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+//The Daily Evening Express//, August 8, 1861
+CAMP TODD, Annapolis Junction, Md.,
+August 5, 1861.
+I give you the circumstances of a cold-blooded murder which transpired yesterday (Sunday) morning, at a grocery and liquor store in Howard county, about two miles from the Junction. On Saturday evening a party of men in the neighborhood met at the above place, and after indulging in numerous drinks became very violent in their discussions, the difference being principally in relation to the present Federal troubles, composed as the party was of Union men and "Seceshers"—the former predominating. Yesterday morning a few of the same party met again, among them Richard Dorsey, a Union man, and George Marriot, a violent Secessionist. Angry words passed between them, when the latter, at a distance of seven feet, drew a Colt's revolver, firing two shots, the first entering the abdomen of Dorsey and the second penetrating the door frame over his head. Dorsey fell; while the murderer, jumping on his horse at the door, escaped, and tho' strict search has been instituted, has not yet been arrested. I was sent for, in consultation with Dr. White, of the neighborhood, and found the ball bad penetrated the abdomen just below the region of the stomach. His perception was clear, though the prostration of system was great, and he bore on his countenance the evidence of a dying man. We examined him carefully, and came to the conclusion that the bowels bad been perforated. The wound was not probed, nor search made for the ball in the abdomen, as such proceedings would have been eminently unsurgical. Stimulation was resorted to, as well as all else that was necessary to prolong his life; but, notwithstanding, he died at 6:20 P. M., after intense suffering of over ten hours. His death is particularly lamentable from the fact that he leaves a young and interesting wife, having been married but eight months. No quarter will be shown if the villain is caught.
+We are here in the heart of the enemy's country, and the strictest vigilance is required from our pickets, in order to guard against surprise. A day or two after we arrived, it became necessary to locate a Hospital for this division, and having understood that during the stay here of the New-York 20th Regiment, they used a new Cottage about half & mile distant, it was selected as suitable—being built with every convenience, and ample ventilation. No apprehension was felt in relation to an attack, and with my friend "Miles" and a guard of one, I retired at 10 o'clock. The instructions to the guard at the door were specific, but he misunderstood the orders of the Corporal, who did not wish his musket loaded before dark. We had hardly been in bed ten minutes before we were alarmed by the firing of a shot at the front door, and the cry of the sentinel. We rushed out, and found that some villain had crept up the hill, to a small locust tree, from which he fired on the sentinel, the shot taking effect in the end of his cartridge box, and emerging at the brass  plate. The strain was so great, that the hook, by which the belt is kept upon the body, was opened, and both belt and cartridge box fell to the ground. Though whirled around, miraculous as it may seem the man was uninjured. Search was made, but they escaped through a corn field. The night was stormy and dark, favorable for this murderous purpose, and the aim well directed—the polished plate of the cartridge box being distinctly seen, We were annoyed frequently during the night and our pickets kept up constant firing both at real and imaginary objects. Subsequently the hospital guard was increased to ten and a Corporal. Since then, all has been quiet.
+It is quite perilous for any man to attempt to pass our pickets after 8 o'clock in the evening. One of the most treacherous men within ten miles of us, was arrested while on horseback on Saturday night, and efficiently searched—some papers were found on him, but not sufficient to warrant us in holding him.
+The Pickets of the Fourth Wisconsin Regiment extend within half a mile of our Camp, on the road to Baltimore. The men of that picket are in the habit of coming up here, and drinking the "strychnine" whisky—and get exceedingly unmanageable. This morning ten of them paid us a visit, with loaded minie muskets, and patronized the Hotel? most lovingly for two hours, and of course, got gloriously drunk. It finally became necessary for Major Todd to order out the Union Guards under Capt. Barton, who dispersed them satisfactorily. During their retirement, one of the Fourth stabbed their Assistant Surgeon in the breast, but the wound was not serious.
+It will be gratifying to the friends of the "Lancaster Boys," to know that we are all well and tolerably well satisfied here. Too great praise cannot be accorded to Captain Barton and Lieut's. Hook and Bair, for the military proficiency of their company. Capt. B. desires to be remembered to all his friends The weather is quite warm—on Saturday, 90 deg. in the shade--the country poorly cultivated, but abounding in blackberries and whortleberries—game is plenty—the facilities for bathing are good, and I am glad to see the men avail themselves of it—not much sickness, and none in the Hospital. Prevailing diseases, Pneumonia, Influenza, Dysentery, &c. As it is possible we may be here for a short time, I will write again when much of interest transpires.
+Truly, E. de W. BRENEMAN,\\
+Assis't. Surgeon, First Reg't., P. R. V. C.
+{{ :1st_penn:the_daily_evening_express_thu_aug_8_1861.jpg?linkonly |}}
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+//The Daily Evening Express//, August 15, 1861
+LETTERS FROM CAMP TODD.
+ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md, Aug. 13, 1861.
+I mailed a letter for the Express last week, but it has evidently failed. It matters little as Dr. Breneman has informed you of the shooting affairs and other matters of interest. I will, however, mention that the first week we were here S. S. Strachem (Co, A,) on picket guard, arrested two suspicious persons going on foot to Washington, as they said, to get employment as teamsters. They were sent to Annapolis under the charge of Sergeant Bowman, the Colonel's Orderly, and two guards, one of whom was your correspondent, They were discharged, as nothing could be brought against them. We found the Naval Academy buildings and every thing connected, arranged on a liberal scale— everything is convenient and fitted for the purpose intended. The view of the Bay is very fine; in the foreground were anchored a man-of-war and two prize schooners. But what was more interesting to hungry soldiers, we enjoyed the hospitality of Capt. Hess during our stay; he is host of the Mansion House, Safe Harbor—his trade is to feed the hungry.
+One regiment after another still continues to pass through here to Washington. Among them was the 19th Indiana volunteer regiment from Muncy, Delaware county, commanded by Col. Solomon Meredith, a second cousin of "Old Abe" and six feet seven inches in height, nearly every commissioned officer is over six feet high. Also the 14th Massachusetts, Col. Greene. We were out on regimental drill when the train stopped, and the Massachusetts men rushed pell mell into the field and cheered and clapped their hands at every movement our battalion made, which were all well executed, you can be assured, under such a stimulous Lieutenant Colonel McIntire drawing us up in line proposed three cheers for the 14th, which were heartily given. If any community in the world has cause to be proud of itself, it is Massachusetts with its men and institutions.
+Last Tuesday evening, immediately after dress parade, Adjutant W. L. Bear stepped forward and in a neat little speech presented Capt. Barton with a sword in behalf of our company. He said it was a great pleasure to him to be the instrument of presenting this token of his company's high regard for its commander, and of the confidence they repose in  him; and in whatever way he shall point that sword they will ever be ready to follow him. As the presentation was a surprise to the Captain, he replied briefly, saying, that be accepted it in the same spirit in which it was tendered; that, although he believed be was unworthy of this mark of their confidence and respect, be would always strive to do his duty, and promised that its blade should never be stained but with the blood of an enemy of his country. It is a fine sword, with steel scabbard, browned—a tribute worthily bestowed.
+On Sunday morning, a Union preacher of this neighborhood, on invitation of Major Todd, preach-  ed a sermon to the soldiers in the woods close by the camp, on the subject of sin and its penalties. In the afternoon several of us attended Sunday School in Savage, a small village two miles from camp. Nearly a hundred children were in attendance. During a conversation with the acting Principal, Mr. Clark, I ascertained that the people in the villages are mostly for the Union, while the landowners, and hence extensive slaveholders, are Secessionists. Not only is the soil barren, worn-out by tobacco growing, but everything else partakes of the same general dreariness and languor. They have a poor Common School system. Able people must get their children educated at Boarding Schools—the poor people must do without education and without niggers. About eight miles west of this place a number of Pennsylvania farmers bought a circuit of land very cheaply several years ago. Mr. Clark said a person having seen the place before would not know it any more, differing altogether from the surrounding country— productive fields and well built houses and barns. Much of the land between here and Annapolis, I think, would defy the industry even of Pennsylvania farmers.
+Major Todd has been replaced in command here at the Junction by Lieutenant-Colonel McIntire, and the Phoenixville Company G has relieved Company C, (Slifer Phalanx,) from which company most of the desertions have occurred; the company having never been full, and hence not sworn into the United States service yet, and being composed of heterogeneous material, it does not stick well. None of our men are in the Hospital except Edward Frankford, who is unfit for duty; but all complain of weakness superinduced, as the boys say, by a disease called starvation, which could be cured by such medicines as fresh beef, beans, rice and vegetables, all of which are allowed us by the Army Regulations. Why we do not get them as we should I will take pains to find out, and inform you.
+I hitherto neglected to mention that, at the muster at Baltimore into the United States service, Peter Maginnis and Chas. R. G. Pinkerton, were rejected on account of physical disqualifications. I am sure I saw a tear glisten in Peter's eye as he had to stop out of ranks; Charlie Pinkerton was sick at the time.
+The person kindly sending me packages of newspapers will please accept thanks, and send address. The Express comes regularly to hand now. All the Lancasterians abroad share the feelings of those at home for the loss of Bishop Bowman.
+MILES.
+{{ :1st_penn:the_daily_evening_express_thu_aug_15_1861.jpg?linkonly |}}
+----
+//The Daily Evening Express//, August 15, 1861
+Camp Todd, Annapolis Junction. Md.,
+August 11, 1861,
+The influence under which I write are none of the most cooling; surrounded as I am by flies and bugs, with the thermometer at 96 deg. in the shade.
+During the past week there has been considerable activity in military matters. On Wednesday, the First Regiment of Artillery, 800 men, 32 brass pieces, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, commanding, passed through on their way to Washington. On the same evening, the 8rd Connecticut returned home. They were in the battle at Manassas, lost four killed and quite a number wounded. They had with them two five horses captured from the rebels at that place. One of the officers stated that they fired but once, and finding the canister and grape pouring in heavily from the enemy, were compelled to fall on their faces, to avoid total destruction.
+On Thursday the 5th Wisconsin and 19th Indiana went south. They were both fine looking bodies of men, and particular attention seems to have been paid in arming and equipping them. The flank companies of the latter regiment were armed with Enfield Rifles; also five sharpshooters in each company. The remainder were Minie muskets.
+On Friday evening the Southern train brought two hundred and thirty-five sick and wounded soldiers from the hospitals at Washington and Georgetown, destined for Annapolis; many of them were at Bull's Run. One poor fellow, with whom I conversed, stated that during the engagement he fell from exhaustion. Crawling for some distance, he came to a hut filled with wounded companions; while in the act of quenching his thirst with muddy water, abundant in that district, the hut was riddled with grape, and almost immediately followed by a charge of infantry—mercenaries—and all were bayoneted. This man was left by them under the supposition that he was dead. He was subsequently picked up by the Massachusetts 6th and taken to Washington.
+On Saturday morning we greeted the arrival of the Fifth Pennsylvania Reserve, Colonel Simmone, and in the evening the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment, accompanied by Nim's Artillery from Boston. This battery was formerly under the command of Col. Cook, and during their three months enlistment were stationed at Camp Carrol, near Baltimore, After their discharge, almost immediate reorganization was effected, and they return to do service in the next great battle soon to be fought not many miles from here.
+A shocking accident occurred on Saturday night, about a half a mile from here. One of the pickets of the 4th Wisconsin regiment, while in a state of intoxication, threw himself across the railroad track, and the midnight freight train cut off his head and legs. This should be a warning to his companions, who have been a considerable source of annoyance to us lately, by their wild spirits and habits of intoxication. They are, however, stout able-bodied men, and render effective service, On Thursday one of the captains succeeded in ingratiating himself with a notorious though wealthy Secessionist in the neighborhood, and ascertained he had fifty muskets secreted in his barn. Throwing off his disguise, be had the rebel arrested and the arms conveyed to the headquarters at the Relay House.
+We had the pleasure on Friday of shaking by the hand Captain H. A. Hambright from Lancaster, on his return from Washington, and are gratified to learn that he has permission from the Secretary of War to raise a regiment from Lancaster county. Pennsylvanians may rejoice at the position he will assume, while officers and men may feel satisfied they have a leader of undoubted courage, and military ability, whose motto will be Victory! The coming examination of field and company officers will cause many to quake; and well it may—as the test will be a severe one. As for the officers of this regiment, I can speak quite satisfactorily. Col. R. Biddie Roberts was a resident of Pittsburg, and recommended for the position by Gen. McCall. Lieutenant Colonel H. H. McIntire was formerly Captain of the Brandywine Guards from West Chester, (company K. of this regiment;) and Major Lemuel Todd, Captain of the Carlisle Guards, and at one time Congressman from the Cumberland district. Surgeon L. W. Read, from Norristown, is eminently competent for his position. He was one of the few Americans who entered the Russian service in the Crimean War, had the facilities of an extensive surgical practice at the General Hospital at Simpheropal, and acquitted himself with great credit to its close. The capabilities of Captain Barton are undoubted.
+It is impossible to tell how long we may be stationed here, though the disposition of sick in the District of Columbia, the constant arrival of troops from all sections, the immense transportation of provisions, ambulances, baggage wagons, and horses, indicate a speedy engagement. When the veteran Scott, and the brave McClellan issue forward, I doubt not it will be to victory.\\
+We are all well. Truly E. deW. B.
+{{ :1st_penn:the_daily_evening_express_thu_aug_15_1861a.jpg?linkonly |}}
+{{ :1st_penn:the_daily_evening_express_thu_aug_15_1861b.jpg?linkonly |}}
+----
 //Daily National Republican//, August 19, 1861