Ex Carlile collection.  POW Sycamore Church VA.  Joel W. Cloudman who at age of 40 enlisted as a Private in the 1st D.C. Calvary, Aug. 1863, serving under Col. Lafayette C. Baker. The unit became known as “Baker’s Mounted Rangers” and reportedly only took orders from the War Department. Cloudman enlisted as a private, but became a favorite of Col. Baker and in less than three months was promoted to Captain with his commission signed by Pres. Lincoln. Capt. Cloudman returned to Maine and raised a Company of 140 men and returned to Washington in October 1863. In the Spring of 1864, the unit joined Gen. Benjamin Butler’s army and at that time were the only regiment in the Army of the Potomac armed with Henry rifles. The 1st D.C. Cavalry engaged in several major battles during which time Capt. Cloudman was promoted to Major. In Sept. 1864 he was captured at Sycamore Church, but was held for only a short time. In August 1864, the unit was transferred to the 1st Maine Cavalry where they saw additional battles and in Feb. 1865 Maj. Cloudman was discharged for disability and died in 1877 in Stetson, Maine.