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charge in flank drove the enemy off with heavy loss, capturing the Lieutenant-Colonel
(Kane) commanding. In commemoration of their gallant conduct I ordered one of the
captured bucktails to be appended as a trophy to their flag.

The gallantry of the regiment on this occasion is worthy of acknowledgment from a
higher source, more particularly as they avenged the death of the gallant General Ashby,
who fell at the same time. Two color-bearers were shot down in succession, but each time
the colors were caught before reaching the ground, and were finally borne by Corporal
Shanks to the close of the action.

On the 8th instant, at Cross Keys, they were opposed to three of the enemy's regiments
in succession.

Early on the morning of the 9th of June the First Maryland crossed the
bridge at Port Republic, being among the last to do so, and shortly after it was
set on fire and totally destroyed.

The fierce battle of Port Republic began soon after, and was, perhaps, the
most bloody of any during the war, for the number of men engaged, the Federal
troops under General Tyler, many being from the Western States, fighting with
the most desperate courage. They were, however, signally routed, with great loss
of men and artillery.

The First Maryland was spared from this battle, having well and truly done
its duty the day before, although Private Joshua Simpson, of Company D, who
was fighting with the Fifty-second Virginia, was severely wounded.

That afternoon, whilst engaged in burying the enemy's dead and ministering
to their wounded, Fremont's batteries on the opposite side of the river opened
upon the First Maryland and compelled the men to desist from their humane
work.

On the evening of the 9th Jackson's force moved into the mountains by way
of Brown's Gap, and on the I2th the army recrossed South River and went into
camp at Weyer's Cave.

The battle of Port Republic closed Jackson's wonderful Valley campaign,
and never in his remarkable career did his genius show to greater advantage. In
less than six weeks he had beaten the army of Milroy, routed that of Banks,
whipped that of Fremont and annihilated that of Shields, and all this with but
twelve thousand men.

Arrived at Weyer's Cave, General Jackson resolved to carry out the order
allowing all Marylanders in the Confederate Army who desired it to be transferred
to the Maryland Line, whereby it was hoped at least a brigade could be formed.
The Maryland Line had existed only in name, and the First Maryland Regiment
had been so depleted by the hard campaign in the Valley that it became abso-
lutely necessary that its ranks should be recruited. Moreover, the terms of service