THE NORWOOD FAMILY PAGE

   "We find the following publication in the "Maryland Gazette" of Jan. 5th, 1779, in relations to Capt. Norwood, who was court-martialed and dismissed from service for disobedience of orders. It was followed by another of March 1st, 1780, which shows the feeling of certain Continental officers towards Gen. Smallwood:

   "For the Maryland Gazette:

    'Mr. Printer : - As I have been dismissed from a service which a love of country had attached me, and apprehensive the public would not (without evidence to the contrary) discriminate between me and those who have been dismissed for dishonorable conduct, I beg leave to assure them through your paper, that I have suffered this heavy misfortune for only saying General Smallwood was a partial man and no gentleman. The following certificate voluntarily given me, will satisfy them of the general tenor of my conduct, and I reserve myself to the proper time, to lay open to the world the whole proceedings of the several Courts which have led to my dismission, where, I am sorry to say, such a system of despotism will appear to be springing up in our army, that an officer who does his duty ever so exactly, and has neglected to pay a servile court to a haughty superior holds his commission by a very precarious tenure. I am, Sir, yours and the public's most humble servant,

      EDWARD NORWOOD.
      Dec. 28th, 1778'

   "The officers of the 2d Maryland brigade do testify that Captain Norwood, (who is discharged the service by the sentence of a court-martial on a disagreement with Gen. Smallwood) during the campaign in which he served with us, has ever conducted himself in such a manner as to command our warmest friendship and esteem, as an officer and a man of honor; and that notwithstanding his dismission, is and ought to be, esteemed as a gentleman, and valued as a warm friend and advocate for the liberties of his country.

   "Second Regiment: Thomas Price, Col.; Lilbourn Williams, Capt.; James McCalmont, Surgeon; Hezekiah Ford, Ensign; Edward Edgely, Adjutant; John Gassaway, Lieut.; Edward Dyer, Lieut. and B.Q.M.; Benjamin Price, Lieut.; John Read, Ensign; James Ewing, Lieut.

   "Fourth regiment: Josias Carvel Hall, Col.; Samuel Smith, Lieut.-Col.; John E. Howard, Major; Alexander L. Smith, Capt.; Thomas Lansdale, Capt.; Joseph Burgess, Capt.; Edward Oldham, Capt.; James Smith, Lieut.; John S. Belt, Lieut.; Edward Spurrier, Lieut.; Thomas Cromwell, Lieut.; Adam Hoops, Lieut.; Stephen Shelmedine, Lieut.; John Hamilton, Ensign; Nathaniel Twining, Ensign; John Bowen, Ensign; Parker H. Lee, Ensign; John Hartshorn, Adjutant; Richard Pindell, Surgeon; William Riley, Lieut.

   "Sixth regiment: Otho H. Williams, Col; Benjamin Ford, Lieut.-Col.; Andrew Haynes, Capt.; Henry Dobson, Capt.; James Bruff, Lieut; Joshua Miles, Capt.; Jacob Norris, Lieut.; Richard Donovan, Adjutant; George Jacobs, Lieut.; Benjamin Wright, Lieut.; Charles Beaver, Lieut.; Thomas Parran, Surgeon.

   "German Regiment: Ludwick Weltner, Lieut.-Col.; Daniel Buchores, Major; George Hubley, Capt.; Peter Boyer, Capt.; Charles Baltzell, Capt.; Bernard Hubley, Capt.; Michael Boyer, Capt.; Michael Shugart, Lieut.; Christian Myers, Capt.; James F. Armstrong, Chaplain."

"James F. Armstrong, Chaplain.

"Camp, March 1st, 1780.

"To William Smallwood, Esq., Brigadier-General :

   "Sir :- We have no doubt but the joint assertion of a small number of inferior officers will be as much credited, by that part of mankind who have spirit to think for themselves, as the mere ipse dixit of a brigadier; therefore, choose only to remark, that your scurrilous observations on the testimony we gave of our favorable opinion of capt. Norwood, discovers the malevolence and presumption, more than the probity and liberality of your mind. "With due respect, we are your, Otho H. Williams, Benjamin Price, Benjamin Ford, Edward Edgerly, John E. Howard, Hezekiah Foard, Harry Dobson, William Reily, James Bruff, Adam Hoops, Thomas Parran, John Hamilton, R. Donovan, John Hartshorn, Lil Williams, Richard Pendleton, John Gassaway.
   "N.B. - The other gentlemen, whom you took occasion to abuse in your ungentlemanly performance of 105 pages, are out of camp."

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