First Light Division, Maryland Volunteers
Encyclopedia
The First Light Division of Maryland Volunteers was a militia unit based in Baltimore
and formed in around 1841. Its commander was the militia general George H. Steuart. Elements of the division participated in the suppression of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859, but its members found themselves in a difficult position at the outbreak of the American Civil War
in 1861. Many of the citizen volunteers, especially the senior command, wished to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America
. However, Maryland remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War and as a consequence of this the division was disbanded. Many of its members left Maryland and went south to fight for the Confederacy.
. Until the Civil War he would be the Commander-in-Chief of the Maryland Volunteers.
The First Light Division comprised two brigades: the 1st Light Brigade and the 2nd Brigade. The First Brigade consisted of the 1st Cavalry, 1st Artillery, and 5th Infantry regiments. The 2nd Brigade was composed of the 1st Rifle Regiment and the 53rd Infantry Regiment, and the Battalion of Baltimore City Guards.
Each company of citizen volunteers was uniformed, though these differed considerably from unit to unit. The Baltimore City Guard, formed in 1857 under Captain Joseph P. Warner, wore bearskins which were said to be "taller than those of the Grenadier Guards
", and "dark blue tailcoats laced with gold, and light blue pants".
The Independent Greys, by contrast, commanded by Captain James O. Law, wore grey tailcoats with black trim, and white pants.
In 1559 elements of the First Light Division, the City Guards, participated in the suppression of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
, an abortive attempt to ignite a slave rebellion. Steuart personally led six companies of Militia: the City Guard, Law Greys and Shields Guard from Baltimore, and the United Guards, Junior Defenders and Independent Riflemen from the city of Frederick
.
in 1861. Many of its members, especially the senior command including General Steuart, wished to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America
. However, Maryland remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War and as a consequence of this the division was disbanded. Many of its members including most of its commanders left Maryland and went south to fight for the Confederacy.
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
and formed in around 1841. Its commander was the militia general George H. Steuart. Elements of the division participated in the suppression of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859, but its members found themselves in a difficult position at the outbreak of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 1861. Many of the citizen volunteers, especially the senior command, wished to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. However, Maryland remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War and as a consequence of this the division was disbanded. Many of its members left Maryland and went south to fight for the Confederacy.
History
In 1833 a number of Baltimore regiments were formed into a brigade. The brigade commander was George H. Steuart, who was promoted from colonel to brigadier general. From 1841 to 1861 he was Commander of the First Light Division, Maryland Volunteer MilitiaMaryland Army National Guard
The Maryland Army National Guard is the Army component of the organized militia of the State of Maryland. It is headquartered at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore and has units at armories and other facilities across the state....
. Until the Civil War he would be the Commander-in-Chief of the Maryland Volunteers.
The First Light Division comprised two brigades: the 1st Light Brigade and the 2nd Brigade. The First Brigade consisted of the 1st Cavalry, 1st Artillery, and 5th Infantry regiments. The 2nd Brigade was composed of the 1st Rifle Regiment and the 53rd Infantry Regiment, and the Battalion of Baltimore City Guards.
Each company of citizen volunteers was uniformed, though these differed considerably from unit to unit. The Baltimore City Guard, formed in 1857 under Captain Joseph P. Warner, wore bearskins which were said to be "taller than those of the Grenadier Guards
Grenadier Guards
The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
", and "dark blue tailcoats laced with gold, and light blue pants".
The Independent Greys, by contrast, commanded by Captain James O. Law, wore grey tailcoats with black trim, and white pants.
John Brown and Harper's Ferry
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was an attempt by white abolitionist John Brown to start an armed slave revolt by seizing a United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia in 1859...
, an abortive attempt to ignite a slave rebellion. Steuart personally led six companies of Militia: the City Guard, Law Greys and Shields Guard from Baltimore, and the United Guards, Junior Defenders and Independent Riflemen from the city of Frederick
Frederick
-Royalty:Austria* Frederick I, Duke of Austria , Duke of Austria from 1195–1198* Frederick II, Duke of Austria , last Duke of Austria from the Babenberg dynasty...
.
Civil War
The First light Division itself in a difficult position at the outbreak of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 1861. Many of its members, especially the senior command including General Steuart, wished to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. However, Maryland remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War and as a consequence of this the division was disbanded. Many of its members including most of its commanders left Maryland and went south to fight for the Confederacy.
See also
- History of the Maryland Militia in the Civil WarHistory of the Maryland Militia in the Civil WarLike other border states, Maryland found herself in a difficult position at the start of the American Civil War, with loyalties divided between North and South. Although Maryland herself remained loyal to the Union, Maryland militia units fought on both sides of the Civil War.-The coming of...
- Maryland Line (CSA)Maryland Line (CSA)The Maryland Line in the Army of the Confederate States of America was made up of volunteers from Maryland who, despite their home state remaining in the Union, fought for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War...
- 1st Maryland Infantry, CSA1st Maryland Infantry, CSAThe 1st Maryland Infantry, CSA was a regiment of the Confederate army, formed shortly after the commencement of the American Civil War in April 1861. The unit was made up of volunteers from Maryland who, despite their home state remaining in the Union during the war, chose instead to fight for the...