| Existing comment:
The Maryland Militia was divided into 12 brigades, each composed of 4 regiments. Each regiment was made up of 2 battalions, and each battalion was comprised of 5 companies. Every company was to consist of 64 privates, 4 sergeants, a drummer, and a fifer or bugler. Thus, a full-strength brigade could muster nearly 3,000 men. On paper the militia defense of the Patuxent-Potomac axis consisted of nearly 9,000 infantry and 1,150 cavalry. Unfortunately, few if any of these units were to operate anywhere near full strength in any given period of time. It was painfully obvious from the very onset that those enrolled in the militia of Southern Maryland, including Prince George's County, were only half-heartedly in support of the war effort. |