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

[608] pickets were announced approaching, and how every one brightened up is difficult to tell on paper. About six hundred cavalry were concealed in a bend in Patrick street awaiting their arrival. On our advance cavalry guard came. Charge! was the order on both sides, and a short skirmish took place in the streets opposite McPherson's house. I was within fifty yards of it and saw it. What an exciting time there was then! Pistols firing — men shouting and brandishing swords — horses plunging and tearing along as if mad, and cannon roaring, with shells exploding.

It did not last three minutes, and yet on each side several were killed and eight or ten wounded.

We lost a number of horses by a cavalryman (Federal) rushing back to the artillery and jumping upon the lanyard attached to the gun, causing a premature explosion of it. The wounded were brought to the hospital.

From the top of a house the sight was magnificent, nothing but moving masses of men and gleaming bayonets visible — surging along like the flood-tide on a sandy beach--forty thousand men must have been in Burnside's corps. What a change then appeared in our truly rescued city! Flags of all size, and from every conceivable place, were displayed; stores were opened, and the houses were opened unanimously, and our tired soldiers fed in truly hotel style. When Burnside rode through, the acclamations were universal, but nothing to the reception given McClellan when he entered some time after. Bouquets were thrown; men, women and children rushed to him, he bowing and speaking to all; girls embracing his horse's neck, and kissing the animal, only because they could not reach the General.

The reception given to the troops was most inspiring to them, as it had been believed by them that Maryland was not truly loyal.