Company B, Captain J. Parran Crane.—Killed, Sergeant Thomas S. Freeman;

private Warren F. Moore; wounded, Second Lieutenant James H. Wilson,

severely; Sergeant Z. Francis Freeman, slightly; Corporal George Hayden,

mortally; Corporal Thomas Simms, severely; Corporal Thomas F. Wheatley,

slightly; privates, James P. Alnez, severely; John H. Chunn, slightly;

Edgar Combs, slightly; Thomas J. Delogier, seriously; Albert Fenwick,

slightly; Henry Ford, slightly; John A. Hayden, severely; James B.

Keech, severely; Thomas Magill, slightly; Joseph H. Milstread, slightly;

Wm. H. Simms, severely; Wm. L. Turner, slightly; Henry Turner, severely;

James K. Webster, dangerously; John W. Wills, severely; James H. Wills,

severely.

Company C, First Lieutenant Charles W. Hodges commanding.—Killed, First

Sergeant Robert H. Cushing; privates, Samuel Duvall, Michael Davis,

Jeremiah Dulaney, Bernard Kenney, Benjamin L. Lanham, James McWilliams,

John T. O’Byrn, Benjamin Payne; wounded, Second Lieutenant Joseph W.

Barber, mortally; Second Lieutenant Thomas H. Tolson, slightly; Sergeant

George Probst, severely; Corporals Beale D. Hamilton, mortally; James A.

Lawson, mortally; privates, Samuel Anderson, mortally; Robert H. Clough,

slightly; Tobias Duvall, seriously; Thomas Edgar, mortally; Samuel H.

Hamilton, slightly; Edgar Hammond, mortally; Charles Hammond, slightly;

John McGwinn, severely; Wm. V. McCann, seriously; James Nash, mortally;

Wm. L. Nichols, mortally; Frank R. Steele, severely; Wm. H. Skinner,

slightly; Wm. H. Shipley, severely; John G. White, slightly; captured,

Corporal Edward A. Welch; privates, Robert M. Dawson, Walter Mullikin,

Francis E. Storm, Justus Schutz.

Company D, Captain Joseph L. McAleer.—Killed, privates, James A. Brown,

Cornelius Keron; wounded, Sergeant Wm. Jenkins, slightly; Corporals

Joshua Owings, mortally; Emmett M. Webb, mortally; privates, Lewis

Green, severely; Richard G. Killman, slightly; John Hayes, slightly;

Philip Lipscomb, slightly; John H. Septer, severely; Wm. Watts,

slightly; James H. O’Brien, severely; Thomas J. Hines, seriously;

captured, privates Wm. Hogarthy, John Lamb.

Company E, Captain John W. Torsch.—Killed, none. Wounded, First

Lieutenant Wm. J. Broadfoot, mortally; Sergeant P. M. Moore, mortally;

Corporals, John Cain, slightly; James Reddie, severely; privates,

Michael Barry, severely; Charles E. Byus, severely; John Brown,

severely; Alex. Brandt, slightly; James Fallon, slightly; Edward Fallis,

severely; Stephen Helbig, severely; James Lamates, severely; Daniel

McGee, slightly; John N. Martin, slightly; Wm. P. Moran, severely; Frank

Roberts, severely; Herman Radecke, severely; John Sullivan, severely;

Wm. Wilkinson, slightly. Captured, Michael Burke.

Company F, Captain Andrew J. Gwynn.—Killed, Henry G. Taylor; wounded,

Captain Andrew J. Gwynn, slightly; Second Lieutenant John G. Hyland,

slightly; First Sergeant Nicholas J. Mills, severely; Sergeant Joseph S.

Wagner, severely; privates, Leroy Anderson, slightly; George H.

Claggett, slightly; J. N. Claggett, slightly; Philip Doyle, severely;

Lemuel Dunnington, slightly; Benjamin Hodges, slightly; Benjamin F.

Dement, severely; Robert Holder, severely; Minion F. Knott, severely;

Alexis V. Keepers, slightly; Samuel Polk, severely; John W. Thompson,

slightly; R. Wagner, severely.

Company G, Captain Thomas R. Stewart.—Killed, Second Lieutenant William

C. Wrightson; privates, J. S. Littleford, J. H. Gossom, W. B. Cator.

Wounded, Captain Thomas R. Stewart, severely; Corporal Edward Briddell,

severely; privates, J. R. Fentswait, mortally; W. B. Fontain, mortally;

E. W. Breslin, mortally; Charles A. Clarke, severely; James Abbott,

severely; Benjamin F. Twilly, severely; D. B. P. Yingle, severely; W. A.

Vickers, severely; S. E. Adkins, Daniel Boyles, slightly; J. L.

Woolford, slightly; William Robbins, slightly. Captured, privates L. H.

Weaver, Ross Messick.

CHAPTER VIII.

During the latter part of the night of the 3d, and all day of the 4th,

the weary and dispirited troops of Lee retraced their steps. There was

no confusion, no disorganization, for, except the depleted ranks, the

army was as intact as when it marched over the same road but a few hours

before, on their way, as they believed, to certain victory. But how

different must have been the feelings of all as they looked around and

missed the familiar forms and features of their comrades now still in

death or prisoners in the hands of the enemy, thousands of them wounded

and dying. To add to their wretchedness the rain commenced to fall in

torrents shortly after they began their retrograde movement, and

continued the whole of the next day, making the marching very fatiguing

and the roads almost impassible for the wagon trains.

Steadily they retired, followed by the army of Meade at a respectful

distance. In fact it was a mere show of following that was demanded by

the people of the North after what they believed to have been a great

victory.

“Do not let the army of Lee escape you,” was more than once telegraphed

to the Federal General. But that officer knew better than all others the

shattered and disorganized condition of his own army, and the certain

destruction that awaited him should he venture an attack. To follow,

then, to quiet the clamorings of the people and the officials at

Washington, was all he pretended to do. Had this not been the case he

would have gladly taken up the gage of battle so defiantly thrown down

to him by General Lee at Hagerstown, and where he suffered him to remain

until the Confederate Commander, tired of waiting, again resumed his

march by the same slow stages towards the Potomac.

On the 14th of July, Steuart’s brigade recrossed the river at

Williamsport, and took up the line of march in the direction of

Martinsburg, after an absence from Virginia’s soil of just twenty-six

days, of which eleven were spent in Pennsylvania and fifteen in

Maryland.

Passing through Martinsburg, destroying the railroad at and near that

place, the command went into camp near Darksville, where it was

determined to rest and recruit the tired troops for a few days.

On the 22d Johnson’s division broke camp near Darksville and proceeded

to Winchester, where it arrived that evening after a fatiguing day’s

march.

Next morning rumors prevailed that the enemy were crossing at Snicker’s

Gap, and the troops were hurried forward to check, and if possible drive

them back. They were found in no force, however, and after a little

artillery practice they retired.

Passing through Front Royal and Luray, and crossing the mountains at

Thompson’s Gap, on the 28th of July they took the road leading to

Madison Court House, and passing through that once beautiful village,

marched for Orange Court House, via Gordonsville, crossing the Rapidan

at Liberty Mills, and arriving at their place of destination on the even

of August 1st.

The division was destined to remain here some time, and the incidents

attending its stay, and many of the subsequent movements of the Second

Maryland, I will give the reader in the form of a diary.

Friday, September 6th.—Up to this date but little of interest has

transpired since our arrival, August 1st. The troops have greatly

recovered their spirits since the disastrous invasion of Pennsylvania,

and are eager to again meet the enemy. We are now thoroughly organized,

and although our regiments and brigades do not number as many men as

they did three months ago, still we have a large and efficient army.

To-day, at five o’clock, P. M., we were called upon to witness a sad,

sad scene, in the execution of ten men in the Third North Carolina, of

our Brigade. Their crime was desertion, and that under peculiar

circumstances. They were men of families, and intelligence had reached

them that their wives and little ones were in want. Unable to resist the

appeal, these poor fellows started off without leave to succor them if

possible. But, unfortunately, they took their arms with them. An officer

of their regiment (Adjutant Mallett) was sent to bring them back, and

was killed. They were apprehended, tried by court-martial, and sentenced

to death. All that it was possible to do was done by their friends to

save them, but in vain; and these brave men, who had proved their

devotion to the cause in which they had embarked on many a bloody field,

were at last to die by the hands of their comrades. The execution took

place upon the brigade drill ground, and was witnessed by the whole

division, which was drawn up so as to form three sides of a square. The

doomed men evinced the greatest firmness when pinioned to the stakes,

and died like the brave men they were. At the first fire all fell dead

but one, and it was necessary to discharge three shots into his body

before life was extinct. It was indeed a sad, sickening sight.

September 11th.—To-day we had a grand review of Ewell’s Second Army

Corps, by General Lee, who expressed himself highly pleased.

September 19th.—This morning the whole of Johnson’s division moved in

the direction of Fredericksburg, and halted, after a march of twenty

miles, at Mitchell’s Ford, on the Rapidan, where we formed line of

battle, in anticipation of an attack from the enemy, as several small

parties of Federal troops could be seen in the distance. The command

remained here until the 8th of October, inviting an attack, without

being gratified, when the division returned to within five miles of

Orange Court House.

October 9th.—This is a cold, frosty morning, and at daylight we moved

towards Madison Court House, and encamped within four miles of the

place.

October 10th.—We were awakened at five o’clock, and moved at six,

passing to the right of Madison Court House, and shortly after forded

Robinson’s River, where our cavalry had a skirmish, capturing about one

hundred of the enemy. After crossing the river, we moved in the

direction of Culpepper Court House, and encamped within eight miles of

it. During the evening heavy cannonading was heard in our front, and it

seemed as though a fight was imminent, as it was well known Meade, with

his whole army, were not far off.

October 11th.—The column moved at early dawn, and, marching slowly, went

into camp in the vicinity of Culpepper Court House. During our march we

saw evidences, on every side, of Yankee vandalism. Whole fields of corn

had been wantonly destroyed, and the citizens complained bitterly of the

treatment they had received.

October 12th.—We were aroused at two o’clock in the morning, but did not

move until half-past six, when we continued the road to Culpepper,

passing a great many deserted camps, which gave every evidence that the

enemy had abandoned them in haste. Leaving Culpepper to the right, the

command soon after forded Hazel River, and struck the Warrenton turnpike

at Jeffersontown.

From this place to the Rappahannock, a distance of three miles, a sharp

skirmish ensued, the enemy retiring. In this affair quite a number of

prisoners were captured. At dark we crossed the river, and took up our

quarters in a deserted camp.

October 13th.—The column moved at sunrise, taking the Warrenton pike,

and passed through what was once the beautiful Warrenton Springs, though

now nothing but a mass of ruins. From thence our route lay through the

village of Warrenton, six miles distant, and near which we encamped for

the night. It is now pretty generally believed a fight will not take

place this side of Manassas, twenty-two miles distant, as the enemy are

rapidly falling back.

October 14th.—We moved at sunrise, taking the road to Manassas. The

cannonading was heavy during the entire day. After marching sixteen

miles the division went into camp about five miles from the old

battle-field.

October 16th.—Early in the morning the brigade moved to the front and

formed line of battle at Bristow’s Station. A sharp artillery fight soon

after commenced which was very destructive to the horses, though

fortunately the men escaped with a few slight wounds.

We remained in this vicinity two days, busily engaged destroying the

railroad, when we turned our faces towards the Rappahannock, marching

parallel with the road, and crossed over a temporary bridge on the 19th.

October 26th.—The division moved at 7 A. M. and recrossed the

Rappahannock and advanced to Bealton Station, where it formed line of

battle.

October 27th.—All quiet save a little skirmishing between the cavalry

and artillery. To-day at dress parade the long-looked for order was read

detaching the battalion from the brigade, and transferring it to the

command of Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, who had been ordered by General

Lee to assemble the Maryland Line, and picket the line on his flank from

the White House to New Kent Court House, and protect his communications

with Richmond, with his Headquarters at Hanover Junction, where the

North and South Anna rivers were of vital importance to him.

On the 2d of November the battalion took the cars at Brandy Station and

arrived at the Junction next day.

Although the men had endured such great privations in the long and

arduous campaign of the summer, they left the front with regret; but

they were still anxious to see the Maryland Line assembled once more,

and to be with their old friends and companions. In the Line every man

felt a deep interest and took a just pride, and it was hoped that should

they be again united they would never be separated. It was not from any

feelings of dislike to General Steuart that they openly expressed this

preference, but that the General could not be induced to believe, and

for sometime before their departure he had been exceedingly arbitrary in

his treatment of them, which did engender a dislike, and therefore the

order to leave was hailed with delight.

The author has forgotten to mention, and will here give it but a passing

notice, that whilst encamped at Orange Court House, the battalion was

augmented by an eighth company, from Richmond, under the command of one

Captain C. C. Callan. They were not Marylanders, but a set of worthless

men, with a few exceptions, who had been taken out of the military

prisons there. It was contrary to the wishes of the officers and men of

the Second Maryland that they were assigned to that command, and the

matter, for a time, excited no little feeling. However, they were not

long troubled with Captain Callan, who was dismissed the service,

whereupon most of the men deserted. The few who remained were still

designated a company, and by their choice Lieutenant Bussey, of Company

D, became their Captain.

CHAPTER IX.

In a short time after the arrival of the infantry, Colonel Johnson had

assembled the whole of the Maryland Line at the Junction, and

immediately proceeded to establish his lines and erect winter quarters.

The beautiful situation selected was soon cleared, trees were felled,

and in a little while villages were reared that would have done credit

to more experienced builders.

After having done everything possible to contribute to their bodily

comfort for the winter, they turned their attention to something of a

spiritual nature, and soon, under the direction of their “fighting

parson,” the Reverend Mr. Cameron, a neat and substantial little chapel

graced the grounds.

The winter, and away into spring, was passed here most pleasantly, and

was one ever to be remembered. Scarcely a week went by but the camp was

enlivened by the appearance of throngs of lady acquaintances from

Richmond and the surrounding country, and by the management of that most

estimable of women, Mrs. Bradley Johnson, parties, concerts, and balls

were frequently gotten up. These were largely attended, and for the time

the cares and privations of the field were forgotten. And then on the

Sabbath day it was truly an interesting sight to see the gallant fellows

escorting the fair damsels of the neighborhood to their little church to

listen to the word of God.

But things cannot always be as we would wish, for about the first of

March, 1864, the peace and quiet of their camp was invaded by a rumor

that the Yankee cavalry under Kilpatrick was coming down upon them.

Instant preparations were made to give them a reception. The infantry

was not brought into requisition, but taking the cavalry and two pieces

of artillery Colonels Johnson and Brown harrassed them for days, a

detailed account of which will be found in the operations of the

cavalry.

After the raid of Kilpatrick everything went on as before, and weeks

glided by in this delightful place almost imperceptibly.

About the 10th of May, by General Order No. 38, A. I. G. Office, General

Arnold Elzey was ordered to Staunton to recruit and receive transferred

Marylanders from other commands, and it was for a time hoped that the

Maryland Line would be much increased in numbers, and in the future kept

intact. But in this they were disappointed, for the men, now accustomed

to their officers, and having made their associations where they were,

preferred to remain. But few were, therefore, added to the little

command. This failure to increase the numbers of the Line necessitated

the distribution of the several commands to other bodies, and never

after did they operate together. Colonel Johnson was ordered to the

command of a cavalry brigade in Early’s army in the Valley, and took the

cavalry with him. The artillery was also ordered to report to Early soon

after the battle of Cold Harbor, whilst the infantry was assigned to

Breckinridge, as will be seen.

On the 27th of April winter quarters were broken up, and the troops left

the little village in which they had spent so many happy hours with

regret.

The campaign of the year was now about to be inaugurated, and they were

to change the quiet and (in this instance) pleasures of the camp for the

perils and privations of the field.

After a short march the battalion went into temporary quarters a little

distance southwest from the Junction, on the old telegraph road.

After remaining here until the 23d of May, most of the time engaged in

guarding the various railroad bridges in the vicinity, the Second

Maryland was ordered to Hanover Court House, there to await orders from

General Breckinridge.

On the 26th, by order of that General, it joined his division, when the

whole moved down the telegraph road and halted within ten miles of

Richmond.

On the 28th the march was resumed as far as Atlas Station, where next

morning slight skirmishing ensued, in which the enemy were repulsed.

On the morning of the 30th they opened a heavy artillery fire upon

Breckinridge’s command, which was as vigorously responded to, and kept

up until the evening of the 31st, the battalion sustaining a loss of but

one man wounded.

June 2d.—In the early part of to-night the division moved in the

direction of Gaines’ Mills by way of Mechanicsville, passing on the road

many destitute families fleeing from the neighborhood. There were a

large number of children among them who were suffering terribly from

hunger, and their appeals to the rough soldiers for a mouthful of food

was distressing indeed. These shared their day’s rations with them, and

they eagerly devoured the coarse bacon raw.

In the afternoon the division of Breckinridge reached the farm of Dr.

Gaines, and took its position in line of battle, which was upon the same

ground held by the Federals in the memorable engagement of the 27th of

June, 1862. The Second Maryland was here held in reserve, to support

Echols’ brigade of Virginians, and formed line about one hundred yards

in rear of the main body.

The skirmishing was very heavy during the afternoon and evening, and the

enemy made repeated attempts to charge the Confederate lines, but the

utmost efforts of their officers failed to induce the troops to leave

the shelter of the woods in which they were posted.

During the night the lines were strengthened by the arrival of Wilcox’s

and Finnegan’s brigades, which also formed in reserve.

June 3d.—To-day is memorable in the history of the glorious little

Second Maryland, for they this day won honors of which every Marylander

may be justly proud, and wrung from the great Lee, in his official

report, a compliment which will live forever on the pages of history.

At the break of day the command was hastily aroused from its slumbers by

the loud peals of cannon and the rattle of small arms. Springing to

their feet, what was their surprise to behold that part of the line of

battle in their immediate front precipitately retreating, and abandoning

their works, and the artillery there stationed, to the enemy, who were

swarming over the breastworks. But an instant was, however, left for

reflection. Another moment and their own artillery, double shotted with

canister, would be turned upon them, and their destruction was

inevitable, and, perhaps, the destruction of the whole division. And

then and there they did what few troops had ever done before. Almost

spontaneously (for in the confusion and noise no command could be heard)

they rushed upon the overwhelming masses of the Federal infantry with

the bayonet, and wrested the guns from their hands just as they were

about to belch forth death and destruction to all who stood in their

way. A most desperate and sanguinary hand-to-hand struggle then ensued,

in which the bayonet and the short swords of the officers were used with

dreadful effect, and it can be said to be one of the few instances of

the kind in the history of battles. The enemy did not long withstand

this mad attack, but fled over the breastworks and sought the cover of

the line of works from which they had just emerged, falling by hundreds

at every step, from the fire of the recaptured artillery and the deadly

minnie that relentlessly pursued them. Again and again they advanced,

but right upon the heels of the Maryland boys had followed Finnegan,

with his Floridians, and the utmost efforts of the heavy Federal columns

failed to make the least impression, and the result was, that the whole

ground in front was strewn with the dead and wounded of the enemy, and

at the close of the sanguinary battle of Cold Harbor Breckinridge

remained master of his position, with several hundred prisoners in his

possession, captured in the headlong charge of the Marylanders.

The fight was not yet ended when the glorious Breckinridge, who had

witnessed it all, dashed up, and, with tears of gratitude streaming down

his classic face, extolled their conduct and thanked them for what they

had done; and even as he did so he came near falling a victim to his own

generous impulses, for a cannon shot struck his noble charger full in

the breast, and horse and rider fell heavily to the ground. Except a few

bruises, however, the General escaped unhurt.

Here is what “a Virginian” says, in the Richmond _Sentinel_, of the part

taken by the Marylanders in this great battle:

NEAR RICHMOND, June 6th, 1864.

_Mr. Editor_—The public have already been informed, through the

columns of the public journals, of the general results of the late

engagements between the forces of General Lee and General Grant. But

they have not yet learned the particulars, which are always most

interesting, and in some instances, owing to the confusion which

generally attends large battles, they have been misinformed on some

points. It is now known by the public that the enemy were

momentarily successful in one of their assaults on the lines held by

Major General Breckinridge’s division, which might have resulted in

disaster to our cause.

It will be interesting to all to know what turned disaster into

victory, and converted a triumphant column into a flying rabble. The

successful assault of the enemy was made under cover of darkness,

before the morning star had been hid by the light of the sun. They

came gallantly forward in spite of a severe fire from General

Echols’ brigade, and in spite of the loss of many of their men, who

fell like autumn leaves, until the ground was almost blue and red

with their uniforms and their blood. They rushed in heavy mass over

our breastworks. Our men, confused by the suddenness of the charge,

and borne down by the rush of the enemy, retreated, and all now

seemed to be lost. At this juncture the Second Maryland Infantry, of

Colonel Bradley T. Johnson’s command, now in charge of Captain J. P.

Crane, were roused from their sleep. Springing to their arms they

formed in a moment, and rushing gallantry forward, poured a deadly

fire into the enemy and then charged bayonet. The enemy were, in

turn, surprised at the suddenness and vim of this assault. They gave

back—they became confused; and General Finnegan’s forces coming up,

they took to flight; but not until nearly a hundred men were

stretched on the plain, from the fire of the Second Maryland

Infantry, and many others captured. Lieutenant Charles B. Wise, of

Company B, now took possession of the guns, which had been abandoned

by our forces, and with the assistance of some of his own men and

some of General Finnegan’s command, poured a deadly fire into the

retreating column of the enemy.

Thus was the tide of battle turned, and this disaster converted into

a success. I am informed that the whole force of the enemy which

came within our lines would have been captured, had it not been for

the mistake of an officer who took the enemy for our own men, and

thus checked for a few moments the charge of the Second Maryland

Infantry. I take pleasure in narrating these deeds of our Maryland

brethren, and doubt not you will join in the feeling.

A VIRGINIAN.

In this affair the battalion suffered a loss of between thirty and forty

men killed and wounded, as follows:

Battle of Cold Harbor, Captain J. Parran Crane commanding.

[Illustration: Capt. JNO. W. TORSCH.]

Company A, Captain George Thomas commanding—Killed, privates Wm. H.

Hollyday, Henry C. Owens; wounded, Alexander Fulton, mortally; Thomas

O’Brien, severely; Frederick Heister, slightly; Wm. Hoffman, severely;

John C. Henry, slightly; Thomas D. Harrison.

Company B, First Lieutenant John H. Stone commanding.—Killed, none;

wounded, First Lieutenant John H. Stone, severely; privates James R.

Herbert, severely; Rinaldo J. Moran, slightly; A. W. Neale, slightly.

Company C, Captain Ferd. Duvall commanding. Killed, none; wounded,

Second Lieutenant Thomas H. Tolson, severely; privates, William H.

Claggett, severely; C. S. Ford, severely; Henry Loughran, slightly; R.

B. Willis, severely.

Company D, First Lieutenant James S. Franklin commanding.—Killed,

private James Hurley; wounded, Second Lieutenant S. Thomas McCullough,

severely; First Sergeant Thomas C. Butler, severely; Abram Phillips,

severely.

Company E, John W. Torsch commanding.—Killed, private Charles E. Byus;

wounded, Captain John W. Torsch, severely; First Sergeant Samuel Kirk,

severely; privates Levi G. Dawson, slightly; William Wilkinson,

mortally; Joseph Smith, slightly.

Company F, Captain H. A. Gwynne commanding.—Killed, Lemuel Dunnington;

wounded, Captain H. A. Gwynne, slightly; Sergeant R. F. Muirhead,

severely; privates Andrew Cretin, slightly; Hillary Cretin, slightly;

Bernard Dooley, slightly; Alexis V. Keepers, slightly.

Company G, First Lieutenant G. G. Guillette commanding.—Killed, Wm. S.

Reed; wounded, private Michael Hines.

Company H, Captain J. Thomas Bussey commanding.—Killed, none; wounded,

Maurice Ward, severely; William Hardy, slightly.

Not long after the battle of Cold Harbor, much to their regret the

Second Maryland was transferred temporarily to Walker’s brigade, I say

much to their regret, for General Breckinridge had won the heart of

every man of the command.

Their stay with Walker was short, and they were assigned to Archer’s

brigade of Heth’s division.[3] With this command they were destined to

see much heavy fighting around Petersburg, where the Confederate army

entrenched itself soon after the bloody battle of the 3d of June.

Footnote 3:

General Archer was soon after taken sick and died, when General McComb

assumed command.

On the 13th of June a severe fight occurred at White Oak Swamp, in which

the Confederates gained a signal success. The loss of the Second

Maryland in this affair was as follows:

Company A.—Killed, private John G. Wagner.

Company C.—Killed, private Lewis H. Viet.

Company G.—Killed, private William H. Calhoun.

After the fight at White Oak Swamp the command was set to work, along

with the rest of the army, building breastworks and entrenching

themselves in their position. In this they were much annoyed by the

enemy’s sharpshooters and artillery, and many casualties occurred. Up to

the 25th of August the loss of the Second Maryland was as follows:

Company H.—Wounded, Captain John J. Ward, severely, June 26th; private

John Parker, slightly, August 9th.

Company G.—Wounded, privates Thomas Brannock, slightly, June 26th; James

Abbott, severely, August 12th; George Langford, severely, August 25th.

Company C.—Wounded, private Richard T. Anderson, severely, August 12th.

CHAPTER X.

On the 18th of August the Confederates in heavy force, under Mahone,

made a desperate attempt to dislodge the Federals from a strong position

at Ream’s Station, on the Weldon railroad. The battle was a terrific

one, and the Confederate General gained a complete victory, driving the

Federals before him with heavy loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners.

He was attacked in turn next day by a large force, and after making a

brave and determined stand, was compelled to fall back, leaving the

enemy in possession of the road.

The loss on both sides was dreadful; and here again the Second Maryland

proved of what material it was made. Disdaining to retreat without the

command, when all others were seeking safety in flight, they stood to

their post to the last. Again and again were they assaulted, but again

and again they drove their assailants back with heavy loss. At length in

overwhelming numbers the enemy came upon them and reached the

breastworks. But there that little band remained for a time as firm as

the rocks of Gibraltar. But the enemy crossed the breastworks, and the

struggle was hand to hand. Desperately the bayonet was thrust, and the

butts of muskets crushed through human skulls. But this unequal struggle

could not be of long duration, and surrounded and overwhelmed, the

survivors sought to fight their way out. Many succeeded, but one-third

of that gallant band lay dead and wounded, or were prisoners in the

hands of the foe.

Many were the noble spirits who fell, and among the number the brave and

chivalrous Adjutant J. Winder Laird. The author had served with him in

the First, and then in the Second Maryland, in both of which, by his

kind and affable disposition, he had won the love of his companions; and

but a short time before his death he had been promoted to the rank of

Adjutant, as an evidence of their esteem. Gentle as a woman in his daily

intercourse with men, upon the battle-field his whole nature underwent a

change. Ever foremost in the fight, his splendid figure towering above

his companions, with eyes flashing, nostrils dilated, and his features

all animating, he became as fierce as an unchained lion, and by his

reckless exposure of person and daring courage made himself the target

for many a bullet. Here at Ream’s Station, in the full tide of victory,

and whilst cheering his men on in the pursuit, he was struck in the

forehead and fell dead without a groan. Alas, the fatal bullet that

pierced the brain of Winder Laird went straight to the heart of a fond,

doting mother, who did not long survive the death of her darling, and

they now rest side by side in the little churchyard at Cambridge, Md.

The following is the loss sustained by the battalion in killed, wounded,

and prisoners:

Battle of Weldon Railroad.—Captain J. Parran Crane commanding, who

received a severe contusion.

Field and staff.—Killed, Adjutant J. Winder Laird.

Company A, First Lieutenant Clapham Murray commanding.—Killed, private

Jacob W. Davis; wounded, Lieutenant Wm. P. Zollinger, slightly; Corporal

Willis Brannock, slightly; privates J. E. Fitzgerald, slightly; John C.

Henry, severely; N. Heenan, severely; D. Ridgely Howard, severely;

George W. Marden, slightly; Somerville Sollers, slightly; Richard C.

Tilghman, severely; Joseph I. Joy, severely; captured, First Lieutenant

Clapham Murray, First Sergeant James F. Pearson, Sergeant James W.

Thomas; privates, William Adair, Charles S. Brannock, J. R. Phelps,

Theophilus N. Deale, William J. Edelin, H. L. Gallagher, James S. Raley.

Company B, First Sergeant C. Craig Page commanding.—Killed, First

Sergeant C. Craig Page; wounded, Sergeant P. T. Reeder, slightly;

Corporal J. Z. Downing, severely; privates Dyonisius Ball, severely;

John H. Chum, slightly; J. J. Delozier, slightly; J. Marion Freeman,

slightly; Washington Page, severely; Henry Turner, slightly; captured,

Sergeant F. Z. Freeman, Corporal W. F. Wheatley, private James F. Keech.

Company C, First Lieutenant Charles W. Hodges commanding.—Killed,

Sergeant Robert T. Hodges; wounded, privates Daniel Duvall, severely; H.

H. Crawford, slightly; John G. White, slightly; captured, Corporal

Edward A. Welch; privates Theodore Cooksey, W. C. Gibson, John C.

Miller, Robert H. Welch.

Company D, First Lieutenant James S. Franklin commanding.—Wounded,

privates John Johnson, slightly; C. C. Leitch, slightly; Philip

Lipscomb, slightly; Thomas Macready, slightly; captured, First

Lieutenant James S. Franklin, Sergeant William Jenkins, privates John

Lynch, William Killman.

Company E, First Lieutenant William R. Byus commanding.—Wounded, First

Lieutenant Wm. R. Byus, severely; privates S. M. Byus, slightly; Thomas

McLaughlin, severely; James Hanley, severely; Elisha Butler, severely;

captured, Sergeant George L. Ross, Corporal John Cain, privates James

Lamates, John L. Stansbury, John Cantrell, John Grant, James Applegarth.

Company F, First Lieutenant John W. Polk commanding.—Wounded, private

Josiah T. Boswell, severely; captured, Sergeant Joseph L. Wagner,

Corporal J. T. Brown, James H. Dixon.

Company G, Lieutenant G. G. Guillette commanding.—Killed, John D.

Edelen; wounded, private Martin L. Rider, slightly; captured, Lieutenant

G. G. Guillette, Sergeants Daniel A. Fenton, George W. Manning, Algernon

Henry, Corporal Benjamin F. Twilly, privates William L. Brannock, W. L.

Etchison, Levi Wheatley.

Company H, Captain J. T. Bussey commanding. Wounded, Captain J. T.

Bussey, severely; private William Hargy, slightly.

CHAPTER XI.

On the 30th of September Heth’s division again encountered the enemy at

Pegram’s farm. It was a desperate engagement, in which the Confederate

arms gained a decided victory. As in every preceding battle, the Second

Maryland took a conspicuous part and covered itself with glory, but

losing fearfully in killed and wounded. Out of one hundred and

forty-nine men that went into the fight forty-three were killed and

wounded, as follows:

Battle of Pegram’s Farm, Captain Ferdinand Duvall commanding.—Wounded,

Captain Ferdinand Duvall, severely.

Company A, Captain George Thomas commanding.—Killed, Corporal S.

Pinckney Gill, George Deatore; wounded, Captain George Thomas, severely;

Second Lieutenant Win. F. Zollinger, slightly; privates John Goodwin,

severely; Frederick Huster, severely; Wm. A. Hance, slightly; missing,

private Wm. H. Hubbard, supposed killed.

Company B, Second Lieutenant Charles B. Wise commanding.—Killed, private

John H. Junger; wounded, Sergeants John G. Barber, slightly; Whittingham

Hammett, slightly; privates Robert Beal, severely; Charles J. Foxwell,

slightly.

Company C, Sergeant George Roberts commanding.—Killed, private Richard

T. Onion; wounded, Sergeant George Roberts, slightly; privates Wm.

Grace, severely; Thomas L. Mitchell, severely; captured, private John T.

White.

Company D, Sergeant Isaac Sherwood commanding.—Wounded, privates David

Hammett, slightly; W. Beale Owings, severely; John Spence, severely;

missing, Philip Lipscomb.

Company E, Sergeant Wm. Heaphy commanding.—Wounded, Corporal Benjamin F.

Amos, severely; privates John Keppleman, severely; Michael Noonan,

severely; captured, private Martin O’Hallon.

Company F, Captain A. J. Gwynne commanding.—Killed, private Abel Hurley,

wounded, Captain A. J. Gwynne, slightly; privates John H. Claggett,

severely; John W. Claggett, slightly; Thomas J. Webb, severely; Hillary

Cretin, severely.

Company G, Second Lieutenant George. Brighthaupt commanding.—Wounded,

Lieutenant George Brighthaupt, mortally; Corporal William Lord,

severely; private Robert Mumford, slightly; captured, Sergeant Michael

Hallohan, privates Jesse Waters, Michael Eligett.

Company H, Corporal Patrick Heenan commanding.—Killed, Corporal Patrick

Heenan; wounded, private Edward Welch, severely.

On the next day, October 1st, 1864, they again encountered the enemy on

the Squirrel Level Road, and repulsed them after a sharp engagement. The

loss of the Marylanders in this affair was as follows:

Battle of Squirrel Level Road, Captain John W. Torsch commanding.

Company A, Sergeant Charles E. Maguire, commanding.—Wounded, private

William T. Bailey, severely.

Company B, Second Lieutenant Charles B. Wise, commanding.—Wounded,

private Wm. Herbert, mortally.

Company C, Corporal C. M. Clayton commanding.—Wounded, privates John W.

Blumendeur, severely; Charles Hammond, severely; Frank Wheatley,

mortally.

Company D, Sergeant Isaac Sherwood, commanding.—Wounded, Sergeant Isaac

Sherwood, severely.

Company E, Sergeant Samuel Kirk commanding.—Wounded, privates John

Brown, severely; Wm. Gwynn, slightly.

Company F, Sergeant John W. Polk commanding.—Wounded, Charles A. Hoge,

mortally.

Company H.—Wounded, private James Powers, slightly.

For a long while after the battle of Squirrel Level Road, the Second

Maryland remained in the trenches, or were engaged in picketing along

their front. It had been reduced to about one hundred men, and still

these men were compelled to do the duty of a battalion. So numerous were

the desertions in the brigade to which they belonged that it at last

became necessary to keep the Marylanders almost constantly on picket,

for as sure as this duty was entrusted to other troops just so sure were

they to find deserted posts in the morning.

And still these brave men never complained of what was imposed upon

them. Throughout that dreary fall and the long, cold winter, nearly

naked and half fed, they silently did their duty, whilst thousands were

proving recreant to the cause. Elegant and refined gentlemen, who at

home never knew what it was to want for a single comfort, were in rags

and tatters, sleeping in mud and filth, and when the bleak winds of

December pierced many a rent in their wretched garments they only drew

their sorry blanket the closer around their gaunt and shivering limbs,

and cheerfully responded to the call for any duty. Was it a wonder,

then, that after the battle of Cold Harbor General Breckinridge should

have exclaimed, “What could not be done with a hundred thousand such

men.”

I shall again resort to a diary in my possession:

December 19th.—To-day to the great surprise and joy of all, Colonel

James E. Herbert, who was left in a supposed dying condition upon the

field of Gettysburg, appeared in camp and was enthusiastically received.

The Colonel had endured a long imprisonment at Johnson’s Island, and

looked anything but well.

January 8th, 1865.—Just as had been expected, to-day Colonel Herbert,

much to the regret of all, was compelled to relinquish the command of

the battalion and go to the hospital. His loss was deeply felt, for the

command was sadly in need of his valuable services.

February 5th.—About 10 o’clock to-day the brigade received marching

orders, and moving to the right was joined by heavy bodies of troops,

when the whole crossed the breastworks and marched quietly along between

the two picket lines some distance, when the Federal skirmishers were

attacked and driven in, and an assault made upon their works, and

although maintained with great vigor, it was repulsed with heavy loss.

Two other charges by fresh troops met with no better success, when the

Confederates retired, leaving most of their dead and wounded on the

field.

In this severe fight the Second Maryland took a conspicuous part, and,

as usual, suffered severely. Among the killed was Lieutenant Charles

Hodges, of Company C. The noble fellow, in the midst of the storm of

bullets, halted for an instant to unbuckle the belt of one of his

command who had fallen wounded, when he was struck in the head and fell

dead.

In his death the command lost one of its most valuable officers, and the

cause an ardent supporter. His was a character not found in every-day

life, but when encountered, like a pearl, was to be prized and treasured

by all who loved that which is pure and unblemished. A gallant soldier,

a devout Christian, he was beloved by all who knew his worth.

February 24th.—At this time the number of desertions from the brigade

and division to which the battalion belongs are very numerous, the men

leaving their posts on picket in great numbers. Much dissatisfaction

exists, and truly not without cause. For months they have been in the

trenches with scarcely a sufficiency of food to sustain life, and almost

in a state of nudity, whilst the weather has been intensely cold. To the

honor of the Second Maryland, however, be it said that as yet but one

desertion has taken place, that of Porter of Company A. Nor is it likely

there will be another, for the men seem determined to bear their

sufferings uncomplainingly whilst life lasts.

March 27.—Fighting has been going on for the past two days along our

front south of Petersburg, and it is evident the crisis is fast

approaching. In the series of engagements the enemy have been

successful, attacking our thin line with heavy columns, and all our

rifle pits between Hatcher’s Run and the Weldon Railroad are in his

possession. They are now within seventy-five yards of the position this

division occupies, and an attack is hourly expected.

March 29th.—The line was changed last night, but an attack is

momentarily expected. Heavy firing on the right.

April 3d.—Last night about dark Captain Torsch received the following

order from General McComb:

HEADQUARTERS MCCOMB’S BRIGADE, _April 2d, 1865_.

CAPTAIN:

You will report with your Battalion, _under arms, at once_, at the

_Chapel_ of _Gen. Cook’s_ brigade.

By command of BRIG. GEN. WM. MCCOMB.

JOHN ALLEN, A. A. A. G.

Captain JOHN W. TORSCH, Comd’g Maryland Battalion.

The battalion promptly repaired to the point designated, where it found

three battalions in readiness to assault the trenches lost a few

evenings before. The troops then moved to the attack in gallant Style,

but the Second Maryland alone performed the work assigned them, the

troops on the right and left having given way, which leaves the

battalion in a precarious situation. Although the enemy are in their

works in force, and but twenty yards in our front, they do not venture

to attack. Capt. Torsch (who has been in command of the battalion for

some months) declared it as his intention to fight them to the last, in

which resolve he is most heartily seconded by the little command.

April 5th.—Before daylight on the morning of the 4th we succeeded, after

twenty-four hours of intense anxiety, in extricating ourselves from the

perilous position we had gotten into the preceding night. Captain Torsch

then threw out skirmishers in front, under Captain Duvall, and the

remainder of the battalion he formed behind a line of works at intervals

of thirty paces.

At daylight the enemy made two spirited attacks about a mile on our

left, both of which were repulsed, but a third proved successful. Moving

then to the right and left they carried everything before them. Captain

Torsch, finding his left flank attacked, formed his men perpendicularly

to the rear, and taking position behind some logs, repulsed and drove

back two attacking columns in succession. McComb meanwhile endeavored to

reinforce Torsch on the right. At this instant the enemy attacked on

what had been Torsch’s front, but now his right flank, when McComb,

finding himself almost surrounded, gave orders for the whole brigade to

fall back to Hatcher’s Run, though contesting every foot of ground, but

losing heavily in prisoners.

Captain Ferd. Duvall, in command of the skirmish line, finding himself

hard pressed, and his further retreat cut off, with a handful of men

threw himself into a small interior work, resolved upon making a last

determined stand. Again and again did the enemy attempt to dislodge this

devoted little band, but they were as often hurled back with heavy loss.

At length by hundreds they swarmed over the breastworks and gained the

interior of the works, and then, and not until then, did they surrender.

The officers taken here were as follows:

Captain Ferd. Duvall, Lieutenants Zollinger, Tolson, Polk, Byus and

Wise.

Captain Torsch, with the remnant of the battalion, had in the meantime

fallen back to Hatcher’s Run, where finding the Boydton plank road

bridge in the hands of the enemy, they plunged into the stream and swam

to the opposite bank, and joined the forces on that side.

The rest is soon told. In the retreat of the army which followed, the

handful of men left of the battalion assisted in bringing up the rear.

The privations endured until the army reached Appomattox Court House are

too well known to repeat, and by none were they borne more

uncomplainingly than by Captain Torsch and his men; and when, on the 9th

of April, 1865, they laid down their arms in obedience to the last

command they were ever to receive from their beloved Lee, it was with

feelings not easily imagined. As an organization the Second Maryland

Infantry here ceased to exist, but it has left a heritage to its

posterity and to its State of which they may be justly proud.

Captain Torsch, on whom the unpleasant duty devolved, surrendered upon

this occasion the following officers and men, who can point to the

record and proudly say, “We were of the first, and were the last.”

List of officers and men of the Second Maryland Infantry surrendered at

Appomattox Court House, April 9th, 1865:

John W. Torsch, Captain commanding; William R. McCullough, Adjutant;

Dewilton Snowden, Assistant Surgeon; Edwin James, Q. M. Sergeant; Frank

Dement, Sergeant Major; F. L. Higdon, Ordnance Sergeant; M. A. Quinn,

Chief Musician; Charles F. Drewry, Joseph E. Smith, Musicians.

Company A.—Corporal H. Tilliard Smith. Privates, William J. Edelin,

Bernard Freeman, Henry Holliday, John J. Hunter, William H. Laird,

William E. Lowe, N. L. Lowe, John W. McDaniel, Alex. Murray, Edward

O’Donovan, James A. Peregoy, Andrew T. Miller.

Company B.—Sergeant Phillip T. Reeder. Privates Henry Ford, Thomas

Magill, William G. Matthews, John C. Mills, A. W. Neale, F. X. Semmes,

James A. Wills, Walter Wood.

Company C.—Corporal B. D. Mulliken. Privates, Evans Duvall, Franklin

Duvall, J. N. Blumenar, William H. Claggett, William Grace, Thomas

Mitchell, James R. Moog, Peter Orr, Joshua Watts.

Company D.—Sergeants, Thomas C. Butler, Isaac N. Sherwood. Privates,

Samuel B. Dove, R. H. Shepherd.

Company E.—Sergeant Wilbur Rutter. Privates, William Gavin, Edward Lawn,

Joseph Ridgel, William Unkel, William F. Brawner, James Gardner, Elisha

Rutter.

Company F.—Privates, G. W. Claggett, G. N. Guy, John O. Hill, A. V.

Keepers.

Company G.—Sergeant Daniel A. Fenton. Privates, John Callahan, William

Pickel, Joseph Manly, William R. Mumford.

Company H.—John Parker.

The following General Order from General Lee, issued the succeeding day,

and distributed to the commanders of corps, divisions, brigades,

regiments and battalions, explains itself:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, }

Appomattox C. H., April 10, 1865. }

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 9.

After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage

and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to

yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles,

who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to

this result from no distrust of them, but feeling that valor and

devotion could accomplish nothing that would compensate for the loss

that must have attended a continuance of the contest, I determined

to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have

endeared them to their countrymen.

By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their

homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the

satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully

performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to

you His blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your

country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous

consideration for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.

Signed, R. E. LEE, _General_.

Official:

Signed, O. LATROBE, Lt. Col. & A. A. G.

“ R. H. FINNEY, A. A. G.

“ P. G. JOHNSON, A. A. A. G.

To Captain JOHN W. TORSCH, Comd’g Sec. Md. Inf.

[Illustration: Lt. Col. RIDGELY BROWN.]

THE

FIRST MARYLAND

BATTALION OF CAVALRY.

CHAPTER I.

On the 15th day of May, 1862, there was assembled in a quiet room in the

city of Richmond a little band of Marylanders, numbering eighteen men,

who had just been transferred from Captain Gaither’s company, of the

First Virginia Cavalry, and ordered to the “Maryland Line,” then

organizing in the Valley of Virginia. The subject of their conversation

was the formation of a company as a nucleus for a battalion of Maryland

cavalry.

“I have withdrawn,” said one, “from the First Virginia, to fight with

the people of my native State, and if we do not form a company, I shall

go into a Maryland command and shoulder a musket, if I cannot carry a

sabre. It is a duty we owe her, and there are Marylanders enough here to

represent her handsomely, if the proper steps are taken to assemble

them.”

“I entirely agree with Lieutenant Brown,” said a second speaker, (Frank

A. Bond,) “and shall follow his example, though I see no reason why we

should not now, in this very room, organize, and set to work recruiting,

for I feel confident that in a short time we can gather from among those

here and the many coming over, men enough to muster in.”

Those present readily concurred, and before leaving the room it was

agreed that Company A should be officered as follows: Captain, Ridgely

Brown, of Montgomery; First Lieutenant, Frank A. Bond, of Anne Arundel;

Second Lieutenant, Thomas Griffith, of Montgomery; Third Lieutenant,

James A. V. Pue, of Howard.

And thus was formed the nucleus of the First Maryland Battalion of

Cavalry, a command that was destined to become an honor to the State,

and the pride of the cavalry arm of the service.

Company A rapidly recruited, and was in a very short time mustered in,

and ordered to the Valley of Virginia. Here it did good

service—participating in Jackson’s memorable campaign against Banks, and

the subsequent retreat from the superior forces of Fremont. In the

cavalry engagement near Harrisonburg, between the commands of Ashby and

Percy Wyndham, the gallantry of Company A was so conspicuous as to

attract the attention of General Ewell, who paid it a handsome

compliment.

Thence they proceeded, with Jackson’s army, to Richmond, and

participated in the seven days’ fights. It was with the army of General

Lee in Maryland, and after that campaign returned to the Valley of

Virginia, to be joined by three companies which had been formed by

Captains George W. Emack, Robert C. Smith and Warner E. Welsh.

At Winchester, on the 25th of November, 1862, the battalion was

organized as follows:

Major, Ridgely Brown; Adjutant, George W. Booth; Quartermaster, Ignatius

Dorsey; Surgeon, Wilner McKnew.

Company A.—Captain, Frank A. Bond; First Lieutenant, Thomas Griffith;

Second Lieutenant, J. A. V. Pue; Third Lieutenant, Edward Beatty.

Company B.—Captain, George W. Emack; First Lieutenant, M. E. McKnew;

Second Lieutenant, Adolphus Cook; Third Lieutenant, Henry Blackiston.

Company C.—Captain, Robert C. Smith; First Lieutenant, George Howard;

Second Lieutenant, T. Jeff Smith; Third Lieutenant, W. S. Turnbull.

Company D.—Captain, Warner E. Welsh; First Lieutenant, W. H. Dorsey;

Second Lieutenant, Stephen D. Laurence; Third Lieutenant, Milton Welsh.

Subsequently the battalion was joined by the following additional

companies:

Company E.—Captain, W. I. Raisin; First Lieutenant, John B. Burroughs;

Second Lieutenant, Nathaniel Chapman; Third Lieutenant, Joseph K.

Roberts.

Company F.—Captain, Augustus F. Schwartz; First Lieutenant, C. Irving

Ditty; Second Lieutenant, Fielder C. Slingluff; Third Lieutenant, Sam’l

G. Bonn.

Company H.—Captain, Gustavus W. Dorsey; First Lieutenant, N. C. Hobbs;

Second Lieutenant, Edward Pugh.

The company of Captain Dorsey joined the battalion in July, 1864, having

served with distinction up to that time in the First Virginia regiment,

of which Generals J. E. B. Stuart, W. E. Jones, and Fitzhugh Lee had

successively been Colonels. It will be seen there is a vacancy,

occasioned by the death of Third Lieutenant Rodolphus Cecil, who was

killed whilst the company was serving in the First Virginia.

After the formation of the battalion, it was ordered to New Market, to

join the infantry and artillery of the Maryland Line there encamped.

The winter was passed at various points in the Valley, with its usual

routine of picket duty, and but little to vary the monotony of camp

life. During that time an expedition was made to Moorefield, by General

Jones, but it was attended with no incident worthy of note.

The author cannot say, though, that it was by any means an unpleasant

winter. We did suffer many hardships and privations, it is true, and

were compelled more than once to sleep in the snow; but then we had our

enjoyments in social intercourse. The cavalry visited the infantry and

artillery, and the infantry and artillery visited the cavalry; and

especially was this the case when it was known a committee from either

had returned from a trip to the “Fort.” And when, on rainy days, we were

compelled to seek the shelter of our shebangs, we could listen to

Lieutenant Bill Dorsey narrate the particulars of his famous duel.

Pshaw! Don Quixote and his windmill were nowhere.

The reader may wonder what is meant by this mysterious “Fort.” In a

word, it was a secluded spot in the mountains where persimmon whiskey

was distilled, the road to which was known to Tom Griffith’s big stone

jug full well.

The author paid a visit to this famous “Fort” on one occasion. He would

not have gone had he not been ordered by Colonel Herbert. Oh, no, for he

had been for a long while thinking of signing the temperance pledge. But

then he had been taught to always obey orders. Colonel Herbert had

invited Colonel Funston and Colonel Massey to dine next day, and it

seemed so unsociable not to have something stronger than water on the

table, if only for appearance sake. And then chickens and turkeys were

to be bought, etc. He went, and with him Captain Ferd. Duvall, mounted

on Emack’s race horse. In due time we arrived, and found things cheap,

very cheap.

Captain Duvall was a prodigal man with his money, and bought one gallon

and a half of persimmon juice, which was poured into sundry three pint

canteens. The day was damp and raw, and it was necessary to try the

whiskey to test its quality.

“I don’t think it’s good,” I remarked, after tasting it.

“You are mistaken,” said the Captain; “it’s capital. Try it again.”

And we had another pull.

“Better than I thought,” said I, taking the canteen from my lips.

“You were right at first,” said Ferd., almost strangled; “not good at

all—not good at all.”

“You are mistaken,” I insisted, “as you will be convinced if you try it

again.”

And we did try again, and found it capital.

And then poultry was to be bought; and here again the Captain was

prodigal. Three turkeys, six chickens, one goose, two ducks and a guinea

fowl was the extent of his purchase, which we strapped behind our

saddles.

“One more pull, Major,” said he, “and then ho for camp.”

The pull was taken, and we started, chatting merrily along the road. But

persimmon soon began to tell, and “Anne Arundel” became sentimental.

“Sweet Evelina, dear Evelina, sweet Evelina, dear Evelina. Say, Major,

that’s what Colonel Herbert sings when he’s thinking of his sweetheart

at home. That’s all he knows of it, and that’s all I know. Look here, if

you don’t tell anybody, I’ll confide a secret. I’m feeling desperate

to-day; havn’t you observed it? I’ll tell you why. I _had_ a sweetheart

at home, too, but don’t you think she’s gone back on me. Yes, done gone

and fell in love with another feller. Sweet Evelina, dear Evelina, D——

Evelina. Come, let’s have a horse race; I want to see what Emack can

do.”

The chickens and turkeys had long been forgotten, and off we started at

full speed, Baltimore city against Anne Arundel county, and after an

even race of two miles we brought up in front of Colonel Herbert’s tent.

The Colonel came out and wanted to know what in the devil we were riding

like fools for. “No poultry, I see.”

“Lots of it, lots of it,” said I “Just look behind our saddles, will

you!”

“Nothing there that I can see.”

Sure enough, chickens, ducks, turkeys and goose were all “done gone.”

A courier was immediately dispatched back over the road we had raced,

and he found them strewed along for a mile and a half.

But our misfortunes did not end here, for next day our camp was visited

by an unusual number of the officers of the Maryland Cavalry and

Baltimore Light Artillery, and before dinner, to our surprise, every

drop of whiskey had disappeared. Here was a dilemma, for Colonel Herbert

didn’t know a breath of it; and when the cloth was spread, and no black

bottle made its appearance, he looked blue, and Funston looked blue, and

Massey looked blue, and Ferd. and myself looked bluest. But it was “done

gone,” and couldn’t be helped, so we had a temperance dinner that day.

In March, 1863, a small party from companies A and D, under the command

of Captain Bond and Lieutenant Dorsey, whilst picketing on the back

road, below Fisher’s Hill, made a dash upon the enemy’s pickets in the

vicinity of Kearnstown, killing and capturing a number of them. They

were attacked in turn by a large body of cavalry, and compelled to

retire precipitately, with the loss of two or three men. This daring act

caused a general alarm in Winchester, and Milroy immediately dispatched

the 12th and 13th Pennsylvania up the turnpike, running parallel with

the back road, to cut the party off. The movement was, however,

observed, and information of their approach communicated to General

Jones, who, with a part of his command, moved forward to meet them. The

enemy were encountered at the little village of Maurytown. The surprise

was complete, and the rout that ensued was perhaps unparalleled in the

history of the war. At one charge the enemy were scattered in every

direction, and pursued to the very gates of Winchester, losing nearly

three hundred men in killed, wounded, and captured.

In this affair the First Maryland bore itself with conspicuous

gallantry, although but few of the men had ever before been under fire.

CHAPTER II.

For some time prior to the 21st of April extensive preparations had been

going on in the command of General Jones for a move in some direction.

These preparations were anxiously watched by the officers and men, for

all were heartily sick of the camp, and were ready for any undertaking.

Orders were at length given to cook two days’ rations, which made it

evident that the long anticipated movement was at hand. On that day the

forces of Jones (numbering three thousand five hundred men) were

marshaled, and soon on the road to Moorefield. The roads were in a

shocking condition, and the troops moved slowly, and after marching

fifteen miles the command went into camp.

Next day the object of the expedition was made known. As had been

surmised, it was intended to operate upon the line of the Baltimore and

Ohio Railroad, and to secure supplies from the rich and fertile valleys

of West Virginia.

The Maryland Line accompanied the expedition—the infantry and artillery

as far as Moorefield, and the cavalry the whole way.

On the third day, the command reached the vicinity of Moorefield, in the

midst of a drenching rain, which continued throughout the night and the

next day. In the morning, the several mountain streams in the vicinity

of that place were found so swollen as to be almost impassable. By

running great risk, however, the command reached the banks of the

Potomac, which they found impossible to cross at that point. There was,

therefore, no alternative but to move down to Petersburg, thirteen miles

distant, and try another ford. The point was reached on the afternoon of

the 24th, but even here it was found the attempt would be extremely

hazardous. But General Jones was determined to proceed at every risk,

and the men were ordered to plunge into the rapid stream.

A fearful scene then presented itself, and for some time baffled

description. Hundreds of frightened steeds, and their no less frightened

riders, were struggling in the dark, rapid waters; and, alas! more than

one poor soldier and his gallant horse, that had borne him so

faithfully, were swept away, and no more to be seen until the turbulent

waters should have subsided and surrendered up their lifeless bodies.

The crossing was at length effected, and the command moved up the stream

and went into camp within three miles of where it had started that

morning, after having traveled a distance of twenty-six miles. The start

was a bad one, but all hoped the end would prove more propitious.

Unincumbered with artillery, wagons, and infantry, the command started

off at a rapid gait, but after marching a few miles, the 7th Virginia,

which was in advance, suddenly came upon the enemy’s pickets. It was

soon ascertained that the main body (numbering about one hundred and

fifty men) was posted in a log school house, which completely commanded

the road through Greenland Gap, over which Jones must necessarily pass.

A flag of truce was sent forward, and a demand made for the surrender of

the place, which was refused. An assault was then ordered, but as the

troops could only move over the narrow road two abreast, it was repulsed

with loss, Colonel Richard Dulaney, of the 7th Virginia, being among the

wounded.

In a second assault, on foot, about nightfall, the men succeeded in

reaching the school house, though not without severe loss, and demanded

its surrender. The reply was a volley of musketry, through the

loopholes, and not until the place was fired did the miserable creatures

surrender, and beg piteously for the worthless lives they had forfeited

by all the rules of war; and they were spared.

The Confederate loss was heavy, and the First Maryland suffered severely

in officers and men. Among the wounded of the former were Major Brown,

Captain R. C. Smith, Adjutant Booth, and Lieutenants Pue and Beatty.

This obstacle overcome, and the prisoners sent to the rear, the column

pushed rapidly forward, and, after proceeding some ten miles, the First

Maryland was ordered to move towards Oakland, whilst the main body took

another direction.

Riding all day and night, at one o’clock on the 26th the First Maryland

charged into Oakland, Md., capturing fifty prisoners.

Leaving that place, the column moved upon Kingwood. Arriving within a

short distance of the town, a halt was ordered, and Captain Bond’s

company directed to charge the place. By fours the company moved forward

at the trot, and as they approached, were surprised that they were not

fired upon. “Gallop-march, charge!” shouted the gallant Bond; and,

yelling like furies, Company A dashed through the village, slashing

right and left with their sabres at the imaginary foe. But, alas, they

had left two weeks before, and nobody was hurt. A disappointment,

Captain; but perhaps you will be better rewarded next time.

There was but an hour’s halt here, when the column moved in the

direction of Morgantown, which place was reached at 1 P. M. The citizens

had assembled in considerable force, prepared to dispute Brown’s

advance, but upon a demand being made for the surrender of the place,

they quietly submitted, no doubt thinking discretion the better part of

valor. That night the battalion went into camp at Independence, and next

morning made connection with the main body.

Returning to Morgantown, the command crossed the river, and, after a

short halt, commenced a night march in the direction of Fairmont, at

which place they arrived about 8 o’clock next morning. A body of four

hundred infantry was posted here to dispute their passage. They were

drawn up in an open field, surrounded by high fences. The First Maryland

was ordered to charge. It was a most desperate undertaking, but at the

command of the gallant Brown they dashed forward. Upon reaching the

fence, and within fifty yards of the enemy, they were received with a

terrific fire, which, strange to say, killed sixty horses and but one

man—young Myers, of Frederick. In an instant the fence was thrown down,

and Brown was upon them, when they called for quarter.

Thence Jones moved upon Clarksburg, but finding the enemy in strong

force, the place was flanked by way of Bridgeport. This town was also

charged by the First Maryland, resulting in the capture of sixty men. In

this affair Robert Whitely, of Baltimore, was killed.

On the 2d of May, the column reached a place called Buchanan, after many

days of rapid riding, which was only performed by continually changing

the broken-down horses for fresh ones found in the country. At Buchanan

Major Brown’s wound became so painful as to necessitate his going to the

rear; and, although not the senior officer, owing to his experience and

acknowledged judgment and discretion, Captain Frank Bond was called upon

to command the little battalion.

An early start was made on the morning of the 6th, in the direction of

Parkersburg, and marching all night, at daylight on the 7th the column

struck the railroad at Cairo, where, at the summons of Captain Bond, a

body of fifty Federal infantry surrendered. After destroying the bridge

at this point, the command moved on several miles farther, where it

encamped for the night, having made a march of eighty miles without

removing saddles.

On the 8th, but twenty miles were made, and the troops went into camp at

Webb’s Mills, tired and hungry. Provisions for men and forage for horses

must be had, but there seemed a scarcity of both. The farmer upon whose

place the First Maryland encamped declared he had neither. The

smokehouse was searched, and nothing but two or three pieces of bacon

was revealed, which the man insisted was all he had in the world. Poor

fellow! he had the sympathies of the whole command. But he was a Union

Yankee, and what Yankee won’t lie, even for a piece of bacon? for while

all hands were sympathizing with him in his extreme destitution, some of

the men inadvertently kicked over a few armsfull of rotten hay where had

been an old haystack, when, behold! before their astonished vision lay

an immense pile of bacon buried in the ground, and thus covered. The

poor old wretch was wild with fright, but when assured only enough would

be taken to feed the few men of the command, he could scarcely credit

his senses. We wonder whether had it been a Yankee command in a Rebel

country the owner would have escaped with his bacon? No; had he saved

the house over his head he would have been fortunate.

Bright and early, on the morning of the 8th of May, the troopers were

called from their sound slumbers by the loud blasts of the bugle, and

after a scanty feed given to their horses, and a slice of the old man’s

bacon partaken of by themselves, the “mount” was sounded and the march

resumed. They were that day to witness an unusual sight, as all were

aware, should nothing interfere, for the command was on its way to Oil

City, to destroy the immense quantity of oil known to be there. The

roads were in a most wretched condition, but the twenty miles that

separated them from their prey was soon traversed.

As expected, a large amount of oil was on hand, calculated at 300,000

barrels, which was principally in large boats, into which it had been

pumped, to be conveyed off and barreled. The coming of the audacious

Rebels was altogether unexpected, or much of it could have been removed

to a place of safety. But this time the fates decreed against the

Yankees, and many thousands of dollars worth of Northern capital was to

fall a prey to an outraged people’s avenging torch.

Preparations were immediately made for a grand illumination. The works

were first touched off, and next the barges, and perhaps such a sight as

followed it had never before been the province of man to witness.

Immense volumes of dense black smoke arose, and with the lurid flame

mounted high in the air. The burning boats were cast off from their

moorings, and floated down with the current, enveloped in smoke and

flame, and as the oil ran out and covered the surface of the water, it

appeared as though before them lay a sea of liquid fire. For hours the

raiders watched the vast conflagration, which seemed a lamp of

magnificent proportions, lighted to illuminate the whole world.

It served as a beacon to the enemy, though, and the troopers were

admonished to be up and away.

On the 10th, the march was resumed, and by the next day the column

passed through De Kalb and Glenville, and encamped within six miles of

Duttonville.

For several days the march was continued at a rapid gait, without an

incident worth mentioning. Horses, beeves and sheep were gathered in

great numbers, and started for the Valley, to mount and feed the troops

of the Confederate army. Save these, all other property was respected.

Through Dutton, across Elk river, on they went, passing “Imboden’s Life

Insurance Command” at Somerville; thence across the almost perpendicular

Flat Top mountains; and on the 16th encamped within four miles of

Lewisburg—men and horses completely broken down.

A rest was here absolutely necessary to refresh man and beast. But a day

was allowed, however, and on the 18th they were once more on the wing,

and from day to day the march continued homeward, until the battalion

reached its old camp, near New Market, on the 30th of May, after an

absence of thirty-nine days, on one of the most remarkable raids of the

war.

But the expedition was by no means a success. General Jones’ original

purpose was to destroy the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at various

important points, but, as he might have expected, these points were

guarded by large bodies of troops, which compelled him to forego that

intention. He started without accurate information, and only learned it

when in the enemy’s country. He then turned his attention to gathering

the stock along his route, much of which, however, never reached the

Valley. It is true he did destroy an immense amount of property and a

few unimportant bridges, but it had no practical results. One of the

valuable lives lost, then, was worth more than all the good

accomplished. And, moreover, his command returned to the Valley in a

completely broken down and unserviceable condition.

CHAPTER III.

In a day or two after the return of the First Maryland to the Valley, it

was ordered to join the remainder of the “Line,” then encamped at

Fisher’s Hill. A short time after, this force was augmented by the

arrival of General Albert G. Jenkins, with a fine brigade of Virginia

cavalry, and he assumed command of the whole.

Here, for several days, the battalion was quietly employed in doing

picket duty, and recruiting man and horse for the campaign that seemed

about to be inaugurated. Not an incident of moment occurred, and in a

week’s time the command was again ready for the field.

On the 12th of June information was received that the enemy were

advancing towards our camp, which had been moved up to Cedar Creek. The

infantry and artillery were marched to the vicinity of Middletown, and

placed in position, whilst General Jenkins held his cavalry in

readiness. After waiting some time, and there being no signs of our

pickets (which had just been relieved, and those relieved not yet

returned,) falling back, it was naturally concluded the force of the

enemy had been greatly exaggerated. Having arrived at this conclusion,

General Jenkins was about to order his troops back to camp, when he was

startled by the rattle of small arms and the discharge of artillery,

some four miles up the road. It was not long before we were made aware

of the cause, which I will give the reader as told me by several of the

officers and men engaged.

The company from the First Maryland relieved was that of Captain Wm. I.

Raisin, which, along with a company from Jenkins’ cavalry, that had also

just been relieved, was about to return to camp, when a body of the

enemy’s cavalry were observed coming down the turnpike towards them.

Information of the fact was immediately sent by Captain Raisin to

General Jenkins, who disposed of his troops as before stated. In the

meantime, Colonel Harry Gilmor, (who had been sick in bed for several

days at Middletown,) hearing of their approach, got up and joined

Raisin. For some time that officer manœuvered with the enemy, who fell

back as he slowly advanced. Finally, the men, who had become impatient,

commenced to move forward at a rapid trot, which the next instant became

a gallop, and then a headlong charge, which Raisin’s utmost efforts

failed to arrest before the whole command was in the midst of a large

body of infantry, in ambuscade, which opened upon them with deadly

effect, as did two pieces of artillery. In the greatest confusion the

survivors wheeled about, leaving four of their comrades killed and about

thirty wounded and prisoners in the hands of the enemy. Among the latter

was Captain Raisin, who, whilst bleeding and senseless under his dying

horse, was most inhumanly beaten by the wretches into whose hands he had

fallen.

I have thus gone into the particulars of this affair for the reason that

Colonel Gilmor, in his “Four Years in the Saddle,” asserts that Captain

Raisin gave the command to charge, contrary to his (Gilmor’s) judgment,

which I believe is doing him injustice, and reflects upon his reputation

as an officer. More than one who was close by assure me that he did not,

and that it occurred as above stated.

A reason I have for thinking Colonel Gilmor is mistaken in this matter,

is the fact that not one week before, whilst in command at Fisher’s

Hill, during the absence of Colonel Herbert, and before the arrival of

General Jenkins, I had taken Captain Raisin, with his company, and two

companies of infantry to lay in ambush, on precisely such an expedition,

though unsuccessful, by reason of the enemy not making their appearance,

and upon which occasion I cautioned him not to allow them to catch him

in a similar trap. Now, it is not likely that an intelligent man like

Captain Raisin would so soon have forgotten the expedition and caution

of but a week before.

An incident that I am reminded of would lead me to believe that if an

order to charge was given, it was given by Harry himself. A few minutes

after the affair, I met one of Jenkins’ men by the roadside, lamenting

the wounding of a valuable horse, which he was leading. “This is a

pretty bad piece of business,” I remarked.

“Y-a-s,” he drawled out, “and may I be darned ef I’m goin’ to foller

that thar feller with the spang new yaller clothes any more.”

Harry had just donned a new uniform, mounted with a superabundance of

yellow lace.

On the evening of the 12th, the battalion (with the exception of Bond’s

company, which was detailed to remain with Colonel Herbert,) was ordered

to join General Ewell, who, much to their surprise, was at Front Royal,

moving on Winchester. In the skirmishing which ensued around that place,

they took an active part.

After the capture of Milroy’s forces, at Winchester, General Jenkins

with his command was ordered to precede the army of General Lee into

Pennsylvania, and to his command the First Maryland was temporarily

assigned. With him the battalion operated for some time, skirmishing

with the enemy at various points, and participating in the battle of

Gettysburg.

On the retreat from Gettysburg the little battalion was called upon to

show of what metal it was composed.

Here, along with other cavalry, in covering the retreat and protecting

the immense wagon trains, they were continually engaged with the

overwhelming forces of the enemy. Many and terrific were the encounters;

but, hand to hand and sabre to sabre, they contested every foot of

ground, losing many men in killed, wounded and prisoners. Upon this

memorable retreat every officer and every man proved himself a hero. It

seems invidious to particularize where so many were truly brave; but

still, I will say, that among that heroic band, none shone more

conspicuously than Captains George W. Emack and Warner E. Welsh.

Fighting desperately, their deeds of daring at times amounted almost to

madness.

At length Hagerstown was reached. Upon the very heels of the First

Maryland, and Tenth Virginia commanded by Colonel Lucius Davis, pressed

the would-be incendiary and assassin, Ulric Dahlgren. Furiously he

charged the Confederate column in the very streets of the town. The

Tenth Virginia, in the rear, was thrown into confusion, and fell back

and passed the command of Captain Bond. But that little band of heroes

were not to be affected by the unmanly panic, but moved at the same

dogged, determined pace. Bond was but waiting for the Virginians to get

by. The enemy were within a hundred yards of him, and an unguarded

Confederate wagon train was at their mercy. That wagon train must be

saved, for it contained much of General Ewell’s supply of ammunition.

“Fours, right-about wheel, march! Charge!” rung out the command; and in

an instant the gallant fellows had obeyed the order. Bond, mounted upon

his fiery mare, Bertha Rives, was too quick for his followers, and

darting like lightning, amid a shower of bullets, he found himself

within twenty yards of the astonished enemy before he was able to check

her. Here, for an instant, that brave man confronted almost certain

death, as the muzzle of his pistol swept from right to left, in search

of a victim. He was found, a quick, ringing report is heard, a spasmodic

motion of the leg, and Ulric Dahlgren was a cripple for the brief

remainder of his wicked life.

All this, reader, did not occupy half the time I have taken to relate

it, for in an instant Captain Bond’s men were at his side, and closed

with the enemy. A desperate hand-to-hand conflict ensued, but they were

driven back in confusion, pursued by the relentless Marylanders, who cut

them down at every step. The wagon train was saved, and the command

received the congratulations of General Ewell.

Alas! it was but a little while after that the chivalrous Bond was

himself wounded and a prisoner. Having passed Hagerstown, whilst riding

too far back to the rear, he was struck in the leg by a piece of shell

from a Confederate battery which was firing over him, and terribly

injured. He was taken back to Hagerstown, where everything was done by

the noble women of the place to relieve his sufferings. He eventually

recovered, and is now a thriving farmer at his home in Anne Arundel

county.

CHAPTER IV.

But little of moment occurred after the engagement at Hagerstown; and

crossing the Potomac with the army, the First Maryland repaired to

Winchester to recruit. It was here that the company under the command of

the noble Schwartz joined it.

After a stay of ten days at Winchester, the battalion was ordered to

join the brigade of General Fitzhugh Lee, then encamped near Leetown.

Soon after, on the promotion of that General to the command of a

division, it was assigned to the brigade of General Lomax.

From this time to the 11th of October the battalion was occupied with

picket duty, enlivened by an occasional skirmish with the enemy.

A few days prior to this date, General Lee’s movement to gain the rear

of Meade’s army, then confronting along the line of the Rappahannock,

had commenced.

On the 9th the cavalry division of Fitzhugh Lee broke camp, and sent the

baggage to the rear, but bivouacked on the same ground until three

o’clock on the morning of the 11th, at which time they moved out towards

the Rappahannock, Lomax’s brigade marching upon Morton’s Ford, while

Wickham’s brigade marched to Raccoon Ford.

General J. E. B. Stuart personally superintended the movement of the

whole cavalry column higher up the river, advancing by way of Culpepper

Court House. These dispositions were designed to cover General Lee’s

movements, by interposing the cavalry between his line of march and the

enemy.

Before Lomax’s brigade reached Morton’s Ford, reports from pickets

represented the enemy as advancing in force, and upon reaching the river

a heavy column was found occupying both sides. The collision between the

hostile forces was abrupt and sudden, for to both it was unexpected. In

a very few minutes the First Maryland was formed, and engaged heavily.

The fight soon became general, and continued for more than three hours,

the enemy using artillery freely, whilst Lomax was without a single

piece. At length, by a sweeping charge of the whole line over the plain

lying between the contending forces, the struggle was ended at that

point, the enemy retiring slowly towards the river, followed by the

victorious Confederates. About half way down to the river’s side the

rear of their cavalry turned and covered the retreat of the main body by

making a gallant charge, that struck the Maryland Battalion, which held

the extreme left of the line, but it was handsomely repulsed, the brave

officer who led it falling mortally wounded in their midst.

The main body retreated across the river, rapidly pursued by Lomax, who

came up with them within a few miles, when a running fight ensued to

Brandy Station, often before the scene of heavy cavalry fighting. Before

reaching Brandy Station, the brigades of Lomax and Wickham united, as

had also the two columns of the enemy, for Wickham had been heavily

engaged at Raccoon Ford. Here the enemy’s cavalry met the infantry sent

to support them, when they turned upon their pursuers, and the fight was

renewed with redoubled fury, and charges and counter charges were made,

until both sides paused from sheer exhaustion.

The left of the Confederate line then crossed the road leading from

Culpepper C. H. to Brandy Station, and the battle was resumed. Whilst it

was raging fiercely, a short time before dark, a heavy dust arose in the

direction of Culpepper. This was soon ascertained to be the enemy’s

cavalry, rapidly advancing from that town. Fearing an attack in the rear

from this new enemy, General Fitz Lee immediately drew back his left,

which was then in danger, and reformed parallel to the road by which

they approached. Down he came in splendid style, his sabres drawn and

flashing in the rays of the declining sun, and to an inexperienced

observer it would have seemed as though everything would have been swept

from before it. Not so the gallant men who stood in his way awaiting the

attack. But the enemy was evidently not seeking a fight, for suddenly he

moved to the left, upon discovering the Confederates in his path, and

sought to pass without a collision. But this did not suit General Lee,

who immediately ordered a charge, and Yankee and Confederate were soon

dashing along in most admirable confusion, until the infantry was

reached, when General Lee was compelled to retire out of range.

A short time after, General J. E. B. Stuart, with Hampton’s division,

came down the Culpepper road, and then was ascertained the reason why

the Yankees had wished to pass so rapidly. That General had defeated

them at Culpepper, and was then in hot pursuit.

This was the first cavalry fight in which the Spencer repeating carbine

was used by the enemy, but notwithstanding this advantage over the old

muzzle loading gun, they were badly beaten, having been driven upon

their infantry, and engaged from early dawn until night put an end to

the conflict.

The loss of the First Maryland was severe, as they were engaged almost

continually during the fight, both mounted and on foot.

The enemy acknowledged a loss of one thousand men in killed and wounded.

On the day after the fight at Morton’s Ford, the cavalry corps crossed

the Rappahannock at Warrenton Springs, and moved down the Warrenton and

Alexandria pike, and breaking into several columns, marched by different

but nearly parallel roads in the direction of Centreville. Fitz Lee’s

division moved towards Catlett’s Station, on the Orange and Alexandria

railroad. At a small place on Cedar creek, called Aubren, Lomax’s

brigade (the reader will bear in mind that the First Maryland was

attached to this brigade) made a dash at the enemy’s wagon train then

passing, but finding it protected by a corps of his infantry, Lomax

withdrew. This affair, though brief and unsatisfactory, gave occasion

for a complimentary order from General Lomax to the First Maryland,

which was well deserved, for by their gallant bearing, they materially

assisted in extricating that General from a most perilous position.

By this time Meade had divined the object of General Lee’s movement, and

his whole army was in retreat towards Washington, in order to prevent

that General from gaining his rear. During this retreat, the cavalry

made several attacks upon his flank, in all of which the Maryland

cavalry were actively engaged. But little was effected, however, owing

to the careful and compact order in which the enemy retired.

Finding his prey had escaped him, General Lee fell back to the line of

the Rapidan, leaving the cavalry to guard his rear, which also fell back

slowly—Hampton by the Warrenton pike, and Fitz Lee by the Orange and

Alexandria railroad, the two running parallel.