Arresting Armed Southern Women In Maryland

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

A good war-date Union officer's, 4pp. 4to., letter written in pencil by Lt. David W. Low, Co. G, 8th Mass. Vols., Camp Essex, Elkridge, Md., June 14th, 1861 to his wife concerning arresting a local for spousal abuse and on encountering some heavily armed southern women on their way to Harper's Ferry, reading, in part: "…as Officer of the Guard…I arrested a man for beating his wife shamefully just in the line of the Camp. The Zouaves…had his hands tied & were about to give him…Judge Lynch's jury 39 lashes on the bare back. Some 75 or 100 of the Regt had broken through the line of sentinels and were in & about the house. I had hard work with my guards of 20 men to get them back within the lines. I had orders from Surgeon Brewster of the Zouaves to arrest the man for assault with intent to kill his wife. I took him to head quarters and was told that they had no authority to confine him but that I had better take him before the civil authorities. I marched him downtown between a file of men and found that the only Justice lived about a mile from the village. So up I went with witnesses, were duly sworn, gave our evidence - And as there was no Constable in the place or lock-up I was deputized to take him to Ellicot's mills and pass him over to the Sheriff for safe keeping in Jail until released by due course of law. I took the prisoner back to camp put him into the guard tent under special sentinels & went to head quarters for a pass to the Mills, but I could not get one, as it was expected that the Regt would have to go to Baltimore…it being "election day" so I went back to the Justice & told him that I would keep him safe till morning and he could send a couple of men to take charge of him, which we both did. We did not go to Baltimore but the 6th Regt did, or nearly there & stopped over night so that it took about half of our Regt for Picket & Quarter Guards for both Camps & at the Relay House. The 6th returned today. The news here today is that Harper's Ferry is deserted by the troops of the Confederate States (Rebels) blowing up the Bridges & 3 women were arrested at the Relay Station…on search[ing them] were soon delivered of a quantity of revolvers & caps bound to Harper's Ferry. They were released (after taking from them the contraband goods) & sent back to Baltimore…". Low served throughout the Civil War during the three distinct organizations of the 8th Massachusetts Infantry and rose to major by the end of his military career. Light toning, else very good.

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