Draw the Sword

Location: Gregg Avenue on the East Cavalry Field

Order of Battle: Cavalry Corps, 2nd Division, 1st Brigade

Number Engaged: 78; no loss

Commander: Capt. Robert E. Duvall (1812-1890)

Raised: Hartford County

Monument Specifications: Square monument with rounded corners at top stands on a low base. Full-length figure of a dismounted Cavalryman appears in relief on the front face. He kneels on his proper right knee, and holds his rifle diagonally in both hands. The figure wears a cap and goatee, and is seen in profile. Reliefs of a State Seal and a crossed-sword Corps insignia are affixed to the reverse side. The base and monument have rough-hewn edges. The cost was $900. It indicates the approximate position held by the Company on July 3, 1863, as it fought along side John B. McIntosh’s Cavalry Brigade against Stuart’s Confederate Cavalry.

Dedication Date: ca. 1890. Dedicated Oct. 23, 1890

Main Inscription: CO. A PURNELL LEGION/MARYLAND CAVALRY/MARYLAND’S TRIBUTE TO HER LOYAL SONS.

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

Companies “A” and “B” organized at Pikesville September to November, 1861. Company “A” attached to Dix’s Command, Baltimore, Md., Middle Department, to July, 1862. Lockwood’s Brigade, District of the Eastern Shore, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to January, 1863. 1st Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps, to June, 1863. 3rd Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps, to December, 1863. 1st Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE (Company “A”) Duty on the eastern shore of Maryland and in St. Mary’s County, Md., until July, 1865. Near Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., July 14, 1863. Mustered out July 28, 1865. Legion lost while in service 7 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 24 Enlisted men by disease. Total 31.

Comments on this Post

One Response to “* Purnell Legion (Maryland Cavalry, Company A)”

1. robert e duvall says:

   January 13, 2009 at 10:48 pm

   is this duvall a decendant of my forebear maurean the immgrant? and where might i find more about this robert?