USA > Maryland > Biographical sketches of distinguished Marylanders > Part 21
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this however failed as a drama. A play written for Mr. John T. Ford, entitled " Senor Valiente," was brought out simultaneously in New York and Baltimore; this failing in attracting the public, another followed, called " Mary's Birthday." The criticism upon the latter was favorable, yet a "poor house " greeted its appearance on the stage.
George Miles, the poet, was not a dramatist, though he failed to perceive that his talents were misdirected. He wrote, meanwhile, many stories, which were gener- ally Catholic in tone and principle ; among them were "Loretto," " The Governess " and "The Truce of God."
From the pages of the last named volume the follow- ing extracts are taken :
"It is easy to reform where the passions are pampered, and the vicious heart of humanity pants wildly for the reformation ; but in the eleventh century the Church had gained a partial victory over the dearest appetites of the fiery Frank and the warlike Saxon. It was enacted, under pain of excommunication, that private warfare should cease from the sunset of Wednesday to the morning of Monday, and few were hardy enough to expose themselves to the penalty."
The respite from hostilities which followed was called the "Truce of God." How well has the poet told the romance of a suffering day. Oh, blessed truce of God ! that could in an age so far agone hold in check the ruthlessness, the arrogance, the "inhumanity to man " from man !
On page 71 of this pure beautiful little book, the author's seal is once more set :
"It is not in the pride of health and youth, sur- rounded by pleasure and strangers to care. that a heart wedded to the world, is apt to prostrate itself in humility before the Author of Life; but in danger and affliction,
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we learn to mistrust our self-sufficiency, and feel our complete dependence upon an invisible and Almighty power. We are much more disposed to appeal to Heaven for protection than to return thanks for repeated favors."
A few pages further on occurs this word-picture:
"Upon the slope of the hill, half-way between the castle and the lake, was a chapel built of white stone, which had stood there, according to tradition, from the ninth century. It was said to have been erected by Charlemagne on his second expedition against the Saxons. The Baron of Hers had ornamented and re- paired it with much taste and at great expense, until it was celebrated throughout the circle of Suabia for its richness and elegance. It had been dedicated to Mary, the Morning Star, as appeared from a statue of the Blessed Virgin surmounted with a star, and was called the Pilgrim's Chapel. It was in charge of Herman, a priest who had studied at Monte Cassino, under the Benedictines, with Father Omehr, whom he loved like a brother. They had spent the long purga- tion and had been ordained together, and for forty years they had labored in the same vineyard side by side, and yet seldom meeting. When they did meet, however, it was with the joy and chastened affection which only the pure minded and truly religious can know."
Should the reader of this page be a Catholic the fol- lowing will not seem lacking in interest. It tells of the excommunication of Henry IV, of Austria, by Pope Gregory VII.
"Thus went forth this awful thunderbolt for the first time against a crowned hend. A dissolute and ambi- tious monarch had called upon the successor of Saint Peter to yield up the keys, and lay the tiara at the feet of the Lion of Austria, because that successor had de-
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clared an invincible determination to preserve the purity of the Church and its liberties at the sacrifice of life itself. The tyrant struck in anger, and the Pontiff, in- capable of yielding, gave the blow at last ; for the temple of religion was insulted and invaded. It is easy, when calmly seated at a, winter's fireside, to charge Gregory VII with an undne assumption of temporal power. But he who will study the critical position of Europe during the eleventh century must bow down in rever- ence before the mighty mind of him who seized the moment to proclaim amid the storm the independence of the Christian Church. Was not his resistance to Henry expedient ? Yes! And one too who knows that the Church was the lever by which the world was raised from barbarism to civilization, and will confess, with Guizot, that without a visible head Christianity would have perished in the shock that convulsed Europe to its centre."
And again he tells us of one of those missioners, in the form of woman, who do battle and gain victories in life that are seldom recorded here :
"The news of these victories imparted some consola- tion to the Lady Margaret's breast, now torn with anxiety and solicitude. IIer grief was not lightened, because her own misfortunes were avenged in Henry's adversity, but because the chances of peace were in- creased by Rodolph's success. She was now incapable of relishing revenge. The fendal antipathies so long nourished, and so carly instilled as to be almost a part of her existence, were entirely eradicated. From the evening of her interview with Father Omehr, before the now ruined Church of the Nativity, she had dedicated her life to the extinguishment of the feud between the houses of ITers and Stramen. For this she had praved ; for this she had toiled. But her labors were interrupted
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by the harsh music of War, by gong and tymbalon. What could she do now ? Nothing. Nothing? When she knelt before the altar at Tubingen, before the sun had risen, and the Countess of Montfort felt as if she had given shelter to an angel, was she doing nothing ? When she lingered in the oratory of our Blessed Mother long after the sun had set, and the menials passed by on tiptoe least they should mar the celestial expression of her face, was she doing nothing ?"
The strongest and most effective scene of the book is that in which the white-plumed knight, Rodolph, the king of the Franks, falls dead in the day of victory. It is a historical romance, and because of its simplicity and purity of thought and expression, is selected as a premium, year after year in Catholic schools, and be- stowed as a reward for moral or mental triumph at the commencement day. It is, therefore, regarded as a book for boys and girls, and yet the profoundest wisdom is not always hidden beneath high-sounding words, as some seem to think. Banquets are sometimes given where the eye is fcasted while the palate is unsatisfied, and the guests depart more hungry than when they came. In the writings of George Miles, the goodness of Truth is always evident. That purity, that is the language of a pure nature, reveals itself in every line of his writings, and in all his teachings there is wholesome food for heart and mind.
Ilis friends in early life were John E. Howard, Wil- liam Reed, Charles Bradenbaugh, long the President of the Mercantile Library, in Baltimore. Edwin Forrest continued his friendship and patronage to Mr. Miles through all his life. Joseph Jefferson, the comedian, to whom we owe so many happy moments, was also a friend of the Baltimore poet, and endeavored to encour- age him in undertaking another play; finally, about
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1870, he gave to the public a paper on " Hamlet," which was first published in the Southern Review, and after- wards in pamphlet-form by Mr. John T. Ford. This analysis of Hamlet won for its author an extended no- tice, especially amongst the English critics.
George Miles was a precocious child, speaking plainly at the age of two years, and reading at three. As a boy of thirteen and fifteen he wrote verses, and when gradu- ating at eighteen, was chosen to deliver the Valedictory Address. He was not studiously inclined, which caused much solicitude to his parents ; and Poetry, which is so ruefully regarded by many whose talents or genius take another way, was deemed by his friends the ignis fatuus that led to ruin.
He was a true child of the South in his temperament and tastes, and his love of the " Lost Cause " is evinced in the many war-songs that came from his pen. Among the best known of his battle-songs is "God Save the South," which is inspiring in its tone, and musical in its wild ring, as he sang of "dear honor's sake:"
Hear Honor's call, Summoning all, Summoning all of us Unto the strife. Sons of the South, awake! Strike till the brand shall break, Strike for dear Honor's sake, Freedom and life !
The bright little poem entitled "Coming at Last," . refers to the first Confederate Cavalry raid into Mary- land, in the neighborhood of Emmittsburg. About 1866 or '67, he wrote and published a book of Christmas Poems. He composed music for songs, hymns and lita- nies. He played quite well upon the piano and flute. As a tenor singer he ranked above the average. He was
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a brilliant conversationalist, attracting by his blended charms all who came within the circle of his influence. In person he was robust, of medium height and athletic, noted as a walker and a gymnast.
The depth of his heart was measured by the height .. of his intellect. No pensioner for money or service ever turned from him unaided. His hand was open always to his friends, and from the Poor he never turned with- out a blessing.
In February, 1859, George Miles married Miss Ada- line Tiers, of New York, who still lives. No children blessed this union. The poet of Thornbrook died on the 23d of July, 1872, within one week of completing his forty-eighth year. He is buried in the churchyard of Saint Mary's College, where his memory is beloved.
At the time of his death he was engaged in the writ- - ing of a novel which would doubtless have gained for him a high place amongst the authors of his native country. The novel, however, lies yet unfinished as the author left it. Being a Roman Catholic, his writ- ings are best known amongst the people of that faith. He, however, was known and loved by those of all teachings-it could not have been otherwise-his intel- lect was broad, his deeds were good, his truth was per- fect.
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COMING AT LAST
U' [TP on the hill there, Who are they, pray ? Three dusty troopers Spurring this way? And that squadron behind them? Stand not aghast- Why! these are the Rebels, sir, Coming at last !
Coming so carelessly, Sauntering on, Into the midst of us, Unto our town: Thrice thirty miles to-day These men have passed, Steuart at the head of them Coming at last !
Oh, sir! no gold lace Burns in the sun, But each blooded war-horse And rider seem one, These men could! ride at need, Out-ride the blast- O! yes, sir, the Rebels Are coming at last !
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COMING AT LAST.
Circling Mac's army, Three days at work ! Under that smile of theirs Famine may lurk. Out with the best you have, Fill the bowl fast, For Jeff's ragged Rebels Are coming at last !
GEORGE H. MILES, Frederick County, Md.
GENERAL ARNOLD ELZEY.
"Circumstances draw forth men."-THIERS.
M R. ARNOLD ELZEY JONES fixed his home, which he named Elmwood, on the Manokin river, in Somerset county, Maryland. His wife had in her maidenhood borne the name of Annie Wilson Jackson. She was the mother of Arnold Elzey Jones, who afterwards became a valiant soldier in the Confederate Army.
The name of Elzey is found amongst the early records of Maryland's history. In McMahon's history John Elzey is told of as having received a commission from Governor Philip Calvert, in 1661, to form a settlement on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, upon the Mano- kin river. A treaty of amity was afterwards entered into by the settlers with the Indian Emperor of Nan- ticoke.
Arnold Elzey was born on the 18th of December, 1816, at Elmwood. At the age of sixteen he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point; and as the future sketched itself before his boyish footsteps, it is not likely that he dreamed one dream of the terri- ble combination of rights and wrongs that would some day place his name before the world, and make it hon- ored by all true-hearted Marylanders.
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God is the great Judge. Justice weighs impartially Truth and Right. To those who triumph in the right the victory is sufficient. To the conquered is the suf- fering! Forgiveness belongs to all.
At the age of twenty Arnold Elzey Jones graduated, according to the family record ; yet, by the United States Military Register, one year more is added to his life at the closing of his " school term."
In the year 1845 the young soldier, then a first lieu- tenant in the Second Artillery, married Miss Ellen Irwin, the daughter of Henry Irwin, of Huntington county, Pennsylvania.
Several years later, at the age of twenty-eight, by per- mission of the Legislature of Maryland, he adopted, as a sir-name, Elzey, and abandoned that of Jones. In this he complied with an often expressed desire of his father that he should adopt the family name of Elzey, which had become extinct on the marriage of his pater- nal grandmother.
Setting aside the question of literary talent or capa- bility, an undeniable fact presents itself : only a soldier may portray the life of a soldier beyond the fireside.
In a pleasant volume, entitled "The Maryland Line," Major W. W. Goldsborough, of Baltimore, takes us into the stirring camp-life of the Confederate soldier. From afar we behold the advance and the retreat, now the Grey is the victor and now the Blue. Long lines of bayonets glitter in the sunlight of a perfect summer's day, and then "the men at arms" wheel with the precision of evenly measured music. Across the verdant field a courier dashes on a strong-limbed steed, bearing, better worth the guarding than the heart of his life, a message for his general !
The battles wherein glory is sought and won are pic- tured, with their even columns of staunch soldiers, the
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deadly weapons, and the flying colors; then defeat, and death, and the grave.
Major Goldsborough tells us, in his book, of Elzey; the words are strong and good, born of that pride that all brave soldiers feel in the brave acts of another, whose
"Deeds are better things than words are."
The following is taken from the "Biographical Register " of the United States Military Academy of West Point:
ARNOLD ELZEY,
Cadet at the United States Military Academy from July 1, 1833, to July 1, 1837, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to
(SECOND LIEUTENANT, 2d Artillery, July 1, 1837.)
Served in the Florida War, 1837-38 ; in the Cherokee Nation, 1838, while emigrating the Indians to the West; on the North- ern Frontier during the Canada Border disturbances, at Detroit, Mich., 1838-39; Mackinac, Mich., 1839.
(FIRST LIEUTENANT, 2d Artillery, Nov. 12, 1839.)
Buffalo, N. Y., 1839-40; Recruiting, 1840; Buffalo, N. Y., 1840; Rochester, N. Y., 1810-11, and Buffalo, N. Y, 1841; in garrison at Fort Adams. R. I., 1841-43; Fort Lafayette, N. Y., 1843, 1844-45, and Fort Columbus, N. Y., 1845; in Military Oc- cupation of Texas, 1845-46; in the War with Mexico, 1846-48, being engaged in the defence of Fort Brown, May 3-9, 18-46; siege of Vera Cruz, March 9-29, 1847; battle of Cerro Gordo, April 17-18, 1847; skirmish of Amazoque, May 14, 1847; cap- ture of San Antonio, August 20, 1847; Battle of Churubisco, August 20, 1847 ; battle of Molino del Rey, Sept. 8, 1847.
(BREVET CAPTAIN, August 20, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubisco, Mexico.)
Storming of Chapultepec, Sept. 13, 1847; assault and the cap- ture of the City of Mexico, Sept. 13-14, 1847, and as Adjutant 2d Artillery, Dec., 1817, to Jan., 1818; on Recruiting service,
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1848; in garrison at Fort Monroe, Va., 1848-49, and Fort John- ston, N. C., 1849; in Florida hostilities against the Seminole (CAPTAIN, 2d Artillery, Feb. 14, 1849.)
Indians, 1849-50; in garrison at Fort Moultrie, S. C., 1851-53; in Florida hostilities, 1853-55 ; 1855-56, being engaged against
(Resigned Brevet Commission, April 2, 1857.)
the Seminole Indians in the skirmish near Choalisca Key, March 29, 1856; in garrison at Fort Ontario, N. Y., 1856-57; on fron- tier duty at Fort Mackinac, Mich., 1857, and Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 1857-60; on leave of absence, 1860, and in garrison at Augusta Arsenal, Ga., 1860-61 ; Fort Monroe, Va., 1861.
(Resigned, April 25, 1861.)
Joined in the Rebellion of 1861 against the United States.
In the West Point Register the name of Elzey is en- tered as Arnold Jones, his family name.
At the breaking out of the war, he resigned his posi- tion in the United States Army. Upon the establish- ment of the Confederate Army, he received the commis- sion of Captain in the Artillery, which was the rank he held in the service of the United States.
The First Maryland Regiment was organized in June, 1861. On the 16th day of that month, commissions were issued to Elzey as Colonel, to George H. Steuart, late Captain of Cavalry, U. S. A., as Lieutenant-Colonel, and to Bradley T. Johnson as Major.
Colonel Elzey joined his Regiment at Winchester, about June 20th. He was immediately assigned to a Brigade, consisting of the First Maryland, under Lieutenant-Colonel Steuart; 13th Infantry, Colonel A. P. Hill, (afterwards Brevet-General Hill) ; 10th Vir- ginia, Colonel Gibbons, and the 3d Tennessee, Colonel Vaughan.
They remained about Winchester for a month. On July 4th, they marched to Martinsburg, Virginia, to offer battle to Patterson.
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GENERAL ARNOLD ELZEY.
On this march, Major Goldsborough says: "To the First Maryland was assigned the post of honor, the ex- treme right; and had there been occasion, most stub- bornly would they have contested every inch of the ground they occupied."
On the 18th of July, the march was begun for the famous battle-ground of Manassas. Colonel Elzey was anxious for promotion, and is said to have felt slighted because Bee and Kirby Smith had each been made a Brigadier, while he had the command withont the rank. So great is the thirst, even among the great, for the empty honor of a name! And so he fought for it, and won.
In an address to his men, Elzey said: " --! In the hour of battle you will remember that you are Mary- landers. Every eye from across the waters of the Po- tomac which separates you from your homes, is upon you, and all those who are dear to us are watching with anxious, beating hearts, the fleshing of your maiden swords. And they shall not be disappointed, for he had better never been born who proves himself a craven when we grapple with the foeman."
Elzey's Brigade arrived at Manassas about mid-day on the 21st of July, 1861-that day so fraught with joy and sadness, gloom and glory, for the victor and the vanquished accordingly !
Owing to the indifferent marching of some of the raw troops, much delay was caused; General "Joe" E. Johnston therefore halted at Paris, in Virginia, from whence he forwarded the troops by rail to the field of action. General Elzey and his officers were mounted, having taken their horses with them. The field officers of the Brigade were, however, afoot.
As the troops alighted from the cars, Kirby Smith galloped up and ordered the command forward at a 20*
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double-quick. General Smith was in command of the division formed by his own and Elzey's Brigade, but his own Briga le not having come up, he had really only Elzey's under his command. The 13th Virginia and three Maryland regiments were sent off on a double- quick to the battle-field, the column headed by Smith and Elzey on horseback. With this unaccustomed speed and fatigue, many of the men were completely overcome. While the shells rushed with a whiz and whirr through the air, Bradley Johnson staggered up to Elzey and said : " Colonel, I've broke down, and if you don't furnish me with a horse, I can go no further." The consolatory reply was : "I can't help you." At that moment a sharp fire broke out from a wood near by on the right. As the fire rained upon them, General Smith fell over the neck of his horse. (When General Kirby Smith was wounded, the command devolved upon Elzey). "There," said Elzey turning to Bradley Johnson, "God is just! Smith's down; get his horse!" The horse, not appre- ciating the good and handsome things of this world, with a wild phinge eluded the outstretched hands and disappeared across the field. Yet out of the midst of the fiery woods a magnificent steed came dashing; it was riderless, and no doubt ownerless. Major Johnson caught the bridle and jumped into the saddle. Elzey smiled at this, and turning to his young comrade ex- claimed, " Now for a yellow sash, or six feet of ground !"
Getting his troops into position, he charged the enemy dashingly ! daringly ! gloriously! The line of foemen broke and fled in confusion, and Manassas was won. As Elzey and his men pushed on to the Henry House, that conrtly soldier, Beauregard, rode up and in his marked French manner exclaimed : " Hail, Elzey, thou Blucher of the day !"
It is said that at the same time President Davis told him he should have his stripe so nobly earned.
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Arnold Elzey's commission, as Brigadier, dated from July 21st, 1861.
In the Valley Campaign of 1862 the Maryland regi- ments received another commander, and Elzey was given a Virginia Brigade.
Upon this change the officers and soldiers of the Maryland Line, drawn up before headquarters, took a formal yet affecting leave of their beloved commander. Elzey always regarded, with love and pride, the Mary- land regiments under his command, nor did his interest flag when he ceased to be their leader. In the fight at Front Royal, on the 24th day of May, 1862, the First Maryland regiment, C. S. A., was pitted, by a singular fate of war, against the First Maryland, U. S. A. The Confederate regiment was victorious and the cavalry took the Federal regiment prisoners. Elzey rode gaily over to the victors and tendered his congratulations to his regiment as he called that gallant body.
At the battle of Cross Keys, on June Sth, 1862, he chose a position, put his troops in place, and asked the approbation of Ewell, his commanding officer; he showed him the order in which they were disposed. General Ewell, pleased with the disposition, adopted the same arrangement, and the battle of Cross Keys was fought according to the plan of Elzey.
When that Campaign was over, battle after battle was fought around Richmond, and Elzey was in the thick of the fight. He carried his brave command over a broad stretch of broken ground, unfalteringly, through the hottest fire. Nearly all of the staff officers were either killed or wounded, and General Elzey was shot through the head and mouth. After this he was pro- moted, though his wounds rendered him inactive for awhile. In 1863, he was put in command of the de- fences of Richmond. " In Early's Maryland Campaign,"
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says a fellow-soldier, "he was sent along to command some mythical Maryland divisions which were never found."
The words of Colonel J. R. Herbert, of Baltimore, are but the repetition of sentiments expressed by all who knew him: "General Arnold Elzey was a gallant soldier and loved by all who served under him."
It seems somehow as if the lines of the brave old Scotch poet applied to him, when he tells of a soldier who
" The sword could sway,
And lightly bear the ring away ; Nor less with courteous precepts stored, Could dance in hall and carve at board."
Writing of General Elzey, General Beauregard, in a letter to the author of these sketches, says: "He was brave, zealous and intelligent; three qualities which are indispensable to a commanding officer."
And this tribute to a soldier of the "Lost Cause," from his friend and comrade, General Bradley T. John- son, is strong and wonderfully generous for the day in which we live :
"He was the soul of chivalry. He had served in Florida and Mexico, and used to tell us of the way gen- tlemen ought to go to war, not in our rough, uncouth way, no supplies, no stores, no anything. His head- quarters was the centre of Maryland hopes and aspira- tions. All of us Volunteers of Maryland had gone into service for the purpose of enfranchising our native State, and giving her the chance to join the South, when we believed her will, her interest and her honor required her to go.
" During the long marches-in the birouac, in the lull of battle-the sole topic was, ' What will they think of us at home?' ' Will they know how well we are
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doing ?' (for Maryland vanity always gave itself full credit for what it was performing). We would describe imaginary scenes -- our march down Charles street-our being welcomed at the Monument by the civic authori- ties; the ribbons that we would wear, the smiles that would be lavished on us. The very mementoes that would bear our names to the Future, all the charms of enthusiastic gallant Youth, stirred by the highest senti- ments of patriotism and honor, were the themes dis- cussed, the dreams we dreamed night and day. I have heard Elzey discant on our future glories-for we all believed our time would come, and we claimed to inherit the natures of The Old Line whose descendants and heirs we are. We certainly tried to emulate them. Elzey was the centre and the soul of all our day-dreams ; . the embodiment of that sentiment burning in each Maryland man, which would have sent them gaily to death to serve and save our beloved Maryland! Elzey's heart was gentle and kind, his manner sharp and mili- tary-his roughness of speech was a mere facon de par- ler-as in the case of Kirby Smith, whom he loved and sympathized with.
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