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Munford's Marylanders never surrendered to foe. From Richmond, Va., Times-dispatch, February 6, 1910.
Belonged to famous command which cut its way out on Eve of
Lee's surrender.
After repulsing the
Yankees when we made the last charge at
Appomattox, and
General Munford, having most emphatically declined to be included in the surrender of
General R. E. Lee's army,
General Munford's command moved off slowly and unmolested, reaching
Lynchburg that afternoon.
The First Maryland Cavalry crossed the
James River about dark and encamped in the
Fair Grounds.
At sunrise the next morning, April 10, we were formed in line, and
Colonel Dorsey informed us that it had been determined at yesterday's conference to disband the cavalry for a short time.
Acting upon this agreement, we were free to go where we pleased until April 25, when he would expect every man to meet him at the
Cattle Scales, in
Augusta county.
We at once broke ranks; our color-bearer,
John Ridgely, stripped our beloved flag from its staff, placed it in his haversack, and carried it with him to
Albemarle county, Va. The men scattered in every direction.
About April 15, while riding along the road, I was invited by a boy to the house of his mother, a widow, who owned a small place in
Deep Gully, through which ran a small stream called
Hickory Creek.
Here I remained until April 24.
On that date I started for our appointed rendezvous, met
Lieutenant Ditty and
Private Johnson, of our command, on the road, and together we crossed the
Blue Ridge at Rockfish Gap.
Upon reaching
Waynesboro I left them and proceeded five miles farther to the
Cattle Scales.