The long spring campaign in the Valley and the operations around Richmond had made sad havoc in the ranks of the Maryland Line, and it became necessary for them to recruit and reorganize before again ready for the field. For this purpose the First Maryland Infantry and Baltimore Light Artillery were ordered to Charlottesville, where they remained a month, when they were once more ordered to join Jackson, who was about to make his great movement to the rear of Pope’s army at Manassas. Alas, the two commands did not journey together far, for at Gordonsville an order overtook Colonel Johnson requiring him to at once disband the First Maryland, and the order was reluctantly obeyed. The separation was affecting to the greatest degree, and the little battery pursued its way with sad and lonely hearts. It was like severing the ties that bind brother to brother, for in the series of battles in which they had participated side by side, the conduct of each had inspired the other with confidence and respect. “With the First Maryland in support,” I heard Captain Brockenborough say, “I know I am always safe.” And so it was, for one would never desert the other while life lasted. On the morning of the 19th of August the battery reached Orange Court House, where, much to the joy of all, it was attached to Starke’s Louisiana brigade. An affinity had long existed between the Maryland and Louisiana troops, and they commanded each others’ fullest confidence. In fact they seemed nearer akin, for in both there was that sprightliness, dash and vim not so noticeable in troops from other States. With three days’ rations in haversacks, Brockenborough, on the 21st, moved towards the Rappahannock, where he found the enemy occupying the north bank in force. A severe artillery fight immediately began, and was maintained for some hours. The battery pitted against Brockenborough was Company M, United States regulars, which, towards nightfall, he succeeded in silencing and driving back with the loss of many men and an exploded caisson. On the morning of the 22d, the artillery was thrown across the river, but soon after encountered the enemy in heavy force, and were compelled to recross after a desperate struggle. In this affair the Baltimore Light Artillery suffered a loss of four men killed—Irvin, Cox, Bradley and Reynolds—and several severely wounded.