The Army Leaves St. Mary's

It was a scene of warlike activity, and yet I could not bring myself to believe truly that blood would be shed in this our land, until that day when, the new boat having been launched and armed, Captain Cornwallis left the harbor of St. Mary's, with the flag of Maryland flying from both vessels, in search of the enemy who we had good reason to know was lying near by in the bay, waiting to cut off some of our people.

An hour before the departure of the fleet was spent in hearing mass celebrated by Father White, and prayers were offered up by all the good priests that God would safeguard our people in this their time of sore need. It was well we should thus appeal to Him whose ear is open even to the sparrow's fall.

All our gentlemen, save Governor Calvert, had embarked under the leadership of Captain Cornwallis, and you may well fancy how sad was my heart, when, kissing me on both cheeks ere he stepped aboard the shallop, my father bade me hold the house as a lad of the name of Calvert should.

There came a roar from the cannon, which had been left in the fortification; a dropping of the flag of Maryland that floated over the storehouse, and an answering discharge from the guns of the pinnace, as they sailed out of the harbor, taking with them my father and my uncle, whom, perhaps, I might never see again.

Then, forgetting that I was left in our town of St. Mary's to represent the honor of our family, I threw myself upon the bed of skins, where father and I had slept together this many a night, covering my face lest John should see the tears of grief that rolled down my cheeks.

It was not because of being faint-hearted that I wept; but I put it to you whether a lad, whatsoever his age, who sees his only kin of blood leaving him, as might be said, alone in the wilderness, to venture themselves amid the heat of battle, risking their lives every moment, would not have given way to weakness even as did I, and with no shame attaching to him.