8th Massachusetts Officer Writes of his Arrival in the South

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Autograph Letter Signed, Lt. David W. Low, 8th Massachusetts Infantry, 6p. quarto, Washington City, May 2, 1861, and reads in part: “...You have no doubt heard of the adventures of the 8th Regt. since they left Boston...When we approached Havre de Grace we were inspected and prepared for a fight...we were told that we were to meet 1600 men and take from them a ferry boat...every man in the Regt. except one (who jumped off the Cars) was nerved to the work laid out for him...to our great surprise & joy we were ahead of the secessionist and took the boat without a gun being fired...we arrived at Anapolis harbor and went alongside of the Old Constitution, where we went to work getting her heavy guns out & putting them on board the Maryland (our boat)....then she started towed by the Maryland to sea, in going over the bar owing to the treachery of our Pilot & Engineers our boat, & the Ship were both got ashore...the engineers were immediately arrested & engineers & firemen from teh Regt. were put in their places. Capt. Briggs, who was to be Officer of the guard that night, was sent on board the Constitution. I was detailed in his place...my orders from Genl. Butler were very strict as an attack from Baltimore was anticipated...every boat that approached was challenged...” Much more. VG.

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