Maryland Line

Maryland Line. This term refers to the lineage of military regiments raised from the state of Maryland during two pivotal conflicts in American history. In the American Revolutionary War, it designated the infantry formations of the Continental Army furnished by Maryland, renowned for their pivotal role in critical battles. During the American Civil War, the name was adopted by infantry units from Maryland that served in both the Union Army and the Confederate States Army, creating a complex legacy of divided loyalties.

History

The concept of a state "line" originated in the 18th century, describing the full complement of Continental Army regiments provided by a particular colony or state. The creation of the first regiments was authorized by the Maryland Convention in 1775, following the outbreak of hostilities at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These units were formally adopted into the national force by the Second Continental Congress under the command of General George Washington. The organizational structure and traditions established during the American Revolution provided a historical template that would be consciously revived during the secession crisis of 1861, leading Marylanders to form new units under the same historic banner for the American Civil War.

Revolutionary War service

The Maryland Line earned a formidable reputation for discipline and tenacity throughout the American Revolutionary War. Its most celebrated early action was at the Battle of Long Island in 1776, where the 1st Maryland Regiment under Mordecai Gist launched a series of desperate charges at the Gowanus Creek, allowing the trapped Continental Army to escape destruction, an action often called the "Maryland 400." The regiments subsequently fought with distinction at the Battle of White Plains, the Battle of Trenton, and the Battle of Princeton. After the brutal winter at Valley Forge, they were key components in the battles of Monmouth and Camden. The line was instrumental in the crucial southern campaign, with the heroic stand of the 2nd Maryland Regiment at the Battle of Guilford Court House inflicting severe casualties on Lord Cornwallis's forces, a prelude to the final victory at the Siege of Yorktown.

Civil War service

As a border state, Maryland's allegiance was fractured during the American Civil War, leading to the formation of separate Union and Confederate units each claiming the mantle of the Maryland Line. The most prominent Union formation was the Army of the Potomac's 2nd Maryland Infantry, which saw action at the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Gettysburg. For the Confederacy, the most famous unit was the 1st Maryland Infantry, which fought at the First Battle of Bull Run and was part of the Stonewall Brigade under General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. A later Confederate unit, the 2nd Maryland Infantry, served in the Army of Northern Virginia and was present at the Battle of the Wilderness and the final Appomattox campaign.

Notable units and engagements

Beyond the core regiments, several specialized units carried the Maryland lineage. The Continental Army's Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment, composed of expert marksmen, participated in the Siege of Boston and later campaigns. During the Civil War, the Union Army fielded the 3rd Maryland Infantry and the 4th Maryland Infantry, which were engaged in the Battle of South Mountain and the Battle of Cold Harbor. Confederate cavalry also bore the name, such as the 1st Maryland Cavalry Battalion which fought under General J.E.B. Stuart. Key engagements defining their service include the desperate defense at the Battle of Long Island, the chaotic street fighting in the Battle of Germantown, and the Confederate charge at the Battle of Front Royal.

Legacy and memorials

The legacy of the Maryland Line is preserved through numerous physical memorials and ongoing traditions. The most prominent is the Maryland Monument located on the Gettysburg Battlefield, dedicated to troops from the state who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg for both sides. In Baltimore, the Maryland State House grounds feature monuments to the Revolutionary War heroes. The sacrifice of the "Maryland 400" is commemorated at the Old Stone House in Brooklyn, New York. The lineage and honors of the Revolutionary units are perpetuated in the modern Maryland Army National Guard, while historical reenactment groups like the 2nd Maryland Regiment keep the history alive for the public.