Old Line Etymology
The name of this page comes from Maryland’s nickname “The Old Line State.” In an age when innovation is coveted and new things are craved, using the word ‘old’ in a page title is an admittedly questionable choice. The name resonated with me, however, as a life-long resident of Maryland and someone who appreciates history. Plus the domain-name was available and inexpensive. Since March 25th is Maryland Day and March is Maryland Month, I thought I’d share some of that rich history, beginning with this favorite nickname.
Many people often incorrectly assume that Maryland’s nickname “The Old Line State” refers to the Mason-Dixon line, Maryland’s northern border, but it actually comes from the Revolutionary War. In armies, the ‘line’ or ‘regimental line’ is a term used for a group of soldiers. General Washington often referred to the various state armies as lines - the Delaware Line, the Pennsylvania Line, etc - but he saved the term ‘old line’ for a select few.
Maryland’s contribution to the Revolutionary War effort was to establish and provide a professional army. The soldiers were paid, outfitted, and drilled (trained) as a unit resulting in a more disciplined army. This was in contrast to the volunteer armies and militias from other states and the professionalism was not lost on Washington who had served as an officer in the British colonial army. He know he could and would rely on this trained professionalism when it counted.
In August of 1776, General Washington and his army defending New York City were outnumber by the British under General Howe. With the tide turning against him in the Battle of Brooklyn, Washington made the decision to withdraw to Manhattan and preserve the main body of the army. The 1st Maryland Regiment, under Major Mordecai Gist, served as rear guard to this retreat. The small Maryland contingent repeatedly charged the British and suffered enormous casualties while preventing their pursuit. Witnessing this from afar, Washington remarked to Israel Putnam “Good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose.”
Although he never directly called Maryland “The Old Line State,” Washington did describe the regiment’s performance as an “hour more precious to American liberty than any other” and endearingly referred to them as “the old line” in his writings. Other references to “the old line” in the late 18th century echo his respect and pride in the soldiers’ experience and bravery. By some accounts less than 12 of about 300 1st Maryland Regiment soldiers survived the Battle of Brooklyn, but the Continental Army was preserved, and with it was preserved the spirit of the revolution. The Old Line’s legacy is rightfully a great nickname for a great state.
The Other Nicknames
Beyond being known as “The Old Line State”, Maryland is also known as “The Free State” and “America in Miniature.” The history of these two nicknames, together with the history of the Old Line nickname, do a fair job of collectively describing the personality of the small, but mighty, Maryland.
Whereas “The Old Line State” nickname came from the actions of the brave Maryland Regimental Line at the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn, the nickname “Free State” actually stems from inaction. After congress passed the Volstead Act over President Wilson’s veto, Prohibition became federal law. Here in Maryland, there was no attempt to enforce prohibition or even pass a corresponding state prohibition law like every other state did.
According to Professor Herb Smith of McDaniel College, Maryland’s Governor Albert Ritchie “openly defied prohibition” and “most historians concede that Maryland was the wettest state in the Union.” “The Free State” nickname is not some endorsement of consuming alcohol but it demonstrates how States of the Union have the ability and even duty to act, or in this case not act, independently in the interests of their citizens.
The third nickname, “America in Miniature” is not a formal one according to the state. It also wreaks of generic tourism language and was in fact used to that end at various times. First used in a National Geographic article by Gilbert Grosvenor, “American in Miniature” actual refers to the state’s topological variety. Namely, the natural features of the Shore, Bay, Piedmont, and Blue Ridge that are all packed into the 42nd largest state by area.
Other East Coast states also have a coastal shore, a piedmont plain above the fall line, and mountains in the west. North of New York, the piedmont and coastal plains are minimal while states south of Maryland are not miniature. Most importantly, none have Maryland’s crown jewel: the Chesapeake Bay. The largest estuary in the U.S., the Bay’s history, nook, cranny, and tributary permeate Maryland. It factors largely into the shape, the economy, and the personality of the state and sets Maryland apart from her East Coast sisters.
The duty of “The Old Line State”, the independence of “The Free State”, and the variety of “America in Miniature.” These traits are the (McCormick’s) spice of life and apt attributes for the state of Maryland.
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My goal is to expand on the bolded topics that I mentioned in an old post I wrote. This week covers the ones in red.
Happy Maryland Day - my home state! Hands-down the best state flag.
Maryland is known as the "Old Line State" for her brave soldiers (regimental line) who helped General Washington escape the Battle of Brooklyn, the "Free State" for her opposition to prohibition, and as "America in Miniature" for her geographic variety. It is the home of the Shore, Bay, Piedmont, and Blue Ridge...C&O, B&O, Country Road, and AT's Maryland Challenge...Natty-boh, Allan Poe, Sideling Hill, Smith Island cake, Orioles, Old Bay, crab-cakes, and football!
Maryland was a colony founded by English Catholics on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) to further religious tolerance in the new world. More favorable readings of colonial land grants could have placed her northern border (Mason-Dixon Line) 15 miles further into Pennsylvania and her southwestern marker (The Fairfax Stone) 50 miles south into Virginia, but it lost both cases. She ceded land to create the federal capital (Virginia's part was retroceded). It was a political and literal battleground caught between the North and South in the Civil War but her flag represents unity and the Nation Anthem was penned here.
I’m proud to be from a state so "Bless By God With Beauty" and with such a rich place in history. Today, don't forget to play pin the cross on St. Clement's Island or buy/watch The Ark & Dove Epic Sonnet Sequence!
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