The Maryland Line in the Confederate States Army.Goldsborough, W. W. (William Worthington)
History
The Maryland Line in the Confederate States Army.
Goldsborough, W. W. (William Worthington)
Confederate States of America. Army; Maryland -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
After a halt here of three or four days, the division of General Ewell
marched to join Jackson at Swift Run Gap.
After the return of that General from McDowell, the whole array advanced
upon Kenly’s forces at Front Royal, and in the sharp fight which ensued
the battery took a prominent part.
Early on the 25th of May, Jackson’s army stood in battle array before
Winchester, and the engagement soon began. The Baltimore Light Artillery
was stationed on the right, and throughout the fight played with much
effect upon the enemy’s columns.
A few days after, at Bolivar Heights, they were engaged for some hours,
and finally drove the Federal infantry and artillery from their strong
position.
In Jackson’s memorable retreat down the Valley from the overwhelming
forces of Fremont and Shields, the battery was detailed to support the
cavalry under Ashby and Steuart, which was bringing up the rear of the
army. Here it was daily engaged with the enemy. At Fisher’s Hill a
section under Griffin was entirely surrounded and cut off owing to the
bad behavior of Steuart’s cavalry, which was supporting it, but the
gallant fellow drove his pieces through the ranks of the enemy, and
reached the main body in safety.
At the battle of Harrisonburg it supported Ashby in his fight with the
Pennsylvania Bucktails, and did good service.
On the 8th of June the division of Ewell was drawn up in line of battle
at Cross Keys to dispute the enemy’s advance, whilst Jackson crossed his
prisoners and wagon trains over the Shenandoah at Port Republic. The
ground for the battle had been selected by General Elzey, by order of
General Ewell, and a most judicious selection it was, as the result of
the fight proved, and for which General Elzey received the thanks of
Ewell in an official order, which the author regrets he is unable to
give the reader.
The Baltimore Light Artillery held the extreme left supported by the
First Maryland Infantry. Theirs was a most exposed position, and upon
which was concentrated the fire of several of the enemy’s batteries. All
day long the battle lasted, and all day long the little battery
continued to hurl its shot and shell into the ranks of the enemy. It was
a most unequal contest, but stubbornly they held their ground. Generals
Elzey and Steuart, who had remained by and watched the battery with
painful interest, were both borne wounded from the field. Upon the
behavior of that battery perhaps hung the fate of the day, for we were
but a handful holding at bay a mighty army. But calmly the officers and
men stood to their guns, and although the enemy essayed more than once
to drive them from the position, there they remained until night closed
upon the combatants, and Jackson’s army was saved from the destruction
that seemed so imminent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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