Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Brad. Johnson during the day became drunk, and ordered Brigadier-General Cooper's (United States army) house to be taken for officers' quarters. This, however, was not carried out. Never before were we so anxious to get into town — not wishing to see any thing, but from the natural desire to feel myself free to move about. Such was my position for the first day, with one hundred and twenty-six sick, little provisions, and medicines and supplies not coming in.

Evening--Secesh belonging to the city were disgusted with their friends, and the Unionists unterrified and talking loudly. No rebel flags had yet been displayed. All the doctors slept at the hospital, as the streets were filled with soldiers who had been drinking freely, though, to their credit, when they commenced drinking they speedily became dead drunk and were then harmless. Did any one of them attempt to create a disturbance, a guard would slip up to him and say something to him, and the songster would immediately cease his brawling and go quietly to the guard-house. The next morning who should pass in but------------. They respectively belonged to the Eighth and Twelfth Virginia regiments, and Tenth Alabama. I asked them to dine with me, as they presented a rather more respectable appearance than the rest. So I gave them a good dinner, which they said they duly appreciated, on account of its rarity. To keep on good terms with the rebel doctors who kept coming in to see us during the day, I opened some bottles of brandy, and how they did seem to enjoy it and the iced water! They asked to look at a piece of ice, as a curiosity. Constant movements of the troops were all the time taking place, and we could not then at all estimate their number — afterwards we had a better chance.

On Sunday the churches were opened as usual, and Jackson attended the Presbyterian and German Reformed Church. At the latter place the minister, Dr. Zacharias, prayed for the President of the United States in a firm voice.

While at the hospital this day the United States telegraph operator from the Monocacy Junction was brought in. He had been engaged telegraphing on the night of the entrance of the rebels into Maryland on the business of the railroad, had failed to receive notice of the enemy's approach, and was notified of their arrival by the entrance of the confederate General Hill, with one or two aids. The General told him he was a prisoner, and desired him to telegraph to Baltimore to send up a large train of cars, signing his (the operator's) name. He, however, told the General that the wires had just been cut. He was then desired to telegraph (to test him) that the rebels had arrived and that he was a prisoner. He returned the same answer, and one of the men with Hill then stepped forward and tried the instrument and reported the same thing.

During the rebels' stay here, provisions became very scarce. All the stores were bought out. Coffee rose to one dollar per pound, and storekeepers increased their prices to a par with those of Richmond. The confederates offered to pay double price for every thing. A Union man from whom they wished to purchase forage, told them that their scrip depreciated the paper on which it was printed.

All the while the enemy staid here we were continually excited by rumors of the approach of the Federal forces. At one time they were reported at Hanover; at another, to be within fifteen miles, etc. I took pains to learn the Star Spangled Banner on the piano, and played it with vim often during their stay here, greatly to the disgust of the passing soldiers.

On Wednesday, the tenth, the army commenced moving at two A. M., Jackson leading off with about three thousand men, and the rest of the army, which had been camped near the Junction, followed, after having blown up the iron bridge of the railroad. A continuous stream of lousy, dirty men, with arms of all kinds, but good fighting material, was passing rapidly all day. I watched it all from the corner, and estimated their force, comparing my estimate with that of others, at seventy thousand men.

Their supply-wagons were few in number and mostly empty. The men carried no knapsacks, merely a blanket, and many of them my hospital blankets, stolen from the beds, and ordinary accoutrements of cup, canteen, etc.

During their passage I saw Lee riding in an ambulance, he having been recently injured by a fall from his horse; Longstreet, Anderson, Kemper, Evans, (of Ball's Bluff fame,) Cobb, (drunk,) Hill, and a number of others, whose names I've forgotten. Their army was divided into three corps--Jackson, Longstreet, and A. P. Hill--(General D. H. Hill commands a division.) During all day Thursday Stuart's cavalry held the town, Stuart and Lee dining in town.

While the troops were passing, three small rebel flags were seen, and in one the Union or blue part was down, denoting distress. We enjoyed the mistake, and have since taken the hotel where it was displayed for a hospital.

As the various divisions passed the hospital, they coolly dumped their sick at the hospital gate, and very soon I had nearly five hundred rebel sick with two rebel doctors with me. Gen. Lee sent word to me to retain charge of the hospital, and I did so, as I could thus better take care of my own sick and those left with me by them. The doctors who were with the regiments marching past rushed in, and helped themselves to liquors and medicines, but principally the spirits, as one of them said he used very little medicine with his men, it cost so much, and he, for his part, preferred whisky or brandy.

As the troops filed up Patrick street, by way of Hagerstown, one of them asked, “Where does this road lead to?” To Hagerstown, he was told. “And which way is Baltimore?” he said. Fifty-five miles in the opposite direction, he was told. “The devil! Do you hear that, Bill? We are marching from instead of to Baltimore,” and they then had an excited conversation, and passed on.

Twelfth September.--About ten o'clock our