today in history

[pvt t a white]

Greetings to all:

Today in history, two significant events took place. First in 1775 the "shot heard around the world" starting the War of Independence and Second; on this date in 1861, first blood was spilt on Pratt Street in Baltimore in the Second War of Independence.

As every schoolboy and girl knows that the 6th Massachusetts Infantry opened fire on unarmed civilians on Pratt Street as they marched from the PA RR Station to the B&O RR Station at Presidents Street answering the call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the "rebellion".

Thus the state song, Maryland My Maryland.
...Avenge the patriotic gore that flecked the streets of Baltimore, And be the battle queen of yore, Maryland! My Maryland!

Pvt T A White

[sbl]

"On April 19, 1861, the first blood of the American Civil War is shed when a secessionist mob in Baltimore attacks Massachusetts troops bound for Washington, D.C. Four soldiers and 12 rioters were killed."

[FWL]

Scott, ever get the feeling that Mr. T. A. White likes to stir the pot abit. I for one would never compare the Patriots on our Old North Bridge in 1776 (also the Site of recruiting for the 29th Mass Vol Inf in 1861 (approx)) with that low life scum mob of pug uglies that attacked the 6th Mass. The FP accounts are clear. On this one I'm with the 6th Mass, two bad they did not get off several nore rounds and get the hanging rope out. Just like the veterans in NYC did after Gettysburg.

Frank Lilley
Commonwealth of Mass
"both a confederate and union reenactor"

[Frenchie_2006]

The mob had mortally wounded the colored servant of a Union officer the previous day. As the 6th Mass. Vol. Inf. attempted to march along Pratt Street on the 19th, they were assaulted with bricks, paving stones, sticks and other improvised weapons, and several pistols, muskets, and shotguns were discharged into their ranks and in their direction as well. Some soldiers took injuries from Bowie knives and at least one axe - so much for "unarmed'.

Several soldiers were rushed and their muskets seized; one was beaten so severely that he lost the use of an eye. Four soldiers died of their wounds and several others were permanently disabled. Twelve civilians died of wounds and an unknown number suffered injury; some few of them may have been bystanders who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The soldiers finally reached the Mt. Clare station of the B&O and boarded with their ambulatory wounded.

The mob then attacked the last coaches of the train as they sat in the depot near the PW&B RR's President Street Station. These coaches carried unarmed and un-uniformed Pennsylvania militia and the 6th MVI regimental band. Several were injured by missiles and broken glass and were saved from further harm by the arrival of the Baltimore Police, who had rushed back to the station after the 6th MVI was out of immediate danger. A pro-Union crowd from Mechanic's Row (now Little Italy) had pitched into the mob attacking the coaches, adding to the general chaos. It is noted that all through the disturbance the police had performed their duty despite the fact that most of them were also sympathetic to the South.

The last civilian to be killed was standing on a station platform some miles away from the city and was shot as the train passed. No one knows who shot him, but the stress of being attacked by hostile fellow citizens and seeing his comrades injured no doubt led to his rash act.

[Jubilo]

Let's remember the "Old Fellows " of the Revolution whose efforts and sacrifice brought all thirteen colonies together for a common cause .
all for the old flag,
David Corbett
10th ILL Vol Inf

P.S. Consternation to this slow loading !!!!

[sbl]

"Patriots on our Old North Bridge in 177(5).."

Frank, Those guys were the best of the population. The guys at The Boston Masacre, ...not so much.