The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-05

mature age had distinct ideas or poucy
ard ~ the future. We believed that the
interest Of Maryland required una. sne
sbouid become one OF the Confederate
states. We did not believe she would DE
safe In the hands Of the iawiess democracy
of the North. We knew that our peV
ple had the same feelings. ana 'nat
fully and fairly represented mem nnu
we knew that the only way 10
that future Union was 10 hoin ioi Wv
state representation IN the armies OF
the South.
"With that purpose firmly fixed In my
mind I refused 10 accept a commission
~ ueutenant-cOonel from the Governor
OF Virginia. and was mustered into the
Army OF the Confederate States as cap
tain. And never I'm that glorious epoch
and fiery trial did we cease 20 main
tain Maryland organization, under
Maryland flag, in the Army OF the Con-
federate States. General George II.
Ste1art, Captain George Thomas, ana
the rest were earnest. faithful, ana de-
voted 10 this end. and we succeeded
in writing the name Of the state on tne
brightest pages Of American history. The
existence of the Maryland Line OF the
Army OF Northern Virginia is not record
ed on a single page Of the archiVes OF
Maryland. Not a single honor decordtes
our gallant comrades. not recognition
Of the self-sacrfice. devotion and chiVdlry
Of the MARYLAND Confederate has ever
been made by the powers that have con-
troled Maryland for thirty-four years
But these men were the best soldiers she
has ever had. They fought more battles
won more glory, achieved more victories
than the old line Of the Revolution"
1t is hard to realize that this is true.
1t is almost inconceivable that public
sentiment in Maryland has failed to re-
quire some state and official recognition
of the patriotic devotion and unselfsh-
ness of Maryand's soldiers in the Con-
federate Army. There is tiuge Of
bitterness, perhaps, in General Johnson's
statement Of the redress which the Mary
land Confederate VIII have. but It IS
pardonabie and it is touching. He says:
II have made this statement of our
case to posterity. Ii is crude, but it con-
tains the substance OF what ! want TO
say. Not a page of contempOraneous
record in this State makes mention OF
the Maryland Line in the Army Of North
ern Virginia. But 1t made the most glo-
rious page Of Maryland history. IL fought
more battles. lost more men, stood fast
in more disasters than any MaryldndeTs
ever anywhere before. The manual OF
arms of the First Regiment before the
batteries at the first Cold HarDor was an
exhibition OF GOODNESS and forutude
greater than that OF the line under L0rd
Stirling at Long Island. The charge oi
the Second Regiment at GettysUuib
showed more headlong dash and bflIlahI
daring than that OF the line under DehdIo
at Camden .,., IN
"The fight at Front Royal equaled II
courage and exceeded In results that a'
Cowpens. ...,.or
"R,t ,ye make no complaint. We never
fought for pay or promotion, and thtre.
fore have never been disappointed. bul
,ye u5lI have our reward in the future.
zone hundred years from now VINO VIII
no ahle 70 call the roll Of governors
senator's. congressman Of that epoch 3
who will remember the men who nave
ruled Maryland during this geherauoh'
But one hundred years from 10" every
schooiboy will recount with throoDiIB
hearts and quickened pulses the eXploils
Of the MARYLAND Line of the Army Oh
Northern Virginia, and, my iHehns, We
were the Maryland Line Inc bn'lsh
legend tells how ST. Joseph bFousht '"1
true cross to Britain ana Dul4Su - "
the vale of Avalon; and when arthur
ded he was borne by twelve queens 10
Avalon. where he rests until the dlres'
stress of Britain calls him TO her rescue.
This name of Blessed Avalon Is the
original name of our State, and. to my
heart. 81. Mary's is the Avalon OF Mary
land. s.,,o.to, "a
duty. Justice. liberty and honor Ia plahteu.
Here the Arthur Of our chiValry nes
sleenine-not dead-and when, in the ~
tnre MARYLAND needs men-mahiy III ~
bieh-minded men. generous men. VINO
scorn tricks and mean ways and th'hgs-
her cali will rouse 90 her protection tne
Lniehts Of Avalon-the men OF ST. Mary
sons of the Maryland Line.
10 IS objectionable that Maryland has
neglected these men so long. For the sake
Of that deathless glory which their con-
duct in our army shed upon her name
che should make haste TO repair the wrong
ahe has done them and herself.