Guarding the telegraph on the Delmarva Peninsula
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 24, 1862:
Guarding the telegraph.
The Second regiment E. S. Home Guards, Col. Wilkins, is detailed for duty to guard the telegraph line from Salisbury, Maryland, to Cape Charles, Virginia. Headquarters at Drummond town; Lieutenant-Colonel at Newtown, Major at Eastville; one half of the command will be stationed below and one-half above Drummondtown.
The 2d Maryland Eastern Shore Regiment provided diverse and colorful service as an occupying force on Virginia’s Eastern Shore for the first two years of the war. They will play an important role in repairing storm damaged telegraph lines critical to the conveyance of news from the Battle of Hampton Roads to Lincoln in Washington.
I am writing a book on Virginia’s Eastern Shore during the war. Would be delighted to know of any diaries, papers, etc., relating to this unit, other than the Rogers Papers at Duke.
Thank you for the information, Kellee. Best wishes on your book. It sounds like an interesting topic.