Washington, Sunday Evening, May 5.
Yesterday, Gen. Scott forwarded dispatches to Gen. Butler, at Annapolis, placing the Massachusetts Sixth Regiment and other troops at his command, and giving him three days to take possession of the Relay House, at the junction of the Baltimore and Ohio and Baltimore and Washington railways, nine miles from Baltimore and thirty from Washington. Butler responded that he would hold religious services there today. The Sixth Massachusetts Regiment went up early this morning. This movement is made to co-operate with the Pennsylvania troops now advancing upon Baltimore on the other side.
Baltimore, Sunday Noon, May 5. — The Fifty Second New York Regiment, and the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, have arrived at the Relay House, nine miles from Baltimore. They came in a train from Washington, and took possession of the telegraph wires, planted eight howitzers on the viaduct, and invested the entire neighborhood. They have encamped on the grounds of Wm. Talbot, adjoining those of Geo. W. Dobbin, on the west side of the Patapsco river. This point is the junction of the Baltimore and Ohio, and the Washington branch railroad, and gives full command of the road to and from the west. Telegraphic communication with Harper’s Ferry is cut off, and it is rumored that no more trains west are to be allowed to leave. It is understood that this sudden movement is the basis of operations to retake Harper’s Ferry.
It is rumored this evening that several vessels loaded with troops are coming up the Patapsco river, towards Baltimore.
On the Northern Central Railway a large force of men are to-day engaged in building the first bridge outside the city, and the road to the city in the direction of Pennsylvania will be finished to-morrow. The work on Bush river bridge, on the Philadelphia road will be commenced and finished in two or three days. About half the members of the legislature are in this city, and if communication is shut off from Frederick, they will not be able to get back to-morrow.
Worcester Daily Spy, Worcester, MA
Relay House
In 1861, Relay House was an important rail junction and the second busiest station on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad after Baltimore itself. Union soldiers were based at Relay House for the duration of the war to prevent Confederate sabotage of the crucial junction.