CDV – Signed -1st Lieutenant Oliver A. Horner – 1st Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry (Cole’s). SOLD

Oliver A. Horner, from Gettysburg, Pa, enlisted on Nov. 27, 1861 into Co. C. as a 1st Sergeant of the Maryland 1st Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry, otherwise known as Cole’s Cavalry. He mustered out as a major in June of 1865.

Signed, “O.A. Horner / Co. “C” Coles Cav.”

Photographed by J.R. Marken, Frederick, Md.

Horner served continuously through the war with his regiment, except for brief periods being detailed for various staff duties in the Department of West Virginia.  In the winter of 1861 along the Potomac, the unit picketed and guarded telegraph lines from Frederick to Hancock, Maryland.  He took part in Bank’s Campaign of March 1862, in the Shenandoah Valley and engaged with Stuart’s Cavalry at Leesburg, Va. in September; the siege of Harper’s Ferry, and being the advance guard, and cut through the Rebel lines and captured General Longstreet’s Ammunition Train of ninety wagon on September 15th.  In October, Cole’s Cavalry assisted in the capture of a portion of Stuart’s Cavalry at Hyattstown, Md.  He participated in the reconnaissance with General Geary to Winchester, Va., and closed the year of 1862 with fights at Charlestown, Berryville, and Smithfield, and spent the winter at Harper’s Ferry, and made further raids in the near Virginia counties, chasing after White’s amd Mosby’s Guerillas.

Horner’s unit assisted in the destruction of the bridge across the Potomac near Harper’s Ferry on July 4, 1863. There were several more fights through 1863 including a fight at Charlestown and Rippon, Va., in October, were he had his horse shot out from under him, and ending campaigning with a 15 day raid up the Shenandoah Valley in December.

1864 continued with heavy fighting against Mosby’s Guerillas at Loudon Heights, Va. on January 10th; Winchester, Mechanicsville Gap, Middletown, Md, Hagerstown, and Keedysville, Md. to August.  With Sheridan’s Cavalry Corps in the Shenandoah Valley.  Cole’s Cavalry spent the winter on the upper Potomac headquarters at Hedgesville, Va., guarding railroad and telegraph lines from Harper’s Ferry to Cumberland. Muster out of service at Harper’s Ferry, Va. on June 28th, 1865.

Horner is listed as being captured briefly on July 6, 1864 (place not stated) and was a POW taken at Middletown, Maryland. He also held promotions as 1st sergeant, 2nd and 1st lieutenant & adjutant (April 1864), and major on February 1, 1865.

Trimmed but very good.

Gil Barrett Collection.