Arrival of the Federal Army - Eventful Days and Stirring Scenes in the History of Hagerstown and Washington County
Summary
Aspects of the arrival of the Federal Army are discussed in detail, including the different regiments to arrive in Hagerstown and their commanding officer. The 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, numbering about 1,000 men, was the first to arrive on Saturday morning and troops continued to pour in until Monday night. The 1st PA had a band of music and a drum corps and it encamped on the grounds of Mr. Hunter near Funkstown. Over the course of several days it was estimated that as many as 25,000 soldiers from PA, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Rhode Island regiments arrived. While some stayed around Hagerstown, others crossed the Potomac. It was very impressive to see some units file directly into the river which was breast-deep and then plant the Stars and Stripes when they reached the Virginia shore. Accompanying the infantry were hundreds of wagons carrying supplies. The troops were constantly shifting locations. In general, the behavior of the troops was good and "very few excesses of any kind have been committed." Very few people objected to the huge military presence on Sunday when "long lines of bristling bayonets glittered in our streets, and the peals of Church bells blended with the notes of the drum and fife..." On Monday evening, more U.S. regular troops and cavalry arrived. It is not understood what is about to happen. Troops have been moved back and forth - sometimes going in the direction of Washington and then reversing their line of march.
Article Source
Newspaper: The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light
Publication Date: June 19th, 1861
Page/Column: 2B
Town: Hagerstown, MD
County: Washington
Subjects
- Home Front / Effects of War
