Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1868-03-05
Written for the Beacon
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE WAR.

1t was on the evening Of the 23rd Of
May 1862 that the lst Maryland re-l-
ment (Corf derat J, numbering little
more than 200 men, and commanded by
Col Bradley T. Johnson, being the ad-
vance of portion Of Jackson army, hav-
ing marched | ; miles that day by way OF
the Luray Valley. arrived within mile
Of Front Royal, situated on the railroad
leading from Manassas 10 Strasbura. Va.
and about one mile southeast OF the Shen-
andoah river. They had, by swift march
ing, perhaps de ignedly been allowed to get
several hours march ahead of the other
troops. A squad of cavalry. when pre-
ceded them, captured picket about a
! mile from the city, and from this source
it was ascertaired that Front Royal was
garr-oned by the lst Maryland Yankee
regiment, upwards of 100 strong, com
manded by Col kenIy This news en-
Unused the men of lst Maryland (Confed-
erate) and inspired them with an enthu-
siastic ardor to be brought front to front
with their trans Potomac brethren. They
were now ordered 70 double-quick, and
reaching an eminsnce, a few hundred
yardS from tHN eli ), were uaItco dhN iOi III
ed in line of battle.
An amusing incident here occurred. -
A lieutenant of cavalry, carried away
with excitement, rushed up to Gen Geo.
Fl. Stewart. waving his sword exclaim-
ing, Come on men, | will lead YOU. -
The Genl attempted to calm the excited
Lieutenant, but in vain, as he-was evi-
IDENTIFY beside himself Bring forward
the lst MARYLAND regiment. ~ ordered
Genl Stuart, in his clear. steady tones !:
"charge hayonet, forward, march, y was
THE order; and the command moved for
ward in gallant style to within a 100 yards
Of the enemy. The order to double-quick
was given, and, with an impetus and de-
termination familiar to the boys Of the lst
Maryland and victory or death stamped
on every countcnanee, the men rushed
forward, like an avalanche, determined to
conquer or leave their bodies in the breach
The enemy attempted to make a stand
receiving them with fire Of muskctrv,
but nothing had ever vet (nor since) with
stood the fierce and determined charge Of
the lst Maryland Confederate regiment
They moved on like rcSistless tornado.
brushing away like chaf all opposition
They are running EXCLAIMED Gen}.
Stewart, and the mon could no longer be
made to observe alignment The feetcst
rushed forward in advance of the others
in the hope of capturing some Of th& flee
ing enemy, but they might as well have
attempted to pursue flock OF wild decrs,
Only one was captured The Indies of
Front ROYAL were electrified with joy at
the turn affairs had taken. As the Con
tcderates rushed through the streets in
pursuit Of the fleeing foe, they clapped
their hands in an ecstasy of delight, ex-
claiming Ego in 1st Maryland into 1st
MARYLAND ~
The enemy rctreated to an eminence on
the left of the railroad running from Front
ROYAL across the Shenandoah. and about
thrce-fourths ola mile from Front Royal in
which position they were protected hy a
battery of artillery which opened rapid
fire upon the Contederates, who were row
disposed in different portions OF tie tiell
One company was thrown ont as sklrm-
ishers on the left and front of the enemy 5
position. which they duly appreciated by
throwing out skirmshers to meet them.
The fight was continued in this way for a
while, the Confederate skrlnishers ad-
vancing and driving in those of DE enc
my, until they are near their reserve -
Presently our skirmshcrs are seen to lie re-
treating, = movement which occaSioned
some surprise at first, but is soon explain
ed as IN fe " moments the main body of
the Yankees are seen emerging in line of
battle This audaciouS movement, how
ever. soon came to grief A section OF
the Baltimore Artillery coming up at this
time, one shot from it was sufficient to 81
lcnce the Yankee battery and Wheat 5
battalion of Louisiana Tigers also coming
up. were united with one or two compa-
MES of the lst Maryland regiment. in that
part of the field. and advanced upon the
enemy at a double-quick, which movc-
nent caused the rapid retreat Of the latter
across the Shenandoah bridge. which they
attempted to burn. but our men were too
fast for them and saved it. \ few we're
captured in this last encounter. and the re-
mainder the same evening by our cavalry
after Il severe fight, as the cavalry inform
ed Us they fought very braYely and did
not surrender until their Col ekenly)
vas disabled and captured. That might
they were turned over TO the lst Maryland
Confederate to guard. and the men of
either regiment found many acquaintances
in the other One of our men found q
brother in the opposing regiment and was
/ ass.duous in his endcavors TO procure food
and money for him.
The next morning the Marylanders os-
cortcd their prisoners back to Front Roy
al. where they were assigned temporary
quarters in the Court House. in charge Of
, Capt W. II Murry, ofthe list NarylaRd-
Later in the day, the Maryland Confede
rates resumed their position in the front
on the road to Winchester, passing sevs-
raj other regiments.
The achievement Of the Maryland Con
| federatcs on this occasion was a subject Of
much congratulation. both from the eiti
Tens and soldiers The defeat Of one lSt
Maryland regiment by another Of greatly
inferior force. and their subsequent cap
ture. were considered good jokes, especi-
ally as their opponents had been express
sing great desire to meet them, ami
boasting {, the citizens Of Front Royal
and vicinity Of their intention t., thor
ouchiy demolish them the first time they
came n cor,sct They SD tset o-'y