Shenandoah campaign and the expiry of the regiment.27s term of duty 1st Maryland Infantry, CSA

colonel bradley t. johnson, commander of 1st maryland, , 1 of handsomest men in regiment.

on may 17 initial 12-month term of duty of c company expired, , men began clamor immediate discharge. time steuart had been promoted brigadier general, assigned task of forming maryland line, , colonel bradley tyler johnson had succeeded command of regiment. johnson reluctantly agreed men, not disband entire regiment in mid-campaign, , discontent began spread. may 22, on eve of battle of front royal, discontent became open mutiny. steuart , johnson argued men no avail, though news of rebellion kept secret general jackson. when given orders engage enemy, johnson addressed soldiers:

have heard order, , must confess in pretty condition obey it. have return endorsement upon first maryland refuses meet enemy , despite being given orders general jackson. before day proud call myself marylander, now, god knows, rather known else. shame on bring stigma upon fair name of native state - cause finger of scorn pointed @ confided keeping sacred trust - honor , of glorious old state. marylanders call yourselves - profane not hallowed name again, not yours. marylander ever before threw down arms , deserted colors in presence of enemy, , arms, , colors too, placed in hands woman? never before has 1 single blot defaced honored history. possible conceive crime more atrocious, outrage more damnable? go home , publish world infamy. boast of when meet fathers , mothers, brothers, sisters , sweethearts. tell them who, when brought face face enemy, proved yourselves recreants, , acknowledged yourselves cowards. tell them this, , see if not spurned presence loathsome leper, , despised, detested, nay abhorred, confidence have shamefully betrayed; wander on face of earth brand of coward , traitor , indelibly imprinted on foreheards, , in end sink dishonored grave, unwept for, uncared for, leaving behind heritage posterity scorn , contempt of every honest man , virtuous woman in land.

johnson s speech seems have worked threats had failed, , marylanders rallied regimental colors, seizing weapons , crying lead enemy , prove not cowards