When the Ark and Dove put the first Maryland Settlers ashore at St. Maries Citty on March 25, 1634, every man between 16 and 50 knew that he was to serve in the militia. He was to bring with him a musket, 10 pounds of powder, 40 pounds of lead, a sword, a bandolier, and slow match for his musket. Thus armed, he was to defend home and colony from Indian, pirate and, on occasian, Virginian. The Militiaman had no uniform, supplied his own arms, drilled frequently or infrequently, depending upon conditions, and on campaign was paid in tobacco, the currency of the colony.

Participating in the first naval battle in English America and a well executed amphibous landing, the St. Maries Citty Militia broke Virginia's hold on Kent Island in 1638. In battles inspired by the English Civil War, the unit was defeated by Ingle's pirates in 1645, but returned to take the colony back for Lord Baltimore. The Battle of the Severn again brought defeat at the hands of superior Puritan forces in 1655. There were also many Indian campaigns, large and small, over the early years as "salvages" threatened the colony. In victory or defeat, the militia represented the determination and toleration which made the colony grow and succeed.

As the State's first military unit, St. Maries Citty Militia left a proud heritage to its descendent, the Maryland National Guard.

Excerpts taken from Manual of The Compleat Militiaman: Arms, Equipment and Drill of the St. Mary's Citty Militia by Thomas R. Callaway, Muster Master