Shooting Deserters.
A chain of forts encircled Baltimore, Maryland, from Fort No. 1 on Baltimore street to Fort No. 12 in Druid Hill Park. Details were made from the men at our fort for guard duty at these outposts. One guard at each fort to remain all day, his duty being to keep a strict watch. One day, (I being on duty at Fort 11), a squad of twelve cavalrymen came on a full gallop down the road past the fort. Just as they came opposite to where I was standing guard, the officer in command shouted, “There they are, fire.” A volley from their carbines followed and two men who were in a field running through the high wheat threw up their hands and tumbled over dead. I heard afterward that they were deserters trying to escape from Lafayette Barracks. The discipline was severe, some may think too much so, but it was necessary in order to control the great variety of characters that made up the army. When our company first came to Fort No. 1 we found the guard house full of rough men of the New York Artillery, and we were detailed to guard them. Of all low, rough New York toughs, these were surely the worst. They took great pleasure in guying the boys fresh from home, and their actions were disgusting. Luckilythey went away in a short time. One night two of them attempted to break guard and escape. Our boys who were on guard fired at them, and alarmed the garrison. A search squad was at once formed and the two men were found lying on their faces in the ditch surrounding the fort, nearly frightened to death. They were taken back to the guard house saying, “they did not think the century plants would shoot,” but they did. These fellows had a better opinion of us after that episode.
During our first march the boys began to pick up from the fields various articles that they considered valuable as relics, intending to carry them home. Bayonets and cannon balls seemed to be favorite articles for collection. After carrying them for a few miles they began dropping them one by one. We found out in a very short time that the less we had to carry the better we could march.
I was fortunate in bringing home, and still have my cap box, eagle plate, visor of my cap a tin flask and testament and hymn book. A testament and hymn book was given to every soldier. But the most prized is the engraved and engrossed card of thanks given by the president of the United States, under seal of the Government, and signed by the martyred friend of every Union soldier, Abraham Lincoln. A captain in our regiment brought home a beautiful sword that belonged to one of Mosbys’ men, and was found on the field after the fight at Berryville, Va. It was a beautiful piece of work, ivory hilt, gold mounted, with a scabbard inlaid with gold and silver designs. It was highly prized by the captain, and no doubt would be more highly prized by the man who lost it at Berryville.