William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

Monday, Oct. 24.—I hired a carriage, and at ten o'clock was on my way to visit our heavy artillery companies which garrison the forts on the Maryland side of the Potomac. Our route was over the Capitol Hill, and then near the Navy Yard, where we crossed what is called the East Branch, a stream which runs up to Bladensburg. On the bridge I met Major Allen and a lieutenant of our Third Regiment Heavy Artillery, who were going to Washington, and from them I received instructions how to proceed. After parting with them, and about midway over the bridge, I was surprised and shocked at seeing a cavalry soldier on horseback, dragging, with a rope about twenty feet long, two colored women, who were handcuffed; one end of the rope was attached to the manacles, and the other to the saddle of the dragoon; he was riding at a sharp pace, and the women had to run fast to prevent their falling on their faces; a cavalry soldier on horseback brought up the rear. The sight appeared to excite no emotion among the crowd of teamsters and pedestrians who thronged the bridge. When I got to the end of the bridge, I inquired of the guard what the poor women had done that they should be thus treated, and was told that ‘they had been loafing around the camp for two or three days.’ On my return to Washington, I made a statement of the circumstances to Colonel Ingraham, assistant provost-marshal, and he said he would have the matter inquired into. I have heard nothing more of this beastly outrage since.

Two miles from the bridge, I came to Fort Baker, which was under command of Lieutenant Dame, Sixth Company; found there also Lieutenant Bumpus, of the Tenth Company, who is on staff duty. Next passed on to Fort Greble, where our Seventh Company had its headquarters. Part of it were also in Forts Snyder and Carroll. I next came to Fort Davis, where the Tenth Company is stationed, which also had details in Forts Davis, Dupont, Mahan, and Meigs. Captain Bumpus, who commands this company, I did not see, he having gone that morning to Washington. I found Lieutenant Sanborn in command. From Fort Meigs I had to make a journey of nearly six miles to Fort Lincoln, and to again cross the ‘East Branch.’ Here is the headquarters of the Ninth Company, Captain Gordon. This company garrisons Fort Lincoln (which is within a mile of Bladensburg, and near General Hooker's old camp), Thayer and Saratoga. Captain Gordon and Lieutenant Currier had left, the day before I arrived, to attend a court in New Jersey, where one of the Ninth-company men was under trial for murder, he having shot a man