A Measure of Self Defense.
The following letter from Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War, to Ex Governor THOMAS, our Representative in Congress, explains itself:—
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 19th, 1861.Hon. Francis Thomas:—
You are hereby authorized to provide for the organization of four regiments of the loyal citizens, residents on both sides of the Potomac river, from the Monocacy to the west boundary of Maryland for the protection of the Canal and property and persons of loyal citizens of the neighborhood, and to be stationed in the vicinity, whilst in the service, The men will be permitted to elect their own company officers; their field officers appointed by the President. Arms will be furnished as soon as practicable.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed,) SIMON CAMERON,Secretary of War.
It will be perceived from this letter that the Federal Government proposes to confine the services of the Regiments to the region of country in which they are raised. In other words, if the people of Western Maryland, and those of the border counties in Virginia, are willing to organize a brigade of four Regiments exclusively for the protection of their own lives and property, the Government will not only efficiently arm and equip them, but provide for and pay them as other soldiers in the service are provided for and paid. This is an exceedingly liberal proposition, and should be promptly acceded to. From present appearances the war is likely to be a protracted one, and during its continuance we have no security whatever for either life or property, save such as courageous hearts, and strong arms and dry powder afford. We have not only Secessionists in our midst, who would kindle the fire and fan the flames of civil war the moment they thought they could do so successfully but from our peculiar geographical position, we are constantly exposed, in our persons and our property, to invasions and depredations from the infuriated rebels that are swarming along our Southern borders. The three counties of Frederick, Washington and Allegany, constituting what is understood to be Western Maryland proper, could alone furnish the number of men required to organize the Regiments, and we can see no substantial reason why they should not immediately take the necessary steps to do it. The Virginia counties on the border will, however, supply a small portion of the levies, but whether they do or not, there is an abundance of material in the Maryland counties for the purpose, and it should be promptly wrought into proper shape. Let us then by all means have this Home Brigade under lawful authority, and we shall feel perfectly secure from marauders of every kind.
It may be proper to add to the above that any information desired by those who may wish to join the Regiments can be had on application by letter addressed to Governor THOMAS at Frederick, where, in his absence, such letters will be answered by an officer in the army who is stationed there for the purpose.
I can’t help myself, but considering the contemporary “Maryland was oppressed secessionism/Confederate” remembrance crowd, I have to say… *”The Lincoln administration required Western Maryland to raise four regiments… tell the “Maryland was oppressed secessionism/Confederate” remembrance crowd, they did so!” 
Two of my Maryland kin (both residing in Clear Spring at the time), one born in Clear Spring, Maryland, and the other in Shepherdstown, Virginia, answered the call, and joined the Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry, just over a month later.
*If you are unfamiliar with it, this is a play on the speech delivered, early on, in the movie Gods & Generals… the T.J. Jackson “Tell them we have done so” speech.
Gary Smith
July 23, 2011
Robert, Who was your kin born in Clear Spring? My family on my mother’s side was also from Clear Spring and joined the Potomac Home Brigade. Gary Smith
Robert Moore
July 23, 2011
My branch of the Moore family lived in Clear Spring at the time (since, at least, 1800 or so), and McKinney did as well. First cousin James Draper Moore, and third great grand uncle Joseph Lake McKinney both enlisted in Co. B, 1st Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry (Cole’s Cavalry).
11thcorps
July 23, 2011
I discovered recently that two relatives, first cousin Leonidas Thornton Rohrer (Co. I) and second cousin Henry C. Rohrer (Co. A), enlisted in the 1st Potomac Home Brigade Infantry in fall 1861. My g-g-g-grandfather Daniel Rohrer was born in or near Rohrersville,Washington County, Maryland, in 1822. Always on the lookout for information on the Potomac Home Brigade. Has anyone written a book on these men?
Robert Moore
July 23, 2011
Hi Mike,
There’s a sketchy work on the overall PHB organization, but nothing dedicated to the 1st PHB Infantry (which eventually became the 13th Maryland Infantry). Have you seen their service records yet?
Robert Moore
July 23, 2011
Looks like both enlisted in Sept 61, and were captured on Sept 15. 1862. Like most, they were paroled soon after. Leonidas served until the expiration of service in Oct. 64, while Henry left in August of 1864. Leonidas was in both Co. I and E.
Sure you aren’t related to more of them… there are a few more Rohrers in the same regiment.
11thcorps
July 24, 2011
The Rohrers are a nice genealogical puzzle. Leonidas and Henry are the only ones I can say for sure are connected to me. Working on William H.H. in Co. I – know his parents’ names but can’t find records on them yet to see where they fit into the family. Someone needs to write a book on the PHB; between Harpers Ferry, Gettysburg and the general story of western Maryland during the war years it should make a good story.
Robert Moore
July 25, 2011
I saw that… the Rohrers have left a puzzle. I see that you are, through the same line, also tied to the Mumma family. Interesting.
11thcorps
July 25, 2011
Alas, my g-g-g-grandmother Elizabeth Mumma and her family are actually from Lancaster Co., PA, and are not the Sharpsburg Mummas. However, her grandmother’s cousin was one of the Sharpburg Mummas and was aunt to Samuel Mumma whose farmhouse was burned in the battle. A couple of her siblings are buried in the cemetery at the battlefield, but they are her half-siblings and I have no relationship to the Sharpsburg Mummas except for her – an Elizabeth Mumma who married John Carle. I know nothing else about her or her husband. And this is not my most complicated line of German ancestry.
Mark Fedorka
August 22, 2011
I have a great-great grandfather that was born and raised in Sharpsburg, MD. He served in the 1st Regiment Potomac Home Brigade Volunteer Infantry Co. A from August 1861 to August 1864. Captured at Harpers Ferry on September 15, 1862 and fought at Gettysburg on July 2nd & 3rd. He is buried at the National Cemetery in Sharpsburg (Maryland section). His name is Daniel Mose on my mothers side of the family. I wrote a book on the story of his life which included the Potomac Home Brigade, but I never went into full details of the regiment itself. I wrote this book in 2006, but now I’m in the process of rewriting it with new information, corrections, etc… My book is self published and Titled ” The story of my great-great grandfather Daniel Mose”. I plan on giving it a new title to help make it more relevant. It was the first time I ever wrote anything in my life. I just had a passion to know more about Daniel Mose, because not one single family member knew anything about him, other than he was in the Civil War and from Sharpsburg, MD. I just came across this post while doing some online research. I’m glad to see others in the community have an interest in this regiment. I’m originally from the Hagerstown area, but currently live in Chantilly, VA.
Regards,
Mark
Robert Moore
August 28, 2011
Thanks for your comment, Mark. Did you have letters or diaries from Daniel Mose to shed light on his thoughts throughout the war?
Mark Fedorka
August 30, 2011
Hi Robert,
I had no diaries or personal papers on Daniel, but I do have pension records that I received from the National Archives. These papers reveal a personal account of an injury he received during the war in December 1863 on the Virginia shore near the Potomac across from Berlin, MD. (now known as Brunswick). He Company was guarding forage teams in Virginia. He was carrying an ammo box on his shoulder up the icy banks of the Potomac River on the Virginia shore, when he slipped and fell on his side causing a rupture (Hernia). This was on Dec. 21, 1863. That night he lay in his tent on the Virginia shore in great pain. His commanding officer had him go to the regimental hospital in Weverton, MD were the assistant surgeon placed a truss on him. On about Christmas Eve he returned to camp and reported to his commanding officer (his name escapes me at the moment, he was a lieutenant). The lieutenant never saw a truss before and asked to see it. My great-great grandfather pulled his pants down to show him the truss.
I also found family history of his life after the war and where his oldest son commited suicide along canal road, right outside Sharpsburg. It gets pretty crazy actually, but gives you details of other citizens that lived in Sharpsburg, MD. Quite interesting stuff.
Regards,
Mark