The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-08-22
SOME HISTORICAL FACTS.

ITOullu6uU FdTUS ldkGu NY
Western Maryland in the
Days of the Revolutionary
War.
BY DIR. BERNARD STEINER. PHI. d.
Courtesy Johns Hopkins Press.
There were two brothers who
were always in hot water, and
when they acknowledged that
they had spoken and acted in a
manner inimical to the cause,
they were ordered to be kept under
guard until the militia should
march and then to be taken to
camp. The brothers pleaded that
their stock must inevitably perish
for want of attention if both of
them were to be thus fOrcibly en-.
listed, and the warm hearted com
mittee permitted one of them to
remain. Forcible enlistment,
however, is not a good way to
make soldiers, and we are not
surprised to find that the second
brOt her deserted from the militia
and was brought before the com.
mittee before the month was out.
The Dunkers and Mennonites
were obliged to pay their fines in
December, and G206. los were
collected from this source. An OPP
portunity was, however, given to
non -combatans to avoid paying
fines. The young men of these
peaceful sects were requested to
march with the militia, in order
to give their assistance in in
trenching and helping the sick.
and all such as will turn out vol
UNFAIRLY agreeable to the above
request shall have their fines re-
mitted."
During the winter of 1716 and
1777, Tories seem to have been
much more plentiful than before
and the necessity of Furnishing
them and providing for the army
in the field caused the committee
to hold almost daily meetings.
Men were brought before them
"charged with drinking the
Kings health and success to
Lord and General Howe and the
British army" and with saying
that "the King would have the
country before the middle Of June
next" and that '.if he should be
put in confinement at Elizabeth
town, he valued it not, for Lord
Howe would soon release him. y
We must remember that at the
time this was done, Washington
was just gathering his forces to-
gether for his crossing of the
Delaware, and the country was
passing through the times that
tried mems souls. This will &C.
count for the boldness of the Tor.
les and for the activity of the
committee. One man was put in
custody and kept there till he
should give security that he would
''neither say nor do anything in
imical to the United States" The
next day he volunteered in the
Continental service and was re-
leased from prison.
Another man published Lord
Howe's declaration and other re-
ports lnimical to the United
States. He was put under safe
guard till he produce the declara.
tion and give bond for good be
havior Two more Tories public
ly said they were determined not
to march. eco to the Tory gaol,"
say the committee, "until a proper
guard can be procured to march
you to your respective companies"
There was no laxity in the meas
ures of the committee of Wash
ington county. Neither was there
undue sternness, and when de-
serters from Captain Evan Bakers
company were brought before the
committee on February 6, 1777,
and agreed to march to their com
panies at camp, they were allowed
to do so, provided they give Sc,
curity to appear when called for.
The raising and equipment of
the militia occupied much of the
committees attention. Minutest
details received great care, and
the officers were held to rigid &C
countability for what they re-
ceived. Nominations for officers
of the companies and the battal-
ions which they raised were made
to the Council of Safety and to
the Continental Congress. Poor
and sick soldiers of the Flying
Camp were provided for by the
committee, and quarters for re-
cruits and soldiers were furnished.
In one instance the committee
Offered to bury poor soldier in
decent manner, at its own expense,
but the generosity of the citizens