Boston on the afternoon of that day; but all things not being in readiness, they slept in the hall during the night.

On the morning of the 17th, an election of regimental officers was held. Lieut. Col. Timothy Munroe, of Lynn, was elected Colonel, and, the office of Major being vacant, Adjutant E. W. Hinks, of Lynn, Lieut. Col.; Lieut. Andrew Elwell, of Co. G (Gloucester), was chosen Major. The men were furnished with overcoats, and, as far as possible, with knapsacks and haversacks.

-to be

During the forenoon of the 18th, the regiment were busily engaged in preparing for their departure. Company A, of the 7th Regiment, from Salem, arrived, and was attached to the regiment, to act as a right flank company of skirmishers, known as Company J, and it was understood that Company A, of the 1st Battalion of Infantry, from Pittsfield, was to be joined, to act in the same capacity on the left flank, and to be known as Company K. At about one o'clock, P. M., the regiment was ordered to march to the State House. Upon their arrival there, supplies were furnished, and a standard presented by Governor Andrew, who addressed them as follows: "Mr. Commander and Soldiers: Yesterday you were citizens; to-day you are heroes! Summoned by the sudden call of your country, true to the fortunes of your flag, to the inspiration of your own hearts, and to the mighty example of your fathers, you have hurried from the thronged towns of Essex, and all along the shore, from Boston to Cape Ann, famed through all Massachusetts for noble men, brave soldiers and heroic women. You have come to be cradled anew one night in Faneuil Hall, there breathing once more the inspiration of historic American liberty, and standing beneath the folds of the American banner. (Applause.)

"From the bottom of my heart of hearts, as the official representative of Massachusetts, I pay to you, soldiers, citizens and heroes, the homage of my most profound grat itude, and the heart of all Massachusetts beats with full sympathy to every word I utter. There is but one pulsation beating through all this beautiful domain of liberty, from the shores of Cape Cod to the hills of Berkshire; and the mountain waves and mountain peaks answer to each other. Soldiers, go forth, bearing that flag, and as our fathers fought, so, if need be, strike you the blow!

'Where breathes the foe but falls before us,
With freedom's soil beneath our feet,

And freedom's banner waving o'er us?'

"We stay behind to guard the hearthstones you have left, and whatever may be the future, we will protect the wives and children you may leave; and as you will be faithful to the country, so we will be faithful to them. (Applause.)

"I speak to you as citizens and soldiers, not of Massachusetts, but of the American Confederate Union. While we live, that Union shall last (applause), and until these countless thousands and all their posterity have tasted death. The Union of the American people, the heritage of Washington, shall be eternal. (Applause.)

"Soldiers! go forth, bearing with you the blessings of your country; bearing the confidence of your fellow-citizens, and, under the blessing of God, with stout hearts and stalwart frames, go forth to victory. On your shields be returned, or bring them with you. Yours it is to be among the advanced guard of Massachusetts soldiers; as such I bid you God-speed, and fare you well!"

At the close of the Governor's address, repeated and hearty cheers were given for the regiment and for Gen. Butler, who spoke as follows:

"Soldiers! we stand upon that spot to which the good pleasure of the Commander-inChief and our own dearest wishes have assigned us. To lead the advanced guard of freedom, of constitutional liberty, and of perpetuity to the Union, is the honor we claim, and which, under God, we will maintain. (Applause.)

"Sons of Puritans, who believe in the Providence of Almighty God; as he was with our Fathers, so may he be with us in this strife for the right, for the good of all, for the great missionary country of liberty. (Applause.) And if we prove recreant to our trust, may the God of battles prove our enemy in the hour of our utmost need.

"Soldiers! we march to-night; and let me say for you all to the good people of the Commonwealth, that we will not turn back till we show those who have laid their hands upon the fabric of the Union, there is but one thought in the North, the union of these States, now and forever, one and inseparable." "

The regiment returned to their headquarters, and, after partaking of a collation, re-formed, and proceeded to the Worcester depot, and embarked for New York, accompanied by Gen, Butler, who was to command the expedition. The excitement, as the cars emerged from the depot, beggars description. Thousands of people surrounded it, choking every avenue to its approach. Windows, fences, wagons, house-tops, lumber yards, and every place affording a possible foothold, were crowded with men, women, and children, cheering, shouting, and waving handkerchiefs, hats, &c., until the train had passed out of sight.

As they paused at Worcester they were loudly welcomed, and in answer to the calls of the multitude, Gen. Butler said: "Let us swear as we love our mothers, as we cherish our sisters, and honor our fathers, as we hope for heaven hereafter, to maintain inviolate the union of these States. It matters not whether the traitors be North or South, their manifest wickedness appears. I hold him for my personal friend who strikes for the Union against such traitors, and he is a personal enemy who whispers aught against it. In this contest we banish party differences. We are all Americans who

And it is only by the sword we can have peace,

and only

love our country and its flag. in the Union liberty." At Springfield ample preparations had been made to receive them. A correspondent says:

"At a little after ten o'clock we arrived at Springfield. The reception here was a grand ovation. I make the number low when I say that five thousand people, including five or six military companies, and as many fire companies, turned out to receive us. Indeed, it seemed as though we were war-worn veterans returning from victorious battle-fields, covered with glory, rather than untried recruits and volunteer militia, on the way to duty for the protection of our common flag. We were ushered into the city amid the ringing of bells, the blazing of bonfires, firing of cannon, and inspiring music of military bands. It made our hearts bound with joy, to find so many warm and truly patriotic hearts in Western Massachusetts."

Here the Pittsfield company, before-mentioned, joined the regiment, which now consisted of ten companies, -a total of more than 700 men. As the troops proceeded through Connecticut, although it was past midnight, they found crowds of people at all the stations, ready to welcome them, and bid them God-speed.

At six o'clock next morning the train arrived in New York, and the regiment immediately took up the line of march. A portion of the companies halted at the La Farge House, while the others proceeded to the Astor House, at which places they partook of a bountiful breakfast. At 11 o'clock they proceeded to the Park, and were received by an impromptu gathering of thousands, who cheered them to the echo. They remained here but a short time, and then marched to Jersey Ferry, attended by an increasing throng of spectators.

Before leaving Jersey City, Col. Munroe, being loudly called for, appeared, surrounded by his staff, when A. W. Griswold, Esq., a member of the New York bar, and formerly of Boston, stepped forward, holding a magnificent silk flag, mounted on a massive hickory staff. He addressed the commander of the regiment as follows:

"Col. Munroe. Sir: You are from Massachusetts; God bless her!' Her sons everywhere are proud of her history, and while her armies are commanded by such officers as are now at their head, we have faith in her future. As a son of Massachusetts I beg to present this standard as a token of my appreciation of the cause in which you are engaged. I confide it to your keeping, stand by it.'"

Col. Munroe responded with the following appropriate and eloquent remark:"As a son of Massachusetts I receive it from a son of her soil, and I will defend it; 'God help me.'"

The cheering which followed was deafening. Nine cheers were proposed and given for the flag, and three more for the "Old Bay State."

Their progress through New Jersey was but a repetition-so far as the people were concerned of what they had witnessed since leaving home. At about six o'clock in the evening they reached Philadelphia, where they received the first authentic information of the attack on the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore. The news had just been announced in extras; the streets were thronged with people, and the reception of the troops was of a more exciting nature than anything they had yet experienced. The crowd was so dense that it was with the greatest difficulty that the regiment could march, even in file, through the broad streets. After partaking of an excellent supper at the "Continental," the troops were quartered for the night at the Girard House, opposite, which had been untenanted for some time. During the night the New York Seventh Regiment arrived.

Early next morning active preparations were commenced for pushing on to Baltimore. General Butler called for volunteers to form a corps of about forty sappers and miners. Nearly a hundred immediately stepped forward. Out of these he selected the desired number, who were supplied with axes, picks, crowbars, shovels, &c., for the purpose of removing barricades or other obstructions in the streets of Baltimore. Lieut. Col. Hinks volunteered to take command of this corps, and appointed Lieut. Berry, of Company D (Lynn), to act as his lieutenant. General Butler had requested the New York regiment to accompany his command to Washington, and up to this time the men of the Eighth had supposed that such was the understanding. But the commander of the Seventh had declined this proposal, and the General decided to proceed without them. About noon, the arrangements being completed, the regiment marched to the depot, and took the cars (as they supposed) for Baltimore. They fully expected to find, long before reaching there, the track torn up, and their progress opposed, at least, by an armed mob, if not by organized troops.

A word of explanation in regard to the sudden change of route may not be improper in this connection. The position of affairs cannot be better explained than in the language of General Butler, in his statement written during the night of April 19th. The whole of the report in question may be found on the 22d page of the Adjutant-General's Report.

The Adjutant-General's Report contains a statement, the effect of which, though without design, is to mislead the reader. On the 21st page of that document, under the caption "Memorial of plan and reasons for proceeding to Annapolis," Gen. Butler, in a dispatch to Gov. Andrew, said: "I have detailed Captain Devereux and Captain Briggs, with their commands, supplied with one day's rations and twenty rounds of ammunition, to take possession of the ferry-boat at Havre-de-Grace, for the benefit of this expedition," &c. In the absence of any further evidence, the natural inference is that these companies proceeded to Havre-de-Grace and took possession of the boat. Such, however, is not the fact. In pursuance of the above plan, these companies, about half-past one Saturday morning, were directed to march to the depot, there to await further orders. They did so; but for good reasons no further orders were sent, and the companies remained at the depot, where the regiment subsequently joined them.

"The citizens of Baltimore," says Gen. Butler, "at a large meeting this evening, denounced the passage of Northern troops. They have exacted a promise from the President of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company not to send troops over that road through Baltimore; so that any attempt to throw troops into Baltimore entails a march of forty miles, and an attack upon à city of two hundred thousand inhabitants at the beginning of the march. The only way, therefore, of getting communication with Washington for troops from the North, is over the Baltimore & Ohio Railway or marching from the West. . My proposition is to join with Col. Lefferts of the Seventh Regiment of New York. I propose to take the fifteen hundred troops to Annapolis, arriving there to-morrow about four o'clock, and occupy the capital of Maryland, and thus call the State to account for the death of Massachusetts men, my friends and neighbors. If Col. Lefferts thinks it more in accordance with the tenor of his instructions to wait rather than go through Baltimore, I still propose to march with this regiment. I propose to occupy the town, and hold it open as a means of communication," &c., &c.

The excitement of the people of Baltimore at this date, and for several days following, amounted almost to frenzy. Many of the people believed that, in retaliation for the assault on the Sixth Regiment, their city would be attacked and destroyed, and its citizens indiscriminately slaughtered. And even these fears were less than their "horrible imaginings." It was a city divided against itself; the secession element was predominant and rampant; and the considerable number of Union men in the city took their lives in their hands if they ventured to express themselves in opposition to the will of the supposed majority. To have expected with seven hundred infantry to pass through such a city in such a humor, would have been madness. But, without further digression, we resume the narrative.

The same correspondent before quoted, says:

"When we arrived at a small station about thirty miles from Perryville, the report came that 1600 Baltimoreans were in position at the latter place, to dispute our passage to the Capital; and it was also reported that they had taken possession of the ferry boat, and had her anchored in the stream. The regiment was supplied with ball cartridges, ten rounds to a man; and, as almost every man had a "six-shooter," we could give the mob sixteen rounds of lead, and the balance in steel!

"As the train continued on its way towards the ferry, the men commenced to load their muskets and revolvers. The report came so direct, and being confirmed, as we thought, by a subsequent messenger, we made up our minds that a fight must come off in half an hour's time."

On arriving within about half a mile of Perryville, opposite Havre de-Grace, the cars stopped, the regiment disembarked and formed, and prepared to repel an attack. Company J (of Salem), Capt. Devereux, was thrown forward, the sappers and miners immediately in their rear, and these in turn were covered by Company K (of Pittsfield,) Capt. Briggs. The main body of the regiment followed closely. There proved to be no armed organization to dispute the passage of the troops; but a number of men had assembled, doubtless with the intention of obstructing the progress of any body of men unprovided with arms, as was the case with General Small's Brigade, of Pennsylvania, which was driven back from Baltimore, on their way to Washington (where they were to be armed), the day before. The regiment moved forward, and at the execution of the " double-quick," the crowd rapidly dispersed. The steamer, a very large ferryboat, called the Maryland, being in its slip, was instantly taken, without firing a shot. After the necessary delay caused by getting the baggage aboard, which occupied two hours, the boat started at about sunset. An hour later the men were served with rations, and still later, the boat being in the wide waters of the Chesapeake Bay, and to prevent accident, the muskets were discharged into the water. A correspondent says:

"And now began our discomforts, which soon enough became sufferings of the severest kind. More than seven hundred men were crowded upon the lower deck of this ferry-boat, with nothing but the floor for our bed. The men were stowed so closely that it was with difficulty that the officers of the guard, in their round of duty, could find floor enough to tread upon. Many of the men were obliged to lie near the engine where the heat was intolerable. Notwithstanding this, worn down by the labors, the privations and the excitement of the past week, we slept well.' Not long after midnight, all were aroused by the beating of the drums, and leaped to their feet. A boat had approached near to the steamer, and those on board gave no satisfactory response when challenged by the sentinel. They proved however to be friends, and our men addressed themselves to the business before them -the finishing of their naps.

"Bright and early we awoke to find ourselves in the harbor of Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. It was Sunday morning, April 21st. Here we found the frigate Constitution, the most famous ship in the navy,

'Old Ironsides at anchor laid,'

serving as a school-ship for the 'middies' of the naval academy situated at this place." General Butler immediately proceeded to anticipate the treasonable designs of the secessionists by taking possession of the old frigate. Companies J and K, with the sappers and miners, were ordered on board, and arrangements were made to tow her over the bar at the entrance of the harbor. The commandant of the Constitution, Capt. Rogers, not having crew enough to work her, or defend her in case of attack, had made preparation to blow her up if necessary to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. There were sixty thousand pounds of powder on board, and a sailor was still

stationed at the magazine (not having been relieved), with a slow match, ready to light and apply at the proper time.

It was found necessary to lighten her so as to lessen her draft of water. A number of her heaviest guns having been removed to the upper deck of the Maryland, the latter attempted to tow her out of the harbor into deep water, but both got aground and were unable to move. Great efforts were made to float them, but without effect. It was rumored that the rebels were assembling in the surrounding country, and an attack from the shore or from some steamer was hourly expected. The rising tide, which was looked forward to as likely to float the vessels, had no effect, and they still remained motionless. It was generally believed on board the Maryland that the pilots were treacherous, and had purposely run the vessels on to the bar, hoping, by the delay thus caused, that the whole regiment as well as the Constitution would be captured by secession steamers from Baltimore. It is more probable, however, that the grounding was accidental. In the midst of the efforts to "keep moving," the cable by which the Constitution was being towed parted, which naturally caused the Maryland to lurch heavily in an unexpected direction. To guard against the possibility of treachery, members of the regiment who understood the running of a steam engine were detailed to assist and perhaps to watch the engineers of the boat; but it is certain that the engineers and pilots remained at their respective posts until the regiment landed.

Before sunrise on Monday morning the men were aroused from their slumbers and mustered on the upper deck. A steamer was discerned in the offing, but at such a distance that it was impossible even with a powerful glass to distinguish her flag. It proved to be the steamer Boston, from Philadelphia, having on board the New York 7th Regiment, Col. Lefferts.

She promptly came to the assistance of the Maryland. A cable was rigged, and the most determined efforts made for several hours to start her, but in vain. The Boston then proceeded to the wharf and landed her troops.

Meanwhile, in fact on Sunday evening, the commander of the Constitution having given up all hopes of being towed off the bar, had ordered his temporary crew-the companies before mentioned-to kedge" the vessel, — a very laborious process, which was continued from that time till Tuesday morning almost without intermission, to get her into deep water, and with sea-room enough to enable him to train her guns in case of attack. At length the Boston came to his assistance, and towed the frigate out a sufficient distance to enable her to "go alone."

Company K now received orders to proceed to fort McHenry, Baltimore, there being but a small garrison there, and fears of an attack on it being entertained. They took passage in a tug-boat, and, when within a few miles of the fort, they were informed that a small government steamer had been seized by the secessionists in that vicinity. They immediately went in search of her, and found the United States steamer Alleghany lying at her moorings, without any sufficient crew to prevent capture. The statement that she had already been seized thus proved to be premature. Company K took possession of the steamer, and anchored her under the guns of fort McHenry. They remained here about three weeks.

On board the Constitution two days were spent in bending sails and making ready, and at length the old ship started on her voyage to New York, where she arrived safely on the 28th of April. The soldiers, who had thus worked their passage, remained at the Astor House six days awaiting transportation by water, receiving the hospitalities and congratulations of the citizens, and on the 4th of May took passage in the steamer Roanoke for Washington, where they arrived on Wednesday, May 8th, and rejoined the regiment.

But to return to the Maryland. A letter thus speaks of the sufferings of the men on board this steamer:

"On Monday our rations, which at best were mere chips and scraps, had for some time been exhausted, and their place supplied with pilot-bread from the Constitution, stamped 1848,'* the year it was made, and salt pork bearing the same brand, which as there was no means of cooking, we were obliged to eat raw or not at all. The bread seemed about as hard as a brick, and many of our men could not bite it unless it was soaked in water. Such had been our diet for twenty-four hours. Many preferred to fast. Shortly after this our water gave out, and the salt pork which the men had eaten caused intense thirst. Salt water only could be procured, but this was eagerly drank by some, making them more thirsty than ever. These hardships, and a lack of sleep, had almost crazed some of the men. In fact, one of them was entirely overcome, and on our landing at Annapolis he was placed in the hospital. But on the afternoon of Monday, a boat was procured and a detachment of men rowed to an island in the harbor, on which a light-house stands, where they obtained a good supply of water."

About two o'clock on Tuesday morning, the "launch" of the Constitution, a boat capable of carrying about fifty men, having been procured, the Maryland being still aground, the transportation of the troops to the wharf was begun, and, the Boston presently coming to the rescue, was soon accomplished. The men, being completely worn down, slept soundly till sunrise.

• Improbable as this statement may seem, it is nevertheless true. It should be remarked that the Constitution had not been cruising for a number of years, but had for a large part of the time been used for the purpose of a school-ship. It appears that the provision in question had been stored years before, and, but for the extraordinary events of last April, would probably never have been cut up into rations, for which it was so ill adapted. All supplies for the government, whether for the army or navy, are stamped with the date of their purchase; and this sea-bread and pork was in barrels, or other original packages, bearing the date before mentioned. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that the pork was in a miserable condition.

In the meantime, General Butler, having learned that the Annapolis and Elkridge railroad, which leads from Annapolis to Washington, had been seized by the enemy. prepared to take possession of it. Company C (of Marblehead), Capt. Martin, and D (of Lynn), Capt. Newhall, under Lieut. Col. Hinks, also a number of men who understood steam engines, were detailed for this purpose. On arriving at the depot, which is situated about a mile and a half from the naval academy, they found the gates lockedthe buildings of the corporation, occupying perhaps an acre of ground, being surrounded by a very high and close fence. Resistance being useless, the few men inside the enclosure opened the gates, and the companies passed in. They found the engines had been damaged, and were, for any immediate purpose, useless. Major Winthrop, in the Atlantic Monthly, thus speaks of this matter:"The engine - a frowzy machine at best- had been purposely disabled. Here appeared the deus ex machina, Charles Homans, Beverly Light Infantry, Company E, Eighth Massachusetts Regiment. That is the man, name and titles in full, and he deserves well of his country. He took a quiet squint at the engine,- it was helpless as a boned turkey,- and he found "Charles Homans, his mark," written all over it. The old rattletrap was an old friend. He had a share in building it. The machine and the man said "How d'y' do?" at once. Homans called for a gang of engine-builders. Of course they swarmed out of the ranks. They passed their hands over the locomotive a few times, and presently it was ready to whistle and wheeze and rumble and gallop, as if no traitor had ever tried to steal the go and the music out of it."

On the afternoon of the same day, Company C pushed out on the line of the railroad several miles, on a scouting expedition. They found the rails torn up in many places, and had abundant other evidence that they were in the enemy's country. They occupied, during the night, a cornfield about a mile from town.

Company D held possession of the depot grounds during the latter part of the day, undisturbed, save by an evil-disposed crowd who indulged in malicious remarks and occasional threats. About dark, a relief detachment from various companies, under command of Lieut. Low of Company G (Gloucester), arrived, and although the occasional reports of a musket or pistol were heard in the neighborhood, the night passed without an attack or alarm. In the morning General Butler ordered this company and the detailed men back to Annapolis.

The six other companies of the regiment bivouacked at the academy grounds, and were aroused a little before midnight by the appearance of suspicious vessels in the offing. These proved to be quite a fleet of steamers bearing a number of regiments from Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, &c.

At sunrise next morning, April 24th, these companies, after a very light repast, started on their celebrated "march to the junction," a distance of about twenty-two miles, accompanied by the New York Seventh. They took the line of the railroad, the Eighth on the right. The Seventh took with them their two howitzers, which were propelled at first by an engine on a platform car, but afterwards drawn by the men. Company C, about the same hour, left their quarters, "down in the cornfield," and, preceding the column, about a mile or two in advance, busied themselves by re-laying the track. The laborers who had last worked on this road had not done their job very thoroughly, for the displaced rails were generally found by the side of the track, or in the neighboring bushes. One, however, was positively among the missing, until private Frank Pierce suggested that it might be in a small creek which ran by the side of the road-bed; without hesitation he plunged in, and found the needed rail. In the afternoon this company returned to Annapolis upon a car.

The main column gradually advanced, bringing with them a carload of rails, for the purpose of filling any vacancies which might occur,- of which they soon found a plenty. In one place, part of a bridge which spanned a small stream was so badly charred that it was unsafe for the engine to attempt to cross it. Sergeant Scott, of the Seventh, cut down a tall tree, and, with the aid of several comrades, hewed it into shape, and soon made the bridge as good as ever it was, if not better. Thus this self-constituted "committee of ways and means" journeyed forward, showing by their works that they were in favor of "internal improvements.'

During the day, the men saw a large number of horsemen, - although, generally, not more than two were together. They would occasionally ride up to the column and make various inquiries. The point upon which they were most inquisitive, was, which was the Massachusetts, and which the New York regiment. Sometimes twenty or thirty could be seen in the fields and woods that skirted the track. In the course of the afternoon, a violent thunder shower burst upon the troops, from which they sought shelter among the trees. The shower was soon over, and the slow and laborious advance was resumed.

At five o'clock, no rations for the Eighth had arrived; those of the Seventh, however, were on hand; but though these were scarcely enough for themselves, they immediately, in the most generous manner, offered to share them with the men of the Eighth; an offer which an abstinence of twelve hours of hardship rendered it impossible to decline. Night was closing in, and not more than half the journey had been accomplished. The day had been hot, and the men sorely needed rest. But the order was to push on to the junction; and on pushed the weary brigade.

They had reason to expect a night attack. The country was wild; - sometimes their route lay through an open and level region, which afforded an excellent opportunity for the wandering horsemen, who had accosted them during the day, to ride up near them, fire, and then scamper away; and sometimes through deep and long cuts, from