Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1926-06-12

Then his determination mistaken,
he left his father, and spent all of
his resources in equipping an indie
pendent company, one of the first to
organized. Records show that on
January 2, 1776, John Gunby was
elected Captain of the Second indie
pendent Maryland Company. AS the
War continued, he received several
promotions. On December 10, 1776,
he was made Lieutenant Colonel, and
soon afterward Colonel of his Regi-
ment. A short while later he was
given the rank of Colonel of the First
Maryland Regiment, a change which
meant promotion. These successive
promotions were outward recognitions
of his merit.
Slight mention is made of the SER
vices of the Maryland troops during
the years 1776, 1777, and ITS. It is
known that they fought in the battles
|of Long Island and White Plains in
1776. They were also at Trenton,
Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown,
and Monmouth. Altho' there is little
account given of them we know that
they took their parts creditably, as
was their won't. It was, however, in
these glorious campaigns in the South
during the closing years of the War
that Gunby's Marylander's really
showed their undaunted bravery and
unexcelled prowess.
These Southern battles were the
brilliant precursors of Corvallis
final surrender at Yorktown. Under
command Of Gen. Greene, the Ameri-
can troops did a splendid piece of
fighting. Moreover, in every battle it
was the Maryland Veterans, especial
lythose of the FIRST Regiment COM
nanded by Col. Gunby, upon whom
the brunt of fighting fell. First on
the field and last to retire, they were
Greene's chief reliance and salvation.
1t is with truth that they have been
called the counterpart of Caesars
Tenth Legion and Napoleon's Old
Guard.
The Battle of Cowpens, that COM
plete American victory, was won al
most entirely by part of the First
Maryland Regiment, which Greene
had detached and sent to Morgan. At
the critical moment the troops charg-
ed with bayonet, and swept the Brit
ish from the field.
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse
was the next to be fought. 1t was the
hardest fought battle of the whole
Revolution. At the beginning of the
conflict, the front lines, composed of |
North Carolina and Virginia Militia,
broke ad fled in confusion. The Brit |
ish Guards then gave chase to the Sec
ond Maryland Regiment, leaving the |
men of the First Maryland Regiment,
led by Gunby, to face the attack a.
lone. This they did, and after hard
fighting, repulsed the British troops. |
the Guards returned from
their chase, and without warning, be- |
gan an attack in the rear of the Regi-
ment. Gunby Immediately ordered his |
troops to face about, and animated fir
ing took place, while the Americans
continued to advance. Just at this
moment, unfortunately, Gunby's horse
was killed under him and he was injur-
ed in the fall. After their courageous
fight against overwhelming odds, the
American troops had to retreat,
which they did in good order.
This battle was crucial test of the
valor of the Marylanders and their
able leader. Think of the crisis which
Gunby had to face! On this occasion,
the quickness of his mind and the
GOODNESS of his action showed him to
be true military genius.
Unfortunately, thru great mis-
take, the fame of Col. Gunby was
temporarily clouded. In the Battle of
Hobkirk's Hill, near Camden, South
Carolina charge was ordered by
Gen. Greene. Soon after it bgan, one
Of the leading American officers in
the regiment on Gunby's right was
killed, and his forces were thrown in
tc confusion. Meanwhile "a part of
Gunby's command had advanced, thus
dividing the regiment, Gunby ordered
those in advance to fall back in line
with the others and reform for a gen.
eral assault. This retrograde move
ment was mistaken for retreat, and
the regiment gave way, while the
British seized their opportunity and
nained Ground altho2 the American