The Cumberland Times-News Fri May 13, 2011, 10:27 PM EDT
— CUMBERLAND — As part of the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War observance, Western Maryland’s Historical Library will feature a weekly peek into what was happening in the tri-state region during that time.
Hagerstown newspapers covered the events of the Civil War in their pages, not just the events at Antietam and South Mountain, but throughout the country. Editorials and letters to the editor from both sides of the conflict were printed.
The stories are available at www.whilbr.org or from the Washington County Free Library System’s website, www.washcolibrary.org under “Regional History.”
The following stories are representative of chronicles from the start of the Civil War in Maryland.
• May 16, 1861 — VIRGINIA TROOPS — Eight hundred Virginia troops are quartered in the vicinity of John Brown’s late abode in Washington County. It is said that they have fortified the heights opposite Harper's Ferry, and have set the mountain on fire, and burnt the undergrowth and leaves and other obstructions to an extensive view of the surrounding country. It is also reported that there are about seven thousand troops at Harper's Ferry, and a number on the Virginia side of the Potomac for a considerable distance up that river, about one hundred and fifty of whom are reported to be opposite Williamsport.
• May 22, 1861 — TROOPS OPPOSITE WILLIAMSPORT — On Sunday evening last about one thousand Secession troops arrived opposite Williamsport, and about seven miles from this town, on the Virginia side of the river. They are encamped above the Ferry, and are in full view of the good, loyal, Union loving people of Williamsport, who are not in the least intimidated by their formidable appearance. What the object of quartering these troops at this point is, cannot be divined, but the supposition is that they are there for the twofold purpose of guarding the Ferry, and overawing the opponents of the Secession Ordinance in Berkeley at the election tomorrow.
• May 5, 1861 — STICK TO THE UNION — The true policy for our people is to stick to the Union. It has protected us from all wrongs and outrages, and from a taxation for three-quarters of a century. In four years we shall have the privilege of choosing our rulers. Destruction may come “swift as the whirl wind” — the work of reconstruction may never be accomplished. Stick to the Union!
These, and many other stories from the Herald of Freedom and Torch Light, May 5 to May 29, 1861, are now online on the Western Maryland Regional Library’s history website. Others will continue to be added on a weekly basis.
The Whilbr website features images of original source documents from the collections of the public libraries, historical societies and individuals in Western Maryland. Its purpose is to display Western Maryland-related historical documents, images, audio and video.
Western Maryland Regional Library is an organization that provides support and materials for the continued enhancement of resources available through the Washington County Free Library System, the Allegany County Public Library System and the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County.
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