Marylanders with Spencers

[Preston County Rider]

Folks - on page 99 of Roy Marcot's Spencer book (a surprise Christmas present from my understanding wife!) he notes that the Co A, First Bde Maryland Cav monument at Gettysburg erroneously depicts a Maryland trooper with a Spencer carbine when they had rifles. I can't find any reference in any other book to Maryland Cav troopers at Gettysburg having Spencer rifles. This is somewhat of an issue for me because I am a reenactor and am trying to represent the Marylanders in blue as accuarately as I can.

I've checked McAuley's book and others. Any other reference materials you all know of that might tell me where Roy got his information?

Thanks - Preston Co Rider (living in Howard Co Maryland!)

[Two Flints]

Preston,

Only two regiments were armed with Spencer Rifles at Gettysburg and both were cavalry units: the 6th and 7th Michigan in General George A. Custer's brigade. The 1st Maryland cavalry regiment from Colonel John B. McIntosh's Brigade of Gregg's division was stationed at the intersection of the Low Dutch and Hanover Roads during most of the fighting.

General Gregg is credited with taking the initiative and returning his division in the early morning hours of July 3, 1863 to the Low Dutch and Hanover Roads. Gregg's insight and fear of a Confederate cavalry attack on the Union's right flank, combined with his bold move to move his troopers back to the Hanover Road, saved the Union's right flank and prevented General Jeb Stuart from attacking the rear of the Union army at Gettysburg.

Perhaps the Spencer Rifle (Carbine) was depicted because it carried the day for the Union forces (under Custer).

Two Flints

[Preston County Rider]

Two Flints - thanks for the insights. I guess I am puzzled that Marcot's book, which I take as the definitive work on our Spencers, would go out of the way to point out the Co A boys had Spencer rifles and not carbines. Are there perhaps other records out there? Also, putting the incorrect gun on the Co A monument would seem to me to be a very bad move. Somebody should have known!

PCR

[Two Flints]

Purnell Legion (Maryland Cavalry, Company A)
Square monument with rounded corners at top stands on a low base. Full-length figure of a dismounted Cavalryman appears in relief on the front face. He kneels on his proper right knee, and holds his rifle diagonally in both hands. The figure wears a cap and goatee, and is seen in profile. Reliefs of a State Seal and a crossed-sword Corps insignia are affixed to the reverse side. The base and monument have rough-hewn edges. The cost was $900. It indicates the approximate position held by the Company on July 3, 1863, as it fought along side John B. McIntosh's Cavalry Brigade against Stuart's Confederate Cavalry.

The Purnell Legion Cavalry was originally recruited as part of the Purnell Legion, and became an independent cavalry command when the Legion was disbanded and it's various contingents were dispered to the different branches of the army

The battalion consisted of three companies of cavalry.  Companies A. & B. were organized at Pikesville, Maryland, September through November of 1861; Company C. in Baltimore in September of 1862.  Term of enlistment was for three years.

The Purnell Legion Cavalry did not perform it's service as an organization, but as detached companies on special duty.

Company A. was sent to Maryland and Virginia's Eastern Shore, where it remained for the better part of the war.  Like Smith's Independent Cavalry, Co. A.'s main mission was to intercept contraband supplies and recruits moving south.  The company was temporarily assigned to St. Mary's County, and saw action at Gettysburg.  The company mustered out on July 28, 1865.

Company B. served on special assignement throughout Maryland and Delaware, primarily searching for contraband, and served for a time in Annapolis under the immediate direction of the Governor of Maryland.

On May 28, 1864, Company B. was dismounted and equipped as infantry.  On June 7th the company was detached to the Purnell Infantry and assigned to the Army of the Potomac.  The company participated in the assault on Petersburg on June 18, 1864; the Siege of Petersburg, June - October, 1864; Battle of Weldon Railroad, August 18 - 21, 1864; Battle of Poplar Springs Church, September 30, 1864; Battle of Chapel House, October 1 - 3, 1864; Battle of Peeble's Farm, October 7 - 8, 1864.  The company mustered out of service on October 26, 1864.  Re-enlisted veterans and new recruits were then transfered to Company C., which was subsequently transfered to the newly raised 8th Maryland Infantry.

After it's organization in September of 1862, Company C. was stationed at Camp Bradford, Maryland until February 5, 1863, when it was sent to Harper's Ferry.  The company remained at the arsenal a short time before moving to Drummondtown, Virginia, then to Wilmington, Delaware.  From Wilmington the company was assigned to the Purnell Infantry as dismounted infantry and participated in the same actions as Company B. noted earlier.

Killed in battle or died from wounds, seven enlisted men, died of disease twenty-four.

There is a book about the First Maryland called Historical Record of the First Regiment Maryland Infantry by Charles Camper and J.W.Kirkley. First published in 1871, it has been reprinted but is scarce even as a reprint. The Purnell Leigon was made up of 9 companies of Infantry, 2 companies of Cavalry and 2 companies of Light Artillery.

[Bead Swinger]

I've got a copy of the First Regiment Maryland Infantry by Charles Camper and J.W.Kirkley. I'll take a look and see if it says anything. I was a member of the 1st Maryland reenacting group for almost 20 years.

I always thought the carbine depicted for the Purnell Legion was because that is what they had at the end of the war, and that is what the artist had to go by.

[Two Flints]

Hi Bead Swinger,

Please find the time and have a look see.  Try to find any reference to Spencers, or what rifles or carbines were issued to that unit.  It would be very much appreciated.

Two Flints

[Bead Swinger]

The Camper and Kirkley text only describes the members of the Purnell Legion infantry who eventually joined the Maryland Brigade in 1864.  No reference to the cavalry unit, or to Spencers/repeaters is mentioned.  'Sorry.