Just a quick plug-in to yesterday’s post…
All this talk about Unionists in western Maryland… well, what were their motivations for enlisting (those that did) and what was their intent (in regard to the manner in which they would deal with the secession crisis) after donning blue? For the most part, it may be a bit more different than we might think…
From the Hagerstown Herald of Freedom and Torch Light, August 28, 1861:
THE HOME BRIGADE. – The work of organizing the Regiments, ordered to be raised by the Secretary of War as a Home Brigade to Western Maryland, is rapidly progressing. In Allegany county one regiment has been nearly completed, nine of the ten companies having been raised, with the assurance that the tenth one will be speedily forthcoming. In Frederick county, the 1st Regiment of the Brigade will be full in a few days. – Large numbers of Washington County men have joined this Regiment. Last week a company of eighty-five from Sharpsburg, under the command of Capt. Cook, reached Frederick, and were mustered into service. An Infantry company of eighty [Capt. Samuel G. Prather‘s company] and a cavalry company of fifty from Clearspring [this is Capt. William Fiery’s company, which would later become Co. B of Cole’s Cavalry] and the upper portion of this county, also proceeded to Frederick during the week, and were received as part of the Brigade. In this town a company for the same purpose is rapidly filling up, its head quarters being at the Town Hall, where applicants will be received and all necessary information given. The field officers of the 1st Regiment have been appointed by the President, and are WILLIAM P. MAULSBY, Colonel, CHARLES G. TRAIL, Lieutenant Colonel, and LEWIS P. FIERY, Major.
The object of the Home Brigade is the “protection of the Canal and of the property and persons of loyal citizens from Monacacy to the Western boundary of Maryland.” The men are enlisted for this purpose only, and cannot be required to serve beyond these limits. The pay is $13 per month and $3.50 per month for clothing and also rations. Each man will receive $100 in cash on his discharge from service and Bounty Land.
*As indicated, the brigade was not to serve beyond the stated “limits,” but many of the regiments, most especially Cole’s Cavalry, ended up serving well outside the designated area.
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Craig Swain
January 10, 2010
I don’t know if I’d place the artifact in question within the “motivations for serving” bucket. I can see the $16.50 per month as some motivation. But I’d submit there is a difference between a soldiers motivation and the mission of his unit. After all would we say a B-52 bomber crew served because they wanted to light off nukes?
Robert Moore
January 10, 2010
I’m not sure I follow. I’m not suggesting that the pay was the primary motivation. It may have been appealing to some, but I think the designated area of service had greater appeal. The designated mission of the unit, therefore, could certainly have served as a form of motivation. This stuff may have been a better lure in drawing in recruits as opposed to the standard up-front, “to defend the Union, you are headed South!” pitch made to most of the recruits in other Union units. If you look at most of the Potomac Home Brigade regiments, they pretty much stayed in the area mentioned. From the enlistee’s perspective, that’s a great deal; “I get to pretty much hang around the home turf and still get a part in the big show.” The reality was that Cole’s battalion (and later regiment) ventured far outside that area… thereby, an initial motivator didn’t hold true. Therefore, just how important was it to those who enlisted, in part, because of that feature? In fact, the Alleghany Regiment (2nd PHB, with which William Fiery’s company participated for almost half of its life in the field) was serving beyond Maryland’s borders in western Virginia (Hampshire and Pendleton counties), plus they ventured as far as Kernstown in March 1862. I’m very interested in seeing how (if at all) this impacted that level of enthusiasm.
Lois Norris Graybill
February 25, 2010
I came across this info in looking for information on Cole’s Calvary, 1st Reg PHB Calvary, Co. K of which my GGrandfather was enlisted. I enjoyed the comments about why they enlisted, I have my fathers journals where he spent many hours talking to his Grandfather and pay wasn’t even mentioned except when my father ask about it and GGrandpa Joseph Norris didn’t even remember getting paid!! It was more, all his “buds” were going and so was he. Can you tell me, is this Cole George W. Cole? I thought he was New York? I would like to know if Joseph was truly in battles etc. I have “The Civil War Dictionary by Boatner and am trying to locate info that way but so far I am having problems. Any suggestions? I am an active genealogist but haven’t had that much experience looking at civil war records. thanks, Lois
Robert Moore
February 26, 2010
This is indeed, a good thing… to hear from another descendant of Cole’s Cavalry. Actually, the commander was Henry A. Cole. Company K, eh? That would indicate that your ancestor enlisted after the battalion became a full regiment. I am definitely interested in hearing more from you and, if possible, gaining access to copies of your grandfather’s journals as I am in the process of writing a unit history. Looks like he received a pension (he applied in 1890). Also appears that a minor, related to him, applied for, but did not receive a pension in 1910. Joseph Norris died 12/24/1907, correct?
Mark Fedorka
July 3, 2012
My great great grandfather, Daniel Mose and his brother’s Jacob and Alfred joined the 1st Potomac Home Brigade in 1861. All of them were born and raised in Sharpsburg, Maryland.I believe the motivation was three-fold. As mentioned by another poster,their fellow neighbors and friends were joining. Second, they were to serve only in Maryland, so they get to stay close to home. In fact, Colonel Maulsby bringsthat argument to the fore-front when while stationed at Harper’s Ferry, he decided to move his entire regiment to the Maryland side without proper authority to do so. It actually caused quite a commotion. When the Colonel was questioned about his decision, he argued that the men were demoralized and that his regiment was to only serve in Maryland. The officer questioning him ended up giving permission to cross the pontoon bridge to the Maryland side,but not without mentioning his displeasure for the colonel. He considered the colonel as one who lacks the skills needed to lead a regiment. The third reason would be money in my opinion. In fact, his brother Alfred, joined the Virginia Loudoun Rangers in 1865. One historian told me that the Rangers were offering a $100.00 bounty to join. I learned about this when I attended the Loudoun Ranger Descendants Reunion on June 23rd.