George Hume Steuart  "Devoted To Maryland"  August 24, 1828 - November 22, 1903

George Hume Steuart was born in Baltimore, MD, in 1828. By the time the Civil War began he had graduated from West Point and served in the U.S. Cavalry for 13 years, mostly fighting Indians in the West. Though Maryland had not been allowed to secede from the Union, Steuart resigned his U.S. captain's commission on April 22, 1861, and entered the Confederate service as a captain in the cavalry.

When the 1st Maryland formed, Steuart was named its lieutenant colonel; two months later, after the 1st Battle of Bull Run, he was made colonel and regimental commander. Early in March 1862, he was promoted to brigadier general, and he commanded a brigade in the Shenandoah Valley campaign until he was severely wounded at Cross Keys. After taking almost a year to recuperate, he returned to the army in May 1863 in Gen. Edward Johnson's division.

Called "Maryland" because of his devotion to his native state, Steuart jumped off his horse, kissed the ground, then stood on his head when he reached Maryland soil in mid-June 1863 on his way to Gettysburg. On the third day of the battle of Gettysburg, Steuart gallantly led his 1st Maryland Battalion of 400 men through relentless enemy fire in an assault on Union breastworks on Culp's Hill. The charge left more than half of the brave Marylanders dead or wounded - and Steuart heartbroken over the losses.

In the battle of the Wilderness in early May 1864 Steuart's leadership of North Carolina troops against two New York regiments resulted in 567 Union losses. One week later, at Spotsylvania, Steuart was captured along with 20 Confederate cannon and 3,000 Rebels in the Mule Shoe. After being exchanged that summer he fought under Gen. George Pickett in the Petersburg campaign, at Five Forks, and at Sayler's Creek before surrendering with the army at Appomattox. He returned to Maryland, where he farmed and served as commander of the Maryland division of the United Confederate Veterans. He died at South River, MD, at the age of 75.

Fascinating Fact:  When captured, Steuart refused to shake Gen. Winfield S. Hancock's hand, and he spoke harshly to a Union major who offered him a horse to ride to the rear.


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