That day, the 21st of April, 1861, will ever be memorable in the history of Baltimore, less for the events it brought than for the feeling it disclosed. For nearly half a century, no enemy had menaced the city or State, and a generation had grown up, that, for the most part, knew nothing of war but by report. Yet, no sooner was it known that an armed force was approaching, bent, if not on the destruction of the city, at least on forcing a passage through, than the whole population rose up as by a single impulse to resist the invasion.

There was no question of party or class; all differences, all distinctions, were merged in the common feeling. Boys stood beside graybeards. Republican shouldered democrat, merchants and professional men touched elbows with mechanics and laborers, in the rank of the citizen soldiery. Volunteers came hurrying in from the counties, eager to share in the perils of the conflict.

Baltimore Men Battle the 6th Massachusetts Regiment in the Streets