Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
A rare account of the little-known event of the Second Baltimore Riot, 7pp. 8vo, written by Pvt. Mathew Halpin, [POW Second Bull Run, Va., 8/29/62], Co. K, 22nd New York Vols., Washington, July 5, 1861, to his friend Albert A. Fletcher, reading, in part: "…our regiment had marching orders on the 24 of last month. We did not receive our arms until a few hours before we started. We took the boat on Friday…arrived at New York the next day…we were landed in New Jersey at 10…where we got supper and took the cars…to Baltimore. One of our men was killed while standing on the top of the cars, another badly hurt. We arrived in Baltimore about 9…at night [on June 30]… and marched through the city amid the cheers for Jeff Davis and the groans for Abe Lincoln. There were…an unusual number of persons in the street for such a late hour. We arrived at the depot in safety and without molestation, but as soon as we got into the Depot, pistols were fired into our ranks from the roof of the buildings and from behind crowds of women…I saw one man step from behind the ticket office and deliberately fire a revolver at our ranks. There was no order given to us to fire which gave the citizens to suppose that our muskets were not loaded. This, of course made them a good deal bolder. One of the officers gave orders for his company to discharge their pieces…[to] frighten off the citizens…the whole regiment thinking they were attacked discharged their pieces. Most of the men supposed…there was men upon…the buildings firing down…most of the fire was directed there. If it had not been for that there would have been bloody work in Baltimore. There was certainly some shots fired from the top of the buildings…I was standing within 2 paces of a man named Edmond Burge [Pvt. Edward Benge] when he was shot from above. I seen a flash from above just as he fell. He was shot on the top of the head. We had three others wounded. One of our men had his bayonet scabbard cut off from a shot fired from above. One of our captains had his thumb shot while trying to prevent a man from firing [into] a crowd of men and women. His name is [Jacob L.] Yates, a West Pondgraduate. The depot was cleared of all but the soldiers in…no time…we got into the cars very quietly. I forgot to say that three if the lamps were broken in the depot by the three first shots. The shots certainly did not break them as we did not want to be left in total darkness. Several shots were fired at the cars after starting, but without doing any damage. We arrived in Washington on Monday…the Baltimore Clipper gave us great praise next morning. The day after it called us the bloody 22nd. It stated that we killed 18 men and 4 women. We marched next morning to our company ground…the enemy are said to be 30,000 strong at Manassas Junction. The enemy formed in line of battle on the 3rd inst [actually, June 3rd] towards Arlington Heights. The Michigan regiment [Co. E, 1st Michigan and the 11th New York Fire Zouaves] went forward to give them battle. They waited until they came within shot when the fired three rounds and retreated. Their loss was 18 killed and a proportionate number wounded. Our loss was 4 killed…today…they are preparing to retreat. About 30,000 of our troops marched through Washington on the 4th. It was quite a different celebration from what I had last 4th. I thought of it as our regiment marched by Uncle Abe and Gen. Scott. They were in a tent mad of Stars and Stripes. there is not as much fun in standing guard here as there was in Troy. The [rebels] pick the guard off here nightly. We ball very often comes into our camp in the daytime. We send scouts out every night, 15 together. One of our guards shot at a cow the other nightie a mistake for a man. We drill 8 hours a day. The 14th Massachusetts regiment, a few rods from ours. We took 2 prisoners last night. They are at present in the guard house. They had 2 of the nicest revolvers I ever sen. One of our regiment went over to the Massachusetts 14 the other day in citizen's clothes. They took him prisoner and proceeded to examine him. He knew neither the name of the Col. nor the regiment. So they took him for a spy and gave him 15 minutes. His time was up within 5 when one of our officers happened to go over there and rescue him…we shall have a battle on Arlington Heights before another week passes. The Southerners are getting in close quarters there. Direct your letter to Mathew Halpin…Camp Graham 22nd Regiment N. Y. State Volunteers…Mathew Halpin." Also included is the original transmittal cover. Expected folded, else VG
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