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.By John R. Stonebraker.
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. [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.
The flag, by a vote of the officers and men, was given to Colonal Dorsey. He took each man by the hand, bidding each an affectionate farewell. I was paroled at Harrisonburg, Va., May I am not one of those who half-apologize by saying ‘we fought for what we believed to be right.’ I think we fought for what was right, and I have never had a regret for the part I took in the strife. Baltimore, Md., January 29, 1910.
