Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/450

 444 Southern Historical Society Papers.

and widely-separated commands. The attempts to unite them in one command lor many reasons failed, and it thus happened that the Second infantry, in some sense to be considered the successor of the old First that fought at Manassas, was the only Maryland organiza- tion of that arm in the service, and its members consequently felt as a body and as individuals a peculiar pride that upon them, small though their numbers were, fell in large degree the duty and the obligation of upholding the honor of their native State. This monu- ment will tell whether or not that honor was safely lodged and cared for.

" The part played by the regiment in this connection is not long to tell. The morning of the 29th of June found it in camp near Car- lisle, under field officers Lieutenant Colonel Herbert and Major Goldsborough. It was attached to the brigade of General George H. Steuart, in Johnson's division, Ewell's corps. When the com- mand moved from camp on that morning, it was w^ith ill-concealed dissatisfaction that the men found the movement to be, as they supposed, one of retreat. It was not until the morning of the 1st of July that the movement was so far developed that its aggressive character became plain. When the sounds of the engagement then progressing at Gettysburg first struck upon their ears as they reached the crest of the ridge that shuts in the Cumberland valley upon this side, and the word was passed along the line, "Close up, men; close up ; Hill's corps is in," the wild shouts and hearty cheers, and quickened pace, showed how ready they were for the fray.

" Passing over the scene of the first day's engagement, they biv- ouacked f )r the night in the open ground to the north and east of the town, sharing in the general belief that before the dawn of another day they would be called upon to charge the heights frowning in their front. It was with something of a feeling of dismay, certainly with one of disappointment, that the tired men were roused Irom their slumbers on the following morning to find the sun high in the heavens and no movement made. From their somewhat exposed sit- uation they were moved to the protection of the wo(jded ground, still further to the east, and there, in anxious anticipation, they awaited the signal for advance, which they knew could not be long delayed. At last, abcjut four in the afternoon, the signal-gun was fired. In an instant the roar and din of over two hundred field-pieces filled the air, telling but too plainly what work would be required of them be- fore many moments had passed.