1st Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry

Service

The 1st Maryland was organized at Baltimore, Maryland and 4 companies (A, B, C and D) were mustered into Union service on May 16, 1861. The regiment moved to Relay House on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad where additional companies (E, F, G, H, I and K) were mustered between May 25 and May 27.

The regiment's first commanding officer was Colonel John Reese Kenly, a Baltimore attorney who had served in Mexican-American War as a major of volunteers.

Battle of Front Royal

In March 1862 the 1st Maryland was assigned to Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks forces operating in the Shenandoah Valley. The regiment was station at Front Royal on May 23, 1862 when it was attacked by Maj. Gen. Stonewall Jackson's Army of the Valley. Surprised and outnumbered, the 1st Maryland put up a stubborn rearguard action during which Col. Kenly was wounded. Union casualties were 83 killed and wounded, and 691 captured. The prisoners were paroled in September 1862.

The battle is notable in that the Union 1st Maryland had been attacked by their fellow Marylanders, the Confederate 1st Maryland Infantry, CSA. This is the only time in United States military history that two regiments of the same numerical designation and from the same state have engaged each other in battle. After hours of desperate fighting the Southerners emerged victorious. When the prisoners were taken, many men recognized former friends and family. According to J. J. Goldsborough, who would go on to write the history the Maryland Line in the Confederate Army:

"nearly all recognized old friends and acquaintances, whom they greeted cordially, and divided with them the rations which had just changed hands".

Medal of Honor recipients

Abel G. Cadwallader

Rank and organization: Corporal, Company H, 1st Maryland Infantry. Place and date: At Hatchers Run and Dabneys Mills, Va., 6 February 1865. Entered service at: Birth: Baltimore Md. Date of issue: 5 January 1897. Citation: Gallantly planted the colors on the enemy's works in advance of the arrival of his regiment.

Joseph Stewart

Rank and organization: Private, Company G, 1st Maryland Infantry. Place and date. At Five Forks, Va., 1 April 1865. Entered service at: Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 27 April 1865. Citation. Capture of a rebel flag.

Losses

The 1st Maryland lost 8 officers and 110 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 1 officer and 148 enlisted men to disease during its service.