August 18, 1861.
To the Editor of the Boston Journal:
We came through Baltimore on the 12th, on our way from Camp Adams to this encampment, which is situated on West Baltimore Street, is a half-mile outside of the city, and in General Stuart's Park, which is a beautiful place for an encampment, though as a park it is pretty well used up. General Stuart is a general in the rebel army, and at this place there were seized five hundred stand of arms. We have plenty of fruit here, but do not eat much. The Baltimoreans use us well and treat us as if we were their own citizens, but this may be owing somewhat to our guns. There are a good many secessionists here, but they keep very quiet and we do not have much to say to them. Coming through Baltimore we enlivened the streets with "Glory Hallelujah," and some savage faces were shown to us, but the sight of our seven-shooters kept them very quiet.
We have just returned from bathing, and for this purpose we go within one mile of the Relay House, the roads being lined with thick woods. Houses are very scarce outside of the city, and very old and small, looking like huts. On Saturday we marched to the Pratt Street depot for the purpose of receiving and escorting two of our Massachusetts regiments, but they did not arrive, thus disappointing us and themselves, we have no doubt. The captain has just learned that some arms are stored in Pratt Street, and has ordered our detachment to attend to examining the premises and putting things in order. To do this we take one baggage wagon, one gun, and twenty-five men, each armed with two seven-shooters and sabre, and thus we make easy work of it
We like our officers. Our captain is a man in the right place. We all like him, for he looks out for the boys. And we have a fine set of men, are very happily situated and every evening we have camp life in full activity.
Our camp is somewhat different from that of a regiment, not having quite such strict orders to conform to, and having no guard duty to perform, that being done by the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment. We are in excellent health, having had but one sick man since we left Camp Adams. It is probable we shall remain here for the present. Today is Sunday and most of the men are writing home. It is quite warm, but we have had no warmer weather here than we found at home. All letters should be directed to "Camp Hale," Baltimore, care Capt. O. F. Nims, Second Company Massachusetts Artillery.
Encamped at Baltimore at the same time was the 17th Massachusetts, and a letter written by a member of that regiment follows:
To the Boston Journal, September 5.
"Nims' Artillery is at our left hand and a better set of fellows, officers and men were never brought together. May we remain together 'in union and for the Union' is the hearty wish of our officers. Our band goes over to their headquarters twice a week and the enlivening strains cause joy to them and will help to unite the two commands in still stronger fetters than the mere fact that we are all 'Bay State boys.' That is a strong card out here and when we unite in symphony as well as harmony it's a pretty good tune."—
The boys won the respect and esteem of the citizens of Baltimore, even of the Southern sympathizers, and on October 16, the loyal citizens of Ward 19 presented to the battery a flag 20 x 35 feet which was mounted on a flag staff 100 feet in height prepared by the men.