Maryland Line [CSA]
The Brief History
The Maryland Line in the Army of the Confederate States of America was made up of volunteers from Maryland who, despite their home state remaining in the Union, fought for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Of approximately 25,000 Marylanders who volunteered, most fought in the Army of Northern Virginia, and it was not until late in 1863 that a Maryland Line in the CSA was formally created. However, by this late stage in the war, few men wished to leave the units they had fought alongside for more than two years, and the exiles' dream of an independent Maryland Line in the Confederate army would never be fully realized.
Formation of the Maryland Line
On June 22, 1863, the Confederate Secretary of State for war, James A. Seddon, finally authorized the formation of a formal "Maryland Line" in the Confederate Army.
On October 22, 1863 the 1st Maryland Infantry, CSA was detached from the brigade of General George H. Steuart and assigned to the newly formed Maryland Line, travelling by rail to Hanover Junction, Virginia, where 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 newly formed Maryland Line. Few however did so, as the men were by now reluctant to break up units which had already fought together for over two years.[
The cavalry battalion of the Maryland Line, commanded by Col Bradley T. Johnson, joined the Army of Northern Virginia during the Overland Campaign. The Line suffered losses in the Battle of Haw's Shop on May 27, 1863. The Marylanders also participated in the actions related to the Battle of Cold Harbor. They later participated in Jubal Early's campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. The infantry battalion was engaged at Cold Harbor. Eventually it was assigned to the corps of LTG Ambrose Powell Hill during the Siege of Petersburg. The artillery units also participated in the Virginia campaigns of 1864-1865.
Ranks
Spoiler
-Enlisted-
Volunteer
Private
Private First Class
Lance Corporal
-NCO-
Corporal
Sergeant
Color Sergeant
Ordnance Sergeant
Quartermaster Sergeant
First Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major of the Army
- Officers-
2nd Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Major General
Lieutenant General
General of The Army
Confederate Regiments
The Virginia Military Institue
The Brief History
On 15 May 1864, the VMI Corps of Cadets fought as an independent unit at the Battle of New Market. At New Market, in a matter of minutes, VMI suffered fifty-five casualties with ten cadets killed; the cadets were led into battle by the Commandant of Cadets and future VMI Superintendent Colonel Scott Shipp. Shipp was also wounded during the battle. Six of the ten fallen cadets are buried on VMI grounds behind the statue "Virginia Mourning Her Dead" by sculptor Moses Ezekiel, a VMI graduate who was also wounded in the Battle of New Market.
General John C. Breckinridge, the commanding Southern general, held the cadets in reserve and did not use them until Union troops broke through the Confederate lines. Upon seeing the tide of battle turning in favor of the Union forces, Breckinridge stated, "Put the boys in...and may God forgive me for the order. The VMI cadets held the line and eventually pushed forward, capturing a Union artillery emplacement, securing victory for the Confederates. The Union troops were withdrawn and Confederate troops under General Breckinridge held the Shenandoah Valley.
24th South Carolina Infantry Regiment
The Brief History
First posted to Sullivan's Island, SC to defend Charleston Harbor, the 24th first fought at Secessionville. At the Battle of Secessionville, the 24th, under the command of General Johnson Hagood along with the Eutaw Battalion fought Yankee regiments like the famous 1st New York Engineer Regiment and Battery B, 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. After the Battle of Secessionville the 24th was transferred to Mississippi.
Transfer to Mississippi
In May 1863, the 24th joined Gist Brigade where it was engaged at Jackson. After the engagement at Jackson, Gist's Brigade was moved to the Army Of Tennessee. Where it fought in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina.The 24th fought in campaigns like, the Vicksburg Campaign, Chickamauga Campaign and Atlanta Campaign. On the 9th of April, 1865, the 24th was consolidated with the 16th South Carolina Infantry Regiment to form the 16/24th Consolidated Infantry Regiment.
Engagements
Battle of Secessionville
Vicksburg Campaign
Battle of Big Black River Bridge
Battle of Chickamauga
Battle of Missionary Ridge
Union Regiments
603rd Ohio Infantry
