Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[179] officials that his regiment should march by the shortest route through the city from the station at which the train entered to the Camden station, as the railroad could not undertake to carry them through in the cars.

Owing to the early hour at which the arrival at Baltimore would take place, and to the fact that telegraphic communications showed that there was no mob then in waiting, the railroad officials changed their purpose and concluded to take the regiment through in the cars, but did not inform Colonel Jones of that change of plan. When the cars stopped the colonel jumped from the first car for the purpose of re-forming the regiment. It had been in due order in the train, but had been disordered by the shifting of the cars at the ferry.

Instantly upon the stopping of the train the horses had been hitched on to the first car, and it started on. Horses were then hitched to the next car, and so on to the third, when the colonel was told of this change in the mode of transportation. Thereupon he sprang upon the next car going and went on, there being no appearance of any special difficulty at that time. With great despatch seven of the cars were drawn through to the Camden station without detention. The three later cars were opposed on Pratt Street by a mob which had gathered there, and the cars were prevented from proceeding further.

Thereupon the troops disembarked and commenced their march in columns of sections. They were immediately assailed, at first with every sort of verbal abuse, then smaller missiles were thrown and then larger ones. The troops marched steadily forward. At length some pistol shots were fired, and then other shots, and one man in the front section fell dead. Thereupon the officer in command gave the order to fire. Then, when the way was partially cleared, the movement was increased to quick step.

Up to this time the mob evidently thought that the troops had no pistols and no ammunition in their guns. The firing finally became general. Six of our men were killed and thirty were wounded. The band, which was in the rear, had been cut off when the troops arrived at Camden station.

The first intimation that Colonel Jones received of trouble of any sort was by a man reporting to a government official who stood beside him, that there was trouble with the troops. The next