Frederick Homer

He enrolled as 2nd Lieutenant of Company E, 6th New Jersey Infantry on 9 September 1861. He was detailed to the Signal Corps in March 1862 and assigned to the Second Army Corms, Army of the Potomac. At Hanover Court House, VA on 27 May:

The battery with which Lieut. Homer served was pouring its fire upon a hill held by the rebels, and was doing good service when a column of our troops advanced from the opposite direction, drove the rebels from the position and occupied the abandoned field. The movement was conducted under the confusion and smoke incident to a heavy cannonade, and was so rapid that the commandant of the battery was unaware of the change effected.

The appearance of the large force coming over the hill caused the guns to be accurately trained, and the command "Fire!" was given. Lieut. Homer cried out, "Hold, Captain." The hand of the officer went up just in time to stop the gunners, in whose hands the lanyards were tightening. "I think they are our men," said Homer. Catching up a signal flag, he sent the following message to Lieut. Marston, "Are those our men on the hill ?" When the reply came, "Yes," the captain of the battery exclaimed, "Thank God for that! so much for the signal officer."

On 12 September 1862 he was posted to Point of Rocks, MD. On the 19th he was stationed with General Porter near Boteler's Ford on the Potomac.

He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 1 December 1862 and was at Fredericksburg later that month. He was dismissed on 14 July 1864.

His basic service from the Register 1 with details from Brown,2 source also of the quote above and his picture. Maryland Campaign events from Captain B.F. Fisher's Report, as Lieutenant Horner.