The Baltimore Clipper gives an account of the event:
"Yesterday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, a large flag 26 x 20 feet, was raised to the top of the pole which is 100 feet high, erected by the members of Nims' Boston Battery, at Camp Andrew, West Baltimore Street extended. At the appointed hour the line was formed in the rear of the pole, and the six-rifled cannon placed in front, in a line facing the city. The 17th Massachusetts Regiment then formed a hollow square on the north side, when the Rev. Mr. Marshall, of the Twelfth Presbyterian Church, Franklin Street, by invitation, advanced to the center of the square and offered a most fervent prayer, imploring divine mercies upon this Government.
"At a signal given the flag was run to the top of the pole, during which the band of the 17th Massachusetts Regiment struck up the Star Spangled Banner, and at every tap of the bass drum a gun was fired. Three cheers were then given for the Stars and Stripes, which were joined in by the many hundreds present. Upon quiet being restored, the band played Yankee Doodle and Hail Columbia, and at each sound of the bass drum there was a gun fired. This manner of salute, which is very common in Boston, is something new here, and created considerable applause.
"After the ceremonies had ended, we were invited to take a stroll through the camp, which we accepted, and were much gratified with our visit. We found the men to be the most gentlemanly and agreeable set of fellows it has been our pleasure to meet for a long time. This battery does all its own work, such as horse-shoeing, harness making, saddling, etc.
"From the general appearance of things, it looks as if they intended to quarter there for the winter, although all with whom we conversed seemed anxious to go to the seat of war. Their pieces are all marked No. 2, but this is certainly the 'No. 1' Battery, and is so considered by all who know them, and any person who does not know them to be such, only need witness one of their drills to be convinced of the fact. The flag was a present from the Union men of the 19th Ward."
Still another clipping from a Boston newspaper for the truth of which we will not vouch, however, is entitled "None but the Brave deserve the Fair." "We learn by a private letter written by a member of 'Nims' Light Battery' from Baltimore, that its members are a little inclined to make sad havoc with the affections of the young ladies of that city. 'Within the last few weeks three or four marriages have taken place. The "Battery boys" have been in great favor with the Union people ever since their arrival in the city, and by their gentlemanly behavior and good conduct have strengthened their friends' worthy appreciation. Within a fortnight one of them, a young man of Boston, led to the altar a daughter of one of the most respectable and wealthy Union citizens of Baltimore. One of the lieutenants and two privates have also enjoyed the pleasure of married life.'"
On the 4th of November the battery, together with the 4th Wisconsin Regiment, Col. H. E. Paine, and an independent company of Pennsylvania cavalry, Captain Richards, started on an expedition down the Chesapeake, landing at Whitehaven, Md., on the Wiacomo River and marching to Princess Ann where they spent the night in the court house. The next day, the march was continued to Snow Hill. On that day, the men experienced some of the minor hardships of a soldier's life, for we read in the diary of George Houghton:
"A very hard march in the rain over awful roads of sand and mud and the last two miles the water two feet deep. Some of the infantry gave out as this was their first experience and we took them on our wagons and caissons. After traveling twenty miles we had to go to bed without any supper for the Jersey Blue, the boat carrying our rations, lost its way up the river and was a day late. I slept in the guard tent and most froze to death."
Another says: "We were quartered in a negro church but no peace for the weary or hungry there. As our rations had not arrived, we came out minus on the supper question, all the food having been secured for the infantry, who had seen hard marching and wading for a first experience."
The day previous to the arrival at Snow Hill had been election day and the vote in the town had stood one majority in favor of secession.