188

During this fight the First Maryland fought on foot, but when the rout com-
menced, they mounted and pursued to near Gainesville, where the enemy met
his infantry.

It was now dark, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brown (he had been some time
before promoted from Major) could not see what was in his front; but halting
a moment to rectify his line he gave the command to charge, when both cavalry
and infantry broke and fled in the utmost confusion. Many were killed, wounded
and captured, and Brown, now aware that he was in the presence of Meade's
army, withdrew to Buckland, where was assembled the commands of Hampton
and Lee, and where they congratulated each other on the signal victory they
had achieved.

From this time until the latter part of November, when it was ordered to
report to Colonel Bradley T. Johnson at Hanover Junction, the First Maryland
was engaged in picket duty on the Rappahannock.

About the middle of November General J. M. Jones, to the command of
whose brigade Colonel Bradley T. Johnson had been assigned on July 4 at Gettys-
burg, returned to duty, and Colonel Johnson was relieved, after having
commanded the brigade with marked ability in many bloody engagements. But
in spite of this fact, and notwithstanding he had been urged for promotion by
Generals Lee, Jackson and Ewell for more than a year, his advancement was
withheld.

In November Colonel Johnson was ordered to assemble the Maryland Line at
Hanover Junction. The duty devolving upon the command was that of protecting
the bridges over the North and South Anna and Middle Rivers, to protect Lee's
right flank down the Peninsula as far as New Kent Court House, and to watch
the lower Pamunkey, and to keep General Lee advised of the movements of the
Federals from these directions.

The camp established was named St. Mary's, and here from November to
May the time was pleasantly passed in drill, pickets and scouts.

At this time the Maryland Line consisted of the Second Maryland Infantry,
the First Maryland Cavalry and Baltimore Light Artillery, but on the 22d of
March, 1864. a general order from the Adjutant and Inspector-General directed
all the Maryland companies then in service, save Company K, First Virginia
Cavalry, to report to Colonel Johnson at Hanover Junction. By this order the
force at Hanover Junction was increased by the addition of the First Maryland
Artillery, Captain William F. Dement, and Third Maryland Artillery (Chesa-
peake), Captain W. Scott Chew.

On the 1st of March, 1864, Colonel Johnson received a telegram from General
Lee to the effect that a large body of cavalry had passed his flank and was moving
in the direction of Hanover Junction. Colonel Johnson immediately sent out his