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

[103] from his undertaking by one of our engine-men, who was on the engine that Trimble had seized, in order to take his force out to the river. This man told him, when he was within about eight miles of the river, that there were twenty-five hundred soldiers on board the ferry-boat, who would give him a very warm reception if he attempted to go to the river. Trimble thereupon concluded that discretion would be the better part of valor, and returned to Baltimore, burning the bridges after passing over them. At six P. M., the telegraph announced that General Butler had arrived at Perryville. He embarked immediately on board the “Maryland,” with his regiment, and started for Annapolis. After this, I went home completely worn out by anxiety, labor, and loss of sleep, having eaten only irregularly in my office, and having neither changed my linen, shaved, nor closed my eyes in sleep, for three days and two nights.

In making up the record of this gallant regiment from its departure from Philadelphia until its return, I am under especial obligations to the full and interesting narrative of Captain George T. Newhall, of Company D, Lynn Light Infantry. On arriving near Perryville, the cars stopped, and skirmishers were thrown forward. The main body followed closely. A crowd was at the ferry. The regiment moved by ‘double quick.’ Captain Newhall says, ‘The steamer, a very large ferry-boat, called the “Maryland,” being in its slip, was instantly taken without firing a shot.’ It is evident from this, that neither the officers nor men of the regiment knew that the ‘Maryland’ had been prepared, and was waiting to take them to Annapolis. After getting on board the luggage, the ‘Maryland’ proceeded to Annapolis, where it arrived on Sunday morning, April 21, and anchored in the harbor, near the frigate Constitution. The men suffered from fatigue. Seven hundred persons were on board. The United-States Naval Academy is at Annapolis. The frigate Constitution was the school-ship of the academy. It was the most famous ship in our naval annals; having, in the war of 1812, won the choicest laurels. It was supposed that she would be seized by the rebels: to save her from such a disgrace was the duty of the hour. Two companies of the Eighth were placed on board; the crew not being strong enough to defend her, if seriously attacked. Captain Rogers, U. S.N., who commanded her, was prepared to