56

brough's Baltimore Light Artillery, on the extreme left, and Trimble's Brigade on
the right, whilst Elzey's Brigade was in the rear of the centre, and in position to
strengthen either wing, both wings being in the wood.

About 10 o'clock the enemy threw out his skirmishers and shortly after
posted his artillery opposite Ewell's batteries. For some hours the artillery fire
was kept up with great animation on both sides, when an attack was simul-
taneously made upon Trimble on the right and Steuart on the left. Both attacks
were repulsed — that made upon Trimble with heavy loss to the enemy. The
little First Maryland, not numbering over two hundred men, were fortunately
posted in a wood, and in front of them was an open over which the enemy had to
pass in making his attack. Had it not been for the shelter of this wood, they
could not have survived five minutes, so terrific was the storm of shot and shell
that was rained upon them. Never before had the Maryland boys been called
upon to undergo such an ordeal. Three different times they drove back with
heavy loss the overwhelming odds sent to dislodge them. Hour after hour this
unequal contest continued. When a man would fall an officer would seize his
gun and continue the firing, and the Mississippi rifle told with deadly effect. At
2 o'clock Colonel Johnson discovered that his ammunition was fast being
exhausted. Sergeant William H. Pope, of Company A, volunteered to bring
some, although it seemed almost certain death to venture for a moment from the
shelter of the wood. The gallant fellow, however, succeeded in his mission and
the firing continued, until, at 5 o'clock, when the battle was virtually over, the
First Maryland was relieved, their guns having become totally unserviceable.
Seven hours had this little command been under fire, and during that time,
although sheltered in a measure, they had lost twenty-nine men and one officer
(Lieutenant H. H. Bean) wounded. General George H. Steuart had been borne
from the field with a ghastly wound in the shoulder made by a grape shot, and
General Elzey had also been carried off with a serious wound. Some of the
wounds received by the men of the First Maryland were very severe, having been
made by explosive bullets, which the enemy fired in great numbers upon this
occasion at least, although it has been denied.

The following highly complimentary extract is taken from the official report
made by General Ewell:

The history of the Maryland regiment, gallantly commanded by Colonel Bradley T.
Johnson, during the campaign of the Valley, would be the history of every action, from
Front Royal to Cross Keys.

On the 6th instant, near Harrisonburg, the Fifty-eighth Virginia Regiment was
engaged with the Pennsylvania Bucktails, the fighting being close and bloody. Colonel
Johnson came up with his regiment in the hottest period of the affair, and by a dashing