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Baltimore, Md., April 19, 1861. 6th Massachusetts Infantry. The
authorities at Washington had become alarmed for the safety of the
national capital. It was flanked on one side by Virginia, on the other
by Maryland. Richmond was the heart of the secession movement and
Baltimore was a volcano under which smouldered the fires of revolt.
Washington was the objective point of newly organized U.S. forces. To
reach it, Baltimore must be passed. On this date the 6th Mass.
regiment, about 1,000 men, commanded by Col. Jones, passed through the
city. Accompanying the train that brought it were about 1,200 unarmed
soldiers from Philadelphia under Col. Small. The want of precaution
for the latter's safety showed how slight was the apprehension of
danger. Singularly enough, it was on the anniversary of the battle of
Lexington that the stones which had echoed to the feet of the brave
defenders of Washington in 1814 were to resound to the tread of
Americans attacked and killed by Americans as they hastened to the
defense of their national capital. After leaving Philadelphia, Jones
received an intimation that there would be trouble in Baltimore. He
immediately provided for the distribution of ammunition, the loading
of arms, and issued the following order: "The regiment will march
through Baltimore in column of sections, arms at will. You will
undoubtedly be insulted, abused and perhaps assaulted, to which you
must pay no attention whatever, but march with your faces square to
the front and pay no attention to the mob, even if they throw stones,
bricks or other missiles; but if you are fired upon and anyone of you
is hit, your officers will order you to fire. Do not fire into any
promiscuous crowds, but select any man whom you may see aiming at you
and be sure you drop him." But Jones was proposing and Baltimoreans
were disposing. They had decided that his men should not march through
the open streets. As soon as the train reached Baltimore the cars were
uncoupled, horses were hitched to them and singly, each with its human
freight, they were driven rapidly across the city. After the cars
containing 7 companies had reached the Washington depot, the track
behind them was barricaded. Cars containing companies C, D, I, and L,
and the musicians were vacated. The band dispersed, the troops formed
and began their march through the mob. They were immediately attacked
by a shower of missiles that came faster as they proceeded. Their
officers urged them to a double quick, and their evident haste was
accepted by the mob as evidence either that they were afraid or that
they were without ammunition. Pistol shots were fired into their ranks
and one soldier fell dead. The order to fire was now given and it was
promptly obeyed. Several of the mob fell and the soldiers hastened
their advance. Mayor Brown of Baltimore placed himself at the head of
the column beside Capt. Follansbee, who had been chosen to lead it,
assured that officer that he would protect the troops and besought him
to keep them from firing, Before he had marched far, however, other
missiles fell and his patience with the mob gave out. Seizing a musket
from the grasp of a soldier, he fired at and brought down one of the
rioters, and a policeman who was at the head of the column shot
another. There the mayor's personal participation in the melee began
and ended. Police marshal (Chief) Kane with about 50 policemen at this
juncture rushed to the rear of the column, formed a line across the
street, and with drawn revolvers checked the mob while the troops got
to the depot. About 130, including the band and field musicians, were
missing. As the men went into the cars Jones caused the blinds at the
windows to be closed and took precautions to prevent even seeming
offence to the people of Baltimore, but still the missiles came thick
and fast into the train and it was only with the utmost difficulty
that he prevented the soldiers from leaving it and avenging the death
of their comrades. After a volley of stones a soldier fired and killed
a man who had been seen to hurl a missile into the car. Obstructions
were placed on the track to delay the departure of the train, but they
were removed by the police. Meantime the city authorities learned that
the Pennsylvania troops had arrived at the Philadelphia depot, unaware
of what had occurred and intending to march through the streets. The
marshal of police hastened thither and as it was impossible for the
troops, unarmed though they were, to cross the town without a general
and bloody conflict he protected them with a force of police until
they were sent back by rail to Havre de Grace. But they were not
permitted to leave without a hostile demonstration by a part of the
exultant mob as it returned from the pursuit of the Massachusetts
regiment. These scenes were enacted between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Five
of the 6th Massachusetts were killed, 7 were too severely wounded for
removal, about 30 wounded were taken to Washington. The city of
Baltimore sent to claimants the bodies of the soldiers who were killed
and cared for the wounded who were left there.
Source: The Union Army, Volume 5, Cyclopedia of Battles,
1908 |