Equipped for Service

During the Civil War, a patriot was passing through the state of Maryland with a pass from the President, allowing him to join Grant's army and witness the fighting. Stopping for a day in Annapolis, he visited the shop of a well-known optician and ordered seven powerful telescopes, one for each day of the week.

In recognition of his generous support for the state's struggling industries, the Governor commissioned him as a colonel. This unexpected honor not only acknowledged his patronage but also highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses during such tumultuous times.