His First Lieutenant, W. Hunter Griffin, was also a Virginian, but had been engaged in business in Baltimore for many years. Brave, noble-hearted Griffin; how little I thought, as for the first time I took his hand, we should pass together through so many stirring scenes in the field and prison, for with the mention of his name appears before me all the horrors of the retaliatory dens and dungeons of Morris Island and Fort Pulaski. There we shared between us the wretched pittance given to sustain a bare existence, and there we more than once divided our last dollar.
Second Lieutenant, W. B. Bean, was a Marylander, and a fine officer and brave soldier.
Third Lieutenant, George Wilhelm, was also a Marylander, and during the little while he was with the battery proved himself an efficient officer. On his resigning the dashing McNulty was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The personnel of the men was unsurpassed in the army, and was it a wonder, then, that with such officers, and such men, the Baltimore Light Artillery should soon become a household-word in the army of Northern Virginia.
During the winter of 1861 and 1862 the battery remained quietly in camp at Manassas, and when the army of General Joseph E. Johnston fell back from that place in March, they were ordered to remain with General Ewell upon the banks of the Rappahannock.
Here about the 1st of April the enemy for the first time heard the bellowing of their loud-mouthed Blakeleys, which were destined to carry death and destruction into their ranks upon more than one bloody field.
It was a lovely afternoon, and fresh in my memory, that the enemy were observed advancing in force towards the river. Their approach had been long expected, and preparations made to receive them. The Baltimore Light Artillery was posted on the extreme right of General Elzey’s brigade, and supported by the First Maryland Infantry. As the dense masses of the enemy came within range, Brockenborough opened with such accuracy of aim as to attract the attention of Elzey, who upon the spot predicted for them a glorious future. For an hour or two the fight was sharp and severe, and most of the enemy’s artillery fire concentrated upon the Maryland battery; but they stood their ground and fought their pieces like veterans of an hundred battles. Late in the evening the enemy retired, and left us masters of the field.
Once or twice after, they advanced in small force towards the river, but Brockenborough was ever ready to receive them, and a shell or two sufficed to drive them back.
On the 19th of April, 1862, the division of General Ewell broke camp, and began the wretched march to Gordonsville, and of which I have spoken in the First Maryland. For three days the rain poured in torrents, making the roads almost impassable, and for three days the officers and men of the Baltimore battery toiled through the mud, into which the wheels sank to the hubs, and at length reached Gordonsville.
After a halt here of three or four days, the division of General Ewell marched to join Jackson at Swift Run Gap.