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

I then sent out my brother, who accompanied me as a civilian, to purchase pick-axes and shovels and wood-axes for entrenching tools, and to obtain the proper camp kettles and other means for encamping the regiment, in case we had to march. All of these were made ready and taken with us.

It was three o'clock in the morning before the whole matter was determined upon. I then sat down and wrote hurriedly the following despatch to Governor Andrew:--

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. This I have done with the concurrence of the present master of transportation. The Eighth Regiment will remain at quarters, that they may get a little solid rest after their fatiguing march. I have sent to know if the Seventh (New York) Regiment will go with me.

I propose to march myself at the hour of seven o'clock in the morning, to take the regular 3.15 o'clock train to Havre de Grace. The citizens of Baltimore, 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 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 a city of two hundred thousand 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 railroad or marching from the West. Commander Dupont, at the navy yard, has given me instructions on the facts in accordance with these general statements upon which I rely. I have therefore thought I could rely upon these statements, and will undertake to proceed in marching order from Havre de Grace to Washington. My proposition is to join with Colonel Lefferts of the Seventh Regiment of New York. I propose to take the fifteen hundred troops to Annapolis, arriving there about four o'clock and occupying the capital of Maryland, and thus call the State to account for the death of Massachusetts men, my friends and neighbors. It Colonel Lefferts thinks it more in accordance with the