The Maryland Scroll

This Graffiti is known as the Maryland Scroll. It is actually a scroll and a banner. The horizontal banner indicates that the Graffiti was drawn by a member of the crew Rifle Gun #1 of Breathed’s Battery, Stuart Horse Artillery.

The vertical scroll lists the members of Rifle Gun #1. In between the two scrolls is the inscription: “On picket. March 16, 1863.” It is easy to imagine the men relaxing in the Graffiti House with a warm fire to keep off the late winter chill.

The following morning, 2100 Union calvarymen crossed the Rappahannock River and later that morning the men of Rifle Gun #1 were in action firing their cannon down the road towards Kelly’s Ford at the advancing Union calvarymen.