the opening of this commemoration program four years ago just a few
miles from here, when the General Assembly met in Frederick to observe
the 100th anniversary of the "extra session" of April, 1861, in which
Maryland took its stand for the Union. That was the beginning and this
the end of our four-year tribute to the heroic men, in Blue and in Grey,
who fought in the great battles of the American Civil War.
It is appropriate at this time, therefore, that I express my gratitude,
and the gratitude of all the people of Maryland, to the Maryland
Civil War Centennial Commission, to the various local commissions
and committees and to all the organizations and individuals without
whose assistance this commemoration would not have been possible.
It has been my happy privilege to have attended many of the events of
this program, and on each occasion I have been delighted by how
effectively they were carried out. Of those I have not been able to
attend I have heard nothing but glowing reports about their success.
I am proud, as I know all of you are, of the prominent part Maryland
has played in this nation-wide observance of this centennial.
I should like to commend and express my appreciation also to the
Frederick County Centennial Committee, certainly one of the most
active and effective of all the groups which have participated in the
centennial program. The people of Frederick—the county and the
city—did not forget that some of the most significant events of that
war took place in or around this area of our State. They did not
forget that sons of Frederick, on both sides, were among the most
illustrious and renowned of the figures who had a part in that struggle—
General Bradley Johnson, General James Cooper, and the lengendary
Barbara Fritchie.
It is not my purpose here this afternoon to retell the story of the
Battle of Monocacy or to evaluate its significance in the history of our
State and our nation. Others more competent than I already have
done this. The inscription upon the marker which we are dedicating
states the case briefly and well. It was the battle of the Civil War
that saved our nation's capital.
On the field, as the legend states, it was a victory for the Con-
federates under General Jubal Early and a defeat for the Union forces
of General Lew Wallace. But the invading southern troops, on their
way through Maryland to sack Washington and capture the valuable
arsenal and supplies there, were halted here on this beautiful country-
side. The Confederate troops, outnumbering the Union defenders, could
not be stopped, and could be delayed for only one day. But what an
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