George Sykes to H. W. Smith, November 11, 1861

SIR:

Pursuant to General Orders, No. 4, from the headquarters of this division, I left Washington on the 3d instant, with two squadrons of horse and the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Regiments of New Jersey Volunteers, my destination being Charlotte Hall, Md. Ireached that village at 7 a. m. on the 5th instant, and established my camp with the regiments of Colonels Starr and Hatfield. At the same time, I detached Colonel Revere, Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, to Chaptico, on an inlet of the Potomac, 10 miles distant; the cavalry, under Captain Harrison, U. S. Army, and. Major Beaumont, Halsted’s regiment, . to Oakville, near the Patuxent, 12 miles distant, and the Eighth New Jersey Regiment, under Colonel Johnson, to Bryantown, 8 miles north of Charlotte Hall. Leonardtown, the county seat, was not occupied, because my supplies of subsistence would not permit it.

The villages in possession of the troops were election precincts, and on the following day (6th) the polls were opened and the elections held without trouble or disturbance. The troops were not permitted to interfere, and the votes registered differed by a very small fraction from the number usually cast. It is believed that not a single inhabitant of that region, soldier or citizen, returned from the Virginia side of the river on the day of the election.

Before the arrival of the command exaggerated rumors as to its mission had been circulated, and the inhabitants were in a state of great alarm. This was happily quieted, and kindness and a general desire to supply our wants continued during our stay. By many the vouchers of the Quartermaster’s Department were received in lieu of immediate payment. I was informed by various gentlemen of standing that had my troops been the first among them the feeling towards the Union would have been greatly strengthened, but that the carrying away of slaves and horses and the destruction of private property by a command under a Colonel Dwight, of Sickles’ brigade, had alienated many and driven others across the Potomac, who otherwise would have remained at home. Complaints of this command were universal. This brigade behaved – better than I expected, and marched exceedingly well. In their bivouacks they were exposed to a great deal of rain, and for infantry the roads were worse than I have ever seen. General Howard communicated with me from Lower Marlborough. Not deeming it important, I gave General Hooker no notice of my – position in his rear. I am, sir,

respectfully, your obedient servant,