Excitement Prevails In Baltimore After the Union Defeat At Bull Run

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005

A good early war-date Union officer's 4pp. 4to., letter written in pencil by Lt. David W. Low, Co. G, 8th Mass. Vols., Baltimore, Md., July 22, 1861 to his wife describing the exciting events that prevailed in Union camps after the North's defeat at First Bull Run, reading, in part: "…I am writing this…amid…intense excitement…owing to the receipt of intelligence that…the Federal Army [was] totally routed. That Congress was…moving to Philadelphia and that Jeff Davis would probably be in Washington by tomorrow? The Secessionists have been in good humor and have been bold enough to come out…with their Secession badges & insult the soldiers…several knock downs have occurred in the…crowds that throng the streets around the printing offices…serious outbreak was prevented by the police…if…no troops were stationed here…[then] 4 or 5,000…secessioners would be in arms…tonight…the Zouaves have a…great camp fire burning and cheers are heard frequently…last night…a dispatch was received…from Gen. [Nathaniel] Banks…to be ready at a moments notice…supplied with ammunition…this morning…another dispatch…[directed that] the men could take their rest as Manassas Junction was taken…the Col. [Timothy Munroe] yesterday wanted the Regt to offer their services for 15 days longer to go to Manassas Gap…two companies said they would go others said 'if we are wanted…let Scott order us'…the Col. & [ Capt. Arthur F.] Devereux [future bvt. brig. gen. who was wounded at Antietam] wanted to have the Regt vote to go…there is not a man…wiling to stay as long as there is danger to Washington but…they had served 3 1/2 months already…all the three year troops…are now organized…let some green troops take our place…the presentation of an American Flag to the Regt by their friends in Baltimore (to testify [to] the good will & esteem of the Union loving citizens towards us) was to have come off yesterday…no less than three different parties started the presentation of a flag to us…the third [party] was three young ladies who were to raise it…but a secessionist told…them [the ladies that]…the Regt…had more flags…than they knew what to do with…than they [the] southern beauties…said they would not have anything more to do with it…the Col. & other officers told her…that the Regt would be pleased to receive as many flags as their friends were…to present to them…if they came from ladies…no doubt Federal troops have been repulsed from Manassas with great loss. Troops are going through here towards Washington…Banks will push his division (formerly Patterson's) on with vigor to co-operate with the Army of the Potomac. Patterson has been superceded by Banks…". Low and the 8th Massachusetts remained in service until August 1, 1861 at which time they were discharged. The regiment was mustered during the war, and each time Low served as a company commander until being promoted to major near the end of the war. Also, included is a photocopy of Low in his officer's uniform and service record. Very light soiling, else very good.

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