1st Regiment, Maryland Cavalry, Potomac Home Brigade (Union)
HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 1st Regiment, Maryland Cavalry, Potomac Home Brigade was originally organized at Independent Cavalry Companies organized at Frederick, Md., August 10 to November 27, 1861. It was initially composed of seven companies, which were later expanded to ten. The regiment primarily operated in the region along the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, where it conducted patrols, guarded strategic locations, and engaged in skirmishes with Confederate forces.
The Potomac Home Brigade consisted of regiments from Maryland that were tasked with defending their home state and the border region between Maryland and Virginia.
The 1st Regiment, Maryland Cavalry, Potomac Home Brigade primarily operated in the region along the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, where it conducted patrols, guarded strategic locations, and engaged in skirmishes with Confederate forces. Throughout the war, the Regiment faced the challenges of both combat and maintaining order in a border state that was deeply divided in its loyalties. They also faced the threat of guerrilla warfare and raids by Confederate irregulars, which posed a constant challenge to their operations.
The unit participated in several notable engagements during the war. In October 1861, they engaged Confederate cavalry at Dam No. 5 on the Potomac River in West Virginia. In December 1861, the regiment fought at Dranesville, Virginia, where they helped repulse a Confederate attack. In July 1863, they participated in the defense of Maryland against Confederate General Jubal Early's raid, engaging in combat near Frederick and at Monocacy Junction.
There were other regiments and units from Maryland that served in the Potomac Home Brigade, including infantry and artillery units. Each played a crucial role in defending Maryland and supporting the Union war effort.
The Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 45 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 120 Enlisted men by disease. Total 169.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Served unattached, Dept. of West Virginia, to January, 1862. Lauder's Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862 (Cos. "A," "C" and "D"). Unattached, West Virginia, to August, 1862 (Co. "B"). Hatch's Cavalry Brigade, Banks' 5th Army Corps, and Dept. of the Shenandoah to June, 1862. Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Corps, Pope's Army of Virginia, to August, 1862, and participated in the following service: South Branch Bridge, W. Va., October 26, 1861 (Co. "B"); Hancock, Md., January 5-6, 1862 (Cos. "A," "C" and "D"); Bloomery Gap February 14. Advance on Winchester March 2-12. Martinsburg March 3. Bunker Hill March 5 (Co. "A"). Between Bunker Hill and Winchester March 7. Stephenson's Depot March 7-8. Winchester March 12. Kernstown March 22. Winchester March 23. Edenburg April 1. Grass Lick, W. Va., April 23 (Co. "B"). Wardensville, W. Va., May 7 (Co. "B"). Charlestown May 28. Companies consolidated to a Battalion August 1, 1862, and designated Cole's Battalion, Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry. Attached to Railroad Brigade, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to September, 1862. Cavalry, 12th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to November, 1862. Defences of Upper Potomac, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to March, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 8th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Maryland Heights Division West Virginia, to December, 1863. Cavalry Brigade, 1st Division West Virginia, to April, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, West Virginia, to August, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Shenandoah, to October, 1864. Reserve Division, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., to January, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division West Virginia, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division West Virginia, to June, 1865.
SERVICE:
Leesburg, Va., September 2, 1862. Edwards' Ferry, Md., September 4. Monocacy Creek September 4. Reconnoissaace to Lovettsville September 4. Maryland Heights and siege of Harper's Ferry September 12-14. Cut through enemy's lines September 14. Capture of Longstreet's train at Sharpsburg September 15. Hyattstown, Md., October 12. Charleston November 14. Berryville December 1. Charlestown December 2. Winchester December 5. Halltown December 20. Near Charlestown May 16, 1863. Berryville June 13. Martinsburg June 14. Winchester June 15 (Co. "B"). Williamsport June 15. Catoctin Creek June 17. Frederick, Md., June 21. Sharpsburg July --. Fountain Dale, Pa., July 1. Gettysburg , Pa., July 1-3. Near Emmittsburg July 4. Falling Waters July 6. Harper's Ferry July 6. Smithfield August 23. Scouts into Loudoun County August 25 and September 12-16 and September 21-26. Catoctin Mountain September 14. Loudoun Valley, Va., September 25. Loudoun Valley and Summit Point October 7. Charleston October 7 (Co. "B"). Snickersville, Leesburg, Rector's Cross Roads and Bloomfield September 14. Upperville September 25. Berryvilie October 18. Near Annandale October 22. Expedition from Charleston to New Market November 15-18. Mt. Jackson November 16. Ashby's Gap November -. Upperville December 10. Edenburg December 17. New Market December 18. Harrisonburg and Staunton December 21. Five Points, Rectortown, January 1, 1864. Loudoun Heights January 10. Romney, Moorfield and Mechanicsville Gap February 4. Regiment re-enlisted February 13, 1864. Upperville February 20. Veterans on furlough till April. Authority given to increase Battalion to a Regiment, and Companies "E," "F," "G," "H," "I," "K," "L" and M" organized at Baltimore and Frederick February to April 23, 1864. Sigel's Expedition from Martinsburg, W. Va., to New Market April 30-May 16. New Market May 13-15. Hunter's Expedition to Lynchburg May 26-July 1. Harrisonburg June 3. Piedmont June 5. Occupation of Staunton June 6. Tye River June 12. Lexington June 13. Buckhannon June 14. Lynchburg June 17-18. Catawba Mountains and near Salem June 21. Leetown and Shepardstown July 3 (Detachment). Keedysville July 5. Frederick, Md., July 11-12. Maryland Heights, Brownsville, Crampton's Gap and Herndon July -. Purcellsville July 16. Snicker's Ferry July 17-18. Ashby's Gap and Winchester July 19. Kernstown July 23-24. Winchester, Bunker Hill and Martinsburg July 25. Snicker's Gap July 25. Falling Waters July 26. Hagerstown July 29-30. Keedysville August 5. Winchester August 17. Opequan Creek August 18, 19 and 20. Near Berryville August 21. Near Charlestown August 21-22. Antietam August 22. Williamsport August 26. Summit Point August 30. White Post September 3. Winchester September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Duty in West Virginia operating against Moseby and guarding Baltimore & Ohio Railroad till June, 1865. Mustered out June 28, 1865.
ROSTERS:
The rolls of this regiment contains the names of 1676 men.
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HISTORICAL NOTES:
