Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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Primary Sources for the 8th New York State Militia

Figure 1: Scene in the Camp of the Washington Greys, 8th N. Y. S. M.

The Press, May 9, 1861

The Accident at the Relay House.

The sudden death of a member of the Eighth New York regiment, by the discharge of his musket while cleaning it; yesterday, has saddened the hearts of his comrades, and thrown a gloom over the regiment. His name was LLOYD, and he was endeared to his associates by his courteous and kind deportment. He leaves a wife and two children in Brooklyn, New York.

Lest evening, a number of the soldiers at the Relay House sickened after eating ginger cakes, purchased from a cake vendor, who came to the camp. The matter is to be investigated.

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New York Times, May 10, 1861

LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.

FROM THE EIGHTH.
THE MOVEMENT TO THE RELAY HOUSE.
ELK RIDGE LANDING, ST. DENIS,
9 miles south of Baltimore,
Sunday, May 5, 1861.

Last night the Eighth Regiment of New-York Was surprised with orders from Brig. Gen. BUTLER, at Annapolis, to start for an unknown destination at 5 o'clock this morning. In obedience the regiment started at 7 o'clock, and arrived here about noon, the expedition being conducted by Gen. BUTLER in person. Immediately on arrival we moved to the grounds of Dr. HALL, who is now absent in Europe, thence removed to the estate of JOHN LATROBE, Esq., an eminent lawyer of Baltimore.

The object of the expedition is for the protection of the two bridges which cross the Patapsco River at this point. One of these bridges is a splendid stone structure, belonging to the Baltimore and Washington Railroad, and which would compare favorably with our own High Bridge at Harlem. The other, which is situated about half a mile below, is on the turnpike route, between Baltimore and Washington, called the “Washington turnpike.”

It is presumed that a Philadelphia Regiment will attempt the passage through Baltimore to-day, and the destruction of these two bridges by the Secessionists, may be attempted. and Gen. BUTLER has resolved to guard against the probability, as well as to be enabled to march against Baltimore should any demonstration be made to interrupt the peaceable passage of troops through that city destined for the defence of the country.

At 5 o’clock, the Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts, Col. E. F. JONES, of Lowell, came up from Washington, and encamped on the grounds of Dr. HALL.

In conversation with a gentleman of standing in Baltimore, he remarked that no opposition would be made to any Northern troops passing through that city, but considered it very probable that a collision would occur should Col. WILSON'S Regiment undertake the passage. S. A. W.

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Figure 2: new_york_daily_herald_fri_may_10_1861

Brooklyn Times Union, May 11, 1861

OUR WAR CORRESPONDENCE.

ENCAMPMENT, from Baltimore
9 miles, May 6th, 1861.

EDITOR TIMES.—I suppose you wonder at our being here, supposing we would remain at Annapolis for some time yet, Last Saturday evening we received orders to pack knapsacks and be In readiness to leave Annapolis the next morning at 6 o'clock. None of us knew where we were going, we were under sealed orders, but we all concluded that our destination would be Washington, but time soon informed us of our mistake. We are here, a short distance from Baltimore, holding a very important post called the “Relay House”; we are in camp, our duty is to protect the bridges and railroads in this part of the country.

I would have written you before, but could not find time, as we were all day Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, pitching tents and preparing grounds, which I assure you was hard work as it was raining hard all the time.

Our living is very poor, but gradually getting better, fresh meat is not to be had here, and hard biscuits are played out, I tell you it is very hard living for so much hard work, but I do not wish to complain, I shall stay with the Regiment as long as they stay.

One of our men was accidentally shot yesterday, he was drawing a charge from his musket, when it went off, the ball entering under his chin, passed through the top of bis head and killed him instantly; he was buried in the afternoon with all the military honors, the ceremony being very impressive.

All the boys are in good spirits and health and appear to be aching for a muss, which I think they will soon be sure to have, as it is said if the Pennsylvania troops are not allowed to pass through Baltimore without molestation, we are to go down and give them a brush. Another report says we are to go Harper's Ferry, which if true, will certainly give us the pleasure of a fight. But rumors are not to be relied on, all we can do in to obey orders.

I do not think we are going to Washington at all, but cannot tell exactly; to our friends we would say, all letters or parcels directed to us at Washington or Annapolis, will be forwarded us wherever we chance to be.

Oh how I would like to take a peep in the ‘Burgh, to see how you all are and get along, and get one good square meal of victuals,which I have not had since I left home.

Maryland appears strong Union, so I would judge. I think there is no fear of attack while in this State, but we are well prepared if such a thing should happen.

I may not be regular in writing, for sometimes we are ordered off when we do not get a chance to write in three or four days, like the present case.

Respectfully HIRAM G. SMITH
Corporal Co. B, 8th Reg., N. Y. S. M.

P.S. Excuse writing, as I am sitting upon the ground writing on my knapsack.

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New York Evening Post, May 11, 1861

The Eighth New York Regiment In Maryland

A letter from a member of the Eighth Regiment of this city, dated at Elk Ridge Landing, Howard county, Md., says;

“We are encamped here, about seven miles from Baltimore. Send me a double Mackinaw blanket; my single blanket is not sufficient. It is very chilly here nights, and since our arrival here the weather has been very disagreeable and rainy. It is currently reported here that the Seventh Regiment, on being sworn in, distinctly stipulated that they should not be called away from Washington until their term expired. We have not yet been sworn in,but we are ready to face Harper's Ferry, Baltimore, or any of their strongholds.”

Another member of the Eighth, in a letter received this morning, writes:

“It has been cold all the time since we left New York. Some of our men are without over-coats, some without under-coats and some ragged, but we are all much better off than the poor Massachusetts boys, who have had a rough time here, without tents or proper provisions for their comfort.

“I feel anxious about leaving my wife and child, but my country called and I had to make the sacrifice.”

Our benevolent citizens, whose contributions to other regiments have been lavish, might direct some of their generous offerings to the Eighth Regiment. They will scarcely find a more deserving body of men.

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New York Times, May 11, 1861

LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.

FROM THE EIGHTH NEW-YORK REGIMENT.

POISONING OF TROOPS—FUNERAL OF LEONARD— GEN. BUTLER.

EIGHTH (N. Y.) REGIMENT,
ELK RIDGE LANDING, Tuesday, May 7, 1861.
Nine miles South of Baltimore.

A large number of Baltimoreans have been hovering about the encampments of the different Regiments quartered here, loud and unanimous in their declarations of loyalty and devotion to the Union; but a strict and right military discipline has been exercised against any admittance to our grounds. But wagons of every description are driven to our borders, and are of easy access to the camps, where eggs, pies, cakes, bread, coffee and tobacco are sold to the soldiers, at reasonable prices. But orders have just been issued fer their immediate removal, in consequence of the alleged poisoning of one or two members of the Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts troops. The circumstances of the case are these:

Yesterday a member of Company G, Capt. H. W. PRATT, from Worcester, Mass, named GEO. MINTER, went about among these country vendors, purchasing various kinds ef food, and upon returning to camp and eating of them was thrown into violent spasms, snapping and biting at every one who approached him, and suffering most intense pain. He was immediately placed under the attention of the surgeon of his regiment, Dr. NORMAN SMITH, of Groton, Mass., who treated him immediately for poison. The medicines employed operated so favorably that he may recover, although he still lies in the hospital in a critical position. In conversation with Dr. SMITH, he says the symptoms were unmistakably those produced by arsenic. Another man who was with him at the time, from Company A, National Greys, Capt. LAWTELL, from Lowell, was also taken ill, but was not seriously affected.

The funeral of CHARLES LEONARD, of the Eighth New-York Regiment, who accidentally shot himself, took place to-day.

At 6 o'clock P. M., the Regimental line was formed in front of the officers' quarters, and many were the sad faces upon which the gleam of the morning still lingered. The regiment came immediately to a “parade rest.” Then followed the solemn tap of the drum, and the bereaved company appeared at the fight of the line, and with measured tread and sadly beating hearts bore the remains of their dead comrade to the centre of the line. The body was encased in a coffin, and enshrouded in the folds of the American flag, and borne along resting upon two of the company's muskets.

The company to which the deceased belonged formed upon the left and near the coffin, with inverted arms.

The entire officers of the regiment, including Gen. BUTLER and staff, then closed around the foot of the coffin, all remaining motionless and still as death, as, with uncovered beads, they awaited the commencement of the burial services, which were conducted by the Surgeon of the Regiment, FOSTER SMITH, M. D.

The services commenced with reading, and singing “Mount Vernon,” with words slightly altered to suit the occasion. The melancholy tone with which this hymn was sung, and the tears that burst simultaneously from every eye in the regiment, in that lonely grove, far away from home, fully attested that the rough soldier bore within him that principle of affection which elevates and tones the human passions. Then followed reading of the 15th Chapter of Corinthians, commencing at the 15th verse. A prayer was then offered and followed by a few appropriate remarks.

When this was concluded, Gen. BUTLER rode forward a few paces towards the coffin, and while tears were coursing profusely down his cheeks, delivered a most touching and affecting appeal to the Regiment, to maintain the honor and glory of the Union, and calling upon them to swear above the dead body of their comrade, eternal fidelity to the great cause in which they were all engaged.

At the conclusion of his eloquent remarks, scarcely a dry eye was seen in the Regiment.

The coffin was then raised, and the mourning company, followed by Gen. BUTLER and Aids, as well as all the commissioned officers of the Regiment, commenced their slow march to the grave. Arriving at the chapel, the body was carried into the little graveyard of the village, about two miles from the camp, and consigned to its keeping until it shall be called for by the friends and relatives residing at New-York. Three volleys of musketry were fired over his grave, and in the darkness of the Light the company returned to their quarters.

Gen. BUTLER has, by this act, and by acknowledging, in tears of heartfelt sorrow, that the soldier is his brother, endeared himself far more to the hearts of his soldiers in the Eighth Regiment, than could the bestowal upon them of all the wealth of Golconda. He is a self-made man, and sympathizes deeply with the hardships and discomforts of his men.
S. A. W.

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Middletown Whig Press, May 14, 1861

News from Volunteers.

Edwin J. Scrantom, an apprentice in this office during the past year, but now a member of Company G, Washington Greys, 8th Regiment, on their way to the seat of War, has written a letter to a friend in Middletown, giving his 'experience’ of army life. We make some ex- tracts, He says the troops are (May 7th) encamped at Jack’s Bridge, eight miles from Baltimore, where there are 5,000 of them. One of the men in drawing a load from his gun that morning was accidentally killed. As to provender, he says they have salt pork, hard crackers, and coffee without milk. A night or two previous himself and another guard on duty 'surrounded' a prisoner.

We are sorry to see that 'Ed.' does not fancy a soldier’s life very much, and thinks he will discard the army when his time expires. We expected that, being a typo, he would have more of a liking for the 'shooting stick.'

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