Diary Entry:

Col. Wharton took a new whim this evening at dress parade, as he inspected the Battalion, and says he will inspect it every day.

Shortly after the ever-memorable 19th April 1861, the Federal forces marched to Cockeysville, within a few miles of Baltimore, and there encamped. A Secesh mob under command of General Stewart and Marshall Kane marched out to attack them. Sunday was the day chosen for the attack. Cannon ball of all descriptions were taken out. But when the mob arrived near our forces they found that not one in a hundred of their balls would fit any of their cannon, and they returned to Baltimore in (probably) double-quick time. One Company of Seces came up here from Dorchester County, and were about to march out to Cockeysville, to assist their friends. They started up into the City. One many who had the fear of poweder before him stopped. The company had not gone far before they were told their services were not needed. (General Stewart told them they had better go back and defend their own homes.) when they returned to the wharf and embarked on the same boat to return to Dorchester, the chivalrie [sic] who had stopped now made his appearance, and was rallied by his comrades on his want of courage. The only reply he would make to them was, “I have as good blood as any man.”

See the diary entry: pages 19 and 20-21.  

More information:
The “ever memorable 19th April 1861″ was the day of the Baltimore riot, when Union troops tried to pass through Baltimore on their way to Washington, D.C.  Although Cyrus did not volunteer for service with the 2nd Delaware until May 11, 1861, the Baltimore riot clearly made an impact on him since he referred to it in his diary several times in the spring of 1862.

Diary Entry:
Last Monday 34 guns were fired here in honor of the capture of Yorktown. Since Monday we have received more cheering news. I think those who have doubted the skill and ability of little “Mac” now have sufficient cause to change their opinions concerning him.

Feeling somewhat inclined to write tonight I will draw a short sketch of some of our Officers.

Col. Wharton is an old soldier and holds a Major Commission in the Regular Army. He is a very strict diciplinarian [sic], very well liked by most of the men, but he is variable. He often threatens to punish those who disobey orders, but seldom proceeds furth than to place them in confinement for a few days. One great objection to him is he gives more passes to those who are often in the “gaurd-house” [sic] than to those who never get in it.

Lieut. Col. Bailey is in bad favor with the men. He is severe and tyranical [sic] and partakes too freely of the “ardent.”

Major Andrews is a fine looking soldier. He is very well liked by the men. He is strict, but the man who does his duty meets with his unqualified approbation. Of the three, Col. Wharton has the most experience in military affairs, but I think he is the least desirous of participating in a battle. I candidly think he prefers to be stationed at some safe point where he can enjoy the society of his Wife and Daughter, who have been his almost constant companies ever since he has been with us.

Capt. Stricker would do very well in private society, but he does not possess the qualities which constitute a good Officer. The men do not like him.

Lieut Evans is one of our best Officers. Had he the advantages of a military education, he would make one of the best officers in the Service. As he is, I predict for him a brilliant future if he remains in the Army.

Lieut. Letherbury is a promising Officer and very well liked by the men.

See the scanned diary pages.

More Information:

Photograph of Col David L. Stricker and Captain John Evans.

The siege of Yorktown lasted from April 5 to May 4, 1862 while General McClellan was leading his troops up the Virginia peninsula towards Richmond.  Upon meeting Confederate troops at Yorktown (near the site of the 1781 Revolutionary War Battle), McClellan ordered siege fortifications built. After nearly a month of bombardments, the Confederates began retreating towards Williamsburg to better protect Richmond. The Siege ended on May 4 after an observation balloon confirmed the Confederate earthworks were empty and the Yankees moved into Yorktown.

Source: To the Gates of Richmond: The Peninsula Campaign by Stephen W. Sears. Historical and Cultural Affairs Photograph Collection, Delaware Public Archives.

Diary Entry:

Broke the tube out of my new rifle this morning. Last Friday we received new regulation pants. They are Sky Blue.

Diary Entry:

Today we exchanged our muskets for Austrian Rifles. I do not like the trade. The Rifles are very roughly gotten up.

See the scanned diary page.

More information:

Cyrus was most likely issued an Austrian Lorenz rifle. In the early years of the war, the Union recorded buying over 225,000 of the rifles and the Confederates bought at least 100,000. The Lorenz typically came in a .54-caliber, but was often rebored to a .58-caliber to accommodate the ammunition most often used at that time. Quality of the weapons seemed to depend on where in Europe they were made. Some soldiers were fond of their Lorenzes, but many, like Cyrus, did not find them particularly effective.

Source: Civil War Firearms by Joseph Bilby

Diary Entry:
Appointed 5th Sergeant.

See the scanned diary page.

More Information:
According to Cyrus’ Company Muster Roll from May and June 1862, he was appointed a sergeant from a corporal on May 1, 1862.

Diary Entry:
William Mahan “A” Co. shot in the arm whilst attempting to cross the line of sentinels.

See the scanned diary page.

More Information:

According to the Delaware Compiled Service Records, William Mahan enlisted in the 2nd Delaware Regiment, Company A as a Private on May 21, 1861, in Dover, DE. He was 33 years old and was 6 feet tall with dark complection, blue eyes and dark hair. Born inCecil County, Maryland, he listed his occupation as a blacksmith and a cooper.

Mahan’s service records shows that he spent much of the war in the hospital. He must have been recently released when the incident that Cyrus wrote about occurred since records show he spent March and April 1862 sick in the hospital.

An injury report shows that Mahan suffered a “fracture of right humerus with shortening” in May 1862. Beginning in May 1862, the Patterson Park U.S.A. General Hospital listed him on the Hospital Muster Roll.  By spring 1863, he was well enough to serve as a hospital attendant, and in October 1863 he was transferred to the Invalid Corps.

Diary Entry:
Recieved $26.00 pay to March 1st 62.

See the scanned diary page.

The April 25, 1862, issue of the Delaware State Journal and Statesman made note of a practice of attempting to defraud the U.S. Treasury by tearing U. S. Treasury notes and suggested the best way to handle said notes:

The practice of mutilating Treasury Notes by tearing off the corners and cutting pieces from them for the purpose of defrauding the Treasury by making up an entire bill out of the detached pieces, has grown so common that the Treasury Department has resolved not to redeem any bill at par unless it is whole, and to deduct one dollar for every tenth part of a note torn off, and in that proportion for larger amounts removed. The best way to deal with these mutilated Treasury Notes is, for the public to refuse to take them; just as they refuse to take clipped and punch coin. By refusing to take them, the loss will fall upon the rogues who originated the practice.

Diary Entry:
This morning we left Camp Andrew, or Stewart’s Grove as the place was formerly called. I was detailed with seven others to look after the commissary stores and therefore had to remain in Camp Andrew until near 3 o’c. P.M. On my way to our new camp at Ft Marshall, Ft Murray, Snake Hill or Potters Hill, whichever it may be called, I visited Pattersons Park, which is garrisoned by Co. “K” of our Regt. The Park is a pleasant place. It is used partly as a hospital. 62 Regts. are represented there by sick and wounded soldiers.

On my arrival here (Ft Marshall) I found Companies “B,” “E,” “F,” and “H” were quartered in the Ft. and “A,” “C,” “D,” “G,” and “I,” in quarters outside. The hill on which the Ft is built commands the city, the River, Ft McHenry, Federal Hill, and Pattersons Park. The fort is an earthwork, mounts 33 guns of 42, 32 and 24 pounds each.

See scanned diary pages 13 and 14 and a map of Cyrus’ Progress.

More Information:
After staying at Baltimore’s Camp Andrew for nearly a month, Cyrus received orders to move to Fort Marshall in the eastern part of the city.

Fort Marshall occupied the precipice known as Snake Hill, Murray’s Hill, or Mount Washington near the intersection of Foster Avenue and Conkling Streets.

At one point Fort Marshall was armed with from 50 to 60 guns of 32- and 42-pounders, in addition to Columbiads (large-caliber, smooth bore, muzzle loaded cannon). No traces of the fort remains today and it is now the site of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

During the Civil War, part of Patterson Park became Camp Washburn and a hospital (Camp Patterson Park) was also established there.

Sources: Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Digital Collections ,  History of Maryland by John Thomas Scharf

Diary Entry:
One year ago to day the memorable riot occurred in Baltimore. What a wide difference there is between the two days. To day the Stars and Stripes were floating everywhere through the City. One patriotic citizen displayed 34 flags on his house. I was in town this evening. I have made very pleasant acquaintances in Baltimore.

See the scanned diary page.

More Information:
Following the firing of shots on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteer militiamen to assemble and protect Washington, DC. Southern sympathizers in Maryland worried that Lincoln was actually gathering troops to occupy their state and force it to remain in the Union.

Tensions in Baltimore were already high before the 35 rail cars of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts troops arrived at the President Street Railroad Station  from Philadelphia on April 19. The troops needed to transfer to the Camden Street Station, 10 blocks away, to continue traveling south to Washington, and there was no easy way to get there. Some of the soldiers were transported by horse-drawn rail cars, while four companies of the 6th Massachusetts Regiment marched in formation across the city. Both groups were met with southern sympathizers shouting support for the Confederacy, throwing stones at the soldiers, and otherwise blocking their routes through the city.

At one point during the march along Pratt Street, a shot rang out. The inexperienced, frightened, and armed soldiers on foot opened fire on the crowd. Mayhem ensued. Approximately fourteen people died and many more citizens and soldiers were wounded.

Eventually all of the soldiers reached the Camden Street Station, and departed for Washington by train, with the help of Mayor George William Brown and Police Marshal George P. Kane. Civil unrest continued through the night after the troops left as southern sympathizers destroyed railroad bridges in and around Baltimore, effectively cutting it off from neighboring cities.

Mayor Brown sent telegrams to President Lincoln asking that no more Federal soldiers be sent through Baltimore due to the unrest. An awkward peace settled on the city as northern troops were directed to avoid the city going forward.

Ultimately, Maryland remained in the Union, but the state had no shortage of Confederate supporters. In striking contrast to Cyrus’ experiences in Baltimore the following year, few buildings displayed United States flags in April 1861; Confederate and Maryland state flags were reportedly much more common.

Sources: Maryland in the Civil War by Harold Manakee, Maryland Voices in the Civil War edited by Charles W. Mitchell.

Diary Entry:
In town again this evening.

See the scanned diary page.