1430                       JOINT RESOLUTIONS.

WHEREAS, The sanguinary battle fought at Monocacy on
July 9, 1864, between the Federal forces under General Lew
Wallace and the Confederate forces' under General Jubal A.
Early, caused a delay of at least twenty-four hours in Early's
march upon Washington, and thereby enabled General Grant
to send several divisions of seasoned Federal veterans to the
defence of the city just in time to man the fortifications, then
poorly and inadequately manned, before the arrival of the
Confederate hosts bent upon the capture of the city; and

WHEREAS, This delay of twenty-four hours, caused by the
battle fought at Monocacy to impede the progress of the in-
vading army toward the National Capital, saved the capital
from capture and all the direful consequences thereof, and has
for that reason been denominated "one of the decisive battles
of the world, " and

WHEREAS,, The valor displayed by the officers and men on
both sides in that important conflict, reflects honor and glory
upon the citizen soldier of America, both North and South;
and

WHEREAS, The battlefield is located on the national highway
from Washington to the West, over which many thousands of
American citizens travel to and fro every year, and moreover
is a picturesque spot with the winding Monocacy flowing
through it and adding to its beauty; therefore be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
Congress of the United States be and it is hereby memoralized
and earnestly requested to create on the Monocacy Battlefield
a National Military Park to commemorate the battle fought
there on July 9, 1864, by which the Federal capital was saved
and possibly the Union itself, and which would if established
become a resting place and shrine where thousands of travelers
and tourists could rest and renew their patriotism by a con-
templation of the lofty deeds which have been wrought; of the
great hearts which spent themselves there; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of State of Maryland be and
he is hereby requested and directed to transmit under the
Great Seal of this State a copy of the aforegoing resolution to
the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of