MARYLAND FIRST INFANTRY (Three Years)

First Infantry. Cols., John R. Kenly, Nathan T. Dushane, John W. Wilson, David L. Stanton; Lieut.-Cols., Seth G. Reed, Thomas S. J. Johnson; Majs., George Chorpening, B. F. Zimmerman, Benjamin H. Schley, Josiah B. Coloney, Robert Neely. The organization of this regiment was commenced on May 6, 1861, when a recruiting office was opened at 112 West Baltimore street, in the city of Baltimore, and ten days later the first four companies (A, B, C, D,) were mustered into the service of the United States. The regiment was completed on the 27th and went into camp at the Relay House, where it remained until June 7, when it was ordered to proceed to Frederick City. From that time until Oct. 16 it remained on the upper Potomac, guarding the fords and ferries, and then marched to Darnestown to take part in the campaign that ended in the battle of Ball's Bluff. On Dec. 2 it returned to Frederick and went into winter quarters as part of Gen. Banks' army, but was soon afterward ordered to Williamsport to repel an invasion into Maryland. On Jan. 7, 1862, six companies made a night march to Hancock, which place was then besieged by the Confederate forces under Stonewall Jackson. From Hancock it went to Winchester, Va., where it was attached to Gen. Williams' brigade, which afterward became the 1st brigade, 1st division, 5th corps. It was then engaged in the operations in the Shenandoah Valley until May 23, when it suffered a loss of 14 killed, 43 wounded and 535 captured at Front Royal and was ordered to Baltimore for reorganization. In the engagement at Front Royal the regiment was opposed by 18,000 of Jackson's men, but by its heroic resistance saved Banks' army. It remained at Baltimore until in September, when the celebrated Maryland brigade was organized, consisting of the 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th infantry regiments and Alexander's battery. On Sept 18 it left Baltimore and joined the Army of the Potomac at Antietam. In November the prisoners captured at Front Royal were exchanged and rejoined the regiment, which was then attached to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 8th corps, remaining with this command until the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, when the Maryland brigade became the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 5th corps. From the time of its reorganization until the spring of 1864 it participated in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, and on May 3, 1864, broke camp on the Rapidan to take part in the famous Wilderness campaign and the siege of Petersburg. It was in a number of the hottest engagements about Richmond and Petersburg was present at Appomattox when Lee's army surrendered, and on April 15 was ordered to Washington, where it participated in the grand review in May. It was mustered out at Arlington Heights, Va., July 2, 1865,and proceeded to Baltimore, where the men drew their final pay and were discharged. During its service it lost 267 men, 118 of whom were killed in action and 149 died of wounds and disease. The regiment, or a portion of it, was engaged in the battles of Shepherdstown Cherry Run, Fort Frederick, Kernstown, Front Royal, Maryland Heights, Funkstown, Haymarket, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, on the North Anna river, Shady Grove, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Poplar Grove Church, Peebles' Farm, Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, Appomattox and numerous skirmishes incident to the siege of Petersburg.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

Maryland 1st Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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