1st Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry (U)

== Regimental History and Service Record ==
* Also referred to (originally) as Cole's Cavalry Company
 
 
 In Brief
* Cole's Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry
Originally organized at Cole's (Co. "A"), Furey's (Co. "B"), Horner's (Co. "C") and Currie's (Co. "D"). Independent Cavalry Companies organized at Frederick, Md., August 10 to November 27, 1861. Served unattached, Dept. of West Virginia, to January, 1862. Lander'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"). 
* March 7, 1862 - Skirmish near Winchester, Virginia
* Stephenson's Depot March 7-8. 
* Winchester March 12. 
* Kernstown March 22. 
* March 23, 1862 - Battle of Winchester, Virginia
Edenburg April I. 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. Defenses 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. Reconnaissance 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, 
* December 1, 1862 - Skirmish at Berryville, Virginia
* 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"). 
* June 15, 1863 - Skirmish near Williamsport, Maryland
* June 17, 1863Skirmish at Catoctin Creek, Maryland
* Frederick, Md., June 21. 
* Sharpsburg July --. 
* Fountain Dale, Pa., July !. 
* Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. 
** July 4, 1863 - Skirmish at Emmitsburg, Maryland
* 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. 
* September 14, 1863 - Skirmish at Catoctin Mountain, Maryland
* 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. 
* October 18, 1863 - Skirmish at Berryville, Virginia
Near Annandale October 22. Expedition from Charleston to New Market November 15-18. Mr. 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 reenlisted February 13, 1864. Upperville February 20. Veterans on furlough until 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 9 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). 
* July 5, 1864 - Skirmish near Keedysville, Maryland
* July 11, 1864 - Skirmish at Frederick, Maryland
* 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. 
* July 26, 1864 - Skirmish at Falling Waters, West Virginia 
* July 30, 1864 - Skirmish at Hagerstown, Maryland 
* August 5, 1864 - Skirmish near Keedysville, Maryland
* Winchester August 17. 
* Opequan Creek August 18, 19 and 20. 
* August 19-21, 1864 - Skirmishes at Berryville, Virginia
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 until June, 1865. Mustered out June 28, 1865.
 
 
 1861
COMPANIES A, C and D of this regiment were organized at Frederick City, Frederick County, and Company B at Cumberland, Md., from August 10, 1861, to November 27, 1861.
The original Company A was named "Cole's Cavalry," after its commanding officer, Captain Henry A. Cole, who was subsequently promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, respectively.
The other original companies, viz., B, C and D, assumed the name of "Cole's Cavalry," and were so designated, officially, by the commanders of the armies with which they served, as well as their comrades in arms in other branches of the military service with whom they came in contact.
The four original companies, A, B, C and D, were consolidated into a battalion, and Captain Henry A. Cole was promoted Major and assigned to the command thereof.
The original companies, A, B, C and D, re-enlisted for the war in February, 1864, and authority was then given by the War Department to augment the battalion of four companies to a full regiment of twelve companies.
The remaining companies, viz., E, F, G, H, I, K, L and M, were recruited from all parts of Maryland, and organized at Frederick and Baltimore, Md., from February 9th to April 23, 1864, to serve three years.
On the expiration of the term of service of Companies A, B, G and D, the original members (except veterans) were mustered out.
Company D having been reduced below the minimum number in January, 1865, an independent company of cavalry that had been raised at Cumberland, Maryland, in the summer of 1864 by Captain Tappan W. Kelly was assigned to the regiment, and the remnants of Company D consolidated with them, this company being thereafter known
as Company D.
The regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, was retained in service until June 28, 1865, when it was mustered out of the military service of the United States, in accordance with the orders of the War Department, by reason of the close of the Civil War.
The personnel of the Old Battalion included loyal Virginians and Pennsylvanians from the border land; nevertheless, they were almost exclusively from Western Maryland. They were farmers' and planters' sons, mainly, in good circumstances, who owned good horses, which they brought with them into the military service.
They were, in the main, young, unmarried men, intelligent, enthusiastic, accustomed to the use of firearms, of fine physique—in fact, the very best material for cavalrymen.
Their thorough knowledge of the topography of the country, which became, to a great extent, the seat of the war in Western Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, rendered their services to the Union cause invaluable. During the four long years of war from 1861 to 1865, they were almost constantly in the saddle, and from Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, to Lynchburg, on the James, in Virginia, they scouted and fought with untiring
zeal.
Companies A, C and D occupied the left bank of the Potomac with the Union Armies in the winter of 1861-2, the Confederate forces occupying the right bank of the same river. Company B entered on active duty in West Virginia during the same period.
 
 
 1862
In the early part of January, 1862, General (Stonewall) Jackson, with a Confederate Army, made a rapid mid-winter march from Winchester, Va., to Hancock, Maryland, and endeavored to cross the Potomac river at that point. A portion of the old battalion received a flag of truce and summons to surrender, and they, with a small Union force under General Lander, gallantly and successfully defended the town and river crossings. The balance of the battalion arrived during the night of January 7, 1862, having marched long distances all night, on one of the coldest nights of mid-winter, over the mountains and through a pitiless snowstorm. The timely arrival also of other Union forces, including the First Maryland Infantry Regiment, checked Jackson's farther advance.
The Confederate Army soon retired to their winter quarters near Winchester, when a detachment of "Cole's Cavalry," under Lieutenant Vernon, crossed the Potomac and followed them up, to ascertain definitely their whereabouts, numbers, etc., and, although an effort was made by the Confederate Cavalry to capture this detachment on its return from Winchester, the skillful pilotage of comrades, who knew every road and bypath, enabled them to return safely, and inspired that confidence so useful to themselves and the army in subsequent movements.
On the second day of March, 1862, Cole's Battalion crossed the Potomac river at Williamsport with Williams' Brigade, of Banks' Division, and, as the advance guard, marched to Martinsburg, Va.
On the 5th day of March, 1862, the battalion had quite a lively skirmish at Bunker Hill, Va., with the enemy's cavalry, capturing a number of prisoners.
On the 7th day of March, the battalion had a cavalry fight between Bunker Hill and Winchester, Va., in which the enemy were finally driven from the field; Captain Cole's horse was killed under him, private Stull was killed, and privates Keedy and Staley wounded. This was the first bloodshed in the opening of the campaign of 1862 in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. This engagement demonstrated to the command their
ability to successfully cope with equal and even superior forces of Confederate Cavalry, which, at the commencement of the Civil War, was considered superior to the Federal Cavalry, by reason of the fact that the people in the Southern States were more accustomed to horseback riding and the use of firearms.
General Williams, their Brigade Commander, who had already tested the scouting qualities of "Cole's Cavalry," deemed the engagement of sufficient importance to issue to them the following congratulatory epistle:
March 8, 1862 - A.S. Williams (Brigadier General) to H.A. Cole (Captain)
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HEADQUARTERS 3D BRIGADE, GENERAL BANKS' DIVISION.
March 8, 1862.
CAPT. H.A. COLE, Commanding Cavalry.
Captain: I take great pleasure in offering you and your command my thanks and congratulations on the good conduct and gallantry displayed in the affair of yesterday in advance of this town.
My staff officers who were with you speak in high terms of the cool and steady conduct of yourself and Lieutenant Vernon, and of all your non-commissioned officers and men. Be pleased to make known to your command my appreciation of their good services, and my regret that three of your brave fellows suffered wounds.
I am, Captain, with much respect,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) A.S. WILLIAMS,
Brigadier-General Commanding.
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On the 11th day of March, 1862, the battalion, with the Brigade, had an engagement with the enemy at Stephenson's Depot. On the 12th day of March, 1862, the battalion, being the advance guard of Banks' Division, made a cavalry charge through Winchester, Va., capturing a number of prisoners. 
On the 22d day of March, 1862, Companies A and C, with General Williams' Brigade, marched from Winchester to Berryville on their way to join McDowell's Army Corps in Eastern Virginia, leaving Companies B and D, with General Shields' Division, at Winchester.
General (Stonewall) Jackson, learning of the withdrawal of a portion of General Banks' command from Winchester, made a forced march and impetuous attack upon Shield's Division, but was defeated in the battle that ensued on the 22d day of March, 1862, in advance of Winchester at Kernstown. Companies B and D took part in the battle, and Companies A and C speedily returned to Winchester on hearing the guns from the battlefield and joined in the pursuit of the enemy.
The battalion remained in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with General Banks' Division until September, 1862. After the unfortunate Peninsular Campaign under McClellan, and the ensuing campaign under General Pope, in Northern Virginia, the battalion, under Major Cole, in its efforts to impede the march of Lee's Confederate Army into Maryland, had a severe engagement, at Leesburg, Va., Septembers, 1862, in which the battalion, after driving a superior force of the enemy's cavalry, was overwhelmed by a Brigade of Confederate cavalry, and suffered heavily in killed, wounded and prisoners, inflicting, however, equal loss upon the enemy.
The battalion fell back to Harper's Ferry, Va., which stronghold was soon surrounded by an overwhelming force of the Confederate Army under Genera] (Stonewall) Jackson. When it was rumored that Harper's Ferry would be surrendered, "Cole's Cavalry," through their officers, respectfully but firmly advised Colonel Miles, U. S. Army, Acting Division Commander of the beleaguered garrison, "that under no circumstances
would 'Cole's Cavalry' surrender," and offered to head and pilot the entire cavalry force of besieged in their efforts to cut their way through the enemy's lines.
The following order was accordingly issued:
September 14, 1862 - H.C. Reynolds (Lieutenant, Assistant Adjutant General) to H.A. Cole (Captain)
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HEADQUARTERS, HARPER'S FERRY, VA.
14th September, 1862.
SPECIAL ORDER No. 120.
1. The cavalry force at this post, except detached orderlies, will make immediate preparations to leave here at 8 o'clock to-night without baggage, wagons, ambulances or lead horses, crossing the pontoon and taking the Sharpsburg road.
2. The senior officer, Colonel Voss, will assume command of the whole, which will form in the following order: the right at the Quartermaster's Office; the left up Shenandoah Street, without noise or loud command, viz., "Cole's Cavalry,"12th Illinois Cavalry, 8th New York Cavalry, Rhode Island Cavalry, 1st Maryland Cavalry. No other instructions can be given to the commander for his guidance than to force his way through the enemy's lines to our army.
(Signed) H.C. REYNOLDS,
Lieut. and A.A. Gen'l.
By order of Colonel Miles.
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"Cole's Cavalry" did head the cavalry force, which, at the appointed hour, promptly penetrated the enemy's lines, and, before the enemy could comprehend the nature of the movement, had passed beyond the lines of the besieging armies, but only to enter that part of General Lee's Army then at Sharpsburg. The Cavalry, however, pushed on through this force, and upon reaching the turnpike leading from Hagerstown to Williamsport, the column discovered the ammunition train of General Longstreet's Corps of Lee's Confederate Army moving southward, immediately captured a large part thereof and successfully defended it against all efforts at recapture.
Subsequent to the battle of Antietam, the Confederate Cavalry, under the command of General Jeb Stuart, made a raid around the Army of the Potomac, and boasted "that they did not lose a man" in their gallant exploit. "Cole's Cavalry," who, however, took up the pursuit, harassed them whenever practicable, and not only captured seven of their number, but promptly advised General Stoneman, commanding the Federal Cavalry
Division, of the movements of the raiding party and the topography of the country and where they could be intercepted, whose cautious and deliberate movements alone prevented the capture or dispersal of the entire raiding party.
In November, 1862, "Cole's Cavalry" was assigned to the 12th Army Corps, under the immediate command of General Slocum, its corps commander, and as they were the only Cavalry with this corps, they were kept constantly in the saddle scouting and skirmishing.
On the 2d day of December, 1862, with General Geary's Division of the 12th Army Corps, "Cole's Cavalry" started out as the advance guard on a reconnaissance up the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The battalion being the only cavalry with the Division, were constantly engaged during the movement in skirmishing with the enemy, more especially at Charlestown, Va., December 2, 1862; at Berryville, Va., December 3, 1862; at Winchester, Va., December 5, 1862.
When the 12th Army Corps marched into eastern Virginia, "Cole's Cavalry" was left in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. On the 20th day of December, 1862, a portion of the 12th Virginia Confederate Cavalry, under a certain Captain Baylor (who had achieved an unenviable notoriety by firing upon a flag of truce amongst his other exploits), concluded to wipe out of existence "Cole's Cavalry," and moved rapidly down the valley to surprise them; "Cole's Cavalry had, however, been promptly advised by their scouts of the movement, and Companies A and C, under Captain Vernon, leaving their pickets in position, moved around the left flank to the rear of the attacking column, and although outnumbered, charged them, capturing Captain Baylor and a large part of his command, driving them four miles. Captain Baylor was subsequently tried at Harper's
Ferry, Va., for his life for violating the laws of civilized warfare.
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 1863
On the 13th day of June, 1863, "Cole's Cavalry," in pursuit of a Confederate Cavalry detachment, ran into the advancing column of Rhodes' Division of the Confederate Army, who, after driving out a Brigade of Federal troops at Berryville, were on the march for the Martinsburg road, in the rear of General Milroy's Division. Scouts from the command were immediately sent through the enemy's lines to Winchester to apprise General Milroy of his peril.
After the Division of General Milroy had been overwhelmed by Lee's Army and a portion of it captured, the detachment, who had forced their way through the enemy's army, were protected in their retreat by "Cole's Cavalry" with great tenacity, who aided in the escape of large numbers of Milroy'S Division.
"Cole's Cavalry" then assumed the offensive, confronted and hung upon the flanks and rear of Lee's Confederate Army, then engaged in its campaign of invasion that culminated at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Whilst suffering severe losses themselves, nevertheless, by reason of their thorough knowledge of the country, traveling rapidly from point to point, they inflicted tenfold greater losses on the enemy, whilst drafts were made upon the command for couriers and guides for the advancing columns of the Army of the Potomac; the remainder of the command was constantly in the saddle.
The engagement at Berryville, Va., June 13, 1863; at Martinsburg, Va., June 11, 1863; at Williamsport, June 15, 1863; at Catoctin Creek, June 17, 1863; at Frederick, June 22, 1863; at Fountain Dale, Pa., and Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863; Emmittsburg, Md., July 5, 1863; at Harper's Ferry and Falling Waters, July 6, 1863, attested the good work of the command. They captured large numbers of the enemy; they captured the
dispatch-bearer from General Lee to General E well "ordering a concentration of the Confederate Armies at Gettysburg," which was delivered into the hands of General Reynolds, who was killed in the first day's fight at the battle of Gettysburg.
They captured the enemy's supplies; they burnt Lee's pontoon bridge in the rear of his army; they interrupted his lines of communication—in fact, rendered splendid service during the memorable campaign.
After the Gettysburg campaign the battalion made strenuous and successful efforts to recruit their depleted ranks.
On the 14th day of September, 1863, the battalion succeeded in surprising and capturing, on Catoctin Mountain, near Leesburg, Va., nearly the entire command of a Confederate cavalry company who had been a source of annoyance to the Union Armies.
On the 18th day of October, 1863, the Confederate brigade of General Imboden surprised and captured at Charlestown, Va., the 9th Maryland Infantry. "Cole's Cavalry," who had previously apprised this command of the proximity of the enemy and of their liability to attack, promptly rushed to the rescue with Minor's Indiana Battery, followed by the 34th Massachusetts Infantry and 10th Maryland Infantry. The battalion repeatedly charged the retreating columns of the enemy, who were compelled to stop, form line of battle, brigade front, and drive back the battalion, only to be again vigorously attacked in turn. Only at one time during the entire day did the infantry support reach the battlefield, when the enemy again retreated in haste with their prisoners.
"Cole's Cavalry" suffered severely this day in killed and wounded.
In December, 1863, Cole's Cavalry formed a part of the raiding column who were ordered to demonstrate down the Shenandoah Valley towards Staunton, whilst another co-operating column of cavalry passed on beyond their right flank to the James river and cut the railroad between Lynchburg, Va., and Bristol, Tennessee, to prevent reinforcements being sent from Lee's Army to reinforce Longstreet's Army, then besieging
Knoxville, Tenn. During the fifteen days' midwinter raid, ' 'Cole's Cavalry" suffered severe loss, but rendered invaluable service during these successful movements.
 
 
 1864
On the 10th day of January, 1864, Cole's Battalion, whilst occupying an isolated camp on a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Loudon Heights, Va., were attacked at midnight, on a bitter cold winter night, by Mosby's Guerrilla Battalion, augmented by volunteers from Lee's Army. With the firm conviction that they would make a rich capture, a most sanguinary battle ensued, principally a hand to hand fight, in which
the battalion suffered severely in killed and wounded, but inflicted greater loss upon the enemy, whom they drove with confusion from the camp, then mounted and vigorously pursued the enemy.
This battle evoked the following order of congratulation from the General-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States, viz.:
January 20, 1864 - H.W. Halleck (General-in-Chief) to B.F. Kelly (Brigadier General)
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HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, D.C., 
January 20, 1864.
Brig-General B. F. KELLY,
Cumberland.
General: I have just received, through your headquarters, Major Henry A. Cole's report of the repulse of Mosby's attack upon his camp, on Loudon Heights, on the 10th inst.
Major Cole and his command, the Battalion of P. H. B. Cavalry, Maryland Volunteers, deserve high praise for their gallantry in repelling the rebel assault.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) H. W. HALLECK, General in-Chief.
-------------
In the latter part of January, 1864, the battalion pushed through Winchester to Romney and Moorfield, in Western Virginia, to assist in repelling a large raiding party of the enemy's cavalry.
On the 13th day of February, 1864, the battalion re-enlisted for the war, and was granted a thirty days' furlough. The battalion marched to Frederick, Md., where they received an ovation from the loyal people of Western Maryland. They were met at the outskirts of the city by the corporate authorities and a military escort, and, amidst the ringing of the church and fire bells, waving of flags and cheers of the people, conducted to the City Hall, where they were formally welcomed home by Justice Nelson, of the Supreme Court, and accorded a banquet.
After the expiration of the furlough of the veteran battalion, the command was recruited up to a full regiment of twelve companies. Whilst waiting for the proper mounting and equipment of the entire regiment, all of the mounted men both in the old battalion and new battalions were sent to the front. In the disastrous battles fought by General Sigel, at New Market, Va.,May 13th and 15th, 1862, "Cole's Cavalry" suffered heavily, when General Hunter assumed command of this army in the Shenandoah, and again advanced. All of "Cole's Cavalry" then mounted, joined him and participated in the splendid victory at the battle of Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864, as well as the skirmishes at Tye River Gap, June 12, 1864, Lexington, June 13, Buchannon, June 14, and Lynchburg, Va., June 18, 1864.
The arrival of another army under General Early, at Lynchburg, compelled General Hunter's command to retreat from Lynchburg by .the Kanawha Valley. General Early's Confederate Army promptly moved up the Shenandoah Valley; in the mean time the balance of the regiment, still dismounted, moved out from Martinsburg with the column of troops who, at Leetown, Va., July 3, 1864, repulsed the advance
guard of Early's army.
A detachment of the dismounted command was mounted and rendered good service to the Union armies during the raid into Maryland by Early's Army and his attempt to capture Washington, capturing men, provisions, etc.
After the battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, the repulse of Early's Army in front of Washington, July 12, 1864, and its pursuit by the 6th and 19th Army Corps, with the Army of West Virginia, "Cole's Cavalry" participated in the engagements that ensued, more especially at Ashby's Gap, Va., July 19, 1864.
"Cole's Cavalry" (mounted men) remained with the Army of West Virginia at Winchester, Va., after the 6th and 19th Army Corps returned towards Washington, where they were attacked by Early's army again, July 25, 1864, and compelled to retreat beyond the Potomac with this army.
"Cole's Cavalry" was attacked July 26, 1864, by a column of Confederates, who attempted to cross the Potomac River at that point, but promptly repulsed the enemy. After the burning of Chambersburg, Pa., in July, 1864, by a raiding party of Confederate Cavalry, "Cole's Cavalry" assisted in driving the enemy out of Maryland.
On the 5th day of August, 1864, a large part of General Early's Army, consisting of infantry, cavalry and artillery, again recrossed the Potomac river, near Sharpsburg, Md., and advanced through Sharpsburg toward the National turnpike, at Boonsboro.
The advance brigade of the column was met at Keedyville by the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Vernon, promptly and vigorously attacked and driven back beyond the Antietam, where they were checked by the artillery and infantry of the Confederate Army, who, in turn, compelled "Cole's Cavalry" to retreat slowly into the mountain gaps of the Blue Ridge Mountains; the enemy being satisfied with shelling
the command, made no further attempt to dislodge the regiment. In this spirited engagement, lasting several hours, the command suffered severely in killed and wounded, but inflicted greater loss upon the enemy, and only retired before an overwhelming force.
The advance of General Sheridan's Army up the Shenandoah Valley, by the way of Harper's Ferry, caused Early's Army to retire to Winchester, Va.
The regiment was now assigned to Merritt's Cavalry Division of Torbert's Cavalry Corps, Army of the Shenandoah.
In the autumn of 1864, the armies of Sheridan and Early alternately advanced up and down the Shenandoah Valley, the cavalry corps, including "Cole's Cavalry," being almost constantly engaged, until Sheridan, by his brilliant battles at Opequan (Winchester), Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek, effectually destroyed Early's Confederate Army and compelled its remnants to retreat towards the James river.
A raiding party of the enemy's cavalry, under General Rosser, into Western Virginia, in the winter of 1864-5, necessitated the sending of "Cole's Cavalry" into West Virginia to protect that section, and the subsequent capture and burning of trains on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in Western Virginia, by Mosby's Guerrillas, compelled the command to be assigned to duty in West Virginia during the remainder of the Civil War.
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 1865
On the 28th day of June, 1865, "Cole's Cavalry" was mustered out of the military service of the United States, at Harper's Ferry, Va., by orders of the War Department, and, by reason of the close of war, proceeded thence to Baltimore, where the regiment was finally discharged.
"Cole's Cavalry," during its nearly four years of active, arduous service in scouting and raiding in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, from Gettysburg, Pa., to Lynchburg, Va., from the Potomac river south to the James river, and west to the Kanawha and the Ohio river, marched over seven thousand (7000) miles.
The death list of "Cole's Cavalry" was as follows : Killed in battle, two (2) commissioned officers and forty-five (45) enlisted men; total forty-seven (47); died of wounds, in prison, etc., two (2) commissioned officers and one hundred and twenty (120) enlisted men; total, one hundred and twenty-two (122); or an aggregate death list of one hundred and sixty-nine (169).
 
 
 Engagements
"Cole's Cavalry" participated in the following skirmishes, engagements and battles during the Civil War, either by company, detachments, battalions or as a regiment, viz.:
* South Branch Bridge, Va., October 26, 1861; 
* Hancock, Md., January 5 and 6, 1862;
* Bloomery Gap, Va., February 14, 1862; 
* Martinsburg, Va., March 3, 1862 ; 
* Bunker Hill, Va'., March 5, 1862; 
* Stephenson's Depot, Va., March 7 and 8, 1862; 
* Winchester, Va., March 12, 1862; 
* Kernstown, Va., March 22 and 23, 1862 ; 
* Edinburg, Va., April 1, 1862; 
* Grass Lick, Va., April 23, 1862; 
* Wordensfield, Va., May 7, 1862;
* Charlestown, Va., May 28, 1862 ; 
* Leesburg, Va., September 2, 1862 ; 
* Harper's Ferry, Va., September 13 and 14, 1862; 
* Sharpsburg, Md., September 15, 1862; 
* Hyattstown, Md., October 12, 1862; 
* Charlestown, Va., November 14, 1862; 
* Charlestown, Va., December 2, 1862; 
* Berryville, Va., December 3, 1862; 
* Winchester, Va., December 5, 1862; 
* Hall Town, Va., December 20, 1862; 
* Berryville, Va., June 13, 1863 ; 
* Martinsburg, Va,, June 14, 1863 ; 
* Williamsport, Md., June 15, 1863; 
* Catoctin Creek, June 17, 1863; 
* Sharpsburg, Md., July, 1863; 
* Fountain Dale, Pa., July 1, 1863; 
* Frederick, Md., June 22, 1863; 
* Gettysburg, Pa., July 1 to 3, 1863; 
* Emmitsburg, Md., July 5, 1863; 
* Falling Waters, July 6, 1863; 
* Harper's Ferry, July 6, 1863 ; 
* Catoctin Mountain, Va., September 14, 1863; 
* Snickersville, Leesburg, Rector's X Roads and Bloomfield, Va., September, 1863 ; 
* Upperville, Va., September 25, 1863 ;
* Charlestown, Va., October 18, 1863; 
* Mt. Jackson, Va., November 17, 1863; 
* Woodstock and Ashby's Gap, November, 1863 ; 
* Upperville, Va., December 10, 1863 ; 
* Edinburg, Va., December 17, 1863 ; 
* New Market, Va., December 18, 1863; 
* Harrisonburg and Staunton, December 21, 1863; 
* Rectortown, January 1, 1864 ; 
* London Heights, Va., January 10, 1864 ; 
* Romney, Moorfield and Mechanicsville Gap, January, 1864;
* New Market, Va., May 13 to 15, 1864; 
* Harrisonburg, Va., June 3, 1864; 
* Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864; 
* Tye River Gap, June 12, 1864; 
* Lexington, Va., June 13, 1864; 
* Buchannon, Va., June 14, 1864; 
* Lynchburg, Va., June 15, 1864; 
* Salem, Va., June 21, 1864; 
* Leetown and Shepardstown, Va., July 3, 1864; 
* Frederick, Md., July 11, and 12, 1864; 
* Maryland Heights, Brownesville, Crampton's Gap and Herndon, July, 1864; 
* Purcelville, Va., July 16, 1864; 
* Snicker's Ferry, Va., July 18, 1864;
* Ashby's Gap, Va., July 19, 1864; 
* Winchester, Va., July 19, 1864 ; 
* Kernstown (Winchester), July 23 and 24, 1864 ; 
* Snicker's Gap, July 25, 1864; 
* Falling Waters, July 26, 1864; 
* Hagerstown, July 29 and 30, 1864; 
* Keedysville and Antietam, Md., August 22, 1864; 
* Summit Point, Va., August 30, 1864; 
* White Post, Va., September 3, 1864; 
* Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864.
 
</div> 
</div>
== Regimental Roster ==
 
 
 Field and Staff Officers
 
 
 Company A
 
 
 Company B
 
 
 Company C
 
 
 Company D
 
 
 Company E
 
 
 Company F
 
 
 Company G
 
 
 Company H
 
 
 Company I
 
 
 Company K
 
 
 Company L
 
 
 Company M
 
 
 Unassigned
 
 
</div>
== Regiment Statistical Information ==
* 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.
== Legacy ==
== Notes ==
== Sources == 
* (Pages 762, 763, 764, 896, 897, 911, 925, 951, 979, 1229)
* (Pages 655-700)
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