Richard C. Cushing, Regimental Quartermaster, 11th MD Infantry Regiment, Union Army John Cushing, Jr., 1st Lt., Co. E., 1st MD Infantry Regiment, Confederate Army Sons of prominent Baltimore bookseller and merchant. Why the split in loyalties? Richard and John Cushing were born to Baltimore bookseller and merchant John Cushing and his wife, Frances Cromwell. John…
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The Versatile, Durable, Yet Controversial Straw
Mankind has been using some form of hollow tube, or straw, for nearly 7000 years, possibly longer, to consume beverages. In the beginning, straws were made from carved wood, reeds, and other naturally hollow stemmed plants. Around 3000 BC, Sumerians began to produce straws of precious metals, typically gold. The reasons for their use vary,…
Dr. Thomas Murray Getty (Lt. Col.)
Entered the U.S. Army as an Asst. Surgeon in 1849. Transferred to Fort Inge, Texas in February 1850, he would become the longest serving individual garrisoned at the fort, transferring out in August 1854 to Baltimore after the death of his father. Commissioned a Major in April 1862, breveted Lt. Col. in March 1865. Served…
The Tripoli Monument
“This monument owes its existence, not to publick gratitude in our national government, nor to patriotick feelings of the citizens at large; but to the private friendship & admiration of the officers of the navy, who, of their own accord, assigned a portion of their pay to the erection of a memorial of actions as…
Pvt. George Yellott
Col. James Biays’ 5th Cavalry Regiment. Veteran of the Battle of North Point, 12 Sep 1814. Native of Yorkshire, England. George Yellott was born 13 Oct 1775 in Dodworth, South Yorkshire, England to John and Hannah Ann (Hattersley) Yellott. Emigrated to Baltimore, MD with is parents in 1795. George married Bethia Burrell, daughter of Dr….
A Dark Chapter Turns a Page
”I pray you have the bodies of our Massachusetts soldiers, dead in battle, to be immediately laid out, preserved in ice and tenderly sent forward by express to me. All expenses will be paid by this Commonwealth.” – Governor John Albion Andrew, Massachusetts Just days after President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 troops…
A Crime Most Heinous
Throughout the nearly 60 years as the seat of Baltimore County’s government and court, Joppa was witness to a large number of criminal trials and executions. Many who died by the noose still lie in the old graveyard behind what is the Church of the Resurrection on Rumsey Island; the site of Old Joppa. One…
RM3 John Marshall Knapp
Radioman Third Class, US Navy. Enlisted 12 Jun 1918, Honorably Discharged 30 Sep 1921. Insurance Agent by Trade. Born in Baltimore on 6 April 1899, the son of Alexander Payson and Mary (Thomas) Knapp, Sr. John married Marjorie Holden Benners in Westchester, NY on 26 Sep 1934. John died in Ashville, NC on 14 May…
Darius Wheeler
Musician (Drummer Boy), Capt. Peters’ Co., 51st Regiment, Maryland Militia. Member and Marshall of the “Old Defenders” Association of Baltimore. One of the last surviving members of the association. Master Brick Mason by trade. Deacon at First Christian Church, Paca & Lombard Streets. Youngest child of William and Ann (Bond) Wheeler, born 15 Nov 1799…
Pvt. Aquila Randall
Capt. Benjamin Chew Howards 1st Mechanical Volunteers, 5th Regiment, Maryland Volunteers. Killed by British advance forces at the outset of the Battle of North Point, 12 Sep 1814. Believed by some to have fired the fatal shot that killed Major-General Robert Ross at North Point. Memorialized with a stone monument erected and dedicated by the…