PURNELL LEGION CAVALRY.

THE Battalion of Cavalry, Purnell Legion, Maryland Volunteers, con-
sisted of three companies. They were recruited for three years.

Companies A and B were organized at Pikesville, Md., in Sep-
tember, October and November, 1861, and Company O at Balti-
more, Md., in September, 1862.

The battalion did not perform service as an organization; the
companies were detached on special duty.

Company A was sent on duty to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where it rendered
good service; this company also performed duty in St. Mary's County, Md. The com-
pany also took part in the Gettysburg campaign and participated in the battle of Gettys-
burg, Pa., July, 1-3, 1863.

Company A was mustered out of the service of the United States, July 28, 1865.

Company B was assigned to special duty in different parts of Maryland and Dela-
ware, and on special duty at Annapolis, Md.. under the immediate orders of Governor
Bradford.

Company B was dismounted and equipped as infantry May 28, 1864, and joined
the Army of the Potomac, June 7th, 1864, being attached to the Purnell Legion Infan-
try. Company B, cavalry (dismounted), participated in the following battles, viz.:
Assault on Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864., siege of Petersburg, Va.. June-October,
1864 ; battle of Weldon Railroad, August 18-21, 1864; battle of Poplar Springs Church,
Va., September 30, 1864; battle of Chapel House, Va., October 1-3,1864; battle of
Feeble's Farm, Va., October 7-8,1864.

The original members (except veterans) were mustered out of the military service
October 26,1864, the veterans and recruits were transferred to Company C, which was
subsequently transferred to the Eighth Regiment Infantry, Maryland Volunteers.

Company C was recruited at Baltimore City, September, 1862. The company was
stationed at Camp Bradford, Md., until February 5, 1863, when it was sent to Harper's
Ferry s Va., thence to Drummondtown, Va., thence to Wilmington, Del., then dis-
mounted and sent to the Army of the Potomac, being temporarily assigned to the Pur-
nell Legion Infantry, and whilst with this infantry regiment, participated in the same
battles, already enumerated in the history of Company B (cavalry dismounted).

The veterans and recruits of Company B were transferred to and consolidated with
Company C, October 26, 1864, and the consolidated Company C was transferred to the
Eighth Regiment Infantry, Maryland Volunteers, November 17, 1864.

The casualties from death in the Purnell Cavalry Battalion were as follows:
Killed in battle or died of wounds, seven (7) enlisted men ; died of disease, etc., twenty-
four (24) enlisted men, or an aggregate death list of thirty-one (31).