July 31, 1861 - Hunting Southern Sympathizers in Bel Air, MD

July 31, 1861

"Southern Sympathizers Sought"

Bel Air, MD

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=248758

"In July 31, 1861, Capt. Daniel Leasure and 300 men from his 12th Pennsylvania Infantry halted here at Bel Air's courthouse square. War had begun in earnest, the First Battle of Bull Run was fought on July 21, and many residents of Harford County harbored Southern sympathy. The Union troops were here to hunt out Confederate sympathizers and confiscate weapons from local militia units. After a brief halt at the courthouse, the troops moved out to block all the roads leading out of Bel Air and began rounding up local citizens including Capt. Archer Jarrett of the Harford Light Dragoon, Henry Farandis, former state senator, and Thomas Hays, merchant. Jarret was arrested, but refused to divulge the location of his militia's weapons. Leasure's men then searched the homes of Farandis and Hays, but found no arms. Hays was also arrested, but both he and Jarrett were released later that year. After the unsuccessful search, the Pennsylvanians departed. Some county residents did enlist in the Confederate army, most notable Gen. James Archer, captured on July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg.

He Died for the Old Flag

Sgt. Alfred Hilton served in the 4th U.S. Colored Troops. On September 29, 1864, this regiment participated in the Battle of New Market Heights, VA. Hilton carried this banner during the attack. Shot through the leg, he called out[,] "Boys, save the colors!" Hilton died a month later from his wounds. On April 6, 1865, he was posthumously issued the Medal of Honor for his bravery. His is also honored by Alfred Hilton Memorial Park in Harford County."

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=1225

Some brief historical commentary here:

I work in Bel Air and actually added this historical marker to the database myself. It replaces an earlier marker, that was around as recently as 2020. That one had some historical inaccuracies on it that I can only assume lead to the revision. Namely, it erased the fact that the only person from Harford County to ever receive a Medal of Honor is Sgt. Alfred Hilton, AKA a black dude. (It mentioned Col Charles Phelps, who is decidedly from Baltimore County.) Coincidence? Hardly. For the old marker they instead emphasized the multiple Harford County residents who joined the Confederacy. And that puts me in an awkward position: In some ways I appreciate the historically accurate attention to detail in the revision that seems to correct a deliberate a spiteful exclusion. And while I agree those Harford Country Confederates should not be remembered as heroes, but as the traitors they were, we need to remember them at all in order to highlight their treason. Removing all those Confederates from the signage doesn't clear them for taking up arms against their own country- they must be remembered as such. #LostCause #SUVCW