Two Maryland volunteer regiments, the 1st Maryland Vol. Infantry, U.S. and the 1st Maryland Vol. Infantry, C.S.A., fight at the Battle of Front Royal, VA. It is the only time in U.S. military history that regiments with the same numerical designation from the same state engage in combat.
The 1st Maryland, U.S. is led by Colonel John Kenly (1818-1891) from Baltimore. The 1st Maryland, C.S.A. commander is Colonel Bradley Johnson (1829-1903) of Frederick. During the Front Royal battle, Kenly is wounded and his entire regiment is captured.
A year later, the Maryland troops of both sides engage again at Gettysburg.
Overall 60,000 Maryland soldiers eventually joined the Union while 25,000 joined the Confederacy. Ten percent of the Maryland troops were “U.S. Colored Troops” that fought bravely for the Union.
Maryland soldiers from both North and South fight at the Battle of Front Royal
Soldiers from both North and South units fight at the Battle of Front Royal. in 1861, pictured. A year later they engage again at Gettysburg. These are the only times in US military history that regiments with the same designations from the same state engage in combat.
