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[310]

Here I found that a number of our boys had already assembled. By 10 o'clock next morning nearly every member of the command which had marched to Lynchburg was present. Colonel Dorsey then formed us in line and said:

‘General Munford has ordered me to meet him at Salem, Roanoke county, with my battalion. From there we expect to go South and join General Joseph E. Johnston. I want every man to feel that he is at liberty to do as he pleases. Those who are willing to accompany me will side to the right and form in line.’

Ridgely in the meantime had fastened our banner to a crude staff, under which every Marylander present rallied, and with Colonel Dorsey at the head of the little band, we moved forward, passing through Waynesboro, encamping for the night five miles south of the town. At sunrise the march was resumed, and proceeded southward for three days and a half, passing through Greenville, Midway, Fairfield, Lexington and Springfield. We crossed the James river at Buchanan and reached Cloverdale at noon on Saturday, April 29, 1865. We then went into camp and the men were given their discharge. The following address was read to the men by Lieutenant Ditty:

The farewell address.

To the gallant band who claim Maryland as their song:
Soldiers,—You, my veteran friends, who have weathered the storm, may now sing your song with proud hearts. It once could be heard on every lip, but after the Maryland campaign it was discarded and your gallant little band caught up another air from Virginia.

Three years ago the chivalrous (Ridgely) Brown joined my old command, with twenty-three men—twenty-three Maryland volunteers, with light hearts and full of fight. If they had a care, a trouble or a wish, it was to whip the Yankees. They increased so rapidly that the captain reminded me of the old woman who lived in a shoe.


Richmond, VA. 1909.

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