Pvt. Killian enlisted July 26, 1863 at the age of 43 in Frederick, MD. He is listed as present with his unit until his discharge at Harper’s Ferry, VA on June 21, 1865. We do not know anything else about him except that he was 5’4”, brown eyes, dark hair, brown complexion and was born in Baden, Germany. He apparently did not have a pension.

The carbine is identified from records in the National Archives by serial number. Copy of record page included. The weapon is a New-Model 1863 Sharps Percussion Breechloading Carbine. Serial number 88106. This is a specimen that has seen a lot of action. The walnut forestock and rear stock show signs of use with marks on the stock opposite the lock from a carbine swivel. The 22” round barrel is marked, “Sharps Rifle Manufg. Co. HARTFORD CONN.” forward of the sight. “New-Model 1863” behind sight. The original sight has a replaced slide made of brass.

The bore shows nice rifling. The latch keeper is replaced with one made of brass, possibly done by the same skilled gunsmith that made the sight slide. There are a pair of inspector’s cartouches on the stock visible under the carbine sling bar. The forend attaching screw appears to be a replacement. All markings on the lockplate are very nice. All metal has that out of the attic look. The main spring has a replacement that is not old.

1st REGIMENT POTOMAC HOME BRIGADE CAVALRY (COLE'S)

Originally organized at Cole's (Co. "A"), Furey's (Co. "B"), Horner's (Co. "C") and Currie's (Co. "D"). Independent Cavalry Companies organized at Frederick, Md., August 10 to November 27, 1861. Served unattached, Dept. of West Virginia, to January, 1862. Lander's Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862 (Cos. "A," "C" and "D"). Unattached, West Virginia, to August, 1862 (Co. "B"). Hatch's Cavalry Brigade, Banks' 5th Army Corps, and Dept. of the Shenandoah to June, 1862. Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Corps, Pope's Army of Virginia, to August, 1862, and participated in the following service: South Branch Bridge, W. Va., October 26, 1861 (Co. "B"); Hancock, Md., January 5-6, 1862 (Cos. "A," "C" and "D"); Bloomery Gap February 14. Advance on Winchester March 2-12. Martinsburg March 3. Bunker Hill March 5 (Co. "A"). Between Bunker Hill and Winchester March 7. Stephenson's Depot March 7-8. Winchester March 12. Kernstown March 22. Winchester March 23. Edenburg April I. Grass Lick, W. Va., April 23 (Co. "B"). Wardensville, W. Va., May 7 (Co. "B"). Charlestown May 28. Companies consolidated to a Battalion August 1, 1862, and designated Cole's Battalion, Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry. Attached to Railroad Brigade, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to September, 1862. Cavalry, 12th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to November, 1862. Defences of Upper Potomac, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to March, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 8th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Maryland Heights Division West Virginia, to December, 1863. Cavalry Brigade, 1st Division West Virginia, to April, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, West Virginia, to August, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Shenandoah, to October, 1864. Reserve Division, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., to January, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division West Virginia, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division West Virginia, to June, 1865.

SERVICE - Leesburg, Va., September 2, 1862. Edwards' Ferry, Md., September 4. Monocacy Creek September 4. Reconnoissance to Lovettsville September 4. Maryland Heights and siege of Harper's Ferry September 12-14. Cut through enemy's lines September 14. Capture of Longstreet's train at Sharpsburg September 15. Hyattstown, Md., October 12. Charleston November 14, Berryville December 1. Charlestown December 2. Winchester December 5. Halltown December 20. Near Charlestown May 16, 1863. Berryville June 13. Martinsburg June 14. Winchester June 15 (Co. "B"). Williamsport June 15. Catoctin Creek June 17. Frederick, Md., June 21. Sharpsburg July --. Fountain Dale, Pa., July !. Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Near Emmittsburg July 4. Falling Waters July 6. Harper's Ferry July 6. Smithfield August 23. Scouts into Loudoun County August 25 and September 12-16 and September 21-26. Catoctin Mountain September 14. Loudoun Valley, Va., September 25. Loudoun Valley and Summit Point October 7. Charleston October 7 (Co. "B"). Snickersville, Leesburg, Rector's Cross Roads and Bloomfield September 14. Upperville September 25. Berryville October 18. Near Annandale October 22. Expedition from Charleston to New Market November 15-18. Mr. Jackson November 16. Ashby's Gap November--. Upperville December 10. Edenburg December 17. New Market December 18. Harrisonburg and Staunton December 21. Five points, Rectortown, January 1, 1864. Loudoun Heights January 10. Romney, Moorfield and Mechanicsville Gap February 4. Regiment reenlisted February 13, 1864. Upperville February 20. Veterans on furlough till April. Authority given to increase Battalion to a Regiment, and Companies "E," "F," "G," "H," "I," "K," "L" and "M" organized at Baltimore and Frederick February 9 to April 23, 1864. Sigel's Expedition from Martinsburg, W. Va., to New Market April 30-May 16. New Market May 13-15. Hunter's Expedition to Lynchburg May 26-July 1. Harrisonburg June 3. Piedmont June 5. Occupation of Staunton June 6. Tye River June 12. Lexington June 13. Buckhannon June 14. Lynchburg June 17-18. Catawba Mountains and near Salem June 21. Leetown and Shepardstown July 3 (Detachment). Keedysville July 5. Frederick, Md., July 11-12. Maryland Heights, Brownsville, Crampton's Gap and Herndon July ---. Purcellsville July 16. Snicker's Ferry July 17-18. Ashby's Gap and Winchester July 19. Kernstown July 23-24. Winchester, Bunker Hill and Martinsburg July 25. Snicker's Gap July 25. Falling Waters July 26. Hagerstown July 29-30. Keedysville August 5. Winchester August 17. Opequan Creek August 18, 19 and 20. Near Berryville August 21. Near Charlestown August 21-22. Antietam August 22. Williamsport August 26. Summit Point August 30. White Post September 3. Winchester September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Duty In West Virginia operating against Mosby and guarding Baltimore & Ohio Railroad till June, 1865. Mustered out June 28, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 45 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 120 Enlisted men by disease. Total 169.

Source: A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion - Frederick H. Dyer, 1908

Identified cavalry carbines are highly sought after and to a Marylander even more so!

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