For some three centuries, this county has produced and nurtured
the kind of leadership that has made this nation the great force for
justice and freedom that it is. To recite the surnames of eminent
Charles Countians is like calling the roll of the illustrious men of
American history.

The soil on which we stand here today is hallowed by one such
name—the name, Smallwood, that figures so prominently in the early
struggle of the British colonies to attain independence and stature
as a new nation. In Smallwood's Retreat, the State of Maryland has
taken steps to preserve for posterity this house and these acres that
once were the property and the residence of one of the most renowned
of the heroes of our War of Revolution. William Smallwood as much
as any Marylander exemplified that portion of our State Motto which
acclaims "manly deeds. " His exploits as a soldier and a patriot were
mainly in every sense of that term. What he and the men who served
under him achieved in this great struggle for freedom is imbedded
forever in the annals of Maryland and in the annals of the United
States of America.

Maryland, as we all know, is called the "Old Line State, " in tribute
to the courageous and heroic performances of General Smallwood's
command which was nicknamed "The Maryland Line. " Maryland's
part in the American Revolution was outstanding, just as it has been
in every war in which our country has fought. The Maryland Line
was engaged in more than half of the major battles fought in this
War for Independence. There were Maryland men on nearly every
battlefield of that war. It has been estimated that Maryland furnished
more than 20, 000 soldiers in the conflict.

The story of the Battle of Long Island, in which Smallwood's troops
displayed such remarkable valor, has been told many times, but the
story is worth repeating in a setting and on an occasion such as this.
Here is how one historian described the situation as it was at the time.
The British, he said, had "32, 000 trained, disciplined, professional
soldiers, completely armed, fully equipped, abundantly supplied—the
greatest expeditionary force Great Britain had ever sent out from its
shores. It was supported by a fleet of ten ships of the line, 20 frigates
armed with 1, 200 guns and hundreds of transports manned by more than
10, 000 seamen. Britain had drawn from her war chest the staggering
sum of 850, 000 pounds. "

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