Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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Primary Sources for the 1st New Jersey Militia

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West Jersey Press, July 27, 1864

THE EMERGENCY MEN.

FORT DIX, July, 25th, 1864.

RELAY HOUSE, MARYLAND.

Sinnickson Chew Esq:
DEAR SIR:—If you find any item of interest in the following, which is a resume of the doings of some of our citizens, in their present condition, of “citizen soldiers” -alias “emergency men,” alias patriots—it will afford me pleasure to contribute some items, which came to my knowledge, both by observation and otherwise. The company during the past week, both officers and men, have been busily, and profitably employed. Capt. Lee, and his clerk (Mr. Scovel) were engaged during the early part of the week taking testimony in a very important trial, of an officer belonging to one of the Ohio Regiments— it was a military commission. A detachment of the company under command of 1st Lieut. Shinn, was sent out towards the Monocacy battle ground, among the “Sesesh” of that region, for the purpose of collecting property stolen during the recent raid, made by their bold and more honorable companions in arms, under command of the Ex-Hon. Rebel Breckinridge.— They obtained several thousand dollars worth of blankets, muskets, clothing, &c., which had been secreted through that section of the country.— At one place, where they stopped, upon inquiry being made of the lady (?) of the house for stolen property, she brought down from the upper story an old pair of “unmentionables,” which she informed them was all they had; but Lieut. Shinn, apprehending some mistake, proposed looking himself, and taking with him some of the men, found a large number of muskets, clothing and blankets. From the latter they had drawn out the threads forming the letters U. S. The authorities are sifting out the rebel sympathizers in Maryland, and if they will extend their operations, to more northerly latitudes, they would probably be doing good service—as, instead of stealing clothing, &c., our rebel sypathizers, are aiding in the slaughter of our precious ones. O when will the day of retribution come? hasten it Oh God of justice. But I am digressing. Lieut. Kain, with a detachment of men under Sergt. Elder, are now engaged guarding a number of prisoners, among whom are some infernal sympathizers. On Saturday evening last, a shot was heard, breaking the silence of the night, and reverberating from hill to hill. Upon inquiry it was found to proceed from the guard, a prisoner, supposed to be a rebel spy was brought in, hand-cuffed, soon as he was free, he made a spring, towards what appeared a piece of woods, but which was in reality bushes upon the edge of a precipice of more than an hundred feet in height—when he was fired upon, the shot not taking affect. It is supposed he caught upon some roots extending out a short distance, and in the darkness escaped.— If he had gone ten feet farther west, he would have been dashed in pieces. It appeared miraculous that he was not killed on the spot. Gen. Tyler, in command of that post, visited the camp of our “emergency men” and upon learning that they had been in the service but one week, expressed much surprise at the order and military precision which met his eye; quite a compliment to the only 30 days men in the service of our good old state. I will conclude […] our men are doing good service, at […] most important points this side of […] they are not on a holiday picnic.— Any message or information may be obtained by inquiry at 423 Cooper Street.
P. C. B.

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