Alternate Designations
History
The Second Regiment of Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade, was organizaed at Cumberland, Maryland from August 27, 1861, to October 31st of the same year. Term of service was for three years.
Companies A, B, C, E, G, H, I & K, were recruited from Allegany, County. Company F. was raised at Hancock, Washington County. Company D. was from Piedmont, Virginia.
After completion of training, the 2nd PHB was assigned to duty in West Virginia, in the Army of West Virginia, under the command of General Benjamin Franklin Kelley, and for a time under the command of General F.W. Lander.
During the winter of 1862, Stonewall Jackson waged a winter campaign in the lower reaches of the Shenandoah. In January of 1862 in marched on Hancock, Maryland, then moved on to take Romney, West Virginia. The 2nd PHB was very active in the Federal defense of this area and skirmished on several occassions with Confedrate units.
The 2nd PHB again skirmished with Confederate forces on September 17, 1862 near Romney, West Virginia.
Company F. of the 2nd PHB was subsequently mounted and assigned to service in the Shenandoah Valley. In June of 1863, Co. F. became involved in the Federal defense of the lower Valley as Lee's 2nd Corps marched north toward Maryland, enroute to gettysburg. The company skirmished with a portion of General Rodes' Division at Berryville, as Rodes moved on General Milroy at Winchester. Co. F. was subsequently attached to Cole's Independent Maryland Cavalry (see Cole's Cavalry for additional information), and participated with that command in it's actions during the Gettysburg campaign.
On October 7, 1863, Co. F. skirmished with Harry Gilmor's Battalion (2nd Md. Cavalry C.S.A.) at Summit Point.
The 2nd PHB remained in West Virginia during the fall and winter of 1863; then participated in General David Hunter's move up the Shenadoah during the spring of 1864 (see story on Point Lookout for more information). When General Jubal Early drove Hunter into West Virginia, the 2nd continued with Hunter during his cirticular march through W.Va. back into Maryland, and once back in Maryland the regiment participated in the persuit of Early back into Virginia, participating in a skirmish with his rear guard at Snicker's Gap on July 18th.
After Early's Raid, the 2nd PHB marched back to West Virginia. There, at the end of the original term of service, those veterans not wishing to re-enlist were mustered out of the army. Re-enlistee and recruits were organized into a smaller command. In March of 1865 the 2nd PHB was consolidated into three companies, A, B & C, and a fourth company, d, was organized and assigned to the command to serve for one year. The 2nd PHB mustered out of service May 29, 1865.
The regiment lost 1 officer and 9 enlisted men, killed in battle; 84 enlisted men died due to disease.
History provided by Gary Baker of the Association of Carroll's Sacred Trust
Published Sources
See the General Sources page for items containing information on all Maryland Units.
Jack Sanders, Guarding the River, the Canal, and the Railroad: Papers of Captain Benjamin Brubridge Shaw, commanding officer, Company D, 2nd Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade, Maryland Volunteers, New Creek, WV; J. Sanders, 1998.
Reenacting Links
Something missing?
Suggestions of additional resources welcomed! Please send info to John Lamb .
