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brought from Washington in three hours, and we can, by picketing out on the road towards Harper's Ferry, ascertain any danger or an approach from that direction.”
“When can you occupy it?”
said he.
“ If necessary, within twenty-four hours after I get the order at Annapolis.
Indeed, I will agree, if you desire and will send me the Sixth Regiment, to be ready there for Sunday services at ten o'clock to-morrow.”
“Very well, I will order Mansfield, the general commanding at Washington, to have the Massachusetts regiment sent from here in time to meet you.”
“I will meet it at the junction, and send my battery across the country,” I answered.
“Without an escort?”
asked he.
“They won't need any more than a yellow dog anywhere in Maryland, as far as I have seen.”
I bowed and left the presence.
We were at the Relay House at eleven o'clock the next morning.
Before three o'clock we had our camping-ground selected, tents pitched, the work commenced on our lunette, and two pieces of artillery covering the viaduct planted in position.
I remained at that point just eight days, but it was always held so long as troops were necessary to guard that railroad.
We occupied ourselves in drilling and instructing our men, especially in guard and picket duty, in which they were most deficient.
I spent my own time, when free from the routine of duty, in getting information from Baltimore of the state of things in that city.
I soon found that it was utterly useless to take the reports of anybody who had no skill in estimating troops as to the number of men seen in a body.
The most exaggerated statements were at first brought to me of the number of secessionists under arms in Baltimore.
A company was always a regiment, and a light battery was always two hundred men. Reports were brought to me every day of large deposits of arms, ammunition, clothing, and equipments by the secessionists in Baltimore.
After three or four days, I became very anxious to learn what was the true state of affairs in Baltimore.
I was quite sure there were no troops there, for I heard from many sources that troops
A. M. Thayer and Co. 1892.
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