The Burning of Chelsea by Walter Merriam Pratt

Troops arrived all night on April 12, coming from different parts of the State. They were quartered in the electric cars stalled in Chelsea Square, in Grand Army Hall, in stores, and in fact, about any place where they happened to be. It mattered little, as very few men got a chance to sleep. Headquarters were established at the Police Station in the Court House, Colonel Charles P. Nutter taking command, being relieved later by Colonel E. Leroy Sweetser. A very heavy sentry detail was swung out during the night, forming a complete cordon around the burned area and the houses on the edge, which were only partly destroyed. Each man had ten rounds of ball cartridges issued him with instructions to use them if his challenge was unheeded. Orders had been issued to pass no one in or out of the burned area during the night, but early in the morning orders were given to admit those with passes.

The following is the first general order issued in Chelsea: --