Maryland Line (CSA) facts for kids
The Maryland Line was a group of soldiers from Maryland who chose to fight for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Even though Maryland stayed with the Union, about 25,000 Marylanders volunteered for the Confederacy. Most of them fought in the Army of Northern Virginia. It wasn't until late 1863 that a special "Maryland Line" was officially formed within the Confederate army. However, by then, many soldiers didn't want to leave the units they had fought with for over two years. Because of this, the dream of a fully independent Maryland Line never quite came true.
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Maryland's Tough Choices: A Divided State
Like other states on the border between the North and South, Maryland faced a difficult decision as the war began. People in the state were strongly divided. Those in western and northern Maryland, especially people of German background, usually wanted to stay with the Union. But in the low-lying areas near the Chesapeake Bay, where the economy relied on enslaved people, many supported the Confederacy.
However, Maryland remained part of the Union during the Civil War. This was mainly because President Abraham Lincoln acted quickly to control disagreements in the state. Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks, who was at first unsure, also helped by working with federal officials to stop violence and prevent Maryland from leaving the Union.
Baltimore Riots: A City in Chaos (April 1861)
By April 1861, it was clear that war was going to happen. Around this time, many Marylanders started to leave their jobs in the United States Army. One of them was George H. Steuart, who was a captain. He left his position to join the Confederacy.
On April 19, 1861, Baltimore was hit by riots. People who supported the South attacked Union soldiers who were passing through the city by train. These attacks caused what many consider the first deaths of the Civil War. Major General George H. Steuart, who led the Maryland Militia, ordered his soldiers to gather, armed and ready, to stop the Federal troops. Steuart and most of his senior officers strongly supported the Confederacy. Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks, perhaps knowing this and that opinions in Baltimore were split, did not order the militia to act.
Steuart's oldest son was in charge of one of the city's militia groups during these events. He wrote a letter to his father saying he was disgusted by what he saw. He felt that most people were too loyal to the Union and that the state government was weak. He believed that Union troops had taken over Maryland and were acting like an invading army.
Union Takes Control: Maryland Occupied
The political situation in Maryland was uncertain until May 13, 1861. On that day, Union troops moved into the state. They brought order and stopped any vote that would have made Maryland leave the Union. By late summer, Union soldiers were firmly in control of Maryland. People who supported the Confederacy were soon arrested, and many were forced to leave the state. Among them was militia General George H. Steuart, who went to Charlottesville, Virginia. Much of his family's property was then taken by the U.S. government. Steuart's family home in Baltimore, Old Steuart Hall, was taken by the Union Army. Soon after, Jarvis Hospital was built on the property to care for wounded Union soldiers.
Heading South: Marylanders Join the Confederacy
Even though Maryland stayed with the Union, many soldiers who formed the new Maryland Line in the Confederate army came from Steuart's militia. Marylanders who supported the South could easily cross the Potomac River to join and fight for the Confederacy. These exiles formed a Maryland Line within the Army of Northern Virginia. This group included one infantry regiment, one infantry battalion, two cavalry battalions, and four artillery battalions. Records show that up to 25,000 Marylanders went south to fight for the Confederacy. Many of these soldiers were former members of the state militia.
During the events in Baltimore in April 1861, about 15,000 Marylanders had volunteered to serve under Colonel Isaac Trimble to defend the city. But after Union General Benjamin Butler occupied Baltimore on May 13, these new units were not allowed to gather and basically stopped existing.
By early May, about 500 Marylanders had started to gather at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. They were led by Captain Bradley Tyler Johnson and formed 8 companies of Maryland infantry. Johnson preferred that Marylanders fight under their own flag rather than join Virginia regiments. However, other former Maryland militia members disagreed. Many from elite groups like the Maryland Guard went to Richmond, where they officially joined the service of Virginia.
About 60,000 Maryland men served in all parts of the Union military. However, it was said that many Union troops joined because they were promised they would be stationed at home.
Lee's Invasion: A Disappointment in Maryland
In September 1862, General Robert E. Lee launched his Maryland Campaign. This was the first time the war was brought into Union territory. Southerners hoped that Marylanders would rise up and join the Confederate forces, but they were disappointed. When the Confederates entered Maryland, they found little support. Instead, they were met with a cool lack of excitement, and often, open dislike. Lee was surprised by the state's resistance. This was because many of the strongly pro-Southern Marylanders had already traveled south at the start of the war to join the Confederate Army in Virginia. Only a "few score" (a small number) of men joined Lee's forces in Maryland.
The Maryland Line: Officially Formed
On June 22, 1863, the Confederate Secretary of State for War, James A. Seddon, finally approved the creation of an official "Maryland Line" in the Confederate Army.
On October 22, 1863, the 1st Maryland Infantry Battalion was moved from General George H. Steuart's group. It was assigned to the newly formed Maryland Line. They traveled by train to Hanover Junction, Virginia. There, they met the 1st Maryland Cavalry, CSA, the Baltimore Light Artillery, CSA, the 1st Maryland Artillery, CSA, and the 4th Maryland Artillery, CSA. At this time, all Marylanders serving in the Army of Northern Virginia were invited to join the new Maryland Line. However, few did so. The soldiers were not eager to break up the units they had fought with for over two years.
The cavalry battalion of the Maryland Line, led by Colonel Bradley Tyler Johnson, joined the Army of Northern Virginia during the Overland Campaign. This group suffered losses in the Battle of Haw's Shop on May 27, 1864. The Marylanders also took part in battles related to the Battle of Cold Harbor. Later, they participated in Jubal Early's campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. The infantry battalion fought at Cold Harbor. It was later assigned to the corps of Lieutenant General A. P. Hill during the Siege of Petersburg. The artillery units also fought in the Virginia campaigns of 1864-1865.
Important Leaders of the Maryland Line
- Arnold Elzey (1816–1871) was a Marylander who fought in both the United States Army and the Confederate Army. He became a major general during the American Civil War. He was one of the few officers to be promoted to general on the battlefield by President Jefferson Davis.
- Brigadier General George Hume Steuart (1828–1903). Steuart was a military officer who served thirteen years in the United States Army. He then resigned at the start of the American Civil War. He rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was called "Maryland Steuart" to avoid confusion with Virginia cavalryman J.E.B. Stuart. Steuart strongly supported secession for Maryland before and during the war. He was wounded at Cross Keys and then captured at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Steuart was exchanged in the summer of 1864. He returned to lead a group in the Army of Northern Virginia for the rest of the war, serving in Major General George Pickett's division. Steuart was one of the officers who, with Robert E. Lee, surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.
Units of the Maryland Line
Artillery Units
- 1st Maryland Artillery, CSA (also known as Dement's Artillery)
- 2nd Maryland Artillery, CSA (also known as Baltimore Light Artillery)
- 3rd Maryland Artillery, CSA (also known as Ritter's Battery)
- 4th Maryland Artillery, CSA (also known as Chesapeake Battery)
Cavalry Units
- 1st Maryland Cavalry, CSA
- 2nd Maryland Cavalry, CSA (also known as Gilmor's Partisan Rangers)
Infantry Units
- 1st Maryland Infantry, CSA
- 2nd Maryland Infantry, CSA
