Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1906-06-07

that Fineganss Florida Brigade
charged simultaneously with the
Marylanders, and with spirit and
promptness. but that command be-
ing stationed more than a quarter ol
o mile TO the rear and right ohlique
Of the point taken by the enemy. had
o much longer distance 70 cover and
could not reach IL until the work had
already been accomplished. Il In
due to them, however 70 state that
they lost no time and after arriving
on the scene gave gallant support.
Notwithstanding these facts, these
incontestable facts, the Richmond
papers In their accounts OF the bat-
sle, totally ignoring the presence or
existence Of Marylanders, ascribed
to Finegan's Brigade all the credit.
all the honor and all the glory of the
occasion. Indignation but feebly
expresses our feelings. No crime
upon the highway could appear 70
as SO infamous. And we were justi.
fed, for the same press almost In.
variably ignored US and robbed us
OF our blood bought honors. Ton,
Tolson now a well-known citizen OF
Baltimore, then a gallant Lieutenant
in the Second Maryland, incensed,
aggrieved, and possibly in wardiy in
dulgiug in pious protestations, de-
string correction TO be made. but
having been a participant in the af-
fair, sensitively shrinking from ID
himself, requested me, as a partici-
pant in the general engagement and
an eye witness TO the splendid per-
Torrance Of his command, 10 make
the correction, which / did under
the caption, Honor TO whom honor
is due" In this, / described the af-
fair in accordance with the facts. de-
tracing nothing from Finnegan' 8
Command but according TO it all the
credit and all the honor 70 which IL
was entitled. This communication
was conveyed TO Richmond by the
Rev. Mr.. Duncan, Chaplain to the
Maryland Line, and though, owing
to the irregularity with which SOL
diers obtained newspapers, never
saw it in print, / was informed by
members that it was published in
the Richmond Dispatch, l think with
sss~~~--.v~.s---1--ys-- 20
battle, Generals X. f. Lee and John
@. Breckenridge. Though aware that
there was very great disparity in
the losses OF the two armies in this
engagement had no accurate knowl-
edge Of the relative proportions un.
Gil after the war when / saw a state
ment in Van Eyre, Horton & Co.'S.
Youths History of the War" pub
lished in New York, in which il was
estimated, il my memory be correct,
that the Confederate loss was some
what less than thousand whereas
the Federals in killed, wounded and
captured approximated fourteen
thousand. There were numerous
interesting incidents and some per-
sonal experiences in this battle that
| would like to relate, but having al
ready been SO prolix | will let the
curtain fall on this bloody act among
so many OF similar character in this
long and cruel tragedy, where so
many noble men of both armies made
their entrances and had their exits,
and let US hope, found rest in peace.
In writing the foregoing from unas-
sisted memory after lapse Of up
wards OF thirty-one years, / have
endeavored tokeep within the bounds
Of truth and believe that have sue
ceeded.
/ surely hope that / have not fallen
into error.
B. WEIGH OWENS.
We, the undersigned members of
the Second Maryland Battalion of
Infantry, and participants in the
battle described, certify to the Cor
rectness Of the aforegoing account.
Lieut.. WIN. r. BYUs, Co. Z. End Md.
PrivateS. T. GLENN, A I"
JSo. BRowN, Z
JAS. L. CASTLE. G ="
Lieutenant Byus, one OF the above
signers, cut down with his sword
one Of the enemy who was in the
act Of bayoneting one Of his men.