93

Although Colonel Johnson started off at once, in company with Lieutenant-
Colonel Ridgely Brown and Captain George W. Booth, both of whom had just
recovered from wounds received in General Jones' raid into Western Virginia,
he did not reach the command until after the disastrous charge at Culp's Hill,
Gettysburg, which had reduced the splendid battalion to a skeleton. The fact
that the army was compelled to so soon return to Virginia made it impossible to
recruit and organize a brigade in Maryland, and as he had but a handful of
infantry left, Colonel Johnson's services could be better employed, and he was
again placed in command of Jones' Infantry Brigade, the Second Brigade of
Jackson's Division, with which he had won so much distinction at the second
Manassas.

Shortly after the arrival of the Maryland command and Chew's battery at
Fisher's Hill it was joined by General A. G. Jenkins' splendid brigade of Virginia
cavalry, and General Jenkins assumed command of the whole. Before the
arrival of General Jenkins the enemy's cavalry paid frequent visits to Strasburg,
two miles away, and after taking a look at the rebels on the hill returned to their
camp at Winchester. A trap was set by Major Goldsborough to catch them
one morning, and the companies of Captains Torsch and Stewart were marched
during the night into Strasburg and placed in position to intercept the enemy,
should he make his appearance. He did come next morning, but, unfortunately,
at that moment the gallant Torsch had stolen off to whisper for a brief period
sweet nonsense into the ears of a rustic beauty, and the damage inflicted was
trifling, compared to what it would have been had he been present.

On the 10th of June, 1863, orders were received to move from Fisher's Hill
and encamp at Cedar Creek. It was evident that the campaign was about to
open, but the destination of the handful of Marylanders, who were assembled
at this point, could not, of course, be even conjectured. The infantry, cavalry
and artillery had been together longer than ever before, and it was hoped the
Maryland Line would for some time longer, at least, remain intact, and all
anxiously awaited the arrival of Colonel Johnson, in whom the Maryland troops
placed great confidence.

On the afternoon of the I2th a dispatch was received by General Jenkins
from General Ewell that immediately changed the whole aspect of affairs. To
even-one's surprise, General Ewell, with his command, was near Front Royal,
when he was supposed to be on the Rappahannock with General Lee. General
Jenkins was ordered to report at once to General Ewell. and late that night
Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert received orders to move the Maryland Line next
morning to the vicinity of Newtown and await the arrival of General I. A. Early.
The command consisted of the Second Maryland Infantry, the Baltimore Light
Artillery and Company A, First Maryland Cavalry. The men were in high