"COLE'S CAVALRY," FIRST REGIMENT POTOMAC HOME BRIGADE CAVALRY. 659

ploits), 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.

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 com-
mand 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 tnemselves, 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
despatch-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 cap-
turing, on Catoctin Mountain, near Leesburg, Va., nearly the entire command of a Con-
federate cavalry company who had been a source of annoyance to the Union Armies.

On the 18th day of October, 1862, the Confederate brigade of General Imboden sur-
prised 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