r/oilpaintings

The 1st Maryland Regiment is said to have been one of the best regiments of the American Revolution. They distinguished themselves at the Battle of Long Island when 400 members of the regiment repeatedly charged British forces, buying George Washington enough time to evacuate his troops to Manhattan. This action is what gave the State of Maryland the nickname “The Old Line State.”

They later fought at the Battles of White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, Camden, and Cowpens.

However, Despite being one of “Washington’s best regiments”, they did not participate in the glory of the Siege of Yorktown. They were instead reduced to constant loses at the Guilford Courthouse, Ninety Six, and Eutaw Springs, Ninety Six, and Eutaw Springs, in which always ended in being ordered to run away and hand over an easy win to the British.

My ancestor fought in this regiment for the entire war, and it’s a real shame they didn’t go out with a victory.