FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY.

THE First Maryland Cavalry was organized at Baltimore and Wil-
liamsport, Maryland, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Washington,
D. C., from August, 1861, to June, 1862, to serve three years. On
the expiration of its term of service, the original members, except
veterans, were mustered out of service, and the organization, com-
posed of veterans and recruits, retained in service until August 8,
1865, when it was mustered out of service in accordance with orders
from the War Department.

Companies A, B, C, D and E were recruited in Baltimore City, Company F at
Cockeysville and Baltimore City, Companies G and K at Pittsburg, Pa., Companies H
and I in Washington and Allegany Counties, Companies L and M in Washington
City, D. C.

The formation of this regiment by detachments at different points on different
dates divided, for a time, the regiment and their sphere of usefulness.

Companies G, I and K rendered valuable service in Western Virginia, more espec-
ially during the raid by General (Stonewall) Jackson's Confederate Army from Win-
chester, through Berkeley Springs, to Hancock, Md., in January, 1862; and Russell's Com-
pany I particularly distinguished itself at Bloomery Gap, West Virginia, February 14,
1862.

Companies A, B, C, G and I of the 1st Maryland Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Wetschy, aided in covering the retreat from Winchester, Va., of General Banks' Divi-
sion, that had been attacked by an overwhelming army of the enemy under the command
of Generals Jackson and Ewell, May 24, 1862.

Companies D, F, H, K and L of the 1st Maryland Cavalry, under Major Deems,
arrived at Harper's Ferry, Va., on the 25th day of May, 1862, in time to aid in repulsing
any farther advance of the enemy in that direction. They wero pushed forward on the
28th day of May, 1862, with the111th Pennsylvania Infantry and Cole's Maryland Cav-
alry and a section of Artillery, to Charlestown, Va., and there encountered the advanc-
ing column of Jackson's Army; a brisk skirmish ensued, in which the 1st Maryland
Cavalry incurred serious loss.

The 1st Maryland Cavalry advanced up the Shenandoah Valley, Va., via Smith-
field, to Winchester, with Banks' Division, in June, 1862, and thence into eastern
Virginia, where it became a part of General Pope's Army.

In the campaign of General Pope's Army the 1st Maryland Cavalry were con-
spicuous, and rendered splendid service in the engagements that ensued, more espec-
ially at Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862; Centreville, August 28, 1862, and Bull Run,
August 30, 1862.