Читать книгу The Maryland Line in the Confederate States Army - W. W. Goldsborough - Страница 3

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Almost four years have elapsed since the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House, and as yet nothing has been presented to the world to show the prominent part taken in the Great Rebellion by the sons of Maryland. It is a glorious and important page in her honored history, and future generations seem likely to look in vain for a record of the patient suffering and heroic achievements of their forefathers when struggling for their rights against Yankee tyranny and oppression, and which was not surpassed by their sires of the Revolution of ’76.

Thus believing, the author has yielded to the importunities of many of the officers and men of the several commands that composed the young “Maryland Line,” and presents to the public a little book describing briefly its operations during those four eventful years, and to which they can refer, and by which future historians may be in a measure guided. That it is written by a feeble pen, and by one unaccustomed to such work, will be seen at a glance, and he therefore craves the indulgence of a generous people.

It is much to be regretted that the young men who went South did not organize themselves into one command; but the proper steps were not taken in time, and consequently batteries and companies of infantry and cavalry were assigned to other commands whose States were accredited with their services. Nevertheless Maryland had one representative, at least, in this little organization, and for which she has no reason to blush.

The books at the War Department contained the names of over twenty thousand Marylanders in the service, and still at no time could the “Maryland Line” be increased to the proportions of a brigade, much less a division.

One great reason for this was the fact that they were required to officer companies, regiments, and brigades of troops from other States, for, as a general thing, the young men from Maryland were of a superior order intellectually, who were actuated by patriotism alone, and not driven into the service by the conscript officer, or influenced by mercenary motives.

Thinking to contribute to the interest of this little book, the author has added a few incidents of a personal character, which, with the “Maryland Line,” he hopes will be favorably received by the Southern people, and by that portion of the people of the North from whom we received a sympathizing tear during our struggle for independence.

Baltimore, February, 1869.