Oxford Times, May 29, 1861
Relay House,, Md., May 1 [1861]
I am now writing under difficulties. Squatting on the ground, under a small tent, which accommodates about six men, comfortable (being very small) and there are eight lying around me now, as I write this. Some smoking, one asleep, and others reading and writing home. Sweet home, a place never appreciated so much as when absent from it. This is a great change for the boys, and pretty difficult to compose a letter, as they are making rather merry in the adjoining tent, and I would like to let you know the movements we have made since writing last, but I get confused as they refrain from "Annie Laurie," which is being sung in the aforesaid tent. The Washington Greys received marching orders on Saturday evening, May 4th to be ready by 4 o'clock the following morning. Knapsacks were packed, muskets cleaned up. On the following morning, the 8th N.Y.S.M. five thousand strong, marched out to the tap of the drum, to proceed as we anticipated to Washington. We took the cars at the city of Annapolis to the junction on the same line, where the Bridge had been destroyed, but was thoroughly repaired, and well guarded by the 6th Regt. New York. We arrived at the junction of the Baltimore and Washington Roads, where the train stopped some little time, and gave as an opportunity of obtaining some refreshment. Myself and six others, seeing the cars start and being some little distance off, thought, as the train was backing towards Baltimore, it would return, instead of which it did not, So we were left behind, in a pretty fix, especially as we did not know the destination of our Regiment. We however, guessed they had gone to the Relay house, and the next thing for us, was to get there. It was ten miles down the Railroad track, five of our lads footed it, myself and a comrade, got a ride in a Huckster's wagon, that was following the troops with wares. We started off and to make it worse, our driver took the wrong road, which made us feel rather suspicious, especially as we were in a strong secession county, Anne Arundel. Was he playing treacherous? our hands went to our Revolvers; but if so, I had made up my mind he should be the first to suffer. At last we struck the right road. the worst road I ever traveled over, being very hilly, and ankle deep in mud. The farmers of the surrounding country, hearing of the arrival of Northern troops, flocked out on the road, and we had quite a cavalcade of horsemen, and charlottears, which could easily have captured us, if they felt inclined, as there was only two of us, but most of them seemed pleased to see us, or at least, so they said, and shook us heartily by the hand and asked us to drink. One would think it customary for them to carry liquor about with them, as they were well supplied.
After some three hours, going ten or twelve miles, we arrived at the Relay, and felt greatly relieved when we came in sight of a halting place. They quietly took possession of this place, being a very important point, as it commands the road from Baltimore to Washington, and Harpur's Ferry. Every train is stopped and searched and supplies for the enemy captured. Earthworks and entrenchments are thrown up and artillery placed to command all approaches, so that it would take a strong force to dispossess us. We have had several night alarms, and had to turn out under arms as often as twice in one night. We have to sleep on our arms, and have not had our clothes off (but to change) since we left New York, part of the 8th has been to Baltimore, and met with a good reception. W.D.
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