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-<figure label>
+//New York Daily Herald//, May 5, 1861
-{{:{{:69th_nysm:new_york_daily_herald_sun_may_5_1861.jpg?600|img}}
-<caption>new_york_daily_herald_sun_may_5_1861</caption>
+JOURNEY OF THE SIXTH-NINTH REGIMENT.
-</figure>
+LETTER FROM COLONEL CORCORAN.
+HEADQUARTERS SIXTH NINTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. M.,\\
+ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, April 30, 1861.
+The Sixth-ninth is Guarding the Road and Wires from Annapolis to Point Branch Bridge - the Attack on the Twelfth Regiment, &c., &c.
+JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Esq:
+I perceive, by your paper of the 29th inst., that in stating that the government has taken possession of the railroad from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction, and that every rail was guarded by a musket, you have neglected or have not received information as to what regiment was assigned that duty by Lieut. General Scott; and as the matter has cost myself and my command more that a little toil, which only those who have done it or who can understand the military labor, necessary, and which must be performed to accomplish the duty, can ever appreciate. I am therefore desirous, for the sake of the one thousand and sixty brave fellows who constitute my command, that we may be justice done.
+I marched from Annapolis on last Saturday at half past ten o'clock A. M., in obedience to orders from General Scott, and halted at Crownsville for the night, and at one o'clock A. M., sent forward my Engineer Corps for the purpose of guarding and assisting the workmen in repairing the wires along the road, in which they were successful. Since then my men have performed the arduous duty of guarding day and night, the road and wires from Annapolis to Paint Branch, a space of some twenty-seven miles.
+I would also contradict a report which I hear was published in your issue of last Saturday, to the effect that the Twelfth regiment had been attacked, and that a detachment of two hundred and fifty men from my regiment had been sent to their assistance, who had been repulsed with loss. The facts are as follows: - A baggage train of the Twelfth had been cut off by some farmers along the route, and a detail from each company, in all some one hundred and twenty-five men, with Captain Haggerty, were sent out to retake it. When they arrived at the spot they found the train safe, and consequently returned to camp.
+MICHAEL CORCORAN,\\
+Colonel, Sixty-ninth Regiment.
+LETTER FROM A MEMBER OF THE REGIMENT - INCONVENIENT ACCOMMODATIONS OF THE BOAT AND INSUFFICIENT COOKING ARRANGEMENTS - DRILLING ON BOARD THE VESSEL - TWO MEMBERS DROWNED AND ONE MEMBER INJURED BY A FALL - VICISSITUDES OF CAMP LIFE - IMPRESSIVE RELIGIOUS SERVICES, ETC.
+I do wish I had seen the HERALD of last Wednesday, to read the graphic account in must have contained of the crush and throng of the crowds who turned out to greet the Sixty-ninth, and the enthusiastic cheers and blessings which accompanied and followed us through the streets, on board the James Adger and down the harbor. I assure you the ovation was deeply felt by our gallant fellows, and though many a heart heaved at the thought of the aged parent, the loving wife and the helpless little ones left at home, yet, when cheer after cheer came wafted by the breeze as the vessel glided on her way the heart of the Sixty ninth throbbed with but one pulsation, was animated with but one resolve - that the glorious Stars and Stripes and the green flag would be ever in their hands the ensigns of victory or of death, and that they never would fall into the rebels hands unless over the dead body of the last man. "Another Fontenoy" was the cry, and "let our conduct be such that the outburst we received when we left will be but a shadow of that we shall get when we return."
+After we passed the narrows we sighted the Marion and Alabama, having respectively the Eighth and Thirteenth regiments on board. We also had the United States brig, Perry, twelve guns, in tow, and with this fleet we presented quite an imposing appearance. Occasionally the steamers containing the other regiments would come up abreast of us, and then three times three would rise from each deck, the three bands at the same time playing the "Star Spangled Banner," "Hail Columbia," and other patriotic airs.
+On board the James Adger there was accommodation for only about one fourth the troops; consequently three-fourths of our men were obliged to take up their quarters, day and night, on deck, in the passage ways, and, in fact, wherever they could find a resting place, and during the night it was almost impossible to pass through the ship without treading on some of our comrades.
+There were plenty of raw provisions on board, but a very inefficient way for cooking them, so that, though in the midst of plenty, we were in danger of starvation. Neither were there any medicines or surgical instruments provided, and the ship's medicine chest, very meagrely provided indeed, was the only resource in that way we had. Yet, in all our privations and sufferings, not a murmur was heard. Our boys had come to rough it and fight, and rough it they certainly did. Many raw recruits having joined our regiment, we kept up almost a constant drilling on board during the day. On Thursday, while steaming up the Chesapeake, we met many sailing craft, all of which displayed the Stars and Stripes. One schooner was inclined to keep "mum," but the gallant little brig promptly sent a ball across her bows, and the immediate running up of "our flag" showed that the eloquent argument of Uncle Sam's man was effectual. The day was beautiful; and as we glided along the bay, the cool, piercing breezes from the southwest and all the attending scenes and circumstances causes every heart to beat happily, and the men went through their evolutions in excellent spirits. At six P. M. we arrived within about half-a mile of Annapolis, and there we ran foul of the buoy and got "stuck in the mud." There we remained till next day at noon, the troops being meantime almost constantly drilled, and were then taken off by small steamers and landed at Annapolis.
+I regret to record three casualties, two of which were fatal, two find young fellows fell overboard, and although every exertion was made to save them, yet they both were lost. Then an athletic young man, named Murphy, fell through two hatchways, and was seriously injured in the head and back. He was well taken care of, and removed to the hospital at Annapolis, where, I am informed, he is now doing well.
+On arriving at our quarters we soon discovered that the accommodations were not of a convenient character; in fact, we had nothing to eat and were compelled to rest beneath the broad canopy of heaven. Yet notwithstanding those inadequate commissariat arrangements, the ardor of the Sixth-ninth was on that Friday evening brought to a successful test. Word was brought that the baggage of the Twelfth was seized about two miles from Annapolis and the question ran - "Who will volunteer?" The answer of the Sixth-ninth was instantaneous, "We will" A body composed of one hundred and fifty men, composed of Captain Haggerty's company A, and some volunteers, were chosen from the regiment, which offered itself to a man, and away they went with a roaring cheer at double quick pace for the scene of action. Although a great crowd was gathered, made no demonstration, and the baggage was allowed to depart in peace. On Saturday morning we were ordered to proceed and guard the rail track from Annapolis to Washington. Our energetic Quartermaster procured some provisions from the James Adger, and in an hour we were ordered on our way with our drums beating and colors flying. Although every man knew the partious nature of the expedition, and that the regiment was wretchedly provisioned and equipped, yet no hesitation was shown not a grumble was heard. On Saturday evening we erected for the night at Crownsville, a village of five houses. Your correspondent was awakened at dawn by the pattering of heavy rain drops on his face, and philosophically drawing his blanket over his phiz, again resigned himself to the "gentle influence," but his thoughts were just merging into oblivion, when the reveille, with its continuous rattle, threw all the camp into a scene of life and bustle.
+The Rev. Mr. Mooney, our chaplain, from the moment the James Adger left her dock, has worked incessantly for our benefit.
+On last Sunday our camp presented a solemn scene, full of picturesque beauty and impressiveness. Our camping ground was on the side of a hill, rising from the railroad track. On the top was a farmer's house. In front of the fence which ran around this house a temporary tent, with a canopy made from our blankets, was erected and there, with the regiment kneeling in front, accompanied by many curious spectators from the neighboring farmhouses, our chaplain conducted religious services. The roll of the drum announced the commencement the elevation and the end of the mass, and the band played sacred music. During the services a heavy thunder storm broke out in all its fury, and then the roll of the drum, the music of the band, the flash of the lightning as it blazed over hill and valley, the deep muttering of the thunder, all rendered the scene truly grand and sublime. When the religious services were over the order to march was given and as we went we left detachments every little distance, as we had done at the beginning of the route the day before, and now, the regiment having gone two days' march further, the sentinels of the Sixty-ninth can see each other from Annapolis to Washington. No other regiment guards this road, nor have done so since we came on.
+The people along the route, as far as I can hear, are very peacefully inclined, and say the reprehend the action of the Baltimoreans. I suspect, however, that what they say is through fear of us, and does not truly indicate their feelings, for the rails have been torn up and the bridges cut down, but were repaired by the engineers of one of the Massachusetts regiments. As this has now been made a military road, it is a hanging matter to disturb or obstruct it. I am told that we will proceed to Washington in a day or two. Full communication exists now between there and Annapolis, and trains pass both ways several times a day. Two regiments have passed on the cars going from Annapolis to Washington since we guarded the road. We scarcely apprehend any attack now, as the community in the vicinity of the road seem overawed; but if they do make an attack, they may rest assured of a warm reception.
+J. L. K.
+{{:69th_nysm:new_york_daily_herald_sun_may_5_1861.jpg?linkonly|}}
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Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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