Major Horner’s Gold Presentation Department Commanders Badge.

Description

Major Horner’s Gold Presentation Department Commanders Badge. Engraved on the back, “Presented To / O.A. Horner, /COM’DR DEPT OF MD. / 1895 / BY HIS  STAFF AND PAST OFFICERS.”  The badge is 4.5 inches high (excluding the ribbon), and is made of gold with diamond chips at the points of the star.  The ribbon is very good with some age wear.  This came in the original box which has most of the leather covering chipped away.

Three pieces of paper accompany the badge;  a news clipping about Horner (as Dept. Com’dr, and the 20th Annual Encampment – Dept of Maryland, etc.;  a letter to Horner from HQ Antietam Post #14, Dept. of Md. G.A.R. / Sharpsburg Md. May 1897, from the adjutant at that post, inviting Horner to be Chief Marshall for Memorial Day observances, etc. Signed by John L. Crim.  John Crim was a Ferrier in the 1st Potomac Home Bn Cavalry during the Civil War with then Major Horner of the same unit; the last piece is a small broadside for Memorial Day Services at Arthur Post No. 41,G.A.R., Emmitsburg, Md, on May 29, 1897.  Horner is listed as part of a Male Quartette, and obviously was unable to accept the invitation to an old comrade in arms, John Crim, at the Antietam Post celebration.

All this material is from a larger grouping recently obtained for Major Horner (see photo of items).

Overall in very good-fine condition,

Gil Barrett Collection.

 

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.

These items are from a larger grouping for Horner (see the photo showing all that the larger lot included).