Maryland’s nickname is “the Old Line State.” That moniker came from the respect that George Washington had for the Marylanders who fought in the Battle of Brooklyn on August 27, 1776. The unit, known as the Maryland 400 or Maryland Line, fought bravely to give Washington’s Army time to escape.
It was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. Washington’s troops were outnumbered by the British by almost three to one. Sensing a losing battle, Washington ordered retreat. To give them time the Maryland 400 stood their ground, Two-hundred and fifty six of the men were killed.
As the battle was underway, General Washington turned to Gen. Israel Putnam and said, ‘‘Good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose,” as he watched the Marylanders being slaughtered. Because of their bravery the Maryland Patriots, also known as the Maryland Line, were dubbed “the Old Line” and the name stuck.
The Maryland 400 was led by William Smallwood, who would later become a general, the highest ranking Marylander to serve in the American Revolution; after the war he became the 4th governor of Maryland.
John Stone,
