29

members of Congress who had started with the army to go on to Richmond.
And there, too, strewing the road for miles were muskets, cartridge boxes, belts,
swords, pistols and camp utensils, flung away in mad fear, and to aid the flight of
an army, while the fields on either side were filled with abandoned camps and
their immense quantities of stores. It was a picture of rout and confusion worthy
the brush of a painter of battles.

Fairfax Court House was reached at noon, amid the glad welcomes of its
people, and passing proudly through the village, the First Maryland went into
camp in a strip of woods half a mile away.

The original organization of this command had been somewhat altered by
the promotion of Colonel Elzey to the rank of Brigadier-General. By his
promotion Lieutenant-Colonel George H. Steuart became Colonel, Major
Bradley T. Johnson Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain E. R. Dorsey, of Company
C, Major. By the promotion of Captain Dorsey, Robert C. Smith, of Company
C, became Captain; Septimus H. Stewart, First Lieutenant; William P.
Thomas, Second Lieutenant, and William Smythe, Orderly Sergeant, was made
Third Lieutenant.

As day after day passed by in camp and there was nothing to indicate a
forward movement, Colonel Steuart determined to take advantage of the inaction
and instruct the officers and men in company and battalion drill, so long neglected
and so much needed. He was a capable instructor, and the men were willing
to learn of him.

There was nothing else to vary the monotony of camp life, save the picket
duty performed by the First Maryland at Padgett's Tavern, and then at Mason's
Hill, from which latter point the streets of Alexandria and the Capitol at
Washington could be plainly seen.

One morning, whilst picketing at Padgett's Tavern, Companies A and H,
under command of Captain W. W. Goldsborough, were sent forward to feel
the enemy in front. At Demming's Crossroads the Federals were discovered
in considerable force, and a sharp exchange of musket shots followed. The two
companies had performed their task, and they were withdrawn, the only "cas-
ualty "being the piercing of Private Frank Markoe's cap by a bullet.