The Civil War Arrives in Annapolis
On April 20, 1861, barely 30 days after the new President Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated 40 miles away in Washington, DC, the Civil War arrived in Annapolis in a most dramatic fashion.
Arriving by steamer, US General Benjamin Franklin Butler and the Massachusetts Infantry Regiment landed in Annapolis. Being the political capital of Maryland, it was an important early strategic target for the Union to secure. At the beginning of the war, there was a critical concern with establishing and maintaining logistics and communication between Washington DC and the North. Although Annapolis held none of the critical rails, roads and few key water links, it did contain the Governor of Maryland and the legislature.
Butler was a 'political' general and fought few large scale engagements in his career, being much more concern about issues of power and control. Thus, he quickly moved onto similar issues of security in Baltimore once Annapolis was secure. Perhaps, he is most famous for his much more draconian occupation of New Orleans later in the war where he established martial law and got into famous disputes with the citizenry.
April 29, 1861; The New York Herald
ANNAPOLIS, April 27—6 P.M.
"About twelve thousand troops in all have arrived at Annapolis. Three thousand from New York are expected tonight. I learn from good authority that no more troops will be ordered without complete preparation for service."
"The continued mild weather only saves great suffering. One thousand slept in the open air last night. There is plenty of provisions, but the Commissariat is badly organized. The supplies by the Kill Von Kull were timely, especially the tent cloth. Teams are in great demand for transport of medical stores."
"The brig of war Perry is stationed at the entrance of the harbor, and a fine park of artillery on the right. The tenth company of the Eighth Massachusetts regiment, Captain Briggs, in a steam tug, last night cut out the receiving ship Allegheny, in Baltimore harbor, and anchored her under Fort McHenry."
"General Butler says there is a musket guarding every rail between here and Washington. It is now the plan to place large bodies at intermediate stations. The Superintendent of the road was yesterday under arrest for taking up the rails."
"The Maryland Legislature is discussing the proposition to adjourn to Annapolis. It is expected to assemble here by Tuesday."
"The Legislature will not pass the ordinance of secession, but only arm the State. The professors of the Naval Academy await orders to Fort Adams, Newport, R. I. Steamers begin to ply to the neighboring places. Travelers from Washington and Baltimore report all quiet in those cities."
"Half the population of Annapolis have left the city."
Although no traumatic Civil War battles were fought here, a permanent Union army presence was established including Camps Burnside, Richmond and Parole. Camp Parole served as an out processing station for Union POWs, processing over 70,000 before war's end.
Annapolis today retains many less obvious reminders of the Civil War, including a plaque at the Naval Academy commemorating Butler, Parole, and the Civil War cemetery at West Street and Taylor Avenue.
