Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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The Daily Exchange, August 30, 1861

The Twenty-first Massachusetts regiment, which has been in camp at Patterson’s Park since Sunday last, yesterday received orders to repair to Annapolis Junction. The First Pennsylvania reserve, hitherto stationed there, has gone to Washington. These were the only movements yesterday, with the exception of the passage of a few straggling recruits.


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Boston Evening Transcript, September 4, 1861

ANNAPOLIS, MD., Sept. 1, 1861.

FROM THE 21ST MASS. REGIMENT. My last letter was written at Patterson Park, Baltimore, where we were then encamped. On Wednesday evening, orders reached our Colonel to move the following morning for Annapolis, to guard the railroad from the junction to the port. At eleven o’clock we took up the line of march to the tune of Yankee Doodle, through the streets of Baltimore, to the Washington Depot, receiving from many warm tokens of applause, and from all, respect. But one accident occurred to mar our passage. A member of Co. F, Worcester Zouaves, fell from the car as we were leaving the depot, breaking his arm, rendering amputation necessary on our reaching this place.

On our way we stopped for an hour at the Relay House, when those of our regiment who had been posted at this point in the early part of the war, met with a most cordial reception. This point is now guarded by a Wisconsin regiment. Nine miles below this place, at the junction of the Annapolis and Washington Railroad, where our guardianship commenced, we left four of our companies, and with the balance continued on to this locality, a distance of about twenty miles.

The entire line of the road is now guarded by the Massachusetts 21st. The 1st Pennsylvania regiment, Colonel Roberts, who has been in command for the last six weeks, left for Washington as we arrived. We are quartered in the buildings belonging to the United States Naval School which was established here in 1815, under the secretaryship of George Bancroft. The grounds enclose about twenty acres, well provided with elegant buildings~bath houses, gardens, and so arranged to make it one of the most delightful spots I have ever seen. This institution has been a great source of encouragement to the city of Annapolis, as it contained in 1815 about 2500 inhabitants, but now has increased to 6000. They feel the loss of the school much. This is the spot taken possession of by General Butler, when our transit through Baltimore was for a time obstructed. He took boats at Havre de Grace, and landing at this place, opened communication with Washington via the railroad, which we are now guarding. This is one of the oldest built towns in Maryland, most of the buildings being fashioned after the then English style, and give evidence of great durability.

Here stands the State House, built more than one hundred years ago. In it is the Senate Chamber, where Washington surrendered up his commission as commander-in-chief of the forces of the republic. The house of Gov. Hicks, the staunch Union governor of Maryland, faces our quarters, and it is refreshing to glance at it occasionally to strengthen (if it were needed) our Union principles. This place is also used by the government as a hospital for wounded soldiers, and there are now here a large number of those who were wounded in the battle of Bull Run. About the grounds we find many monuments erected by the naval officers to the memory of those who have fallen in battle or died on foreign posts. The monument to the lamented Herndon stands conspicuous.

How long we shall be posted here I know not. It may be for weeks, or tomorrow’s mail may bring us the order to march. The more I become acquainted with this regiment the more my respect for it increases. It is composed almost entirely of Worcester County men—men who I believe fully realize the importance of the issue in which we are now engaged; and who I believe will win a name if occasion presents itself,—such men as I believe would respond to the call of our Senator, which I have just read, and I am proud to think such as he will find in numbers on the soil of the brave old State—our home. Boston.

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Boston Evening Transcript, September 9, 1861

ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Sept. 6, 1851.

21ST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. My last letter from Annapolis informed the friends of the 2ist Massachusetts regiment of our whereabouts; in which position we still continue, stretched along the railroad for its entire length of twenty miles, guarding every cross road, so as to render the passage of our Southern friends quite difficult. That portion of Virginia situated across the Chesapeake Bay, termed the Eastern shore, has long been and still continues to be the home of a body of men, there drilling and organizing for some purpose of assistance to those in rebellion, while their numbers are daily increasing by additions from Maryland and even further north. To assist in putting a stop to those who endeavor to form there is part of our business of guard here. No man, foot or horseback, is allowed to pass without inspection, our lines, and any article contraband, which he may have in his possession, is of course forfeit. To break up this nest below will no doubt soon be, or ought to be, an object of our government. Vessels clearing from Northern ports for Baltimore have been known to put in there, and thus render important aid to the rebels.

The spirited articles in your paper in regard to the prosecution of the war with a determined hand, are read with great pleasure by the members of this regiment, and we all agree that a regiment of editors, if they could fight as well as they write, would be a great addition to our force.

A melancholy accident to a young man from Spencer by the name of Gibbs, of Company C, Capt. Richardson, occurred on Tuesday night, he being killed by standing too near the train of cars as they passed him—his body was terribly cut up, and his death must have been instantaneous. He was indeed among strangers, no one about being willing that his body should be placed in their land; but thanks to a good hearted son of Massachusetts residing near to the place, who offered his own burial ground, and the attentions of the officers and men of his company, he was placed in his long home, with the usual military ceremonies over his grave, while the service for the burial of the dead was read by Lieut. Harlow.

We are indeed in the home of many secessionists, and therefore do not receive many attentions from our neighbors, and are depending entirely upon ourselves for social enjoyment. Melons, peaches and fruit of all kinds, are brought in in great abundance, which are exchanged for the hard money which we brought from Massachusetts, while the trains from Baltimore and Washington, continually passing, supply us liberally with newspapers, ever sought for with great earnestness. I was fortunate enough to obtain from Gov. Seward yesterday, a few New York papers, which he threw from the window. One of them, with a despatch from Washington of the day before, chronicles his safe return to the Seat of Government. Regiment after regiment passes here daily, exchanging greetings with ours here stationed, with the usual inquiry on both sides of “What regiment is this?” I hope in a few days to be able to inform you of matters of more stirring importance. Till then, I remain, yours, truly, BOSTON.

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Boston Evening Transcript, September 16, 1861

ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Sept. 12, 1861

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. Since my last communication no change has taken place in the 21st Regiment. We are still inactive, unless guarding a railroad might be deemed important, as no doubt it is, at this unsettled period of our history. Maryland has many Union men in her borders, staunch and true, who, when protected, speak out strongly and boldly for Government, They say that they feel a new life now that the administration has ungloved its hand, while all feel the effect of our new victory. Butler and Stringham have balanced the Bull Run account, having taken about the same number of men and cannon as the rebels took at the Stone Bridge, while the bombardment of Sumter has been answered by the bombardment of slavery, by Fremont. Would it not be singular, should North Carolina—the last to go out—be the first to return, Regiment after regiment continues to pass on its way to the seat of war, I am told that letters directed to 181 different regiments are received at the Washington post office. A largo portion of these troops have passed over this railroad. This gives some idea of the amount of business over this branch of the Baltimore and Ohio road, while the main branch of it is doing nothing, having lost most of its bridges, engines and business—a loss it will take years to recover. Secession has been to the owners of the main branch dear business.

In after years this war will be termed by some the war of ignorance, and I am surprised daily to hear expressions so wide of the mark, as to the truth of its origin. Maryland wants more of our Northern churches and schoolhouses to educate the bulk of her population; for in comparison with our working classes she is woefully behind in cultivation, In a cotton factory near here are employed 170 hands, and I am told that only about 30 of them can write. In conversation with one of my neighbors as to the prospects of the election of Bradford, the unconditional Union nominee, to succeed Gov. Hicks, all that is wanted, he said, to make his election certain, is a Federal victory. Give us that, and we will elect him triumphantly. Here wealth, more than at the North, influences elections, as is seen in the vote of Baltimore. The fields around us are now loaded down with heavy crops of corn and tobacco, the last of which will be a valuable one, should the blockade continue.

This road from Baltimore to Washington seems to be the dividing lino between the tobacco and grain growing regions—the southern side being more exclusively devoted to the fragrant weed, and the northern, which is mountainous, to grain, Today—“the anniversary of the battle of North Point,” near Baltimore, when the British General Ross was killed has been celebrated at Annapolis by a military parade, ball, and other festivities. The Governor’s Guard of that city turned out, and escorted our regiment from its quarters to the city, passing through the principal streets, and altogether making a grand Union demonstration. Our Col Morse, with Lieut. Col. Baggs, (who has just arrived here, and Major Clark, mounted, led off our regiment in fine style, making quite a gala day for the Twenty-first. Boston.

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The Baltimore Sun, October 2, 1861

A Lieutenant Shot and Killed.—On Monday night, a lieutenant of the 21st Massachusetts regiment, named Stoddard, stationed at the Annapolis Junction, was shot and killed. It is alleged that he attempted to pass one of the pickets, in disguise, and that haying been ordered several time to halt, and paying no attention thereto, he was fired upon, and shot through the body. He lived about three hours after receiving the wound. No blame is attached to the picket, as he was acting in discharge of his duty.

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Headquarters 21st Reg't. Co. J. Moss. Vol. Camp Annapolis Oct 26, 1861

Dear Brother

I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and well we are stationed on the railroad 10 miles from Annapolis to guard the railroad track to keep it from bing torn up I site here and hear the canons roar and it makes me feel bad becaus I cannot be a helping them but we may have a chance to before long we hope to at least have sent you 2 or 3 papers and shall send you some more along I wish you would send me a few papers for I should like to hear the news at north write and let me know how the old folks get along give my to Jane and the children and keep a share for yourself. This is from your Brother. J. P. Whiple

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Boston Evening Transcript, October 12, 1861

ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Oct. 10, 1861.

FROM THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT. Troops for the rent of war continue to pass this point in large numbers daily, with trains of horses, cattle, and quartermaster’s stores for the army of the Potomac. Within the last four days some 12,000 soldiers have been transported from Washington through this place for the port of Annapolis, whore a large expedition is now fitting out for service down the coast, said to be part of the force of Gen. Sherman, It is useless to inquire its destination. No one knows—at least no one connected with the division—at present. Some say it is destined for New Orleans, and some for Charleston, but if I might presume to guess, I should say Fortress Monroe. With the division I notice regiments from Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Michigan and Connecticut, all equally in the dark as to the place of their departure Yesterday a large number of officers parsed on to join the expedition, among whom I noticed many belonging to the force detailed for signal duty.

So we may be prepared for some now demonstration against the stronghold of the enemy, I under- stand some 400 more will pass to day and tomorrow. Often the trains bound South hold up at the depot to allow the Annapolis trains to pass, and it occasionally happens that regiments from the same state thus meet, bound in opposite directions, without either being able to give the de[..]d information as to their destination, though each one has a theory of his own, At any rate, Government so fur has kept its own secret.

Our regiment has lost one more from own number by accidental death. Lieut. Stoddard of Co. F, from Upton, was shot by one of his own guard on Monday night of lust week. It is said he failed to give the countersign, when halted by the sentinel three times, and oven attempted to push by without informing the sentry who he was, The night was dark, and the soldier, by the name of H. C. Wester, discharged his gun, as was his duty, causing the death of the other in the course of two hours. A court of Inquiry was called, which resulted in his acquittal or honorable discharge. the suffering Lieutenant received every attention from the members of his command, with whom he was very popular, and from Doctor Warren, our regimental Surgeon, but he was past medical aid, and he died, retaining to the last his senses, forgiving and exonerating him by whose hand he fell.

This was another instance of trifling with the stern duty of a sentinel. His body was sent to his home in Massachusetts, receiving from us a soldier’s funeral. It was placed in the cars, while three rounds from those whom ho had lately commended formed the last testimony of regret that could be paid.

Our men, fresh from the farms and workshops of Worcester county, are fast becoming soldiers, under the instruction of Lieutenant Colonel Maggi, who commands at this post. BOSTON.

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National Aegis, November 2, 1861

THE TWENTY-FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT —I met at Annapolis Junction an old friend—one whose acquaintance I had made when he was a non-commissioned officer in Col. Wardrop’s regiment, but who now worthily fills the place of Lieut. Colonel of the Massachusetts Twenty-First—Albert C. Maggi, late Sergeant Major of the Third. He has four companies stationed at the Junction, and guarding the railway. The strict discipline and the large experience of the commanding officer of the battalion have been of great advantage to the men, and nothing could be more pleasing to a Massachusetts man than the sight of such good soldiers. The men are somewhat disgusted with their new police duty, and clamor for active service. In the yard of the Naval School the balance of the regiment is stationed. Yesterday afternoon I saw the regiment on parade, and for one I felt particularly proud. There was a degree of neatness about the appearance of the men which spoke much in praise of the officers, for it is in the appearance of the men as to dress, which is the most prominent characteristic distinguishing the regular from the volunteer service. The respectability in outward appearance of the Twenty-first proves the officers of the corps excel where volunteer officers almost always fail—in frequent and thorough inspections. Yesterday afternoon the regiment was reviewed by Gen. Sherman, who expressed himself as highly gratified at its appearance. An exhibition of proficiency in skirmish drill was particularly pleasing.—Cor. of Boston Journal.

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The Baltimore Sun, November 5, 1861

Two companies of the Twenty-first Massachusetts Regiment are at Annapolis Junction. There is much sickness in the camp, 18 of one company and 20 of the other being on the sick list.

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