The Third Regiment of Cavalry, Maryland Volunteers, otherwise known as "The Bradford Dragoons," named after the Hon. Augustus W. Bradford, the War Governor of Maryland, was organized at Baltimore, Md., from August 8, 1863, to January 9, 1864.

The Third Regiment of Cavalry consisted of ten companies; they were enlisted for three years.

The Third Regiment was consolidated into a battalion of six companies, December 9, 1864.

Companies A, B, C and H were recruited in Baltimore City, Companies D, E, F and G were recruited at Fort Delaware from Confederate prisoners of war, who had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States of America.

Company I was recruited in Frederick County and Baltimore City, Company K was recruited in Baltimore City and from the re-enlisted men of the Second Maryland Cavalry.

After the regimental organization was completed, the Third Regiment of Cavalry was sent by steamship to Louisiana, and immediately entered on active field duty.

The Third Regiment of Cavalry formed a part of General N. P. Banks' Army in the ill-fated Red River Expedition.

When the Army of the South, under General Canby, was sent to operate against Mobile, Alabama, the Third Regiment of Cavalry was assigned to duty with it and rendered valuable service.

The active field duty of the Third Regiment of Cavalry in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and the exposure incident thereto, had caused serious loss by disease, and, in consequence of its reduced numbers, a consolidation of companies was ordered, and the regiment reduced to a battalion of six companies. Company A was transferred to Company B, Company C to I, Company D to E, Company G- to F, Company H to K.

The Third Maryland Cavalry Battalion was mustered out of the military service of the United States at Vicksburg, Miss., September 7, 1865.

The Third Regiment of Cavalry during its term of service marched one hundred and ninety-eight (198) miles, travelled by rail one thousand four hundred and five (1405) miles, and by water three thousand two hundred and eighty-five (3285) miles, or a total of four thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight (4888) miles.

Casualties by death in the Third Regiment of Cavalry were as follows : Died of wounds received in battle, eleven (11); died of disease, etc.—commissioned officers, four (4); enlisted men, eighty (80); total, eighty-four (84); or an aggregate death list of ninety-five (95).

Source:
History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861-6, Volume 1 Volume 367, Page 757

Organized at Baltimore, Md., August 8, 1863, to January 9, 1864. Attached to Cavalry Reserve, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to January, 1864. Unattached, Defenses of New Orleans, La., Dept. of the Gulf, to March, 1864. District of LaFourche, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1864. District of Morganza, Dept. of the Gulf, to August, 1864. United States forces, Mobile Bay, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1865. District of Southern Alabama, Military Division of West Mississippi, to May, 1865. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, West Mississippi, to June, 1865. Dept. of Mississippi to September, 1865.

SERVICE.--Duty in the Defenses of Baltimore, Md., until January, 1864. Ordered to New Orleans, La., thence to Madisonville, La., and duty there until March, 1864. Expedition to Franklinton February 1-3. Flemming's Ford, Madisonville, February 11. Ordered to Brashear City March 14 and duty there until June. At Morganza until July. Expedition to the Atchafalaya May 30-June 5. Morgan's Ferry Road June 9. Ordered to New Orleans, La., July 1. Dismounted July 7. Sailed from Algiers for Mobile Bay, Ala., August 5. Siege operations against Fort Morgan August 9-23. Capture of Fort Morgan August 23. Post duty at Dauphin's Island and in District of Southern Alabama until March, 1865. Campaign against Mobile March and April. Garrison duty at Fort Gaines until April 30. Ordered to New Orleans, La., April 30, and duty there until June. Ordered to Natchez, Miss., June 20. Duty there and In the Dept. of Mississippi until September. Mustered out at Vicksburg, Miss., September 7, 1865.

Source:
The Civil War Archive