Schuyler Hamilton to Benjamin F. Butler, May 11, 1861

Brig. Gen. B. F. BUTLER, Commanding Department of Annapolis :

GENERAL: General Scott is informed of certain reported irregulari- – ties committed by troops guarding road from Annapolis to Junction. It being represented to him that there are quartermaster horses at Annapolis or others available for such service, also saddles and bridles sufticient to mount fifty men, it has been suggested to him that if fifty mounted men could be posted at Millersville, half way from Annapolis to Junction, a guard of infantry at Annapolis depot, a guard at Beltsville also of infantry, you would be able, by causing mounted patrols say of ten men each, passing from Millersville to Annapolis and from Millersville to Annapolis Junction, to secure the police of the road, especially as it has to be passed over by working parties after each heavy train to repair breaks, &¢.—be enabled to concentrate at such points as you may deem expedient, say either the Junction or Annapolis, the small detachments of the Fifth New York, now strung along the road; by which means the discipline of the troops may be improved and the opportunities for irregularities lessened. These are only suggestions. General Scott does not desire horses to be purchased for this service, but if not already at Annapolis, horses may be expected to arrive from day to day, or the men attached to battery of Sixth and Eighth New York might be detailed for this service. The Chief of the Quartermaster’s Department sees no objection for this use of the number of horses specified from those of his department should they be on hand or arrive. The details of this arrangement, if it meet with your approval, are left entirely to your discretion. This is a letter of suggestions, not orders, so far as relates to this matter.

The General-in-Chief desires you, as Baltimore is within your department, to issue an order to Lieut. Thomas Grey, Second Artillery, now (lischarging the duties of acting assistant commissary of subsistence at Baltimore, to perform the duties of acting assistant quartermaster at the same point.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,