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MAJOR-GENERAL ARNOLD ELZEY BUILDING.—This building contains the
Quartermaster's Department, pharmacy and the Superintendent's office.
This distinguished officer was Captain of the Second Artillery, and in command of
the United States Arsenal, Augusta, Georgia, when he resigned in the early part of 1861.
On June 19, 1861, he was commissioned Colonel of the First Maryland Infantry. Upon the
disablement of General E. Kirby Smith, at the head of this regiment, July 21, 1861, moving
into position on the memorable field of Manassas, the command of the brigade devolved
upon Colonel Elzey, who successfully continued the movement and assailed the enemy with
such vigor as to cause them to give way; this retreat soon became a panic, and the result
was the complete rout of the Federal Army. At this moment President Davis rode over the
field and, meeting Colonel Elzey, saluted him as " General," remarking, " You are the
Blucher of the day."
General Elzey remained in command of this brigade until made a Major-General and
assigned to command of the defenses at Richmond in December, 1862.
At Cross Keys, in June, 1862, he rendered valuable service, the position occupied by
the Confederate forces was of his selection, and General Ewell, in his report, says : " I
availed myself frequently during the action of that officer's counsel, profiting largely by his
known military skill and judgment , he was much exposed, his horse was wounded early
in the action, and at a later period of the day. was killed by a rifle ball, which at the same
time inflicted upon the rider a wound that forced him to retire from the field; he was
more particularly employed in the centre directing the artillery."
General Elzey was seriously wounded at Games' Mill, June 27, 1862, in which battle
his brigade took active part and sustained heavy loss. His ability as a soldier was recognized
by General Lee, who suggested to the President he should order him to take the field in
January, 1863. Again, in May, 1863, General Lee wrote to President Davis that he greatly
needed two Major-Generals, and asked that General Elzey be sent to him to command
Trimble's Division.
April 25. 1864, General Elzey was ordered to Staunton to establish headquarters as
commander of the Maryland Line; September 8, 1864, was assigned to duty as Chief of
Artillery in the Army of Tennessee.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT.—The Superintendent's office contains the usual
office furniture, with the following pictures and muster rolls, framed, hanging on
the wall : " Prayer in Stonewall Jackson's Camp" " The Charge of the First
Maryland Infantry at Harrisonburg, Virginia, at the Death of Ashby." " Last
Meeting of Lee and Jackson." " Muster Rolls of Company A, First Maryland
Infantry, and Company D, First Maryland Cavalry." " Letter from Jefferson
Davis. Camp St. Mary, or Camp of the Maryland Line at Hanover Junction,
January, 1864." and several others.
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