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who struck the first blow in Baltimore, and the last in Virginia, have done all that could be
asked of you. and had the rest of our officers and men adhered to our cause with the same
devotion, today we would have been free from Yankee thraldom.

I have ordered the brigade to return to their homes, and it behooves us now to
separate. With my warmest wishes for your welfare, and a hearty God bless you, I1 bid
you farewell.

THOMAS T. MUNFORD, Brigadier-General Commanding Division.

The scene which followed this announcement and letter can only be conceived
by those who have had every energy and sentiment of soul and heart wrapped
up in the attainment of some end a thousand-fold dearer than life, only to find
after years of the bitterest struggles and dearest sacrifices that all was in vain,
and themselves bankrupt of all that would make life supportable.

This little band of Maryland soldiers, despairing and broken-hearted, were
hundreds of miles from home, but separated still farther by a wanton exercise of
power forbidding them to return to Maryland, which exercise of power was due
to the petty malice of some of the civil authorities of Maryland's cowardly jackals,
tearing at the dead body of the lion, which living they dared not face.

With this letter of General Munford announcing the surrender of General
Johnston's army perished the last hope of the Southern Confederacy, and the few
surviving members of the First Maryland Cavalry prepared to bid each other
adieu. That was a sad and solemn parting, indeed, and stout hearts melted, and
tears from eyes unused to weeping were profusely shed when, hand clasping hand,
farewell was spoken.

The old flag which had so often been followed to victory was saluted for the
last time, and reverently taken from its staff and folded away. The last weeping
word was spoken, and with breaking hearts the old First Maryland disbanded
forever, some riding slowly away, others at full speed as if to fly from grief.

In their wanderings the exiled soldiers depended entirely upon the kindness
and hospitality of the Virginia people. They had no money or means to supply
their wants — nothing but their destitution and soldier's life to plead. But the
people of Virginia did not forgot their services, and hastened eagerly to relieve
their necessities. At the end, as in the beginning, and throughout the progress of
the war, the warm-hearted kindness and genuine hospitality of the Virginians
adorned them with a lustre equal to their valor in battle. The soldiers of the First
Maryland Cavalry must cease to have hearts or memories when they forget the
Virginia people and their devoted attentions.

The following extract from a letter written by General Thomas T. Munford
some time after the war is certainly very complimentary to the First Maryland :

During Stonewall Jackson's memorable Valley campaign "and his battles with Pope,