Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/180

 164 Southern Historical Society Papers.

have -been foremost in the brunt of a terrible war. Her business men had large interests in the North as well as the South, and hesi- tated to stake all upon the issues of war; so, at first, she stood for neutrality, and denied the Federal troops the right to pass through her territory without her consent. When, in defiance of this right, Massachusetts troops were marched through the streets of Balti- more and her citizens were shot down in cold blood, the whole State became aroused, and would, if they could, have joined the South in her attempt to resist the invasion of her soil, by recourse to arms. In Baltimore the excitement was intense, and the offer of volunteers far exceeded the ability of the authorities to arm them. General George H. Stewart, commanding the troops in Baltimore, appealed at once to Virginia for arms, in a letter sent by L. P. Bayne and J. J. Chan- cellor, who, in delivering it said: " The people of Baltimore and the citizens of Maryland, generally, were united in at least one thing, viz: that troops volunteering for Federal service against Virginia or other sister Southern States, should not pass over the soil of Mary- land if they could prevent it."

ARMS FOR MARYLAND.

In response to this appeal, Governor Letcher, of Virginia, sent the following telegram on April 22d: " Major-General Kenton Har- per, in command at Harpers Ferry, is hereby ordered to deliver to General Stewart, at Baltimore, 1,000 of the arms recently taken at Harpers Ferry." On the same day, at the recommendation of the Governor, the Advisory Counqil of the State of Virginia agreed to loan the State of Maryland 5,000 more arms from the arsenal at Lexington, Va. The dispatch, arriving late that night, was given me as one of General Harper's aides-de-camp, and carried to head- quarters after the General and his staff had retired. He sent for Major Harmon, his quartermaster, who said it was impossible to ship them that night.

Seeing the importance of the order, I suggested to the General that it could be done, and proposed to deliver them in Baltimore before morning if he would give me a regiment and transportation. The necessary orders were given, and I went to the railroad station and telegraphed for an engine and car, which were promised to be ready within an hour. I then went to the officer in command of the Second Virginia Regiment, and told him to turn out his command. He demurred until he saw the orders, and appreciating the import-