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[Illustration: Maj. Gen. ARNOLD ELZEY.]
THE
MARYLAND LINE
IN THE
CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
BY
W. W. GOLDSBOROUGH,
_Major in the late C. S. A._
BALTIMORE:
KELLY, PIET & COMPANY.
1869.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by
KELLY, PIET & CO.,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the District of
Maryland.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dedication.
TO MARYLAND’S GALLANT SON,
_Major-General Isaac R. Trimble,_
_THE SOLDIER “WITHOUT FEAR AND WITHOUT REPROACH,”_
These Pages are Dedicated,
_With the sincerest hope that his many Virtues and Lofty Heroism may be
Emulated by the Rising Generation of his Native State_.
CONTENTS
Dedication.
Introduction.
THE FIRST MARYLAND INFANTRY.
THE SECOND MARYLAND INFANTRY.
THE FIRST MARYLAND BATTALION OF CAVALRY.
CHANGES In the First Maryland Battalion of Cavalry.
RECAPITULATION. State of Battalion at the Close of the War.
CASUALTIES Of the Officers as near as can be remembered.
THE BALTIMORE LIGHT ARTILLERY.
ATKINS’ BRIGADE AT SECOND MANASSAS.
Introduction.
Almost four years have elapsed since the surrender of General Lee at
Appomattox Court House, and as yet nothing has been presented to the
world to show the prominent part taken in the Great Rebellion by the
sons of Maryland. It is a glorious and important page in her honored
history, and future generations seem likely to look in vain for a record
of the patient suffering and heroic achievements of their forefathers
when struggling for their rights against Yankee tyranny and oppression,
and which was not surpassed by their sires of the Revolution of ’76.
Thus believing, the author has yielded to the importunities of many of
the officers and men of the several commands that composed the young
“Maryland Line,” and presents to the public a little book describing
briefly its operations during those four eventful years, and to which
they can refer, and by which future historians may be in a measure
guided. That it is written by a feeble pen, and by one unaccustomed to
such work, will be seen at a glance, and he therefore craves the
indulgence of a generous people.
It is much to be regretted that the young men who went South did not
organize themselves into _one_ command; but the proper steps were not
taken in time, and consequently batteries and companies of infantry and
cavalry were assigned to other commands whose States were accredited
with their services. Nevertheless Maryland had one representative, at
least, in this little organization, and for which she has no reason to
blush.
The books at the War Department contained the names of over twenty
thousand Marylanders in the service, and still at no time could the
“Maryland Line” be increased to the proportions of a brigade, much less
a division.
One great reason for this was the fact that they were required to
officer companies, regiments, and brigades of troops from other States,
for, as a general thing, the young men from Maryland were of a superior
order intellectually, who were actuated by patriotism alone, and not
driven into the service by the conscript officer, or influenced by
mercenary motives.
Thinking to contribute to the interest of this little book, the author
has added a few incidents of a personal character, which, with the
“Maryland Line,” he hopes will be favorably received by the Southern
people, and by that portion of the people of the North from whom we
received a sympathizing tear during our struggle for independence.
BALTIMORE, February, 1869.
[Illustration]
THE
FIRST MARYLAND INFANTRY.
CHAPTER I.
It was towards the close of April, 1861, that several members of the
Baltimore City Guard Battalion (which organization had been under arms
since the memorable 19th) were sitting around the dinner table in their
armory, discussing the probability of Baltimore soon being in the
possession of the troops under the command of the subsequently infamous
Benjamin F. Butler. Various were the opinions expressed; but it was
pretty generally conceded that, to use Hawk-Eye’s expression, the city
“was circumvented,” and the Maryland Militia had no longer any terrors
for the doughty Butler and his legions. I had long before determined
upon going South, when I could no longer serve my native State; and such
was also the determination of most of those around me.
“The thing is up, boys,” said Dr. Harry Scott, Surgeon of the Guards,
“and we now begin to see who is who. All seemed mighty anxious for a
fight last Sunday; but, Lord, what a change has come over the spirit of
their dreams! of glory and of conquest, now that the city is about to
fall into the hands of the enemy. And how hard those who were most
violent at first, are now striving to prove themselves the most loyal
men in Baltimore. Then all were disloyal; now look at the loyal! and it
pains me to see many of this very organization appear here in citizen’s
dress, as though they were frightened at what they had done. There’s
Fulton, of the _American_, out this morning in an article denouncing the
outrage upon the American flag in opposing the passage of troops through
the city; and it is well known to all that he was among the first and
most earnest advocates of the measure. For my part, I am going South to
join the Confederate army.”
“And I, and I, and I,” came from a dozen present.
“And _I_,” exclaimed Jim Sellman, springing to his feet and assuming an
attitude that only Jim Sellman could assume. “_I_ tell you, gentlemen,
the Federal Union must not and _shall_ not be preserved, old Hickory to
the contrary, notwithstanding. Such an outrage as this coercion has
never before been perpetrated upon a free people; no, not since Noah
drove into the ark his monkeys, dromedaries, rhinoceroses, kangaroos,
etc., etc. But then the Lord told Noah to coerce the dumb brute for the
benefit of future generations; and it is the devil who tells this
government to drive us back into the Union, for the benefit of Yankee
cotton and boot and shoe manufacturers. I tell you it shan’t be ‘did;’
and I say again, in the language of the immortal Andrew Jackson, ‘The
Federal Union must not and shall not be preserved at the expense of
Southern independence,’ and I for one shall help to bust her. Follow me.
I’ll be your Beauregard. I’ll lead you on to victory or to death. Keep
in my foot-prints, that’s all.”
Twenty men volunteered upon the spot, whereupon the inimitable
Beauregard, (for so Sellman was ever after called,) placing his dexter
finger in his mouth, and imitating the popping of a champagne cork,
circulated the ice-water freely, declaring vehemently it was his
“treat.”
It was about the 7th of May that the party, now increased to forty men,
left Baltimore by the several routes to Richmond. Upon reaching that
city we met quite a number of Marylanders who had preceded us. Two
companies of infantry were quickly formed, and placed under the command
of Captains Edward R. Dorsey and J. Lyle Clark. A third was also
started, which, upon being completed, was commanded by the gallant Capt.
Wm. H. Murray.
I will not tire the reader with a description of our life at the camp of
instruction, to which place we were ordered after being mustered in; nor
of our quarters in the pig-pens, but lately occupied by the four-legged
recruits of the fair grounds; of the countless millions of fleas that
took up their quarters in closer proximity to our flesh than was
agreeable; of the _sweats_ around the race track at the double quick;
no, suffice it to say, that through the exertions of our officers, in a
very short time our drill and discipline rivalled that of the famous
Lexington cadets, who were upon the ground, and vast were the crowds
attracted by our afternoon drills and dress parades.
The 25th of June found the companies of Captains Dorsey and Murray in
Winchester, to complete the organization of the First Maryland. Capt.
Clark, for some reason, preferred attaching his company to the
Twenty-First Virginia Regiment, a step he ever after regretted, for the
regiment was sent to the wilds of West Virginia, where they saw but
little service, and were compelled to endure dreadful sufferings and
privations.
The companies of the regiment we met at Winchester had been organized at
Harper’s Ferry, where they were for several weeks engaged in picketing
Maryland Heights and other points, and through their exertions, in the
evacuation of the place and destruction of the rifle works, government
property of much value to us was saved that would have been otherwise
destroyed by the excited and thoughtless troops, for we were yet young
in the art of war.[1]
Footnote 1:
The property referred to as having been saved by them from the flames
which were enveloping the buildings that contained it, and fired by
other troops, was seventeen thousand gun stocks, which they received
permission to send to North Carolina as a testimonial of gratitude for
all she had done for them.
For their services upon this occasion, General Joseph E. Johnston issued
the following complimentary order:
HEADQUARTERS WINCHESTER, }
June 22d, 1861. }
SPECIAL ORDER.
The Commanding General thanks Lt. Col. Steuart and the Maryland
Regiment for the faithful and exact manner in which they carried out
his orders of the 19th inst. at Harper’s Ferry. He is glad to learn
that, owing to their discipline, no private property was injured and
no unoffending citizen disturbed. The soldierly qualities of the
Maryland Regiment will not be forgotten in the day of action.
By order of GEN. JOS. E. JOHNSTON.
W. M. WHITING, _Inspector General_.
The First Maryland was organized and officered as follows: Colonel,
Arnold Elzey; Lieutenant-Colonel, George H. Steuart; Major, Bradley T.
Johnson; Acting Adjutant, Frank X. Ward.
Company A.—Captain, W. W. Goldsborough; Lieutenants, George R. Shellman,
Chas. Blair and George M. E. Shearer.
Company B.—Captain, Columbus Edelin; Lieutenants, James Mullin, Thomas
Costello and Jos. Griffin.
Company C.—Captain, E. R. Dorsey; Lieutenants, S. H. Stewart, R. C.
Smith and William Thomas.
Company D.—Captain, James R. Herbert; Lieutenants, George Booth,
Nicholas Snowden and Willie Key Howard.
Company E.—Captain, Harry McCoy; Lieutenants, John Lutts, Joseph
Marriott and John Cushing. Edmund O’Brien was shortly after elected
Captain, McCoy having resigned.
Company F.—Captain, Louis Smith; Lieutenants, Joseph Stewart, William
Broadfoot and Thos. Holbrook.
Company G.—Captain, Willie Nicholas; Lieutenants, Alexander Cross and
John Deppich.
Company H.—Captain, Wm. H. Murray; Lieutenants, George Thomas, Frank X.
Ward and Richard Gilmor.
Some time after, whilst at Centreville, Company I joined us, having the
following officers:
Company I.—Captain, Michael S. Robertson; Lieutenants, H. H. Bean, Hugh
Mitchell and Eugene Diggs.[2]
Footnote 2:
There were many changes in the regiment afterwards.
The regiment numbered over seven hundred men, and was second to none in
the Confederate army. But two companies were uniformed at the time of
its organization, (those from Richmond), but soon after, through the
exertions of Mrs. Bradley T. Johnson, the whole command was dressed in
neat, well-fitting gray uniforms.
With the exception of two companies, the regiment was armed with the
deadly Mississippi rifle, which was also procured by Mrs. Johnson,
through her influence with the Governor of North Carolina, of which
State she was a native.
The organization had scarcely been effected when, in the afternoon of
the first day of July, orders were received to cook two day’s rations
and prepare to move at a moment’s notice. Our destination was for some
time unknown; but it was soon whispered around that Patterson had
crossed the Potomac at Williamsport with a large army, and, although
vigorously attacked by a brigade under General Jackson, was driving that
General before him, and advancing rapidly in the direction of
Winchester. At four o’clock, we commenced the march to meet the enemy,
every man full of confidence and enthusiasm. As we passed the then
beautiful residence of the Hon. James M. Mason, that venerable
gentleman, with his lovely family, stood in the gateway and bid us God
speed. Alas, Yankee vandals have been there since; and, when last I
visited the place, I found nothing but a mass of rubbish to mark the
spot where once stood the stately mansion of one of Virginia’s wisest
and purest statesmen.
That night the army went into camp near Bunker Hill, some ten miles from
Winchester. The march was resumed early next morning, and by twelve
o’clock our line of battle was formed a short distance beyond the little
village of Darksville, and about five miles from the advance of
Patterson’s army. To the First Maryland was assigned the post of honor,
the extreme right; and, had there been occasion, most stubbornly would
they have contested every inch of the ground they occupied.
The army, under the command of General Joseph E. Johnston, numbered
eleven thousand men of all arms, indifferently armed and equipped, and
totally unacquainted with the drill and discipline so essential to the
soldier; and yet these were the very troops that a few days later hurled
back the legions of McDowell from the plains of Manassas, and who now
threw down the gage of battle to Patterson and his twenty-five thousand
trained volunteers from the cities of the North. The material was there,
and time was only required to make them the invincible troops they
afterwards proved themselves on more than one hard fought battle field.
Four days we awaited the coming of the Federal army, although General
Johnston wished to avoid an engagement if possible. The odds were
fearful, two to one, but the troops were sanguine of success should the
enemy attack us upon ground of our own choosing. But the enemy did not
advance; and, fearing he was too far from Manassas, where Beauregard was
daily expecting an attack from McDowell, the Confederate commander
determined to fall back to Winchester, and from that place watch the
movements of Patterson.
A few days after, that General advanced his army to Bunker Hill, and
went into camp.
No change took place in the relative positions of the two armies until
the 18th day of July, when Patterson broke camp and moved around in the
direction of Charlestown.
General Johnston was quickly informed of this change of position by the
ever vigilant Colonel J. E. B. Stuart, in command of the cavalry; and
almost at the same hour he received a despatch from General Beauregard
announcing that the enemy had attacked him at Bull Run in heavy force,
and that he required assistance. Orders to march were immediately
issued, and by four o’clock the last of the troops filed through the
streets of Winchester. It was a silent march indeed. There were no
bright smiles to greet us from the fair daughters of the town; no waving
of handkerchiefs, no expression of joy; for all believed that the
Confederate army was retreating from the superior forces of Patterson,
and that they were soon to experience the horrors of a military
despotism. And the troops partook of the same feeling, for, as yet, our
destination had not been divulged to them. But few cheers were heard as
they moved sullenly along the quiet streets.
We took the Millwood road, and, after marching about three miles. Col.
Elzey halted the regiment and read the order to march to the assistance
of Beauregard.
“You are, therefore,” he continued, “on the march to meet the enemy;
and, in the hour of battle, you will remember that you are Marylanders.
Every eye from across the waters of the Potomac which separates you from
your homes is upon you, and all those who are dear to us are watching
with anxious, beating hearts the fleshing of your maiden sword. And they
shall not be disappointed, for he had better never been born who proves
himself a craven when we grapple with the foeman.”
A cheer that might have been heard for miles went up from that little
band of patriots; and, with flushed cheek and flashing eyes, they asked
to be led against the enemy.
All that night we pressed forward, halting at intervals for a few
minutes’ rest; and an hour before day we reached the Shenandoah at
Berry’s Ferry, where it was determined to halt for breakfast. At seven
o’clock we resumed our march, and, fording the river, crossed the
mountain at Ashby’s Gap, and took the road to Piedmont, on the line of
the Manassas Gap railroad, where we expected to find transportation to
the scene of strife. The day’s march was a distressing one, as the heat
was intolerable; but the gallant troops pressed rapidly forward,
stimulated by occasional reports from the battle field.
During the day, General Johnston organized his army into brigades,
which, it is strange to say, had been deferred until the very eve of
battle. It was our good fortune to be placed under the command of
General Kirby Smith, whose brigade was composed of the First Maryland,
Colonel Elzey; Thirteenth Virginia, Col. A. P. Hill (afterwards the
famous corps commander); Tenth Virginia, Colonel Gibbons, and Third
Tennessee, Colonel Vaughn.
Piedmont was reached late that night by the rear of the army in the
midst of a terrific thunderstorm, and, despite the pelting rain, the
exhausted troops threw themselves upon the soaking ground and slept
soundly until morning.