In August 1776, less than two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Army was badly defeated in Brooklyn, New York. Only a desperate stand by a group of soldiers, mostly from Maryland, allowed George Washington and his troops to escape to Manhattan Island, keeping the day from being a complete victory for the British.
The crucial role of the "Maryland 400", as these soldiers have become known, in saving the Revolution has become legend over the 250 years since their heroic actions. Until now, they have been remembered only as a group, their individual stories and motivations mostly lost. For the first time, these men, who actually numbered about 1,000, have been given the attention they have long deserved.
Finding the Maryland 400, by Owen E. Lourie, senior research archivist at the Maryland State Archives, is the culmination of more than a decade of primary source research. It tells the stories of these soldiers before, during, and after the war, giving compelling insight into the lives of the men and women of the Revolutionary era of American history and the Maryland Line, one of the most celebrated elements of the Continental Army.
The book is available at the Maryland State Archives and online for $40.00.
For any questions, please email the Archives' Help Desk at msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov
Published by the Friends of the Maryland State Archives, with support from the following organizations:
The Richard C. von Hess Foundation
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