Thank you again, Maryland!
Our 50K Race to Liberty has landed in the Chesapeake Bay & Southern Maryland region. It is a region with a rich history and culture throughout the colonial period, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. And of course, a region famous for Maryland blue crabs, oysters and Smith Island cake.
During the Revolutionary War, Southern Maryland faced the state’s largest engagement of forces at St. George Island and Piney Point. The British Navy controlled most of the Chesapeake Bay throughout the War. Coastal areas and plantations in the region were constantly under threat of plundering by British forces. Trade was risky business on the Bay, yet patriots regularly harassed the British Fleet. They would set boats on fire and sail them into British ships at night. It was Maryland’s Flying Camp militia that repulsed the invading British forces from St. George Island in July 1776.
Members of the 1st Maryland Regiment, known as The Maryland 400, hailed from Southern Maryland. Their heroics led to the state nickname of the Old Line State as poignantly told by COSA Maryland State Content Writer, Nichole Weakley:
The Maryland 400 – as they came to be known – faced nearly 2,000 British soldiers. Outnumbered nearly 10-1, the Maryland regiment advanced six times against the British that day, marking one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution.
256 Maryland patriots were lost in the stand, but they held the line long enough for Washington to successfully retreat to Manhattan. It is said that Washington could see the battle from a spyglass and remarked “Good God! What brave fellows I must lose this day!”
The sacrifice of the Maryland 400 is how our state became known as the “Old Line State” in memory of those who felt that the idea of a free America was worthy of death.
Our Convention of States Maryland journey began with 1 signature in September 2014. We launched our Race to Liberty with 25,000 signatures in July 2021. Our goal is to reach 50,000 signatures by December 31st. We are taking our Race across the State of Maryland, gathering signatures, and recognizing our state history along the way. Since July we've added 2,100 signatures, but there is more work to do--lots more.
Today, citizens in the region are busy holding the line of threats of state sponsored racism in their schools and repulsing federal overreach in a post-pandemic America. If you’re concerned for the future of our country--under a federal government that's increasingly bloated, corrupt, reckless, and invasive--there is a constitutional option. We can call a Convention of States to bring power back to the states and the people, where it belongs.
Be 1 of 50,000 Marylanders to join our Race to Liberty by signing the petition at Convention of States Action today and pass this along to your friends and family. Revive the meaning of the Old Line State!
And if you're in the neighborhood, visit the numerous Oyster Festivals in the region throughout the month of October. Including the St. Mary’s National Oyster Festival held October 16-17 in Leonardtown.
