MARYLAND--MY DAY IN FREDERICK CITY
We were now in Maryland, September 5, 1862. From accounts generally, and
more particularly from the opinions expressed by the Maryland members of
our battery, we were in eager anticipation of seeing the whole
population rise to receive us with open arms, and our depleted ranks
swelled by the younger men, impatient for the opportunity to help to
achieve Southern independence. The prospect of what was in store for us
when we reached Baltimore, as pictured by our boys from that city,
filled our minds with such eager yearnings that our impatience to rush
in could scarcely be restrained. On the evening of our arrival within
the borders of the State, with several companions, I took supper at the
house of a Southern sympathizer, who said much to encourage our faith.
In a day or two we were approaching Frederick City. Strict orders had
been issued against foraging or leaving the ranks, but Steve Dandridge
and I determined to take the bit in our teeth and endeavor to do the
town for one day at all hazards. Knowing the officers and provost-guards
would be on the alert and hard to evade after the town was reached, we
concluded, in order to be safe from their observation, to accomplish
that part of our plan beforehand. A field of corn half a mile from the
city afforded us good cover till well out of sight. Then, by "taking
judicious advantage of the shrubbery," we made our way into a quiet part
of the city, and, after scaling a few picket fences, came out into a
cross-street remote from the line of march. Steve was the fortunate
possessor of a few dollars in greenbacks, my holdings being of a like
sum in Confederate scrip.
As previously mentioned, our extra baggage--and extra meant all save
that worn on our backs--had been left weeks before near the banks of the
Rapidan, so that our apparel was now in sad plight. Dandridge had lost
his little cadet-cap while on a night march, and supplied its place from
the head of a dead Federal at Manassas, his hair still protruding
freely, and burnt as "brown as a pretzel bun." The style of my hat was
on the other extreme. It had been made to order by a substantial hatter
in Lexington, enlisted, and served through the war on one head after
another. It was a tall, drab-colored fur of conical shape, with several
rows of holes punched around the crown for ventilation. I still wore the
lead-colored knit jacket given me by "Buck" Ranson during the Banks
campaign. This garment was adorned with a blue stripe near the edges,
buttoned close at the throat, and came down well over the hips, fitting
after the manner of a shirt. My trousers, issued by the Confederate
Quartermaster Department, were fashioned in North Carolina, of a
reddish-brown or brick-dust color, part wool and part cotton, elaborate
in dimensions about the hips and seat, but tapering and small at the
feet, in imitation, as to shape and color, of those worn by Billy
Wilson's Zouaves at first Manassas. This is an accurate description of
our apparel. Among our fellow-soldiers it attracted no especial
attention, as there were many others equally as striking. Very
naturally, we were at first eyed with suspicion by the people we met,
and when we inquired for a place to get refreshments were directed "down
yonder"; in fact anywhere else than where we were.
We soon found a nice little family grocery-store; that is, one kept by a
family, including among others two very comely young women. Here we
found O'Rourke, an Irishman of our company, who had a talent for nosing
out good things--both solids and liquids. We were served with a good
repast of native wine, bread, butter, etc.; and, in case we should not
have leisure for milder beverages, had a canteen filled with whiskey.
While enjoying our agreeable cheer, a man about thirty years of age came
in, he said, to make our acquaintance. He was quite a sharp-looking
fellow, with small, keen black eyes, a "glib" tongue, and told us that
he was an out-and-out rebel, proud to meet us and ready to oblige. Steve
forthwith proposed, as evidence of his good-will, an exchange of
headgear. He dilated eloquently on the historic value of his own cap,
and, while it did not entirely suit him, exposed as he was to the
weather, it would be becoming to a city gentleman, besides reviving the
most pleasant associations as a souvenir; and, moreover, the hat the
stranger wore was most suitable for a soldier and would do good service
to the cause. At length the exchange was made and, Steve having donned
the nice black hat, we took our leave. We had scarcely walked a square
when our attention was attracted by the sound of rapid footsteps
approaching from the rear, and, turning, we saw our new and interesting
acquaintance coming at a run. As he passed us, with a high bound he
seized the hat from Dandridge's head, threw the cap on the pavement, and
disappeared like a flash around the corner.
While seated in a confectionery, enjoying a watermelon we had purchased
at a nearby fruitstand, a gentleman came in and insisted on presenting
us with a bottle of blackberry brandy, which he recommended as an
excellent tonic. We declined his offer, a little suspicious as to the
nature of the liquor, but, as he accepted our invitation to partake of
our melon, we compromised by joining him in a drink of the brandy, and
found it so palatable we regretted not having accepted his proposed
present of the whole bottle. Here, with boyish delight, we laid in a
supply of confectionery.
Passing along the street soon after this, we were accosted by a
venerable-looking gentleman, who stopped us and inquired, very
modestly, if there was any way in which he could be of service to us. We
could suggest none. He then intimated that we might be a little short of
current funds. We could not deny that our funds were somewhat short and
not very current. He offered us some greenbacks, of which we accepted a
dollar, asking him to try one of our Confederate dollars instead, which
he declined to do, but expressed the hope, in a very delicate way, that
all of the Confederate soldiers would so conduct themselves as to show
the Marylanders of Union proclivities what gentlemen they really were.
Our next experience was rather trying, for me at least, as events will
show. Dandridge remembered that he had a lady friend in the city, and
proposed that we hunt her up and pay a call. We discussed the subject, I
thinking such assurance out of the question; but he said he knew her
"like a book," that she had visited at "The Bower," his family home;
would excuse our appearance, and be charmed to see us. He knew that,
when in Frederick City, she visited at a Mr. Webster's, whose handsome
residence we succeeded in locating, and were soon at the door. The bell
was answered by a tall, dignified-looking gentleman of about forty-five
years, with a full brown beard, who, standing in the half-open door,
looked inquiringly as to the object of our visit. Dandridge asked if
Miss---- was in. He replied she was, and waited as if inclined to ask,
"What business is that of yours?" Dandridge cut the interview short by
saying, "My name is Dandridge, and I wish to see her. Come in, Ned." We
walked in, and were asked to be seated in the hall. Presently
Miss---- appeared. She seemed at first, and doubtless was, somewhat
surprised. Dandridge, though, was perfectly natural and at ease,
introduced me as if I were a general, and rattled away in his usual
style. She informed him that another of his lady friends was in the
house, and left us to bring her in. To me the situation was not of the
kind I had been seeking and, rising, I said, "Steven, if you have time
before the ladies return to manufacture a satisfactory explanation of my
absence, do so; otherwise, treat the matter as if you had come alone,"
and I vanished. Dandridge was invited to remain to dinner, was
sumptuously feasted and entertained by the host, and to my astonishment
brought me a special invitation to return with him the following day and
dine with the household. Other engagements, however, prevented my going.
About four P. M. I met Joe Shaner, of Lexington, and of our battery, on
the street. His gun having met with some mishap the day previous, had
fallen behind, and had now just come up and passed through the town. Joe
was wofully dejected, and deplored missing, as one would have imagined,
the opportunity of his life--a day in such a city, teeming with all that
was good. But little time now remained before evening roll-call, when
each must give an account of himself. He was hungry, tired, and warm,
and I felt it my duty to comfort him as far as possible. I asked him how
he would like a taste of whiskey. "It's just what I need," was his quiet
reply, and before I had time to get the strap off of my shoulder he
dropped on one knee on the curb-stone and had my canteen upside down to
his mouth, oblivious of those passing by. He had no money, but, being a
messmate, I invested the remnant of my change for his benefit, but found
it necessary to include a weighty watermelon, to make out his load to
camp.
The next acquaintance I met was George Bedinger, whom I found, clad _à
la mode_, standing in a hotel-door with an expression of calm
satisfaction on his face. As I came up to him, carrying my recent
purchases tied in a bandana handkerchief, and stood before him, he
scanned me from head to foot, said not a word, but fell back with a roar
of laughter. Gay, brilliant Bedinger, whose presence imparted an
electric touch to those around him; I shall ne'er see his like again!
The sun was now setting; camp was two miles away. Thither I set out,
cheered by the assurance that, whatever punishment befell, I had had a
day. Arriving there, my apprehensions were relieved, possibly because
offenses of the kind were too numerous to be handled conveniently. About
dusk that evening a free fight between the members of our company and
those of Raines's battery, of Lynchburg, was with difficulty prevented
by the officers of the companies, who rushed in with their sabers. The
Alleghany Roughs, hearing the commotion, one of their men cried out,
"Old Rockbridge may need us! Come on, boys, let's see them through!" And
on they came.
We spent two or three days in a clean, fresh camp in this fertile
country, supplied with an abundance of what it afforded. At noon each
day apple-dumplings could be seen dancing in the boiling camp-kettles,
with some to spare for a visitor, provided he could furnish his own
plate.
On the tenth came orders "to hitch up," but to our surprise and
disappointment we turned back in the direction from which we had come,
instead of proceeding toward Baltimore and Washington, and the
realization of our bright hopes. We crossed the Potomac at Williamsport,
thirty miles northwest, but not dry-shod. Thence southwest into
Jefferson County, West Virginia.