GENERAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 8.
Richmond, February 26, 1862.

I. The following act of Congress, with regulations of the Secretary of War thereupon, are published for the information of the Army:

AN ACT to authorize and provide for the organization of the Maryland Line.

SECTION. 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all native or adopted citizens of the State of Maryland who have heretofore volunteered, are now in, or many hereafter volunteer in the service of the Confederate States, may, at their option, be organized and enrolled into companies, squadrons, battalions, and regiments, and with the First Maryland Regiment, and several companies now in service, into one or more brigades, to be known as the Maryland Line; said organization to be in accordance with existing laws.

Approved February 15, 1862.

II. In accordance with the requirements of above act all Marylanders now in service in the military organizations other than that of the First Maryland Regiment, will, upon application (proper evidence setting forth the fact that they are native or adopted Marylanders being furnished), be transferred to the First Maryland Regiment; or, where the numbers are sufficient, may be organized into companies, squadrons, battalions, or regiments, which, with the First Maryland Regiment, will be formed into brigades to be known as the Maryland Line.

III. Colonel George H. Steuart, now commanding the First Maryland Regiment, is assigned to this duty of organization, re-enlisting for his own regiment, and reorganizing from the material obtained by enlistments and transfers, in accordance with the following law, having command of the whole.

By order of the Secretary of War:

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

Report of Lieutenant Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, First Maryland Infantry (Confederate).

MARCH 12, 1862.

GENERAL: On Sunday, March 9, by your order, I, with a detail from the First Maryland Regiment, relieved Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, of the Thirteenth Virginia, at outpost Numbers 2. Immediately upon reaching the post I began to place the men under my command upon the line theretofore established. I posted thirty-four men of Company I, Lieutenant Mitchell, at Mrs. Butler's house on the east of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad; forty-eight riflemen of Company F, Lieutenant Hough, at the post to the right of Ford's house and left of the railroad; twenty-eight riflemen of Companies A and B, Lieutenant Shellman and Costello, at the church on the hill to the left of Ford's house, and thirty-six men of Company H, Captain Murray, at the reserve. Having reported before to General Steuart, commanding outposts, the extreme weakness of the position in consequence of the inability of the sentinel on the right flank to see an approaching enemy, who would be masked by intervening hills until within fifty yards of the line of sentinels, which rendered the right flank liable at any time to be turned and the enemy to get in the rear of the reserve before being observed, I had obtained his permission to charge the line to protect us from this danger as far as possible, which, however, would only be partial. I started to go to outsentinel to select a position for a picket, when I met Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, who had just brought in his men from the church, who told me some cavalry vedettes had just passed, and informed him that they had been driven in from my front by the enemy, who was advancing in force. I instantly ordered the sentinels to be drawn in, and while doing so his flankers and line of skirmishers appeared within a short distance of where I then was. I then hastened to F Company, and ordered Lieutenant Hough to fall back to the road, behind Ford's house, leading to the railroad to protect my rear, sent by courier to Lieutenants Shellman and Costello to bring their men in, having before by courier ordered Captain Murray up to the rear of Ford's house, which order was not received by him, and I sent again, ordering him up. When I rode up on the hill toward the church a regiment in line of battle was advancing up the hollow from Sangster's Cross-Roads, a company of cavalry was charging on F Company, which was retiring in disorder across an open field in the direction I had ordered, and another company of cavalry was sweeping around the hill toward the church. Lieutenants Shellman and Costello brought their men down to the hollow behind Ford's houses, where I united them with Captain Murray's, and being then informed that a large body of infantry were moving down the railroad between me and my first post, I moved rapidly in that direction, when the cavalry appeared directly between me and the road to the railroad. I gave them a volley, which drove them back, and gained the timber, and then by the road through it, got to Lieutenant Mitchell's post. Just below it was Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, who had on leaving told me he would hold that position to keep open communication with our rear. I then deployed H Company as skirmishers along the line of the railroad to the right, in front of Lieutenant Mitchell's original post. He formed my men on the left of it, while Lieutenant-Colonel Walker held a position on the right. Here we remained for some time, until Lieutenant-Colonel Walker received orders from Colonel Hill to return to camp, which he did, and I fell back a few hundred yards to a bridge to prevent my being flanked from the Union Mills Ford road, where I remained until late in the afternoon. Then receiving General Staurt's order to return to Union Mills Ford and report to Colonel Robertson, I did so, burning the railroad bridge and reaching there about dark, and was ordered by him to hold that ford, which I did until 12 o'clock that night, when I was relieved by Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholls, of the Eighth Louisiana, and ordered to my regiment. I have lost thirteen men missing, some of whom I still hope to hear from. They are all of Company F, which being armed with rifles, without bayonets, made an ineffectual defense against a cavalry charge; four of them were killed or badly wounded and nine are still missing. Lieutenant Joseph H. Stewart, of Company F, is also missing, and has been taken, I expect. When last seen he was fighting gallantly, having killed a trooper who was charging him. Private Nolan first shot a man who was riding at him, then with his clubbed rifle broke the forelegs of the horse of the next trooper, and was then cut down. The enemy's loss was certainly, I think, seven men killed or wounded besides losing several horses. There were two troops of cavalry and two regiments of infantry, one of which was deployed to the east and right of the railroad, while the other advanced in line of battle on Ford's house. In the face of this force I held my right post until ordered back, though then within 500 or 600 yards of him.

BRADLEY T. JOHNSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Detachment First Maryland Regiment.

General ARNOLD ELZEY,

Commanding Fourth Brigade, Army of the Potomac.

Colonel H. L. CLAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Richmond:

SIR: In reply to a letter I wrote to the Adjutant-General asking if Marylanders were entitled to their discharge at the expiration of their term of enlistment, you inclosed me the Secretary's decision as follows:

The privilege of being transferred to the Maryland Line will be cheerfully given to these Marylanders. Thus an opportunity will be given them to voluntarily enlist with companies for the redemption of their State. In other respects they surely ought not to complain that they are not on a footing with all other citizens or residents. The law is plain as to residents, and it must be admitted that they are residents of the Confederacy for an indefinite period; that is, for the war, at least.

On the 16th instant I called at the office of the Adjutant-General and told you of the object of my visit; that I was in receipt of communications by mail and telegram from the very class of Marylanders referred to in the decision of the Honorable Secretary quoted - men who had left Baltimore to defend Charleston in the spring of 1861, whose terms of service had expired, and who had applied to be transferred to the Maryland Line in conformity to General Orders, No. 38, from the War Department, and who complained inthe communication referred to that their transfers, though sent on more than two months before, had not been granted. At your suggestion I addressed a note to the Honorable Secretary on the subject, respectfully asking to be informed if the order referred to (No. 38) had been suspended as far as Charleston was concerned. I was prompted to this inquiry by the fact of General Lee's having requested me to suspend my efforts to withdraw Marylanders from his army to the Maryland camps till the present campaign was ended, which request I of course promptly complied with, fully acquiescing in its wisdom. This will, I presume, account for a fact to which you adverted in our brief interview - the limited number of men at General Elzey's camp.

It is fair to assume that had General Lee not have thought that Marylanders in his army were in sufficient force to constitute a power, he would scarcely have considered it a matter of consequence if they did or did not continue in the Virginia and other State organizations in which they were serving, and to which their members were credited as citizens of those States. Supposing that a corresponding exigency might exist making it a matter of importance to detain the Marylanders, entitled to transfer as stated, temporarily at Charleston, I had purposed, if my inference proved by the Secretary's reply to be correct, to appeal to the men who were complaining to me, asking them to continue their devotion to their flag in spite of their disappointment till the exigency had expired. My letter referred to was sent to the Department on the 16th instant, and when I tell you that it was under no less a prompting than the expressed wishes of General Lee, and with the cordial approval and indorsement of His Excellency the President, that I embarked in the effort to rally my countrymen, and that I have expended some thousands of dollars, private means, in the effort to accomplish that object, I think that you will admit that my request to be furnished with the information asked, for the use stated, was neither improper nor unreasonable; yet to this day my communication remains unnoticed. Self-respect would have impelled me to drop the matter here, for I don't choose to be considered as troublesome to any of your bureaus, but for another letter received from Charleston yesterday, making representations which, if true (and I see no reason to discredit them), are of so extraordinary a character, and so at variance with what I know to have been the purposes of His Excellency the President, that I am utterly at a loss to account for them.

When I visited Charleston in April last (which I did by request of the Maryland officers and other gentlemen of that State, and at the urgent entreaty of the men there who wrote to me to visit them) I had a frank and full conversation and understanding on the subject with General Beauregard, who acknowledged the justice of the President's purpose in authorizing the organization of the Marylanders into one body, and also conferred with General Ripley on the subject, both of whom bore testimony to the bravery and devotion of these men to the South, and General Ripley informed me, if I am right in my recollection, that a board of officers convened for the purpose had decided that these men were entitled to their discharge, they having served out their full term of enlistment and had sent their decision to the War Department. General Beauregard told me frankly that under the Order No. 38 he considered all the Marylanders in his department entitled to transfer to the Maryland Line, and an officer was selected of his command, and with his consent, to make that decision known to them, and with the knowledge and full consent of General Beauregard I visited the Marylanders who were under arrest for demanding their discharge, and at my instance they resumed their duty with the promise that they should be transferred to the Maryland Line. What makes this case more remarkable and seemingly harder is the fact that at the beginning of our troubles, when the Charleston people first apprehended conflict in Febrppeal was made to Maryland in her behalf, and her officers visited Baltimore to get volunteers for the defense of that city. These were the men who with others to the number of some 500 or 600, as I learned - many of whose remains now lie buried in the defenses about that city - first responded to that appeal, and history will tell how bravely they did their duty, and they don't ask (decimated though their numbers be) to quit the service, but to be dealt with fairly in accordance with the wishes and purposes of the President, to be allowed to fight side by side with the men of their own State - a privilege secured to citizens of all the States having a Congressional representation and intended by law to be accorded to Marylanders.

In writing thus plainly I desire you to understand that it is in no spirit of captiousness, still less with purpose of disrespect to the Honorable Secretary or any of the agents of the Department, and I may safely say from no selfish purpose of any kind. I know that I am above any imputation of that sort in the estimation of all high-minded men of Maryland who hold the honor of their State in due estimation, and hence feel that I can afford to speak with frankness on the affairs of that State.

In appointing General Elzey to command the Maryland Line, I think I know that it was done to put at rest a point that has been a constant bone of contention among aspiring emigrants from that State, and interfered very considerably with the organization and usefulness of the Maryland people. Notwithstanding the appointment of General Elzey, the name of another officer has appeared almost daily in the Richmond press signed officially as the "Commanding officer of the Maryland Line," which has served to create a feeling of distrust as to the future of that organization.

And I deem it proper also to advert to a fact that may or may not be within your knowledge - that an enlisted man has been detailed from Colonel Johnson's command to the Department and placed in charge of applications for transfer to Camp Howard, and that applications made at the same time and from the same regiments for transfer to the camps (Howard and Maryland) have in the cases of those for Camp Howard been promptly granted, whilst those wishing to go to Camp Maryland are unnoticed. Such I am sure you will agree with me was no part of the purpose of the President, and hence I conclude that there is some influence actively at work to defeat the proper organization of the Maryland Line.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. P. KANE.

P. S. - I inclose for your information a copy of my last letter from Charleston referred to

GENERAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 38.
Richmond, March 23, 1864.

I. The second and third paragraphs of General Orders, No. 8, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, series of 1862, are hereby revoked.

II. With a view to facilitate the organization of citizens of Maryland into companies, squadrons, battalions, and regiments, in accordance with the act to authorize and provide for the organization of the Maryland Line, published in paragraph I, General Orders, No. 8, above referred to, a camp will be established at Staunton, Va., to be called Camp Maryland, and a camp near Hanover Junction, to be called Camp Howard.

III. The troops now under the command of Colonel Bradley T. Johnson will for the present occupy Camp Howard, and all other Maryland companies, squadrons, and battalions will, upon their written application, be detached by commanding generals from their present commands and ordered to proceed, for the purpose of being organized into regiments, either to Camp Maryland or to Camp Howard, as they may elect.

IV. All persons now in service in other than Maryland companies who are, or were at the commencement of the war, native or adopted citizens of Maryland, and who desire to join companies from their own State, will, upon their application in writing with reliable evidence of their citizenship, addressed and sent directly to the commandant of Camp Maryland or to the commandant of Camp Howard, be transferred to the Maryland Line, and at their option will either be assigned to Maryland companies now existing, or, provided the number be sufficient, organized into new companies with the privilege of electing company officers. And persons now in service in Maryland companies who are citizens of other States will, upon their request in writing, accompanied by proper evidence of their citizenship, be transferred by commanding generals to any company from their own States in the army to which they belong.

V. Upon receipt of orders from this office making transfers in accordance with the precedimanding generals are direct to forward the men so transferred to the camp designated in charge of commissioned officers, and they will furnish every possible facility for the prompt movement of companies, squadrons, and battalion as directed in the third paragraph of this order.

VI. All native or adopted citizens of Maryland who are not now in the Confederate service will, upon application to either of the commandants herein mentioned within the next sixty days, be enlisted into the Maryland Line, and at their option assigned to existing Maryland companies or organized into the new companies hereinbefore provided for.

VII. Major-General Elzey is relieved from the command of the Department of Richmond and assigned to the command of the Maryland Line. He will for the present take immediate command of CampMaryland. Colonel Bradley T. Johnson will assume command of CampHoward. They will at once proceed to carry out the purpose of these orders.

By order:

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
September 16, 1863.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

PresidentConfederateStates, Richmond, Va.:

Mr. PRESIDENT: No attempt has been made by the enemy to cross the Rapidan since the 14th. He seems to be collecting forces in the vicinity of Culpeper Court-House. Whether it is with a view of its occupancy or of a farther advance, is not yet apparent. A few days will probably disclose.

Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, who was commissioned for a command in the Maryland Line, is now without one. He has commanded General John M. Jones' brigade since the battle of Gettysburg, But General Jones, having recovered from his wounds, has returned to duty. The Maryland Line has been divided; the cavalry assigned to Fitz. Lee's brigade and the infantry to George H. Steuart's.

There are eight companies of infantry, seven of cavalry, and a battalion of light artillery. It is desired to keep the Maryland Line united, as I believe was contemplated by the act of Congress organizing it. I could place the whole under Colonel Johnson, assign it to duty at Hanover Junction, and bring Cooke's brigade to this army. The troops of the Maryland Line were temporarily separated on the expedition to Pennsylvani, as they could not do duty together with advantage. The infantry ought to be sufficient to guard the bridges over the Annas and the cavalry to guard the roads of approach in that direction. Cooke's brigade would give some strength to this army.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

No. 178. Richmond, July 29, 1864.

XXII. Major General Arnold Elzey, Provisional Army, C. S., is hereby relieved from the command of the Maryland Line, to which he was assigned by paragraph VII, General Orders, No. 38, current series. Major Charles A. Snowden, quartermaster, and Lieutenant J. McHenry Howard, ordnance officer, are relieved from duty with the Maryland Line, and will report to the chiefs of their respective departments.

XXIII. Leave of absence for thirty days is granted Major General Arnold Elzey, Provisional Army, C. S.

XXIV. In addition to his other duties, Lieutenant Colonel James Howard, commanding Second Division, inner line [of defenses] will establish within the limits of his command a camp for the reception, subsistence, and organization of such Marylanders as may have been or may be transferred to or recruited for the Maryland Line, in accordance with General Orders, No. 38, current series. Captain J. Louis Smith, assistant adjutant-general, will report to Colonel Howard for assignment to the immediate command of the camp. Marylanders transferred as above will, upon their arrival in Richmond, report promptly to the camp to be established in pursuance of these orders.

* * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

SAML. W. MELTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

General GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,

Secretary of War:

SIR: I have the honor to call your attention to General Orders, No. 8, of February 26, 1862, directing the formation of the Maryland Line. Repeated applications for transfers have been made, but as yet with very little success. In some cases the officers have refused to forward applications for transfer. I would therefore respectfully request that such orders and instructions be given as to insure the speedy formation of the Maryland Line, designating by whom the transfers can be made and the place where all can assemble; and I would further ask that it be made imperative upon officers to forward any applications from the men. I feel confident that within a few weeks all can be assembled and ready to take the field. The First Maryland Regiment, being the largest body of Marylanders, could serve as the nucleus, and all the rest be ordered to report there immediately. At this time, in accordance with the conscription act, there is a general reorganization of the Army, regiments from other States receiving their recruits, being rapidly filled up, and electing their company and field officers. The Marylanders, as you no doubt are aware, are scattered in different regiments, almost all of them being twelve-months' men and having already served nearly a year. They are, almost to a man, anxious to serve the Confederate States. All they ask is be with men from their own State. Some whose term of service of twelve months has expired have been told by their officers that the conscription act will compel them to remain where they now are. From all I can learn the Maryland men are greatly disheartened at not being able to procure transfers and at the obstacles thrown in their way. They consider the law plain enough, and wonder why it is not carried out. They, like men of other States, naturally wish to get together, to be with their relatives, friends, and neighbors. As Maryland is not represented in Congress nor an acknowledged State of the Confederacy, one great object which will be attained on forming the Maryland Line will be its representing the State. It will serve as a rallying point for all Marylanders, and will be constantly increased by men coming over from Maryland. It will serve also to keep up the spirits of our friends in Maryland by letting them know the State is represented by an organized and constantly increasing military body in the Confederacy. It being understood that citizens from Maryland are not subject to the operation of the conscription laws, and therefore not liable to compulsory service (though no one doubts the determination and the readiness of every refugee from that State to sustain with all his might the Southern cause), it is worthy of consideration how much it is due to persons thus situated to observe and carry out a regulation of the Confederate Congress intended for their gratification, and which observance cannot fail to be influential in conforming their loyalty and enthusiasm in the present crisis. It having been assigned to me individually to carry out the objects contemplated in the order above referred to, I feel it is my imperative duty to omit no proper exertion to accomplish the contemplated object, and I do not doubt you will feel that I cannot do otherwise s subject as I have to your attention.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE H. STEUART,

Brigadier-General.

[Indorsement.]

ADJUTANT-GENERAL:

Issue general order requiring all native-born Marylanders in volunteer regiments to be sent to Richmond to such officers as General Steuart may designate. If the times of the men are out they are entitled to their discharges, not being embraced by conscription act.

G. W. RANDOLPH.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
April 18, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: Ihave received your letter of the 14th instant with reference tothe application of Captain Dement's company for transfer to the Maryland Line. I have always been of opinion that the act of February, 1862, by its own operation, made all Maryland companies in existence at the date of the act a part of the Maryland Line, and so decided on the occasion of a previous applicatiion from the members of the same command. But I did not consider that the law was intended to interfere with the employment of any part of the line where it could be of most use, and have accordingly retained it in connection with other batteries for general service. There are already two companies of Maryland artillery which have been sent to hanover Junction to report to Colonel Johnson, and though reduced, I considered that they were sufficient for the wants of that post, especially as I hoped that their location at that point would enable them to be recruited. Captain Dement's company was retained with the other artillery of the army because I thought it would be more useful; but if it be thought that its presence will contribute to the recruiting of the line, I do not object to its being sent to CampHoward, and have ordered it to report accordingly. It is a good company and has done good service. I hope that it will not be lost to the army in the field at a time when we cannot afford to lose any of our strength.

R. E. LEE,

General.

RICHMOND, VA., June 13, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that up to this time my efforts to organize the Maryland Line have been fruitless. I found about fifty of Gilmor's dismounted men at Staunton, and only about thirty transferred men reported to me at CampMaryland. They were sent from Charleston, and were men who had been confined in jail. When General Imboden was pressed in the Valley I sent this detachment of about eighty men, under Captain Stith, to join his forces. My experience goes to prove the impossibility and impracticability of forming the Maryland Line, and I would respectfully recommend that the order be revoked. I repaired to General Lee's headquarters on Saturday last to report to him, but he informed me that he had no command to give me and nothing for me to do. I now respectfully report myself t you for duty.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

ARNOLD ELZEY,

Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

As soon as a proper command can be found without a commander the claim of General Elzey will receive the attention of the President.

S. C.

General Elzey has been ordered (June 17) to report to General Brackinridge, at Lynchburg, for duty.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 15.
Richmond, January 19, 1864.

* * * *

XIX. the battalion of Maryland cavalry commanded by Lieutenant Colonel R. Brown will be designated as the First Maryland Cavalry; the battalion of Maryland infantry, Lieutenant Colonel J. R. Herbert commanding, will be designated as the Second Maryland Infantry; the battery of artillery commanded by Captain W. H. Griffin, to be designated as the Second Maryland Artillery, together with such other companies, battalions, squadrons, and regiments as may hereafter be added, raised, assigned, or transferred to it, are organized into the Maryland Line, under the command of Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, in pursuance of General Orders, Numbers 8, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, 1862, and act of Congress approved February 15, 1862. Colonel Bradley T. Johnson is assigned to the duty of organizing and recruiting the Maryland Line.

* * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT,

Numbers 47.
Mount Solon, May 17, 1862.

Brigadier General George H. Steuart, having reported for duty, will, in obedience to Special Orders, Numbers 117, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, Richmond, May 9, 1862, proceed to organize the Maryland Line, and for this purpose the First Maryland Regiment is detached from its present brigade organization and placed under his command. I would strongly urge every patriotic Marylander who has cast his destiny with the Southern Confederacy to come promptly forward and join this organization, headed by one of Maryland's gifted sons, and to do what he can to make the Maryland Line invincible against that tyranny which continues to trample in the dust the rights of his native State.

T. J. JACKSON,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MARYLAND LINE,
Camp on Mountain, June 11, 1862.

MAJOR: On Thursday, May 29 ultimo, this command, Brigadier-General Steuart, commanding Maryland Line, marched from Martinsburg to beyond Charlestown. On the 30th it was ordered toward Harper's Ferry. The enemy were found on BolivarHeights, and, after driving in their skirmishers with a few sharpshooters from the First Maryland Regiment, our artillery, Captain Cutshaw's battery, drove them from the hill. I then advanced with Company A, Maryland Cavalry, and my regiment, and took possession of the heights. We captured the camp of the enemy, full of stores and arms. I went tot he Potomac. Very soon he opened on me from a battery at Barbour's house, and a gun to our right, when, having no artillery to support me, I was ordered back by Brigadier-General Steuart. I went into camp 2 1/2 miles east of Charlestown, without rations, my wagons having been sent forward. The next day, 31st, I was rear guard of the army, and marched 7 miles beyond Winchester. The next day, June 1, also rear guard; marched beyond Strasburg. On the 6th of June, 2 miles southeast of Harrisonburg, I became engaged with a force of the enemy-one brigade and the First Pennsylvania Rifles (Bucktail Rifles), (Captain [Wilson C.] Nicholas, Company G, captured their colonel, Kane), and, together with the Fifty-eighth Virginia, Colonel [Samuel H.] Letcher, we drove them back. Here I lost Captain M. S. Robertson, Company I, a gallant officer, who fell at the head of his men, in a charge, shouting, "Go on, my men; don't fall back for me." Here also fell Second Lieutenant Nicholas Snowden, a true and brave soldier, who died as became his life, in the arms of victory, with his face to the foe. Near him fell the chivalric Ashby. Here also died Privates [William E.] Harris and [L. R.] Schley, Company h; Murphy, Company G, and [E. W.] Beatty, Company D. Beatty was advanced in years, and has steadily refused promotion at my hand, preferring to carry his rifle in defense of right and honor. Besides these 6 killed outright, I lost 11 men wounded, 4 or 6 mortally, making 17 out of 150 men engaged. My colors fell twice, but were caught before they touched the ground. Color Sergt. Joseph Doyle was severely wounded, and left in a house in the neighborhood; Color-Corporal Taylor was badly shot, and Color-Corporal [Daniel] Shanks carried them the rest of the time. I subjoin a list.+ On the 8th of June my regiment was engaged in the center, on the left, and supporting the Baltimore Light Artillery. Soon after getting into position, I was attacked by regiment slightly to my left. I changed position and drove them back. In a short time another regiment came up, and got behind a fence some 300 yards from me. This place they obstinately held for an hour. I could not charge them, not having 175 men in ranks, and having to cross a branch, a ravine, and a fence. At last, however, I drove them out, leaving some dead and quantities of arms, accouterments, and blankets. Soon after, another regiment was brought up the road, a little to my right, but my men dispersed them rapidly.

No other attack was made on this point during the day. The enemy had a piece of artillery, some 800 yards distant, the whole time, playing on me with grape, but when our rifles sent the last attacking regiment back, it retired. A demonstration was before that made on my left, but the force retired without effecting anything. About 4 to 5 o'clock my ammunition gave out, and the guns became so hot and foul as to be seriously impaired. Major-General Ewell then ordered me back for a new supply, and my regiment did not get into action again. There was no move made on my wing after I left, for I came back myself, and, under General Ewell's orders, pushed Colonel Patton's and Colonel Hays' commands forward on our extreme left.

Our loss was severe. Brigadier General George H. Steuart, in command on the left, and of my regiment and the battery, was shot, toward the close of the engagement, in the shoulder, severely, but not dangerously. His acting assistant adjutant-general, Lieutenant [Frank A.] Bond, and his aide, Lieutenant Randolph [H.] McKim, each had horses wounded. Second Lieutenant H. [H.] Bean, Company I, was wounded, and 24 men. I subjoin a list.* Two men were wounded in the battery.

It is my duty to notice the precision and gallantry with which Captain Brockenbrough served his guns.

I was not under fire on the 9th, but lost 1 man wounded, Private [Joshua] Simpson, Company D, who was fighting with the Fifty-second Virginia.

Your obedient servant,

BRADLEY T. JOHNSON,

Colonel First Maryland Regiment, Commanding Maryland Line.

Major JAMES BARBOUR,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division.

[Inclosure.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT,

Numbers 230.
June 13, 1862.

* * * * * * *

III. Colonel Johnson, of the First Maryland Regiment, is directed to encamp, with his command, in the vicinity of Staunton, Va., for the purpose of recruiting; and is also ordered to collect all stragglers from the Army of the Valley, and return them to these headquarters under guard.

By order of Major-General Jackson:

R. L. DABNEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Numbers 257. Report of Colonel Bradley T. Johnson,

First Maryland Infantry (Confederate), commanding Maryland Line, of the skirmishers at Hundley's Corner, battle of Gaines' Mill and Malvern Hill, and skirmish at Westover.

HEADQUARTERS MARYLAND LINE,
Camp near Westover, Va., July 7, 1862

CAPTAIN: On Thursday, June 26, when the army advanced from Ashland the First Maryland Regiment, of my command, was ordered to the front by Major-General Ewell, with directions to driven in the enemy's pickets when found. In the afternoon Captain Nicholas, Company G, whom I had sent in advance skirmishing, discovered a cavalry picket at a church at the intersection of Hundley's Corner and Mechanicsville road. He immediately drove them in, and upon their receiving re-enforcements and making a stand I took Companies A and D and drove them over Beaver Creek.

Having thus gained a hill commanding the other side of the creek, I was ordered by Major-General Jackson to hold it and take two pieces of the artillery under my command and disperse the enemy, who appeared in some force beyond it. This was done, and I bivouacked on the hill in reach of their guns. Once during the night they drove in my outpost to recover a piece of artillery which they had masked near my position, but which I did not discover until next morning. I immediately recovered the ground.

The next day, June 27, I again marched in advance, the Thirteenth Virginia and Sixth Louisiana being in front as skirmishers. When near Cold Harbor the battery was ordered into position by Brigadier-General Elzey, to whom I had reported for orders with the consent of Major-General Ewell, and the First Maryland was ordered to support it. The cavalry company I ordered to report to Colonel Fitzhugh Lee, of the First Virginia Cavalry, as it could be of no use detached. Here I remained until between 5 and 6 p.m., when Major-General Jackson ordered me to take my regiment into action. Leaving the battery with a cavalry support, I went in about the central point of the fire.

Arriving on the plateau in front of Gaines' house I found it occupied by the enemy, and behind them a short distance a battery, which poured a continual and rapid fire into our troops in front of it. Their infantry held a strong position behind the bank of the road in front of Gaines' house. I found to my horror regiment after regiment rushing back in utter disorder. The Fifth Alabama I tried in vain to rally with my sword and the rifles of my men. The Twelfth Alabama reformed readily on my right, and the North Carolina regiments of Colonel McRae's command, at my appeal, rallied strongly on my left. Thus re-enforced, my men moved forward at a right-shoulder-shift, taking the touch of elbows and dressing on the alignment with the precision of a parade. Not a man was missing. Marching straight on, when a comrade fell not a man left the ranks, but the surgeons' detail carried him off.

We gained the road and the house, when Brigadier-General Winder brought the First Brigade into line on my right and ordered me to put some Georgia regiments of Brigadier-General Lawton's command on my left, to take command of the whole, and charge the battery. This was done. The whole line swept forward, but when close to the battery it limbered up and fled. Two of its pieces were found next morning in the road a mile from the position we charged.

The conduct of my men and officers beyond praise. They marched, each one in his place, with a precision and firmness which can never be surpassed.

I append a list of casualties.*

That night we slept on the battle-field, and next morning, 28th, were ordered in front my Major-General, Ewell, and gained the York River Railroad. Pushing beyond to a hill which commanded Bottom's Bridge, I placed a picket on the Williamsburg road and held the hill by order until the 30th, when I was ordered off.

On July 1, finding myself in the rear without orders, I pushed forward until I got within a quarter of a mile of Littleton's house, on the Malvern Hills. Here I halted and went forward with my adjutant and adjutant-general of the Maryland Line. A short distance from my position I met Brigadier General George B. Anderson coming back, wounded, with the fragments of his command, which had been repulsed, losing heavily. I rode on, and just in front of Littleton's house came suddenly on a small body of the enemy within 100 yards of me. Returning, I reported the fact to Major-General Jackson, and asked should I go forward. He said, "No." I remained in position until dusk under the most terrific fire of shell and shrapnel I can conceive of. At that time, finding troops coming pouring back from the front, and no one to get orders from, I concluded to move forward toward the firing. As I was going up Major-General Ewell rode up and approved of my action.

I then went on and found Brigadier-General Winder, and by his order took possession of the woods beyond the Littleton house, which I held until we marched. This gave us complete command of the battle-field.

The next morning a squadron of cavalry, escorting an officer of rank, coming impertinently near, was driven off, and a regiment of infantry moving off gave us a few scattering shots.

On this day I only lost 1 man, hit by a piece of shell, and my assistant surgeon had his horse killed.

On July 4 we occupied, with Brigadier-General Early's command, the woods in front of WestoverChurch. There was some sharp skirmishing, but no loss, except that Lieutenant Bond, assistant adjutant-general, Maryland Line, had his horse killed.

Your obedient servant,

BRADLEY T. JOHNSON.

Colonel, Commanding Maryland Line.

Captain G. CAMPBELL BROWN,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division.

HEADQUARTERS,

Hanover Junction, January 14, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: I respectfully request that a special order be issued constituting the battalion of Maryland cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel R. Brown commanding, under the name of First Maryland Cavalry; the battalion of Maryland infantry, Lieutenant Colonel J. R. Herbert commanding, under the name of Second Maryland Infantry, and battery of artillery, Captain W. H. Griffin, commanding, under the name of Second Maryland Artillery, with such other companies, battalions, and regiments as may be hereafter raised or assigned to it, "The Maryland Line," under my command, in accordance with General Orders, Numbers 8, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, 1862, and Special Orders, Numbers 269, paragraph XVI, headquarters Army of Northern Virginia.

I desire this for the purpose of fixing the names of the battalions and companies of this command.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BRADLEY T. JOHNSON,

Colonel, Commanding.