Audio
Fighting for Liberty - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 6
Transcript
While Thomas Stone was navigating the political side of the revolution, his brother, John Hoskins Stone, was preparing to defend the decisions of those political leaders.
In 1774, the Maryland Convention resolved that each county should muster a company of 68 militia to defend the province. In 1775, at the age of 25, John Hoskins Stone joined the Charles County militia. The militia members would have to meet monthly for training and were provided a “good firelock and bayonet fixed thereon, half a pound of powder, two pounds of lead, and a cartouch-box”. They were instructed to be in readiness to act on any emergency.
Since there had been no large-scale fighting between colonial militia forces and the British at the time, their time spent training may have seemed a waste to some of the militia soldiers. Any disillusion towards their training would be changed on April 19th with the “shot heard round the world” at the Battle of Lexington. Now, the potential for an attack by the strongest military force in the world—the British Army—on any of the colonies seen as rebellious made the training of militia forces even more important. This ensured they would be prepared should what once seemed unthinkable become a reality and they were called to defend their province.
In January 1776, the Maryland Convention resolved to bring the province to the “best state of defense” and the local militia in Charles County, including John Hoskins Stone, would quickly join this new First Maryland Regiment, under the command of Colonel William Smallwood. John Hoskins Stone would be promoted to captain in charge of the first company of this new regiment. Over the next few months, the regiment drilled and trained in Maryland while recruitment continued.
In July of 1776, while the Continental Congress and John Hoskins Stone’s brother voted for Independence, the First Maryland Regiment was dispatched to support General George Washington and the rest of the new Continental Army outside of New York City.
In August 1776, the British forces landed and attacked the Continental Army, marking the first major battle following the Declaration of Independence. John Hoskins Stone and the Maryland Line were thrust into the thick of the fighting to defend the nascent nation. As the Battle of Brooklyn unfolded, American forces began to collapse and retreat.
Despite the war seeming nearly lost just weeks after independence was declared, 400 soldiers mostly from the First Maryland Regiment courageously faced several thousand of the best-trained British troops. Known today as the "Maryland 400," these brave soldiers repeatedly charged against overwhelming odds. With each assault by the British, the Maryland soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and their ammunition dwindled. By the end of the day, two-thirds of the Maryland 400 had fallen, but their valiant stand helped save the Continental Army. Their determination to hold the line allowed the bulk of George Washington's forces to make a successful escape, ensuring that the fight for independence would continue.
Description
While Thomas Stone never served in the Continental Forces during the Revolutionary War, his brother John Hoskins Stone served in the 1st Maryland Regiment until an injury in combat forced him to retire. Join Ranger Jonathan as he explores the start of John Hoskins career as an officer.
Date Created
07/02/2025
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