July 10, 1864. |
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excited by the report that Wallace's little army was annihilated, and that the victorious Confederates were marching in triumph on that city.
The Unionists were alarmed and distressed;1 the Secessionists were exultant with the belief that they might speedily greet a “liberating army.”
These feelings were intensified when it was known that Johnson, with his cavalry, were approaching Baltimore next day,
which he expected to capture instantly and with ease.
He was mistaken.
Generals Lockwood and Morris were there, and were ably assisted by Lieutenant-Colonels Lawrence and Woolley.2 These had rallied thousands of the loyal citizens, who garrisoned all the earthworks thrown up around the city, and guarded every avenue of approach.
Johnson saw that the prize could not be won by a dash, as he had expected, and he dared not attempt to do more; so he contented himself with burning bridges and destroying some of the track of the Northern Central railway, and in sending the notorious Gilmor to cut the railroad connection between Baltimore and Philadelphia.
This Gilmor did by burning the trestle-work over Gunpowder Inlet; and near Magnolia he stopped the morning trains going north, plundered the passengers and mails, and burned the cars.3
Early, meanwhile, taking counsel of prudence, after his bitter experience at the Monocacy, moved cautiously toward Washington, along the great highway from Frederick to Georgetown, while the remnant of the National troops, under Wallace, took position at Ellicott's Mills.
The latter passed into the temporary command of General Ord, and Wallace resumed the special and most difficult and delicate duties of the Middle Department at that time.4 Had Early pushed rapidly forward after the battle, he might have
1 The following extract of a letter from the wife of the commander of the Department, then in Baltimore, to the wife of the author, written a few days after the battle of Monocacy, will give an idea of the mental sufferings of many of the Union people of that city, at the crisis we are considering: “The papers have told you of the occupation and evacuation of Frederick. Meanwhile, I was at the Eutaw House. Sunday morning the bells rang at daylight for the arming of the militia. Cavalry dashed through the streets, drums beat, men collected in crowds, and terrified women looked from windows on the crowded streets. At about noon it was supposed the rebels were advancing on the city, in which case it would have to be surrendered. Colonel Woolley (Provost-Marshal) came and told me L----had been defeated, and he expected to surrender the city, and advised me to make every thing ready for flight. I sat a moment and deliberated. I was a thousand miles from home and child — among strangers — my husband in battle against fearful odds. Whatever might come, I must not break down. This done, I calmly packed every thing-had bonnet, gloves, all at hand, for instant flight on the boat. The excitement in the city grew more intense. The very air seemed full of rumors, and all knew the place was defenseless, as L----had taken all the reliable troops with him. I sat a long time waiting, and expecting to hear the rattle of musketry every moment. A message was handed me from L----; I had hardly strength to read--‘I will see you to-night.’ A load was off my heart. There was no need of further fortitude; so I gave way, and cried heartily, which was a great relief.”
2 General Wallace says in his report: “On the evening of the 10th (Sunday) I returned to Baltimore, and found the city, very naturally, in a state of alarm, occasioned by the approach of Johnson's cavalry. Thanks, however, to the energy of Lieutenant-Colonel S. B. Lawrence, A. A. General, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Woolley, Provost-Marshal, every measure of safety had been taken that intelligence could suggest. The railroad communications north had been the subject of the former's special care.”
3 Major-General Franklin was one of the passengers, and was in citizen's dress. There were feminine secessionists of Baltimore on the train, who found opportunity to inform Gilmor of the fact. The latter discovered him, and made him his prisoner. He was sent in a light wagon toward Towsontown, with a guard. These, while resting in a wheat-field near the road, fell asleep, Franklin having disarmed their vigilance by pretending to be asleep himself. He arose, walked leisurely by the sleeping sentinels to the road when he ran to a woods, and in an opening beyond concealed himself until night. The Confederates sought for him in vain. Venturing to a house for food on the following day, he found Union people. They sent word to Baltimore. when a squadron of cavalry went out and escorted him back to that city. Gilmor said that when he found that Franklin had escaped, he “swore with unusual energy.”
4 Slavery in Maryland was abolished on the 18th of October, 1864, when the people of Maryland, by a majority of 379, ratified a new Constitution for that State, making provision for the freedom of all. Evil-disposed slave-holders tried to evade the law, and General Wallace found it necessary to issue a general order on the 9th of November, establishing a freedman's bureau — the first ever organized-and placing “all persons within the limits of the Middle Department, heretofore slaves, but now free by the operation of the new Constituttion,” under “special military protection.” The chain of the last slave in Maryland was literally removed by Wallace. That slave was a bright girl, nineteen years of age, named Margaret Toogood. She left her former master in Anne Arundel County, on gaining her freedom, and went to Baltimore. That master procured her arrest on a charge of theft. She was taken back, when he withdrew the charge, his object of getting possession of her being accomplished. Then, to prevent her going away again, he put an iron
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| Last Slave-chain in Maryland. |
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