Poughkeepsie Eagle Dec. 7, 1861
In Camp, Near Newtown, Md
November 16, 1861
Dear Eagle:
Thinking your readers would be interested in the details of our Expedition, I have compiled from my Diary, that I am keeping, a short sketch for their benefit. On Monday afternoon an order was given to six companies of our regiment to get ready in heavy marching order to leave in the morning. Although the time of our departure was set at seven o’clock A.M., the detachment did not leave Federal Hill until one o’clock P.M. I was detailed with the baggage wagons. I did not accompany the detachment through the city. However it did not reach the boat until three o’clock. The boat did not leave the wharf until four o’clock. The name of the boat upon which we embarked was the Pocahontas, and from her appearance I should judge it was almost as old as the original of the cognomen.
We were accompanied by the Star, on board of which was the 21st Indiana Volunteers. Quite a number of the citizens of Baltimore were at the wharf to bid us God speed. As we passed Federal Hill we beheld the remainder of the regiment upon the ramparts ready to salute us, cheer upon cheer rang in the air from our party, which was answered by those left behind. As we glided by one of the forty two pounders belched forth it’s adieu, and the band struck up the Star Spangled Banner. Nothing occurred that is different from other voyages of similar nature; and night drew around us her sable curtain. Sleep however did not visit many eyes on board, for a more uproarious crowd than Zouaves has never been seen.
Morning dawned upon us clear and beautiful. About 11 o’clock A.M. a stream of sand flew up before the bows, concussion announced that the Pocahontas was aground. At first this only afforded amusement for those on board, but when it was discovered that the efforts of our consort to pull us off the bar, upon which we had stuck, were unavailing, gloom settled down upon us. To add to our alarm a gunboat was seen in the distance which was soon followed by two others. As their nationality could not be told from the distance, we supposed them to be rebel vessels. We were in a nice predicament. Aground in the Pocomoke Sound far from land, without guns on board, and three of the enemies’ vessels bearing down upon us, was enough to make the bravest man among us look blue. You can imagine the change in one’s feelings when a boat put off the nearest point with the Stars and Stripes floating from her bow. The fleet proved to be the U.S. gunboat Hercules and two consorts, the names of which I could not learn. They could render no assistance until the tide was at it’s height which would be almost midnight. A fine prospect was ahead of us indeed. To spend another night aboard that old craft, without any water, it did not make any of us feel pleasant. But I will pass over that night of horror, with the wish that I may never be caught in another one of like nature.
We got afloat about six o’clock on Thursday morning and went about a mile further, where we had to stop again and wait for the Star which was to take us to our destination. After waiting about an hour she hove in sight and was <?> alongside. Many a groan rent the air as we left the Pocahontas, and wishes that she might sink before we returned were prevalent. We soon arrived in the Pocomoke River, glad to see land both sides of us once more. I have found everything in the Old Dominion built on a crooked scale. I think the pattern must be the Pocomoke River. It is a stream about the width of the Fallkill at the foot of Smith street, but a crookeder river does not exist. It is the perfection of crookedness. Why the distance by water from the mouth of the river to this place is 40 miles, while by land it is only 15 miles. The banks of the river, if banks they can be called, are very flat, reminding me of the flats of New Jersey. Generally they are heavily wooded, although salt marshes were to be seen at intervals. The water of the river is about the color of beer and slightly brackish. But as our journey was very <?>. <?> a collection of negroes who hailed our appearance with expressions of delight. I will not fatigue your readers with the details.
We reached Newtown at 5 P.M. glad to be at our journey’s end. Several regiments were here ahead of us and they kindly bade us welcome. The citizens of this place had thronged the banks to see Duryea’s Zouaves, about whom they had heard so much from their friends in the Monumental City. Newtown is a busy little place about the size of Pleasant Valley, but not much scattered. It embraces within it’s limits three churches, several school houses, stores of all kinds. What it’s population is I do not know. It is a strong Union place and welcomed us gladly. It being far from a market provisions are very cheap. Sweet potatoes are selling from fifty cents a bushel, chickens for thirty-five cents a pair, and other things in proportion. We are encamped about three quarters of a mile from a landing in a large open lot. Encamped with us are several other regiments and detachments, viz: Sixth Michigan volunteers, 500 men; Twenty first Indiana, 500 men; Fourth Wisconsin, 1000; Pernell’s Legion of Maryland, 1,000; First Maryland, 700; Second Delaware, 700; Reading Cavalry, Penn., 100; and Nun’s battery of 6 pieces from Massachusetts, numbering 100 men. So you can see that we have quite a formidable force.
I believe the rebels are encamped about ten miles from this place, strongly entrenched. They number about 8,000 men, only a part of which are in uniform. We are obliged to wait here eight days, as the proclamation of Gen. Dix gives them that time to disperse and lay down their arms. We have large numbers of visitors all strong for the Union and the enforcements of the laws. Several have tendered their services as guides and scouts and have been accepted. Our boys have explored the country for miles around in search of persimmons which grow here in abundance. But I must close. We are all well, but anxiously waiting for orders to move forward.
Yours, & ,
S.H.B., Jr.