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+//West Jersey Pioneer//, October 4, 1862
-<figure label>
+For the West Jersey Pioneer.
-{{:{{ :12th_nj_inf:west_jersey_pioneer_october_4_1862.jpg?600 |img}}
-<caption>west_jersey_pioneer_october_4_1862</caption>
+Company K, 12th Regiment, N. J. V.
-</figure>
+ELLICOTT'S MILLS
+MARYLAND, Sept. 23d, 1862.
+FRIEND FERGUSON:—A solemn awe pervades the camp. As I write, the body of one of our comrades in arms is being conveyed through the camp to the cars at Elicott’s Mills, to be conveyed home. The procession consisting of the company to which the dec. was attached with Reversed Arms, headed by the Regiment Band playing a Funeral Dirge. It is  strange that even amidst the tumult confusion and realities of war, to see what sympathy and feeling is aroused in those whom you would least look for it.
+On the coffin is a large wreath of flowers together with the gun and dress coat of the deceased. As the procession passed through the lines, the boys covered their faces with their caps, at the same time bowing their heads until the body had passed
+"Peace be to his Ashes."
+The boys are on top of the hill, taking a final look, as we can see right on the cars. There goes the whistle at which the boys turn away with a solem look, indicating their inward feelings better than by any speech. There still lays one in the Hospital down with the same ailment, Typhoid Fever. As Gen. McClellan's right wing has succeeded in getting between us and the Rebels we feel very safe from any rebel invasions.
+Last week in company with companies A and I. we were detailed to move to Frederick to take in charge the prisoners captured in the late Battles, We took the cars, consisting of 22, and two Locomotives at Ellicott's Mills at 2 o'clock on Wednesday, arriving at Mononcy Brige about daylight. After being formed in line, we took up the line of march for Frederick. Owing to the Rebels blowing up the bridge we were forced to walk some 4 miles from the Railroad station the Rebels made sure work on the bridge as parts of it laid around in every direction, giving a good idea of the effects of gunpowder. The bridge was a large iron column, some 200 feet long. Build of large stone piers, some of the piers were scattered in all directions. A large brick house in the immediate vicinity was tumbled about to perfection.
+We arrived in Frederick about 10 o'clock, having a leave of absence for a little while I improved the town, which I found to be a very pretty place, of some 8,000 inhabitants quite city like and solid Union, which I guess Stone Fence Jackson (who is called by that name altogether by the boys) found to be so to his satisfaction. From a lady with whom I had conversation, they evidently came into Maryland for to get something to eat, their teams, as well as their men, prisoners then at Frederick, showed to be a fact. This same Lady kindly invited me into breakfast, which invitation I can assure you I accepted of in the fullest sense in which a soldier could, during which time we had a very interesting talk. I wish there was more like this lady in Maryland, a very  pretty daughter who graced the table came in for a share of the conversation as well as for an occasional glance from your correspondent I would have lingered much longer but the roll of the drum beat my retreat. In returning our leader led us a wild-cat chase which delayed us as well as made us very tired.
+However we reached the cars all right. All the commissioned officers were detailed for the last car the others being divided between the 1st and last car. Two of our men being in each car with a loaded gun, and six on top of each car, with guns loaded. While loading the last car some four of them rebels made a rush for the woods, but the balls came so close to them (they being fired at) that they beat as nice a retreat for the cars as they did for the bushes.
+We arrived in safety with them at Baltimore about 9 o'clock at night, when they where handed over to the Baltimore Police forces, who escorted them to the steamer and were taken to Fort Delaware, We expected as much as could be to accompany them to the Fort, but in the morning me were disappointed by being ordered home. As roll is calling, I must close.
+In haste. 12th N. J. V.
+{{ :12th_nj_inf:west_jersey_pioneer_october_4_1862.jpg?linkonly|}}
+----
+Letter of Sgt. James S. Stratton
+War-date Union soldier's letter written by Sgt. James S. Stratton, 12th New Jersey Infantry, KIA at Ream's Station on August 25, 1864, 4p. quarto, Ellicott's Mills, October 16, 1862, and reads in part: "…The 'Commissary' of a company is not required to perform guard duty in camp, as other sergeants are, he has to be in camp to draw rations…you may infer from the above that I am always ready to avoid drilling and take advantage of any liberty which my position may afford me…Our company is detailed for picket today…After Co. F had started out this morning the remaining companies fell in with arms and formed a hollow square in front of camp to listen to orders of Col. Johnson…Private Thomas J. Gordon Co. E (formerly of Mullica Hill) was sentenced 'to wear a ball and chain' during four weeks - to be released from solitary confinement during six hours each day then being employed at some labor in camp. This man, perhaps you remember, is a very rough character and is now sentenced so heavily, because of an attempt to shoot a comrade. He was for a time in the 1st N.J. Cav….Co. F. is doing first rate, nobody in the guard house, and but one in the hospital…What think you of the 'Proclamation?' What do you think will be the result of our state election? How do the candidates Parker and Ward compare?...The weeklies that come to Co. F are for the most part from the office of the 'Constitution' to Lieut. P_ and consequently of a republican stamp. Please send Camden and Trenton papers. [Pvt. John H.] Schreiner, a classmate of mine at Bridgeton, …is in the 24th N. J. and has the position of 1st Sergt. Co. H. Rob Potter [2nd Lt. Robert B. Potter] of the Chronicle is a Lieut. in the same regt…." VG.
+http://www.hcaauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=19201
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 MARYLAND, Oct. 5th, 1862\\
-FRIEND FERGUSON:—We, Co. K, having been detailed for picket duty, and being comfortably quartered at our post, I thought I could not employ the time better than by having a few words with you. As we are not supposed to be so vigillant in the daytime as at night, and having but one post to guard, it leaves us plenty time to look around. We are posted some two miles from camp, at a place called Helltown, (nice name that,) consisting of a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, and two dwelling houses, with several farm houses in sight; one of the farm houses belonging to Mason, one of the commissioners to Europe for the Southern Confederacy. After his leaving here for the South, his slaves burned down the house. The ruins indicating it to have been a very fine residence, the gasometer still standing showing it to have been fitted up in first style for convenience and comfort. The dairy farm adjoining, is occupied by an Englishman, who gave us all our information concerning the estate, &c. All the wealthy people around here are the strongest kind of secesh. A mistake in our commissary department being made, we were furnished with grub foe only nine men when it should have been enough for ten, consequently we had to forage, or in other words do a little of soldier stealing. One of the boys succeeded in driving a good big chicken into the dinner pot, while others went in another direction and procured some ham, and our vegetables being in to low a state to correspond with our appetites, two was appointed to see to procuring some—they started forth, but soon returning and reporting that nary potato could be found in any of the fields; we were at a loss to know how to get some, but our pockets not being entirely dried up we raised a half of a peck. Some we fried with ham, which we made a supper off of. Having rigged a shelter by placing some rails up against the fence, and covering the top, jade and one end with cornstalks, we made right comfortable quarters. The pickets, three in number, having been posted the ballance of us, having built a good fire in the road, spent the rest of the evening in spinning yarns, smoking, &. The fire having burnt out the next move was under the cornstalks. It having become so cold towards morning we were compelled to turn out; but, however, our old friend fire was resorted to for the ballance of the long cold night. About daylight we were again in motion, the chicken and potatoes being converted into a stew, and served up hot, with coffee and bread, we had as nice a breakfast as anybody could ask for. During the evening one of the party had gone to a farm house and bought some pies as a desert for breakfast. Having washed up the dishes and packed up our traps, we waited the arrival of the Company that was to release us. During the time we captured a hard looking subject, (no doubt one of Jackson’s men,) who tried to play crazy on us, but the boys couldn’t see it. Upon our arrival at camp we handed him over to our worthy Captain Thompson. More anon,
+FRIEND FERGUSON:—We, Co. K, having been detailed for picket duty, and being comfortably quartered at our post, I thought I could not employ the time better than by having a few words with you. As we are not supposed to be so vigillant in the daytime as at night, and having but one post to guard, it leaves us plenty time to look around. We are posted some two miles from camp, at a place called Helltown, (nice name that,) consisting of a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, and two dwelling houses, with several farm houses in sight; one of the farm houses belonging to Mason, one of the commissioners to Europe for the Southern Confederacy. After his leaving here for the South, his slaves burned down the house. The ruins indicating it to have been a very fine residence, the gasometer still standing showing it to have been fitted up in first style for convenience and comfort. The dairy farm adjoining, is occupied by an Englishman, who gave us all our information concerning the estate, &c. All the wealthy people around here are the strongest kind of secesh. A mistake in our commissary department being made, we were furnished with grub foe only nine men when it should have been enough for ten, consequently we had to forage, or in other words do a little of soldier stealing. One of the boys succeeded in driving a good big chicken into the dinner pot, while others went in another direction and procured some ham, and our vegetables being in to low a state to correspond with our appetites, two was appointed to see to procuring some—they started forth, but soon returning and reporting that nary potato could be found in any of the fields; we were at a loss to know how to get some, but our pockets not being entirely dried up we raised a half of a peck. Some we fried with ham, which we made a supper off of. Having rigged a shelter by placing some rails up against the fence, and covering the top, sides and one end with cornstalks, we made right comfortable quarters. The pickets, three in number, having been posted the ballance of us, having built a good fire in the road, spent the rest of the evening in spinning yarns, smoking, &. The fire having burnt out the next move was under the cornstalks. It having become so cold towards morning we were compelled to turn out; but, however, our old friend fire was resorted to for the ballance of the long cold night. About daylight we were again in motion, the chicken and potatoes being converted into a stew, and served up hot, with coffee and bread, we had as nice a breakfast as anybody could ask for. During the evening one of the party had gone to a farm house and bought some pies as a desert for breakfast. Having washed up the dishes and packed up our traps, we waited the arrival of the Company that was to release us. During the time we captured a hard looking subject, (no doubt one of Jackson’s men,) who tried to play crazy on us, but the boys couldn’t see it. Upon our arrival at camp we handed him over to our worthy Captain Thompson. More anon,
 TH REG., N. J. V.

Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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