Hello all,
My ancestor, Joseph Benidict Edelen, was supposedly a 2nd Lt in I think Co. "H", 2nd Battalion of the Pre Civil War Maryland militia, the Maryland Guard Zouaves or whatever it was called. When Lincoln had the Maryland Militia disbanded his company, what I thought was the Washington Volunteers, crossed the Potomac and joined the CSA forces, becoming Co. "H" ("Washington Vols"), 7th Virginia Infantry. I had thought his company was also called the "Washington Volunteers" while part of the Maryland Militia. But I was told by a relative he was in the "Piscataway Rifles" (from Pr. Georges Co., Md) but I have also heard he was in the Washington Volunteers, a mounted cav company.

Does anyone have any info on any of this? I have all I need on him in his Civil War service, what rank, how he was wounded, etc.. But I am trying to find out about the prewar militia unit he was in, the Maryland Militia, the Washington Vols, or the Piscataway Rifles? I can't find anything on them. A roster would be great but I would like to see a pic of his Maryland Militia uniform. I saw one somewhere but forget where. Your link to pics of uniforms doesn't work.

Is it true that the prewar Maryland Militia was called the Maryland Guard Zouaves? Anyone know, and if so are there any pics out there?
Thanks,
David Middleton Edelen II
Alabama