At the time of organization, the uniform adopted was of a semi-zouave type, dark blue with red trimmings, the trousers loose to the knee, with russet leather leggins—grey shirt, a cut away jacket buttoned at the top with a loop, and a regular military cap trimmed with red. This made a very attractive uniform. Unfortunately during the stay in Quincy, the salt air took out the color, and before going into service the men were provided with regulation United States uniforms.
The guns were fine United States bronze ordnance guns from the Watervliet Arsenal, N. Y., rifled at Alger's Foundry in South Boston and throwing a shell made by Schenkel, a very ingenious German. One kind of shell was in the shape of a sugar loaf with hollowed bore filled with papier-maché and weighing ten and one-half pounds, a pound of powder being used to fire it. When discharged, the papier-maché would swell out, fill the grooves and give the shell a twist. The noise the projectile made on leaving the gun was very similar to that of a locomotive going through a tunnel. When the shell exploded, it flew all to bits—not two or three fragments but forty or fifty pieces.
Another shell prepared by Schenkel was exceedingly deadly. It was filled with bullets and between the bullets sulphur was poured in to keep them in place. The horses were strong Vermont horses worth $150.00 to $200.00 each.
Boston Journal, February 22, 1903.
So the journey began, by rail to Stonington, then by boat to New York, then to Jersey City and over the old Camden and Amboy road to Philadelphia, arriving there Monday morning, August 11, 1861.
A quotation from the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin says:
"Captain Nims' celebrated Light Artillery consisting of six pieces of rifled cannon, with caissons, ordnance wagons, one ambulance, together with 140 horses arrived at Washington Avenue, at five o'clock. The company consists of 150 men who are strong, hearty fellows just fitted for artillery service. During the delay before starting for Baltimore, the men sang several pieces, among them America and Glory Hallelujah. The Union Volunteer Refreshment Committee provided them with breakfast and the men were loud in their praise of Philadelphia beneficence."
On arriving at Baltimore the men went into camp on the estate of the Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart on West Baltimore Street, the camp bearing the name of Camp Hale. Here drill was resumed in earnest, battery, piece and sabre drill and target practise.
A letter to the Boston Journal bearing the date August 18, 1861 gives the following picture of camp life.
Camp Hale, Baltimore,