Id’d M1858 Smooth Side Canteen and Spurs of Lt. Orin S. Haskell Co. A 1^st Maine Cavalry – This M1858 smooth side canteen, still retaining its original stopper, chain and gray wool cover, has inked on one side of the body of the canteen, the following:

“Orin

Haskell

1^st Me CAV”

The canteen’s pewter mouthpiece appears to have “CAV” crudely scratched into it; the canteen remains in overall, very good condition, with two seam opened areas; the shoulder sling is no longer attached to the canteen.

Accompanying the canteen is a pair of cast brass, officer’s spurs, with their original bootstraps still running through the spur slots. Both of the spurs have their original, brass strap buckles, one of which is stamped: “PAT. 1860”. Also stamped on the inside of one of the spur arms, just below the strap bar is the following:

“1

Me

CAV”

The spurs and straps remain in excellent condition; the leather of the straps retains most of the original finish and are both supple. The spur rowels each have about 20-22 points, are made of iron or steel, rotate freely and exhibit no rusting.

Orin S. Haskell enlisted in Co. A of the 1^st Maine Cavalry in October 1861, transferred to a Field Staff position in 1863 from Co. A, but would remain with his regiment, after promotions to Sergeant and Lieutenant, until August 1865, when he mustered out. Haskell’s army career is described below which, along with his regiment, encompassed many significant, Eastern Theatre engagements.

Orin S. Haskell

Residence Detroit, ME; 26 years old.
Enlisted on 10/19/1861 as a Priv.

On 10/19/1861, he mustered into “A” Co. Maine 1st Cavalry.
He re-enlisted on 1/1/1864.
He was Mustered Out on 8/1/1865

He was listed as:

• Detailed (date and place not stated) (Detailed, 1861 as clerk)

Promotions:

• Qtr Master Serg (1863)
• 2nd Lieut 12/29/1863 (As of Co. A)

Intra-regimental company transfers

• 12/29/1863 From Field & Staff to company A

• From company A to Field & Staff (1863)

Enlisted age 26 Levant, Maine 1 Oct. 1861, mustered 19 Oct. 1861, 1st Maine cavalry, company M, Private, promoted 9 Mar. 1863 QM Sergeant, promoted 2nd Lieutenant, and transferred company A discharged 1 Aug. 1865. Invalid pension 15 Apr. 1905 cert.#1108.538, widow pension 26 Sep. 1916 cert.822.840. Member G A R Post #11, Stephen Davis, Maine.

Key engagements and campaigns for the 1st Maine Cavalry include:

• Early War & Valley (1862): First Battle of Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run (Manassas), and Antietam.
• The Gettysburg Campaign (1863): Played a significant role in the cavalry battles at Brandy Station, Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville, and Gettysburg (July 3, East Cavalry Field).
• Grant’s Overland Campaign (1864): Todd’s Tavern, Ground Squirrel Bridge, Haw’s Shop, Cold Harbor, and Trevilian Station.
• Siege of Petersburg & End of War (1864–1865): St. Mary’s Church, Reams’ Station, Boydton Plank Road, and the final Appomattox Campaign. 

The regiment was known for heavy fighting, with 174 men killed or mortally wounded and 334 dying of disease

1st ME Cavalry

Organized: Augusta, ME on 10/31/1861

Mustered out: 8/1/1865

MAINE 1ST CAVALRY (THREE YEARS) First Cavalry.-Cols., John Goddard, Samuel H. Allen, Calvin S. Douty, Charles H. Smith; Lieut.-Cols., Thomas Hight, Calvin S. Douty, Charles H. Smith, Stephen Boothby, Jonathan P. Cilley; Majs., Samuel H. Allen, David P. Stowell, Calvin S. Douty, Warren L. Whitney, Jonathan P. Cilley, Charles H. Smith, Stephen Boothby, George M. Brown, Sidney W. Thaxter, Constantine Taylor, Benjamin F. Tucker, Paul Chadbourne, Daniel S. Curtis, Joel W. Cloudman. This regiment was raised at large, consisted of twelve companies, and was mustered in at Augusta, Nov. 5, 1861, for three years. It was the equal of any in the service in the character of its men and the quality of its horses. It remained encamped at Augusta until the following spring. Companies A, D, E and F left the state for Washington on March 14, under command of Col. Allen, arriving there on the 19th. Companies B, I, H and M, under Maj. Douty, arrived on the 24th and C, G, K and L, under Maj. Stowell, on the 28th. A, B, E, H and M under Lieut.-Col. Douty, joined Gen. Banks, corps at Strasburg, Va., on May 11, and were attached to Gen. Hatch’s cavalry brigade. The other seven companies were first assigned to Gen. Abercrombie’s brigade, and soon afterwards to Gen. Ord’s division at Fredericksburg. The men participated in their first severe engagement on May 23, when Lieut.-Col. Douty with his command and two companies of the 1st Vt. cavalry, charged the enemy at Middletown, Va., covering Banks, retreat to Williamsport. The loss was 176 horses and equipment. The regiment was reunited at Warrenton, Va., on July 10, and attached to Bayard’s brigade, with which it took part in the battle of Cedar Mountain. It participated in the retreat of Gen. Pope’s forces to Fairfax Court House, where it arrived on Sept. 3, and reported to Gen. Reno, having engaged the enemy at Brandy Station on Aug. 20, and been present at the second battle of Bull Run on the 30th, under Brig.-Gen. Elliott of Pope’s staff. Arriving in Washington on Sept. 4, it was attached to Burnside’s corps and engaged the enemy at Frederick, Md., on the 12th. Co. G, acting as Gen. Reno’s bodyguard, took part in the battle of South Mountain, Cos. M and H, under Gen. Porter, in that of Antietam. The regiment (except Cos. G, M and H) remained at Frederick from Sept. 12, to Nov. 2, up to which period it had lost in action and worn out in service nearly 700 horses. The severity of the service to which the men of this regiment were subjected may be inferred from a bare recital of the battles in which they were subsequently engaged and from data showing some of their heaviest losses. The list of battles includes, in addition to those above mentioned: Fredericksburg, Rappahannock Station, Brandy Station, Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville, Gettysburg, Shepherdstown, Sulphur Springs, Mine Run, about Richmond, Old Church, Todd’s tavern, Ground Squirrel Church, Hawes’ shop, Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station, St. Mary’s Church, Deep Bottom, Reams’ Station, Wyatt’s farm, Boydton road and Bellefield. Col. Douty was killed at Aldie, Va, while leading a gallant charge, on June 17, 1863, as was Capt. Summatt while rallying his men under a murderous fire of grape and canister. Three hundred selected men from the regiment participated in the daring raid of Gen. Kilpatrick to the vicinity of Richmond, Feb. 27 to March 12, 1864, the loss of the 1st in this famous raid being 93 men killed, wounded or missing and over 200 horses. It also moved with the cavalry corps on Gen. Sheridan’s first raid, May 9, 1864, until within 3 miles of Richmond. In the engagement at Trevilian Station, June 24, 1864, its loss was 10 officers and 58 enlisted men. During August of this year its loss in killed, wounded and missing was 49 men and 75 horses, and the total casualties during 1864 amounted to 295 officers and enlisted men. In Aug., 1864, seven companies of the 1st D. C. cavalry were transferred and assigned to the several companies of this regiment by a special order of the war department. The original members of the regiment whose term of service expired Nov. 4, 1864, were mustered out at Augusta, Me., on the 25th, while the regiment, now composed of veterans recruits and members of the 1st D. C. cavalry whose term had not expired, participated in the closing battles of the war; was mustered out of the U. S. service at Petersburg, Va., Aug., 1, 1865, and arrived in Augusta, Me., on the 9th.

1st Regiment, Maine Cavalry

Overview:

Organized at Augusta and mustered in November 5, 1861. Companies “A,” “D,” “E” and “F” moved to Washington, D. C., March 14-19, 1862; Companies “B,” “I,” “H” and “M” March 19-24, and Companies “C,” “G,” “K” and “L” to Washington March 19-28, 1862. Attached to Miles’ Railroad Brigade, Army of Potomac, to May, 1862 (Cos. “A,” “B,” “E,” “H” and “M”). Hatch’s Cavalry Brigade, Banks’ 5th Army Corps, and Dept. of the Shenandoah, to July, 1862 (Cos. “A,” “B,” “E,” “H” and “M”). Abercrombie’s Brigade, Williams’ Division, Banks’ 5th Army Corps, and Dept. of the Shenandoah, March to May, 1862 (Cos. “C,” “D,” “F,” “G,” “I,” “K” and “L”). Bayard’s Cavalry Brigade, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to July, 1862 (Cos. “C,” “D,” “F,” “G,” “I,” “K” and “L”). Bayard’s Cavalry Brigade, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. Bayard’s Cavalry Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, June, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, to October, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, to October, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, to August, 1865.
Service:

Companies “A,” “B,” “E,” “H” and “M” ordered to Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., March, 1862, and guard duty along Baltimore & Ohio Railroad till May 19. Moved to Strasburg and operations in the Shenandoah Valley May 15-June 17. Action at Woodstock May 21, Strasburg May 22 (Cos. “H” and “M”), Middletown May 24. Winchester May 25. Retreat to Williamsport May 25-26. Winchester June 3. Milford June 24. Reconnaissance to Front Royal June 29-30. Luray June 30. Rejoin Regiment at Warrenton July 10. Companies “C,” “D,” “F,” “G,” “I,” “K” and “L” moved to Warrenton March, 1862. Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock April 16 (Co. “C”). Reconnaissance to Liberty Church April 16 (Detachment). Reconnaissance to Culpeper Court House May 4-5. Brandy Station May 5. Join McDowell at Manassas Junction May 25. Milford July 2. Winchester July 3. Sperryville July 5. Regiment scouting on the Rappahannock during July. Reconnaissance to James City July 22-24. Slaughter House August 7. Robinson River August 8. Battle of Cedar Mountain August 9. Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Stevensburg, Raccoon Ford and Brandy Station August 20. Beverly Ford August 20. Fords of the Rappahannock August 21-23. Rappahannock Station August 24-25. Sulphur Springs August 27. Thoroughfare Gap August 28. Groveton August 29. Bull Run August 30. Mountsville, Centerville, Chantilly and Germantown August 31. Chantilly September 1. Frederick, Md., September 7 and 12. South Mountain September 14. Antietam September 16-17. At Frederick, Md., till November 2. Manassas Junction October 24. Middleburg October 30. Aldie October 31. Salem, New Baltimore and near Warrenton November 4. Rappahannock Station November 7-9. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. Dumfries December 28. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. Rappahannock Bridge April 14. Stoneman’s Raid April 29-May 8. Kelly’s Ford April 29. Louisa Court House May 1-2. South Anna Bridge near Ashland May 3. Bealton May 10. Operations on Northern Neck May 20-26 (Detachment). Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Aldie June 17. Middleburg June 18-19. Upperville June 21. Hanover, Pa., June 30. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Steven’s Furnace July 5. Hagerstown July 11. Funkstown, Md., July 12. Shephardstown and near Harper’s Ferry July 14. Halltown and Charlestown July 15. Shephardstown July 16. Little Washington August 5. Beverly Ford August 15. Brandy Station September 6. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Culpeper Court House September 13. Hazel River September 13. Raccoon Ford September 14. Culpeper September 20. White’s Ford September 21-22. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Gaines’ Cross Roads October 12. Warrenton or White Sulphur Springs October 12-13. Auburn and Bristoe October 14. St. Stephen’s Church October 14. Blackburn’s Ford October 15. Culpeper October 20. Near Bealton October 22. Rappahannock Crossing October 22. Rappahannock Station October 23. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Morton’s Ford November 26. New Hope Church November 27. Parker’s Store November 29. Expedition to Luray December 21-23. Reconnaissance to Front Royal January 1-4, 1864. Near Salem January 3 (Detachment). Kilpatrick’s Raid to Richmond February 28-March 4. Beaver Dam Station February 29. Fortifications of Richmond March 1. Brook’s Turnpike March 1. Old Church March 2. Near Tunstall Station March 2. Rapidan Campaign May 3-June 15. Battles of Todd’s Tavern May 5-6; Wilderness May 6-7; Todd’s Tavern May 7-8. Sheridan’s Raid May 9-24. North Anna River May 9-10. Ground Squirrel Church and Yellow Tavern May 11. Diamond Hill May 11. Brook Church or Fortifications of Richmond May 12. Meadow Bridge May 12. Jones’ Bridge May 17. Haxall’s Landing May 18. Milford May 20. Haw’s Shop May 28. Old Church May 29-30. Cold Harbor May 31-June 1. About Cold Harbor June 1-7. Sumner’s Upper Bridge and McGee’s Mills June 2. Sheridan’s Trevillian Raid June 7-24. Elliott’s Mills June 8. Trevillian Station June 11-12. Black Creek, Tunstall Station, June 21. White House, St. Peter’s Church, June 21. St. Mary’s Church June 24. Second Swamp June 28. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June, 1864, to April, 1865. Warwick Swamp and Lee’s Mill July 12. Deep Bottom July 27-28. New Market July 28. Malvern Hill July 29. Lee’s Mills July 30. Near Sycamore Church August 9. Gravel Hill August 14. Strawberry Plains August 14-18. Deep Run August 16. Nelson’s Farm August 18. Ream’s Station August 23-25. Dinwiddie Road near Ream’s Station August 23. Yellow Tavern September 2. Stony Creek Station September 15. Belcher’s Mills September 17. Lee’s Mills September 18. Vaughan Road September 26. Wyatt’s Farm September 29. Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 1. Vaughan and Duncan Road October 1. Boydton Plank Road or Hatcher’s Run October 27-28. Old members mustered out November 4, 1864. Stony Creek Station December 1. Bellefield Raid December 7-11. Bellefield December 9-10. Dabney’s Mill, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Dinwiddie Court House March 30-31. Five Forks April 1. Namozine Church and Jettersville April 3. Fame’s Cross Roads and Amelia Springs April 5. Sailor’s Creek and Deatonville Road April 6. Briery Creek and Farmville April 7. Appomattox Station April 8. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Duty at Petersburg and in the Dept. of Virginia till August. Mustered out August 1, 1865.

This Regiment lost greatest number killed in action of any Cavalry Regiment in the entire army: 15 Officers and 159 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 3 Officers and 341 Enlisted men died of disease, a total of 518.

1st Maine Cavalry Regiment Monument at Gettysburg

The monument to the 1st Maine Regiment is on the East Cavalry Battlefield.  (East Cavalry Battlefield South tour map) The monument was dedicated in 1889 by the State of Maine.

Colonel Charles Henry Smith commanded the 1st Maine Cavalry at Gettysburg. Colonel Smith went on to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions at Saint Mary’s Church in 1864. The regiment brought 438 men to the field, losing 1 killed and 4 wounded. It was part of the Cavalry Corps, 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade.

Text from the front of the monument:

This monument commemorates the services of the
First Maine cavalry on the battle-field, July 3, 1863.
Col. C. H. Smith commanding.

3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps

Text from the rear:

Middletown
Cedar Mountain
South Mountain
Fredericksburg
Brandy Station
Middleburg
Gettysburg
Sulphur Springs
Fortifications of Richmond
Todd’s Tavern
Hawes Shop
Trevillian Station
Deep Bottom
Wyatt’s Farm
Bellefield
Dinwiddie C.H.
High Bridge

Winchester
Second Bull Run
Antietam
Rappahannock St’n
Aldie
Upperville
Shepardstown
 Mine Run
Old Church
Ground Squirrel
Church
Cold Harbor
St. Mary’s Church
Reams Station
Boydton Road
Hatcher’s Run
Sailor’s Creek
Farmville

Appomattox C.H.

Number enrolled 3226
Killed in action 101, Died of wounds 53
Died of disease 171, Died in prison 195.