orrick
mansion was spacious and roomy; but nothing had been left behind to
facilitate the comforts of keeping house, being an exception to the
quarters found by the company officers at Bath and other places.
There was, however, good stabling for horses, with plenty of
hay
and grain. [Photo of the B & O bridge across the Cacapon River, early 1900's; Library of Congress].
Alpine
Station consisted of a few straggling houses. The only family of any
prominence left there was the Swan family, made up of father, mother,
and two daughters—all pronounced rebel sympathizers. The old gentleman
was such a dyed-in-the-wool rebel that he was accommodated with
quarters in the calaboose over at Hancock in charge of Captain
Fox, who commanded a detachment of the Thirteenth Massachusetts
stationed there. One of the daughters, Miss Fannie Swan, was no less
bitter in her hatred of the Yankees, and there was little reason to
doubt that she possessed among her other accomplishments, that of a
spy, and she was placed under constant surveillance. The Western men
found considerable more favor in her eyes, however, than those from
Massachusetts, and at times she was disposed to be most
gracious.
The
assistant surgeon of the regiment had especially ingratiated himself,
and she had so worked upon his sympathies that he received permission
from Captain Fox to take her father home to spend Christmas day: and in
this way the doctor and a few others got a solid dinner. But the doctor
did not enjoy it overmuch, having to keep the old gentleman
in
mind all the time, being responsible for his safe return at a specified
hour.
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Letter of James Lowell,
Company A
James Lowell wrote of the above incident
to his comrades in the 13th Regiment association, 1909.
LETTER OF
JAMES LOWELL, CO. A.
The following letter of James Lowell to Association Secretary Charles
Davis was printed in Circular 23. It recalls an early
incident
that occurred when Co. A was detached at Hancock.
HOLTON, KAN., Dec. 9, 1909.
CHARLES E. DAVIS, JR., Boston, Mass.
DEAR COMRADES ALL:
I wonder how many survivors of
Company A
remember the following incident, I have seen nothing of it in any of
the circulars. The impression it left on my mind at the time
has
never moulted a feather and I am tempted to relate it in my awkward
way. In the winter of 1861 three or four companies of the
regiment were sent to Hancock as part of the "Advance Guard." Company A
was quartered in a brand new brick 3-story house; the pony mess (to
which the writer belonged) camped in the low-ceiled attic.
Now,
as Company A figured in the ro1e of skirmishers of the regiment, a part
of our training was the bayonet drill. One day a series of
bayonet drills took place in the attic, an arena wholly unsuited for
that character of warfare, and the result was that the ceiling looked
like one vast cane bottom for a chair, and the lamentations of the
Irishman who owned the property when he discovered the casualties
brought Sergeant Whiston to the scene. Orderly Sergeant
Whiston
was a pretty good detective, but he was clean off-scent in this
instance. The bayonet warfare of Company "A" did not end
here. On
one of those delightfully fine days of a Maryland winter, Bob Henderson
(of cherished memory), then a sergeant was ordered to bring out the
company for bayonet drill. For the occasion we were groomed
to
the top notch-buttons glistening in the sunshine we were proudly
marched up street halting in front of a mansion whose balcony above
contained two Union officers with a female between. One was a
surgeon with rank as major.
 With
bayonets fixed we got to business, going
through the manual with bugle calls. The whole thing was so
sudden and unexpected that the vain pedantry of the performance did not
at once get to our inner consciousness, as it did later on.
Our
distinguished audience on the balcony condescended to clap us politely,
and the show was going merrily on when the bugle noted us to lie down,
and down we went, immaculate plumage, polished buttons, and all in
Maryland dirt. At once a voice - of a woman from the balcony
"see
Lincoln's niggers." Instantly Sergeant Henderson took a hand,
and
we were marched to our quarters, where a discussion took place without
the formality of a chairman and secretary and in which the names of the
holy Trinity served to give emphasis. We were not long in
deciding what to do, and with Sergeant Henderson for a leader we
retraced our steps to the mansion and going to the door the sergeant
slammed the knocker; the door presently opened with the major in front,
who demanded the sergeant's business. "I wish to speak to the
person who insulted these Federal soldiers," said the sergeant.
Quoth the major.
"You can't cross this
threshold except over my dead body," Behind the major stood the
"person," who said. "Major, I will speak to the sergeant."
Then
followed a retraction of the offensive words and an apology, and thus
disarmed we returned to our quarters. The incident was closed
as
to the "person" not so as to the major. Our return was
enlivened
by repeated "three groans for the dead body," that could be heard by
the rebel pickets on the Virginia shore. At the foot of the
stairway or entrance to our quarters was constantly kept a guard or
sentinel. This guard, as part of his duty, was unofficially
charged to announce the appearance of the major whenever seen in the
vicinity. On one or two occasions this happened, and in each instance
we formed a line in double column on the curb, and gave the major our
complimentary salute, "Three groans for the dead body." It was
currently reported that the major at his own request was relieved from
further service at Hancock. But before the major's departure
the
woman took hasty leave, Her mission as a spy became by this incident
too plainly evident to admit of doubt. She was not a
resident, a
palpable courtesan, and her flight none too soon for her own good.
With best wishes to all,
JAMES H. LOWELL.
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Dr. Clark and the Rebel Flag
This
amusing story involving Captain 'Joe' Cary of Comany B, comes
from
the annals of the 39th Illinois. I'm grateful to fellow
researcher Timothy Snyder for bringing this volume to my attention.
In the
latter part of November, 1861, while the regiment was at "Williamsport,
Md., Dr. Clark, then Assistant Surgeon, was ordered to Hancock, Md., to
attend the sick at that post.
Two
companies of the
Thirteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Captain Fox,
being stationed there, the Doctor took up his quarters with the other
officers at the hotel and was made comfortable. Through the courtesy of
Captain Carey, (Capt.
Joseph S. Cary, pictured) who was the provost-marshal, he
soon became acquainted
with many residents of the town, among whom was the family of Colonel
Bowles, consisting of the Colonel, his wife and daughter, who were
strongly Union in sentiment and very hospitable.
 One
evening at a little social given by Miss Bowles, and where had gathered
quite a number of her young lady friends, the Doctor met with a Miss
Pendleton, from Berkeley Springs, and also a Miss Fannie Swan, living
at Alpine Station, Va., across the river from Hancock. Miss Pendleton,
the daughter of Dr. Pendleton, was a very pronounced Union sympathizer,
while Miss Swan entertained quite different sentiments—in fact she had
the reputation of being a "little rebel." Her feelings had
also become
somewhat intensified against the "Yankees" from the fact that her
father had lately been arrested for his disloyal utterances, and was at
this time an inmate of the calaboose or jail. She scarcely noticed the
Massachusetts officers who were present, but learning that Dr. Clark
was a Western man, and not a detestable Yankee, as she expressed it,
from Massachusetts, she laid aside some of her reserve and coolness of
manner and condescended to speak with him.
In the
course of conversation the rebel flag was mentioned, and Dr. Clark
remarked that he had not yet seen the flag of the Southern Confederacy,
but would much like to see it for curiosity's sake, if nothing more;
and gaining some confidence from his affable reception and her obliging
mood, made the request for a miniature copy of one. Miss Swan replied
that she would be much pleased to accommodate, but owing to the present
status of affairs in her family she dare not undertake such a thing,
but that Miss Pendleton, her cousin, would doubtless be pleased to
bestow the favor, as her sympathies with the Union cause were well
known, and if the Doctor desired she would ask her.
Nothing more was
thought of the matter for some days, when an envelope was handed to the
Doctor by a colored man, who said that he had brought it from Berkeley
Springs and was told to hand it to "Doctah" Clark with the
compliments of Miss Sally Pendleton. On opening the envelope there was
found a small Confederate flag very tastefully made from pieces of
ribbon. It was about three inches long by two inches in width, and very
pretty. The Doctor placed it carefully in his pocket, with no
suspicion that any person was informed of this little transaction other
than the two ladies and himself.
Two days
subsequently Captain Carey suggested that they invite ladies and take a
horseback ride. He said that he had already spoken to Miss Bowles, who
had consented, and that she had expressed the wish that the Doctor
invite Miss Swan. This was done, and the answer being favorable, the
party started off that afternoon up the river to visit some mountain
scenery near Sir John's Run. Everything passed off very pleasantly and
gaily until they had entered the town on their return and were passing
the quarters of a company of the Massachusetts men, who no sooner saw
them than they ran out shouting and jeering and behaving in a most
shameful manner, calling Miss Swan a rebel and passing other insulting
remarks. No attention was paid to them at the time, but quickening
their pace, the party passed on to the residence of Colonel Bowles,
where they dismounted.
Captain Carey was much
ashamed and exasperated at the conduct of his men, and left the house
almost immediately for Captain Fox's headquarters, leaving Dr. Clark
behind. The Doctor endeavored to apologize for the rudeness offered to
the ladies, but was interrupted almost at once by Miss Swan, who said
that it was not at all necessary, for it was nothing more than might be
expected from a lot of abolition boors from Massachusetts.
Scarcely
half an hour had passed when the sound of fife and drum was heard, and
looking down the street there was seen a company of soldiers
approaching, in command of a Lieutenant. They halted in front of the
house and were brought to a front-face, grounded arms, and stood at
"parade rest," and the Lieutenant advanced to the door. It was opened
by a servant, who soon announced that Colonel Bowles was wanted. The
ladies present were very much frightened and excited. Mrs. Bowles went
to the door, however, and stated that Colonel Bowles was at Hagerstown,
but would return during the evening, and wished to know what was
wanted. The Lieutenant replied that it had been reported that there was
a rebel flag concealed in the house, and that he had been ordered to
come and demand it; and if it were not given up, to search the house,
and place the inmates under arrest. Mrs. Bowles made reply that there
was no rebel flag concealed anywhere about the house or premises, and
never had been; and what was more, she considered it to be a great
outrage and a most unwarrantable proceeding on the part of any one to
discredit the well-known loyalty of Colonel Bowles and his whole
household. She then called the Doctor to the door. He responded at
once, and was told what was wanted.
"What!"
said the Doctor, "you bring a company of some sixty men here on the
silly pretext that there is a rebel flag concealed in this house! You
must be a fool! and those who sent you."
"Well,
well!" says Mrs. Bowles, who saw that trouble was brewing, "let the
officer search the house, if he wishes, and be satisfied; but I know
that if the Colonel were home it would not be permitted."
The Lieutenant
said that he must obey orders, however unpleasant
it was; and calling for a sergeant and file of men they proceeded to
make the search. [Dr. Charles M. Clark, 39th Ill. pictured].
 About this
time it occurred to the Doctor that perhaps the little rebel flag that
was yet in his pocket might have some connection with this affair; but
he awaited the result of the search. The Lieutenant and his men soon
returned from the apartments upstairs, where they had not found
anything, and were proceeding to other portions of the house, when the
Doctor, calling the Lieutenant out on the porch, and in the presence of
the soldiers and the crowd of citizens that had assembled, said perhaps
he could explain the whole matter; and taking from his pocket the
little rebel flag mounted on something like a match-stick, he flung it
to the breeze with the remark, "Is that what you're after?" and tried
to explain matters; but amid such shouts of derision at the abashed
flag-hunters, that it was impossible. The feather in the Lieutenant's
hat fairly wilted as he ordered his company to "Shoulder arms! Right
face! By the right flank, forward, march!" and he with his brave
command slunk away.
Captain
Carey soon appeared, but was totally ignorant of how the whole affair
originated. Suitable apologies were made to Colonel and Mrs. Bowles,
and the affair was soon forgotten by them, but the Massachusetts men
never could look pleasantly at the Doctor afterwards, who was a most
unwitting character to the whole proceeding, and has often questioned
if it was a joke! and if so, on whom. [The
illustration, seemingly made for this article, comes from Treasures of
the New York Historical Society, American Memory/Library of Congress
website].
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Letter of Warren H. Freeman,
December 21
Warren H. Freeman mustered into the 13th
Mass,
Company A at Williamsport December 1st 1861. After the war
his
father published in 1871 "Letters From Two Brothers Serving in the War
For the Union To Their Family at Home." The book chronicles
the
military career of Warren and his brother Eugene. (A fine
photographic portrait of Warren accompanies the book, but I have only
found this poor digitized reproduction. I would be grateful
to
anyone who could provide me with a better image. In the
following letter Warren describes some of his new experiences,
including participation in the fight at Dam No. 5 of the C & O
Canal. (see my link from the
1861 page for more information on that fight).
Hancock, Md., December 21, 1861
Dear Father and Mother, - I arrived at
the
headquarters of a detachment of the Thirteenth Regiment Mass. Vols., on
the third day, after leaving home on the 1st inst., and have joined
Company A, Capt. James A. Fox. We are quartered in quite a
nice
brick house, about as handsome as any in town. There are
about
seventeen men in each room, which makes it rather crowded
nights;
we sleep on the floor, but I like that as well as a bed now, although
it took hold of the hip bones a little at first.
 I went
down to Williamsport last Tuesday, a ride of
about twenty-six miles, and returned last night. There was
great
excitement there the first night after I arrived; messengers came up
from Falling Waters (a small town about five miles below on the river)
every few hours, with news that five thousand rebels were crossing in
boats. The men in Williamsport packed up their goods and sent
the
women and children all out of town. There was some fighting,
but
it did not amount to much. I have got a piece of shell sent
over
by the rebels.
On Thursday I had my first sight of the
rebels. We
heard considerable firing early in the morning, so a few of us started
on foot for Dam No. 5, a distance of about seven miles up the river; we
reached there a little after noon. The rebels were trying to
destroy this dam with artillery, which, if they could, would stop
navigation on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This is the
place
where the fight took place a few days since, when one of our men was
wounded in five different places; he is living and likely to
recover; his name is James Kenny, a Boston boy. When we
arrived
we found our cannon had driven the enemy off, or most of
them:
there were a few of their pickets left, who were on the side of the
hill which rises quite abruptly up from the river; they continued to
fire upon us, while our men returned the compliment. I had
the
satisfaction of firing a few shots at them, with what effect I do not
know, but two or three of their balls came whistling quite near my
head. Our two pieces of cannon shelled a very large mill on
the
opposite side of the river. The rebels used to get in there
and
fire out of the windows: it made a very good fort, the main
part
being of stone, and about six feet thick at the bottom. We
could
not set it on fire with shell, so five men went over in a boat
and burnt it; it made a splendid fire.
These dams are built across the Potomac,
and raise
the river so that it fills the canal; if they should break this dam it
would let the water down some ten or twelve feet, and of course stop
navigation on the canal.
Well, I have “smelt gunpowder,” and been
“under
fire,” and “roughed it” with the army long enough to judge a little
what
a soldier’s life is, and certainly it is a hard one, yet I think I can
stand it, and must say I like it pretty well.
I have seen many of the regiments in
Banks’s
Division, but none equal to the famous Thirteenth Mass.
Rifles.
Our Colonel Leonard is very popular, and his regiment is quite full; we
have one hundred and two men in Company A. Some of the men, a
few
days since, crossed over to the “sacred soil” on a foraging expedition;
I intended to have been among the number, but missed the chance by
being off hunting in the woods after partridges, etc., at the
time. They were quite successful, bringing back several wagon
loads of spoils, such as pigs, turkeys, geese, potatoes, corn, etc.,
and a live peacock. Dyer (you remember Dyer, he was in the
West
Wind with Eugene) got a lot of secesh money. I inclose to you
some of this trash and a peacock’s feather. I do not think of
anything more to interest you, so farewell.
Warren H.
Freeman
NOTE: Dyer is N. M. Dyer, Co. A, who later became an admiral
in the Navy.
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© Bradley M. Forbush, 2009.
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