The Maryland cavalry under Colonel Johnson took a
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bridges were very valuable, for they gave the only way by rail to the valley of Virginia.
Colonel Johnson with his forces fought the enemy from hill-top to hill-top all the way from Wickham's back to the Virginia Central bridges, in hopes that reinforcements would be sent and thus the bridges saved, for he kept General Lee advised of his movements all day and he knew the conditions accurately.
But no reinforcements came.
At the very last effort, a desperate charge, Ridgely Brown was shot through the middle of the forehead and died without speaking a word.
He was the bravest, the purest, the gentlest man from Maryland who died for liberty in that four years war. His commanding officer recorded the estimation in which he was held by officers and men in these appropriate terms:
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