Originally published in the Perrysburg Journal, July 27, 1864, p. 2
Annapolis Junction, Md.
July 18, 1864
A correspondent of the New York Times having written to that paper that the "One Hundred Days Men" men stationed here "ingloriously fled from their post" during the late raid, I have obtained from Captain Cook permission to publish the following letter written by him to Lieut. Col. Miller which utterly refutes the charge of the Times' correspondent, and at the same time gives a clear and reliable statement of what Co.F has been about during the great raid..
Annapolis Junction.
July 16, 1864.
Col. F.R. Miller:.
It may not be uninteresting to you to know what part Co.F has played during the Rebel invasion of this state. They have not been idle spectators of the events which have transpired in this eventful period.
After the defeat of our army at Monocacy, the enemy advanced in force to Ellicote Mills, which is within 10 miles of this place, but by means of our scouts we kept open communication with the main body of our army until it retreated to Baltimore. This left us entirely alone, almost surrounded by Rebels, without any reinforcements, or means of defense, except in our right arms. There were only 70 of us here, but we resolved to make a stand against the entire Rebel army, which was reported advancing on this place. We knew by our scouts that they were advancing on Ellicote Mills, and when Gen. Wallace retreated from there it left not a man between the enemy and us. We immediately commenced preparations for the defense of this place, and for this purpose built breastworks on the bank of the railroad, where it is cut at right angles by the County road, along which the Rebels would pass in their approach to the Junction. We also barricaded the County road and obtained from the Surgeon in charge of the hospital a six-pound brass field piece and sent for ammunition for it, but was unable to obtain any. This rendered the piece of no avail and I sent it to Col. Hunt, at Annapolis, for the defense of that city, which was also threatened (he also having ammunition for it). During the day, we patrolled the roads and sent scouts throughout the surrounding country; while at camp and the Junction, we kept up a constant guard. At night the entire company laid on their arms behind our breastworks, which we named Fort Good Hope.
Thus affairs continued until about noon of the 13th of July when the telegraph operator sent out word that the Baltimore track had been torn up by the Rebels between us and Washington, at Beltsville, about 8 miles from the Junction. We knew from the report of our scouts that the Rebels were in strong force at Ellicote Mills, a distance of 10 miles on our right, this brought them to within 8 miles of our left, and it was at the same time reported that a strong cavalry force was passing to the rear of us to attack Annapolis.
Unwilling to rely on a mere report, however believable it might appear, I at once dispatched a locomotive under guard of five men down the road to see where and by whom it had been cut. Capt. Briggs, who was lying on a train of cars at the Junction with almost 400 veterans, bound from Annapolis to Washington, volunteered to go with the locomotive and make the reconnaissance at the same time I sent a party of three men on horseback by a circuitous route for the same purpose. On the return of the locomotive, Capt. Briggs reported that the road had been torn up by a large body of Rebels, who were advancing on the Junction and destroying the road as they came; this was confirmed by the men whom I had sent out on horseback. The forces which were guarding the road at Beltsville had retired and reported the Rebels to consist of Infantry and Cavalry, supported by Artillery.
I immediately telegraphed Gen. Ord, then in command of the 8th Army Corps-that the telegraph line had been cut, and the railroad track between the Junction and Washington, at Beltsville by a large groups of Rebels. I also telegraphed the same to Col. Hunt, in command at Annapolis. From Gen. Ord, I received the following dispatch:.
Baltimore, July 12th, 1864
Capt. A. Cook: Take to the woods and come into Relay House and report to the commanding officer. Bring all you can with you. .
E.O. Ord.
Col. Root ordered the train of soldiers which was waiting here for transportation to Washington, to return at once to Annapolis, and sent me the following dispatch:.
Annapolis, July 12th, 1864.
Capt. Cook, Commanding Post: A train will leave here at once to bring your command and the public property here. Be ready..
A.R. Root, Col. Commanding.
Notwithstanding we made every preparation to defend the place, and the boys anxious to exchange shots with the Rebels, this order had to be obeyed. It was imperative and allowed of no evasion. If it had come to us unsought and undesired, Gen. Ord acting with his knowledge of the situation, deemed it for our own, as well as for the public interest, to retire from a place where we had an army of over 20 thousand in front, with its wings resting on the railroad at each side of us, while we were absolutely at their mercy. We therefore made preparation to obey this order and retire. By these orders it will be seen that there were two ways of retreat offered us-one on foot through the woods to Relay House, which wold have involved the loss of all the Company property, and an abandonment of the public stores- the other by railroad to Annapolis, by which all could be saved. I chose the latter, believing it to be for the public interest, for in going to Relay House we could have been of no service to the country, as that place was in no danger, the enemy having passed there and gone to the North East of Baltimore. While by going to Annapolis, I hoped to be of service as it was reported the enemy was advancing on that place, and Col. Root had verbally requested me to come to his aid if he was hard pressed and compelled to fall back. Indeed, at Annapolis, at this juncture of affairs the danger was so imminent that Col. Root had declared the place under martial law, and ordered every able-bodied citizen into the trenches. On our arrival there we were assigned to duty, where we remained until the morning of the 15th, when we were honorably relieved by the following complimentary order:.
Special Order No. 157.
Headquarters, Camp Parole, Md.
Near Annapolis, Md. July 15th, 1864.
Capt. Asher Cook: Co.F, 144th Regt., Ohio National Guard, will at once proceed with his company to Annapolis Junction, Md. And report by telegraph to Gen. Ord for duty..
The Col. Commanding desires to express his earnest thanks for the zealous and efficient manner in which Capt. Cook and the men belonging to his company have discharged the arduous duties assigned them while in this command..
By Order of: Col. A. R. Root,
94th N.Y. Vols., Commanding Post.
The Col. Was so well pleased with the conduct of the Company that he was unwilling to part from them by the above formal note of thanks, but visited the men, and thanked them for their gentlemanly and soldierlike bearing, and added:"You are entitled to great praise for the firmness with which you have remained at your post, and refused to leave without orders, when it was reported and believed that you were entirely surrounded by the enemy.".
This is briefly the part that Co.F has acted during those exciting times, and that position and credit it has won in military circles, and the praise which it has received from those best acquainted with the valuable service the Company has rendered.
But the rebel residents here are very much mortified and chagrined that we went to the relief of Annapolis and did not remain here until they had spread the net for our capture by their friends, the Rebels in arms.
To this brief statement, I have no flourishes of Rhetoric to add- "The truth speeds best when plainly told."-But I may add without flattery that the men under my command have shown a great fortitude in bearing up under intense excitement, and the fatigues incident to long and continued watching by day and by night, as any in the service, and have not the slightest reason to doubt but they would do as good execution in battle. At least, I do not ask for better or braver men to stand by and defend me. The false reports in circulation here emanated from Rebel sympathizers, whom Co.F has compelled to assume the virtues of Union men, though it is evident that they secretly repudiate the oaths of loyalty, which their coward hearts have taken to avoid the just deserts of traitors. Our temporary absence and the Rebel supremacy afforded them an opportunity to glut their vengeance by lying, the way to them and all others the most pleasing and natural. It is quiet now, however, as the fawning sycophants ever were, and you may rest assured Co.F will keep them so during our stay amongst them and should the Rebels come again, we will persuade the commanding General to leave us here, that we may hang Rebel and Rebel sympathizer together..
I have the honor, Sir, to be
Your obedient servant,
Asher Cook, Capt., Co.F 144th Regt. O.N.G.
