Bel Air

Bel Air. Southern Sympathizers Sought. , On July 31, 1861, Capt. Daniel Leasure and 300 men from his 12th Pennsylvania Infantry halted here at Bel Air's courthouse square. War had begun in earnest, the First Battle of Bull Run was fought on July 21, and many residents of Harford County harbored Southern sympathy. The Union troops were here to hunt out Confederate sympathizers and confiscate weapons from local militia units., After a brief halt at the courthouse, the troops moved out to block all the roads leading out of Bel Air and began rounding up local citizens including Capt. Archer Jarrett of the Harford Light Dragoon, Henry Farandis, former state senator, and Thomas Hays, merchant., Jarret was arrested, but refused to divulge the location of his militia's weapons. Leasure's men then searched the homes of Farandis and Hays, but found no arms. Hays was also arrested, but both he and Jarrett were released later that year. After the unsuccessful search, the Pennsylvanians departed. Some county residents did enlist in the Confederate army, most notable Gen. James Archer, captured on July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg., (sidebar) , He Died for the Old Flag , Harford County resident Sgt. Alfred Hilton served in the 4th U.S. Colored Troops. On September 29, 1864, this regiment participated in the Battle of New Market Heights, Va. Hilton carried this banner during the attack. Shot through the leg, he called out, "Boys, save the colors!" Hilton died a month later from his wounds. On April 6, 1865, he was posthumously issued the Medal of Honor for his bravery. He is also honored by Alfred Hilton Memorial Park in Harford County., (captions) , Harford County Courthouse, constructed 1859 Courtesy Historical Society of Harford County, Daniel Leasure later became the colonel of the 100th Pennsylvania. Courtesy USAHEC, (flag) Presented to the 4th Regt. U.S. Colored Troops by Colored Ladies of Baltimore Courtesy Maryland Center for History and Culture