2      Preface.

Massachusetts, to put together all the information concerning each man
and arrange all names in alphabetical order. We have adopted the
former plan for several reasons; first, because this is a volume of Mary
land Archives and, as such, should contain the lists as they are found;
secondly, because we have no sufficient means at hand to enable us to
identify or differentiate the persons of the same name found in different
lists; and, thirdly, because for certain purposes it is interesting and
useful to know who were associated in any command.
   Doubtless, it will be found that the records are not absolutely
complete. The wonder is rather that so many lists have been pre
served through so many vicissitudes and opportunities of loss. We
have sufficient information from what has been preserved, to give us
the record of most of the Continental soldiers. Unfortunately, we
have not found the rolls of those two companies who marched from
Frederick County to the siege of Boston, but many of the records of the
Independent companies are in our possession. The muster rolls of the
Flying Camp are preserved, but no record of their service can be
found. The records of the Maryland Line are quite complete. A
chronological arrangement of the muster and pay-rolls has been adopted
as far as possible. The rolls of certain special commands, such as Lee's
and Pulaski's Legions, which it is difficult to fit into any chronological
arrangement, are placed at the end of the work. It should be noted
that the term "deserter," when used without the addition "to the
enemy," merely signifies that the soldier was absent from his command
without leave. The discipline of the Revolutionary armies was not
strict, and many left the ranks, when they were needed at home, return
ing to the service after a few months.
   After most of the volume was in type, certain muster rolls were
secured too late to be inserted in their proper place in the volume.
These are contained in an appendix.
   The Committee deems it proper to record its indebtedness to Dr.
Steiner, the Junior member of the Committee, for the large amount of
time and labor bestowed by him in the preparation of the present volume.
Acknowledgments are also due to Dr. F. E. Sparks, the Society's Archi
vist, for careful work in superintending details of verification and
arrangement.         Respectfully,
				CLAYTON C. HALL,
				HENRY STOCKBRIDGE,
				BERNARD C. STEINER,
  BALTIMORE, 1900.            		Committee of Publication.