[
349]
effort, for the redemption of home, would be a common centre of communication with
Maryland--would keep alive the sympathies of the
South towards our cause — and would be, in the varying fortunes of war, the connecting link between
Maryland and the
South.
It would be the sole remaining representative of the chivalry, the high-toned honor, the freedom of the “land of the Sanctuary,” and friends and relations, and well-wishers at home would point to it with pride, as their representative.
By these persons, with such motives, was formed the
First Maryland regiment.
As soon as the Legislature assembled in
Frederick,
the Hon. James M. Mason came there, authorized as commissioner from
Virginia to enter into any compact which it might be willing to make with that Commonwealth.
When it became apparent that the time for action was lost,
Captain Bradley T. Johnson, who resided in that city, procured from him authority to raise troops for the
Southern army, and immediately proceeded to
Harper's Ferry, where he obtained
Colonel Jackson's permission, who was then in command there, to rendezvous and ration his men at the
Point of Rocks, the most available point for that section of
Maryland.
On the 8th of May, 1861,
Captain Johnson marched his company out of
Frederick, and proceeded to
Virginia, opposite the
Point of Rocks, where he reported to
Captain Turner Ashby, then in command at that post.
On the 9th he was joinnd by
Captain C. C. Edelin, with a company which had marched from
Baltimore.
The same day
Captain Price arrived at
Harper's Ferry, also from
Baltimore; and in the course of a few days
Captain Wilson C. Nicholas, of
Baltimore county--
Captain James R. Herbert, who had been
Captain of the
Independent Greys,
Baltimore city.
Captain Holbroke and
Captain Wellmore also reached
Harper's Ferry.
Captain McCoy first came to the
Point of Rocks but soon went to
Harper's Ferry.
On, or about the 18th May, the companies organized themselves into a battalion, numbering four hundred and fifty men, of eight companies, as follows:
Company A,
Captain Johnson; Company B,
Captain Edelin; Company C,
Captain Price; Company D,
Captain Herbert; Company E,
Captain McCoy; Company F,
Captain Holbrooke; Company G,
Captain Nicholas: Company H,
Captain Wellmore.
And placed
Captain Johnson in temporary command, he having been first in
Virginia.