Chaos on the Eastern Shore

The war divided communities in Maryland, pitting neighbor against neighbor. During Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North, which ended at Antietam, a Greensboro resident wrote to President Abraham Lincoln for assistance on September 13 1862:

We the Loyal Union people of the Eastern Shore of Maryland are in contact constantly with vile secesh(secessionists) Traitors, that frequently threaten us with vengeance when Stonewall Jackson comes into the state. They declare that they have plenty of arms in various places in this and adjacent counties. They have attempted and where they will train gurilla(sic) bands and companies; numerous ones declare these things together with personal threats against eminently Loyal Citizens.

We complain, and in some instances these vile miscreants are arrested...(but) agree to take the oath of Allegiance and are liberated; they come home worse, far worse than before their arrest. ... They have already but a few milles from where I now live burned t(w)o meeting houses or Churches and others are threatened. ... I fear Sir that we have been so long and so palpably trifled with that the summary Execution of some of them will be the result. There is a mark beyond which forbearance ceases to be a virtue and at this point I hope the Divine Governor will Himself bear rule.

With profound respect I am Sir your obedient servant,

Richard Chambers

Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Maryland Route 480) and Bernard Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Main Street.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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