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MAINE

IN THK

WAR FOR THE UNION:

.A. HISTORY

OF THE

PART BORNE BY MAINE TROOPS

IN THE SUPPRESSION OF

THE AMERICAN REBELLION.

By WILLIAM E. S. WHITMAN,
CHABLES H. TRUE.

JLEWISTON:

NELSON DINGLEY JE. & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1865.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865,
Bt NELSON DINGLEY, JR., & CO.,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maine.

PREFACE,

When it was decided to commence the undertaking of pre
paring a volume in which should be recorded what Maine had
done through her noble sons as her share in maintaining the
honor, integrity and unity of the Republic, for the purpose of
having the work as truthful and as complete as it could be
made, the editors immediately opened a correspondence with
officers and men in the service in whose statements they had
implicit confidence, setting forth their design and soliciting of
such parties their co-operation by furnishing us, at the earliest
moment, such information as it was in their power to give.
Adverting to the honor and reputation of the State and of the
organizations with which they were connected, we enjoined
upon them the importance of not disregarding our request,
which we are happy to state was quite satisfactorily complied
with. With such material as was furnished, in addition to that
obtained from official sources, we have been able to perform the
task assigned us. Those from whom we have derived such
private assistance, were all actors in the scenes narrated. The
accuracy of the work ought, therefore, to be reasonably satis
factory, as great pains have been taken to make it of incalculable
value in this respect, although it is not impossible but that a
few errors have crept in unwarily, escaping our scrutiny in the
work of preparation.
The design and scope of the work is to preserve in a perma
nent form for perpetual remembrance, the important services

IV PREFACE.
which Maine has rendered in this great struggle for human
rights. Written in a spirit of impartiality, with an eye single
to the credit and honor of the State, it is hoped it will be found
a valuable compendium of what her gallant soldiers have suffered
and achieved. Every note-worthy incident and deed of per
sonal valor to which our attention has been called, we have
given. This feature necessarily adds to the interest and, intrin
sic merit of the work.
While our task has been exceedingly perplexing at times,
owing to certain facts for which we sought not being forth
coming, we persevered until the end was reached, and we now
submit to the public, especially to the relatives and friends of
those in the service, the result of our labors to await their
verdict. When a general history of the rebellion is written by com
petent hands this volume will then be found a useful storehouse
to draw such material as is necessary to show what Maine did
in its suppression. In this regard our labors can but be of
value, collecting, as we have, much important material that in
the lapse of time would have been lost, had we not treasured it
in this record;
To those kind friends to whom we are indebted for assistance,
and to the gentleipen of the press who have favored us with files
of newspapers, we express our profoundest thanks. To the State
authorities we also owe a debt of gratitude for the privileges
accorded us and for their sanction and approval of our effort.
In view of the possibility of the publication of another edition,
it is highly desirable that all persons who have in their posses
sion information of heroic acts, interesting incidents in the field
or in camp, or other matter relating to tHe participation of our
troops in battle, their movements, positions, &c, should forward
the same without delay to
THE EDITORS.
Augusta, Me., March, 1865.

INDEX.

Preface  ;  i
Index  ,  v
Chapter I.— Introductory Chapter  1
Chapter II. — First Regiment Infantry  26
Reception in New York, 28; Incidents in Camp, 32:; Return to Mains '
and reception of, 34.
Chapter III. — Second Regiment Infantry  SI
Presentation of California Flag to, 39-; Heroic Defence of Standard, 41 ;
Siege of Yorktown, 45; Battle of Hanovet Court House, 48; Gaines'
Mill, 47; Malvern Hill, 48 ', Groveton, 50; Antietam and Fredericks-
burgh, 51; ChancellorsviRe, 54; Return to Maine, 54. '
Chapter IV. — Third Regiment Infantfy  58
Battle of Bull Run, 60; Siege of Yorktown and Battle of Williamsburgh,
65; Battle of Fair Oaks, 66; Glendale and Malvern Hill, 68; Groveton,
6,9; Chantilly, 70; Engagement with Stuart's Cavalry, 70; Battle of
, Fredericksburgh, 71; Gettysburgh, 74; Wapping Heights, 76; The Wil
derness, 77; Return to Maine, 79.
Chapter V. — Fourth Regiment Infantry  82
Battle of Bull Run, 84; Mutiny in, 87; Siege of Yorktown,, 90; Battle
of Williamsburghj91; Seven Pines, 92; Glendale and Malvern Hill, 94';
Second Bull Run, 96; Engagement with Stuart's Cavalry, 98; Battle of
Fredericksburgh, 99; Gettysburgh, 103; Wapping Heights, 104; Wilder
ness, 106; Return to Maine and Reception of, 107.
Chapter VI. — Fifth Regiment Infantry.  Ill
Battle of Bull Run, 113; Gaines' Mill, 117; IJpgagement near Cramp-
ton's Pass, 119; Battle of Antietanj, 120; Fredericksburgh, 121; Rap
pahannock Station, 126'; Wilderness, 129; Spottsylvania Court House,
130; Return to Maine, 133.
Chapter VII. — Sixth Regiment Infantry   '. . 136
Siege of Yorktown, 139; Battle of Williamsburgh, 142; Golding's Farm,
144; Savage's Station, 146; Fredericksburgh, 151; Rappahannock Sta
tion, 158; Return to Maine, 161.

VI INDEX. ,
Chapter VIII. — Seventh Regiment Infantry  ? • • • 163
Siege of. Yorktown, 167; Battle of Williamsburgh, 169; Mechanicsville,
171; Golding's Farm, 174; White Oak Swamp, 177; Crampton's Pass,
179; Antietam, 180; Fredericksburgh, 181; Gettysburgh, 183; Wilder
ness, 1$6; Spottsylvania Court House, 187; Return to Maine, 191.
Chapter IX.— Eighth Regiment Infantry  192
Bombardment of Fort Pulaski, 195; Siege of Charleston, 198; Engage
ment at Drury 's Bluff, 202; Battle of Coal Harbor, 203; Chapin's Farm,
207.
Chapter X. — Ninth Regiment Infantry  209
Bombardment of Port Royal, 212; Arrival at Fernandina, 212; Attack
on Morris Island, 216; Assault on Fort Wagner, 218; Battle of Drury 's
Bluff, 221; Coal Harbor, 222.
Chapter XI.— Tenth Regiment Infantry  225
Battle of Winchester, 229; Cedar Mountain, 237; Antietam, 242; Ex
piration of service, 249 ; Hospitalities in Baltimore, 251 ; Return to Maine,
253; "Major" 254; Battalion of, 258. .
Chapter XII. — Eleventh Regiment Infantry  ..261
Battle of Williamsburgh, 264; Seven Pines, 266; White Oak Swamp,
272; Siege of Wagner, 279; Battle of Deep Bottom, 282; Deep Run,
284; Return of non-reenlisted men to Maine, 286.
Chapter XIII.— Twelfth Regiment Infantry  288
Expedition to Pass Manchac,- 290; Battle of Ponchatoula, 291; Irish
Bend, 294; Winchester, 296; Cedar Creek, 297;' Battalion of, 298.
Chapter XIV. — Thirteenth Regiment Infantry  300
Ship Island, 302; Texas Expedition, 305; Battle of Pleasant Hill, 312;
Shenandoah Valley, 314; Consolidation, 317.
Chapter XV. — Fourteenth Regiment Infantry  318
Battle of Baton Rouge, 320; Expeditions to Amite River, 323; Siege of
Port Hudson, 325; Expedition to Sabine Pass, 326 ; Battle of Winchester,
829; Cedar Creek, 331; Battalion of, 332.
Chapter XVI. — Fifteenth Regiment Infantry  334
Pensacola, 335; Texas Expedition, 339; Red River Expedition, 341; ,
Shenandoah Valley, 342.
Chapter XVII. — First Company of Sharpshooters  343
Battle of Groveton, 345, South Mountain, 346; Fredericksburgh, 347;
Gettysburgh, 348.
Chapter XVIII.— First Regiment Cavalry  350
Battle of Middleton, 354; Aldie, 361; Middleburgh, 362; Winchester,
364; Kilpatrick's Raid, 368; Sheridan's Raid, 371 ; Engagement near
St. Mary's Church, 375; Expedition to Reams' Station, 378; Reconnois
sance to Rowejity Creek, 380; Reconnoissance to Stony Creek Station, 382.
Chapter XIX.— First Regiment Light Artillery  383

INDEX. VII
Chapter XX. — First Mounted Battery  385
Expedition up the Teche, 386; Before Port Hudson, 387; Battle of Win
chester, 389; Cedar Creek, 390.
Chapter XXI. — Second Mounted Battery  392
Battle of Fredericksburgh, 394; Gettysburgh, 395; Wilderness and Coal
Harbor, 396; Before Petersburgh, 396.
Chapter XXII.— Third Mounted Battery  399
Chapter XXIII. — Fourth Mounted Battery  403
Battle of Cedar Run, 403; Coal Harbor, 408; Front of Petersburgh, 409.
Chapter XXIV.— Fifth Mounted Battery  410
Battle of Fredericksburgh, 411; Chancellorsville 412; Gettysburgh, 413 ;
Winchester, 414; Cedar Creek, 415.
Chapter XXV.— -Sixth Mounted Battery  417
Battle of Second Bull Run, 419; Gettysburg, 422; -Wilderness, 424;
Before Petersburgh, 426.
Chapter XXVI. — Sixteenth Regiment Infantry  428
Battle of Fredericksburgh, 433; Gettysburgh, 435; Spottsylvania Court
House, 440; Before Petersburgh, 442.
¦Chapter XXVII. — Seventeenth Regiment Infantry  446
Battle of Fredericksburgh, 448; Chancellorsville, 449 ; Gettysburgh, 450 ^
Wilderness, 453; North Anna, 454; Before Petersburgh, 455.
Chapter XXVIII. — Eighteenth Regiment Infantry   458
Organized as First Regiment Heavy Artillery, 459 ; Join the Army at
Spottsylvania Court House, 460; Engagement near SpottBylvania, 462;
North Anna, 464; Assault near O'Haire House, 468; Fort Sedgwick, 471 ;
Engagement at Boydton Plank Road, 472.
Chapter XXIX.. — Nineteenth Regiment Infantry  475
Battle of Fredericksburgh, 477; Gettysburgh, 480; Bristoe's Station,.
485; Po River, 485; Bethesda Church, 485; Petersburgh, 486; Reams'
Station, 487.
Chapter XXX. — Twentieth Regiment Infantry  490
Battle of Fredericksburgh, 491; Gettysburgh, 493; Wilderness, 495;
Spottsylvania Court House, 496 ; Assault on Rebel Works at Petersburgh,
497; Engagement on Weldon Railroad, 498; Gen. Ames, 498; Gen.
Chamberlain, 499.
Chapter XXXI. — Twenty-first Regiment Infantry.  500
Engagement near Plains' Church, 503; Assault on Pori; Hudson, 504.
Chapter XXXII.— Twenty-Second Regiment Infantry  506
Engagement near Franklin, 508; Assault on Port Hudson, 510.
.Chapter XXXIII. — Twenty-third Regiment Infantry  515
Guarding the Fords of the Potomac, 617; In Virginia, 518; At Harper's ,
Ferry, 619.

viii index.
Chapter XXXIV.— Twenty-fourth Regiment Infantry  520
In Louisiana, 521 ; Assault on Port Hudson, 522.
Chapter XXXV.— Twenty-fifth Regiment Infantry  523
On Arlington Heights, 524; At Chantilly,' 525.
Chapter XXXVI. — Twenty-sixth Regiment Infantry  521
Skirmish at Baton Rouge, 529; Battle of Irish Bend, 531; Assault on
Port Hudson, 532.
Chapter XXX VII .—Twenty-seventh Regiment Infantry  534
At Chantilly, 536; Volunteer to Assist in Defence of Washington, 538.
Chapter XXXVIII.— Twenty-eighth Regiment Infantry.. .. ,540
Below New Orleans, 542; At Pensacola, 542;. Return to New Orleans,
543; Operations against Port Hudson, 544; Defence of Fort Butler, 544.
Chapter XXXIX.: — Twenty-ninth Regiment Infantry  ... 548
Arrival at New Orleans, 650; At Franklin, 550; March to Red River,
550; Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, 550; Pleasant Hill, 550; In the Shen
andoah Valley, 552; Battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar
Creek, 552.
Chapter XL. — Thirtieth Regiment Infantry  554
Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, 556; Pleasant Hill, 557; Join the Army of
the James, 560; Transferred to the Shenandoah Valley, 560.
Chapter XLI. — Second Regiment Cavalry  563
Arrival at New Orleans, 564; In the Red River Expedition, 564; Trans
ferred to Pensacola, 565; Raid to Marianna, 565; Raid to Pollard, 567.
Chapter XLII. — Seventh Mounted Battery  570
Battle of Spottsylvania, 570; Bethesda Church, Coal Harbor and Peters
burgh, 571.
Chapter XLIII. — First District Columbia Cavalry  .513
Arrival at Washington, 574; Raid on Petersburgh, 574; Engagements
below Petersburgh, 574; Rebel attack upon the Regiment 'while Guarding
Cattle, 575; Consolidation with the First Maine Cavalry, 576.
Chapter XLIV. — Thirty-first Regiment Infantry  511
Battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Bethesda Church, 578; Assault
on Fort at Petersburgh, 579 ; Engagement near Poplar Spring Churoh, 580.
Chapter XLV. — Thirty-second Regiment Infantry.  582
Battle of Wilderness, 683; Spottsylvania and Coal Harbor, 584; Assault
on Fort at Petersburgh, 685; Poplar Spring, 586; Consolidation with
Thirty-first Maine Regiment, 686.
Chapter XLVI. — First Regiment Veteran Infantry  581
Battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, 588.
Appendix  589

MA-INE

IN the

WAR FOE THE UNION.

i.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
When the standard of our nationality was insulted on the
twelfth of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and the sym
bol of our power trodden in the dust, the unhallowed blow
caused the great heart of twenty millions of people to pulsate
with a feeling that their outraged honor must be vindicated.
The most momentous results were involved. The stability of;
our government, the best the world ever saw, was threatened.
Those whom we had looked upon as brothers ; who had shared
alike with us the glorious memories of the past, had: raised the
dastardly hand of treason and aimed a blow at the life of the
Republic. The assault and reduction of Fort Sumter inspired
a patriotism that rallied millions of freemen to defend their
country's flag. The sublime uprising that occurred'* presented
a spectacle that was never witnessed tiefore in any age. or coun
try. Rome, in the height of her power and grandeur, never
furnished such a scene. It was a demonstration of .fidelity to
the Union, and fealty to the constitution that was an assurance
of success. War, with all its hardships and countless miseries,
was far preferable to national degradation. If a resort to- arms
was necessary to sustain the supremacy of the laws, the issue
was cheeJftilly accepted. If the fate of this nation was to be
settled by the stern arbitrament of the sword, not one would
shrink to perform his duty.

2 MAINE IN THE WAR.
In the great crisis that was upon us, there was but one heart
and one purpose in the loyal States. Alive to the perils that
surrounded us, and to prove to other powers that we, as a peo
ple, were capable of self-government, a unanimity and patriotic
ardor that was unprecedented in the annals of history, pervaded
every community. Party lines and platforms disappeared, past
differences were forgotten, and the North stood a unit. From
every quarter came the cheerful intelligence that the manly
and heroic were vieing with each other in their devotion to the
flag, and in their pledges of aid to redress the foul wrong that
had been perpetrated by fratricidal hands.
In the glorious uprising that took place no State was in
advance of Maine in showing its devotion to the national cause.
True to the spirit of her revolutionary ancestors the unquench
able fire of patriotism gleamed in the eyes of her citizens, and
with a promptitude of action not to be excelled by any of her
sister States, she rallied to arms with a firm and unwavering
determination that the lawless insurgents of the South should
be punished, and the unity of the Government preserved in its
integrity as it was handed down by our fathers. An enthusi
asm was kindled that filled the breasts of her noble sons with
an eagerness to avenge the foul blow that had been struck, and
to co-operate with the Government in every measure that would
tend to crush out treason forever. Mothers, wives, and sisters,
animated by the same spirit, and proud of the opportunity to
make any sacrifice, with tears of joyous pride, gladly offered
all that was dear to them. Throughout her beautiful domain
of liberty, her hill-tops and valleys resounded with martial music
and gleamed with bristling bayonets. The air was resonant
with vocal patriotism. There was a deep and abiding sentiment
among her people, that, come what may, the Union must be
preserved at whatever cost of life and treasure. In all of the
principal places in the State the people met together in council.
In fact, nearly every community was aroused to the highest
pitch of excitement, men of all parties vieing with each other
in their expressions of maintaining the Union at all hazards.
The pulpit invoked Divine guidance in, this hour of peril, and
prayed for God's blessing on such as should go fortl^to defend
this majestic column of constitutional liberty. Banks and pri
vate citizens tendered such material aid to the Government for

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 3
war purposes as was necessary. The ladies were awake to the
call of duty and patriotism, and anxious to have some service
allotted to them where they could testify their devotion to the
cause. In Skowhegan a few ladies got out a field piece and
fired a salute of thirty-four guns. As an instance of the alacrity
with which men responded to arms, in several towns volunteer
companies were raised in twenty-four hours. The Lewiston
Light Infantry, Auburn Artillery, and Portland Rifle Guards
were among the first companies to tender their services. The
former was the first company to fill its ranks and be accepted
and ordered into service by the Governor. In four hours after
the enlistment roll was opened in Cherryfield, fifty volunteers
had entered their names. Other towns did as nobly. In China
a volunteer company voted unanimously to offer their services
to the State immediately. Mr. Henry B. Humphrey, a wealthy
gentleman of Thomaston, offered to arm and equip a company
of artillery, at an expense of $15,000.
The opening of hostilities found the militia of Maine in a
neglected and disorganized condition, incident to a protracted
period of uninterrupted peace. With an enrolled but unarmed
militia of some sixty thousand men, no more than twelve hun
dred, and these mere paper organizations, were in a condition
to respond to calls for ordinary duty within the State in emer
gencies contemplated by the constitution. But, notwithstanding
this state of afiairs, when the President's call for seventy-five
thousand volunteers was issued, April fifteenth, eighteen hun
dred and sixty-one, Maine promptly answered the requisition
made on her by sending the First and Second regiments of
infantry under the command of the gallant Jackson and the
lamented Jameson, respectively, every man of which was fully
armed and equipped in a manner that subsequently elicited from
the Secretary of War, (Mr. Cameron,) his thanks and commen
dation to our chief executive. Gov. Washburn, who, at that
time occupied the executive chair of State, finding himself
without sufficient- authority of law to meet the requisition made
on him by the President, for a portion of our militia to aid in
suppressing the rebellious combination that existed, and deem
ing it one of those extraordinary occasions contemplated in the
constitution for convening the Legislature, issued a proclamation
April sixteenth, for that body to assemble on the twen$y-sf§ond

4 MAINE IN THE WAR.
of that month, at twelve o'clock, meridian, for the purpose oi
considering and determining on such measures as the condition
of the country and the obligations of the State seemed to
demand. On the assembling of the Legislature an act was
passed providing for the raising of ten regiments of volunteers,
and authorizing a loan of a million of dollars. This led to the
promulgation of a general order calling for ten thousand volun
teers, to be organized into ten regiments, without regard to
military districts, to be immediately enlisted and mustered into
the active militia service of the State. This order was directed
to Major Generals James H. Butler, Bangor ; Wm. H. Titcomb,
Rockland ; and Wm. W. Virgin, of Norway, in command of the
three military divisions of the State. Dr. Alonzo Garcelon, of
Lewiston, was appointed Hospital Surgeon and head of the
Medical Department of the State, which is the same position as
Surgeon General in other States.
The act of the Legislature authorizing these troops to be
raised, caused them to be enlisted for two years unless sooner
discharged. The First and Second regiments were thus enlisted ;
the former was mustered into the service of the United States
for three months, and the latter for two years. The Third,
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth regiments were als© thus enlisted, but
subsequent orders from the War Department, requiring all State
volunteers to be mustered into government service for three
years, rendered an amendment necessary to our mode t>f enlist
ment. This consisted in signing a contract to serve for an
additional year. Those who declined enlisting for this time,
excepting those of the First and Second regiments, were
discharged. Several hundred efficient men were thus, for the
time, lost to the service, as was also the amount paid them,
their subsistence, and the expense of enlisting them.
Within three weeks after the adjournment of the extra session
of the Legislature the patriotic response of our citizens to the
supposed requirements of the government, in the prompt
organization of companies, was so far in excess of the prepara
tions which were possible to be made by the authorities at
Washington, that it was deemed necessary, in the exercise of a
wise economy, not only on the part of the State and General
Government, but also in relieving our public-spirited citizens,
thu^volunteering their services, of the unavoidable sacrifices

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 5
attendant upon keeping up military corps for which no promise
or hope of immediate active service could be obtained, that all
the organized companies in excess of those designated and
necessary for six regiments, should be disbanded ; or at their
election, be placed upon such footing as to drill and compen
sation, as would measurably relieve them, and yet secure their
services when called for. Under General Orders the following
companies were duly mustered at their respective places*of
rendezvous, and paid for service from the date of their several
organizations up to, and including, the day of payment:
Captain West's, East Machias ; Captain Sawyer's, Dixmont ;
Captain Roberts', Dexter ; Captain Boynton's, Newport ; Cap
tain Carlisle's, Bangor; Captain Cass', Bangor ; Captain Law
rence's, Gardiner; Captain Norris', Monmouth; Captain Duly's,
Phipsburg; Captain Jones', Waldoboro'; Captain Crowell's,
Winterport; Captain Robinson's, Unity; Captain Jones', China;
Captain Chase's, Fairfield; Captain McDonald's, Buckfield;
Captain Houghton's, Woodstock; Captain McArthur's, Lim-
ington; Captain Andrews', Biddeford.
Of these companies, Captains Duly's, Jones' of Waldoboro',
Robinson's and Andrews', made their election to devote, not
exceeding two days, or an equivalent, each week, to drill and
instruction until otherwise ordered, and to be paid pro rata
therefor, without quarters or rations. The other companies
elected to take leave of absence, without pay or rations, until
called for. Twelve of these commanding officers, with a large
portion of their companies as then existing, have since gone
into actual service in regiments subsequently accepted by the
Government, and this has also been the case with Captain
Hutchins' company, of New Portland, which was put upon
leave of absence.
After the sending forward of the first six regiments, Gov.
Washburn was induced to discontinue enlistments in consequence
of information received from Washington that the Government
would not accept additional troops from Maine. But after
Brig. Gen. Sherman had visited this State and concerted meas
ures with Gov. Washburn in regard to his naval expedition, it
was made certain that additional regiments would be required,
and accordingly new energy and vigor were infused into the

6 MAINE IN THE WAR.
work, and the organization of the four remaining regiments
completed. In the meanwhile the first battle of Bull Run took place, in
which the soldiers of Maine bore an honorable and conspicuous
part, winning fame for themselves, and shedding glory on the
noble State that sent them forth to patriotic duty. Of the
troops actually engaged on the loyal side, nearly one-fourth
were from Maine, and though the day terminated in a reverse
to the Federal Arms, the signal valor displayed by our soldiers
in the face, of greatly superior numbers, left its own potent
assurance of our future and permanent triumph. Our reverse
on this occasion led to the promulgation of an order by Gov.
Washburn directing the enlistment of additional regiments of
volunteers, in which he said :
"Whilst observing* with the most grateful pride and admiration, the brave
conduct of our Regiments already in the field, the Governor and Commander-in-
Chief calls upon the loyal men of the State to emulate the patriotic zeal and
courage of their brothers who have gone before them. The issue involved is one
on which there can be no divided opinion in Maine. It affects not only the
integrity of our Union, but the very life of Republican Government. For the
preservation of these, Maine will pour out her best blood, and expend her richest
treasure. Having already contributed generously of the flower of her youth
and manhood, Maine must send yet more of her stalwart sons, to do battle for
the preservation of the Union, and for the supremacy of Law."
From this moment the work of recruiting progressed without
interruption until the reception of orders relieving the State
authorities from all further participation in this service from
and after January first, eighteen hundred and sixty-two. It
was found, however, that more troops were indispensable to
the plans of the Government in suppressing the rebellion, and
as our sister States, some of whom were already in advance of
us in the quota of troops furnished, were rapidly progressing
with still other military organizations, authority was given by
the War Department to organize five more regiments of infantry,
(with power to increase the number to eight,) a regiment of
cavalry, six batteries of light artillery, and a company of rifle
sharpshooters.' Before the departure of these corps for the seat of war, the
unexpectedly favorable aspect of national affairs achieved by
the valor of loyal arms, at the beginning of the year eighteen
hundred and sixty-two, led to the following official expression
by the Legislature, then in session.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 7
STATE OF MAINE.
Resolve relating to recent national victories.
Resolved, That the Legislature, for ourselves and in behalf of the State,
tender to the gallant officers and soldiers of the army, and to the officers and
soldiers of the navy of the United States, our warmest thanks for the brilliant
victories recently won by their valor and skill in the States of Georgia, South
Carolina, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, and
that the Governor be requested to order a salute to be fired in testimony of our
appreciation of the honor and glory which these signal successes reflect on the
arms of the Uniori. [Approved February 18, 1862.]
In compliance with this resolve, a salute of one hundred guns
was fired at the capitol. Up to this period Maine had raised
and organized for service, fifteen regiments of infantry, one
regiment of cavalry, six batteries of mounted artillery, one
company of sharpshooters, besides four companies of coast
guards, which served by authority of the War Department.
On April third, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the Adjutant
General of the United States ordered the volunteer recruiting
service in this State to cease and all enlistments were suspended
until May twenty-first, when authority was given under the
direction of the War Department, for the raising of the Six
teenth regiment of infantry for three years service. At that
time there were no intimations of an immediate call for additional
three years' troops from this State ; but within a few weeks a
requisition was made upon the State, for its quota upon the call
of July second, for three hundred thousand volunteers for three
years' service under the General Government, and this regiment
with the Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth,
authorized by General Orders, and numerous recruits for regi
ments in the field, furnished by cities, towns and plantations
upon requirements or quotas based upon population, were
received by the Government in satisfaction of this requisition.
Previous to these orders being issued the following eloquent
appeal came from our Chief Magistrate ;
Executive Department, July 4, 1862.
To the People of Maine :
An additional number of troops is required by the exigency of the public
service, and if raised immediately, it is believed by those who have ;the best
means of knowledge, that the war will be brought to a speedy and glorious issue.
Of this number the President of the United States desires and expects that
Maine should furnish her proportion or quota.

8 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Our gallant and patriotic State has done her whole duiy in the past, and she
will not falter nor fail in the present nor the future.
That her natural interests may be protected and advanced ; that tranquillity
and peace may be restored throughout the land; that the Constitution and the
Union, which have been to us all the source of unmeasured blessings, may be
preserved; that Liberty, of which they were the inspiration and are the selected
guardians, may be saved ; and that the light of one great example may shine
brighter and brighter, to guide, to cheer and to bless the nations; to aid in all
these, I invoke of the people Of this State, a prompt and hearty response to this
new demand upon their patriotism. And may they all unite in the work that
is before them, each laboring in his own sphere, doing what he can by his
example, influence and sympathy — proffering his treasure, his time, his strength,
his heart and his highest hopes to the cause of his country!
General Orders will be issued immediately, giving authority for raising new
regiments of infantry and for calling into actual service a portion of the ununi-
formed militia of the State. ISRAEL WASHBURN, Jn., Governor of Maine.
The action of our citizens in volunteering, in all parts of the
State, was so prompt that these regiments were filled in a very
short time. Before their organization was completed the Pres
ident, on the fourth of August, called for three hundred thousand
militia, to be raised by draft and to serve for nine months unless
sooner discharged. The assignment by the Secretary of War,
as the quota of this State under that call, was nine thousand
six hundred and nine ; a small deduction from which number
was authorized in consequence of the large number of enrolled
militia in the merchant marine and the navy, with the privilege
of furnishing volunteers instead of drafted men for the whole
or any portion of the number. Regulations for the enrolment
and draft under this requisition were issued by the War Depart
ment on the ninth of August, in General Orders, which directed
the designation of rendezvous for the troops and commandants
of the encampments, and also required the enrolment of all
able-bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen and
forty-five years, the appointment of a commissioner from each
county to superintend the drafting and hear and determine the
excuses of persons claiming exemption from military duty, in
case no provision was made by law for carrying into effect the
draft ordered, or if such provisions were defective. The stat
utes of our State being deemed sufficient for the emergency, no
commissioners were then appointed ; but all the other require
ments of the War Department were complied with. An enrol-

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 9
ment of persons liable to the performance of military duty
having been duly made in June preceding, under the law enacted
by the Legislature during its last session, a supplementary
enrolment only was required, the performance of which duty, with
few exceptions, was faithfully and promptly done. The draft was
ordered to take place the third day of September, but the time
was subsequently postponed to the tenth, when, proceedings
were commenced in those few towns which at that date were
found deficient in their quotas. The places of rendezvous were
as follows :
From the counties of Cumberland, York, Oxford and Andros
coggin, at " Camp Abraham Lincoln," at Portland, Col. John
Lynch, Commandant.
From the counties of Franklin, Somerset, Kennebec, Sagada
hoc, Lincoln and Knox, except the towns of Camden, Hope and
Appleton, at "Camp E. D. Keyes," Augusta, Col. George W.
Ricker, Commandant.
From the counties of Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot,
Hancock, Washington, Waldo, and the towns of Camden,
Hope and Appleton, in the county of Knox, at "Camp John
Pope," Bangor, Col. GideOn Mayo, Commandant.
These three places of rendezvous were deemed sufficient for
the wants of the service. It was the intention of the Chief
Executive that three regiments of nine months troops should
be rendezvoused and organized at each of these encampments,
and a General Order was issued that required such concen
trations of quotas from counties in immediate proximity to the
respective encampments as would secure. that result. The
numerous enlistments, however, authorized by Gov. Washburn,
from these troops into regiments already in the field for three
years' service having reduced the companies at Augusta and
Bangor below the number requisite for mustering, some four
hundred men of the quotas of Hancock and Washington coun
ties were detached from Camp John Pope to Camp E. D. Keyes,
filling up the latter for the three regiments organized there, and
leaving the former only the number required for two regiments.
The municipal authorities of the few towns within which drafts
were made, effected arrangements which enabled them, in every
instance, to fill their quotas or such portions of them as it was
found possible at that time to. complete, by voluntary enlist-

10 MAINE IN THE WAR.
ments ; so that the regiments, organized for nine months' service
under the call of August fourth, were composed exclusively of
volunteers. At the close of October, it being found that a few towns in
each county had been remiss in furnishing the balance of their
quotas upon the calls of July and August, a General Order was
issued, appointing a commissioner for each county to make a
draft on the twenty-ninth of November, in such towns as should
not by that time enlist the required number of soldiers. These
gentlemen rendered so efficient service in facilitating enlistments
for delinquent towns, that they found it unnecessary, in any
instance, to resort to the ulterior means authorized for accom
plishing the object of their appointment, and no drafts were
made under this order.
The following gentlemen were appointed commissioners for
the purposes specified:
Androscoggin County — Wm. P. Frye, Lewiston.
Aroostook County — Eben Woodbury, Hoiilton.
Cumberland County — John Lynch, Portland.
Franklin County^Simeon H. Lowell, Farmington.
Hancock County — Parker W. Perry, Ellsworth.
Kennebec County — George W. Ricker, Augusta.
Knox County — Joseph Farwell, Rockland.
Lincoln County — E. W. Stetson, Damariscotta.
Oxford County — J. C. Marble, Paris.
Penobscot County — Gideon Mayo, Orono.
Piscataquis County — Charles W. Lowell, Foxcroft.
Sagadahoc County — James Carney, Richmond.
Somerset County — T. H. Dinsmore, Skowhegan.
Waldo County — N. G. Hichborn, Stockton.
Washington County — George W. Dyer, Calais.
York County— E. H. Banks, Biddeford.
Among those cities and towns which not only responded
promptly and cheerfully to the calls of July second and August
fourth, but left the remainder of the State indebted to them for
a surplus sent forth in addition to their quotas, are the following :
Androscoggin County — Danville, Lewiston and Webster.
Aroostook County— the towns of Lyndon, Sherman, Wash
burn, and Weston ; and Crystal, Fremont, Portage Lake (only
one able-bodied man left in it), and Macwahoc plantations.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 11
Cumberland County — Brunswick.
Franklin County — New Vineyard and Wilton.
Hancock County — Eastbrook, Eden, Ellsworth, Franklin,
Hancock and Otis.
Kennebec County — the cities of Augusta and Gardiner, and
the towns of Manchester, Monmouth, West Gardiner, Windsor
and Clinton Gore.
Knox County — the towns of Appleton and Washington, and
Muscle Ridge plantation. ,
Lincoln County — Bristol.
Oxford County — Fryeburg, Peru, Sumner and Sweden.
Penobscot County — Bradley, Chester, Dixmont, Etna, La
Grange, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Oldtown, Orono, Springfield
and Winn.
Piscataquis County — Greenville, Monson and Elliotsville.
Sagadahoc County — Perkins, Richmond and Topsham.
Somerset County — Concord, Fairfield, Harmony, Lexington,
Mayfield, Moscow, Smithfield and The Forks.
Waldo County — Burnham, Freedom, Monroe, Swanville,
Waldo and Winterport.
Washington County — Calais, Crawford, Edmunds, Machias,
Marshfield, Meddybemps and Northfield.
York County — Biddeford, Cornish, Saco and South Berwick.
The town of Saco sent no less than twenty-five more men
than were required of her upon both quotas, regardless of the
large number _ previously sent. The other places named fur
nished from one to twenty in excess of the demand. The town
of Machias not only furnished its full quota, with almost unex
ampled promptness, but expressed a willingness and determina
tion to respond in like manner to all future calls. Some other
towns and plantations had more of their citizens in service than
were required of them, but as such recruits enlisted for, and
received the bounty of other places, their places of residence
were deprived of that honor which they really deserved.
In the year which followed (1863) the draft was enforced
by the general government under the conscription law. Major
J. W. T. Gardiner, of the Second U. S. Dragoons, a native of
Maine, who, for the past two years, had been acting as Super
intendent of Military Affairs in this State, received the appoint
ment of Acting Assistant Provest Marshal General of Maine.

12. MAINE IN THE WAR.
Boards of Enrolment were organized by the Government in all
of the Congressional Districts, of, which the Provost Marshals
were the official heads, as follows :
First District, comprising the counties of Cumberland and
York, C. H. Doughty, Provost Marshal; Edward S. Morris,
Commissioner; Dr. Theodore H.Jewett, Surgeon; headquarters,
Portland. Second District, comprising the counties of Oxford, Franklin,
Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, John S. Baker, Provost Marshal;
Joel Perham, Jr., Commissioner; Dr. Alcander Burbank, Sur
geon; headquarters, Lewiston.
Third District, comprising the counties of Kennebec, Somerset
and Lincoln, and the county of Knox excepting the towns of
South Thomaston, Rockland, Camden, Appleton, Hope, Vinal-
haven and North Haven, A. P. Davis, Provost Marshal; Henry
A. Williams, Commissioner; Dr. G. A. Wilbur, Surgeon; head
quarters, Augusta.
Fourth District, comprising the counties of Penobscot, Piscat
aquis and Aroostook, Elijah Low, Provost Marshal ; Charles H.
Chandler, Commissioner; Dr. A. S. Patten, Surgeon; head
quarters, Bangor.
Fifth District, comprising the counties of Washington, Waldo,
Hancock, and the towns of South Thomaston, Rockland, Cam
den, Appleton, Vinalhaven, Hope and North Haven, in the
county of Knox, A. D. Bean, Provost Marshal; Alvin G. Crock
er, Commissioner; Dr. Samuel B. Hunter, Surgeon; headquar
ters, Belfast.
The total result of the draft made this year was as follows :
Drafted and entered service, eight hundred and eight ; furnished
snbstitutes, one thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven ; paid
commutation, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven;
exempted, failed to report, &c, eleven thousand six hundred
and five. Total, sixteen thousand and eighty-seven.
The draft was quietly made, in every instance, with one single
exception, where an attempt was made in July, ia the towns of
Kingfield, Freeman and Salem, in the second district, to resist
its enforcement. This flagrant violation of law, however, was
promptly suppressed by an expedition composed of company
G, third division State Militia, of Lewiston, made up mostly
of returned veterans, and a detail of U. S. troops, the whole

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 13
I
under the command of Post Adjutant Webber, of Assistant
Provost Marshal General Gardiner's staff.
Following the draft another call was made by the President,
October seventeenth, for three hundred thousand volunteers,
which called forth the following stirring proclamation from the
Governor :
******* ** *
" Of this additional force Maine ik expected to furnish her quota, and she
will not disappoint that expectation. Now, as heretofore her patriotic men will
respond to the call,; and promptly furnish her full share of the force necessary
to vindicate the integrity of our, Government, and maintain the supremacy of
the laws of the Union.
" Our people, with almost entire unanimity, have determined that the present
rebellion shall be suppressed, and that the Union which it was designed to
destroy, shall be maintained. For this purpose they entered upon the contest,
and to this end they will persevere until the object be accomplished, and until
the world shall be satisfied that free men can endure more, and persevere longer
for the preservation of free government, than can the most desperate and
determined traitor for its destruction.
"The length of the conflict is not to be measured by years, but by events.
Treason is to be put down, and to that end should all the measures of the Gov
ernment be subservient. Great progress has already been made. Two years ago
rebellion was bold, defiant, and apparently successful in half the territory of
the Union, and our National Capital was literally besieged by armed traitors.
Since that time, by the valor of our arms, they have been expelled from the
greater part of this territory, and the banners of the Union now float in triumph
over more than half the States which were then claimed as component parts of
their boasted Confederacy.
* * * * <i &. little more pressure, a few more vigorous blows, and the
work of suppression will be accomplished, and our Union will stand forth in all
its former glory, not reconstructed, because not destroyed, but stronger for the
assault which has been made upon it. These are encouraging omens.
"But the work accomplished has cost immense labor, and has required
immense resources in both men and money. To sustain our armies who have
struggled so heroically and successfully, to fill their ranks which have been
reduced by the return of those whose term of service has expired, and thinned
by the casualties of the field, and to enable them to hold the vast territory which
has been conquered by their valor, and to bring the war to a successful and
speedy termination, more men are now wanted. Will these men be forthcoming ?
Who that knows anything of the past, or the patriotism of our people, can
doubt on this point ? I cannot. Our people will not wait for any coercive
power to-call them to duty; all they desire to know is, how mucB additional aid
is desired of them, and I feel full assurance that such aid will be rendered. I
therefore, with great confidence, call upon the citizens of this State, as with one
mind they have resolved to suppress the rebellion, with united hearts to provide
the mear* necessary to accomplish this object.

14 MAINE IN THE WAR.
****c<i summon, therefore, the loyal men of this State to aid in the
speedy accomplishment of this work.. I call upon the representatives of every
class to contribute of their numbers and their means. Personal efforts and
personal sacrifices are unworthy considerations, in comparison with the immense
issues at stake. Let not these be imperilled through our inactivity. I believe
that a proper appreciation of the necessities of the Government on the part of
the people of this State would render but a few days necessary to answer the call
of the President upon us. I am too well acquainted with the results of deter
mined effort in the past, to doubt this.
ABNER COBURN, Governor and Commander-in-Chief"
Pending the draft under the authority of the War Depart
ment, bearing date June twenty-ninth, Gov. Coburn received
permission to raise the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth regiments
of infantry, Second regiment of cavalry and the Seventh bat
tery of artillery, which were designated veteran volunteers,
and as a badge of honorable distinction, " service chevrons"
were furnished by the War Department, to be worn by these
troops, which honor was also conferred on all re-enlisted men,
whether they went into new or old organizations: These troops
were raised during the fall and winter, and promptly forwarded
to the seat of war. In addition to these corps, recruiting for
regiments in the service continued.
Under Gov. Cony's administration six companies of cavalry
were raised late in the winter for Baker's D. C. Cavalry, in
addition to one company raised by his predecessor. The Thirty-
first and Thirty-second regiments of infantry were also raised
under the Presidential call of February second, eighteen hun
dred and sixty-four. The Government at first, was not disposed
to accept these two regiments, the call being made for the
purpose of obtaining recruits for filling up old organizations.
But it appearing evident that recruits for new regiments could
be obtained more readily than for old organizations, and this
point being urged with no inconsiderable force by His Excel
lency — in consideration that Maine had invariably responded
promptly and fully to all previous calls, permission was granted
to raise two new organizations — a privilege accorded to but two
other States under that call.
The threatening aspect of affairs in July, produced by the
rebel invasion of Maryland and the District of Columbia, in
duced Gov. Cony, after ascertaining that all communication
with Washington was interrupted, to issue the follpwigg proc
lamation for volunteer troops : —

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 15
Executive Department, Augusta, July 13, 1864.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, rumors are rife that the National Capitol is in danger, the rebel
hordes having once more attempt^! the invasion of loyal States, with the purpose
equally of raising the seige of Richmond and the plunder and destruction of
the property of loyal people ; and whereas, in consequence of communication
being cut off with Washington, we are unable to concert measures of protection
or resistance with the national authorities ;
Therefore, I, SAMUEL CONY, Governor of the State of Maine, call upon all
good citizens, magistrates and people, within her limits and in every locality,
to make arrangements for the performance of a common duty — the driving
' back of the rebel foe.
I invite every citizen to constitute himself a recruiting officer, and request
that lists may at once be obtained of all men who are willing to enter the mili
tary service of the country, for the protection of the city of Washington and
defence of the loyal States, for a term not exceeding one hundred days.
General Orders will be issued, prescribing the mode of organization of forces,
which may be called upon to leave the State in this emergency.
There will be paid by the State, to each non-commissioned offieer and private
mustered into the service of the United States, and who shall actually leave the
State, in the nature of a bounty, a sum monthly, equal to the pay of a private,
in addition to the pay and allowances of the United States for every month's
service rendered.
Inasmuch as due provision by law for the creation of an organized, efficient
and adequate militia, to meet emergencies like the present, has been omitted,
the gravity of which omission the perils of the present moment demonstrate, we
are compelled to rely upon the necessarily slow process of unorganized volun
teering. Maine has ever been ready on all the occasions of this war to meet her full
share of responsibility and contribute her due proportion of soldiers for the
common cause, and your Chief Magistrate doubts not that her high character
for patriotic devotion will be maintained in the present crisis, and as the fathers
of the revolutionary days "left the plough in the furrow," that the sons in our
time will leave the grass in the swath, to repel the invasion of our soil.
SAMUEL CONY, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
Throughout the State a general response was made ; but the
danger surrounding the national capital being dispelled, and
Governor Cony being advised by the Secretary of War that a
call by the President for twelve months' troops would shortly
be issued, all action upon the proclamation was suspended.
The aggregate number of men furnished by Maine for the
suppression of the rebellion, up to July first, eighteen hundred
and sixty-four, exclusive of enlistments in the navy, and a
greater part of those in the regular army, is fifty-three
thousand two hundred and eighty-one. This includes seven

16, MAINE IN THE WAR.
thousand five hundred and eighty-five nine months' men, which
reduced to three years' men, giyes us a credit on their account,
o£ one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, and also seven
hundred and seventy-nine three months' men, so fhat tile whole
number of three years' men, with which the War Department
has credited the State, is only forty-six thousand eight hundred
and twelve, but this, according to the figures of the Department,
gives the State an excess of six hundred and seventeen over all
calls. Until July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, no quotas
were assigned the State. The quota under the President's call
of that date was nine thousand six hundred and nine ; under
the next call, August fourth, eighteen hundred and Mxty-two,
which was for nine months' men, the quota was nine thousand
six hundred and nine. The quota of February first, eighteen
hundred and sixty-four, for five hundred thousand men, which
included the draft, and call of October seventeenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, was eleven thousand eight hundred
and three. The quota for the call of March fourteenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-four, for two hundred thousand men, was four
thousand seven hundred and twenty-one.
It is fortunate for the State that from the commencement of
the war, her Chief Magistrates have, without exception, been
men of unswerving and incorruptible honesty, and the loftiest
patriotism, whose highest ambition was to furnish men and
means for the suppression of the rebellion as promptly and eco
nomically as it was possible to do. Gov. Washburn, especially,
labored under almost insurmountable difficulties, in having but
the crude and chaotic elements of a militia system with which
to organize an efficient military force. The manner in which he
accomplished this, reflects distinguished honor upon himself and
the State. His successors, Governors Coburn and Cony, followed
his wise and able course, improving upon details as experience
pointed out the necessity, and the result is that Maine, at the
present writing, stands fully coequal with any of. her sister
States. The invaluable co-operation of Adjutant General Hods-
don has contributed in a great degree to the success of their
efforts. His large experience in militia affairs, his wonderful
clerical and analytical powers, his untiring application and his
uniform urbanity, have all conspired to make the manner of

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. » 17
conducting the department of which he is the head, regarded
both at Washington and throughout the loyal States, as a model
of its kind. He has been so invariably seconded,in the discharge
of his duties by the efficient and popular government officers
within the State that his office contains a record of every man
who has entered the service from Maine, unequalled in the
country. The military ardor of our citizens at the commencement of
the war, developed by existing emergencies, was demonstrated
in every possible manner that could aid in accomplishing a speedy
restoration of law and order throughout our distracted country,.
Informal voluntary associations for military duty were numerous
in various parts of the State, and during the last fifteen years,
there had not been seen such an array of citizen soldiery parad
ing for discipline and review, as was witnessed in the months of
September and October of the year eighteen hundred and sixty-
one ; and this not only without compulsion, but after repeated
refusals to their applications for organization.
The absorption of the most efficient of the active militia of
the State into the United States service led to the organization
of numerous companies of Home Guards, several of which, in
view of the depredations of rebel privateers, garrisoned the
principal forts on our coast. Fort McClary, near Kittery, was
occupied [April thirtieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one] by
Capt. M. F. Wentworth's company of artillery of that place,
and remained until July ninth of the same year, when it was
relieved by Capt. Ira Andrews' company of Home Guards which
was relieved by a company of regulars and these in turn were
subsequently relieved April twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and
sixty-four, by the Lewiston and Norway companies of Home
Guards under the command of Capt. Sylvanus Cobb, Jr.
Capt. James Staples' company of Home Guards was placed
in occupation of Fort Scammel, Portland harbor, July twenty-
second, where they served until September thirteenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-two.
A Lieutenant's command of forty men under Lt. George W.
Sabine was also placed in occupation of Fort Sullivan at Eastport,
December fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and remained
there until September tenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two

18 MAINE IN THE WAR.
when they were mustered out of service and Lt. Sabine raised
a company for the Eighteenth regiment.
Under the act passed at the extra session of the Legislature,
authorizing these organisations of Home Guards, informal
organizations of similar corps at Wiscasset and Boothbay were
also recognized. At the former place Capt. R. H. Tucker, Jr.,
had command.
At the close of the year eighteen hundred and sixty-two, a
patrol guard was detailed from Company I, Capt. B. M. Flint,
of Calais, for that city, in anticipation of a threatened lawless
incursion across our eastern border.
Shortly after the capture of the Tacony pirates, Company A,
State Guards, Capt. John M. Beal, of Portland, were detailed
for guard and picket duty in that city and vicinity, serving until
September fifteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, when
they were discharged.
The demonstrations of the rebels upon our coast with their
almost successful scheme for capturing the United States Revenue
Cutter Caleb Cushing in Portland harbor, June twenty-sixth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, which scheme through the
vigilance of the United States and municipal authorities aided
by the citizens of that city was happily frustrated by the capture
of the invaders — demonstrated the necessity for increased care
and preparations on the part of the people of the seaboard
cities and towns to repel any invasion of their rights, and to
maintain the honor and dignity of the State and nation. At
the request of the chief magistrate of the State the efficiency
of our coast defences was increased by the national govern
ment. Strong field works were erected, heavy ordnance
mounted, and suitable ammunition and projectiles therefor
deposited in their magazines at Rockland, Belfast, Castine,
Machias and Eastport, and a sufficient force stationed at each
place for any emergency. Forts McClary, (Kittery,) Gorges,
Preble and Scammel (Portland,) Popham and Knox (at the
entrance of the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers) and Sullivan,
(Eastport,) were each placed in a suitable condition for defence.
In his inaugural message Gov. Cony in referring to coast and
frontier defences said that " upon the call of this State by the
resolves of the Legislature touching the defenceless condition
of her coast and northeastern frontier, and the urgent solicita-

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 19
tion of my predecessor, the United States in addition to large
expenditures upon the permanent fortifications in the harbor of
Portland at the mouth of the Kennebec river, and the narrows
of the Penobscot, has constructed earth-works at Rockland,
Belfast and Eastport, at each of which places two batteries of
five guns each have been mounted, while both at Castine and
Machiasport a single battery of five guns have been supplied."
It is doing no more than justice to say, that these movements
for the defences of Maine, originated with Hon. John A. Poor
of Portland. Early in eighteen hundred and sixty-one, Mr.
Poor had given his attention to it, and when the official note of
October fourteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, addressed
by Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, to the Governors of the
loyal States on the sea-coasts and lakes, was promulgated, Mr.
Poor laid certain papers before Gov. Washburn, who promptly
responded, and sent Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, Hon. Reuel Wil
liams and Mr. Poor to Washington, as commissioners, whose
report was placed before the Legislature of eighteen hundred
and sixty-two and printed. Mr. Poor was further employed by
Gov. Washburn, as commissioner in eighteen hundred and sixty-
two, and his report to Gov. Washburn of December twelfth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, was submitted by Gov. Coburn
to the Legislature, January fourteenth, eighteen hundred and
sixty-three and printed. Mr. John Lynch of Portland, a member
of the House in eighteen hundred and sixty-two, originated the
"Frontier and coast defence" committee, and was by courtesy
entitled to the position of chairman, but being a new member,
Hon. Bion Bradbury of Eastport, was made chairman, a position
appropriately assigned to Mr. Lynch by the Speaker (Hon.
Nelson Dingley, Jr. , ) in eighteen hundred and sixty-four. In Mr.
Poor's report of December twelfth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
two, he commented with great severity on the conduct of the
ordnance office at Washington, and urged the adoption of some
measures by the Legislature to correct the evil complained of.
Just at the close of the session Mr. Poor visited Augusta, and
submitted to Gov. Coburn resolutions which were immediately
adopted and passed in the following language :
Whereas, It appears from the report of Gen. Totten, chief of the bureau
of engineers of the United States, submitted to the Secretary of War under date
of January fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, in conformity with the
tenor of the official note of the Secretary of War to His Excellency, the Governor

20 MAINE IN THE WAR.
of Maine, on the defences required within the limits of this State, that there is
no adequate armament of the forte in this State, and that these forts are useless,
if not constituting an actual danger, unless properly guarded, manned and
served ; and
Whereas, The ordnance bureau of the United States, has neglected year after
year, to make adequate provision for the armament of these forts, though
called upon by repeated requisitions from the engineer bureau to supply such
needed armament, all which facts appear in the official report of Gen. Totten,
Engineer-in-Chief, on file in the war office, and printed among the State docu
ments of the present session of the Legislature of Maine ; therefore,
Resolved, That the Governor be requested to call the attention of the Presi
dent to the matter of the defences of Maine, and to lay before him from time
to time such information on the subject as the public exigencies may require."
These resolutions Gov. Coburn promptly laid before the
authorities at Washington, and had an interview with the Sec
retary of War and the head of the ordnance bureau, which at
once led to the supplying of guns to Maine. A change in the
head of the ordnance bureau soon followed. Massachusetts
failing to meet the suggestions of Secretary Seward, has been
compelled to raise one million of dollars for this purpose, at
her own expense, relying on the general government for its
repayment. While the noble old commonwealth of Massachusetts will.be ,
remembered as the first to offer and the first to suffer in this
new war for independence, Maine, which poured forth her
wealth of strong men within her own borders at the altar of the
Union, will also be remembered as the cradle wherein that
offering was rocked, wherein it was learned that to suffer for
liberty was the noblest consummation of a manly life ; will be
remembered as being the strong mother of strong men, and as
sending these men out full grown Titans to other States.
So great has been the tide of emigration from Maine to Cal
ifornia and the Western States during the past twenty years,
that an examination of the descriptive rolls of regiments in
service from those portions of the Union would undoubtedly
show this State to be the birth-place of thousands of their best
troops. The names of some of the dead who fell in the cow
ardly attack. in Baltimore, April nineteenth, eighteen hundred
and sixty-one, one of whom belonged in Oxford County and the
other in Waldo, tell of a birth-place in Maine. York county,
from its proximity to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and
from its business relations and railroad connections with these

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 21
States, has furnished many men for their regiments. Some of
the towns in that county have actually supplied more troops to
these States, particularly to Massachusetts, than to Maine.
Other portions of the State have also, to some extent, contrib
uted for organizations beyond our limits. Legislative action
was finally taken forbidding enlistments for service in regiments
organizing beyond the State, but even this did not wholly cor
rect the evil.
Our great extent of populous seacoast, with a community
which obtains a livelihood" by maritime pursuits, and affording a
nursery for seamen for the navy unequalled upon this continent,
found Maine able to exhibit a greater comparative number of its
citizens in that branch of the service than any other State, except
ing, perhaps, Massachusetts. Thousands of the sons of Maine
enrolled their names upon the enlistment books of our ships of
war. In fact, Maine, since the commencement of the rebellion,
has furnished the army and navy more men proportionately than
has any other State, though the number furnished for Maine
volunteer organizations may not appear to be quite as large as
the quota demanded.
After the breaking out of the war, as soon as it was practi
cable, arrangements were perfected at the War Department for
transmitting such portions of the pay of persons in service as
they chose to allot for the benefit of their families or themselves.
Aaron A. Wing, Esq., of Bangor, Owen C. Whitehouse,
Esq., of Augusta, J. S. Emery, Esq;, of Hampden and J. H.
Hamlen, Esq., of Portland, acted under an appointment by the
President, as allotment commissioners at the seat of war. The
agency of the State Treasury has since been employed in
receiving and disbursing the principal portion of all allotments.
Indeed no pains were spared by the Governor, the allotment
commissioners and other officials, as well as by many of the
most public spirited and philanthropic of our private citizens,
for the success of this undertaking. The co-operation of the
State and municipal authorities was cheerfully accorded in
securing the acquiescence of soldiers in this wise arrangement
for the welfare of themselves and families.
The sanitary condition of our troops in the field, and the
facilities requisite for alleviating the distressed condition of the
sick and wounded, has been the subject of great anxiety and

22 MAINE IN THE WAR.
effort on the part of the chief executive, and of the expenditure
by the State of an amount of some magnitude, financially consid
ered, but utterly insignificant in point of humanity. The most
tender care and nursing has been secured for those of our
patriotic sons who have gone forth to battle and die for the
vindication of the honor and integrity of the nation . The better
portion of our citizens of both sexes, in almost every city, town
and plantation in the State, have been untiring in their contri
butions of money and needed articles, in aid of sick and wounded
soldiers ; the former of which has been promptly transmitted to
headquarters, by the authorized agents of the Sanitary Commis
sion, and the latter to their several destinations, by our inde
fatigable agent, George R. Davis, Esq., of Portland,
State agencies at New York, Philadelphia and Washington,
for the relief of our own disabled and destitute soldiers, have
been maintained. Among those who have been unremitting in
their exertions for the relief of Maine soldiers, within their
knowledge, requiring pecuniary or other aid, are Colonels Frank
E. Howe of the New England Soldier's Relief Association, New
York, Robert R. Corson, Philadelphia and Charles F. Mudge of
the Special Relief Department of the U. S. Sanitary Commis
sion, Boston.
A benevolent Society, called the Washington Relief Associa
tion, (composed of native born and adopted citizens of this
State, residing temporarily in that city,) for the purpose of
ministering to the wants, of our wounded, sick and destitute
soldiers at Washington, and in its vicinity, has been instrumental
in accomplishing greater good than has been possible through
other efforts.
The labors of Mrs. C. A. L. Sampson in Washington and vicin
ity have been invaluable. She has been truly a "ministering
angel" to our sick and wounded soldiers, attending as she has,
in every possible way to their wants. Her unremitting atten
tions have won for her everlasting gratitude and honor. The
philanthropic labors of Mrs. Mayhew are as equally prized.
Our delegation in Congress, C. C. Hayes, Esq,, Hon. Horatio
King, Hon. T. J. D. Fuller, Hon. Ezra B. French, A. B. Far-
well, Esq., Benjamin H. Hinds, Esq., and many other of our
fellow citizens at home as well as out of the State, have also been
instrumental in alleviating the needs of our suffering boys in
blue, and are entitled to the thanks of loyal hearts.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 23
The most liberal provision by legislative enactment for the
families and dependants of soldiers, as well as themselves during
their period of service or when disabled, has been made. In
addition to State aid, nearly every municipal corporation has
met its obligations in this respect, in a patriotic and self-sacri
ficing spirit worthy of all praise. Millions of dollars have been
expended, which munificient amount has been amply sufficient
to guard against the least possibility of privation or want being
known. It is believed that the most prompt and adequate relief
has almost universally been afforded by the proper authorities
without evasion or neglect.
More than four million dollars in bounties were disbursed by
our cities, towns and plantations to volunteers, to fill their
quotas for the three years' and nine months' service. The total
amount of State bounties exceeds eight hundred thousand
dollars. The amount of expenditures on account of war pur
poses by the State for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-one
was $998,578.17 ; for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
$124,088.36 ; for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
$921,605.76. The whole public debt of the State due January
first, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, was $2,422,000.
In conclusion, we would add that Maine, which rallied
promptly at her country's first cry of need, has ever since borne
an honorable and conspicuous part in the whole contest. She
has been represented on every battle-field since the commence
ment of the war, by noble soldiers in the regular or volunteer
service, and the warm heart of this cold, northern region has
ever beat as high, as any, to the music of the Union, sending
the life-blood thrilling and tingling to the farthest extremities
of our sisterhood of States. Her great heart still pulsates with
patriotic valor, true to her motto, " Dirigo." No coward has
disgraced the fair name of the Pine Tree State, but many a
veteran, maimed and scarred in battle, is now in our midst, a
living witness to testify to the heroism of her sons. Her best
blood has been given freely to secure us a continuance of the
blessings we enjoy and the bones of many a hero now lie
mouldering on the hard fought field, hundreds of miles from
his birth-place, with no mark to indicate the hallowed spot.
One of her Own gallant sons — a Major General — was the first
volunteer officer of his grade, to fall in battle at the head of his

24 MAINE IN THE WAR.
column, and one of her regiments was the first to bear back the
old flag tothe soil of South Carolina, where the stars and stripes
were first trampled in the dust. Her men, too, placed in posi
tion and manned Gen. Gillmore's "Swamp Angel," which has
become so famous as having first succeeded in throwing a shell
into the city of Charleston.
Not a flag has been lost by Maine troops in the whole course
of the rebellion, but they have captured many from the enemy,
which have been sent home and deposited with the State authori
ties and with private parties.
All honor to these sons of Maine, who have served so nobly
in so noble a cause. All grades of them, from the lowest to
the highest, have reflected honor on the State, such as she never
received before. It is to rescue some of these deeds from
undeserved oblivion -and to preserve for the future historian
important facts which are every day being forgotten, that the
following pages have been prepared. They lay claim to no
literary finish but aim merely to give authentic facts in simple
style and language.
The unwritten history of every organization and each of its
members far exceeds all that can ever be narrated. There are
thousands of incidents, experiences and circumstances apparent
ly trivial, which have been potent for good or evil and have
stamped success or defeat upon those who experienced them, that
can never come to the eye of the public nor be collected by the
historian. These will form the subject of many a fire-side story
for years to come and be repeated over and over again by those
who were actors in them and by their descendants for genera
tions in the future.
As details are more numerous and, in some sense, important
than a general outline, so these will be more minutely a mirror
of the war, and, gathered into a volume, would form a more
elaborate and particular record of our struggles and sacrifices,
than the faint outline which it is possible to prepare. But one
whose whole attention is engaged in the examination of the
details is not able to form any correct idea of the whole, and it is
hoped that a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of
the whole may be obtained from these pages than would be pos
sible from a confused and promiscuous mass of information
gathered from the experiences of those who had no thought to

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 25
the general plan but simply to their particular share of partici
pation in it. '
Almost every household has its martyr and can point in tearful
pride to the chair made vacant by the devotion which urged the
daring and noble spirit to go forward to the defence of his
country. Maine weeps with them for her fallen sons who were
not permitted to see the end accomplished for which they fought
so well, but their memory is enshrined in the hearts of the
people where it will- be cherished and kept green to the end of
time.

26 MAINE IN THE WAR.

II.
FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised at a time when the National Cap
ital was in great danger, when Baltimore was in insurrection,
when general gloom pervaded the North, and when every one
who enlisted expected to be called into immediate service, and
be assigned posts of danger. Not a man enlisted who did not
regard this as inevitable.
The regiment was organized for active service April twenty-
eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and mustered into the
United States service for three months by Capt. J. W. T. Gar
diner, of the Second United States Dragoons, May third, at
Portland. They numbered seven hundred and seventy-nine
men, organized as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF.
Nathaniel J. Jackson, Lewiston, Colonel ; Albion Witham,
Portland, Lieutenant Colonel ; George G. Bailey, Portland,
Major; James S. Fillebrown, Lewiston, Adjutant; William S.
Dodge, Portland, Quartermaster; Wentworth P. Richardson,
Portland, Surgeon ; A. A. C. Williams, Brunswick, Assistant
Surgeon ; George Knox, Brunswick, Chaplain ; Foster Randall,
Lewiston, Sergeant Major ; Stephen H. Manning, Brunswick,
Quartermaster Sergeant ; George J. Northrop, Portland, Hos
pital Steward ; David Jones, Westbrook, Drum Major ; Cyrus
Freeman, Lewiston, Fife Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A, (Portland Light Infantry. )— George W. Tukey,
Captain ; George H. Chadwell, First Lieutenant ; Charles L.
McAllister, Second Lieutenant ; all of Portland.
Company B, (Mechanic Blues.)— Charles Walker, Captain;
Charles J. Pennell, First Lieutenant ; James M. Black, Second
Lieutenant ; all of Portland.
Company C, (Portland Light Guard.)— M. R. Fessenden,
Captain ; Wm. P. Jordan, First Lieutenant ; Benj. M. Redlon,
Second Lieutenant ; all of Portland.

FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 27
Company D, (Portland Rifle Corps.) — Charles H. Meserve,
Captain ; Wm. A. Pierce, First Lieutenant ; George H. Bailey,
Second Lieutenant ; all of Portland.
Company E, (Portland Rifle Guard: ) — Wm. M. Shaw, Captain ;
Albert H. Estes, First Lieutenant; John M. Marston, Second
Lieutenant; all of Portland.
Company F, (Lewiston Light Infantry.) — Jesse T. Stevens,
Captain ; William Knowlton, First Lieutenant ; Elijah M. Shaw,
Second Lieutenant; all of Lewiston.
Company G, (Norway Light Infantry.) — George L. Beal,
Captain; Henry Rust, Jr., First Lieutenant; Jonathan Blake,
Second Lieutenant; all of Norway.
Company H, (Auburn Artillery.) — Charles S. Emerson, Cap
tain ; James C. Folsom, First Lieutenant ; Phineas W. Dill,
Second Lieutenant; all of Auburn.
Company I, (Portland Rifle Guards, 2d.) — William M. Quim-
by, Captain; Nehemiah T. Furbish, First Lieutenant; Hebron
Mayhew, Second Lieutenant ; all of Portland.
Company K, (Lewiston Zouaves.) — Silas B. Osgood, Captain;
Elijah D. Johnson, First Lieutenant; George H. Nye, Second
Lieutenant ; all of Lewiston.
The first eight of the foregoing companies enjoyed a high
reputation -for correct military deportment and perfection of
drill and discipline, before they offered their services in defence
of the flag. The two last were of a more recent organization,
and enlisted to make up the quota for the regiment.
The unusual prevalence of sickness delayed the regiment's
departure from the State as soon as it was expected. Their
camp was at Westbrook, situated on the beautiful slope of
land near the Marine Hospital, and having a fine view of the
bay. It was named Camp Washburn, in honor of Gov. Wash
burn, then chief magistrate. During the period of their en
campment, His Excellency paid the regiment a visit, accom
panied by his aids. Arriving at the camp, he was escorted- on
to the field by Capt. Fessenden of Company C, and a salute of
fourteen guns was fired under direction of Capt. Staples of the
Portland Home Guard. The Governor then reviewed the troops,
after which under command of Col. Jackson, they went through
a battalion drill, which being over, the men were formed into a
square' and were addressed by the Governor who congratulated

28 MAINE IN THE WAR.
them upon their truly martial appearance, and spoke at length
in a very appropriate manner.
On the first of June the regiment left for the seat of war.
From the moment of their departure at Portland until their
arrival at Washington, they were the recipients of marked
demonstrations alorig the route. At Newburyport, the native
place of Col. Jackson, a grand salute was fired. Their greeting
in Boston was enthusiastic. Here a beautiful silk flag was
presented them. In New York they met with a glorious recep
tion from the sons of Maine resident in that city, who, to the
number of about five hundred, were distinguished by wearing
a badge on their left breast, bearing the following inscription:
"Welcome the defenders of constitutional liberty and the law."
After the, first greeting was over, the regiment, preceded by
the committee of arrangements, were escorted to the Astor
House, where a temporary halt was made for the purpose of
presenting the regiment with a beautiful American flag. As
soon as the regiment was drawn up inline, Henry Dunlap, Esq.,
son of the late Ex-Gov. Dunlap of this State, was introduced,
who, in behalf of the sons of Maine resident in the Empire
city, in the following address presented the standard. He
said:Fellow Citizens and Soldiers of the State of Maine : —
It is with no ordinary pride that we, natives and former
residents of your own proud State, now welcome you within
our midst. We welcome you as coming from among those who
have built up the civilization and commercial enterprises of our
native State ; we welcome you as associated with all those fond
memories which cluster around our earlier years ; but above all,
we welcome you as citizens of our common country, marching
to the defence of our common constitution. But seven short
weeks have elapsed since the President of the United States
sent forth his appeal to the American people to rally for the
protection of the nation's capital. That appeal rang like a
clarion note through the towns and cities of the North ; the
great loyal heart of the Northern people was stirred as it never
was before ; and behold to-day, a quarter of a million of bristling
bayonets have answered to that call. From the remotest borders
of our own native State to the farthest prairies of Kansas, has
gone up one united, simultaneous shout — "The Union must and

FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 29
shall be preserved." It was with pride and satisfaction that
we heard your noble response to your country's call. When
your Governor was asked how many of Maine's regiments
were ready for the field, he responded in one short, comprehen
sive word, "All." That welcome answer. came not unexpected
to our ears. That enterprising spirit which has felled the
forests of Maine and dotted her plains with thriving cities,
towns and villages ; which has sent forth her ships upon the
farthest seas, beneath unfamiliar constellations ; that spirit we
knew would lead you on in the foremost ranks of those who are
rushing to our country's call. The sons of Maine resident in
this city, wishing to show in some degree their high appreciation
of your patriotism, wishing to .pay some fitting tribute to the
loyalty of our native State, have instructed me to present to
you, her worthy sons, this flag — our nation's flag — the same
glorious old flag that was first bathed in the baptismal fires of
the Revolution. For more than eighty years has it floated
proudly over us, with the smile of God ever upon it, encircling
as with a halo of light, its radiant folds. It is the same dear
old flag that we have loved to gaze upon from our earliest
childhood, the emblem of all that we hold most dear and sacred '
upon earth, and never, while a true American heart throbs on
American soil, shall one stripe be torn from its rays of white
and red, or one star be stricken from its radiant field of blue.
We entrust it to you, knowing that we have confided it to loyal
hearts and sturdy hands. Bear it with you to the field where
duty calls you ; bear it with you, if need be, beyond the Potomac,
not to invade the so-called "sacred soil of Virginia," but to
protect and defend the far more sacred soil of our common
country. Let it be shown to the world at large that wherever
there is one blood-bought rood of American soil, there the
American flag shall wave without molestation. You are about
to leave us, to march, perhaps to scenes of conflict. Our
hearts', best wishes go with you. Let the memories of those
who earned with their blood this heritage we now enjoy, let the
recollection of those you have left behind you at your respective
homes, let the heart-felt ejaculation "God bless you," which
rises from the thousands now around you, cheer you on in the
path which lies before you.
The banner was eight feet by ten, made of the finest fahric.

30 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the field appeared thirty-four stars, worked in gold tin
sel. The fringes were gold bullion, and the tassels of red,
white and blue silk. The staff was made of ash from Maine,
surmounted by a gilt eagle. On a plate fastened on the staff
was the inscription, " To the First Maine Regiment, from the
sons of Maine in New Yerk."
Col. Jackson replied to the address of Mr. Dunlap as follows:
Sir, and Gentlemen, Sons of Maine :—
We did not come here with the expectation of being com
pelled to do any speaking, nor are we men of words. We are
men of action. Accept the simple and heartfelt thanks of the
First Maine Regiment. It is only idle labor for me to tell you
how much we appreciate your kindness in bestowing on us so
handsome a gift, and that we will defend it with our hearts'
blood, you may rest equally assured. We are your own
brethren and you must be willing to let history record our
deeds and speak of our bravery. ' We go to meet our brethren
who went before us to defend the constitution and laws, and we
trust that we may be instrumental in placing our unhappy
country once more in the same position she occupied prior to
this present difficulty.
The remarks of Col. Jackson, as well as of Mr. Dunlap, were
enthusiastically applauded. Dexter A. Hawkins, Esq., then
stepped forward, and placed in the hands of the Colonel, a
battalion camp flag eighteen by twelve feet, presented to the
regiment by Mr. Henry T. Capen, also a son of Maine. Rev.
Dr. R. D. Hitchcock, also a son of this State, was then intro
duced and spoke as follows :
Welcome, sons of Maine ; welcome brothers. I am one of
you, was baptized at the same altar, am bone of the same bone,
flesh of the same flesh, and we were all born beneath the same
sky. I love the State from Aroostook to the Atlantic, and I
love her granite hills. But, my brethren, our first allegiance
should not be to her — we love the whole country. The Ameri
can flag waves triumphantly from the lakes to the Pacific ; see
to it that it remains there. That flag we follow — it is no ribbon,
but that banner God has woven with thirteen stripes and four
and thirty stars ; and it behooves you, as soldiers marching under
that flag, to watch and cherish it, and allow no rebellious horde
to efface one of its bright orbs, or permit ene to be ruthlessly

FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 31
torn from its field. My brethren, you will pardon me if, on this
holy day, I represent to these stalwart men and remind them
of their allegiance to God. Many of them have left the plow
and furrow, others merchandise and stores, and it seems strange
for me to be here and exhort you to be mindful of the
presence of God, who watches and protects you. The errand
you go on is a noble one, and fit to be made even on a
holy day. You go to assert the authority of majestic laws, and
to fix the wavering stars in their place. You go to do a solemn
and earnest work, and may God be with you, to assist in redeem
ing our land.
The following poem, composed by Mr. W. C. Baker, a son of
Maine, and dedicated to the regiment, was then read :
TO THE FIRST REGIMENT OF MAINE.
Ye Sons of Freedom and of Maine,
On to the glorious fight,
When thus your country calls you forth,
To battle for the right.
Go where the traitor sword is drawn,
Raise there your banner high,
And let the war song ever be
"We conquer or we die !"
From those snow-capped stately mountains,
Down whose sides bright streamlets flow,
Gushing from their crystal fountains,
High amid those mounds of snow ;
From the moorland and the woodland,
Where the pine tree forests wave,
And the noble moose and deer stand,
By the rugged rock and cave ;
Ye have come in true devotion
To your country's sacred cause —
To maintain, 'midst war's commotion,
Its flag, its fame, its laws.
More potent than the statesman's word
Is your strong, willing hand,
To conquer and bring peace again
To this unhappy land.
God, Justice, Truth your helmets are,
Fame, Heaven your boon shall be ;
Our hopes and prayers go with you now,
On ! let your iffatohwordbe.

32 MAINE IN THE WAR.
After a solemn and eloquent prayer by Rev. Mr. Strickland,
the regiment was marched to the Park barracks, where they
were messed, and the officers sat down to a sumptuous dinner
at the Astor House, which was provided by the committee.
Among the distinguished gentlemen receiving the regiment
on its arrival, were Hon. John A. Poor, Wildes P. Walker; Esq.,
Dexter A. Hawkins, Esq., Capt. Willis Patten, and a host of
other distinguished Maine gentlemen.
A hearty greeting was also given the regiment in Philadelphia.
Every one seemed to vie with each other to supply their wants.
In Baltimore as they passed through, the streets were lined
with people, but there was no demonstration for or against them.
It was expected there would be trouble, and Col. Jackson had
taken the precaution to have every musket loaded and bayonet
fixed. With steady tramp the men marched through the city,
neither looking to the right nor left in obedience to orders. They
marched over the same route as did the Sixth Massachusetts
regiment which was so cowardly assaulted on the ever memor
able nineteenth of April. It is reported that the lawless men of
Baltimore knew better than to meddle with our Maine boys.
From thence the regiment proceeded to Washington, where
shortly after their arrival they encamped on Meridian Hill,
naming their camp after their commander.
Their time now commenced to be spent in drilling and target
shooting. Pickets were thrown out every night some three or
four miles to "practice" the men. Several amusing incidents
happened while they were on picket duty. One night about
forty men were thrown out some four miles on the road to
Frederick, Md. At about midnight along came a carriage which
proved to be full of ladies, returning from a wedding. The
picket challenged, "who goes there?" and was answered,
"Gentleman's carriage, returning from a tyedding." "Advance
gentleman's carriage with the countersign." Here was a
"dilemma," but no countersign. So Col. Jackson was obliged
to put the Chaplain of the regiment in with the ladies to enable
them to pass on.
The weather was especially pleasant, though oppressively
warm at times. One Sunday after an inspection of arms and
knapsacks in the morning, the regiment formed a hollow square
in a beautiful oak grove about one-fourth of a mile distant from

FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 33
their camp, for religious worship. Just as the services com
menced by singing, "Am I a soldier of the cross," &c, two
ladies came info the grove, ,and going to the right of the Chaplain,
near the head of the column, stopped near a large tree, and
joined with the soldiers in singing. Their voices rang out
sweetly on the breeze and went like magic to the hearts of the
soldiers, bringing a thousand pleasant recollections of home
and friends far away — of sisters, wives and mothers, who were
at that time, perhaps, joining in the services of the sanctuary
at home. It was, altogether, an interesting occasion — the
Chaplain, with uncovered head, standing in the presence of
armed men,' exhorting them to be good men as well as brave.
While the sound of distant cannonading was- heard during
the first battle of Bull Run, a courier arrived at the camp with
word for the regiment to march in fifteen minutes. Companies
were immediately formed and furnished with< forty rounds of
ammunition. Two days rations were ordered. After the regi
ment was formed and ready to start, it was dismissed to quarters,
it being deemed best that the regiment should continue to
remain in the defences of Washington. The regiment was
nnder such fine discipline that shortly after it was stationed to
guard the Long Bridge, which was considered, the post ©f honor.
Gen. Mansfield sent to two other regiments to know if they
could do that duty, and both declined", saying their men were
not under sufficient discipline for the present. Then, says the
General, go to the First Maine, they can and will do it. And
they did it. Many persons in Maine- thought it very strange
they were not put into active service) which the men so much
desired, and the question, why they were not, was put to the
Commanding General whose reply was, we need them more in
Washington: They are a model regiment, and we always know
where to find them, and can depend1 upon them, and we don't
want to send them away. No higher compliment could have
been paid them. The regiment was not excelled in discipline,
none was better drilled. Its camp- was orderly. Drunkenness
was not suffered ; when discovered it was punished severely. A
favorite penalty was to sweep the campground, the back of the
culprit being loaded with a knapsack filled with brick.
' The regiment remained in the performance of necessary guard
duty at exposed points until the first of August, when their term
3

34 MAINE IN THE WAR.
of service having expired they returned to Portland,* where
they were mustered out on the fifth. Their reception in that
city by the municipal authorities was an enthusiastic one. A
vast crowd assembled to witness their arrival, and to testify
their respect and admiration for the regiment. A bountiful
collation was spread for them in the warehouse to which they
repaired with invited guests. Alderman Larrabee called the
assembly to order, when Mayor Thomas welcomed them home
in the following words :
Col. Jackson, and OiTicers, and Soldiers of the First. Maine
Regiment :—
Three months since, when our National Capital was threatened
with investment by traitors and rebels of our own household,
seeking the overthrow of the best Government on which the
sun shines, you, officers, and soldiers of the First Maine regi
ment, nobly, cheerfully, and with alacrity, volunteered your
services to defend and protect it.
You proceeded to Washington, and held yourselves in' readi
ness to do battle for the defense of our National flag, and in
support of the constitutional government. It has not fallen to
your lot to be called to the field of battle ; had such call been
made, it would have received from you a hearty and ready
response. Although not ordered into active service, yet encamped as
you were in the immediate vicinity of the Capitol, the moral
power you have exerted by your presence in preventing attack,
and overawing the spirit of secession, haB been formidable.
Last week I saw a portion of your regiment performing guard
duty at one of the most important points near Washington ; you
were detailed for this duty on accoant of the confidence reposed
in you. ' ,
Your reputation for discipline and drill is not surpassed by
that of any other regiment. The conduct of the officers and
men of the First Maine regiment, I know from personal obser
vation, and from other sources, has been alike honorable to
yourselves, and creditable to the State.
You have not been called to mourn the death of any of your
number. A kind Providence has watched over you, and returned
you in safety — and now we welcome you home to Maine ; wel
come back, to this, our. Forest city — welcome to wives, children,

FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 35
brothers, sisters, and friends ! Welcome, welcome home I and
may He in whose hand are the destinies of us all, grant you His
blessing, and when you go forth again in your country's cause,
give you the victory, and preserve the Union.
Col. Jackson responded in a few happy remarks — thanking
the city authorities for such a kind and handsome reception
upon their return home. He remarked that they were conscious
of having faithfully performed every duty which had been
imposed upon them while absent. And now, after having seen
their wives and loved ones at home, and made such business
arrangements as were necessarily required, they were ready to
return and serve their Country. Col. Jackson was subsequently
presented at the table with a beautiful wreath sent in by a lady.
The regiment returned with bronzed features, a healthy cast
of countenance and in better bodily condition than they had
known for years.
The regiment had enlisted in the service of the State for two
years ; but as they could not be moved outside the limits of the
State after their term of three months' muster-in had expired,
the Governor did not claim their services longer, and they were
disbanded. On the formation of new regiments many returned
to the seat of war to continue their noble and self-denying labors
in defense of our common country. Col. Jackson was shortly
afterward placed in command of the Fifth regiment, and served
with distinction in the Peninsula campaign. At the battle of
Gaines's Mill he was wounded. He was subsequently promoted
to Brigadier General and afterwards placed in command of the
rendezvous camp at Ricker's Island, New York harbor. Capt.
Beal was elected Colonel of the Tenth regiment, serving with
faithfulness during their two years' term of service. On their
return he went out again for three years in command of the Twen
ty-ninth veteran regiment. Captains Walker and Emerson also
went out in the Tenth, the former as Major and the latter serving
Captain until promoted to Major, on Walker's resignation.
When the Twenty-ninth was formed Capt. Emerson was appointed
Lieutenant Colonel. Lieutenants Shaw of Company F, Mayhew
of Company I, Blake and Rust of Company G, Black of Com
pany B, Estes of Company E, Nye of Company K, Knowlton
of Company F, and Jordan of Company C, were also appointed
Captains in the Tenth regiment. The three last went out with

36 MAINE IN THE WAR.
the Tweflty-ninth, Knowlton as Captain, afterwards Major, and
•Jordan still holding his Captain's rank. Captain Rust was
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Thirteenth. Adjutant
Fillebrown went out Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth. Capt.
Quimby accepted a Captain's commission in the regular army.
Lieut. Pennel of Company B, was made Adjutant of the Eleventh,
and Lieut. Johnson of Company K, Adjutant of, and afterwards
Second and First Lieutenant in Company K, of the Seventh,
afterwards Colonel of the Twenty-first regiment, and subse
quently Captain of Company C, Second Cavalry. Capt. Fessen-
den went out as Captain in the Twelfth, and Lieut. Chadwell of
Company A, also was made Captain in the Twelfth. Capt.
Shaw went out Major and was afterwards promoted to Lieutenant
. Colonel of the Eleventh. In addition to these the regiment
furnished from the non-commissioned officers and privates of the
different companies, many other officers for every regiment that
had been raised in the State since the expiration of its term of
service.

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 37

III.
SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Although numerically the second, this was in fact the first
regiment which left the State for the seat of war. It was raised
within the limits of the First Division of the militia of the
State, and was rendezvoused at Bangor. The field and staff
officers, the companies and company officers, originally com
posing this regiment, were as follo,ws :
field and staff.
Charles D. Jameson, Bangor, Colonel ; Charles W. Roberts,
Bangor, Lieutenant Colonel ; George Varney, Bangor, Major ;
John E. Reynolds, Bangor, Adjutant; Charles V. Lord, Bangor,
Quartermaster; William H. Allen, Orono, Surgeon; Augustus
C. Hamlin, Bangor, Assistant Surgeon ; John F. Mines, Bath,
Chaplain ; Edward L. Appleton, Bangor, Sergeant Major ; Luther
H. Pierce, Bangor, Quartermaster Sergeant^ Alden D. Palmer,
Orono, Hospital Steward. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A, (Bangor Light Infantry.) — Herman Bartlett,
Captain ; Rinaldo B. Wiggin, First Lieutenant ; James Dean,
Second Lieutenant ; all of Bangor.
Company B, (Castine Light Infantry. )— Seth K. Devereux,
Captain; Charles W. Tilden, First Lieutenant; David D. Ward-
well, Second Lieutenant; all of Castine.
Company C, (Brewer Artillery.) — Elisha N. Jones, Captain;
John K. Skinner, First Lieutenant; Eliphalet S. Morrill, Second
Lieutenant ; all of Brewer.
Company D, (Milo Artillery.) — John S. Sampson, Captain;
Walter W. Sturtevant, First Lieutenant ; Sumner R. Kittredge,
Second Lieutenant; all of Milo. *
Company E, (Bangor Company.) — Levi Emerson, Bangor,
Captain ; James W. Adams, Bangor, First Lieutenant ; Lyman
E. Richardson, Wayne, Second Lieutenant.

38 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Company F, (Bangor Company.)— Daniel Chaplin, Captain;
Albion P. Wilson, First Lieutenant ; Warren H. Boynton, Sec
ond Lieutenant ; all of Bangor.
Company G, (Ex-Tigers, Bangor.) — Daniel F. Sargent, Brew
er, Captain; Edward L. Getchell, Bangor, First Lieutenant;
Ralph W. Morse, Bangor, Second Lieutenant.
Company H, (Gymnasium Company.) — Frederick Meinecke,
Captain; Augustus B. Farnham, First Lieutenant; Frank A.
Garnsey, Second Lieutenant ; all of Bangor.
Company I, (Grattan Guards.) — John Carroll, Captain ; Henry
Casey, First Lieutenant ; Miles J. Sweeney, Second Lieutenant;
all of Bangor.
Company K, (Oldtown Company.) — Fernando C. Foss, Old-
town, Captain; Albert G. Fellows, Bangor, First Lieutenant;
Albert L. Cowan, Oldtown, Second Lieutenant.
Companies A, B, C, D and I were a part of Colonel Jameson's
old command, and were reorganized for service in this regiment.
The others were new companies raised to complete the organi
zation. The regiment completed its organization and left the State
on the fourteenth of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-one. On
the morning of its departure it was presented by the ladies of
Bangor with a beautiful set of colors, made of silk, surmounted
by the emblematic eagle in gold, with heavy gold tassels. Miss
McRuer, feeing introduced by His Honor, Mayor Stetson, pre
sented the flag in behalf of the ladies of the city in a brief and
happily conceived speech, which was appropriately responded
to, for the regiment, by Colonel Jameson. They then marched
to the depot accompanied by an immense concourse of people
from the whole city and vicinity, who had come out to see their
friends depart for the defence of the country. The rain began
to fall but the crowd did not disperse till a quarter before eleven
o'clock, at which time the regiment left amid the firing of cannon
and the shouts of the people. It proceeded, through a succes
sion of ovations and patriotic demonstrations all along the road,
to Willett's Point, Long Island, New York, where it remained
till the thirtieth of the month, having in the meantime been
presented with a flag and been mustered into the United States
service for two years, on the twenty-eighth, by Lieutenant
Milton Coggswell of the Eighth United States Infantry. While

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 39
at Willett's Point, and before the regiment was mustered in,
Captain Devereux of Company B, resigned on account of his
official duties as Collector of the port of Castine, and Lieutenant
Tilden was afterwards promoted to the Captaincy. Private
George K. Ingalls of this company was here saved from death
by a Testament in his breast pocket. A comrade was carelessly
handling a revolver when it was discharged and the ball passed
through Ingalls' overcoat and uniform, striking the Testament
with great force, but fortunately did not pass through it. Cap
tain Devereux brought the book home and presented it to the
mother of the soldier.
On the thirtieth of May the regiment left for Washington and
went into camp on Meridian Hill, a very pleasant situation
about two miles from the White House. This hill derived its
name from the fact of its being the point from which our longi
tude is reckoned. No indignity was offered the men while
passing through the streets of Baltimore, and it is probable that
had there been any, warm work would have ensued, as they
marched through the city with muskets loaded and bayonets
fixed, and were anxious for an opportunity to avenge the previous
insults to Union soldiers upon the people of that city. The
regiment was provided by the general government with smooth
bore muskets of the pattern of eighteen hundred and forty.
On the night of the first of July the regiment marched from
Meridian Hill to Falls Church, Virginia, where it formed the
advance guard of the Union army on the Fairfax road. It was
at this time in the first brigade, under Acting Brigadier E. D.
Keyes, first division, under Acting Major General Daniel Tyler
of the Connecticut Militia, of General McDowell's grand army.
They remained in camp here until the sixteenth of the month
when they took up a line of march towards the South, and were
engaged in the battle of Bull Run on the twenty-first, and did
themselves distinguished honor. Bull Run is the name of a
sluggish creek which rises in Loudon County, near the Blue
Ridge, north-east of Centreville, and flows into the Occoquan
about midway between that place and Manassas Junction. At
Centreville on the way to Bull Run the regiment was presented
with an elegant flag on Saturday July twentieth, the very day
before the battle. It was sent from San Francisco, California,
by the ladies of that city, by Mj. George B. Hayfock of Cali-

40 MAINE IN THE WAR.
fomia,,but a native of Maine, with a request to Vice President
H^nlih that he should designate, for its reception,, the First
Maine regiment which reached Washington, or one which was
composed in part of lumbermen. As the Second met both these
requirements and no other fulfilled either, it was presented to
Col. Jameson for the regiment, by Mr. Haycock, in an eloquent
address which the Colonel responded to in an appropriate man
ner, promising that by the blessing of God it should never be
dishonored, nor its fair folds bfe stained except by the blood of
its defenders.
The banner was a very large one, of the heaviest description
of India silk, and cost twelve hundred dollars. The stripes
were red and white and the field of blue, most elegantly painted,
showing on one side the American eagle and thirty-four stars,
and on the other the arms of California and Maine in separate
shields, the legends "Eureka" and "Dirigo" on each respect
ively; while the Goddess of Liberty stood between with a hand
resting on either shield. The staff was made of manganita
wood, a very tough California wood. The slide, rings and bat
tle-axe surmounting the staff were of solid California silver, very
heavy. There were thirteen silver stars on the belt for the .
color-sergeant, and a socket of silver on which was the inscrip
tion "Union and Liberty." On the slide were the words,
"Presented to the Second Maine Regiment by ladies of that
State now residing in San Francisco. June 21st, 1861." When
Col. Jameson, in his speech accepting the flag, alluded to the
oagle painted upon it, he pointed upwards, and the Hon. Ezra
B. French, Second Auditor of the Treasury, following the
direction in which the Colonel pointed, observed a large Amer
ican eagle hovering directly over the square, and called the
attention of those around to this bird of happy omen. Hon.
Morris Davis, Member of Congress from Pennsylvania, looking
at the eagle with a spy-glass, found it to be a bald-headed eagle
of the largest size. The majestic visitor remained in view long
enough to be seen by the soldiers and their guests, and then
circling away into the upper sky, disappeared from sight.
The regiment started from Centreville, so called from having
roads radiating from it in every direction, for the Bull Run
battle-field at two o'clock on Sunday morning, July twenty-first,
halting until the whole column passed, and the brigade then

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 41
serving as a reserve pushed forward and took position on the .
Warrenton turnpike. About ten o'clock the .regiment was
ordered to march to the front. -Marching three miles at double
quick under a burning sun, many fell out of the ranks on the
way, exhausted. Coming up to the point where ^Sherman's
battery was engaging a rebel one, the men threw .aside their
coats and packs and wept on at double quick step, through the
woods, over streams and ditches, when coming up to a rebel
battery ,. they charged twice up almost»to the muzzles of the
cannon, and twice they were driven back when they were ordered
to retreat. Capt. Jones of Company C, which was the color
company, fell in the first charge, mortally wounded. He was
taken prisoner and died during the month, at Richmond, Vir
ginia. - Lieut. Skinner of his company was captured while he
was endeavoring to rescue him from the enemy. William J.
Deane of Co. A, color sergeant, was mortally wounded at the
same fire as Capt. Jones, while carrying the new and beautiful
flag presented to the regimenj but the day before from the ladies
of San Francisco. He was placed on a stretcher and fell into
the enemy's- hands, but died the same day, thus mournfully
verifying the prophetic promise of Col. Jameson when he
accepted it. Chaplain Mines wrote, that he saw him after he
was wounded. He was carried off tenderly and laid on the
grass close by a little brook. A shot had broken his arm and
cut through his throat so that he breathed through the wound.
Lieut. Col. Roberts had told him meantime the fate of the flag.
He beckoned to the Chaplain who knelt and put his ear close
to the sufferer's mouth. He whispered, "It's safe !" "What,"
said the Chaplain,. " the flag ?" He nodded his head, smiled
and closed his eyes. He never spoke again. The flag, stained
with his blood, was seized as he fell by Corp. Americus V.
Moore of Oldtown, a ,member of Company K, another of the
color guard, who was almost instantly shot dead, and the flag
was left on ground which the rebels immediately occupied. All
shouted at once, " We must have that flag !" Up the hill Col.
Jameson led the regiment. The rebels almost had their hands
on the standard, when pur men rushed to the rescue, and it
was recovered without being polluted by rebel hands. It is
now in this State. The flags presented in Bangor and New
York were pierced with bullets and torn with shells, The reg-

42 MAINE IN THE WAR.
imeht went up on the main road between a cornfield and the
woods and drew up in line of battle in front of the" woods. The
Colonel ordered his men to charge on a body of rebels in an
orchard, who from their uniforms were taken for Federal troops
and had fired on the regiment. The Second charged up to
within twenty-five yards of a battery where it stood until
ordered by Col. Keyes to retreat, when it retired to the woods
and lay down to rest. Gen. Tyler sdon after came down and
ordered them to charge again. Col. Keyes suggested to him
that the Second had done its share of the fighting, and that it
might be as well to order On a Connecticut regiment which had
not done any, although Gen. Tyler had done his best to rally
them. Lieut. Richardson was killed and Surgfion Allen and
Chaplain Mines, who might have escaped but would not leave
the wounded, were taken prisoners. Twenty-five men endeav
oring to bring off the wounded, were all captured. When Col.
Jameson and his volunteers came up to the wounded, there was
one brave fellow — Martin Joss of 'Hampden, a member of Com
pany F — with both, legs shot off. Saluting, he smiled and said,
" Colonel, I am glad to see you again, but I am gone. Good
bye." These were his last words.
The regiment fought with great bravery the whole time they
were engaged. A Connecticut Colonel who saw it says the fire
of the regiment was most deadly. It routed a South Carolina
regiment in a manner that was pronounced by a regular army
officer to be most admirable, and the Seventh Georgia regiment,
with which it had a conflict, was> in an official rebel account,
rep Orte d " annihilate d . "
Before the retreat, six of Col. Jameson's men were lying
wounded on the field where they had made a charge. The
Colonel called for volunteers to go with him and bring them off.
Six men— Sergt. G. W. Brown of Company F, A. J. Knowles
and Leonard Carver of Company D, A. P. Jones and Henry
Wheeler of Company A, and Peter Welch of Company I—
stepped forward. They went up upon the run, led by the gal
lant Colonel into the grape and cannister from the enemy's
batteries which were sweeping across the place, and brought
back the wounded men.
Col. Keyes,- in his official report of the battle, says: "The
gallantry with which the Second regiment of Maine volunteers

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 43
charged up the hill upon the enemy's artillery and infantry, was
never in my opinion surpassed."
About four o'clock P. M. a general order was given to retreat.
The Second was the last regiment to leave the field, acting as
rear guard to cover the retreat, during which the celebrated
Black Horse Cavalry made a charge upon it, but got driven
back with considerable loss. For this exploit Col. Jameson
received the thanks of Col. Keyes and Gen. Tyler. The regi
ment marched to Centreville and bivouacked, but about twelve
o'clock that night "the whole army was ordered to Fairfax and
the march was continued to Alexandria, a distance of twenty-
five miles, and for the last three or four hours through a heavy
rain, arriving there at ten o'clock next day. Starting at two
o'clock in the morning and marching to the "battle-field, having
an eight hours? fight in the dust and smoke, under a scorching
sun, and then all weary and almost worn out as they were,
having been on their feet thirty-six hours, made to march some
sixty miles in all without food or rest, through the dust and
then the rain, no wonder many fell out by the way or died of
fatigue and exhaustion afterwards. No wonder that for such
valiant services in the contest Col. Jameson was by Gen. Mc
Dowell thanked and highly complimented for good conduct, or
that the regiment there won itself glory and a bright name that
made it a synonym for gallantry throughout the army, a reputa
tion it sustained untarnished to the close of its career. Col.
Jameson, who was the first volunteer and the first Colonel in the
field from Maine, was for gallantry displayed in his first battle,
commissioned as Brigadier General of volunteers on the third
of September, eighteen hundred sixty-one, the first date at which
any officer from the State was promoted to that grade.
The regiment remained two days at Alexandria and then was
ordered to Arlington Heights, in the vicinity of Fort Corcoran,
opposite Georgetown. The brigade being partly composed of
regiments whose term of service had nearly expired, it was
broken up after the battle and the Second was temporarily
assigned to Gen. Sherman's command. Some two weeks after
wards Lieut. Col. Roberts was placed in command of Fort
Corcoran, a substantial earthwork enclosing about an acre of
ground and mounting ten large guns, which was thrown up by
the Sixty-ninth New York regiment and named after their

44 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Colonel who was taken prisoner at the battle of Bull Run. This
was at this time the only work covering the capital on the south
shore of the Potomac. On the first of September,, two days
after going into the fort, the regiment was reviewed by the
President, Secretary Seward and Gen.' McClellan, who were
well pleased with its appearance, the i latter complimenting it
highly for its proficiency in drill. Col. Jameson having been
promoted to Brigadier General, Lieut. Col. Roberts succeeded
him in the command of the regiment. Col. Roberts' command
while stationed at this place, was some two or. three miles in
extent, including some four or five forts, a ferry and aqueduct
bridge, and he had charge of several companies of regulars and
detachments from various volunteer regiments.
The regiment was originally enlisted for three months, but
afterwards re-enlisted for two years, but on the fourteenth of
August, just three months after they left the State, some of the
men, getting discontented perhaps from seeing three months'
troops from other States returning home, but without further
excuse, became insubordinate and refused to do duty, claiming
that their time had expired. Sixty-six were for disobedience
sentenced to Tortugas, but this was commuted to a transfer to
the Second New York where they served about one year when
they were returned to the regiment and served faithfully during
the remainder of its term.
' In the latter part of October the Second left the fort for Hall's
Hill, having been assigned to Gen. Martindale's brigade of Gen.
Fitz John Porter's division. About the first of November,
Company I having become greatly reduced in numbers and the
officers resigned, was disbanded, and Capt. Daniel White of
Bangor raised a new company which was mustered into service
on the sixteenth of December and took its place. On the sec
ond of December there was a night expedition under command
of Lieut. Col. Varney, consisting of a detail from the Second,
and the Twenty-second Massachusetts, divided into three de
tachments, which, about a mile apart, marched twelve miles
and then lay in ambush all day to entrap a corps of cavalry.
The weather was so cold that the water in the boys' canteens
was frozen while they from necessity were obliged to lie quietly.
The men while at this post took great pains to make their
quarters neat and comfortable, and they were models in this

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 45
respect which were not surpassed. At Christmas the encamp
ment was decorated with evergreens, arches and other ornaments,
and presented a very picturesque appearance.
The regiment remained here until March tenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-two, when it was ordered to move upon
Manassas. The enemy, however, having anticipated them,
they were ordered to Alexandria, where they remained four
days, and then embarked for Fortress Monroe. On their arrival,
they remained nearly a week, doing picket duty on the road
leading to Big Bethel, when they received orders to go to York-
town, where, with the Twenty-second Massachusetts and Twen
ty-fifth New York regiments, and Martin's Third Massachusetts
Battery, they immediately engaged the enemy's right, who was
found to be so strongly entrenched that the engagement was
discontinued. They, however, maintained their ground until
the next day. During this spirited engagement, the skirmishers
of the Second, under Captains Foss and Wilson, Lieut. Boynton
and others, acted with the greatest firmness, being under an
exceedingly hot artillery fire over four hours. This attack was
made long before the arrival of the main body of the Union
army. During the remainder of the siege of Yorktown the
Second were occupied in the trenches, building bridges and
doing picket duty. The very last trench before Yorktown was
begun and completed by the Second, assisted by the Thirteenth
New York regiment. After finishing this work, which must
have been of great advantage to the Union army in their
operations, had the enemy not have evacuated, the Second,
through Major Chaplin, received the thanks of both Generals
McClellan and Porter. The only casualty of the Second during
the siege, was one man — private George C. Martin, of Company
H, — wounded in the leg, since deceased.
In advancing to a position in front of Yorktown in the first
part of April eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the regiment
was obliged to march eight miles through mud almost knee
deep. The men reached a place at night where they were
detailed for picket duty and they remained there thirty-eight
hours in a cold rain without overcoats or blankets, before they
were relieved.
At Yorktown our men were spoken of as "those marvellous
New England soldiers who build batteries by night and in the

46 MAINE IN THE WAR.
rain with the same energy and skill with which they repair
locomotives, construct railroad bridges, run grist mills and
reconstruct abandoned saw mills . " Two days after the enemy's
evacuation of Yorktown, th,e Second left for the Chickahominy,
by the way of West Point. A march of several days brought
them to Gaines' Station. Porter's corps at this time comprised
the right wing of the army of the Potomac. On the night' of
May twenty-sixth the Second with the greater portion of the
corps, in a severe rain storm and with three days' rations and
sixty rounds of ammunition, advanced upon Hanover Court
House, where they arrived the next forenoon, and immediately
gave battle to the enemy. The Second was detailed, together
with the Twenty-second Massachusetts regiment, to annoy the
enemy's right, who only replied with one piece of artillery.
Meanwhile they cut the telegraph wire running to Richmond,
and also for some distance destroyed the railroad running in the
same direction, about one mile from Hanover Court House,
where the remainder of the division had been ordered. Moving
on after the main body, the Second had not proceeded more than
a mile before they were attacked by six rebel regiments, who
were posted in their rear, under cover of the woods protected
by a close fence. The Second had only a portion each of the
Twenty-fifth and Forty-fourth New York regiments and a section
of Martin's Third Massachusetts battery; to assist them in re
sisting the attack. For one hour and a half they held their
ground, saving the section of the battery which the gunners were
obliged to desert, and which decided the victory won on that
day. In this encounter the Second expended sixty rounds of
ammunition, and had appealed to be allowed to charge, when
they fortunately received reinforcements, Gen. Porter sending
all of his command which had arrived at Hanover Court House
to their relief. For their noble conduct on this occasion, Col.
Roberts, who fought the battle in command of the brigade and
who was at that time the oldest Colonel in the field from Maine,
received personally for his command, the thanks of Gens. Mc
Clellan, Porter, Morell and Martindale. After remaining forty-
eight hours awaiting the arrival of MoDowell's forces, whiqh
failed to appear, the Second was obliged to retrace their steps,
making inside pf fifty hours a march of over thirty miles, and
entirely putting to flight a superior force of the enemy. During

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 47
this brilliant engagement their loss in killed was slight, though
the number of wounded was large.
During the month which followed, the Second was variously
occupied in doing picket duty, and in building roads and bridges.
The last picket duty that was performed on the right bank of
the Chickahominy was by them, they leaving in season to par
ticipate in the battle of Gaines' Mill.
At the battle of Gaines' Mill, or Chickahominy, June twenty-
seventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the Second was in
Morell's division, Porter's corps, which was stationed on the
opposite side of the Chickahominy from Richmond. Soon after
the close of the fight of the day before, an order came from
Gen. McClellan to Gen. Porter to withdraw his corps to a posi
tion two miles this side of Gaines' Mill. During the latter part
of the march the disturbance from the rebel cannon and muskets
grew less, although they kept within respectable distance till
our men passed into the woods skirting the Cornfields and fallow
land extending back from the ravine through which flows the
creek and pond which furnish water power to Dr. Gaines' Mill.
It was about ten o'clock in the morning when the place desig
nated for halting was reached, the force having marched or
rather retreated at the rate of one mile an hour for six hours.
The order to Gen. Porter was to draw up his men in line of
battle in this field, plant his batteries in the most eligible posi
tions and not yield the ground on any condition. The enemy
gathered in strong force in the woods, and were determined to
break our lines. Our men, most of whom had been under arms
two days, fired volley after volley into them. The statements
of the prisoners and the freshness and vigor of their fighting,
showed that they had been reinforced and greatly outnumbered
us, so the only safe course left to Gen. Porter was to ask for
reinforcements himself, which were sent and gave new impetus
to, the contest. Most of Martindale's brigade was rallied by
Col. Roberts of the Second within thirty rods of the enemy,
but not being supported, continued to fall back with the troops.
In this engagement the Second fought splendidly, as in fact did
all the troops engaged. The sun went down in brilliancy and
splendor and his last rays looked upon the dreadful carnage
still going on. It was nearly seven o'clock before the. enemy
succeeded in driving us back, the firing ceased and the battle

48 MAINE IN THE WAR.
for the day was over. There was a general retreat during the
night, and all our men and guns were safely withdrawn to the
opposite side of the river.
In this battle Lieut. Col. Varney, Adjutant Lewis P. Mudgett,
Hospital Steward J)aniel W. Edgerly and Capt. Levi Emerson
of Company E, were taken prisoners. Col. Roberts Was in the
thickest of the fight and escaped unharmed. Corp. Wesley
A. Brown of Company B, was also taken prisoner while endeav-
, oring to save his brother, Lieut. George I. Brown, whose life he
saved. The regiment here captured the flags of the Fifth
Alabama, totally routing that command. This was the begin
ning of the grand retreat towards Harrison's Landing. During
the seven days' retreat the Second was repeatedly under fire.
They saw and heard the battles of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines,
but were two or three miles off.
At the-battle of Malvern Hill, called also Turkey Bend, July
first, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the Fifth corps occupied
the centre and supported our batteries there, and were in a very
conspicuous position. The engagement here was altogether an
artillery fight. In an open field a mile long and three quarters
of a mile wide, with woods before and behind them, they were
obliged to lie upon the ground from noon till sunset, and for
fiye hours flat upon their faces, without firing a gun. This was
the fiercest and most sanguinary conflict of all the famous
" seven days' fights " before Richmond. The firing commenced
at eight o'clPck in the morning and was continued until ten at
night. The Union army was entrenched in the thick woods on
one side of the level open field, which was planted in corn that
was hot more than four or five inches high. Our batteries were
placed in front of a house on an eminence commanding the
entire plain. About five o'clock in the afternoon the rebel
General Magruder ordered his men to charge across the field
and drive us from our position, and they came on at a full run.
A murderous fire opened upon them from our breastworks and
they fell by hundreds, but the line closed up and they pushed
on till they had advanced two thirds of the distance across the
field when our fire was so withering that they wavered and fell
back to the cover of the woods. The effort to carry the position
was twice again renewed but with the same result as at the
first attempt. The enemy was beaten badly and repulsed at

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 49
every point. No attempt was made to charge upon our bat
teries after dark, but the artillery fighting on both sides was
kept up till ten o'clock. The Second, although losing but few
men in this battle, successfully held a dangerous and conspicuous
position during the day.
The. Mansion House at Malvern Hill, which was used as a
hospital by the Union troops, stands on a hill some two hundred
rods from the James river and fifteen miles from Richmond.
It is a quaint edifice of the last century, built of red brick, with
a lawn on which is a fine grove of ancient elms, and' commands
a beautiful view of the meanderings of the river for miles, as
well as glimpses of waterbrooks, field and forest. It was
standing in Tarleton' s time and is said to have been marked on
the map which accompanied the early English edition of his
campaigns. On reaching Harrison's Landing after the battle of Malvern
Hill, Gen. Martindale was relieved of his command by court
martial and was made military governor of Washington.
At Harrison's Landing they remained several weeks when
finally, on its evacuation, they were ordered to join Gen. Pope,
and Col. Roberts temporarily assumed command of the First
brigade, First division, Fifth army corps which included the
Second. Marching across the Chickahominy near its mouth,
or where it flows into the James river, they crosssed to
Williamsburg, thence down the Peninsula to Yorktown and
Fortress Monroe, thence to, Newport News, from whence they
embarked for Acquia Creek where they disembarked and marched
to Falmouth.
Major General Fitz John Porter issued a congratulatory order
to his troops on the fifth of July eighteen hundred and sixty-
two, on the perils through which they had so honorably passed
and the success they had, by their valor, added to the glory of
our arms ; specifying the names of the battles which they were
entitled to have inscribed on their colors and informed them
that he had received assurances from the government at Wash
ington that their efforts and successes had received its attention
and earned both approval and reward and that this reward
would be duly apportioned and bestowed as soon as time would
allow. On -the eighth of July eighteen hundred, and sixty-two, Capt.
4

50 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Tilden of Company B, was promoted to the Lieutenant Colonelcy
of the Sixteenth Maine, then forming, and Lieut. Mudgett was
promoted to the Captaincy of the Company. On the fourteenth
of the same month Major Chaplin was discharged to enable
him to accept the Colonelcy of the Eighteenth Maine which
was then being raised. Capt. Sargent of Company G was
promoted to fill the vacancy and Lieut. Getchell succeeded him
as Captain.
On the twentieth of July eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
Col. Roberts sent two of the regimental flags of the Second to
the Mayor of Bangor, by the hand of Capt. Albion P. Wilson
of Company F, for safe keeping until the return of the regiment.
They had become too much soiled, worn and rent for further
service. July twenty-eighth the effective strength of the Second
had become reduced to two hundred and fifty-one rifles for duty
but these were in fine spirits and condition.
Lieutenants John K. Skinner of Company C, who was taken
prisoner at Bull Run, and Sumner R. Kittredge of Company D,
who was captured at Hall's Hill, while on picket, both of whom
had been prisoners for more than a year, first at Richmond and
afterwards at Salisbury, North Carolina, together with one
hundred and sixty other Union prisoners arrived at Fortress
Monroe, August eighteenth, having been liberated and left
Salisbury on the eleventh.
At the battle of Groveton or Manassas, better known as the
second Bull Run, August thirtieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
two, the action was commenced by the rebels opening their
batteries upon our left between one and two o'clock in the after
noon. Their guns were advantageously and strongly posted
upon a ridge while ours had to fire from the open plain. The
First brigade First division of the Fifth corps, commanded by
Col. Roberts, went into the battle at four o'clock and fought
with great bravery and efficiency. The Colonel here had his
•horse shot under him but he escaped unhurt, taeut. Cowan of
Company K, was killed by a piece of shell which struck him in
the side ; Major Sargent was wounded in the arm and Capt.
Foss of Company K in the foot. During the fight, the enemy's
Sharpshooters concealed in the woods, were a, great annoyance
to our forces. Our men charged on them and drove them from
the woods. Our whole forces foughtbravely during this engage-

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 51
ment, but the enemy's position was too strong, and for lack of
necessary support our forces were obliged to retire and the
enemy remained on the field over night. The Second retired
in good order in regular line of battle, led by Major Sargent,
who, although seriously wounded, refused to yield the com
mand. The regiment came out of the battle with but one
hundred and thirty-seven men able to carry rifles.
The following night, under orders from Gen. Morell, the
Second marched to Centreville where Col. Roberts resumed
command of the regiment, and they were rejoined by Lieut. Col.
Varney, on the march back to WashingtPn, the third of Sep
tember. They moved from Centreville to Chain Bridge, then to Hall's
Hill and Alexandria, and afterwards encamped on Arlington
Heights where they remained only three days when they
received orders to march hastily to Maryland, leaving their extra
clothing, blankets and knapsacks behind. The weather was
very hot, and as the men had not rested since the Pope cam
paign, the hard march was too much for them and many broke
down on the way. They were five days in marching from
Arlington Heights to Antietam, not arriving intimeto participate
in the battle of South Mountain.
At the battle of Antietam, September seventeenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-two, the Second was under fire, but in the
reserve, Gen. Porter's corps occupying a position on the east
side of Antietam Creek, upon the main turnpike leading to
Sharpsburgh, and directly opposite the centre of the enemy's
line. This corps filled the interval between the right wing and
Gen. Burnside's command, and guarded the main approach from
the enemy's position to our supply trains. It was necessary to
watch this part of our line with the utmost vigilance lest the
enemy should take advantage of the first symptom of weakness
here, to make a vigorous assault forthepurpose of piercing our
centre and turning our rear, as well as to capture or destroy
our supplies. Once having penetrated this line, a passage to
our rear by the enemy could have met but feeble' resistance as
there were no reserves to reinforce or close up the gap.
After the battle they were on picket duty at Stone Bridge,
and their skirmishers were among the first to enter Sharpsburgh
after the enemy had left, and were in possession of the town

52 MAINE IN THE WAR.
before the Union cavalry arrived. Saturday morning, Septem
ber twenty-first, the Second forded the Potomac at Shepherds-
town, to reconnoitre the enemy's position, and were attacked
by the enemy in large force and were obliged to retire, but got
back across the river in safety. Privates Veazie and McLaughlin
of company G, were slightly wounded, but were carried back
and soon recovered. None were killed or missing during the
movement. The regiment at this time numbered two hundred
and five rifles, and had hardly pitched their tents since leaving
Arlington Heights.
The regiment, attached, to Porter's corps, remained encamped
about six weeks at Sharpsburgh. On the twenty-second of
October they constructed a bridge across the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal, capable of supporting artillery, preparatory, to
crossing the Potomac. They left Sharpsburgh on the first of
November for Falmouth, marching by way of Harper's Ferry,
where, crossing the Potomac into Virginia, they proceeded to
Falmouth by easy marches, though part of the time short of
rations, aid arrived there on the fourteenth.
The regiment was engaged in the battle of Fredericksburgh
on the thirteenth of December, and behaved with its, usual
gallantry. Crossing the pontoon bridges on Saturday about
noon, they marched through the city under a very heavy fire of
artillery. Outside the town they formed in line of battle and
were ordered to charge the rebel position which was very
strong behind a stone wall and earthworks. Moving up over
and down a hill,, they came to a hollow where they were ordered
to lie down and allow the enemy's fire to pass over them. In
addition to the severe engagement with the enemy the regiment
had to lie before the rebel breastworks twenty-six hours, exposed
to the fire of their sharpshooters, being able to withdraw only
under cover of the darkness at ten o'clock Monday night. It
suffered heavily among the commissioned officers, ten being
wounded, though but one of them — Lieut. Arthur C. Whitcomb
of company F — fatally. Lieut. Col. Varney, commanding the
regiment, was wounded slightly on the top of his head by a
piece of shell, but was on duty the next day. The loss in this
battle was about seventy out of the two hundred and fifty that
went in. ,
Col. Roberts tendered his resignation in the autumn of

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 53
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, at a time when a commission
as Brigadier General was being placed at his disposal; but on
account of health impaired by unremitting and faithful service
with his regiment, he felt that in justice to himself and family
he ought to retire. He had never left his command after his
departure from home for the seat of war. So reluctant was the
government to part with his services that his resignation was
not accepted till after he had renewed fhe expression of his
unalterable purpose to decline i further service, not only as
Colonel but the proffered position as Brigadier General, and it
was not till the tenth of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, that he received an honorable discharge, and then only
by personal application to his brigade commander, as his resig
nation had been endorsed by Gens. Hooker and Butterfield,
"Col. Roberts is a valuable officer and his services are indis
pensable." On Sunday December twelfth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
a beautiful flag was presented to the Second from the city of
Bangor, by Col. J. W. Hathaway, agent for Maine soldiers at
Washington. At twelve o'clock, meridian, Major Sargent gave
notice that all was ready, and proceeded to the parade ground,
where the regiment was formed in a hollow square, which Col.
Hathaway entered and presented to the regiment, through Lieut.
Col. Varney, an elegant regimental color, on which were beau
tifully embroidered in white silk, on the stripes of the flag, the
names of the battles which the commanding General had
ordered to be inscribed on their colors.
On the thirtieth of March following, Col. Hathaway presented
to the Mayor of Bangor the splendid thotigh war-worn and
battle-stained California flag, which was deposited in the archives
of the city where it still remains. *
On the fifth of February, Lieut. Col. Varney was promoted
to the Colonelcy of the regiment, and Maj. Sargent was com
missioned Lieutenant Colonel, leaving the Majdrate vacant on
account of the reduced condition of the regiment.
On the twenty-second of February, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, an order was issued from the Adjutant General's
office, Washington, directing that the names of battles in which
regiments and batteries had borne a meritorious part, should be
inscribed on their colors or guidons. In accordance with this

54 MAINE IN THE WAR.
order the names of "Yorktown," "Hanover Court House,"
"Chickahominy" and "Malvern" were afterwards inscribed on
the colors of the Second.
From this time till May, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
the Second was in camp at Falmouth and doing picket duty.
Early in January it made a reconnoissance twenty-five miles up
the Rappahannock, fording the river twice, and was gone two
days. It had a very hard march and captured a few prisoners.
When Gen. Fitz John Porter was ordered to Washington) the
Fifth corps was placed under Gen. Butterfield and afterwards
under Gen. Meade. While stationed near Falmouth, on the
twenty-second of April, the regiment was formed in a square,,
and a document from the War Department stating that its term
of service would expire on the twenty-eighth proximo and that
it would be discharged, was read to the men. The Second was
attached to the Fifth corps then under Maj. Gen. Meade, and
had participated in every action in which that organization had
been engaged, and had lost heavily in battle.
At the battle of Chancellorsville on the second, third and
fourth of May, eighteen hundred and sixtyrthree, the regiment
was under fire the whole time, but the Fifth corps was not very
much engaged there. The whole corps lost about six hundred
men. On Sunday morning, May third, Gen. Meade 'called for
a regiment which could be depended on to hold a very exposed
position about the centre of the line. Gen. Griffin commanding
the division, pushed up the Second, which remained there from
Sunday morning until Tuesday, exposed to the fire of the
enemy's sharpshooters and batteries.
The regiment left camp early in the morning of Wednesday,
May twentieth, and was escorted to the depot at Stoneman's
Switch by the Eighteenth Massachusetts, Col. Hayes, who
specially requested this privilege, and reaching Washington
the same afternoon, embarked immediately on board the steamer
Expounder, and on Sunday following reached Newport, Rhode
Island, safely. Taking in coal at this place they left the same
day for home. They experienced some uncomfortable weather
on the voyage, but reached Bucksport about four o'clock on
Tuesday morning, May twenty-sixth, where they were met by
a delegation from the committee of arrangements and Cal.
Roberts, their old commander, who had in charge the old flags

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 55
of the regiment, which torn and tattered, had been replaced by
others. One of these was the one presented by the ladies of
Bangor the morning the regiment left the city, another that
presented by citizens of Maine in New York, and the third that
presented by the ladies of San Francisco.
About ten o'clock the. booming of cannon announced their
arrival and people rushed in crowds to the steamboat wharf
The regiment disembarked, and escorted by militia and engine
companies, with bands of music, marched to Broadway where
an immense throhg had assembled, filling the entire square.
In the procession was the Adjutant General of the State with
other dignitaries, and a company of discharged soldiers of the
regiment under command of Captains Bartlett, Emerson and
Wilson. , All along the line the buildings were decorated, flag's
flying, and the shipping had put on its best suit. After speeches
of welcome the men were marched to Norombega Hall, where
a bounteous collation had been provided. After this had been
disposed of, speeches were made by Adjutant General Hodsdon,
Ex-Governor Washburn, Vice PresidentHamlin, Lewis Barker,
Esq., Hon. F. A. Pike, Professor Harris and Col. Roberts, and
original hymns were sung. The hall was splendidly decorated
with flags and bunting and the names of the battles in which
the regiment had participated. After the exercises were con
cluded the boys were dismissed to enjoy themselves as they
were disposed. On the fourth and ninth of June the regiment
was mustered out of service by Capt. Thomas C. J. Baily of
the Seventeenth United States infantry. There were twelve
hundred and twenty-eight men in all, mustered into the regiment
during its term of service, of whom two hundred and seventy-
five returned home and were mustered out, and one hundred
and twenty who were mustered in for three years, were, when
the term of the regiment expired, transferred to the Twentieth
Maine. The Second, during its two years' term, saw an amount of
service which would put to the blush many of the veteran troops
of the old world. It was engaged in eleven bloody and hard-
fought battles besides numerous skirmishes in which it invariably
distinguished itself, and it never received a word of censure in
any particular from the higher officers who from time to time
were appointed over it. This was due in a great degree to the

56 MAINE IN THE WAR.
superiority of its officers. During all its trials, tedious marches
and desperate battles, it never fainted, never faltered, never
murmured, but scrupulously performed its duty, steadily and
steadfastly upheld the old flag, and was ready to sacrifice life,
if need be, to sustain the institutions of our government. It
has a record second to no regiment which has ever been in the
service, and the officers and men who were members of it, as
well as the whole State, look back with satisfaction and pride
upon its untarnished fame, while future generations will rise to
bless the living and revere the memory of itsnoble dead.
After Col. Jameson's promotion to Brigadier General> he
was assigned to the command of the First brigade of the Third
(Hamilton's, afterwards Kearney's,) division of the Third
(Heintzelman's) corps. This brigade was composed of the
Eighty-Seventh New York, the Fifty-Seventh, Sixty-Third and
One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania regiments. With these
he fought at Yorktown, Williamsburgh, Fair Oaks and in Other
battles. He was always brave even to rashness, and willing
to lead where any dared to follow. Having a lively interest in
the comfort of his men and always sharing their lot, he won
their love and admiration, and they, glorying in their leader,
followed him with a discipline of the heart.
He was the first to enter the enemy's works at Yorktown
after their evacuation ; and at Fair Oaks, riding ont into the
open field to rally his men, he was met by a volley from the
enemy and his horse fell pierced with three bullets. In falling,
the General's leg was caught under the animal, when some men
of the Sixty-Third Pennsylvania came up and lifted the horse
off and helped their leader away.
By hard and protracted labor and exposure, he fell sick of
camp fever, and in September, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
he was obliged to return home to recruit his health. He died
on the sixth of November following.
Gen. Kearney who had a strong personal attachment for him,
in a letter to Gov. Washburn in May, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, said that Gen. Jameson had "amply filled the full
meed of anticipated distinction," and that on the fifth of that
month, "forming the rear of the column on the march from
camp, used vigor in bringing up his men under every difficulty
and was with me under severe fire, when he arrived and gave

SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 57
guaranty of a resolution that promised success in case, daylight
remaining to us, he had been launched to the attack of Fort
Magruder and those works which the enemy evacuated to us
during the night and which he was the first to enter at daylight."
A leading journal closes a notice of our General in these
words : —
"Intrepid, enterprising, but withal judicious and full of
resources, Gen. Jameson had before him the prospect of a most
brilliant military career. He was one of the fighting Generals.
"As he, with others of the salvoed chiefs of fearless men
who lately have left us — when we could have better spared
others of another mould than theirs — as he, and Kearney and
Stevens shall reach the shores of that dark river, made mournful
by Cerberus' ceaseless howl, the waiting hosts of the bravest
dead of all the past will recognize their beaming blades, nor
will they seek to dispute them place amid their front and fore
most ranks."

gg MAINE IN THE WAR.

IV.
THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY.
While the State was alive with patriotic enthusiasm, among
her stalwart sons who rallied to the defence of their country,
this regiment responded with promptness and alacrity. There
was not a member but who believed, in the language of the
illustrious Jefferson, "in the preservation of the general gov
ernment in its whole constitutional vigor as the sheet anchor of
our peace at home and safely abroad."
The regiment went into camp at Augusta on the State Grounds
fronting the capital. While encamped here it underwent con
stant drill under the direction of Sergeant E. Burt of the United
States army, a capable and experienced officer, assisted by
Mr. Frank Pierce, a native of Augusta, and a graduate of the
Vermont military school. It was organized for active service
May twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and mus
tered into the United States service June fourth, by Capt.
Thomas Hight of the Second United States dragoons, as follows,
the men being armed with the Springfield smooth-bore musket: —
FIELD AND STAFF.
Oliver Otis Howard,1 Leeds, Colonel ; Isaac N. Tucker, Gar
diner, Lieutenant Colonel ; Henry G. Staples, Augusta, Major ;
Andrew J. Church, Augusta, Chaplain; Gideon S. Palmer,
Gardiner, Surgeon; George E. Brickett, China, Assistant
Surgeon ; Edwin Burt, Augusta, Adjutant ; James H. Plaisted,
Waterville, Sergeant Major ; Joseph S. Smith, Bath, Quarter
master Sergeant; Lorenzo D. Grafton, Augusta, Commissary
Sergeant ; Frank H. Getchell, Waterville, Hospital Steward ;
Charles H. Howard, Leeds, Drum Major; Moses M. Wadsworth,
Gardiner, Fife Major. COMPANY OFFICERS,
Company A, (Bath City Greys,)— William O.Rogers, Captain;
Reuben Sawyer, First Lieutenant; John S. Wiggin, Second
Lieutenant ; all of Bath.

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 59
Company B, Edwin A. Bachelder, Captain ; Albert B. Hall,
First Lieutenant; Edwin Burt, Second Lieutenant ; aU of
Augusta. Company C, William E- Jarvis, Captain; James M. Colson,
First Lieutenant ; George S. Andrews, Second Lieutenant ; all
of Gardiner.
Company D, Charles A. L. Sampson, Captain ; William H.
Watson, First Lieutenant ; Warren R. Mattson, Second Lien-
tenant ; all of Bath.
Company E, James M. Nash, Captain; John W. Sanborn,
First Lieutenant ; Gorham S. Johnson, Second Lieutenant,; aU
of Hallowell.
Company F, Elbridge G. Savage, Solon, Captain ; Royal B.
Stearns, Skowhegan, First Lieutenant ; Henry A. Boyce, Skow-
hegan, Second Lieutenant.
Company G, Frank S. Hesseltine, Waterville, Captain;
Nathaniel Hanscom, Benton, First Lieutenant ; William A. Hatch,
Waterville, Second Lieutenant.
Company H, William S. Heath, Captain; Francis E. Heath,
First .Lieutenant ; John R. Day,. Second Lieutenant; all of
Waterville. Company I, Moses B. Lakeman, Captain; A. R. Quimby,
First Lieutenant ; H. M. Rines, Second Lieutenant ; all of
Augusta. ,
Company K, Newell Strout, Durham, Captain ; Binsley S.
Kelley, Winthrop, First Lieutenant ; William Elder, Winthrop,
Second Lieutenant.
The only company of the regiment which existed under former
militia laws, was the Bath City Greys, a corps that had no
superior in discipline and the soldierly bearing of its members.
The regiment was composed largely of hardy specimens of
Kennebec lumbermen. The average individual weight of one
company was one hundred and seventy pounds. The regiment
was exceedingly fortunate in the appointment of Col. Howard
as its commander. This estimable and accomplished gentleman
was educated at the Military Academy at West Point, where
he was graduated with the highest honors. After graduation
he was appointed Lieutenant in the Ordnance Department,
After serving in Texas and Florida he was transferred to the
arsenal in Augusta, Georgia, and from thence to Augusta, the

60 MAINE IN THE WAR.
capital of this State. After this he was appointed Professor of
Mathematics at West Point, which post he filled for four years,
when he was furloughed to enable him to take the command of
this regiment. Lieutenant Burt of Company B, was promoted
to Adjutant before the regiment left the State and his place in
the Company was filled by Edward C. Pierce of Augusta.
In the early gray of the morning of June fifth, the day after
the regiment had been mustered into the United States service,
they broke camp to leave for the seat of war. On taking their
departure they received the farewell of the State in an inspiriting
address from Gov. Washburn to which Col. Howard responded
in a felicitious manner. The regiment was accompanied by
Mrs. Sampson, wife of the Captain of Company D, who had
the unexampled benevolence to devote herself to the welfare of
the sick without any assurance of recompense. On their passage
through New York an elegant regimental flag was presented
them by Stewart L. Woodford, Esq., U. S. District Attorney,
in behalf of the sons of Maine, and received with appropriate
acknowledgments by Col. Howard. Ten rounds of ball
cartridges were given each man previous to passing through
Baltimore. No occasion occurred, however, requiring their
use, and the regiment arrived without adventure in Washington
during the evening of the seventh, when they were ordered to
the camp of instruction on Meridian Hill. Here they remained
until July sixth, when they crossed the Potomac, and encamped
near Fort Ellsworth in Virginia, occupying the most advanced
position and the post of honor in Gen. McDowell's column.
The war at this period had begun in earnest. Thefirst advance
upon Richmond, which the rebels had selected as their seat of
government, had been commenced by the commander of the Union
forces. The Third was moved to Clermont, three miles from
their previous camp, where they were brigaded under Col.
Howard, and placed in the Third division under Acting Major
Gen. Heintzelman. Major Staples assumed command of the
regiment, Lieut. Col. Tucker being on detached duty.
The day after the regiment was moved, their picket line was
advanced to Springfield Station. Three days after they joined
in the march on Bull Run, arriving at Centreville on the seven
teenth, and at Bull Run on the twenty-first, where took place the
first desperate battle of the war, the enemy being under Gen.

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 61
Beauregard. Heintzelman's division took the old Braddock road
which went into Centreville from the south east, about a mile
and a half from the village, and then moved to the Warrenton
Turnpike, the Third regiment being in the rear of the column.
The long and tedious march which the regiment had undergone
made the men so fatigued that they were halted under cover of
the woodq, about half a mile from a battery of the enemy, to
recuperate. After remaining in this position some fifteen
minutes they were ordered into line of battle, and proceeded to
engage the enemy. Marching to the top of a hill one quarter
of a mile from their resting place, a battery of the enemy opened
upon them with terrible effect. Firm in their position stood the
men of the Third, firing their volleys with good execution, when
they retired to the foot of the hill, reformed and returned to the
encounter,, Finding that they were insufficient in number to
cope with the enemy and there being none of our, troops in
sight and no artillery to assist them, they again fell back in
good order, after a short but desperate struggle, under a raking
fire from the enemy's batteries. On reaching the woods they
became scattered, but soon rallied and retreated with the rest
of the army, to Centreville. In this disastrous battle the Third
sustained itself with credit, until the panic which seized the
troops, when it was found impossible to rally them. The fire
of our musketry seemed so utterly useless and the ranks were
so thin that no better course could be taken than to retreat, as
aR our forces were doing. Col. Howard had his horse shot,
while shells exploded all about him. When our troops were
flying in all directions, he distinctly said, that he would not run
away but would be taken first. He therefore walked his horse
with the few that still adhered to him, and a little further on he
rallied all that could be found of the Third brigade. The enemy
now began to press upon the rear, and the order came to retreat
to Centreville. Major Staples, commanding the regiment, and
Lieut. Burt, Acting brigade Quartermaster, who tendered his
valuable services to the former, conducted themselves with
heroic gallantry while leading on our men. Capt. Hesseltine,
before leaving camp with Ins company, offered a brief prayer,
saying to his men, "Trust in God — stand by the flag, and you
will know no fear." They did stand by it, one and all, and the
Captain cared not for his own comfort, but minigtered to the

62 MAINE IN THE WAR.
wants of his command, and conducted in safety a part Of the
wounded to the camp. Captains Sawyer, Heath and Lakeman,
and Lieutenants Hatch, Wiggin, Colson, Hall, Johnson, Watson,
Savage and Harvey, evinced true courage, keepingtheir positions
during the engagement, until ordered to retire, and administer
ing' to the wants of the suffering.
Company H probably suffered more severely than- any Other
company in the regiment. The long march which was made in
the heat of the day, at quick and double quick time, to reach
the scene of conflict was almost too much for men, who were
under arms from half past one in the morning. Many dropped
by the wayside by reason of fatigue ; and when breathless and
exhausted they arrived on the field of battle, out of the sixty-
six men who marched out of camp at Centreville before daylight,
only some thirty-two or three were there. After the colors of
the regiment had left, the company was formed, on the left pf
tile Second Vermont, by order of Col. Howard, together with
other fragments of the regiment, and marched up the hill and
faced the terrible fire, when every man felt that he was going tb
his death. The loss of the regiment was eight killed, twenty-nine
wounded and twelve taken prisoners. The entire baggage of
the regiment together with the knapsacks of the men fell into
the hands of the enemy.
After our retreat from Centreville the Third was the first to
move back. They retured to their old encampment on the
right of Fort Ellsworth and four miles from Clermont, on the
estate of Commodore Forrest who was in the Southern service.
The officers were somewhat reluctant at first to come back.
But Col. Howard deemed it much better for the health of the
men and good discipline of the regiment, that they be removed
from their narrow and filthy quarters, and be brought out of
the precincts of a city where there was no suitable place for
drill, and where the men must be either closely confined in
buildings or allowed to wander about a city to acquire habits of
idleness or those more vicious. Soon after their arrival GrOene's
battery was put under command of Col. Howard, also a company
of United States cavalry. The regiment was placed in anew
brigade under Gen. John Sedgwick. Clermont House was
used as a hospital for' the regiment. There was a good deal of
sickness, but there was1 perfect satisfaction in regard to the

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 63
medical department. Dr. Palmer who i was acting and finally
made surgeon for the brigade was succeeded by Dr. Brickett as
surgeon of the regiment. The first one who died in the hospital
was private Blaisdell of Gardiner, of Capt. Lakeman's company;
Gov. Washburn paid the regiment a visit while here. He
called to see what was needed to make the Maine troops more
efficient and more comfortable, with the purpose of doing all in
his power to meet their wants. Rev. H. C. Leonard, the new
Chaplain of the regiment, went on with him, Chaplain Church
having resigned. The situation of their encampment was
shortly afterward changed to Flag Hill, where the health of the i
regiment was much improved. Mrs; Sampson was proving
herself of great value as a hospital nurse. Her attentions to
the sick were Untiring, and she had won the esteem of the whole
regiment. The operations of the stove-pipe artillery as it was called,
originated here. The boys went into a meeting house, got a
piece of stove-pipe, mounted it on a pair- of wagon wheels that
they obtained, and run it up a hill in sight of the enemy, where
upon the rebels commenced firing at it with their cannon ; our
boys abandoned their "gun," after the first shot, but had the
satisfaction of seeing the enemy waste twelve shot on it.
On September fifth* the two flanking and two color companies
were furnished with rifles. Several Changes of command at this
period also took place, among which Major Staples succeeded
to the Colonelcy, Col. Howard having been promoted to Briga»-
dier General. Capt, E. Burt of Company K, was elected Major.
Dr. Brickett who had accepted the appointment of surgeon of
the Fifth Maine, was succeeded by Dr. Thaddeus Hildreth of
Gardiner. While these changes were making, Col. Staples who
was absent on recruiting service in Maine, returned, and the fol
lowing order was issued: Headquarters, Third Regt: Maine Vols. 1
Camp Fessenden, Sept. 11th, 1861. )
Order. Col. Staples having arrived and reported for duty, the command
of "the regiment is turned over to him. Gen. Howard takes
this occasion to say that he leaves his old regiment with many
feelings of regret. Without one exception he can heartily
commend every officer of '• the regiment, for a steady co-operation

64 MAINE IN THE WAR.
in dujty, and a frank gentlemanly demeanor towards him on all
occasions. He earnestly hopes that the uniform good conduct
of the officers and men, which is laying the foundation of a
durable reputation for them here and at home,, may continue.
He cherishes the firm conviction that the enemy will ultimately
be conquered, and that this regiment will have its quota of the
honors and the blessings that will accrue to our beloved country.
May Heaven bless and guide your new Colonel in the perform
ance of his duties, and enable him to add yet more to his well-
earned laurels. To him your old Colonel entrusts you, and asks
on your part the same promptness, diligence and regard towards
him which have been shown in the past. Gen. Howard owes
much of worldly notice and position to this regiment, and he
trusts he will never tarnish the reputation given him by any
neglect or miscarriage on his part.
It is his duty and yours to face the enemy. By the. help of
God the enemy must be conquered. Forget npt, then, daily to
ask confidently for that help from on high.
0. 0. HOWARD,
Brigadier General Volunteers.
The regiment parted with Gen. Howard with feelings of the
profoundest regret. He carried with him the love of the whole
regiment, which ever afterwards felt inspired by the noble
example of moral heroism which he left behind.
Until the twenty-seventh of September the regiment remained
encamped near Clermont employed in doing picket duty,
working on fortifications and drilling, and on one occasion,
August twenty-seventh and eighth, a portion engaging in a
skirmish with the enemy at Bailey's Cross Roads, with no loss,
when their brigade was moved to a position on the estate of
George Fowle, Esq., formerly a resident of Massachusetts, and
a staunch Union man, and posted to Gen. Heintzelman's division.
This estate was known as the "Burgundy farm," and was on
the old Fairfax road, The whole regiment was now supplied
with rifles. Lieut. Col. Tuckerhavingresignedandbeenappoint-
ed brigade quartermaster, Capt. Sampson of Company D was
appointed to fill the vacancy, a position which he resigned July
seventh of the following year.
Month after month now passed during which time the Army
of the Potpmac> as it was called, underwent reorganization

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 65
under Gen. McClellan who had succeeded McDowell in its
command shortly after the battle of Bull 'Run. It had to be
disciplined, armed and instructed. Occasionally the monotony
of camp life was relieved by a reconnoisance or slight brush
with the enemy, but there was no prospect of a serious conflict
between the contending forces until the following spring, when
the long period of inactivity was to be broken by the renewal
of hostilities. The patient labors of many months had produced
their fruit, and the Army of the Potomac was now a real army,
admirable in discipline and instruction as then announced by its
commander, and excellently equipped and armed.
The spring campaign opened with cheering signs. Our lines
were advanced, and there was a promise of "thundering all
around" once more. ' The splendid victory achieved in Tennessee
at the battle of Pittsburg Landing gave an assurance of success.
The advance on Yorktown, the opening of the ill-starred Penin
sula campaign, had commenced. In the siege of this stronghold
of the enemy, the Third regiment, which had arrived on the
afternoon of April fifth from Hampton, and encamped within
range of his guns, sustained nd minor part, being one of the
few who never permitted themselves to be surprised. Night
and day they labored on the formidable works which were being
erected, oftentimes under a deadly fire of grape and cannister.
The evacuation of Yorktown found the Third among the first
in pursuit of the enemy ; hence the severe loss of their brigade
at the battle of Williamsburg which followed, before arriving at
which place, they were nearly exhausted from the severity of
the march, made as it was through mud in some places nearly
two feet in depth. Arriving within two miles of the battle field,
their brigade filed dff, and after halting to relieve the men of
their knapsacks, were again on the march. On reaching the field
Gen. Heintzelman, who commanded their corps (Third), detach
ed the Third and Fourth Maine from their brigade, and being
reinforced by three other regiments marched and formed a line
of battle on the plain to the left of the battle-field, in order to
prevent the possibility of a flank movement. In the meanwhile
the balance of the brigade had advanced and engaged the
enemy. At sunset the Third was withdrawn from the plain and
marched to relieve those of our forces which had been engaged,
when an order came from Gen. Kearney who commanded the
5

66 MAINE IN THB WAR.
division, for them to "file into the woods and bivouac, as
Williamsburg was won." The rain fell in torrents throughout
the day. Only two of the regiment were wounded.
At early dawn the following morning — May sixth — the Third
in company with the Fourth Maine were ordered to advanpe in
line and carry Fort Magruder by storm, but their passage thither
was not disputed, the enemy having evacuated the works the
night previous after a severe contest, leaving behind his dead
and wounded. The right of the army having been foremost up
to this time, and needing rest, the left pursued the enemy.
Receiving fresh supplies of rations and ammunition the march
was resumed, and on the fifteenth the Third arrived at Cumberland
on the Pamunkey river, where they remained but a few days,
when they moved to within a few miles of Bottom's Bridge on
the Chickahominy river, where, on the twenty-fifth, they crossed
and marched to within half a mile of Fair Oaks. During the
attack on the enemy at this place on the thirty-first, the Third
was ordered to the front by Gen. Birney.
They moved up the railroad by the flank, and occupied several
positions on the right and left of the road during the afternoon,
resting at night in line of battle upon the first opening on the
right of the railroad, above the bridge. The next morning, June
first, they were ordered into the field by Col. J. H. Hobart Ward
of the Thirty-eighth New York, who was in command of the
brigade, where they formed a line of battle under the edge of
the woods, their right toward the railroad. The quick step of
scouts to the line was the signal that the enemy was approach
ing. Our position could not have been better for the purpose
of "ambush," a sufficient force having been sent to take aflank
position on the right, while the Third, and the Thirty-eighth
and Fortieth New York regiments were concealed behind a
fence. On came the enemy, Longstreet's division. They
formed four distinct lines of battle, the last of which was within
twenty yards of our levelled muskets. They thought to surprise
us, when at the favorable opportunity the order was given our
men to fire and charge, and never was an order more promptly
or thoroughly obeyed. The three left companies of the Third
were opposed to an entire battalion (Eighth Alabama) who
were all either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. The enemy
was driven, madly contesting every foot of ground, through a

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 67
heavy growth of wood, across a swamp and oyer a plain, where
the Fourth Maine finished the morning's work. The brilliant
charge which had been made was the theme of universal
praise, and Gen. Kearney said that "the brigade had gallantly
won the honors of the day." The loss of the- Third in killed
and wounded was nearly one third of the regiment, principally
in the left wing.
The heroic and manly conduct of Sergeant Major F. W.
Haskell of Waterville, who was afterwards promoted to Adju
tant of the Nineteenth Maine for his gallantry during this
engagement, led Col. Staples and Lieut. Col. Egan of the
Fortieth New York, to call Gov. Washburn's attention to it in
terms of commendation. The former, in a letter to His Excel
lency, stated that "he was in advance of the line during the
whole time, constantly cheering on the men. For his gallant
and, meritorious conduct on this occasion he has won the praise
and admiration of the entire regiment. Where all did their
duty it is difficult to single out ; but so much has been said
concerning young Haskell that I have determined to inform
Your Excellency of the fact. He richly deserves a commission,
and I take pleasure in commending him. to your favorable con
sideration." The latter officer in his communication, said that,
while under a galling fire, he observed young Haskell leading
the men on the left of the Third, when no other officers were
near him whom he could observe. His conduct was so brilliant
as to be worthy of an officer of any rank.
After the battle the brigade held its position for three days,
when it was withdrawn and encamped on the ground on which
the battle-had been fought. The duty in the trenches here was
-very trying, as it was almpst continual battle from day to day.
The Third remained in the advance line of the army until June
twenty-fifth, when they were engaged in the battle of White
Oak Swamp, where by having a good position they were
enabled to do excellent service with very slight loss.
During the famous seven days' contest that followed, Col.
Staples was sick and Maj. Burt had command of the regiment.
They left camp early in the morning of the twenty-ninth, from
the advance line of fortifications before Richmond, and crossed
White Oak Swamp late in the afternoon at Brackett's Ford.
The left flank, company B, under Lieut. Cox, was deployed as

68 MAINE IN THE WAR. -it
skirmishers, and ordered to proceed cautiously to Charles City
Road, and there await further orders, unless they met with oppo
sition from the enemy on their way. After advancing nearly two
miles they found a superior force of the enemy strongly posted
in the woods, with field artillery ; and though at first successful
in driving the enemy from his position, they were finally com
pelled to yield the ground to his superior numbers. Having
succeeded in checking the advance of the foe, they retired in
good order and joined the regiment. It being deemed inexpe
dient to attempt to proceed by this route to the Charles- City
road, the regiment re-crossed the swamp, followed its banks
aboutsix miles, and again' crossing, gained the high land on ,
the river side, and bivouacked for the night. On the morning
*of the thirtieth, on which day occurred the battle of Glendale
or Nelson's farm, they marched and formed a line of battle.
Here the enemy appeared in our front, making an attempt to
drive in our pickets, and the regiment was ordered to leave
their baggage which was lost, and move to the front in double
quick time. It then appearing evident that the enemy was
marching around our left flank instead of making a direct attack
in our front, the regiment was ordered to the left, and deployed
as skirmishers, holding a line of over half a mile until the morn
ing of July first. Before daybreak that morning they were
drawn in from picket line, formed and marched over the Quaker
road to Malvern Hill, near Turkey Bend, on the James river,
where they arrived about five o clock A. M. After a short rest
they moved to the front, and formed in line of battle in support
of Randolph's Sixth Rhode Island battery. The fire of the
rebel artillery was ' drawn upon us by a few shot fired by this
battery, and the regiment was within close range and under a
severe fire from the enemy's shell some six or eight hours.
Their loss was slight. The conduct of our men while under
this galling fire was admirable in the extreme — no one flinching
from his place, but all standing Up to their work with great
resolution and ' bravery. During the vigorous shelling by the
rebels the regiment constructed a barricade of fence rails, and
when straw and -shovels were procured in the afternoon, they
strengthened it into a formidable rifle pit or breastwork, in which
they lay during the night. At two o'clock the next morning,
the regiment was again formed and moved by the river rdad'lto

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 69
Dr. Mung's plantation, near Berkley's Station, and bivouacked
there until the following morning. At this place the rebels
shelled our camp with great vigor, inflicting, however, no injury.
During the forenoon the regiment moved with the army in the
direction of Harrison's Landing, a severe rain storm prevailing
which made it almost impossible for their wounded men to be
kept in the ranks. The next morning the enemy's shell gave
notice of his close proximity, when the Third proceeded to the
front, held their ground and finally encamped.
The behavior of the regiment during the trying scenes which
they had passed of arduous toil, of the march, picket guard and
the battle field, with scarcely any rest or sleep, was most com
mendable — every one appearing cheerful and eager in the
execution of his duty. During this time Maj. Bnrt was greatly
indebted to Capt. Lakeman, who acted as Lieutenant Colonel,
for his valuable and efficient services. Surgeon Hildreth dis
played great coolness and presence of mind while under fire,
and rendered prompt, and timely aid to the sick and wounded.
Chaplain Leonard was ever present, and contributed in no
small degree in preserving the zeal of the soldier and cheering
him on in the execution of his duty by his animating and inspir
iting remarks during their hardships and danger, and by the
encouraging aspect of affairs he always presented when talking
with the various members of the command.
From this time until August fifteenth they remained in the
front, erecting breastworks, and performing picket duty, when
they joined in the retrograde movement towards Yorktown,
arriving on the nineteenth and embarking on transports for
Alexandria, thence by rail to within four miles of the Rappa
hannock river, thence to Greenwich, Bristow's Station, Manassas
and Centreville, and finally on the twenty-ninth they marched
for Bull Run, arriving on the battle field of Groveton or Second
Bull Run, at about 9 A. M., and participating in the engagement
of that day. The next day they supported Randolph's battery
until three o'clock P. M., when they retired to the rear. The
regiment shortly returned to the attack with Gen. Kearney at
their head, but meeting a rebel brigade, were forced to retire
under a .murderous fire. A portion also encountered another
heavy fire while supporting a section of a battery, and with the
rest of our forces fell back to Centreville.

70 > MAINE IN THE WAR.
The next day, September first, when took place the battle of
Chantilly, they, with the rest of the brigade, went to the
assistance of Gen. Stevens' division, which had been repulsed,
and succeeded in checking and driving back the enemy, holding
their position until the next morningl Their loss was four
killed, thirty-eight wounded and eight missing. The following
day the regiment marched to Alexandria, when Col. Staples
returned from sick leave and resumed his command.
The disasters happening to Gen! Pope hastened at this period
the withdrawal of the army of the Potomac to his relief, while
Gen. McClellan Was placed in command of the defences of
Washington. Proceeding to Poolesville, Maryland, thence to
White's Ford on the Upper Potomac, the Third performed duty
at the fords from Monocacy river to Conrad's Ferry, at which
place Col. Staples was placed in temporary command of their
brigade, Lieut. Col. Lakeman commanding the regiment until
October eleventh, when they with the Fourth Maine were
ordered to the mouth of the Monocacy to intercept the return
of the enemy (Stuart's cavalry) into Virginia. Arriving at the
mouth of the Monocacy about eleven o'clock P. M., Capt.
Morgan with two companies was sent forward to hold the
bridge, and form a picket line. Having taken his position the
regiment advanced. The following morning at nine o'clock,
the enemy with field artillery opened an attack with the seeming
intention of crossing the river at this point. Lieut. Col. Lake-
man then sent forward companies F and H, under Command
of Capt. Morgan, as skirmishers, to harrass the enemy's gun
ners, which encountered- a body of his cavalry, dismounted,
acting as skirmishers, whom Capt. Morgan attacked" and routed.
The firing at this time by our artillery prevented him from
following. In the meantime Major Burt, with four companies,
was engaged in supporting Purington's battery,' when, learning
that the enemy, had taken to their horses and were crossing the
ford, three miles lower down, Lieut. Col. Lakeman with the
balance of the Regiment, immediately started for the ford,
where on their arrival it was found that the enemy had escaped.
Returning to Poolesville in the evening, they marched to White's
Ford where they remained doing guard and picket duty until
the Iwe/nty-eighth, when they forded the Potomac a"t this point
and encamped near the river on the Virginia side. Gen. Ward

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 71
having previously taken command of the brigade, Col. Staples
resumed command of the regiment, and on the thirty-first they
marched towards Leesburg, encamping within two miles west
of it, and thence proceeding to Warrenton on the Rappahan
nock, where they remained doing duty at Waterloo Bridge, until
the sixteenth of November when they left for Falmouth, the
command of the regiment devolving on Col. Lakeman who had
been promoted, Col. Staples having resigned.
The regiment remained at Falmouth until the eleventh of
December, when, the thunder of our guns before Fredericksburgh, ,
told them that the battle had commenced, and reminded them
of their duty. At early dawn the regiment was in line and on
the move. After proceeding about a mile, with the rest of our
force they stacked arms, and the men unslung knapsacks, as
the passage of the Rappahannock river had not been carried.
In this position they remained until nearly dark when the whole
division moved about a mile further to the front, and filing right
and left, bivouacked for the night. All the forenoon of the
following day the men were kept at their arms, ready for any
emergency. In the afternoon Col. Lakeman marched nearly six
miles in order to cross and reinforce Gen. Franklin, who had
been giving battle to the enemy since morning.
On arriving within about a mile of the pontoon bridge, it was
found that the troops previously sent by this route had not yet
crossed, and the Third was ordered to bivouac. The next day,
at daybreak, they were under arms, and at ten o'clock they
crossed the Rappahannock, when Gen. Birney, commanding the
division, immediately formed his brigades and pushed forward
to the left of the ground occupied by Gen. Whipple, and prepared
for action. Col. Lakeman marched to the rear, some one hun
dred and seventy-five yards, where his men deposited their
knapsacks and took position in the line amid a shower of shot
and shell, when he was ordered to the support of Hall's Second
Maine battery, remaining in position nearly six hours under a
most trying fire from batteries and sharpshooters. The position
was a post of honor and danger. The battery having been
ordered to change position, it was discovered that one of its
guns had been disabled, which, with the loss of all its horses,
led the enemy to boldly come forward and attempt to capture it ;
but the unerring aim of a well-directed fire from the Third,

72 MAINE IN THE WAR.
sent him flying back to the cover of his entrenchments beyond
the woods. The regiment then escorted the battery to the
position to which it had been assigned, then immediately returned
and formed in line of battle on the ground previously occupied
by the battery, covering nearly the whole brigade front. At
sunset they were reinforced, and that night formed the advance
line, being in close range for the enemy's sharpshooters. . At
an early hour the next morning they were withdrawn from the
front and placed in the second line, where they remained through
the day, when at midnight they took up their previous position
in the advance. The regiment was from necessity compelled to
lie on wet ground, in front of the enemy, for nearly fifty hours,
which accounts for the slight loss they sustained, which was
three killed, twenty-five wounded and four missing. During
the retreat the regiment lost no baggage or public property.
On the morning of the fifteenth, they reached the camp they
had previously occupied across the Rappahannock at Falmouth.
On the twentieth of January they broke camp and participated
in Gen. Burnside's movement on Fredericksburgh, which being
abandoned, they returned to their old camp remaining until the
fourth of March, when with the division they went to Potomac
Creek and, under Capt. Morgan, were employed in building
military roads until April twenty-eighth. On this day afternoon
the regiment promptly took their position in the brigade and
marched toward the Rappahannock where they bivouacked for
the night. The next day they advanced their position two miles
nearer, in order to be within supporting distance of the troops
under Gen. Sedgwick. There they remained until the following
day, bivouacking for the night. At one o'clock on the thirtieth,
their brigade moved towards United States Ford, a distance of
fifteen miles above, near which they arrived about midnight and
bivouacked until morning. At daybreak on the morning of
May first their brigade crossed the Rappahannock at this ford,
and from thence proceeded to the plank road leading from
Gordonsville to Fredericksburgh, where they took position in
line of battle and there remained until the morning of the second,
when the regiment moved up the road and took another position
nearer the front, awaiting an attack until two o'clock in the
afternoon, when their brigade took position in the extreme front.
of the reserve. Shortly after sunset they were ordered to the

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 73
centre and remained there, in line of battle, until nearly midnight,
when the brigade was ordered to charge on a force supposed to
be in their front. The Third advanced nobly to the charge,
and a terrific fight ensued, which lasted nearly an hour. They
succeeded in taking the first and second lines of earthworks,..
and held them until daylight on the following morning, notwith
standing the stubborn resistance of the enemy who were five
times their number. They also succeeded in keeping open the
communication with the Twelfth army corps which had previously
been cut off by the flank movement of the enemy which had
driven back the Eleventh corps in disorder. In this fearful
encounter the Third never flinched, but pressed on under a most
galling fire of infantry and artillery, giving round for round
though the odds were against them. The next morning at
dawn, the enemy occupying the woods to the right and rear,
opened a terrific fire on their brigade which was briskly returned'
until they left their breastwork and retired to Chancellorsville,
where the bloody battle of that day was fought, in which the
brigade supported such batteries as ordered, and otherwise
participated in the action that took place. The Third which
was in the front retired to the second line of defenses after the
action was commenced, where they remained until the following
morning when they again moved to the front and occupied the
first line of defense. Here the enemyfs shells came thick and
fast and several men were more or less slightly wounded. In
this position the enemy made three different attacks upon them,
but were handsomely repulsed at each assault. The conduct of
the regiment in the front, centre and rear was admirable, for
they were assailed at all points. The brigade was highly
complimented by Gen. Ward, its commander, for the gallantry
of its officers and men. They occupied the front line of earth
works until daybreak of the sixth, when they covered the retreat.
of our army, being the last to leave the front, recrossing the
Rappahannock in the forenoon, and returning to their former
camp. The casualties were Lieutenants Cox and Witham
killed, Lieut. Emery wounded, Lieutenants Fuller and Nye
prisoners, and fifty-six men wounded and prisoners, four of
whom afterwards died of wounds.
Remaining in camp until June eleventh, the regiment was
relieved from picket duty on the Rappahannock, and during tho:

74 MAINE IN THE WAR.
afternobn took their position in line, and with their brigade
marched to Rappahannock Station, from thence to Bealton
Station, Catlett's Station, Manassas, Bull Run, Centreville, Gum
Springs, and from thence to Monocacy, Maryland, where they
arrived on the night of the twenty-fifth/performing a forced and
very tedious march of twenty-seven miles that day, the rain
having fallen heavily during the entire afternoon and evening.
At Gum Springs, Lieutenants John R. Day and George S.
Blake, of Company H, H. M. Anderson of Company I, and S.
L. Gilman of Company F, were captured by guerillas while
breakfasting at a farm house about one mile from the camp.
From Monocacy they marched to Point of Rocks, "and from
thence through Middletown, Frederick City, Walkersville.
Woodborough and Tanytown, where they arrived on the thirtieth.
The next night found them at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the
battle at which place they bore a conspicuous part being the
first to attack on the morning of the second, a long distance in
advance af the line. The enemy had attacked the extreme right
of our line in a spirited manner, while the left and in our front
was ominously still. Gen. Sickles, commanding the corps,
ordered a reconnoissance of the position, and chose the Third
and one hundred sharpshooters to "feel for, and find the enemy
at all hazards." At this time the regiment numbered only one
hundred and ninety-six rifles, and fourteen officers, but they
were all heroes, as their conduct that day proved. The duty
assigned to Col. Lakeman with so small a command, was an
arduous one ; but on looking at his little line of well tried men,
he had no fear of the result. At the words " column forward,"
they advanced with measured steps and defiant bearing, and for
half a mile outside our lines pierced the enemy's territory, when
a dense woods obstructed their front. Here Col. Lakeman
formed a line of battle, the skirmishers covering his front. He
then advanced about half a mile through the wood, when the
skirmishers became hotly engaged, and drove the enemy's
pickets and skirmishers before them. He then advanced his
command, and found the enemy concentrating his forces en
masse on his left, with the evident intention of turning that
flank. Col. Lakeman engaged him and for nearly half an hour,
held him in check, notwithstanding the odds were thousands,
his gallant men refusing to yield an inch of ground, but fearfully

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 75
thinning the enemy's ranks with their volleys. The brigade
commander complimented him highly on the conduct of his
officers and men on this occasion. Said he, "Colonel, I had to
send three times to you, before I could get your regiment to
retire. I believe you intended to stop there all day ; they did
nobly, sir, and your officers and men are deserving unbounded
praise." In this engagement the Third lost forty-eight men
killed and wounded. Had it not been for the masterly manner
in which the officers executed Col. Lakeman's commands in that
trying position, as well as the random firing of the enemy, the
regiment would have been annihilated.
' The regiment retired in splendid line, giving volley after
volley, long after the bugle had sounded to cease firing; so
impetuous were they to engage the enemy that they did not
seem to know or acknowledge a superior force. Joining the
brigade they were again sent forward to hold a position in the
extreme front on the Emmettburgh road, where Col. Lakeman
selected a position in the ever memorable Peach Orchard, and
throughout the day so harrassed the enemy, that his skirmishers
could not obtain a footing in our front. Several times the regi
ment was charged upon, and on every occasion the enemy was
repulsed with great slaughter. During the latter part of the
day the regiment did splendid execution on the enemy's flank
as he advanced en masse. The slaughter was terrible. There
were no stragglers reported from the regiment, but each little
squad of fifteen or twenty men, which composed the fighting
strength of the regiment, were a host of themselves. At five
o'clock the battle raged in a most terrific manner, and our gallant
heroes fell thick and fast all around ; but still, those unhurt
stood up to their work with a coolness and confidence that was
surprising. The enemy having concentrated his heavy masses,
pushed them forward with perfectly maniac strength and ferocity ;
but for nearly two hours our forces held the enemy back with
frightful loss, the entire plain in front being strewn thickly with
his dead and wounded. Our left flank being found weak, the
Third brigade fell back to let our batteries open on the enemy,
the Third still holding its position, and not falling back until
twilight with the First brigade, when they immediately joined
their own brigade, and being weary from hard marching, hard,
but glorious fighting, and scarcity of rations, were soon wrapped

76 MAINE IN THE WAR,
in slumber. The enemy had been defeated along the entire
line. The regiment in proportion to its strength suffered severe
ly. The color guard were all either killed or wounded. Capt.
Keene, of the color company, fell pierced by four bullets. So
severe was the engagement from four o'clock until dark, that
scarcely a single officer or man escaped without a shot through
some portion of his clothing or equipments. Gen. Sickles did
the regiment the honor to say, that, " the little Third Maine
saved the army to-day I"
On the morning of the third, Col. Lakeman was placed in
command of the brigade, and Capt. Wm. C. Morgan, who was
subsequently promoted to Major, in command of the regiment.
The column moved to the centre to the support of Gen. Hancock,
of the Second corps, who was reported to have been heavily
pressed by the concentrated columns of the enemy. The
regiment occupied the right and front with the Fourth Maine,
Twentieth Indiana and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania, a post of
honor. In this position they supported the batteries which
shelled the mob of the enemy's troops, now rushing headlong
to the cover of their earthworks, after which they moved to the
extreme front, relieved the line of skirmishers, and occupied,
the first line of defenses, supported by, instead of supporting
the Second corps, until the morning of the fifth, when, finding
the enemy had disappeared, on being relieved, Col. Lakeman
marched his brigade to the ground occupied by the division.
The repulse of the enemy had been complete. The total casual
ties in the regiment were one hundred and thirteen killed,
wounded and missing. Major Lee and Lieut. Penniman were
severely wounded.
On the morning of the seventh, Gen. Meade started the army
in pursuit of the retreating forces of the enemy, but no battle
occurred until that at Wapping Heights near Manassas, on the
twenty-third, where the enemy was engaged and routed. The
regiment with the Fourth Maine on this occasion, were deployed
as skirmishers, and charging the enemy repulsed him from his
front position on the heights, capturing a number of prisoners.
The next morning they were put in motion towards Warrenton
and moved to Sulphur Springs where they remained in camp
until September sixteenth, when they went to Culpepper, where
they remained until the eleventh of October, when during the

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 77
retrograde movement of our army, they engaged the enemy at
Atfburn Mills on the following day, routing him. Proceeding
to Fairfax Station they remained there until the nineteenth,
when they advanced with the army to Catlett's Station and
remained there until the seventh of November, during which
time they were employed in repairing the railroads in that
vicinity. During the skirmish at Kelley's Ford, November
seventh, they met with a slight loss. Crossing the Rapidan on
the twenty-sixth at Jacob's Ford, they took part in the engage
ments at Orange Grove, the next day, and Mine Run on the
thirtieth, with but slight loss, having but one killed, eight
wounded, and twenty-three missing. Remaining in position
until the first of December they recrossed the Rapidan to their
camp near Brandy Station and stayed there until the onward
movement for Richmond commenced under Lieut. Gen. Grant,
May fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, when they moved
across the Rapidan at an early hour in the morning, and en
camped that night on the old battleground of Chancellorsville.
Their participation in the battle of the Wilderness commenced
about sunset of the following day, they taking position in the
woods near Brooks' Cross Roads, where they lost severely.
Among the number wounded was Capt. Getchell, who after
wards died in consequence of his wounds.
When their division was ordered to relieve those of our
troops which were suffering severely, the Fortieth New York
under the brave Col. Egan, which lead ahead of the Third,
became unmanageable under the firing taking place, and were
on1 the point of breaking, when Col. Egan approached Col,
Lakeman, and said, "Col. Lakeman, I cannot get my men to
fire a rifle, will you not charge over them I" "Maine Third,
forward!" shouted Col. Lakeman, and over the prostrate forms
of the Fortieth went the gallant Third, and away went the
rebels ahead of them. This example inspired the Fortieth with
courage and they went in and fought' well. That night a slight
change of position was made, and on the following morning the
enemy was engaged again at the same point, when by a severe
attack on the left of our line, the Third was obliged to fall
back to the road to a rifle pit which they took possession of
maintaining their position until jafternoon, when the enemy
' eharged npon them, but was handsomely repelled. That night,

78 MAINE IN THE WAR.
they still held their position. During this engagement their
loss was very heavy. Lieut. Col. Burt was killed; Cfept.
Harvey was wounded and died a few days after in consequence
of his wounds ; Capt. Worcester was also wounded. Lieut.
Johnson, who was Acting Adjutant, was taken prisoner.
The following day they held their position in the rifle pit until
sunset, when their position was changed several times by varied
movements. Early in the morning of the next day they joined
in the movement towards Spottsylvania Court House, doing
but little fighting. Until the tenth but little fighting was done
by the regiment, on which day they were held in reserve until
sunset, when their brigade made a charge on the enemy's works
and were repulsed. Falling back they were engaged in manoeu
vring preparatory to a charge on the morning of the twelfth,
which was successfully accomplished. Their division carried
the first line of pits and held them during the day against
repeated assaults made in the most determined manner, the
enemy losing thousands of prisoners, while the ground was
almost covered with his dead and wounded. The regiment lost
severely in these . engagements. Capt. Nye was mortally
wounded and Capt. Merrill missing ; Acting Adjutant Bursley
was killed. Frequent skirmishing occurred until the evening
of the nineteenth, when an attack was made on the right, and
the capture of our wagon trains threatened. This attack was
repelled by our forces, which were relieved by the Third with
their division, the regiment having enjoyed during the day the
first rest they had had since the fifth. The next morning as
soon as it was light, the enemy was pressed by their brigade
and several hundred prisoners taken. That night the army
pushed on for Milford Station, the Third arriving there about
sunset of the twenty-first. The next day the Third were engaged
in building a rifle pit. On the morning of the twenty-third they
moved toward the South Anna river, arriving during the after
noon at Taylor's Bridge where a strong work of the enemy
commanding the bridge was taken by their division, the regiment
being assigned one of the hottest places during the fight, losing
severely. Col. Lakeman was wounded and Major Morgan killed.
On the crossing of the South Anna the next day, a rifle pit was
built by their brigade under a galling fire of artillery, in which
they remained until the night of the twenty-sixth, when they

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 79
recrossed the North Anna, and after making a long detour,
reached and crossed the Pamunkey on the twenty-eighth, pushing
along until the morning of the thirtieth when the regiment
engaged in throwing up an entrenchment under a very annoying
fire of sharpshooters, during which Capt. Mclntire was wounded,
and Lieut. Briggs killed. During the change of position by
the army that follpwed, the Third lostpn the picket line, sixteen
men, most of whom were taken prisoners. The regiment was
not actively engaged in the battle at Coal Harbor on June third,
their division serving as a support, to Gen. Barlow's division of
the Second corps. Their term of service expiring the next day,
they left on the fifth for Maine, Gen. Birney on thpir departure,
issuing an order congratulating them on the faithful and
efficient services they had rendered during their three years'
campaign. On the eleventh of June they reached Augusta, where they
were greeted with a public reception. The Augusta Citizens'
Band, most of whom were formerly connected with the band of
the regiment, were in waiting and joined in giving expression
in inspiring musical strains to the general joy. The veteran
- heroes, the pages of whose history were written all over with
undaunted valor, patient endurance and heroic achievements,
were invited to partake of a handsome collation which had been
placed in readiness for them by the city authorities. After
they were seated at the table, Col. Lakeman, the veteran com
mander of the regiment, called to order, and Mayor Caldwell,
in brief terms, gave them a welcome to the hospitalities of the
city, and introduced Gov. Cony, who addressed them in a few
well chosen sentences, congratulating them upon their safe
return to their homes, and adverting to the glorious history of
the regiment, from its departure under its gallant commander,
General Howard, through all the vicissitudes and dangers of
its three years' service, up to the crowning heroism of its
achievements during their last campaign. The remarks of the
Governor were warmly cheered by the men. Adjutant General
Hodsdon also made a few timely remarks.
Only about one hundred and seventy-five of the original mem
bers were left, sixty-four of which number re-enlisted. These
with the recruits were transferred to the Seventeenth Maine
regiment. Of the original field and staff not one returned with

-80 MAINE IN THE WAR.
them. Gen. Howard who went out in command of the regiment,
and who was promoted to Brigadier General for his distinguished
services, was afterwards made Major General of Volunteers.
In the Peninsula campaign he lost his right arm at the battle of
Fair Oaks, while in command of the Second brigade of Heiutzel-
man's division. At the battle of Antietam he commanded
Burns' brigade until Gen. Sedgwick was wounded, when he
took command of his division. At the battle of Fredericksburgh
'he commanded a division in the Second corps, and at the battle
of Chancellorsville he commanded the Eleventh corps. At the
battle of Gettysburg, after Gen. Reynolds fell mortally wounded,
the command of the field fell on him, when he withdrew to
Cemetery Hill, and successfully held the key to Meade's position
against the fiercest assaults of the enemy. From the Army of
the Potomac, he joined with his corps the Army of the Cum
berland in Tennessee, distinguishing himself at Lookout Valley,
Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge. When the Eleventh and
Twelfth corps were united to the Twentieth he was placed in
command of the Fourth corps and participated in Gen. Sherman's
memorable Georgia campaign, receiving a slight wound in the
foot at Dallas, shortly after the army commenced its movement
from Tennessee. On the death of Gen. McPherson, he was
assigned to the command of the army and department of Ten
nessee, a position made vacant by that officer's death.
On the resignation of Col. Staples the command of the Third
devolved upon Col. Lakeman who had been promoted from
Captain, and whose skill and valor, perseverance and dash had
crowned his name with imperishable renown. Twice was he
offered promotion to the rank of Brigadier General, but his
attachments and hopes were with the brave and hardy men of
his cherished Third regiment, from the valley of "the Kennebec,
the schoolmates of his boyhood and the companions of his early
manhood, and he could not leave them ; and for this reason he
gracefully declined the proffered honors,. It was his mission to
seek the welfare of his country in a position where he believed
he could be most useful, which was at the head of a regiment
who confided in him and with whose qualities he was entirely
familiar. It was this mutual confidence and trust between Col.
Lakeman and the men of his regiment which enabled them to
participate with so much honor to themselves in the numerous

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 81
battles in which they were engaged, and never for an instant to
tarnish by fault or failure the brightness of their fame.
Not one of the original Captains returned with the regiment
except the Colonel, who went out in command of Co. I. The
original Surgeon of the regiment, who was promoted to Brigade
Surgeon soon after the first battle at Bull Run, was afterwards
made Medical Director at Annapolis. Of the original First and
Second Lieutenants not one came home, haying been promoted,
resigned or killed in battle.
The record of the regiment when mustered out of service,
stood as subjoined. The record includes the original members
of the regiment and all who joined as recruits. Officers mustered
out of service, seventeen; discharged for promotion, seven;
discharged for disability, four ; dismissed, two ; discharged for
incompetency, one ; now held as prisoners of war, six ; deserted,
two ; killed and died of wounds, eleven ; transferred to Invalid
Corps, one; resigned, thirty-three. Enlisted men mustered
out of service June twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, one hundred and seventy-six ; prisoners of war, eleven ;
discharged for disability, four hundred and forty-two ; deserted,
•. one hundred and one ; transferred to Seventeenth regiment,
Invalid Corps, Navy, &c, five hundred and twenty-five ; killed
and died of wounds, one hundred and six ; died of disease, one
hundred and twelve.

82 MAINE IN THE WAR.

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
While the demon of secession was being let loose in our land,
among those who responded to the exigencies of the govern
ment, leaving their pursuits of peace and girding on the armor
that would make them invincible in the service of their country,
were the sons of Maine who composed this regiment.
The Fourth went into camp at Rockland, at which place it
was organized for active service, May eighth, eighteen hundred
and sixty-one, and mustered into the United States service by
Capt. Thomas Hight, United States Dragoons, on the fifteenth
of June, as follows: FIELD AND STAFF.
Hiram G. Berry, Rockland, Colonel ; Thomas H. Marshall,
Belfast, Lieutenant Colonel ; Frank S. Nickerson, Searsport,
Major; Jabez B. Greenhalgh, Rockland, Adjutant; Benjamin
A. Chase, Unity, Chaplain ; Isaac C. Abbott, Rockland, Quar
termaster; SethC. Hunkins, Windham, Surgeon; Abial Libbey,
Richmond, Assistant Surgeon ; S. H. Chapman, Rockland,
Sergeant Major ; John H. Crowell, Winterport, Quartermaster
Sergeant; Isaac Prince, Belfast, Drum Major; Henry E. Burk-
mar, Belfast, Fife Major. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A, (Belfast Artillery.) — Henry W. Cunningham,
Belfast, Captain ; George Gunn, Searsmont, First Lieutenant ;
Richard S. Ayer, Montville, Second Lieutenant.
Company B.— Elijah Walker, Captain; Orrin P. Mitchell,
First Lieutenant; Julius B. Litchfield, Second Lieutenant; all
of Rockland.
Company. C. — Oliver J. Conant, Captain; William Fessenden,
First Lieutenant; Charles A. Rollins, Second Lieutenant; all
of Rockland.
Company D.— Lorenzo D. Carver, Captain ; Thomas B. Glover,

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 83
First Lieutenant; Charles L. Strickland, Second Lieutenant ; all
of Rockland.
Company E. — Stephen C. Whitehouse, Captain; James 0.
Dow, First Lieutenant ; Fred Hussey, Second Lieutenant ; all
of New Castle.
Company F, (Brooks Light Infantry.) — Andrew D. Bean,
Brooks, Captain ; James S. Huxford, Brooks, First Lieutenant ;
Charles H. Burd, Belfast, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Edwin M. Smith, Captain; William H. Clark,
First Lieutenant ; Gustavus Rundlett, Second Lieutenant ; all
of Wiscasset.
Company H. — George J. Burns, Captain ; John C. Cobb,
First Lieutenant ; Beniah P. Brackley, Second Lieutenant ;
all of Rockland.
Company I. — Ebenezer Whitcomb, Captain; John B. Wiswell,
First Lieutenant ; William E. Burgin, Second Lieutenant ; all
of Searsport.
Company K, (Belfast City Grays.) — Silas M. Fuller, Captain;
Alden D. Chase, First Lieutenant; Horatio H. Carter, Second
Lieutenant ; all of Belfast.
The Artillery and City Grays (Light Infantry) from Belfast
and the Brooks Light Infantry were the only companies of this
regiment existing at the date of the requisition of the President
for troops. The two former having enjoyed and improved
unusual facilities for drill, were in a high state of discipline.
Colonel Berry was one of the first to offer his services to his
country. He was the originator and sole commander for several
years of one of the best disciplined companies in the State —
the Rockland Guards. Such was his reputation as a military
gentleman possessed of a high order of executive ability, and
as one of the leading and most influential citizens in his section
of the State, that the position of Colonel of the Fourth was
conceded to him from the earliest stages of its organization.
Lieut. Col. Marshall, a gentleman of wealth, refinement and
literary culture, was the first commander of the Belfast City
Grays, and in organizing that Company as well as perfecting it
in drill and discipline gave his time, talents and money freely
to the work. At the time the regiment was formed, he was
still Captain, but at the choice of regimental officers he was
elected Major and afterwards Lieutenant Colonel.

84 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Major Nickerson was also Captain of the Searsport Company
before the election of regimental officers. Capt. Cunningham
of Company A, had filled not only one of the highest military
offices in the State, but also various subordinate places, and
invariably with credit to himself.
The regiment left Roekland for Washington on the seventeenth
of June, thoroughly furnished with everything necessary for
efficient operations in the field. The men were all strong and
sturdy specimens of Maine's nobility. They were armed with
the Springfield smooth bore musket. Accompanying the regi
ment were Maj. Gen. Titcomb of the Second division of Maine
Militia, with Col. Edward R. Spear and Major Everett W. Stetson
of his staff. On the passage of the regiment through New York
city they were presented with two flags, one from the daughters
of Maine resident in Brooklyn, and the other from the sons of
Maine resident in the former city. In responding to the address
when the first named flag was presented, Col. Berry turning to
the regiment, asked : "Shall this flag ever trail in the dirt ?"
"No," they responded. "Will you defend it so long as you
have a right arm ?" "We will," was shouted back from the
men, and thundering cheers were given by the crowd of specta
tors on all sides.
The regiment arrived at Washington on the evening of the
twentieth, and went into camp the next day on Meridian Hill.
Here they remained until the eighth of July when they moved
across the Potomac into Virginia, going into camp the following
day two miles beyond Alexandria. Two days afterward they
moved to Bush Hill on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad,
where they were temporarily brigaded with the Third and Fifth
Maine and Second Vermont regiments, under the command of
Col. Howard of the former regiment. Here they remained
occupying the time in drilling and occasionally making recon-
noissances until the sixteenth, on which day they left camp in
light marching order for Centreville, arriving on the eighteenth;
Three days after they engaged in the battle of Bull Run, their
brigade leaving Centreville at about sun rise on the morning of
the twenty-first and moving to a position to outflank the enemy
and attack in the rear. Gen. Tyler's division, in which was the
Second Maine, attacked in front. By order of Gen. McDowell,
their, brigade halted at the turn and allowed Cols. Franklin and

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 85
Wilcox to pass on. They waited until noon, when an order
came to hurry forward, when they marched at quick step for
about four miles, then took a path through the woods, a shorter
route than the rest of our forces had taken. Messengers came
back saying we were carrying the day, and at this point an
order was brought from Gen. McDowell to go at double quick.
This was unfortunate, for the men were tired and very much
heated ; but they pressed on. On reaching the battle grdund
they came out from under cover of the woods, the Fourth tak
ing the advance, followed by the Second Vermont, which two
regiments* formed in line in a ravine and marched up a hill
where there were some trees, but unfortunately the battery
they were to support retreated before they arrived, and met
them as they came up. They remained on the brow of the hill
giving about twenty rounds apiece, until their muskets became
too hot for use ; but the enemy were so sheltered and at such
a distance their firing took little effect. When the panic seized
our army the Fourth were the last to leave the field, but, with
the Second Vermont, made a desperate charge upon a battery
of the enemy, and stood receiving the fire of shot and shell for
more than half an hour until ordered to retreat. The battle
had been lost before this ; but, notwithstanding they were
aware of it, from the fact that their lines were more than once
broken by our own cavalry retreating, it was remarked by those
who witnessed it, that their lines were more steady than any
regiment which had gone before them up the hill . They retreated
in good order under command of their officers to Alexandria
where they remained until the twenty-fourth, when they
returned to their old camp at Bush Hill at Clermont. Their
casualties were as follows : Officers wounded, one, taken pris
oners, four, one of whom was wounded ; enlisted men killed, ,
seventeen, wounded, four ; missing, prisoners, thirty-eight,
nearly all of whom were wounded.
During the battle Col. Berry developed a military genius
which gave evidence of the brilliant career which he afterwards
followed. He was the first to discover the retreat of the enemy
from his line of Manassas and Occoquan, which fact he com
municated to the President by telegraph at twelve o'clock at
night. When the army for whose success he labored so faithfully
was defeated, he returned to Alexandria, shedding tears of

86 MAINE IN THE WAR.
mortification on the loss of the victory, which he had so bravely
sought to win. Gen. Kearney in a letter to Gov. Washburn
some time afterwards, while complimenting Col. B. by stating
that he had "a genius for war and a pertinacity in the fight that
proved him fit for high command," gave him the credit of nearly
saving the day at Bull Run. Major Nickerson was highly
complimented by Acting Brig. Gen. Howard, for his bravery,
efficiency and good conduct. Sergt. Maj. S. H. Chapman was
killed instantly by a cannon ball, soon after the regiment came
under fire. Surgeon Hunkins was taken prisoner, but shortly
afterward was exchanged. •
Sergeant R. H. Gray of Stockton, belonging to Company I,
was shot through the left wrist and breast. He was not able
to get away from the field, and was taken prisoner and held at
Manassas. Three several times was he examined by the surgeons
of the rebel army to ascertain if he were sufficiently well to
travel. All our wounded men able to endure the journey had
been forwarded to Richmond, thence to be distributed to Mont
gomery, Raleigh, and other interior towns. Gray was not able
to be moved, and was, on every occasion, passed by the examining
officers. He was so sick from his wounds that he was left
comparatively unguarded, and, observing this fact, and resolved '
to take advantage of it, he ' carefully secreted a small quantity
of the peculiar salve that was used to dress his wounds, an
extra bandage for his arm, and two or three hard biscuit.
With this scanty provision, he started at dawn on Sunday
morning, easily evading the guard, took to the thicket, and
started for the Union lines. He had in his pocket a cheap paper
map of the seat of war on the Potomac, and this was his only
guide. After running innumerable risks of his life by the rebel
pickets, many of whom he heard talking, so near was he to
them ; after lying out all night in a pelting rain, and having by
dint of unprecedented exertions crossed the Potomac, by wading
partly across and swimming the rest of the way (with his
' wounded arm), he finally, after thirty hours' wandering, found
himself in the camp of one of our Maine regiments, where he
received the kindest attention, and was placed in the hospital.
The escape from death of Lieut. Charles H. Burd of Company
F, who after he was wounded was taken prisoner and confined
six months at Richmond before he was released, was almost

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 87
miraculous. A musket ball struck him on the left side of the
forehead and penetrated the skull. The ball then split in two
pieces, separating, and one of them penetrating the brain. One
of the pieces was extracted on the day of the battle, but the
other remained where it had lodged until a Union surgeon
extracted it at Fortress Monroe after he had been released from
imprisonment. The indentation in the skull allowed the pulsa
tion of the brain to be seen. Lieut. Burd recovered, but left
the service.
After the battle it is related, that a private in one of the
Waldo companies, showed lameness and hobbled about with a
cane. One evening as Col. Berry was going around among the
tents, he found the fellow in one of them, and also found that
his principal disease was black-leg. There he sat with his cane
by his side, and a pack of cards in his hands, gaming a poor,
unskilled soldier, out of his last cent. "Hallo," said the
Colonel, "how are you getting along?" " Oh,first rate Colonel,"
replied the limper, "I have won all this fellow's money, except
what's on the board, and I think I'll take that," as he exhibited
his hand to the Colonel. Without stopping to reply Col. Berry
seized the fellow's cane, and breaking it over his head, ordered
him on duty and kept him on guard through the night. He was
afterward kept on duty and it is said he got over his lameness '
marvelously soon.
On the second day of August the Fourth moved across the
railroad and encamped on Battery Hill. Here the regiment
was permanently brigaded with the Third Maine, Thirty-Eighth
and Fortieth New York regiments under the command of Colonel
afterwards Gen. John Sedgwick. The brigade was known as
the Eighth. On the twenty-fourth their camp was moved to
Shuter's or Flag Hill, near Fort Ellsworth. Soon after this
change was made Lieut. Col. Marshall resigned, having been
promoted to the Colonelcy of the Seventh Maine. The vacancy
was filled by the promotion of Major Nickerson, who was suc
ceeded by Capt. Fuller of Company K, as Major.
On the twenty-first of September a mutiny occurred in the
regiment which resulted in ninety-seven members, principally of
companies H and D, being transferred to the Thirty-Eighth New
York regiment. The mutiny arose from a supposition that the
regiment was only three months' men, on account of some

88 MAINE IN THE WAR.
informality in mustering them into service. A few members of
Company A who did not openly revolt but who had signed a
paper promising to do so, at the instigation of one member, were
received back into the Company; but he was marched off
with the rest of the mutineers, whose sentence was that they
be separated and distributed into other regiments, and that all
should be disabled from any promotion even to the place of
Corporal. Company H was broken up entirely. Capt. Burns
was dismissed while his two Lieutenants resigned. Most of
the members were transferred to other companies in the Thirty-
Eighth New York. Its place and letter in the regiment was
taken by a new company recruited at Bangor and Belfast,
mustered into the United States service November ninth, and
organized as follows : William L., Pitcher, Captain ; Albert S.
Spencer, First Lieutenant ; George F. Bourne, Second Lieuten
ant ; all of Bangor.
On the thirtieth the regiment moved their camp to Lawson's
Hill, near Fort Lyon, where they furnished large details for
Working parties who were employed in throwing up fortifications.
Here they remained through the fall and winter. They were in
the advance on the left of the army opposite the enemy's right
at and near Acquia Creek. During this time Lieut. Col. Nick-
.erson was promoted to the Colonelcy of the Fourteenth Maine
regiment, and his vacancy filled by the promotion of Major
Fuller, who was succeeded in his position by Capt. Walker of
Company B.
The commencement of the year eighteen hundred and sixty-
two, still found the regiment encamped on Lawson's Hill near
Fort Lyon, and about two miles and a half from Alexandria.
Their brigade still continued under the command of Gen. Sedg
wick, who was shortly afterwards succeeded by Gen. Birney,
and their division under the command of Gen. Heintzelman who
was subsequently succeeded by Gen. Hamilton. On the sixth
of January, one hundred and sixty men, under command of Maj.
Walker, went out on an exploration in the vicinity of Accotink
and Pohick rivers, acting as a support to Capt. Heine, of
Topographical Engineers. The distance traveled was between
thirty and forty miles — crossing Accotink river and striking the
Pohick at several points. On the tenth the regiment was
furnished with Austrian rifles in exchange for the muskets and

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 89
Windsor rifles with which they were previously armed. On
the twenty-second Adjt. Greenhalgh left for Maine on recruiting
service, and Sergt. Edwin Libbey of Company D, was appointed
Acting Adjutant, afterwards commissioned as Adjutant, Green
halgh having been transferred to the First Lieutenancy of com
pany K. During the month of January the weather was-very
uncomfortable, consequently the prescribed daily drills, parades,
&c, were very much interrupted. The following month was
still more unpleasant, and very little was done in camp. When
the weather allowed the drill was attended to principally and
bayonet exercise. While the regiment was on picket duty at
the close of the month, the lines were extended some two miles.
On the twenty-fourth a reconnoissance was made by order of
Gen. Heintzelman to capture a portion of the enemy's pickets.
Maj. Walker of the Fourth commanded the force, which consisted
of our picket reserve and a squadron of cavalry. The force
scouted some four miles to the right and seven miles to the
front of the lines, going nearly to the Occoquan river, farther
than any reconnoissance made during the winter. No prisoners
were taken, the rebel pickets having retired from their former
line a short time previous. A cavalry scout was shot during
the day, prpbably by one of the treacherous inhabitants, which
caused a report of the enemy's presence in force, and large
reinforcements were sent out to support the pickets, but the
alarm proved groundless.
From the ninth of March to the twelfth, the regiment was on
picket, the lines being now extended to Pohick Creek. On the
evening of the former date, the first notice of the evacuation
by the enemy of his position at Manassas and Occoquan was
received by the pickets of the Fourth by fugitives from the
rebel lines ; and a reconnoissance was made to Occoquan
village on the tenth, with one hundred men under command of
Maj. Walker. This reconnoissance together with additional
information received from deserters coming in to our picket line
during the day, fully confirmed the truth of the reports, all of
which were promptly communicated to division headquarters.
On Monday, the seventeenth, the regiment broke camp and
moved to Alexandria, where with the rest of the division they
embarked for Old Point Comfort. The division was now under
the command of Gen. Hamilton, Gen. Heintzelman having been

90 MAINE IN THE WAR.
promoted to the command of the corps to which the division
belonged. From thence they went to the plains beyond Hamp
ton. The baggage and camp equipage they were allowed to
take on leaving their camp on the Potomac, was, by-order,
reduced to the smallest possible extreme ; the men were provided
with 'small rubber shelter tents which they carried with their
knapsacks, the only canvas tents for which transportation was
allowed being those for the field and staff officers, the company
officers having been requested by Col. Berry to reduce their
baggage and appurtenances to what they could carry on their
backs. While encamped here Col. Berry was promoted to
Brigadier General, and Maj. Walker succeeded him in the
command of the regiment. Capt. Carver of Company D succeeded
Lieut. Col. Fuller who had resigned, and Capt. Smith of Com
pany G, was appointed Major. The latter officer, however,
declined the position to which he was promoted and was shortly
afterwards detached to act as Assistant Adjutant General on Gen.
Berry's staff, and was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks.
The general advance of the army towards Yorktown began
on Friday, the fourth of April, when the Fourth after marching
about twelve miles bivouacked for the night near Great Bethel.
The next day's march brought them in front of the enemy's
fortifications at Yorktown. On account of a severe rain in the
forenoon, making the mud in the roads very deep, the march
was toilsome and difficult; especially. so as they were hurried
on at double quick pace to support the advance of the column
which was engaged with the enemy. By the time their portion
of the column arrived 'near the scene of action, the fight was
closed, and their brigade encamped within full view of Yorktown,
some twp miles distant across the open plain. A few of the
enemy's shell fell into their camp during the evening, but did
no injury. On the following day the left guide of the regiment
named Snowdeal, was killed by a shell, while watching the
operation of the rebel batteries, near camp. On Wednesday,
the ninth, this brigade changed their location to a point in the
woods about two and a half miles to the left and farther to the
front; but on the eleventh was removed to their former position,
being, however, at this time placed a little to the rear in the
woods instead of on the open plain. Here they remained until
the time of leaving Yorktown on the fourth of May. During

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 91
this interval the Fourth when not on picket duty, was employed
on the fortifications and roads, heavy details being made for
fatigue duty both day and night. The work required was very
laborious, and the situation of the camp as well as the entire
vicinity was so extremely unhealthy, that their numbers were
considerably reduced by disease, during the latter part of their
stay. On the night of Saturday the twenty-sixth, while the
regiment was ont on picket duty, they had a slight skirmish
with the enemy ; but no casualties occurred. During this month
Gen. Hamilton was superseded in command of the division by
Gen. Kearney.
The enemy having evacuated Yorktown on the fourth of May,
the Army of the Potomac was put in motion. The Fourth left
camp at three o'clock in the afternoon, marched through the
rebel fortifications, and two miles out on the Williamsburgh
road, where they bivouacked for the night. The following
morning they moved forward towards Williamsburgh. Our
force in advance having met the enemy near that place, and
being hotly engaged, their march was hurried and rendered
excessively fatiguing, on account of the state of the roads.
The day being rainy, the mud was very deep in the highway,
and the soft soil of cultivated fields through which the Fourth
had to march for long distances, was still worse than the roads.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, when within three miles
of the battle ground, the men were ordered to divest themselves
of knapsacks and all encumbrances, leaving them under charge
of a guard. The Fourth and the Third Maine were here detached
from the brigade and ordered to report to Gen. Emory, the
remainder of the brigade moving forward under Gen. Birney.
Col. Walker reported to Gen. Emory, who was holding a position
on the extreme left, against which the enemy was advancing,
and together with other forces, the Fourth was placed in position
to receive him ; but after waiting nearly an hour in a soaking
rain storm, it became evident that the enemy had abandoned
his attack, and Col. Walker was ordered to report back to his
brigade, which he did, arriving near the field of battle just at
dark, when the fighting was suspended. The regiment
bivouacked for the night under circumstances of considerable
hardship, being much fatigued, soaked with rain and mud, and
destitute of blankets, overcoats or shelter from the rain. The

92 MAINE IN THE WAR.
next morning at an early hour, they emerged from the woods
in front of Fort Magruder, where the principal fighting of the
previous day had taken place, expecting to find the enemy ;
when it was discovered as they advanced upon the works, that
during the night the enemy had abandoned his fortifications, so
that they entered without opposition and planted the regimental
flag on the parapet. At noon the regiment marched to and
encamped at Williamsburgh. Gen. Kearney, who was in com
mand of the Third division of Heintzelman's Corps, in a letter
to Gov. Washburn, thus speaks of the Fourth and Third Maine
on this occasion: "As Commanding General of this division,
of which two of the Generals commanding brigades (Gen.
Jameson and Gen. Berry,) as well as two regiments, the Third
Maine, Col. Staples, and the Fourth, Col. Walker, form a part,
I take this opportunity of calling to your notice their meritorious
conduct in the late fight, and to display the fact that, although
these regiments were not sufferers in the late engagement at
Williamsburgh, having been detached by Gen. Heintzelman to
guard the left flank, by their steady and imposing attitude, they
contributed to the success of those more immediately engaged.
And I assure you, sir, that with such material, commanded by
such sterling officers, noting but success can crown our efforts
when the occasion requires."
From Williamsburgh the regiment move to Barhamsville, New
Kent Court House, Cumberland Landing on the Pamunkey river
and thence to Baltimore Store, where they crossed the Chicka
hominy at Bottom's Bridge on the twenty-fifth, and encamped
a mile beyond at Burnt Chimneys, twelve miles from Richmond.
Here the regiment was occupied three days with fatigue duty,
principally " slashing," or constructing lines of heavy abattis
by felling timber. The irregularity and unsteadiness of their
marches up the Peninsula, and the short distance usually made
in a day, were owing to the badness of the roads, which were
in a wretched condition, and to the position of their corps which
was a considerable distance towards the rear of the column.
On Thursday the twenty-ninth they moved two miles further
and remained until Sunday morning, when they changed camp
to within a mile and a half of Seven Pines, where the opening
of the battle at two o'clock, P. M., found them. At about an
hour later their brigade was ordered forward and took the posi-

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 93
tion assigned to them to the right and left of the line of railroad,
advancing at intervals during the afternoon, but at no time
directly in action, though part of the time exposed to the fire
of the enemy. At night the brigade occupied the extreme
front, and the four left companies of the regiment — G, H, I and
K — under command of Capt. Pitcher of Company H, who was
commissioned a few days after Major, a capacity he had been
acting in some time previous, were sent out to the front as a
picket on the railroad. The battle closed with daylight and the
night passed quietly until seven o'clock on the morning of June
first, when a sudden and furious attack was made by the enemy
from the woods to the left of the railroad at the point where
the picket was stationed — a brigade which had taken position
there in the morning bearing the brunt of the onset. Capt.
Pitcher immediately took position on the railroad track with his
command and opened fire, effectually checking the enemy's
advance whose attack had broken, and completely routed the
regiment nearest them. The engagement at this point was kept
up, with but little cessation, for three and a half hours, . our
force holding an excellent position and delivering a very effec
tive fire, as a subsequent examination of the field showed. The
main body of the regiment held the line it occupied the previous
night, and was engaged with the enemy during the forenoon.
The casualties were as follows : two killed, seven wounded, and
one missing. The scouts of the Fourth captured twenty-five
or thirty prisoners, one of the number being a Colonel of a
South Carolina regiment. By noon the battle closed at all
points, the enemy left our forces in possession of the field, and
the Fourth went into camp on the ground they had held during
the day, and afterwards encamped at different points in the
vicinity of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines during the operations of
our army before Richmond, being employed in picketing and
work on the fortifications . Picket duty at this place was rendered
very difficult and dangerous from the nature of the ground in
front and the incessant harassing attacks of the enemy.
On June twenty-fifth, the brigade was called out as a support
to Hooker's division, which had engaged the rebels in front of
Seven Pines. The Fourth was engaged with the enemy in the
afternoon and evening, but without loss, holding a most difficult
position in his face through the night.

94 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the twenty-eighth, the regiment was detached from the
brigade and went to Jordan's Foijd, White Oak Swamp, five
miles to the left of our army lines, for the purpose of building
a bridge across the ford to facilitate the retreat of the army by
the left flank, to James River, a movement already begun. On
the afternoon of the twenty-ninth, they were joined by the
remainder of the brigade, when they crossed Jordan's Ford and
held back an attacking force of the enemy for about two hours,
until the entire force of their corps with artillery and supply
trains had passed, when they joined in the retrograde movement,
towards James River, the Fourth acting as the extreme rear
guard. In consequence of the hurry of the movement and the
want of teams, all their property in camp at Jordan's Ford had
to be abandoned or destroyed, comprising tents, and camp
equipage, men's knapsacks with contents, officers' baggage
and furniture and quartermasters' stores, together with their
chest of books and papers, the only teams furnished being
required to carry the sick who could not walk, and the necessary
hospital stores, together with the regimental books and papers.
The regiment crossed the swamp at White Oak Bridge and
lay down to rest a mile beyond at about noon. The next day
at half past two o'clock in the morning, they were called into
line and their brigade marched some distance to a position in
the woods, near Charles City Cross Roads, which they were to
hold, to guard the rear of the army from the rebel force in pur
suit, whose advance guard engaged our skirmishers about noon.
The battle became general about the middle of the afternoon,
the interval being occupied in light skirmishing and the manoeu-
vering and arrangement of forces on both sides. The battle
was a severe one but the Fourth suffered slightly, no attack
being made by the enemy directly in front of our lines, though
the position the Fourth held was assigned to them as being one
of the most important, and which Gen. Kearney said would be
hotly contested by the enemy. The fighting ceased about nine
o'clock in the evening, and they remained on the field in their
capacity of rear guard until two o'clock the next morning, July
first, when they retired and moved on towards Malvern Hill
where they were assigned as support to artillery planted on the
heights, to command the position where the pursuing force of
the enemy shortly appeared, and an artillery duel took place

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 95
which lasted through the afternoon. The next morning the
Fourth left the field, and, still acting as rear guard, took up
their march for Harrison's Landing, where they arrived at nine
o'clock A. M., during a severe rain storm that prevailed, com
pletely exhausted from what they had undergone the previous
sixty hours.
Their loss during these two battles was slight. At the
engagement of White Oak Swamp, or Glendale, as it is also
known, were two wounded and nine missing; at Malvern Hill, one
killed, three wounded and five missing. The number missing
were those who, from illness or fatigue, were unable to keep
up, and who, with the wounded, had to be left to be taken
prisoners by the enemy.
On the third their brigade threw up a rude log breastwork
and encamped in the rear of it. During the succeeding fort
night this line of fortifications was improved and perfected.
But little labor was required of the Fourth during that time, it
being intended that the troops should rest and recruit their
strength, many being worn out and sick ; but little was gained
however in this respect, the season being so hot and their situa
tion so unhealthy. On the eighth the regiment was supplied
with shelter tents and clothing, replacing those abandoned at
White Oak Swamp.
On Monday the eleventh of August, they were ordered to
move in light marching order at two o'clock P. M. In this
state of preparation they remained until the morning of the
fifteenth, when their brigade left its encampment, in conjunction
with Heintzelman' s entire corps, and after five days march
arrived at Yorktown, where they embarked on the steamship
Merrimac and went to Alexandria, where the regiment bivouacked
that night a mile or two outside the city. During the march of
the army to the Rappahannock, the Fourth was posted in the
extreme front as the advance guard of the division. After
reaching the river they moved immediately to the rear near
Catlett's Station on the evening of the twenty-seventh, a march
of about twenty miles, where, after resting a few hours, they
started again early the next morning, coming up with their
brigade near Kettle Run, where they joined in the advance of
the army upon Manassas Junction, which place with the entire
vicinity had been desolated by a raid of the enemy, who had left

96 MAINE IN THE WAR.
the same morning. At nine o'clock that night they arrived at
Centreville. Capt. Rollins of Company C, who had remained
behind when the regiment left Alexandria on the twenty-third,
was taken prisoner by the enemy at Bristow's Station on the
twenty-seventh. At six o'clock on the morning of the twenty-ninth, they
moved forward with the column advancing upon Bull Run,
where the enemy had taken position, and where our forces had
engaged him the previous evening. Kearney's division took
its position on the extreme right of the line of battle, about
nine o'clock, A. M. The Fourth, in company with the Fortieth
and One Hundred and First New York, was ordered forward to
engage the enemy about ten and a half o'clock. As they
advanced to the brow of a hill, they suddenly came upon one
of the enemy's batteries, so supported by a force posted in a
ravine between them and the battery, that it was impossible for
them to take it. The battery immediately opened fire, with
grape and shell, making it necessary for them to retire by the
left flank to a position in the woods, where they engaged the
enemy for an hour and a half, until they received orders to retire
to the rear, where they remained until three o'clock, P. M.,
when they went forward to the support of Robinson's brigade,
driving the enemy until he was so heavily reinforced that they
were compelled to fall back which they did in good order.
Only eight companies were in the afternoon's engagement, two
companies, I and K, under command of Lieut. Col. Carver,
being detached to support a battery. The casualties in the
regiment during the day, were seven killed, thirty-three wound
ed and seven missing. There were only about two hundred
men of the regiment engaged, many of the men having been
compelled to fall out, from lameness or exhaustion occasioned
by the forced march from the Rappahannock. Col. Walker had
his horse shot under him in the afternoon's engagement.
The next day the regiment remained in the rear. The fighting
along the lines was irregular and scattering through the fore
noon, but became general about noon, and towards night the
enemy had gained such an advantage that the Fourth's division
was ordered to retire towards the left and centre, which it did
moving a short distance to the rear, and taking up a position
where, though closely pressed and almost surrounded by the

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 97
enemy, they held their ground until ten P. M., when they retired
directly to the rear, crossing Bull Run and joining in the retreat
towards Centreville, which place was reached early on the
morning of the thirty-first. Four videttes of the Fourth, who
were left behind at the last position, succeeded in capturing a
party of the enemy, consisting of one Assistant Adjutant Gen
eral, one Lieutenant of Cavalry, one Orderly and two negroes,
with six horses and sets of horse equipments, all of which they
brought into camp. The names of the captors were Orlando F.
Brown, George W. Dunbar, Ephraim C. Cross and George K.
Hall.
Remaining encamped at Centreville until September first, on
the afternoon of that day they moved out on the road to Fairfax
Court House, towards which a flanking force of the enemy were
advancing from the north, with the intention of occupying the
road and cutting off our trains moving to the rear. Stevens'
division had been holding the enemy in check with a severe
loss, at Chantilly, about a mile to the left of the road and three
miles from Centreville. The Fourth's division went to its
relief. The regiment was met by a most galling fire from a
superior force of the enemy, and soon retired to a more advan
tageous position a few rods in the rear, where a most effective
fire was kept up for an hour and a half, until their cartridges
being nearly expended, they retired in good order, carrying off
all their wounded, while another regiment took their place ; but
night coming on, the firing very soon ceased. Their loss was
eight grilled, fifty-four wounded and two missing, out of about
two hundred and forty men who were engaged. Lieut. Crab-
tree of company C, who was slightly wounded in the battle of
the previous Friday, was more seriously wounded here, the
ball passing through his shoulder. Lieut. Libby of company
B, was wounded in the right arm. During the night the regi
ment remained on guard on the battle field, and experienced
considerable hardship, the men's clothes being soaked by the
heavy rain which fell for two hours during the engagement, and
no fires being allowed them during the eight cold hours while
on guard duty. The next day they moved off the ground, back
to the Centreville turnpike, thence to Fairfax Court House, and
thence via Fairfax Station and Pohick Church to Alexandria,
arriving near Fort. Lyon on the afternoon of the third.
7

98 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the tenth their brigade moved camp to Alexandria Heights,
and «n the following Friday to Fort Barnard, where the Fourth
was assigned a place inside the works as a garrison.
On the night of the fifteenth their brigade marched to the
Potomac, near Georgetown, crossing the river the next morning
at Aqueduct bridge, and marching to Rockville, Maryland, and
the next day marching to Poolesville, from \thich place, on the
eighteenth, they moved to the mouth of the Monocacy, where
the different regiments of the brigade were assigned stations
at points along the Potomac to guard the fords. The post of
the Fourth was at Point of Rocks. While here one of their
scouting parties went to Waterford, Virginia, eight miles dis
tant, and captured one sergeant of cavalry and three privates.
On Wednesday, October eighth, they moved twelve miles
down the river to Conrad's Ferry, where they joined the rest of
the brigade. On the eleventh, in company with the Third
Maine — -both regiments being under the command of Col. Walker
of the Fourth — they proceeded to the mouth of the Monocacy,
where the rebel Stuart's cavalry, who had made a raid into
Pennsylvania and around the rear of McClellan's army, were
expected to recross the river at this place, into Virginia. The
next day they were joined by Gen. Pleasanton, with a force of,
cavalry and artillery which had been in pursuit of the raiders
the previous day and night, and shortly afterwards Stuart's
cavalry made their appearance and attempted the crossing at
about eight o'clock in the morning. He struck for the river at
a point about three miles below the point where the Fourth and
Third Maine were guarding, and succeeded in defending his
flank with artillery from assault by our force which was under
the command and management of Gen. Pleasanton, until he had
forded the river and made his escape with the loss of a very
few .prisoners. No casualty occurred to the Fourth, except
that Major Pitcher's horse was shot under him.
The same evening the regiment marched to Poolesville, where
Gen. Ward assumed the command of the brigade as the suc
cessor of Gen. Birney, transferred to another command. On
the twenty-eighth Col. Walker left for Maine on recruiting
service, and the division under the command of Gen. Stoneman
successor to Gen. Kearney, who was killed at the battle of
Chantilly, crossed the Potomac at White's Ford, and after

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 99
remaining encamped about a mile from the landing until the
thirty-first, moved to the neighborhood of Leesburgh, and from
thence to Mount Gilead, Middleburgfc, White Plains and Salem,
arriving near Waterloo, November sixth. On the tenth they
crossed the north fork of the Rappahannock as a support to
Gen. Pleasanton's cavalry, which river was recrossed on the
twelfth, and after attending to one day's picket duty along its
north fork, they successively marched to Warrenton, Bealton,
Fayetteville, Morrisville, Stafford Court House, where Col.
Walker rejoined the regiment, and finally to Falmouth, where
they arrived November twenty-second, where the men who
were poorly clad, were nearly all supplied with a new outfit.
On the morning of December third, Col. Walker received
orders to report to Gen. Woodbury, commanding engineer
brigade, for fatigue duty, with four days' rations. He moved
down the river about seven miles, where, with the assistance
of the One Hundred and Twentieth New York, the Fourth cut
and loaded three hundred teams with timber for corduroying
roads, which employment occupied their attention several days
afterwards, after which they joined their brigade on the morning
of the twelfth, when one . officer and thirty men of the Fourth
were immediately detailed to report to Prof. Lowe the balloonist.
During the afternoon the remainder of the regiment was put in
motion. Active operations had commenced at Fredericksburgh.
The next morning the Rappahannock was crossed, the Fourth
moving to the left and front about two miles, finding themselves
in a place where the shot and shell were falling thick and fast.
Here the men relieved themselves of their knapsacks. Of
the twenty-one officers and two hundred and thirteen men who
had crossed the river, thirteen men were detailed as brigade
guard, ten, the pioneers, to guard knapsacks, leaving but twen
ty-one officers and one hundred and ninety men to go into action.
The regiment was assigned a position in the rear of a battery
as a support, where they remained thirty minutes, losing two
men killed by the explosion of a shell from a rebel gun in their
ranks. Col. Walker then received orders to follow the Thirty-
eighth and Fortieth New York regiments which were about to
charge and take possession of the railroad. Moving through a
field in line of battle to the woods, he joined them on their
right. The line was at an acute angle of twenty-five degrees,

100 MAINE IN THE WAR.
the Fourth being farthest from the road. The regiment which
first arrived at the road and saw the position of the enemy, be
came panic-stricken, and both regiments on the left of the Fourth
retreated. Col. Walker attempted to bring his regiment off by
the left flank. When he gave the order the right wing was driving
the enemy and was so hotly engaged that the order was not un
derstood. The left wing having moved a few rods to the left,
he was obliged to halt them to hold the position or his right
wing would-have been lost, for it was at this time flanked on the
right. His left wing nobly held the force which had put two
regiments to flight, until the right wing which had advanced to
the road had joined them, when the regiment retired bringing
off many of the wounded. The enemy following was not check
ed in his advance until Gen. Berry, who was at hand, arrived
and drove him back with his brigade, punishing him severely.
The Fourth fell back to their former position where they
remained until the next morning, when thirty of their number
were detailed to assist in working a battery, while the remainder
relieved the brigade guard. On the evening of the fifteenth
they recrossed the river, and the next day went into their old
encampment near Falmouth, having been exposed seven days
and nights without shelter, and living on pork and hard bread.
During the battle the conduct of the officers and men was
admirable, and for which they were complimented by Gen.
Birney in a general order to the division ; who also designated
the camp, in honor of Major Pitcher who was killed, as "Camp
Pitcher." This gallant officer, said Gen. Birney, "died as one
of our division dies, with breast to the foe doing his whole duty."
From this time until the beginning of the following year the
regiment attended i>o nothing but drill and ordinary camp duty,
when, on the twentieth of January they moved to Banks' Ford on
the Rappahannock with the army on its contemplated forward
movement which was abandoned on account of a severe storm,
and the regiment returned to their old camp, three days after
ward. On the fourth of March the division camp was moved
to near Potomac Creek, where the regiment was employed in
building roads until about the middle of April. On the twenty-
eighth of this month they broke camp at four o'clock in the
afternoon and moved to the Rappahannock five miles below
Falmouth, acting as a support to the troops crossing the river at

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 101
that point, to open hostilities at Fredericksburgh. That night
they bivouacked near the river, three miles below that city,
opposite Gen. Franklin's battle ground of December thirteenth^
The next day they moved up the river to near United States
Ford where they crossed the following morning (May first,) and
proceeded to Chancellorsville. That night they bivouacked in
an oak grove near the front.
At an early hour the next morning they partook of a hasty
breakfast and then advanced in line of battle further to the right
and three fourths of a mile into the dense woods. Running
quarterly across the left flank of our line not over two miles
distant was the Rappahannock which takes a sharp turn south
erly for several miles below United States Ford. About the
same distance directly on the right up a plank-road, was an
open field containing a large house around which was the
Eleventh corps, in the direction of which and beyond, the enemy
began to open with his batteries. Their division now received
orders to march rapidly by the left flank which was in the
direction of the river at the point named. The head of the
column was not long jn reaching the river below a portion of
the enemy who were thereby hemmed in or surrounded.. They
now halt and loud cheers rend the air. But this exultation was
brief for they were hastily summoned to go back to check a
flank movement on their right, the enemy having driven the
Eleventh corps down the plank road entirely past the point held
by the Fourth's brigade in the morning. Most of the day was
spent in acting as a support to other troops. The darkness of
evening had fallen before they arrived on the field near their
old position bordering the woods in which the rebel tide had
been stayed. About nine o'clock instead of preparing for a
night's rest their brigade is ordered to lay off knapsacks and
prepare for action. A charge was to be made upon the enemy
now lying in heavy line of battle in the edge of the dense woods,
not half a rifle shot distant. In half an hour all is ready, and
the advance is made. A few rods into the woods and they
received a deadly volley. A volley in return was given and
then the enemy's works were charged. The next day morning
our troops began falling back out of the woods in order to
assume in part, at least, a new front and location for the struggle
of the day. This movement was discovered by the enemy who

102 MAINE IN THE WAR.
opened a musketry fire as he advanced to the borders of the
wood from which the shattered division of the Fourth is already
¦withdrawing under cover of batteries, supported by Gen. Berry's
division. Passing along the rear and towards the right of our
then line of battle, under a considerable fire of shell and rifle
shot, the division crosses the plank-road and takes position to
support our batteries near the brick house at the four corners.
About this time Gen. Berry is killed. The battle is now raging
in its utmost fury — the main opposing lines of battle running
squarely across the road just west of the brick house — the four
corners being a point for which the rebels are most desperately
striving. Their chances increase, for while resisting the main
attack from above, we are soon annoyed by a counter assault
from below, from a rebel battery, which must be answered by
some of our own artillery. The brick house is soon in flames,
lighted by this convergent storm of shells. At this juncture,
by a skilful manoeuvre, Gen. Hooker withdraws this portion of
his troops from a position evidently too much exposed, consti
tuting, as it did an apex (or letter A) on his battle front, and
retiring one-third of a mile on the road from Chancellorsville to
the river line, parallel with the plank road and in a broad field,
where rifle pits sheltered his most exposed points. By this
exploit he changes the direction of the approaching lines, thereby
bringing the point into the original position from which they
had been temporarily forced by the flank attack of yesterday.
Against this firm line, Hooker's main position, Lee hurled his
thousands in vain. Here they were met, staggered, broken
and hurled back as Gibraltar hurls the ocean waves, which,
maddened by the storms, rush upon him only to reel away again.
By noon the main action of the day ceased. During the two
days that followed the Fourth was engaged in holding different
positions and building breastworks under fire. On the sixth
their brigade as rear guard recrossed the river and returned to
their old camp at Potomac Creek. The casualties of the Fourth
during this movement were as follows: Officers killed, one;
wounded, three. Enlisted men wounded, eighteen; missing
(all prisoners) ten. Lieut. Sheridan F. Miller of Company K,
was the only officer killed.
From this time the Fourth remained encamped until the
eleventh of June when the army entered upon its summer

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 103
campaign under Gen. Meade, On the thirteenth the regiment
arrived at Bealton Station. From thence they went to Catlett's
Station, Manassas Junction, Blackburn's Ford, near Centreville,
Gum Springs, across the Monocacy into Maryland, from thence
into Pennsylvania, arriving at Gettysburgh on the night of July
first, where they were placed on picket duty. The next day
they engaged with the Third Corps in the afternoon, when from
four and a half o'clock to half past eight o'clock took place
one of the most sanguinary engagements of the war. The
enemy had concentrated all of his forces on our left flank, which
was under the protection of the Third Corps. The corps received
the attack with great coolness. The enemy made at once for
our flank and kept moving heavy columns in that direction.
Support was quickly given and the battle now became perfectly
fearful. The armies engaged each other at very short range,
and for three long hours the war of musketry was incessant.
The fighting was desperate, tenacious. The enemy would often
bring up suddenly a heavy column of men, and force our line
back, only to be in turn forced back by our line pf glittering
steel. Our gallant columns covered themselves with glory over
and over again, and none more so than the Fourth. During
the battle the color staff of the regiment was shot away.
Before the colors reached the ground, Sergt. Henry 0. Ripley
of company B, who wore the Kearney medal for bravery shown
in other fields, sprang and caught them, and raised them proudly
aloft in the storm of bullets. At that moment an officer who
beheld the gallant act, while riding past, stopped and exclaimed,
"That color bearer ought to be made a Major General." Col.
Walker and Maj. Whitcomb were each wounded, after which
Capt. Libby of company D, temporarily assumed the command
of the regiment. The three following days the regiment occu
pied different positions as artillery supports and on the skirmish
line. Their casualties during the battle were as follows : — Offi
cers killed, three; wounded, two; missing (prisoners,) four.
Enlisted men killed, eleven; wounded, fifty; missing, sixty-
eight. The officers killed were Lieutenants Orpheus Roberts and
Charles S. McCobb. Lieut. George M. Bragg died from wounds
received, shortly afterward. Major Whitcomb died from the
effect of his wounds three months afterward.
Flushed with their brilliant achievement at Gettysburgh, the

104 MAINE IN THE WAR.
army followed in pursuit of the discomfited and retreating
enemy. On the seventh the Fourth marched to Mechanics-
town, thence to Middletown, South Pass, Antietam Creek,
Williamsport, near Maryland Heights, crossing the Potomac
and Shenandoah at Harper's Ferry, Hillsborough, near Snicker's
Gap, Upperville, to near Manassas Gap, arriving on the twenty-
third at Wapping Heights, where took place on this day a
brisk skirmish. The first attack on the enemy was made by
the Fourth and Third Maine, who were detached from the
skirmishers by Gen. Ward and directed to clear the hill by
assault. Our sharpshooters held the attention of the enemy
while these two regiments crept silently and unobserved up the
face of the hill. On gaining the summit they sprang to their
feet, delivered a volley, and with a most determined charge
cleared the hill, gaining a number of prisoners and spreading
the ground with killed and wounded rebels. The charge was a
gallant one, such as soldiers may well feel proud of having
participated in. The Fourth lost one man, wounded. That
night the enemy retreated. The next day the regiment marched
to Piedmont, thence to Warrenton, and on the first of August
moved to White Sulphur Springs where they went into camp.
On the twelfth of September they advanced to Culpepper
and encamped until October ninth, when they moved to Free
man's Ford. From thence they went to Greenwich, Centreville,
Fairfax Station, Bristow's Station, Urbana, Catlett's Station, to
near Warrenton Junction where they encamped.
On the morning of the seventh of November, the First,
Second and Third Corps, forming the left wing of the army,
proceeded to Kelly's Ford. The latter corps formed their
skirmish line on the south of the Orange and Alexandria rail
road, stretching down towards Normand's Ford. The rebel
General Early's division of Ewell's corps occupied the heights
on this side of the Rappahannock, the works upon which they
had so turned as to make them defensible from attack in this
direction. When our force reached Kelly's Ford, about six
miles below Rappahannock Station, the enemy threw across an
entire division to support their picket line on this side. Gen.
French who was in command of our left wing, hastily took
position so as to bring his artillery to bear on them, and pro
ceeded to shell them with marked effect, not only killing a

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 105
large number, but throwing them into utter confusion and taking
several hundred prisoners. Following up this advantage he
immediately threw the first and second divisions of the Third
Corps across the river, which ended the operations for that day.
. The Fourth supported a battery during the crossing. The next
day morning the remainder of the corps crossed, and at day
light they took the lead in the pursuit of the enemy, followed
by the First and Second Corps in order. About noon they came
Upon a strong ftftce of rebel cavalry and light artillery posted
in line on a hill near the railroad, and two miles east of Brandy
Station, which the Third division supported by two brigades of
this division, immediately charged upon and soon drove from
their position. This division followed them leisurely, inflicting
some punishment upon them as they retreated up the railroad
to a point two miles beyond Brandy Station. Here the Fourth
encamped on the tenth, remaining until the twenty-sixth when
they marched to the Rapidan. The right of the army consisting
of the Third Corps crossed the river early the next morning at
Jacob's Ford. As the centre advanced it came upon the
enemy's pickets and skirmish line. Subsequently the enemy's
line was strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements, and at
about one o'clock a slow and irregular cannonading commenced
on the road leading towards Orange Court House and consid
erable firing between the skirmishers. The enemy did not
reply with artillery. At four and a half o'clock the Third Corps
while advancing encountered the rebel Ewell's corps, before
Gen. French who was in command, could connect with the
centre, from which he had become isolated. After a severe fight
he held his position, although with serious loss, and captured
some nine hundred prisoners. The battle ground was in the
wilderness with but little open country. Soon after the enemy
fell back to Orange Court House. The object of Gen. Meade
being accomplished, notwithstanding his movements were con
siderably retarded by the rain, the army commenced withdrawing
from the south of the Rapidan, and on the next day the Fourth
went to Mine Run, recrossing the river at Culpepper Ford on
the morning of December second, and arriving at their old
camp at Brandy Station at daylight on the morning of the third.
Their casualties during this movement were, officers wounded,
one; enlisted men wounded, five; missing (all prisoners,) five.

106 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the fourteenth they moved their camp and commenced
building winter quarters. Here they remained until the thirty-
first of March of the following year, when they moved their
camp, exchanging grounds'with the Third division on account of
the re-organization of the army under Lieut. Gen. Grant. The
Third Corps was broken up and their division assigned to the
Second Corps.
V On the twenty-sixth of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, the regiment moved out of winter quarters into shelter
tents and sent all extra baggage to the rear.
The third of May the summer campaign opened. On the
night of that day at eleven o'clock the Fourth commenced
moving, crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford the next morning,
and bivouacking at night on the old battle field at Chancellors
ville. The following day they marched to Torbet's tavern,
from which they were ordered back at noon and detached from
the division to support a brigade of the Sixth Corps. Until
after dark they were heavily engaged. That night they rejoined
their division, and at daybreak on the morning of the sixth
they advanced on the enemy's position. They were engaged
all that day and during the next day. This was the battle
of the Wilderness, during which their casualties were, officers
killed, two; wounded severely, five; mortally, three; slightly,
three. Enlisted men killed, thirty-two; wounded, one hundred
and thirty-six; missing, three.
On the eighth they marched to Torbet's Tavern, relieved the
troops there and repaired rifle pits for defence. The next day
they crossed the river Po and bivouacked for the night. Two
days after they went out on a reconnoissance, met the enemy's
pickets and drove them in on their main body. In returning
the regiment was cut off and nearly surrounded by a large force
of the enemy, but escaped through a swamp. Their casualties
were one officer mortally wounded. Enlisted men three wound
ed ; nine missing. On their return they were detailed to guard
corps wagon train, to which they marched and returned on the
twelfth, a distance of twenty-five miles. For the next five days
they were engaged in digging rifle pits, holding breastworks
and skirmishing with the enemy, their position iu the meantime
being almost constantly changed. On the eighteenth they
supported the Second division in an attack on the enemy's works,

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 107
which were taken but could not be held. On the twentieth
they engaged in an attack capturing a number of prisoners.
The next day they moved at midnight, crossing the Mattapony
river at Milford Station at six O'clock on the following morning,
having marched'a distance of twenty-five miles. Advancing to
the front they were employed all day in building breastworks.
On the twenty-third they marched at six o'clock in the morning,
arriving near Hanover Junction at noon where they took part
in a charge on the enemy, driving him across the North Anna
river, losing five men killed and eighteen wounded. The following
day they crossed the North Anna and were under an artillery
fire all day. Most of the night was employed by them in build
ing rifle pits. Their loss was one man killed, two wounded.
On the twenty-fifth they were under fire all day and skirmishing
by picket in front. The next day at night they recrossed the
North Anna, and acted «as rear guard. On the twenty-seventh
they marched to within five miles of the Pamunkey river which
they crossed at six o'clock on the afternoon of the next day at
Mrs. Nelson's Ferry, five miles from Hanover Court House. The
next three days they advanced three miles and were engaged
in skirmishing, building breastworks and supporting artillery.
On the second of June they moved to Coal Harbor and built
rifle pits. From the third to the twelfth they occupied different
positions and were engaged in skirmishing, building rifle pits and
supporting other troops. One man was wounded on the tenth.
On the thirteenth they moved at three o'clock in the morning,
crossed the Chickahominy river at Long Bridge and arrived at
Charles, City Court House at seven o'clock in the evening. The
next day they crossed the James river at noon by transports,
moving two miles to the front and taking position in line of
battle. The following day the regiment was relieved from duty
in the army, their term of service having expired, and ordered
to report to the Superintendent of volunteer recruiting service
in Maine for muster out of service. The men whose term of
service had not expired were transferred to the Nineteenth
Maine. They numbered two hundred and seventy-seven. On
the sixteenth they marched to Fort Powhattan, and on the next
day took transportation for Washington, arriving on the
eighteenth and leaving on the following day for Maine, arriving
at Rockland on the morning of the twenty-fifth, between three

108 MAINE IN THE WAR.
and four o'clock. In that city the gallant veterans received a
suitable reception under the auspices of the municipal authorities.
Flags were generally suspended, bells rung, guns fired, and the
citizens turned out in large numbers. A procession consisting
of the State Guards, the fire companies and City Council, was
marshaled under the direction of Major General Titcomb, and
led by the Rockland Band, marched to the square in front of the
Kimball block. The regiment bore, besides the flags it brought
from the battle field, the old smoke-stained and war-torn colors
which it carried through all its earlier battles. As the brave
fellows marched along, hundreds pressed eagerly forward to
catch a glimpse of familiar, but now bronzed and weather-
hardened features, and friends and relatives, fathers, brothers,
wives and children crowded into their ranks to greet their
loved ones. Smiles and tears of joy shone on many faces, and
tears of sorrow wet the .cheeks of others, as the father greeted
the one son returning and thought of the other fallen in the
fight, or the widow took the hand of the comrade by whose side
her husband fell, or as others who had been bereaved marked
the forms they knew, and thought of those who had gone out
with these, but would never return. The men bore the marks
of fatigue and exposure, and the faded uniforms looked dusty,
stained and worn, but nearly all appeared rugged and healthy.
On arriving at the square the regiment was welcomed in be
half of the city, by Hon. N. A. Farwell, as follows: —
"Col. Walker: — I am instructed by the City Council to
welcome you and your brave regiment back to the city, whence,
three years since, you went at the call of your country. This
is not the time nor the place to rehearse the history of your
noble deeds; it would be tedious to the men who have made
that history, and unnecessary to the people here assembled, who
have watched with so much pride every movement of your much
cherished regiment. It is sufficient to say that wherever the
noble army of the Potomac have met the enemy in battle array,
there, in the thickest of the fray, have been yourself and your
command, and no friend of the regiment has ever had occa
sion to blush for your conduct. And again permit me to ex
press the thanks of the City Council and of the citizens to
each and all of you, and to invite you to partake of the hospi
talities provided for you."

FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 109
After these remarks the regiment partook of a collation at
Atlantic Hall, at which were present the MayOr and Council,
the clergymen and other honored guests.
The men- were furloughed until the nineteenth of July, on
which day the regiment was mustered out of service by Capt.
T. C. J. Baily, and received the balance of pay due them and
one hundred dollars bounty by Major Elias Merrill, additional
Paymaster U. S. A. The organization now lives only in history
and the hearts of its countrymen.
The number of officers mustered in with the regiment June
fifteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, was thirty-six ; officers
sent out from Maine as recruits, ten; officers promoted from the
ranks, thirty-eight. Total, eighty-four.
The number of officers lost by casualties during the service
of the regiment was sixty-five ; mustered out of service July
nineteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, seventeen; prison
ers of war, two. Total, eighty-four.
The number of officers of the original organization was 36 ;
privates of the original organization, 966 ; officers enlistecbsince,
recruits, 10 ; privates enlisted since, recruits, 513. Total mus
tered into the regiment, 1,525.
The number of officers mustered out was IT ; officers prisoners
of war, 2 ; privates mustered out, 224 ; privates prisoners of
war, 37 ; officers discharged, 5 ; officers resigned, 41 ; privates
discharged for disability, 366; privates transferred to other
commands, 435; officers died of wounds, 14; officers died of
disease, 2; privates died of wounds, 139; privates died of dis
ease, 112; privates deserted, 131. Total, 1,525.
The regiment was in all the important battles of the Army
of the Potomac, during its term of service. Gen. Berry its
original commander, after being promoted to Brigadier General,
was assigned to the Third brigade, First division, Third corps,
and entered upon the discharge of his duties with his character
istic energy. At the siege of Yorktown, he distinguished him
self both in the trenches and in the field. At the battle of
Williamsburgh he was awarded the honor of having saved the
day. At Fair Oaks he hurled back the enemy who had repulsed
Casey's and Couch's divisions, retaking all the ground that had
been lost, and holding his position until reinforced. At White
Oak Swamp, Gaines' Mill, Glendale and Malvern Hill he per-

HO MAINE IN THE WAR.
formed his arduous labors with signal ability. At the battle
of Fredericksburgh, December thirteenth, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, it is related that A. P. Hill, the confederate general
commanding the division opposed to him on that occasion,
under a flag of truce, complimented him for his generalship
during the battle, the only instance of the kind, it is believed,
that has occurred during the war. In March, eighteen hundred
and sixty-three, the rank of Major General of Volunteers was
conferred on him and he was assigned to the command of the
Second division, Third corps, so long commanded by Gen.
Hooker. This division, trained anew under his skilful hand,
and rendered, perhaps, more efficient than ever, he led at the
battle of Chancellorsville, the third of May. Here it fell to
him, for the third time during the war, to throw himself into the
breach and stop defeat to a wavering army. An entire corps
of the Federal army had given way before the enemy, and were
fleeing to the rear. Gen. Berry, with the division that had
never been driven a rod, met the advancing foe, with a terrible
charge of bristling bayonets, drove him back, and saved the
day. It was the hour of his last and greatest success, and it
was the last of his life. Walking coolly among his soldiers, in
the fearless performance of his duty, the messenger of death
found him, a.nd at the moment of success, he fell dead at his
post. His last words were a command to his soldiers, and
obeying it they bore his l'feless body from the field. His body
was buried at Rockland with military and masonic honors
appropriate to his rank and to the distinguished services he had
rendered to his country. Among those present to do honor to
his memory were Vice President Hamlin, Gov. Coburn and
staff, Ex-Gov. Washburn, Adjutant General Hodsdon, Senator
Morrill, Hon. Samuel C. Fessenden, and many others. The
buildings in the city were draped in mourning, the flags at half
mast, and the sorrowful countenances of the thousands who
crowded the city, attested the estimation in which the deceased
was held. Thus died a gallant soldier, a noble officer, a patriotic
citizen, one whom Maine and the country will forever hold in
grateful remembrance.

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. Ill

VI.
FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was composed entirely of new companies, all
of which were raised in the Third division of the militia of the
State. Each of the previous ones had been organized with
more pr less companies of militia as a nucleus around which to
gather the numbers requisite for muster. The original officers
of the regiment were the following: —
FIELD AND STAFF.
Mark H. Dunnell, Portland, Colonel; Edwin Ulsley, Liming-
ton, Lieutenant Colonel; Samuel C. Hamilton, Biddeford, Major;
Charles S. Whitman, Portland, Adjutant; John S. Merrill, Gor
ham, Quartermaster; Benjamin F. Buxton, Warren, Surgeon;
Francis G. Warren, Biddeford, Assistant Surgeon; John R.
Adams, Gorham, Chaplain ; Frederick Speed, Gorham, Sergeant
Major; Adelbert B. Twitchell, Bethel, Quartermaster Sergeant;
Benjamin Freeman, Bethel, Commissary Sergeant; William S.
Noyes, Saco, Hospital Steward.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A.— Josiah Heald, Captain; William Merrill, First
Lieutenant; John S. Merrill, Second Lieutenant; all of Gorham.
Company B. — Lewis B. Goodwin, Captain; Robert M. Stevens,
First Lieutenant ; Samuel H. Pilsbury, Second Lieutenant; all
of Biddeford.
Company 0. — Isaac B. Noyes, Captain ; Fred S. Gurney, First
Lieutenant; David S. Barrows, Second Lieutenant; all pf Saco.
Company D. — Edward W. Thompson, Brunswick, Captain;
George B. Kenniston, Boothbay, First Lieutenant; Charles H.
Small, Topsham, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Emery W. Sawyer, Lisbon, Captain; Aaron
S. Daggett, Greene, First Lieutenant; Charles S. Whitman,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — George P. Sherwood, Portland, Captain; Nathan

112 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Walker, Portland, First Lieutenant; George E. Atwood, Gardi
ner, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Henry G. Thomas, Captain; George W. Martin,
First Lieutenant; Thomas J. Sawyer, Second Lieutenant; all of
Portland. Company H. — Edward A. Scammon, Portland, Captain; Am
brose S. Dyer, Yarmouth, First Lieutenant; Samuel Munson,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Clark S. Edwards, Captain; John B. Walker,
First Lieutenant; Cyrus M. Wormell, Second Lieutenant; all
of Bethel.
Company K. — William A. Tobie, Poland, Captain; Hamlin
T. Bucknam, Minot, First Lieutenant; Burbank Spiller, Ray
mond, Second Lieutenant.
Col. Dunnell, Lieut. -Col. Ulsley and Maj. Hamilton came into
camp in command of companies H, E and B respectively, and
at the regimental organization were elected to these positions
and their First Lieutenants succeeded them in the command of
the companies.
At the time the regiment was 'recruited, patriotism was pro
fuse throughout the State, and enthusiasm to enter the army
for the purpose of assisting in crushing out the rebellion and
restoring the country to a state of peace and prosperity, was
at so high a pitch that the companies requisite for the completion
of the regiment were raised almost without exertion. Husbands
left their wives, fathers their children and sons their parents,
artisans their shops and farmers their plows in the furrows like
Cincinnatus of old, and rallied to the defence of the flag and
the maintenance of the dignity and integrity of the Union.
The regiment was mustered into the United States service
June twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, by Capt.
Thomas Hight of the Second United States dragoons, and left
the State on the twenty-sixth for Washington, numbering one
thousand and forty-six men fully armed and equipped. The
uniforms were gray throughout with drab felt hats, regulation
pattern. They were armed with the Springfield musket and
common bayonet.
Passing through New York city on the twenty-seventh, the
regiment was presented by the sons of Maine with a splendid
silken regimental color, regulation size. They arrived in Wash-

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 113
ington next day, and on the twenty-ninth went into camp on
Meridian Hill. It remained in camp here till the ninth of July
when it crossed the Potomac and encamped near Fort Ellsworth,
remaining there until the twelfth when it advanced to Clermont
where it was two miles in advance of any other Union troops,
and was principally engaged in doing picket duty. At one- cut,
on a march, twelve thousand soldiers, including the Fifth, had
to cross a log one at a time, occupying some three hours. At
the time of the advance to the battle of Bull Run, the Fifth was
in the Third brigade, commanded by Col. Howard of the Third
Maine, Third division, Gen. Heintzelman, of Gen. McDowell's
column. The Fifth commenced the march to the battle field at
half past two on the morning of July twenty-first. It was a
strange spectacle for our country, those forty thousand men
¦ marching out in the moonlight on that Sabbath morning, leaving
their camp fires burning on the hill sides and in the valleys for
miles in extent, in warlike array, with glittering muskets and
bristling bayonets reflecting the moonbeams and the fire-light
as they moved along. The clatter of horses and artillery, the
long lines of white army wagons, the confusion of moving men
and horses joined to the strangeness of the situation and the
momentous interests involved, which every one with almost
superstitious devotion regarded as vital, — all tended to compose
a scene which will never pass from the memory of those who
beheld it, but will endure as long as time and sense shall remain
to them. The sun rose splendidly upon the green oak forests
which concealed in their bosoms a subtle and deadly enemy
ready with his engines of destruction in every form to hurl
devastation and death into our ranks.
Having slept in the open air from Tuesday night, starting at
half past two in the morning in the rear of the advancing col
umn and marching seven miles at double quick step, the men
fell out by the wayside one by one, exhausted from over-exertion,
so that not more than half of the regiment was present when it
arrived on the battle field, and other regiments were in about
the same condition. Just before reaching the position assigned,
the men had to cross an open field, and as soon as the division
appeared a rebel battery opened upon it and the shot fell thick
and fast. The regiment formed in line in a ravine and awaited
orders, but soon a retreating body of cavalry came down the
8

114 MAINE IN THE WAR.
hill and then a battery of the enemy opened fire nearly upon
the right flank of the ravine. This accelerated the flight of the
cavalry,'and the cannon balls striking among the ranks of the
regiments in reserve, scattered them somewhat. The flight of
the cavalry operated disastrously upon these men, but they
rallied, when Col. Howard returned for them to come up to the
support of two regiments which had already advanced to the
brow of the hill, and Col. Dunnell reformed them under direction
of Col. Howard. The men fired about twenty rounds when
their muskets became too hot for use. At no time could the
enemy be seen, they being hid in the woods, and our men had-
to fire at random. When the backward movement commenced,
our troops retreated by regiments to the cover of thick woods,
which were abundant in that vicinity. They threw away their
knapsacks, with all their little comforts in them, and retreated
some fifty miles, running a great part of the way, for ' the last
few hours through a driving rain.
The Fifth retreated from the battle field to Alexandria, where
it remained until July twenty-sixth when it went back to its
former encampment at Clermont. The regiment about this time
suffered from sickness, want of tents, cooking utensils and
change of clothing, these having been left at Fairfax Court
House and during the retreat were captured by the rebels.
August thirteenth they moved to a position about one mile from
Alexandria, and encamped near Fort Ellsworth, and remained
there until the thirteenth of September, but in consequence of
being for the greater portion of the time employed on fatigue
and picket duty, they had little opportunity for military drill,
and were in rather a bad condition, poorly disciplined, destitute
of clothing and other necessaries and comforts, and suffering
from sickness. Col. Dunnell, who at the time of his election
was United States consul at Vera Cruz and obtained temporary
leave of absence to enable him to take command of the regi
ment, resigned on the twenty-first of August and forthwith
repaired to his post in Mexico. The vacancy occasioned by
his resignation was filled by the appointment of Col. Nathaniel
J. Jackson, late of the First Maine, whose term of service had
expired. Here on the twelfth of September, Lieut. Col. Ulsley
and Maj. Hamilton resigned, and were succeeded respectively
by Capt. William S. Heath of company H, Third Maine, and

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 115
Capt. Edward A. Scammon'of company H of the Fifth. On
the thirteenth of September the Fifth removed some two miles
in the advance of this location and encamped at Eagle Mount,
a healthy and pleasant location/ where there was #oon a marked
improvement in the health of the men, and contentment took
the place of despondency. On the fourteenth of October the
regiment removed to Camp Franklin, near the Theological
Seminary just below Alexandria, some three miles in the direc
tion of Washington from its last location, where with better
opportunities for drill, its discipline became improved and its
health excellent. The Fifth at this time was in the Seventh
brigade, Gen. Slocum, of Gen. Franklin's division. Their brig
ade commander thus speaks of them at this time: —
Camp Franklin, Alexandria, Virginia, )
December 7th, 1861. j
Dear Sir : — I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of
your letter of November twenty-ninth, and in reply would say
that I shall not ask the government to give me a better regi
ment than the Fifth Maine, in case it can be filled to the maximum
standard. I do not think there is a regiment in the entire army
which has improved so rapidly as Col. Jackson's has. The
change has been wonderful. Their sick list to-day is less
than one third of what it was two months since. The men are
cleanly, well drilled and ambitious. They are becoming proud
of their regiment, and are uniting cordially with Col. Jackson
in all his efforts. I shall be greatly disappointed if this regi
ment does not do credit to your State. Fill it ft> the maximum
and then pay us a visit and judge for yourself whether I am too
sanguine in regard to the regiment.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
H. W. SLOCUM,
Brigadier General of Volunteers.
To His Excellency I. Washburn, Jr.,
Governor of Maine.
For the remainder of the fall and winter the regiment was la
boriously engaged in constructing fortifications and on picket
duty near Mount Vernon, and was engaged in several slight
skirmishes with the enemy during the time.
While engaged on picket duty when near Mount Vernon, in
the winter of sixty-one-sixty-two, one of the men of the Fifth

116 MAINE IN THE WAR.
was out one moonlight night, when the moonlight was dubious
ly done in a very deceptive sheen of mist and fog. The picket
had paced along well into the night, when one of the men in the
dim light of the doubtful atmosphere discovered a moving ob
ject, which, on nearer approach he concluded was some prowl
ing rebel, and cried out, "Halt! Who goes there ? Give the coun
tersign," at the same time raising his musket to pop the seem
ingly peripatetic rebel.
Taking good aim he discharged his musket and brought down
the rebel, which proved to be a hog, which, being severely
wounded, awakened the whole picket line with his cries.
In April, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the Fifth moved
with the army of the Potomac to Fortress Monroe and marched
up the Peninsula. Having reported to General McClellan, the
division comprising the Fifth remained on board the transports
some two weeks and then disembarked on the north bank of the
York river, under the protection of the gunboats, to act on
Gloucester, at which place the garrison had been reinforced and
the works strengthened. The troops were mostly kept on ship
board while the necessary preparations were made for landing :
them and supporting them in case of necessity. Thus, although
held within supporting distance, the regiment was not engaged
at the siege of Yorktown.
Ge/neral Franklin's division, with the reputation at that time
of being the best in the army, was sent by water from York-
town to the right bank of the Pamunkey in the vicinity of West
Point, in the hope of forcing the enemy to abandon whatever
works he might have on the Peninsula below that point or be
cut off. On the night of May sixth the disembarkation of the
infantry of the division was completed, and it was placed in a
good position to cover the landing place, both flanks and a large
portion of the front being protected by water. The division
bivouacked here for the night.
The action at West Point on this day was the most important
affair in which the division had yet been engaged. The Fifth
was in the advance line for six hours, holding a heavy force of
the enemy in check, and finally repulsed him. Their conduct
on this occasion was very creditable, and was complimented at
the close of the action by all the staff for heading an advance
into the woods upon the left. Although under a very severe

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 117
fire, the situation of the ground was such that their loss was
only two killed and five wounded.
The whole division moved on the fifteenth and sixteenth to
White House, five miles in advance. The state of the road was
so bad that it required thirty-six hours for the trains to pass
over this distance. About this time the divisions of generals
Franklin and Smith were organized into the Sixth provisional
army corps and placed under the command of General Franklin.
The onward movement from the Pamunkey continued slowly,
and on the twenty-first, the Fifth was three miles from New
bridge, on the Chickahominy, about one mile from Coal Harbor.
At Mechanicsville on the twenty-fourth of May, the regiment
had three skirmishes with the enemy, once supported by caval
ry while deployed on picket, and twice in line of battle support
ed by artillery. Each time they drove the enemy, who were
finally forced across the bridge over the Chickahominy. The
regiment was engaged for the month following on picket duty
and in constructing fortifications.
On Thursday, the twenty-sixth of June, the day before the
battle of Gaines' Mill, all the corps commanders on the right
bank of the Chickahominy, were ordered to be prepared to send
as many troops as could be spared, to the left bank of the river
on the next day. General Franklin was instructed to hold Slo
cum's division, which comprised the Fifth, in readiness by day
break. They were exposed to a galling, enfilading fire from the
enemy's artillery during the forenoon of Friday, the twenty-
seventh, and at two o'clock in the afternoon were ordered to
cross over Alexander's bridge to the left bank of the river and
proceed to the support of General Porter. They reached their
destination about half-past three o'clock, where General Porfer
was contending against the enemy, who outnumbered him two
to one. The line was so severely pressed at several points, that
to prevent its being pierced at any one, it was found unavoid
able by General Porter, who was required to hold his position
till dark, to divide Slocum's division, and send parts of it, even
single regiments, to the most threatened points. The Fifth was
at first stationed on the left wing and afterwards was ordered to
go to the support of a battery near the centre, where it remain
ed until about five o'clock, when it was ordered to charge the
rebels over the crest of Gaines' Hill. The men advanced, not

118 MAINE IN THE WAR.
one wavering or hesitating, and while advancing made a change
of front forward under a perfect storm of bullets, shot and shell,
drove the rebels before them and gained possession of the hill,
where they held their position for upwards of three hours, when
they were relieved by other troops. In this engagement the
Fifth lost ten killed, sixty-nine wounded and sixteen missing.
Colonel Jackson was wounded and carried from the field, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Heath, upon whom the command then de
volved, while riding up to ascertain whether our troops were
firing on friends or enemies, was shot through the head and
died instantly. He was buried by the rebels, and no vestige
of his grave has been found. The regiment bore an honorable
and prominent part in the battle and displayed the most deter
mined courage, without a single instance of hesitation or falter
ing on the part- of the men for the day. During the night all
the Federal troops on the left bank of the Chickahominy recross-
ed to the other side of the river.
On the twenty-eighth of June, the regiment under the com
mand of Captain Edwards, of Company I, was in a severe though
short engagement with the enemy at Golding's Farm, and were
in the last division which commenced the retreat from the Chick
ahominy to the James river.
On Wednesday, June thirtieth, the Fifth again had an encoun
ter with the enemy at Charles City Cross Roads, called also from
different positions occupied by different parts of the line, Nel
son's Farm or Glendale, and White Oak Swamp, in which battle,
so terrible in loss to the enemy, it bore a conspicuous part. —
General Franklin's and Sumner's commands were drawn up in
line of battle the day before at Savage's Station in a large open
field to the left of the railroad, the left resting on the edge of
the woods and the right extending down to the railroad. Gen.
Slocum's division, comprising the Fifth, having been ordered to
Savage's Station, in reserve, the day before, was on the right
of the Charles City road. Gen. Franklin was ordered to hold
the passage of White Oak Swamp bridge and cover the with
drawal of the trains from that point. At half-past two in the
afternoon, the enemy having advanced down the road, made an
attack on Gen. Slocum's left, and finally on his whole front, but
was checked by his artillery. Gen. Franklin held his position
till after dark, repeatedly driving back the enemy in their at-

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 119
tempts to cross White Oak swamp. The Fifth held its ground
against fearful odds — (forty thousand men under Gen. Magru-
der) — till one o'clock that night, when they fell back towards
the James river and about daylight next morning reached Mal
vern Hill. At this battle the regiment became almost entirely
surrounded and only escaped by passing in the deepest silence
through a small aperture in the enemy's lines. The enemy's
artillery opening upon us at this time sent a severe fire over the
heads of our forces and into their own lines in our rear and were
obliged to cease firing in consequence.
At the battle of Malvern, next day, the Fifth was held within
supporting distance of the Federal forces, but was not called
into the fight. This was the closing general engagement of the
flank movement to the James river in the peninsular campaign,
and the army soon after moved to Harrison's landing, where
after about a month's inaction, varied occasionally by a skirmish
or a reconnoissance, the general movement for the withdrawal of
the troops commenced, August fourteenth, and on the morning
of the sixteenth all the troops were in motion by land and water;
on the twentieth all of the army which had not embarked was
ready to do so at Yorktown, Newport News and Fortress Mon
roe, and on the twenty-fourth the headquarters of the army were
at Acquia Creek. Major Scammon was promoted to be Lieut. -
Colonel on the twenty-fifth of July, and Capt. Edwards of com
pany I was commissioned Major August twenty-eighth.
On the first of September the Fifth was brought up to the
support of Gen. Pope at Manassas, or the second battle of Bull
Run. As the retrograde movement had already commenced the
regiment covered the retreat and picketed the outposts till the
following morning, having during the night a slight skirmish
with a body of cavalry, but fortunately without loss. The Fifth
was the last regiment of infantry to cross Cub Run, and just af
ter crossing were fired upon by the enemy with his artillery and
followed up by cavalry, but rejoining their division, they were
drawn up in line of battle awaiting the enemy's approach, who
were however driven away by our artillery.
After a tedious march into Maryland through the dust and
under a scorching sun, they arrived near Crampton's Pass in
the South Mountain range, which is on the direct road from
Frederick City to Sharpsburgh, where on Sunday, September

20 MAINE IN THE WAR.
fourteenth, they again engaged the enemy. Discovering the
enemy to be in force at that point, Gen. Slocum immediately
made arrangements to give battle. The Fifth, together with
the Sixteenth New York, was formed in line of battle, constitu
ting the advance, and ordered to move forward and assault the
enemy. For nearly a mile under a severe fire of artillery, they
moved toward the front over an open field, in full view of the,
enemy, passing through a corn-field and climbing five rail fences
in their route. Arriving at a point about five hundred yards
from the enemy, they opened a fearful fire of musketry. For
an hour and a half they poured volley after volley into the
enemy's ranks, and though their fire was promptly returned not
a man flinched, but stood nobly at his post. At length every
round of ammunition was expended, and the regiment fell back
a few yards, when an order came to charge the enemy. With
a shout the men sprang forward at double quick step with the
rest of the division and made a charge. They received a volley
or two into their ranks, when the firing ceased and the enemy
retreated from his stronghold in confusion and we took posses
sion of the heights. The regiment in this engagement lost
thirty-five killed and wounded.
The regiment remained on the mountain two days, and on the
morning of the seventeenth again moved under command of
Lieut.-Col. Scammon towards Antietam creek. A march of two
hours brought them to the battle-field of Antietam, where their
brigade was immediately formed in line of battle and moved for
ward to the front within a short distance of the enemy's ad
vance. They remained quiet for some three hours, when the
Fifth with the Sixteenth New York, was ordered to support
Davidson's brigade which occupied an advanced position upon
their left. The command was in line in a moment, and though
it seemed almost sure death to advance, the men marched forth
by the flank with firm step. They had scarcely moved twenty
yards when the enemy, detecting the movement, directed upon
them a terrible fire. But they soon rallied and advanced to
their new position, where they were slightly protected by the
crest of a hill. Here they maintained their ground until the
next morning, when the fight re-opened with musketry. Nearly
all day they were under fire, but without any advance being
made upon either side. At about four o'clock in the afternoon

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 121
they were relieved by fresh troops, and marched to the rear,
having been under fire for thirty hours, though with compara
tively small loss.
The regiment remained near Sharpsburgh doing ordinary pick
et and guard duty till October thirtieth, when it took up a line of
march and crossed the Potomac at Berlin November first, and
continued the march to Stafford Court House. During this
march Gen. McClellan was relieved from the command of the
army of the Potomac and Gen. Burrtside succeeded him. The
regiment went into camp at Stafford Court House, where, in
the performance of the ordinary camp duties, it remained till
the advance on Fredericksburgh. Col. Jackson having been
appointed Brigadier General of volunteers, on the first of No
vember Lieut. Col. Scammon was promoted to the colonelcy,
Maj. Edwards to the lieutenant-colonelcy and Capt. Millett of
company A, to the majority.
On the eleventh of .December the regiment crossed the Rap
pahannock river with the army, and occupied an important
position in the battle of Fredericksburgh on the thirteenth. It
was posted on the extreme . right and advance of Franklin's
grand division, near the centre of the army line of battle. The
principal fighting of this battle was upon the extreme right and
left of the army, and the Fifth was not engaged with musketry
but was subjected to a very hot fire from the enemy's artillery.
The work assigned it was to meet any demonstration of the
enemy in our front, and check any advance he might make, and
especially to present a front to the enemy, while the right and
left wings attempted to turn his flanks. The regiment was
eminently successful in the performance of its duties.
After the battle the regiment went into camp near White
Oak Church, a short distance from Fredericksburgh. On the
twentieth of January eighteen hundred and sixty-three, it took
up a line of march towards Banks' Ford on the Rappahannock
four miles above the town. Marching about ten miles they
encamped in some pine woods near the ford and early next day
the brigade to which the Fifth belonged was ordered forward,
but during the evening a rain set in and the roads were almost
impassable. For some days it was impossible either to advance
or retreat and the regiment remained encamped in a piece of
woods a few miles from United States Ford, and finally a retreat

122 MAINE IN THE WAR.
was ordered. Remaining a few days in front of the enemy,
near the Rappahannock, it again returned, after an unsuccessful
enterprise, to its old camp near White Oak Church, where it re
mained in the performance of camp, fatigue and picket duty, till
the latter part of April. Col. Scammon having resigned, Lieut-
Col. Edwards was on the second of March, promoted to fill the
vacancy, Maj. Millett was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel
and Capt. Daggett of company E was promoted to Major.
In the afternoon of the twenty-eighth of April it marched to
Franklin's crossing on the Rappahannock, keeping covered by
the hills which run parallel to the river and but a few rods from
its banks. Bivouacked there till eleven o'clock at night it was
decided that Brooks' division, comprising the Fifth, should
cross first in pontoon boats and clear the way on the opposite
bank for laying the pontoons. The boats were carried down by
hand as quietly as possible and launched, and shortly before
daybreak on the morning of the twenty-ninth the regiment
crossed the river in open boats at the very point where they
had crossed in December before. The movement was executed
under cover of a heavy fog, so that no casualties occurred to
the regiment although a few volleys were fired at them in cross
ing. In twenty minutes from the launching of the first boat
the whole division was over and the lines formed, and a gal
lant charge made upon the rifle pits of the enemy scattering the
rebels in all directions, and capturing some prisoners. The
work of laying the bridges then commenced and soon three fine
ones spanned the river. The regiment was in the second line
of battle where it remained through the day and until Thursday
night, April thirtieth, when the brigade relieved the first line
and went to the front, where it remained till the next night,
when it was relieved and moved to the rear of its old position
near the river, remaining under arms till Sunday morning, May
third, when with the first appearance of day it began to move
to the front on the plain near where the Bowling Green turn
pike intersects a deep ravine, and formed a line of battle. It
was then placed in support of a battery and was afterwards
ordered to move forward under cover of the ravine and take
possession of the railroad leading to Richmond, which was
almost in their immediate front, but the enemy discovering the
movement poured so heavy a fire into them from his batteries

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 123
that they were ordered to retire, the enemy's position on the
railroad being so strong as to render it impossible for our forces
to take and hold it. Being marched to Fredericksburgh and
then on the plank road towards Salem Heights, some four miles
from Fredericksburgh, the regiment discoved that the enemy
in great force, had made a stand near Salem Church and was
prepared to contest our further advance. A severe engage
ment at close range ensued, lasting half an hour, and the advance
of the enemy was checked for some time but the regiment off
the right of the Fifth giving way, before overpowering numbers,
both its flanks were exposed to a murderous fire and the regi
ment was ordered to fall back which it did in good order pouring
a heavy volley into the enemy as it retired. Early on the
morning of the fourth, the Fifth was stationed on the flank
where it remained until noon when it went to the support of
the First Massachusetts battery and about nine o'clock at night
fell back to Banks' Ford. After an hour's rest the regiment
was sent back a mile for performing outpost duty and covering
the retreat of the remaining troops of the corps which were
crossing to the opposite bank. About three o'clock next
morning the whole corps had crossed, when the men of the
Fifth weary and almost worn out, fell back silently to Kelly's
Ford and were the last to cross. The pontoon Bridge was
immediately taken up after they reached the opposite bank.
The regiment camped some half mile from the Rappahannock,
and on the seventh returned to its old camp near White Oak
Church, thus ending its participation in the famous and ill-fated
second battle of Fredericksburgh, or Chancellorsville.
For about a month the regiment was in camp and nothing of
interest occurred. On the sixth of June it again moved with
its corps, being in the Second brigade, First division of the
Sixth corps, towards Franklin's Crossing, and the next morning
crossed the river and relieved the troops which were in front.
Outpost duty was performed on the ninth and tenth, and on the
evening of the latter the regiment recrossed the river and
bivouacked for the night. It was on the evening of the thir
teenth that our troops retired from tho vicinity of Fredericks
burgh and entered upon the weary marches which culminated
at Gettysburgh. Under a drenching rain the Fifth set out and
marched ten miles towards Potomac Creek where it rested till

124 MAINE IN THE WAR.
the evening of the fourteenth, when it moved over a rough road
to the neighborhood of Stafford Court House, reaching there
about daylight. At three o'clock on the morning of the fifteenth
it marched towards Dumfries and arrived there about sunset,
and at four in the morning of the sixteenth the march was
continued to Wolf Run Shoals, thence to Fairfax Station, which
was reached at seven in the evening. On the eighteenth the
command was ordered to Germantown on the Chantilly road,
where it remained till the twenty-fifth when it went to Fairfax
Station on a reconnoissance, but returned next day. Here com
menced the series of long marches. At daylight on the twenty-
sixth the regiment set out and marched until four in the afternoon
when they reached Drainesville, sixteen miles distant. Next
morning at daylight the march was pursued fourteen miles to
Edwards' Ferry, Maryland. They left Edwards' Ferry on the
evening of the twenty-eighth, and passing through Poolesville
and Barnsville, bivouacked near Hyattstown after a march of
nineteen miles. Next day they marched twenty-six miles to
the vicinity of New Windsor, passing by Mount Airy and
Ridgeville, and on the thirtieth they moved early in the morning
to near Manchester, where after a march of twenty-five miles
they bivouacked. July first at ten in the evening the regiment
returned nearly to Westminster, and taking the Baltimore and
Gettysburgh pike moved to within a short distance of Gettys
burgh, having marched thirty-six miles in seventeen hours
without even stopping to make coffee.
The regiment rested two hours and then moved to the front
where it was immediately placed in position. Heavy firing was
kept up on both sides during the remainder of the day with
slight loss to the Fifth. As soon as night set in the regiment
was placed on outpost duty where it remained all night, but
was next day relieved when it retired a few rods and fortified
itself by a breastwork of stone behind which it rested during
the day. At one o'clock on the morning of the fourth the
regiment under cover of the darkness brought back two guns
of the Ninth Massachusetts battery which had been captured
on the second and abandoned by the enemy. About ten in the
forenoon the Fifth made a reconnoissance to ascertain whether
the enemy were in force, and finding he was, it returned to its
old position. On the fifth there was a brisk skirmish with the

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 125
enemy near Fairfield Pass, which was only terminated by dark
ness. The regiment remained here till a late hour on the sixth when
it marched to Emmettsburgh, Maryland, where it arrived at
daylight next morning, and at about nine o'clock marched to
Hamburgh arriving there at midnight literally drenched, a rain
having set in at evening, which continued all night and part of
the next day, when the Fifth marched toward Middleton, in the
vicinity of which it bivouacked. On the ninth it moved through
Middleton nine miles in the direction of Boonesborough and at
five o'clock next morning moved towards Funkstown where
meeting the enemy a line of battle was formed. At five in the
afternoon the regiment was ordered on picket near Antietam
Creek where it remained twelve hours, then moved towards
Hagerstown and bivouacked. It again moved early in the
morning of the twelfth when it marched through Funkstown,
where a spirited skirmish took place. The regiment remained
here two or three days on outpost duty and building rifle pits,
but were soon sent in pursuit of the enemy who had retreated
to the river and was crossing at Williamsport. On the fifteenth it
marched to Boonesborough and next day to Petersville where,
on account of the rainy weather it remained until the eighteenth
when it marched to Berlin oh the Potomac and next day crossed
the river and marched to White Plains where it bivouacked 'on
the twenty-third. On the twenty-fifth it moved to Warrenton
and encamped, and on the thirty-first returned to New Balti
more, five miles, where it remained doing outpost duty till
September thirteenth, when it moved back to Warrenton, and
on the fifteenth moved towards White Sulphur Springs bringing
up the rear of the corps.
On the sixteenth it marched from White Sulphur Springs to
Stonehouse Mountain, a distance of eighteen miles, where it
rested until October fifth, when a movement toward the Rapidan
was accomplished, and the regiment stationed at a point between
Cedar Mountain and Raccoon Ford, did outpost duty until the
eleventh. October twelfth the regiment moved to Brandy
Station, supporting a cavalry reconnoissance, and on the thir
teenth fell back to Rappahannock Station, and then moved
twenty-one miles to Bristow's Station. October fourteenth
moved to Centreville, thence to Chantilly, seventeen miles.

126 MAINE IN THE WAR.
October nineteenth moved to Gainesville, ten miles, and on the
twentieth back to Warrenton, eleven miles, where our troops
went into ¦ camp and remained till November seventh, when
they moved forward towards Rappahannock Station arriving
there about two o'clock in the afternoon and taking position on
the right of the railroad where a line of battle was formed.
The enemy having been driven from an eminence in our
immediate front, the regiment was soon after advanced under a
heavy fire of artillery from their batteries within short range
of their rifle pits. During this movement Lieut.-Col. Henry R.
Millett was slightly wounded by the fragment of a shell, but
no other casualties occurred.
At about sunset an advance was ordered, and the regiment
moved forward. The enemy, upon discovering the advancing
column, poured volley after volley into our ranks, but the Fifth
stood firm. Soon after a movement to the right was ordered,
and when the regiment faced the works again, it was to charge.
With a yell, and amid a shower of bullets, the Fifth rushed on
unmindful of danger. The rifle pits were carried at the point
of the bayonet, in gallant style, and the enemy was surprised
in his stronghold. Meanwhile the troops on the left having
after a spirited struggle carried the fortifications and redoubts
at that point, the enemy werefast pressing towards a pontoon
bridge, their only crossing over the Rappahannock. The arrival
of the Fifth among them, and the confusion such an arrival
necessarily created, can be more readily imagined than described.
The bridge was soon secured, and after some resistance a
capture of some twelve hundred prisoners, among whom were
the brigade commander and many field and staff officers, was
effected. Four battle flags belonging to the regimentswhich had opposed
us were also captured, Lieut. Andrew S. Lyon commanding
company K, capturing the color of the Eighth Louisiana; Corp.
Emory P. Blondel, company D, that of the Sixth North Caro
lina; Corp. Theodore Shackford, company A, that of the
Fifty-fourth North Carolina; private James A. Littlefield, com
pany I, that of the Seventh North Carolina. The flags were
subsequently presented to Gen. Meade who said, "In the name
of the army and the country I thank you for the services you
have rendered, particularly for the example you have set and

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 127
which I doubt not on future occasions will be followed and
emulated." At this battle Maj. Daggett had the pleasure of
taking the swords of Colonels Penn of Louisiana and Webster
and Godwin of North Carolina. One of these officers was in
command of a brigade. For this act the Major was complimented
in being detailed by Gen. Upton to command the battalion which
escorted the captured f|ags and trophies of that brilliant charge
to Gen. Meade's headquarters. Every man during the engage
ment seemed possessed of a determination, a courage and daring
which ensure success, and the affair was a complete and
glorious victory. The Fifth lost in this action seven killed and
and twenty-eight wounded. The regiment occupied the fortifi
cations during the night, and next day advanced to near Brandy
Station. Col. Edwards issued an order on the seventeenth as
follows: "The commission as Second Lieutenant of the late
William A. Tubbs, Orderly Sergeant of company K of this
regiment, was received at these headquarters last evening. As
is well known to this command, Lieut. Tubbs fell at the recent
battle at Rappahannock Station on the seventh of November,
while gallantly, bravely and nobly leading on the men of his
company to victory, and the Colonel commanding cannot allow
the present opportunity to pass without paying a slight tribute
to the intrinsic worth of one who has thus nobly sacrificed his
life, his all, upon the altar of his country. Lieut. Tubbs fell
in the prime of youth. Brave, energetic, fearless in action,
' prompt in the discharge of his duties, diligent and studious in
every sphere to which he was assigned, ever respectful and
obedient to those in command, steady in his habits, — in a word
a true soldier, — most truly had he earned the promotion which
death alone has prevented him from grasping with its honors.
For a long time he bore the standard of our nationality with this
regiment, never faltering or failing under the severest fire of
the enemy or the most trying circumstances. His great ambition
was to do his whole duty to himself and his country. Let us
all emulate the glorious example set before us by our deceased
comrade— each striving in the faithful execution of his respective
labors." On the eighteenth Col. Edwards issued a general order in
which he said he had been "nobly supported in one of the most
fearless and illustrious achievements of the war. Under the

128 MAINE IN THE WAR.
cover of the night, ignorant of what was before you, you
charged the enemy entrenched within his rifle-pits and redoubts,
sweeping all before you. * * * And while we are permitted
to enjoy the laurels which the gallantry of this regiment has
earned, let us not forget those noble and self-sacrificing com
rades, who, fearing nothing, rushed on with the word "victory"
upon their lips till the fatal missiles of death cut them down at
the very moment of our triumph. Forget not the example of
the gallant French, who lying wounded and in the very agonies
of death, cried, "Don't stop for me, but on! on I" nor forget
others, all known to you, who, though suffering from the most
acute wounds, yet scarcely uttered a groan, smiling amid their
agony as they listened to the victorious shouts of their trium
phant comrades."
On the eighth the troops were marched forward in pursuit of
the enemy's retreating column, but rainy weather having set in
they camped near Wellford's Ford, a distance of some two and
a half miles from Brandy Station. Nothing of interest occurred
until the twenty-sixth, when after a storm the army was ad
vanced towards the Rapidan. The troops moved slowly, and the
Fifth in its capacity as rear guard was detached by companies
to haul by hand wagons-, which owing to the rough roads could
not be drawn by the animals. After a tedious march the regiment
camped near Jacob's Ford at one o'clock in the morning on the
twenty-seventh, moving at six across the Rapidan. The brigade
to which the Fifth belonged was ordered to the support of the
Third corps, and were under fire at the battle of Orange Grove,
but no casualties occurred.
On the twenty-eighth the regiment was advanced on the
Orange Turnpike to a position near Mine Run, its corps being
the right of the army. Here picket duty was performed vigi
lantly until the thirtieth, when the regiment moved towards the
right at two o'clock in the morning, and formed a line of battle,
being covered by a piece of pine woods. The knapsacks of
the command were packed together by companies, as a charge
was to be made. The» day was intensely cold, and it was
only by dint of exercise that the troops succeeded in keeping
themselves wayn. This position was kept all day, but the
impossibility of taking the heights in their front without a great
loss having been recognized, the troops fell back after dark to

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 129
their position of the twenty-ninth, where they remained until
the evening of December first. At that date the troops moved
towards Germania Ford, arriving there at daylight on the second,
and marching some four miles from the ford, bivouacked. On
the third it moved to Wellford's Ford, to its old camp, where it
remained tho rest of the year. Arrangements were made for
winter quarters, and the Fifth soon prepared to weather the
Virginia winter.
On December fourteenth Lieut. J. H. Stevens of company D,
having been ordered with a guard outside the picket line for
the purpose of procuring bricks, was captured by guerillas
which infested the country. Three enlisted men from the regi
ment were also captured with him, they forming part of his
guard. From that date to the year's end nothing of interest
occurred, the regiment performing its ordinary camp duty.
The regiment remained encamped here till early in May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-four, engaged in doing picket duty
and drilling. Schools of instruction, in which the officers were
thoroughly taught, were maintained and the regiment was in
an excellent state of discipline.
Lieut. Gen. Grant having meantime been assigned to the
command of the Army of the Potomac it was thoroughly reor
ganized and new vigor infused into it. On the third of May
they broke camp and crossed Hazel river and next day crossed
the Rapidan at Germania Ford and bivouacked. On the fifth
the regiment participated in the battle of the Wilderness. At
three o'clock in the morning, the reveille was sounded and at
daylight'the troops set out on their march. Having moved a
short distance, it was reported that the enemy was advancing
with his infantry and artillery and our infantry column halted
in line of battle, Gen. Sedgwick's command, comprising the
Fifth, being upon the right, Warren's in the centre and Han
cock's on the left. Afterwards, moving forward again it was
found that the enemy was advancing and our infantry was
concentrated and formed for battle, Generals Sedgwick and
Warren getting into line about eleven o'clock, and soon after,
skirmishing was heard on the front. A severe battle succeeded,
lasting about an hour, our position being mostly in a wood so
dense that no artillery could be used. The Fifth advanced
through a long piece of woods and found the enemy drawn up
9

130 MAINE IN THE WAR.
in line of battle. The line was maintained under a heavy fire
of musketry and artillery. The regiment remained in line for
the remainder of the day, all night, and all day on the sixth.
The battle of the sixth commenced about half past four in the
morning by the enemy's attacking our right and right centre.
Heavy fighting continued all day in different parts of the line,
but the nature of the ground was such as to render the employ
ment of artillery almost entirely impracticable, although the at
tacks on both sides were furious and large numbers were killed,
wounded and taken prisoners in each army. Gen. Sedgwick,
their corps commander was here killed, and Maj. Gen. Wright
was afterwards assigned to his command. Temporary advan
tages were mutually gained, but the enemy gradually retired or
were driven back so that on Saturday, the seventh, there was
no general engagement, but our forces were following the
retreating troops of the enemy. On Sunday, the eighth, the
severely contested battle of Spottsylvania Court House was
commenced and fought by the Fifth army corps, the enemy
continuing to fight fiercely, but also to keep falling back.
On the night of the tenth the regiment was put in position
within short musketry range of the enemy's earthworks, which
were defended by heavy lines of infantry and artillery stationed
in dense woods. The twelve best regiments in the Second and
Sixth corps were selected to charge upon these works. The
Fifth was one of the regiments selected, and at dusk they were
ordered to take possession of the works. Advancing through
some woods to an open field some five or six hundred yards
wide they crossed it rapidly under a most terrific" fire of
musketry and artillery. More than one half the regiment were
lost in passing over the field, such a discharge of canister shot
they had to encounter. In less than five minutes after the order
was given to charge they had crossed the open ground and
captured the works. The Fifth took two rebel flags and the
column a large body of prisoners. They were however obliged
to abandon the works soon after, on account of a lack of proper
support and a flanking fire from the enemy, but the prisoners
were brought off, although necessarily at double quick to
prevent their recapture ; and the pieces of artillery would have
been brought off had the force been able to drag them away.
The regiment then fell back to its old position and remained

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 131
under arms, holding their position the next day. On the twelfth
the regiment with its corps was ordered to charge on the works
on a hill within a few rods of those on which they previously
charged, and which were a continuation of the same line of
works. Moving up from a ravine they had but a short distance
to advance to reach the works, and these were carried for a
moment when a flanking fire from the enemy compelled the
whole column to fall back some half a dozen rods under the
cover of a ridge. The line was here reformed and maintained
for the next twenty-four hours, during which the works were
again taken and were this time permanently held. A space of
some six rods, in which the Fifth was stationed while under
cover of this ridge, was the key-point to the whole line, and
while lying there the troops within the six rods expended over
a million rounds of ammunition. Just in the rear of the rebel
works was a heavy growth of oak, and several trees, varying
in size from ten to twelve inches in diameter, were entirely cut
off and fell to the ground, by the fire of our musketry alone,
while their stumps which were left standing, were cut into shreds
and splinters by our subsequent fire. The Second and Sixth
corps fought from nine o'clock in the forenoon of the twelfth,
till about daylight on the morning of the thirteenth, held the
ground and drove the rebels out. •
The regiment participated in the other skirmishes in the
vicinity of Spottsylvania Court House, and moving forward
with the army crossed the North Anna river on the twenty-third,
and on the twenty-fifth our forces were well posted on the south
side, with headquarters at Jericho Mills. Here skirmishes and
reconnoissances were constantly kept up. The regiment was
detailed to protect a party while destroying the track of the
Virginia Central railroad, and while they were thus engaged,
Sergt. Joseph C. Paradis of company F, who had been com
missioned as Second Lieutenant, but who had never been
mustered in to his new grade on account of the reduced state
of the company, made a sally beyond our picket line, with two
men, and proceeding to the yard of a rebel house in which was
a party of half a dozen or more of the enemy, captured two
hotses fully equipped, shot one of the rebels who attempted to
prevent them from carrying off the horses, and the three
returned unharmed to our lines with their booty. For gallantry

:&..

132 MAINE IN THE WAR.
here displayed, Sergt. Paradis was recommended and commis
sioned as Captain, but was mortally wounded on the second of
June and died before being mustered on his promotion.
On Thursday May twenty-sixth, Gen. Grant made a demon
stration on the enemy's left to cover his flank movement, which
was commenced by re-crossing the North Anna in the morning.
Our forces moved eastward towards the Pamunkey river, which
they reached the next forenoon at Hanovertown, fifteen miles
from Richmond and sixteen from White House, which then
became our new base of supplies. The Pamunkey was crossed
on the twenty-eighth, and on Sunday the twenty-ninth they
moved forward and next day met the enemy when a brisk
engagement occurred. Moving on, the army met the enemy
again at Coal Harbor on the first of June, where heavy fighting
ensued, but after several desperate charges with great loss on
our side, we gained possession of Coal Harbor, which was a
very important point as it commanded the approach to our base
of supplies at White House. June third, several desperate
charges were made upon the enemy's intrenchments on the
Chickahominy with great loss on our side, and our forces did
not succeed in crossing the river. On the fourth, the two armies
lay very near each other, intrenching, relieved by sharpshoot-
ing and occasional cannonading. Digging and musketry firing
were the principal business of the day on the fifth with a fierce
assault on a portion of our intrenchments by the enemy at
night. For the next week the two armies lay in their intrench
ments with an occasional attack and repulse, picket firing and
reconnoissance. On Sunday night, the twelfth of June, the
Sixth corps moved down the Chickahominy and crossed twelve
miles below Bottom's Bridge and the whole army effected the
crossing of the James river within the three succeeding days
with no serious opposition, and soon after effected a junction
with Gen. Butler's forces which were in the vicinity of Bermuda
Hundred. The combined armies then commenced to operate
against Petersburgh.
The Fifth participated actively in the whole campaign from
its opening, sharing all its privations, tedious marches and
exposures. In the day time the enemy would be found drawn
up to oppose them and during the night the men were continually
marching, changing position and throwing up breastworks.

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 133
During most of the campaign in order to get rest in safety they
ha;d to lie down in holes dug for the purpose and behind
earthworks thrown up for protection where ridges were not to
be met with. They shared the fortunes of this most severe and
terrible campaign of the present, if not indeed, every other war,
till June twenty-second, when it left the army, which was then
within one mile of the city of Petersburgh, and started for home.
The Fifth left the front on the night of the twenty-second of
June and,|«aking a short tarry in Philadelphia, New York and
Boston at each of which places they were provided with good
cheer, arrived in Portland on Tuesday, June twenty-eighth,
where they met with a public reception and were furnished with
an excellent dinner.
The regiment brought home a good name for valor, and was
during its term of service engaged in eleven pitched battles
and eight skirmishes previous to the campaign •which commenced
at the Wilderness. It had captured more prisoners than the
whole number of men ever in its ranks, and six rebel flags, four
of which were borne in the procession on its return.
After the formation of the different army corps it served in
the Second brigade, First division, of the Sixth corps d'armee
until its departure for home. On the leaving the field, the
following letter was addressed them, showing the estimation in
which they were held in the army :
Headquarters Second Brigade, \
June 23d, 1864. [
Col. Edwards, Officers and Men of the Fifth Maine Regiment: —
At the expiration of your term of service I feel it a great
pleasure to signify to you my appreciation of the services you
have rendered your country.
Your gallantry, your constancy, your devotion to the flag of
your country, your patient endurance of fatigue during the
campaigns of three long years, entitle you to the lasting grati
tude and esteem of your countrymen.
Springing to arms at the first sound of danger, you have
given prpof of your valor and patriotism on every field, from
the first Bull Run to the present time. Leaving your native
State with over one thousand and forty men, after receiving
a large number of recruits you now return with but two hundred
and sixteen.

134 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The long list of battles in which you have participated,
including Bull Run, West Point, Gaines' Mill, Charles City
Cross Roads, Crampton Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Salem
Heights, Gettysburgh, Rappahannock Station, eight days' battle
in the Wilderness, and at Spottsylvania Court House, and Coal
Harbor, will account for your losses.
Repeatedly have the colors of the gallant Fifth Maine been
planted upon the enemy's works. From behind their entrench
ments you have captured the battle flags of five of the proudest
regiments in the Confederate service ; and while inflicting a loss
equal to your own, you have in addition captured more prisoners
than you have ever borne names on your rolls. ,
But while your former services have won for you the admira
tion of your commanding officers, your example and conduct
during the present campaign forms the brightest page of your
history. After three years' hard fighting — well knowing the risks of
battle, — not even the ardent desire or the immediate prospect of
being restored to your friends, could damp your ardor or enthu
siasm ; but like brave and patriotic men you have fought nobly
to the end of your term, adding, with each day, increased lustre
to your arms.
With this brilliant record, and the proud consciousness that
you have stood by your country during her darkest hours of
peril, you now return to your homes where you will receive the
homage due the services you have rendered.
Bidding each and every one of you, in behalf of your old com
rades in arms, a hearty God speed,
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
E. UPTON,
Brigadier General Commanding.
The regiment left the State with upwards of one thousand
men, and received during its term of service some five hundred
recruits. Of these, not including officers, but one hundred and
ninety-three were mustered out with the regiment. Of the
remainder four hundred and fifty-six enlisted men were dis
charged, two hundred and forty-two were transferred, one
hundred and thirty-one died or were killed in battle, one hundred
and nineteen deserted, and twenty -two were missing in action.,
The remainder re-enlisted. Chaplain Adams was the only officer

FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 135
who went out originally with the regiment, continued with it
during its whole term of service in the same grade, and returned
and was mustered out with it. But a single other Maine Chaplain
has served so long in any one organization. The regiment was
mustered out of service on the twenty-seventh of July, eigh
teen hundred and sixty-four, by Lieut., John H. Walker of the
Fourteenth United States Infantry.
Brig. Gen. Jackson, at the commencement of the war, was
Captain of the Lewiston Light Infantry. When the first call
for troops was made he volunteered with his command for three
months and was assigned to the First Maine, of which he was
elected Colonel. He returned to the State with this regiment
at the expiration of its term of service, and was shortly after
wards commissioned Colonel of the Fifth Maine, with which he
served with distinction through the peninsular campaign and
under Gen. Pope in Virginia, and was wounded at the battle of
Gaines' Mill. On the recommendation of Gen. McClellan, he
was, on the twenty-fourth of September, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, commissioned as Brigadier General of volunteers,
and shortly after, assigned to the command of the Second
brigade, Second division, Twelfth Army Corps. He was injured
by a fall from his horse during the Spring campaign of eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, and was afterwards assigned to the
command of the rendezvous camp at Ricker's Island, -New
York harbor. In the autumn of eighteen hundred and sixty-
four he was ordered to active duty and assumed command of
a brigade in the Twentieth corps, under Gen. Slocum, of Gen.
Sherman's command in Georgia.

136 MAINE IN THE WAR.

VII.
SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was among the first of the thousands of patriots
who sprang to arms at the early summons of the national
government for troops. Its members came with true hearts
and strong hands, believing with the ancient Roman that it was
sweet and' beautiful to die for one's country. Composed prin
cipally of the hardy lumbermen of the Penobscot Valley and
the eastern section of the State, they were as fine and as noble
a looking set of men as were sent from Maine.
Before the regiment was organized it was composed of two
battalions of five companies each, one comprising companies A,
B, E, H and I under Gen. J. C. Stevens, rendezvousing at the
State Arsenal at Bangor, and the other composed of companies
C, D, F, G and K under Maj. Aaron Hayden, at Fort Sullivan,
Eastport. Under a General Order issued by Adjutant General
Hodsdon, June twentieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, both
battalions were removed to Portland, united in a regiment and
organized for active service July twelfth. Three days after
they were mustered into the United States service by Capt.
Thomas Hight, United States Dragoons, as follows:
field and staff.
Abner Knowles, Bangor, Colonel; Hiram Burnh am, Cherry-
field, Lieutenant Colonel ; Frank Pierce, Bucksport, Major ;
John D. McFarland, Ellsworth, Adjutant; Isaac Strickland,
Foxcroft, Quartermaster; Eugene F. Sanger, Bangor, Surgeon;
John Baker, East Machias, Assistant Surgeon; Zenas Thomp
son, Portland, Chaplain; Thomas W. Porter, Bangor, Quarter
master Sergeant; Percival Knowles, Bangor, Sergeant Major;
Charles A. McQuesten, Bangor, Hospital Steward ; J. W.
Snowman, Bucksport, Commissary Sergeant; Z. Buzzell, Bucks-
port, Drum Major ; John Washburne, Foxcroft, Fife Major.

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 137
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A, (Brownville Rifles.) — Moses W. Brown, Brown-
ville, Captain ; Charles H. Chandler, Foxcroft, First Lieutenant ;
Addison P. Buck, Foxcroft, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Isaac Frazier, Captain; Otis W. Kent, First
Lieutenant; Albert M. Murch, Second Lieutenant ; all of Ells
worth. Company C. — Benjamin F. Harris, Captain; John H. Ballinger,
First Lieutenant; Charles F. Stone, Second Lieutenant; all of
Machias. Company D. — Joel A. Haycock, Captain ; ReuelW. Furlong,
First Lieutenant ; Henry H. Waite, Second Lieutenant ; all of
Calais. Company E. — Joseph Snowman, Captain; Benjamin J. Buck,
First Lieutenant ; Virgil P. Wardwell, Second Lieutenant; all
of Bucksport.
Company F. — William N. Lysett, Pembroke, Captain; John
M. Lincoln, Pembroke, First Lieutenant ; Simon Pottle, 2d, Per
ry, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Ralph W. Young, Rockland, Captain; Frank
C. Pierce, Augusta, First Lieutenant ; Hiram B. Sproul, Cher-
ryfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Cyrus Brown,' Captain; Joseph G. Roberts,
First Lieutenant; George Fuller, Second Lieutenant; all of
Corinth. Company I. — Albert G. Burton, Oldtown, Captain; Henry R.
Soper, Oldtown, Second Lieutenant; William H. Stanchfield,
Milo, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Theodore Carey, Captain; Thomas P. Roach,
First Lieutenant ; Charles Day, Second Lieutenant ; all of
Eastport. Major Henry Prince of Eastport, a graduate of West Point
and a skilful and experienced officer in the regular army, who
had seen active service in the Florida and Mexican wars, was
first elected Colonel, but declined the command for the reason,
among others, that in accepting it he would be obliged to resign
his position of paymaster in the service. The choice then fell
upon Abner Knowles, Esq., a lawyer of distinction belonging
in Bangor.
The regiment left Portland on the seventeenth of July, for

138 MAINE IN THE WAR.
New York city, where it met with a handsome reception by the
sons of Maine resident in that metropolis, who presented them
with a beautiful standard.
While en route for the capital they stopped in Philadelphia
and were located in the immediate vicinity of several liquor
shops, the keepers of which were requested not to sell to the
regiment. Two of the proprietors disregarded the request, and
immediately Col. Knowles sent a file of soldiers, shut up the
shops, locked the doors, aed placed the proprietors under guard,
to their great chagrin and surprise. Quite a number of Quakers
were among the lookers-on, and it was said to be amusing to
see them walk up to Col. Knowles, and in their peculiar style,
say, "Friend Knowles, thy conduct meets our approval, and
we will back thee up if necessary." It was not necessary,
however, as his prompt action prevented further trouble in that.
direction. On the nineteenth the regiment arrived at Washington where
they were stationed at Chain Bridge on the Potomac, where
they built battery Vermont and a smaller earthwork that com
manded the position. Here they remained until the third of
September, when they crossed the Potomac into Virginia and
for several weeks were engaged principally in fatigue and picket
duty, and in building roads and bridges, digging pits and erect
ing forts and breastworks. The strength and skill of these
trained backwoodsmen as the gigantic oaks of the Potomac fell
like grain before their rapid, ringing strokes while they were
employed in clearing the woods, were the admiration of the
officers and the envy of other regiments. Later in the fall the
regiment was pushed forward towards Lewinsville, occupying
Fort Griffin through the fall and winter.
In January of the following year Col. Knowles resigned and
was succeeded in the command of the regiment by Lieut. Col.
Burnham, who entered upon the work of thoroughly drilling
and preparing it for service. Capt. Chandler of company A,
who was promoted from First Lieutenant, was made Lieutenant
Colonel, and Capt. Harris of company C, made Major.
In March the regiment was put into Hancock's brigade of
Smith's division, and joined in the advance on Manassas whose
works had kept the army in check nearly nine months. Arriving
at Fairfax Court House they remained encamped several days,

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 139
when the movement on Richmond by way of the Peninsula
commenced. Proceeding to Alexandria the regiment was
transported' to Fortress Monroe, where they arrived on the
twenty-fifth and encamped near Hampton. Two days after
they accompanied the division on a reconnoissance up the James
river in the direction of Warwick Court House, in which they
encountered and drove in the enemy's pickets, but did not
discover him in force. In this vicinity they remained until the
next day when the division fell back and encamped near New
port News. The army having been, organized into corps,
Smith's division was attached to the Fourth corps under Gen.
E. D. Keyes.
On the fourth of April the regiment broke camp at six o'clock
in the morning, and joined in the advance of the army on
Yorktown, where they arrived in front of the enemy's complete
and massive works on Warwick Creek at three o'clock in the
afternoon, and encamped. Here the regiment for the first time
came under fire. The following day, forming a portion of a
reconnoitering force under Gen. Hancock and Lieut Comstock
of Gen. McClellan's staff, they left their camp at an early hour
in the morning, and proceeded to reconnoitre the enemy's works
upon the creek. The enemy was found posted along the entire
length of a stream this side of his works. The skirmishers
thrown out in advance met the rebel pickets at every exposed
and convenient place this side of the stream. Our men gallantly
drove them up to the shore, and in several instances across.
The enemy's fortifications were disclosed at all these places,
guns being mounted in them, with a single exception. The
Sixth advanced to the top of a ravine, descending on this side
of the stream, and under its protection Lieut. Comstock made
important observations. The Fourteenth Alabama were sta
tioned on the other side. Four prisoners from that regiment
were taken within half a rifle shot of one of the enemy's forts
which opened fire on our skirmishers with considerable effect.
Private David Clark had his arm shot off and several others in
the regiment were slightly wounded. While the Sixth held
this place the enemy's troops marched down the stream and
behind their fortifications. Col. Burnham thought this part of
the enemy's line could be taken. He sent Ma^or Harris, with
an escort of two men, to Gen. Hancock, to ask permission to

140 MAINE IN THE WAR.
attempt it. At that moment the General was with the Fifth
Wisconsin inspecting the works of the enemy further down.
Major Harris was intercepted by a small scouting party of the
enemy. When meeting them he coolly gave his orders to his
two men as if he had a company, and ordering them to fire, one
of the enemy was killed ; the others fell back and the Major
escaped. If there existed a favorable moment for occupying
that fort, it quickly passed; but notwithstanding. the concentra
tion of four or five regiments of rebels at that point, the Sixth
held their position for three hours. The regiment then moved
down the creek in the direction of Lee's Mills, where, at the
distance of half a mile, another fort of the enemy was discov
ered. As their skirmishers moved toward it through the bushes,
a hot fire of musketry was poured upon them from the enemy's
rifle pits, and a brisk skirmish of some duration ensued. In
spite of a most disadvantageous position our skirmishers held
their ground until the fort was thoroughly examined, when, by
direction of Gen. Hancock, they were withdrawn without loss,
and the regiment marched back to camp. During this expedi
tion Adjutant McFarland captured a prisoner within one hundred
and thirty yards of a rebel battery mounting one gun, and its
parapet at the time lined with rebel infantry, and the gunners
at their posts. He, however, had the good fortune to keep his
prisoner between himself and their guns. Lieut. Col. Chandler
and this officer also captured three more prisoners.
On the ninth the Sixth covered a reconnoissance made by
Lieut. Comstock, examining the same position of the enemy's
line as in the previous reconnoissance. A brisk skirmish with
the enemy took place, during which the Sixth displayed great
coolness and courage, holding their position under a heavy fire
of musketry, until all observations were completed. They were
then withdrawn with a loss of one man mortally wounded. For
their gallantry on this occasion the regiment subsequently
received the thanks of Gen. McClellan in General Orders as
follows : Headquarters Fourth Army Corps, Camp near )
Warwick Court House, April 10, 1862. j
The gallant conduct of the Sixth regiment of Maine Volun
teers, while under fire covering a reconnoissance made by Lieut.
Comstock of the engineers, has been reported to the Major

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 141
General commanding the Army of the Potomac, and by him I
am directed to thank them.
Soldiers of the Sixth Maine I Your friends at home will be
made joyous when they learn that this order thanking you for
noble daring, is to be published throughout the Fourth Army
Corps.
E. D. KEYES,
Brigadier General Commanding.
During a skirmish at the siege of Yorktown, two soldiers,
one from Maine, the other from Georgia, posted themselves
each behind a tree, and indulged in sundry shots, without effect
on either side, at the same time keeping up a lively chat.
Finally that getting a little tedious, Georgia calls out to Maine,
"Give me a show," meaning step out and give an opportunity
to hit. Maine, in response, pokes out his head a few inches,
and Georgia cracks away and misses, "Too high," says Maine :
"Now give me a show." Georgia pokes out his head, and
Maine blazes away. "Too low," sings Georgia. In this way
the two alternated several times, without hitting. Finally,
Maine sends a ball so as to graze the tree within an inch or two
of the ear of Georgia. "Cease firing," shouts Georgia. "Cease
it is," responds Maine. "Look here," says one, "we have
carried on this business long enough for one day, 'spose we
adjourn for rations?" "Agreed," says the other. And so the
two marched away in different directions, one whistling "Yankee
Doodle," the other, "Dixie."
On the sixteenth the regiment participated in the battle of
Lee's Mills, which the reconnoissances of the sixth and ninth
had paved the way for being successfully fought. They sup
ported artillery and were exposed to heavy shelling, but were
not engaged with infantry. As the fruit of their former labors
the men had the pleasure of seeing the enemy driven from the
fort where the previous skirmishes had taken place, and its
guns silenced.
On the twenth-fourih the regiment proceeded to make another
reconnoissance of the enemy's works on Warwick Creek.
Skirmishing commenced immediately beyond our picket line.
The enemy was driven back very rapidly, and our skirmishers
approached to within half a rifle shot of his rifle pits. The
firing now became general and incessant, but our skirmishers

142 MAINE IN THE WAR.
steadily held their position. Once the enemy was ordered to
charge, and at the word his men rose up in their rifle pits,
when we poured a volley into them which drove them back in
confusion. No further attempt of this kind was made. All
observations being finally completed our skirmishers were drawn
in without the loss of a single man, while quite a number of the
enemy were killed and wounded. It is worthy of note that
when the regiment received the order to make this reconnois
sance they were out on picket. The remainder of the brigade
was in camp, and available for any such movement; but Gen.
Hancock paid the Sixth the marked compliment of selecting it
for this delicate and dangerous service, sending out another
regiment to take its place on picket while the reconnoissance
was made.
On the twenty-eighth the regiment left camp on another
reconnoissance of the enemy's works on Warwick Creek.
Finding him concealed within a hundred yards of our pickets,
our skirmishers advanced and a brisk firing took place, during
which he was driven back one fourth of a mile, across the creek
and into his rifle pits. The Sixth held this position under a
galling fire, within rifle shot of the enemy's works, until all
observations were completed, when their skirmishers were drawn
in with the loss of one man mortally wounded.
At Warwick Creek the regiment remained until the evacuation
of Yorktown by the enemy, May fourth, when they crossed the
creek' and joined the army in pursuit of the retreating foe,
arriving near Williamsburgh immediately after dark, where they
bivouacked for the night under the guns of Fort Magruder, the
enemy's principal work. The next day the battle of Williams
burgh was fought. Gen. Hancock crossed Queen's Creek, a
sluggish arm of the York River, at a small dam. Upon the
opposite bank was a small redoubt and upon the heights beyond
and a little to the left another, both unoccupied by the enemy.
The woods skirted the bank of the creek and extended towards
the enemy's lines on either hand, leaving a space of cleared
land from the two redoubts to Fort Magruder, about a mile from
the creek at right angles, capable of holding six or seven
thousand men. In this and in redoubts upon either flank, the
enemy were strongly posted. From one to five o'clock in the
afternoon the Sixth supported Kennedy's battery under a heavy

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 143
fire from the enemy's artillery. At this time the enemy advanced
in overwhelming force to charge our batteries, whereupon they
together with the regiment were ordered by Gen. Hancock to
fall back about a hundred rods, to where the remainder of the
brigade was stationed. The movement was well executed
notwithstanding the enemy was close upon them and had opened
a hot fire of musketry. Supposing our force in full retreat the
enemy (Early's brigade) came forward very rapidly, their fire
being concentrated upon the Sixth and the Fifth Wisconsin,
the other regiments of the brigade being all at some distance
in their rear and mostly out of sight. Having arrived at the
place designed by Gen. Hancock, the Sixth was faced about to
meet the enemy. By order of Gen. Hancock the four right
companies of the regiment were placed in an earthwork in the
centre of our lines, while the other companies were formed
immediately on the left of this work. The regiment as thus
disposed was in the centre of the brigade and received the
hottest of the enemy's fire, but no man wavered, but returned
promptly a terrible fire which did good execution in his ranks.
The Seventh Maine and Thirty-third New York now moved up
and took position on the right of the Sixth and the Forty-ninth
Pennsylvania on their left. After interchanging a few volleys
the enemy broke and retreated, and the whole line, including
the Seventh Maine, being pushed forward, about five hundred
prisoners were taken, and forty or fifty were found killed, the
wounded being included among the prisoners. No charge what
ever was made, nor was our line advanced until the enemy was
routed and in full flight. Two days after Gen. McClellan made
a complimentary address to the regiment for its services on this
occasion, as he did to all other regiments which Gen. Hancock
commanded during the battle.
From the ninth of May to the fourteenth the regiment was
on the march up the Peninsula in the direction of Richmond,
encamping on that day at White House on the Pamunkey river.
From thence they moved to Gaines' Mill and on the twenty-
fourth encamped near the Chickahominy about eight miles from
Richmond. The regiment having been in the meantime trans
ferred to the Sixth corps, Gen. Franklin moved on towards
Richmond and crossed the Chickahominy on the fifth of June,
the regiment encamping near Golding's Farm, about five miles

144 MAINE IN THE WAR.
from Richmond, at which place on the twenty-seventh, the
battle bearing that name was fought, in which the Sixth partic
ipated. Leaving camp at six o'clock in the morning the
regiment took up a position on the picket line to protect a
large earthwork that had been thrown up the night before. On
their arrival, Col. Burnham took a position a short distance in
the rear of the earthwork, on the right, near a piece of woods,
with orders to hold it at all hazards. In front of this earthwork
was a large, level field, at the upper portion of which, were
planted the enemy's batteries, while at a short distance in Gen.
Hancock's rear, was a deep ravine, on the opposite side of
which we had a masked battery of siege guns. About nine
o'clock the enemy appeared in force on the left, as if preparing
for an attack. An hour later and he opened with his artillery,
directing his fire, principally, at the woods where lay the Sixth,
and at our own battery which had been unmasked, and which
after an hour's rapid firing, silenced the enemy's guns, forcing
the rebels to retire out of range. During this duel the Sixth
had two men killed and one wounded. The battle continued
through the remainder of the day mostly with artillery. The
Sixth corps held the centre of the line, and Gen. Porter the
extreme right on the north of the Chickahominy. The latter
being heavily attacked fell back with severe loss. When it
was dark the Sixth corps was attacked.
The Sixth Maine held about the centre of the line. The
enemy advanced at six o'clock, his infantry heavily massed.
Hancock's brigade met the assault, no other infantry being
engaged on our, side. His onslaught was sudden, fierce and
determined ; but he found us prepared to meet him. As often
as he attempted to cross the field in our front he was repulsed
with slaughter. The fight raged until long after dark. Three
times the enemy attempted to charge our lines, but each time
he was met by such a withering fire that he was forced to fall
back in a broken and disorganized manner. Finally he was
beaten back at all points with heavy loss, and drew off his
shattered forces in great confusion. During the fight many of
the men of the Sixth expended between fifty and sixty rounds
of ammunition. Many of their guns were rendered useless by
foulness, in consequence of which, as well as from want of
ammunition, they, with the remainder of the brigade, were

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 145
relieved, and Col. Burnham was ordered to withdraw quietly
with his regiment and return to camp, where he arrived at a
little past one o'clock. During the engagement the casualties
were one man killed and twenty-three wounded. Three of the
latter died shortly afterwards. From the beginning to the end
of the affair the conduct of the men was most excellent.
The next day commenced the retrograde movement of the army
towards the James river. At an early hour the Sixth prepared
to move. Breakfast was hastily eaten, aiyl the work of getting
in readiness promptly commenced. Col. Burnham was ordered
to report the whole of his command to Gen. Smith for fatigue
duty, when the men were furnished with axes and ordered to
cut down the skirt of the forest in which was located their camp,
in order to afford a range for our artillery in case the enemy
made an attack. On this being accomplished, the regiment was
ordered to the left of the felled trees, with the rest of the First
brigade, their division acting as rear guard for the column with
which it was connected. While getting into position, the
enemy indicated an attack by opening a furious fire with one
of his batteries, when Gen. Hancock ordered the Sixth to take
position in line of battle a little to the left of where it had
formerly been encamped. As they moved out to get into posi
tion they were observed by the enemy who began shelling them
with artillery, doing considerable execution ; whereupon one of
our batteries got into position and a fierce artillery engagement
took place which resulted in silencing hip guns. The Sixth
continued to hold their position during the night, while the
greater part of our forces made their retreat. They were
bivouacked in line of battle, every man with his rifle at his side,
ready tp spring to his feet and give battle in case of an attack.
All night long the troops on their left and in their rear were
falling back. The rumble of baggage trains and artillery was
continuous. At last only the division remained to which they
belonged, and their position was evidently a critical one, for,
notwithstanding troops were within supporting distance, it was
plain, that in case of an attack, they would bear the brunt of
the battle. But the enemy did not choose to attack.
On the following morning their division began to fall back,
leaving a proper force of cavalry and artillery behind as the rear
guard of the corps. Falling back about three miles, they came
10

146 MAINE IN THE WAR.
to a large field containing a strong force of our troops and an
immense number of baggage wagons. Positions were taken in
line of battle, while a halt of about three hours was made,
during which the retreat went on. By this time the latter had
all disappeared. Resuming the line of march, the division
moved along leisurely until they reached a field a short distance
from Savage's Station. Here another halt was made/ and the
division deployed in line of battle, and stationed in the edge of
a piece of woods, in which position they remained until about
two o'clock, when, keeping up the line of battle, they left a
portion of Heintzelman's corps in the rear, and passed through
the woods to Savage's Station, halting a little way beyond.
On resuming the march, they proceeded about a mile, when a
rattling fire of musketry in their rear showed that the enemy
had attacked our forces at Savage's Station. Forthwith the
division was marched rapidly to the scene of action. The
weather was so hot that it seemed almost impossible for the
men to drag themselves along. When they arrived the battle
was raging furiously. Under a heavy fire the Sixth marched
across the field and took position on the right of the line where
a flank movement of the enemy was imminent. The position
was an honorable but a dangerous one. Col. Burnham at once
established communication with the rest of his brigade, and
awaited an attack on his right flank, which he doubted not
would be made, as the enemy subsequently threatened, who,
after a short and bloody engagement were repulsed. The Sixth
did not actively engage in the battle, although they were under
a heavy fire, and shared many of its perils..
At nine o'clock, the division was again put in motion, leaving
Heintzelman's forces to hold, for a time, the hard-earned field.
The Sixth was placed in the advance. The four right companies
were detached and thrown some distance ahead as an advance
guard. Two squads, under non-commissioned officers, were
thrown still further ahead, to feel the way. In this order they
marched until three o'clock on the morning of the thirtieth,
when they crossed White Oak Swamp bridge and took position
on the heights beyond. Here a halt was ordered by Gen. Han
cock, and the men, totally exhausted by the severe labors of the
last twenty-four hours, threw themselves on the ground and
were almost instantly asleep. During the remainder of the

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 147
night and until eight o'clock the following morning troops were
constantly filing past. At the last named hour they had all
passed and Smith's division was again rear guard of this por
tion of the army. At ten o'clock White Oak Swamp bridge
was blown up, and our troops were deployed in line of battle
upon the heights, where they could meet the enemy advanta
geously in case he made his approach. By order of Gen.
Hancock the regiment was posted on the extreme right of the
line, near a creek, where it was thought the enemy would
attempt to cross and turn our flank. Pickets were thrown out,
and the men rested in line of battle. The day was exceedingly
hot and oppressive. The long hours passed slowly away, and
up to noon there was nothing which indicated the enemy's
approach. Suddenly, without the slightest premonition, the
enemy opened a spirited fire with twenty pieces of artillery,
from the opposite side of the creek. For a while the cannon
ading was terrific, an unceasing shower of shell was raining upon
a portion of our lines. In obedience to orders, the Sixth was
marched from the right to the centre of our lines, taking a
position in rear of the batteries within supporting distance.
This position Was maintained throughout the fight, which raged
for three hours with awful fury, and during which the Sixth
had two men seriously wounded. At four o'clock the enemy's
guns were silenced, and he withdrew. A little before the
engagement terminated at this point, the enemy made a most
desperate attack further down our lines at White Oak Swamp.
The battle lasted far into the night. When at last the uproar
ceased, victory was with our arms.
At eleven o'clock the division was again put in motion, the
Sixth still keeping in the advance. Col. Burnham was instructed
by Gen. Hancock to use the utmost vigilance, as it was con
fidently anticipated that the enemy would make an attack with
the intention of cutting him off. He therefore detached the
four left companies of his regiment, and put them under the
command of Major Harris. The night was spent in rapid
marching, and the fortitude of the men, worn out as they were
by the severe labors of the preceding three days, was taxed
almost beyond endurance. It was exceedingly warm, and the
men suffered terribly from a scarcity of water ; but with ranks
well closed, the brave fellows kept pushing steadily on. Twice

148 MAINE IN THE WAR.
uring th e night Gen. Hancock sent orders for the advance
guard to move with the utmost watchfulness and care, and be
at all times prepared for the attack which was apprehended.
At length, on the morning of July first, at a few minutes past
four o'clock, they emerged from the swamps of the Chickahom
iny, in sight of the James river, at Turkey Bend. Here they
remained until eleven o'clock, when their brigade was put in
motion while they were stationed to guard a road, where it was
thought the rebel cavalry might make its appearance. In this
position they remained until three o'clock the following morn
ing, when Col. Burnham was ordered to move with the rest of
the division down the river. Through a violent rain storm they
marched until two o'clock in the afternoon, when they arrived
at Harrison's Landing and encamped in a large wheat field,
where they remained Until the next morning, when they were
again put in motion, and marched about three miles from the
James river, where they halted.
Here they remained encamped until the evacuation of the
place by the army. The transfer of the personnel and materiel
of the army to the different points of embarkation, occupied five
days. On August sixteenth the Sixth took up the line, of march
under the command of Maj. Harris, for Fortress Monroe, where
they arrived on the twenty-second, from which place they were
transported to Alexandria, where they encamped near the city.
On the twenty-eighth, under the command of Lieut-Col. Chand
ler, the regiment made a reconnoissance by rail towards Bull
Run bridge, to ascertain whether or not the enemy had posses
sion of the road. They succeeded in getting to Fairfax Station
by rebuilding a bridge over Pohick Run, which the enemy had
destroyed the night before. At Fairfax Station sixty-five of our
wounded men were found and taken aboard of the train. These
men were wounded in the engagement which Gen.- Taylor had
with the enemy two days before. It was dark when the train
returned to Alexandria.
Gen. Franklin's corps arrived too late to be of any service in
the battle of Groveton or second Bull Run in which Gen. Pope
was defeated. The division to which the Sixth belonged arriv
ed at Centreville just as the army had commenced falling back
from the battle field. It was then dark, and the regiment en
camped for the night on the heights. The next day at one

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 149
o'clock, September first, they moved with the army towards
Washipgton, encamping near Fairfax at about three o'clock the
following morning. At noon of that day they returned to Al
exandria, where they remained until the sixth, when, Col. Burn
ham resuming command, they left camp at six o'clock in the af
ternoon, and marched to Washington and thence to Tenally-
town, where they arrived and encamped at four o'clock on the
morning of the seventh.
At this time it was known that the mass of the rebel army had
passed up the south side of the Potomac in the direction of Lees-
burgh, and that a portion of that army had crossed into Mary
land ; but whether it was their intention to cross their whole
force with a. view to turn Washington by a flank movement
down the north bank of the Potomac, to move on Baltimore, or
to invade Pennsylvania, were questions which, at that time,
there were no means of determining. This uncertainty as to
the intentions of the enemy obliged Gen. McClellan, up to the
thirteenth of the month, to march cautiously, and to advance
the army in such order as continually to keep Washington and
Baltimore covered, and at the same time to hold the troops well
in hand so as to be able to concentrate and follow rapidly if the
enemy took the direction of Pennsylvania; or to return to the
defence of Washington, if, as was greatly feared by the authori
ties, the enemy should be merely making a feint with a small
force to draw off our army, while with their main force they
stood ready to seize the first favorable opportunity to attack
the capital. During this while the Sixth continued marching in
the direction of the rebel Jackson's forces without incident, save
a slight skirmish with the enemy's cavalry on the eleventh at
the base of South Mountain. The route of the regiment lay
through Rockville, Barnsville, Urbana, Buckeystown, Jefferson
and Burkettsville, they arriving at Crampton's Pass on the af
ternoon of the fourteenth, participating in the battle at that
place, though not actively engaged, Hancock's brigade being
held in Teserve.
The next day the regiment was detached to take possession
of and hold a pass in South Mountain, two miles to the south
of Crampton's Pass. On obtaining possession of this pass they
had a sharp skirmish with the enemy, taking four prisoners.
Having captured the pass, Col. Burnham put a section of light

150 MAINE IN THE WAR.
artillery which was temporarily under his command, into posi
tion, and shelled the enemy in the valley severely, scattering
their cavalry in all directions. This position was held until
nightfall, when the regiment rejoined their brigade.
At an early hour on the morning of the seventeenth the
regiment left their camp near Crampton's Pass, and marched to
Antietam, arriving on the battle field at ten o'clock in the
forenoon and taking position towards the right of our lines,
where our forces had just fallen back after a most desperate
charge. Apparently the enemy was moving up to occupy this
same position. While our forces were establishing their lines
his skirmishers opened a hot fire upon us, but were soon driven
back. During the remainder of the day the fight was furious,
being carried on principally with artillery on that portion of the
field where was posted the Sixth. During the entire fight the
regiment supported Franklin's battery in a part of the field
where the heaviest fighting for the day had been, but were not
attacked and made no attack. A few men only were wounded
by distant firing. The battle not being resumed the next day,
the following day our lines were advanced at an early hour in
the morning, when it was found that the enemy had fallen back
during the night leaving his dead and wounded in our hands.
The Sixth marched through Sharpsburgh, thence to Williams
port, back towards Sharpsburgh, encamping at Bakersville,
through Hagerstown, encamping at Cunningham's Cross Roads,
back through Hagerstown and out on the Green Castle turn
pike, Williamsport, Boonsboro', arriving at Frederick city on
the thirty-first of October.
The regiment did not participate in any action again until the
battle of Fredericksburgh, when they formed a portion of
Franklin's attack on the left below the city, but were not actu
ally engaged, and lost only a few men wounded. At the
commencement of hostilities they crossed the Rappahannock
early on the morning of December twelfth, at the lower bridge.
At ten o'clock they moved up and took position under the
entrenched batteries of the enemy, who shelled them severely
during the day. The Sixth was in the centre of our line of
battle, and their position was an exposed one, as the rebel
batteries on their right enfiladed them with ease and accuracy.
This position was maintained three days, during which time the

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 151
men all acquitted themselves creditably, particularly on the
twelfth, when the conflict raged with indescribable fury.
Proceeding to near Belle Plain, they remained encamped until
early on the morning of January twentieth, eighteen hundred
and sixty-three, when they moved to Banks' Ford, where Gen.
Burnside attempted crossing and giving battle to the enemy;
but the mud being so deep, on account of a two days' rain, the
movement was abandoned and the regiment returned to its
former camp, arriving on the twenty-third.
On the second of February, having been assigned to Howe's
light division, a brigade of which was placed under the com
mand of Col. Burnham, the regiment proceeded to Potomac
Creek and went into winter quarters .
On the twenty-eighth of April, at ten o'clock in the forenoon,
when operations at Fredericksburgh were about to commence,
under the command of Lieut. Col. Harris, the regiment broke
camp and marched towards the point on the Rappahannock
where Gen. Franklin crossed his command in December, arriving
at five o'clock in the afternoon. The light division was halted
a little back from the river out of sight of the enemy. The
regiment was drawn up in the skirt of a pine forest, and allowed
to rest until it became so dark that the operations for which
they were detailed could be carried on without fear of discovery
by the enemy. The command wa,s then marched into the open
field where the pontoon train was drawn up about a mile and a
fourth from the point of crossing. From this place the batteaux
were to be carried to the river by the light division, and launched
into the water preparatory to throwing a force upon the right
bank of the river. For this purpose the regiment was divided
into parties of seventy men each. At ten o'clock the batteaux
were taken from the wagons and carried by the men towards
the river. The distance was quite long and the roads slippery
owing to the heavy rain which had fallen during the day
Nevertheless the men worked with a will, and some hours before
daylight the boats were all in a position at the water's edge.
So silently were these operations conducted that it was judged
the enemy had no idea of our presence although his pickets
were posted or the opposite bank only a few rods from us.
Just before daylight the boats were launched and filled with
men by Gen. Brooks. The Sixth was then drawn back a little

152 MAINE IN THE WAR.
and with the first gleaming of light the line of boats swept
across the river, while the regiment remained in line of battle
on the bank until eight o'clock in the forenoon of the next day,
when they marched to the right of the bridges which had been
laid to guard the mouth of Deep Run. At ten o'clock they
were relieved and withdrawn to the heights a short distance
back from the river. Here they remained until the afternoon
of May first, little being done in their front in. the meantime.
Just at twilight of this day they moved across the river and
took position on the first line of battle, the light division doing
picket duty for the whole force which had crossed the river at
this point. Lieut. Col. Harris' command was virtually a picket,
and as extreme vigilance was used, the men rested but little.
The night wore away quietly as did the next day, until about
noon, when a company of the enemy's sharpshooters crept up
Deep Run and commenced a sharp attack upon the Sixth's
pickets ; but they were repulsed losing several men who were
wounded and taken prisoners. At five o'clock in the evening
an advance of the entire line was ordered, and the regiment
went forward driving the enemy before them and forcing him
to retire to the base of hills which he had so strongly fortified.
Here a halt was ordered, and at eight o'clock another regiment
took the place of the Sixth in the first line, while the command
of Lieut. Col. Harris was drawn back near the end of the
bridge, where the men were permitted to rest until eleven
o'clock. At this hour tho -regiment was again put in motion,
and marched with the rest of the light division through Deep
Run and around towards Fredericksburgh. The column moved
very slowly, and the entire night was consumed in this move
ment, so that they did not enter the streets of the city until
about five o'clock on the morning of the third. After a halt
they marched out and took position in front of the fortifications
on Marye's Heights, the strongest portion of the enemy's
works. Here the lines were, formed with a view to charging
the enemy and taking .the works by storm. The Sixth formed
the right of the lines, the right flank resting near a plank road
which wound down the hill and crossed the canal, the left flank
resting near a small redoubt from which the enemy had been
driven in the early part of the day. On their immediate left
was the Thirty-first New York, while deployed as skirmishers

SIXTH' REGIMENT INFANTRY. 153
in front of both regiments was a portion of the Fifth Wisconsin.
Dispositions were at once made for an attack. The men were
informed what was to be done, and instructed to press on at
double quick tp the top of the hill over the meshes of rifle pits
and stone walls which intervened. Above all they were
instructed to rely upon the bayonet and not to fire a shot until
the fortifications were carried. At eleven o'clock an attacking
column consisting of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania and Forty-third
New York, marching by the flank, moved across the bridge on
the immediate right of the Sixth, and advanced up the plank
road to attack the enemy. This was the signal for a general
attack, and as they became warmly engaged with the enemy,
the Sixth was ordered forward. The instant that the advance
commenced all of the enemy's works in their front, stone wall,
rifle pits and redoubts, belched forth a terrible fire of musketry
which did fearful execution in our ranks. Silent, cool and
determined, the men of the Sixth with closed ranks pushed
steadily on, routing the enemy from behind the stone wall at
the point of the bayonet, and pressing on to the rifle pits with
out a halt and without firing a shot. Hotter and hotter waxed
the fire of the enemy. Besides his terrific musketry he poured
cannister and spherical case into our ranks from his guns at the
top of the hill, while the right of the Sixth which was left
entirely unprotected by the breaking of the Sixty-first Penn
sylvania, was subjected to a flank fire before which it seemed
that every man must go down. As they neared the rifle pits
the fire of the enemy reached its greatest fury and did most
fearful execution. It was here that those gallant officers of the
Sixth — Captains Young, Ballinger and Gray — fell fighting like
brave and true men as they were. Scores of the men fell, too,
but nothing could check the advancing line which swept stead-
¦ ily on up the hill. The rifle pits were reached, and then for the
first time a shout of victory went up. In the fierce hand to
hand encounter that ensued many of the enemy were slain by
the bayonet alone. Private George Brown of company K,
bayoneted two of the enemy in succession, and then as the
resistance was obstinate he brained a third with the butt of his
musket. At this point the fight was only waged for a moment.
The enemy's line gave way in wild confusion and dismay, and
fled to the top of the hill, followed so closely by our men that

154 MAINE IN THE WAR.
they never were rallied, but either surrendered in the fort or
continued their flight down the plank road. Rushing on, our
men scaled the earthwork at the top of the hill, capturing many
prisoners and a battery of seven guns from the celebrated
•Washington artillery. In five minutes from the time the Sixth
started on the charge the fort was captured and their colors
were the first to wave in triumph over its parapet. In this
battle the regiment won a reputation that will live with the
history of the rebellion. Their loss was one hundred and
twenty-eight officers and men killed and wounded. Major
Haycock, one of the most valued and gallant officers in the
regiment, fell among the first, while cheering the men on by his
example and words. After a halt of a few minutes in the
formidable works which had been so successfully carried, the
regiment was pushed down the plank road in pursuit of the
flying enemy who had fled towards Chancellorsville. Signs
of panic and rout were everywhere visible and many prisoners
were captured by the pursuing forces. Brooks' division having
taken the front, the Sixth marched very slowly with the remain
der of the light division and was not again engaged with the
enemy during the day. Just at dark they were marched to the
front and supported a battery at Salem Heights. Here the
night was passed. As the men had left their knapsacks at the
base of Marye's Heights before the charge, they were without
blankets and rested but little.
The next day the battle with the enemy was resumed. The
Sixth with the whole light division was changing positions al
most continually — occupying different portions of our lines
which were threatened strongly by the enemy, but at no time
becoming engaged. At night the withdrawal of the Sixth corps
to the left bank of the river having been determined upon, the
regiment together with the Forty-third New York and two com-
panies of the Thirty-first New York, were posted to hold the
extreme right of our lines which rested on the river at Brook's
ford. The position was a critical one, as they were detached
from the remainder of the corps by a distance of nearly two
miles, and it was only necessary for the enemy to break through
a picket line and place himself between them and Brock's ford
in order to completely cut them off and render their capture al
most certain. This he attempted a little before midnight, ad-

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 155
vancing to attack the Sixth which was strongly posted in a skirt
of pine forest. The pickets in front from the Thirty-first and
Forty-third New York regiments all surrendered or fell back
without firing a gun. Lieut.-Col. Harris was warned of the ap
proach of the enemy by the tread of his troops, and his hurried
orders which were given in a loud tone of voice. Having ob
tained the precise information from the captured pickets as to
our position the enemy advanced to attack in heavy force. For
nearly half an hour the fight raged furiously, but the Sixth,
though unsupported, met the attack as brave men should and
finally the enemy was driven back in confusion having sustain
ed severe loss.
After the first heat of conflict Lieut.-Col. Harris sought Col.
Baker on his right, who was in command of the whole force, to
ascertain what his instructions were at this critical juncture of
affairs. During his absence the services of Adjutant Charles A.
Clark were invaluable. While the fight continued he rode back
and forth along the line, fearlessly exposing his person and en
couraging the men by all means in his power.
The enemy on rallying his forces prepared to renew the at
tack with overwhelming numbers. Annihilation or capture
stared the regiment in the face unless it could be withdrawn in
pursuance of orders previously received. This was successful
ly accomplished by Adj. Clark, who led the regiment through
almost impenetrable underbrush to the bank of the river and
then over a precipitous bluff to the water's edge, riding his
horse down this bluff which it seemed impossible for any mount
ed man to descend alive. Having arrived at the water's edge
the regiment was led down the river to Banks' Ford and there
rejoined the light division. The behavior of Adjutant Clark on
this occasion cannot be praised too highly. His gallantry and
presence of mind extricated the regiment from a most perilous
position after it had repulsed a superior force of the enemy in
a handsome manner.
At two o'clock on the morning of May fifth the regiment
recrossed the river at Banks' Ford, encamping for a few hours
near the place. At ten o'clock in the forenoon the regiment
marched to Richard's Ford to resist the passage of the enemy
at that point. Here they remained until the seventh without
being attacked by the enemy, when they rejoined the light
division.

156 MAINE IN THE WAR.
In addition to the casualties already given in these battles in
and around Fredericksburgh, Capt. Roach of company K received
a fatal wound, Capt. Buck of company E, was seriously wounded,
but recovered, Capt. Burnham of company G, and First Lieut.
McKinley of company E also wounded, Sergt. Frank P. Holmes
of company A, Sergt, Alonzo R. Merrill of company G. killed.
On the eleventh the light division was broken up, and the
regiments composing it were assigned to different brigades, in
consequence of the discharge from service of two years', and
nine months' troops. The Sixth was assigned to the Third
brigade, First division, Sixth corps.
On the ninth of June, the regiment having arrived at Kelly's
Ford, in company with two other regiments of infantry, under
command of Gen. Russell, dashed across the river, surprising and
routing the enemy. The pursuit was continued until reaching
Brandy Station, where joining Gen. Ames with a force of infantry
and cavalry the command retired to the north bank of the river,
having accomplished the object of the expedition, which was
the gaining of correct information about the movements of the
enemy. In this spirited and brilliant reconnoissance the infantry
though not actively engaged with the enemy, was so splendidly
handled and showed such a soldier-like appearance, that the
enemy in his official report of the affair spoke of them as " the
flower of the Army of the Potomac."
On the fourteenth the army having commenced falling back
upon Washington, the Sixth proceeded towards Fairfax Court
House where it arrived on the eighteenth. On the twenty-sixth
the army commenced crossing the Potomac keeping between
Washington and the enemy, and on the following day the Sixth
crossed and participated in the long fatiguing marches that
followed, the last day's march before the battle of Gettysburgh,
being thirty-six miles. At this battle the Sixth was not actively
engaged but occupied a responsible position upon the extreme
left flank of the army, until the last desperate charge of the
enemy upon our left centre, when it was ordered to act as a
reserve. In the close pursuit of the enemy, July fifth, the
Sixth was in the front skirmishing not unfrequently with the
rear guard and kept this exposed but honorable position until
Gen. Lee's army succeeded in crossing into Virginia.
On the twelfth the regiment was in line of battle near Funks-

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 157
town, Maryland, supporting the skirmish line of the division,
and while thus engaged Capt. Furlong with his company (D)
numbering only twenty-five men, went out beyond the skirmish
ers, and succeeded in surprising a portion of the enemy's pickets,
killing and wounding about thirty of them and taking thirty-two
prisoners without losing a man — a brilliant and remarkably
successful exploit. A week after and the regiment crossed the
Potomac on its way into the interior of Virginia. The day
following Col. Burnham was ordered to Maine on duties con
nected with the draft, and the command of the regiment
devolved upon Lieut. Col. Harris.
During the month of August and the first part of September,
the regiment was encamped at Warrenton, where it was brought
to the highest state of efficiency by careful and constant drilling
under the supervision of Gen. Russell. On the fifteenth they
proceeded to Culpepper Court House, and were engaged several
days in repairing the roads from that place to Hazel river.
At the latter place they repaired the ford, which after having
made passable they returned to Culpepper where they remained
until the fifth of October, when, with their corps, they proceeded
to the Rapidan, relieving the Second corps. They remained at
this point until the tenth, when the enemy having thrown a
heavy force in the direction of Centreville, the army fell back
and the Sixth formed that night a part of the rear guard. On
the thirteenth it was the last regiment to leave the Rappahan
nock being the outer rear guard of infantry. The next day
they formed the advance guard of .the right wing as it advanced
eastward from Centreville — a singular circumstance, one day
being the extreme rear guard and the next the extreme advance
guard of the army. The army now formed aline of battle from
Wolf Schools on the left through Centreville to Chantilly on
the right, and for a number of days awaited the enemy's attack,
the brigade to which the Sixth belonged being on the extreme
right. While here, on the seventeenth, about fifty men of the
regiment being on picket in charge of Lieutenants Pottle and
Williams, and Major Fuller being in charge of the whole line,
were engaged in a spirited skirmish with five hundred of the
rebel Stuart's cavalry and a battery of horse artillery, who
made a sudden dash on our lines, but were handsomely repulsed,
the Sixth having but two men wounded. The whole force
engaged on our side did not exceed one hundred men.

158 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On tho nineteenth the advance was ordered and the Sixth
left camp and marched to Warrenton. There they remained
until daylight on the morning of November seventh when they
left camp in company with the rest of the brigade and marched
toward Rappahannock Station. When within one mile of the
place the regiment was halted and formed into line of battle in
the edge of a wood about two hundred yards to the right of
the railroad. This was about twelve o'clock M. At two
o'clock in the afternoon, Lieut. Col. Harris who had command
of the regiment was ordered to relieve the Forty-ninth Pennsyl
vania regiment which was upon the skirmish line. Companies
A, F, D, I, and C, composing the right wing were sent forward
under the command of Maj. Fuller, for this purpose, and the
skirmish fine was duly relieved ; the right of the line, connecting
with the skirmishers of the One Hundred and Twenty-first New
York regiment; and the left connecting with those of the
Twentieth Maine belonging to the Fifth corps. At five and a
half o'clock the skirmish line was ordered to advance upon the
enemy, which it did in gallant style, quickly driving in his
skirmishers upon the fortifications. The loss of the Sixth up to
this time was one killed and five wounded. At sunset the left
wing was ordered to advance, and it was immediately thrown
forward to within one hundred and fifty yards of the skirmish
line, and ordered to lie down under the crest of a hill just in
our front. Immediately after, orders came from Gen. Russell
to deploy the left wing, double the skirmish line and with the
Fifth Wisconsin as a support to charge the enemy's works.
The wing was at once deployed, and upon the arrival of the
Fifth Wisconsin, was thrown forward upon the skirmish line.
Here but a moment's delay was caused in arranging the skir
mishers now doubled, and at the command "Forward, double
quick," the regiment marched upon the works under a heavy
fire of musketry and artillery. The fire grew heavier as the
line neared the works, and the men were struck down with
fearful rapidity, but unwavering, with wild cheers the survivors
reached the fortifications, and springing over them, engaged the
nemy in a hand to hand conflict. The enemy astonished and
bewildered, quickly gave way and fled, many of them towards
the river, but by far the greater part to their left, which was as
yet unassailed, leaving in our hands three hundred and fifty

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 159
prisoners, four guns and one stand of colors. The works the
whole length of the line were now in our possession. But the
enemy, strong in his rifle pits further to his left, soon com
menced a raking fire down the length of our line, which proved
very destructive, and perceiving the weakness of our force,
advanced heavily upon our right, compelling that part of the
line to abandon the works ; but disputing every foot of the
ground, the men fell back upon our centre and left, which still
retained possession of the fortifications, and turning sharply
upon the enemy, kept him at bay until the opportune arrival of
the Fifth Wisconsin, which came up on the run, and with its
usual impetuosity, rushed into the conflict. With the invaluable
aid of this regiment the Sixth was soon gaining ground when
the arrival of the Forty-ninth and One Hundred and Nineteenth
Pennsylvania, together with the storming of the enemy's left
by the Fifth Maine and the One Hundred and Twenty-
first New York regiments who carried those works with a
rush, decided the battle, the enemy being either captured or
driven across the river. About eighty men belonging to the
Fifth corps, under the command of Capt. Morrill of the Twentieth
Maine, forming a skirmish line upon our left, rendering valua
ble aid in carrying and holding the works.* After the regiment
had lost two-thirds of its line officers, the obstinacy with which
the fight was conducted, is due to Captains Lincoln and Bassford
and Lieuts. Hovey, Norris, Smith and Williams; the two latter
although severely wounded, rejoined their companies the next
morning and reported for duty ; and First Sergt. William H.
Coan of company H, who after his officers had fallen took com
mand of the company, and by his cool, determined conduct,
helped much to the result. Capt. Sumner and Lieut. Hobbs of
company A, forming the right support; and Lieutenants Hill
and Pierce of company C, forming the left support, did their
duty nobly. During the early part of the engagement, Lieut.
Col. Harris, while gallantly leading on his men fell dangerously
wounded, and the leading command devolved upon Maj. Fuller.
Adjutant Clark was also severely wounded while in the works
bravely doing his duty, but not before he had driven his sword
into his adversary. Captains Furlong (killed ) Burnham, Roberts
and Witherell (wounded) and Lieutenants Wilkins and McKin
ley (killed) Waite, Pottle, Jacobs, Morton, Chamberlain and

160 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Knowles (wounded) were struck down while gallantly leading
on their men, doing their duty, as only such officers can.
Numerous instances of personal valor among the enlisted men
of the regiment took place. Among the number is the follow
ing one of unexampled courage and coolness. Sergt. Otis 0.
Roberts of company H, with only five men rushed upon the
color bearer of the Eighth Louisiana regiment who was in the
middle of his color company, and after a hand to hand conflict
in which the bayonet was freely used, succeeded in capturing
the colors and compelling the whole company to surrender. In
acknowledgnment of this act of gallantry, Gen. Wright, com
mander of the corps, issued a special order permitting Sergt.
Roberts to present the flag in person to the Chief of Staff of
the Army of the Potomac, and his company to be sent with him
as an escort of honor. Privates Robinson, Hutchings and
Thomas Chick of company B, and private Lawrence 0. Laughlin
of company G, pursued the enemy to the river firing three
shots after them, and ordered them to surrender. Three com
missioned officers, and one hundred and seventy-five men
obeyed the order, and the three men marched the whole of their
prisoners safely to the rear. The Sixth lost in this terrible
engagement, one hundred and thirty-nine officers and men, killed
and wounded. Sixteen of the number were of the former.
This frightful mortality especially among the officers, as the
regiment went into the battle with only twenty-one officers and
three hundred men, shows the desperation with which the
fighting was conducted.
During the short campaign across the Rapidan on 'the last of
November, the Sixth with its brigade on the twenty-seventh
was hurried to the support of the Third corps, then engaged at
Locust Grove. The prompt arrival of this force turned the
fortunes of the day, and the enemy quickly drew off his forces.
Upon the withdrawal of the army from the south bank of the
Rapidan, the Sixth marched back to their former camp near
Wilber Ford, where it rested until the army went into winter •
quarters at Brandy Station. Here they remained until the
opening of Lieut. Gen. Grant's campaign on the fourth of May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-four, when two days afterward they,
forming a part of the Sixth corps, were engaged in the battle
of the Wilderness, but not in that portion of the lines that

SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 161
suffered a heavy attack. They lost five or six. At the battle
of Spottsylvania on the eighth they were in the front lines and
lost a few men by the enemy's sharpshooters. Two days after
they participated in the attack on the enemy's works on the
right which were carried, but Gen. Johnston's division of the
enemy coming up with a superior force they were compelled to
fall back, and did so losing heavily. The loss to the regiment
was one hundred and twenty-five men. Lieut. Isaac C. Camp
bell of company F, was killed, and Major Fuller, Captains
Witherell of company K, Ginn of company E, and Hill of
company C, were wounded. Major Fuller who had been in
command of the regiment since Col. Harris received his wound
at Rappahannock Station, was so severely wounded that Captain
Lincoln, of company F, assumed the command, and held
it until the regiment's time expired. On the twelfth the
regiment mustered only seventy men fit for duty, and being
employed as a support of Hancock, were under fire eight hours,
losing two officers and three men killed and eleven wounded.
The officers killed were Lieutenants James M. Norris and Lin-
droff W. Smith. Daily skirmishes ensued, but no casualties
were experienced until the arrival of the army at Coal Harbor,
where for twelve days the remnant of the regiment was employed
in digging rifle pits and skirmishing in close proximity to the
enemy's defenses, losing in all about fifteen men. On the
eleventh of June Capt. Edward Williams and Adjutant William
H. Coan were wounded. On the fourteenth the regiment went
up James river by steamboat, reached Gen. Butler's headquar
ters on the seventeenth and Petersburgh on the twentieth.
Here they were placed in the front and remained until the tenth
of July, when their time of service expiring on the fifteenth
they were sent to Washington, where they arrived on the
twelfth, and volunteering to remain thirty days in defence of
the capital, were marched to Fort Stevens. As the attack of
the enemy's raiders, however, had been repelled, they were re
lieved on the thirteenth and on the seventeenth left for Maine,
arriving in Portland on the twenty^second, where they were
furloughed for several days and then mustered out.
One hundred and seven officers and men returned. There
were left in hospital fifty-eight men whose time had expired July
fifteenth. About two hundred and thirty-eight men whose time
11

162 MAINE IN THE WAR.
had not expired, remained in the service and were classified as
the Sixth battalion. Of the thirteen hundred men who have
been since its organization attached to the regiment, not more
than one hundred and fifty fell in battle or died of wounds.
About as many more died of disease. The regiment was in ten
general engagements during its term of service, and in innu
merable skirmishes. In three battles they led the attack, where
they left on the field not less than half of their number engaged.
In not a few instances they were selected for dangerous service,
because they had acquired a reputation of never flinching from
danger or turning their backs to the enemy.
At the commencement of Lieut. Gen. Grant's campaign, Col.
Burnham, who, since March, had been in command of the Third
brigade, First division, Sixth corps, was promoted to Brigadier
General for meritorious service, and in July transferred to the
Eighteenth corps, and Lieut. Col. Harris was commissioned
Colonel of the regiment, Major Fuller Lieutenant Colonel, and
Capt. Theodore Lincoln, Jr., of company F, Major; but neither
of the three latter ever got mustered in the new grades owing to
the reduced state of the regiment. Gen. Burnham was killed
September twenty-eighth, the day after he had returned from a
visit to his family in Maine. He fell at the head of his brigade
in an assault of Gen. Stannard's division of the Eighteenth
corps, upon a powerful work of the enemy at Chapin's Bluff.
His body was embalmed and transmitted to Cherryfield where
appropriate funeral services took place. During his military
career, Gen. Burnham was noted for his bravery and coolness
under fire, and won many honors that will never be forgotten
by the lovers of that cause for which he so nobly sacrificed his
life.

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 163

VIII.
SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
While the enrolment of volunteers continued with unabated
vigor throughout the State, and every avenue and thoroughfare
was filled with files pf glittering steel, among the thronging
cohorts of men fired with patriotic enthusiasm and with eager
ness and pride rushed to the defense of the Union were those
who composed this regiment, which was raised irrespective of
divisional limits, and rendezvoused at the capital of the State.
The company from Houlton was the first that went into camp,
under the command of Capt. John W. Freese. The following
is a roster of the officers of the regiment at its organization : —
FIELD and staff.
Edwin C. Mason, Portland, Colonel ; Selden Connor, Fairfield,
Lieutenant Colonel; Thomas W. Hyde, Bath, Major; Elijah D.
Johnson, Lewiston, Adjutant ; John K. Russell, Skowhegan,
Quartermaster; Thomas C. Barker, Deer Isle, Surgeon; Francis
M. Everleth, Presque Isle, Assistant Surgeon ; James A.
Varney, China, Chaplain. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — John W. Freese, Houlton, Captain; Timothy
Swan, Houlton, First Lieutenant; Joseph G. Butler, Presque
Isle, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — James P. Jones, China, Captain; William L.
Haskell, Poland, First Lieutenant ; Eli H. Webber, China,
Second Lieutenant.
Company C— - Charles D. Gilmore, Bangor, Captain; John A.
Bachelder, Oldtown, First Lieutenant; Albert P. Titcomb,
Lincoln, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Henry A. Dalton, Readfield, Captain; Henry
S. Hagar, Richmond, First Lieutenant ; George E. Morse, Bath,
Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — John W. Channing, Captain; Albert A. Nick-

164 MAINE IN THE WAR.
erson First Lieutenant ; Augustus F. Emery, Second Lieutenant;
all of Fairfield.
Company F. — William M. Cushman, Portland, Captain; James
M. Andrews, Biddeford, First Lieutenant ; Joseph E. Walker,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Charles H. Gilman, Portland, Captain; George
B. Knight, Portland, First Lieutenant; Simeon Walton, Cape
Elizabeth, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Edward H. Cass, Bangor, Captain ; Thomas S.
Cates, Bangor, First Lieutenant; Henry C. Snow, Hampden,
Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Henry Rolfe, Maysville, Captain ; Hovey Aus
tin, Presque Isle, First Lieutenant ; Charles H. Hasey, Houlton,
Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Greenleaf K. Norris, Monmouth, Captain ;
Granville P. Cochran, Monmouth, First Lieutenant ; John B.
Cook, Lewiston, Second Lieutenant.
Col. Mason was, at the time of his election, a Captain in the
Seventeenth United States Infantry, Lieut. Col. Connor was
Captain of company E and Maj. Hyde Captain of company D.
The regiment was organized August twenty-second, eighteen
hundred and sixty-one, with no more than the confusion incident
to an undisciplined and hastily collected body of civilians some
eight hundred strong. On the morning of the twenty-third of
August, the round white tents were struck, farewells said, the
line formed and the regiment marched to the depot and left the
State, arriving in Baltimore on the twenty-fifth. They were
received at all prominent points of the journey southward, with
earnest ovations, and the bright Windsor rifles, the physique of
the men and the fine regimental band, all received their share
of admiration.
Contrary to expectation, which supposed an immediate march
to the battle-field, orders came to stop in Baltimore, and camp
was pitched in Bellevue Garden in the western part of the city.
Col. Mason was here on the thirty-first obliged to resign his
commission, not being able to obtain an extension to his seven
days' leave of absence to enable him to hold the command. He
was succeeded in command of the regiment by Lieut. Col.
James F. Miller of Gov. Washburn's staff, who accompanied
the regiment from the State. On the thirtieth of August the

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 165
regiment moved to Patterson Park, East Baltimore, where it
remained till the sixteenth of September. While stationed here
a cordial friendship sprang up between our soldiers. and the
Union people of that section, and the frequent dinner parties,
dances and moonlight serenades made all conclude that war in
Baltimore was well worth enlisting for. A fine stand of colors
was presented to the regiment by the Union ladies of the city
through Hon. Mr. Leary in an eloquent speech which was
appropriately responded to by Col. Miller. On the fifth of
September, Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Marshall of the Fourth Maine
was appointed to the Colonelcy of the regiment and on the
ninth took command and at once energetically began the work
of preparing the men for service. " Camp was changed on the
sixteenth to Murray Hill, opposite Fort Mcllenry, where details
of the men with hired laborers commenced the construction of
a fort, which was afterwards named Fort Marshall, and now
frowns over the bay, commanding the water approaches to the
city. Here the regiment was placed in a provisional brigade
under the command of Gen. Abram Duryea.
Owing to the unhealthy location of camp, sickness was very
prevalent and deaths frequent, which prevented the regiment
from being ordered upon the great expedition then rendezvous
ing at Annapolis under Gen. Burnside. Col. Marshall's severe
labors in behalf of his command soon told severely upon a not
hardy constitution, and he was prostrated upon a bed of sickness
from which he was destined never to rise. On the twenty-fifth
of October, as the Seventh was marching down Pratt street to
take the cars for Washington and the more immediate front, his
spirit took its flight. Sad and deep were the feelings of all
associated with him, for none could but admire his earnest
character, faithful patriotism and sterling worth.
On the twenty-sixth of October the regiment pitched its
camp on Kalorama Hill in the vicinity of Washington and was
brigaded under Col. Pratt of the Twentieth New York State
Militia, in a provisional division under Gen. Silas Casey.
Remaining here some ten days the regiment made good progress
in drill under the instructions of Lieut. Col. Connor, and was
reviewed by Gen. Casey.
On the seventh of November the regiment marched across
Chain Bridge into Virginia and went into camp near Lewinsville,

166 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Fairfax County, Virginia, where they were brigaded under Col.
Taylor of the Thirty-third New York with that regiment, the
Fortyninth New York and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania. Col.
Mason having succeeded in obtaining leave of absence and
having on the fifth of November, again been commissioned as
Colonel of the regiment, arrived and on the tenth took command.
The regiment remained in camp here till March tenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-two, doing severe picket duty, drilling and
scouting and were often reviewed. Gen. Brannan commanded
the Third brigade for a season and was succeeded by Gen. J.
W. Davidson, a cavalry officer of the regular army. Company
F,. having become greatly reduced, was disbanded and Capt;
Stephen C. Fletcher of Skowhegan raised another company1
which was mustered into service on the twenty-third of January
and took its place and letter in the regiment. On the tenth of
March they left their comfortable quarters at Camp Griffin and
the graves of some eighty of their men with whom sickness had
anticipated the bullet, and marched towards Manassas. The
first day's march of fifteen miles brought them to Flint's Hill,
near Fairfax Court House, where the corps (Keyes') to which
the regiment was attached, remained till the fifteenth. Discov
ering that the dreaded fortifications were tenantless of all save
imaginary foes, the massive columns were turned about, and on
the morning of the fifteenth, in a heavy rain storm the Seventh
started and marched twenty-two miles, camping at the close of
the day near Alexandria. This was the first real experience of
hardship, — such rain and chill and mud were more than the
most errantfancy had ever imagined. But the fervent patriotism
of the time bore all with cheerfulness, and when the transports
were in readiness on the twenty-third of March, Smith's division
comprising the regiment embarked fof Fortress Monroe, pre
paratory to the Peninsula Campaign, at which point they
arrived at ten o'clock the next day. They were, at this time
in the Third brigade, Second division, Sixth provisional corps.
On the twenty-fifth the regiment moved down to Sewall' s point
from which place on the twenty-seventh a reconnoissance was
made on the road towards Warwick Court House. This recon
noissance extended as far as Watts' Creek, the pickets of the
enemy were driven in and a satisfactory exploration of the coun
try made. On the return of the division, orders to go into camp

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 167
at Newport News were received on the march, and the regiment
went into camp on the bank of the James river. While in camp
here an occasional shell from the rebel gunboat Teazer varied
the monotony, and several bloodless reconnoissances gave them
an exciting foretaste of bloody war which was soon to come.
On the morning of April fourth, the Third brigade of Smith's
division, with Ayer's, Wheeler's and Kennedy's batteries, led
the columns on the advance to the Yorktown line of defences.
On the fifth the Seventh was assigned the post of honor and
deployed as skirmishers to lead the advance. About noon the
rebel pickets and videttes were driven in. Soon after the
regiment came upon the enemy's entrenchments, forts and long
line of camps beyond. They bivouacked that night at Young's
Mills, a strongly fortified point on the Warwick road. During
the afternoon of the next day they were under the fire of Fort
Lee on Warwick Creek. This was a formidable redoubt, which.
with its outworks and rifle pits, was near the extreme right of
the rebel line of works. A well directed volley sent the enemy
inside their works. The first martyr that fell on the battle
field, and the first man of the Union army killed in McClellan's
advance to Richmond, was private Joseph Pepper of Bath, a
member of company B, who was nearly cut in two by a piece
of shell which also injured several others. Still deployed as
skirmishers, the regiment maintained its ground during the
night, exposed to the enemy's fire, and next morning was
relieved by the Thirty-third New York, and drawn back a little
as a support for the batteries. There they remained lying on
the ground so near that our artillery could play over them, so
near that the number of the enemy might be counted, and all
the time under a heavy fire of shell, grape and cannister and
musketry, which lasted till dark. The enemy's overshooting
alone prevented our meeting with heavy loss. John Kinney of
company H, was mortally wounded by a grapeshot. Not a man
flinched from his post. Many had amusing rifle duels with
rebel sharpshooters on the other side of a creek that ran between
the two opposing forces, serving as a ditch to the enemy's out
works. At dark the fire slackened. The Seventh staid where
they were and could hear the rebels call their rolls plainly.
During the night the rebels placed a new battery in position "
the brigade was under its fire for two days. ^'

168 MAINE IN THE WAR.
moved to a position opposite their big fort. Gen. Smith sent
an aid to Col. Mason to tell him that the Seventh Maine behaved
like veteran troops. For four days a rain storm delayed opera
tions and flooded the roads so that it was necessary to transport
beef, and pork on the bayonets of the men.
About this time the regiment had three men wounded on
picket. Corp. C. T. McLeran of company E, was killed by a
shell, private Thomas A, Galusha of company B, was slightly,
and Corp. Andrew Bisbee of the same company severely
wounded. Our pickets talked with the rebel pickets across
the creek, and Capt. Channing of company E, found an old
friend, Edward Drummond by name, formerly of Winsl°'w' in
this State, who was then Captain of company B, in the Tenth
Georgia regiment.
Lieut. Swan of company A and William Brown, bugler of
company D, having on one occasion about this time lost their
way, were taken by the rebels, who as has since been ascer
tained, took their clothing, and passed through our lines gaining
valuable information.
On the fifteenth Capt. Gilmore of company C, was sitting
upon a fence when a shell struck it near him, throwing him to
the ground severely injuring him.
On the nineteenth a reconnoissance was made by the regiment
and the rebel pickets were driven in. About noon of the
twenty-second, our pickets, consisting of company D and part
of company C, under command of Capt. Morse of the former
company, was attacked by the skirmishers of a Mississippi
regiment and the Fifteenth Virginia. At the first fire of the
rebels, George 0. McLellan of company D, Alonzo Patten and
James Shorey of company C, were wounded. The enemy
rushed on and several of them fired into the bleeding body of
Shorey, killing him instantly. Capt. Morse ordered his men to
fix bayonets and charge the enemy and the rebels were driven
nearly back to their fortifications with some loss. The Captain
was afterwards thanked by Generals Keyes, Smith and others
for his gallantry. McLellan after he was struck down, fired his
rifle killing one of the enemy. His leg was amputated the next
day and he died on the twenty-fourth. He displayed fortitude
and cheerfulness through the whole. The regiment made a
reconnoissance on the twenty-fourth and returned with one man

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 169
slightly wounded, though they were subjected to a fire of shell,
grape and canister. The Seventh was assigned a responsible
position on the Yorktown road near Dam No. 3, at a point
called by Gen. McClellan, "the key of the line." Composing
part of the advance to Williamsburgh and lying on their arms
during the night of Sunday May fourth, when it was discovered
that the enemy had evacuated their line of works, they were
marched five miles early the next morning through a heavy rain
to feel the enemy's left". Their brigade at this time was under
the.command of Gen. Hancock. After crossing the dam leading
over Queen Anne Creek and feeling the rampart of a deserted
earthwork, they debouched into a magnificent plain. In the
distance was Williamsburgh and its chain of forts and the
smoke and roar of battle. Shelling several earthworks as they
advanced and finally meeting a lively response they formed in
two lines, the Sixth Maine and Fifth Wisconsin supporting
Wheeler's battery and throwing out skirmishers in advance,
the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania and the Seventh Maine guarding
respectively the left and right flanks of the second line and the
Thirty-third New York holding a small redoubt in the centre.
While intently watching the varying fortunes of battle on the
left, they saw masses of men suddenly reinforce the enemy and
following them three brigades, which deployed into line and'
moved up to attack us. Their cavalry and infantry came on
gallantly in three lines. Our skirmishers were driven in and
the first line forced to retreat before overwhelming numbers,
contesting every step and was formed again behind the small
redoubt in the centre of the second line. Meanwhile Col.
Mason, had moved his regiment behind a little hill and they saw
no more of the fight until ordered to charge, when with a yell
of long-restrained excitement, the Seventh with three companies
of the Thirty-third New York dashed up over the hill, Gen.
Hancock cheering them on. It had the effect of a sudden
reinforcement. Without firing a gun the rebels broke in the
wildest confusion and our men poured continuous volleys into
them as they ran. The long line of sabre bayonets coming
over the hill and the wild cheers were too much for the rebels
and the effect of our fire was terrible. They literally lay in
heaps. The whole rebel loss was over six hundred men, besides
regimental colors and over a thousand stand of arms, while the

170 MAINE IN THE WAR.
five regiments engaged on our side lost less than one hundred
in all. The Seventh bivouacked on the field, and all that night
the cries of the rebel wounded were ringing in their ears. Our
men cared for them as they would for their own, many giving
up their blankets and sitting until morning in the rain. Day
light found the enemy in full retreat beyond Williamsburgh and
so Yorktown and Williamsburgh were ours. That night at
dress parade Gen. McClellan and staff paid the regiment a visit
and were received with the usual salute. Riding nearer the line
opposite the colors, with hat in hand, he said : —
"Soldiers of the Seventh Maine: I have come to thank you
for your bravery and good conduct in the action of yesterday.
On this battle plain you and your comrades arrested the prog
ress of the advancing enemy, saved the army from a disgfacefuL
defeat and turned the tide of victory in our favor. You have
deserved well of your country and your State,, and in their
gratitude they will not forget to bestow upon you the thanks
and praise so justly your due. Continue to show the conduct
of yesterday and the triumph of our cause will be speedy and
sure. In recognition of your merit you shall hereafter bear the
inscription 'Williamsburgh' on your colors. Soldiers, my
words are feeble, but from the bottom of my heart I thank you."
The General then turned to Col. Mason, grasped his hand and
shook it warmly. The Colonel turned towards his men and
raised his cap, when such a cheer went up from them as only
a favorite General ©ould elicit. It showed the confidence, the
enthusiasm and the love of the men for their heroic leader.
He made similar speeches to other regiments of Hancock's
brigade, which did the most of the fighting that day.
After two days of rest the regiment moved on up the Peninsula
with the advance. Their first day's march on the ninth was
very rapid and trying ; it was hot and dusty, and many of the
officers and men gave out by the way and fell out from sheer
exhaustion, lying' by the wayside until they were sufficiently
rested to follow on. The second day's march was slower and
they halted at noon near New Kent Court House where they
remained in camp over Sunday. On Monday, the thirteenth,
they marched to Cumberland Landing on the Pamunkey river.
The scenery was delightful. The view of our troops crossing
the Warwick river on the dam at Winn's Mill, as well as the

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 171
picture presented by Gen. Hancock's troops crossing the ravine
near the scene of the action on the fifth, where the long line
of infantry and artillery was repeated in the mirror-like surface
of the lake as it crossed the dam and wound around the hill
and up among the dim woods, could not fail to impress the
most stolid observer. Moving to White House they remained
there until the nineteenth when they again took their position
at the head of the column and skirmished up the north bank of
the Chickahominy to Gaines' Hill.
Mechanicsville was near at hand. So near to Richmond that
imagination already had the stars and stripes waving over the
rebel capitol. Notwithstanding the hardship of the marches,
-the obstinacy of the fighting and the 'deprivations incident to
a soldier's life, our troops were in the best of spirits, animated
by a patriotism that defied all obstacles and looked forward to
but one result and that was victory.
A few days after the battle at Hanover Court House, in which
the Second Maine won distinguished laurels, occurred the first
battle at Mechanicsville, an engagement of vastly more impor
tance in its results than historians have given it credit for, and
in which the Seventh did gallant service, gaining new honors
for themselves and the State.
Mechanicsville, a village about four and one-half miles north
of Richmond, on the Richmond and Hanover road, was held by
Howell Cobb's brigade of Georgians, one of the /best brigades
in the rebel army. Commanding as it did, Meadows Bridge
across the Chickahominy less than three-fourths of a mile distant,
this place was an important one to obtain and hold. With the
bridge and Hanover road in the possession of the rebels it would
have been easy for them to |hrow a force across the Chicka
hominy sufficient to envelope and drive back, if not destroy,
the right wing of our army which had advanced to the Gaines'
place north of the Chickahominy, near that part where New
Bridge was afterwards built.
The taking of Mechanicsville was intrusted to the Third
brigade of "Baldy" Smith's division commanded by Brig. Gen.
J. W. Davidson. This brigade has been known as the Third
brigade, of the Second division, Sixth corps, and was at that
time composed of the following regiments : Thirty-third New
York, Col. Taylor, Forty-ninth New York, Col. Bidwell, after-

172 MAINE IN THE WAR.
wards Gen. Bidwellwho was killed in Sheridan's fight at Cedar
Creek, Seventh Maine and Seventy-seventh New York, with
one battery, Griffin's.
About one o'clock in the afternoon the movement commenced,
one regiment in the advance as skirmishers. But little opposi
tion was made by the rebels until between two and three o'clock
at a place near Gaines' Mill. Here our forces were subjected
to a heavy fire from a rebel battery, stationed on the hill beyond
the ereek, to which Griffin's battery promptly replied. With
the tread of veterans our troops steadily advanced and soon the
engagement became general, lasting until nearly dark, when a
charge was made driving the rebel brigade across the creek
and over the hill within half a mile of Mechanicsville.
At daylight the next morning the engagement was renewed,
the Thirty-third New York deployed as skirmishers. The rebel
pickets were Soon driven in, and the Seventh Maine and Seventy-
seventh New York were ordered to charge, the Forty-ninth
New York being held in reserve. At the word our men dashed
forward with the same impetuosity that distinguished them in
Hancock's charge at Williamsburgh, the brave sons of the
"Pine Tree" and "Empire State" vying with each other in
gallantry. The rebel line could not withstand the shock, and,
panic stricken, they were driven through the village down the
hill beyond, and across the Chickahominy under the shelter of
their batteries on the other side. The victory was complete,
the rebel loss being heavy while our casualties were slight
After detailing a small force of two companies of Infantry,
A and K of the Seventh Maine, with a section of Artillery,
under the command of Capt. Cochran of the Seventh, to hold
the place and watch the enemy, our troops withdrew to the
main body. Capt. Cochran with his men rejoined the regiment
the day following, having been relieved by a force from Porter's
corps. For its gallant conduct in this action the Seventh was
ordered to place "Mechanicsville" on its banners under the
word "Williamsburgh" which it had so nobly earned before.
On the twenty-sixth of May, Gen. McClellan wishing to be
informed of every fording place on the Chickahominy for the
distance of two miles below New Bridge, companies A, Gapt.
Channing, and K, Capt. Cochran, of the Seventh, were detailed
for the enterprise. A portion of company E was ordered into

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 173
the stream and led by Lieut. Nickerson, commenced their watery
journey, now wadingy now swimming, as the depth of water
permitted. Every fordable place was noted and observations
made as to the nature of the ground on each side of the stream.
The reconnoissance extended the required distance and was
made more than a mile in advance of our picket lines, in the
face of the rebel force whose scouts were seen lurking on the
opposite side of the river watching our movements but keeping
out of range of the rifles of our supports who were marching
along the banks to protect their comrades! The desired informa
tion was obtained and Lieut. Custar, an aid of Gen. McClellan,
who accompanied the party, expressed himself highly pleased at
the entire success of the expedition. The officers and men
received warm commendations for the faithful and fearless dis
charge of a dangerous duty. Lieut. Custar was promoted to a
Majority for this exploit.
Immediately after the battle of Fair Oaks, in which the Seventh
was not engaged, they moved to the left bank of the Chicka
hominy, where they remained during the month of June, en
gaged daily with the enemy who tried to shell them from their
position. The unceasing vigilance required, and the heavy
picket and field duty, told fearfully upon the health of the men,
and the malaria from the swamps of the Chickahominy was
even more fearful than the bullets. The position of Smith's
division was at Golding's farm, its right resting on the Chicka
hominy and its left connecting with Sedgwick. Davidson's
brigade was in the front, which was covered by small rifle pits,
beyond which was a ravine, then a hill, upon which our pickets
were within speaking distance of the enemy. All the afternoon
of Thursday, the twenty-sixth, they heard heavy cannonading
in the direction of Mechanicsville, and as it grew darker they
could see the quick flashes from the guns, and later, in the
increased quiet, could hear the low surging sound of distant
musketry. No one who has not experienced it, can realize the
anxiety which is felt in listening to a battle in which he cannot
engage. McCall and Porter were hotly engaged and the result
was anxiously awaited. At length a courier announced that
our forces had beaten the rebels commanded by Lee in person.
Loud cheers were given by the men, and the bands, which had
not been formed since the battle of Williamsburgh, gave

174 MAINE IN THE WAR.
expression to the general' joy by inspiring strains of martial
music. That night a redoubt was raised on our picket line,
and a skirt of woods being Unfortunately cut down, our camps
were unveiled to the enemy.
On the morning of the twenty-seventh the army commenced
to change its base of operations, during which the regiment
participated in the battles of Savage's Station, White Oak
Swamp and Malvern Hill. At dawn on the twenty-seventh the
firing opened more fiercely but in a different direction. Could
the enemy have driven us ? The regiment saw fires and heard
heavy explosions in the direction of Porter's camp. Soon
regiment after regiment appeared on the flats across the Chick
ahominy above us, and on the estate of Dr. Gaines, and our
glasses soon recognized the gray uniform of the Confederates.
The Seventh with its brigade was then ordered to form on the
picket line, and the enemy soon after opened fiercely with his
artillery. The men lay flat and could see the gallant Ayres
bring the division artillery into position and reply .with spirit.
A Connecticut battery then came up with heavy guns and after
an hour's firing the rebel batteries were silenced. In the inter
vals of our own deafening fire our men could hear the cannon
ading going on with unintermitted fury on our right, while the
heavy gray columns still poured in from Mechanicsville. The
other division of the corps, led by Gen. Slocum, had gone to
the assistance of Porter and the brigade comprising the Sev
enth was relieved by Brooks' Vermont brigade, and towards
night was ordered to follow Gen. Slocum. As the line was
forming, the enemy seeing a movement of troops suddenly re
opened directly upon them with his artillery. The men came up
gallantly into line, but the Twentieth New York (Max Weber's
German Turnverein) that were defiling before them, broke in
confusion. When our line had been formed the men kept them
back with the butts of their guns, but they swept by into the
woods beyond. The scene was terrific. The air seemed filled
with bursting shells, our men were falling and our tents were .
ripped in pieces behind us. Dirt was thrown in the eyes and
over the bodies of the men, from the solid shot striking near
them, and two shells burst in the closed ranks of the Forty-
ninth New York, piling the men in heaps. Still our line was as
steady as if on parade. The cannonade was but the prelude to

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 175
an infantry attack. Brooks and Hancock were on the picket
line and the Seventh was ordered to the front to support Wheel
er's Second New York battery. Late that night the firing ceas
ed, the enemy drew off his baffled forces and the fight of Gold-
ing's Farm was over. All night long the regiment worked
(Strengthening the redoubt in front, but Saturday morning it was
discovered that the enemy by the defeat of Porter had been en
abled to turn our flank and get into position on our right and
rear. Our guns were removed to the left. Our baggage train
had already gone. The Seventh were sent with axes to the
woods on the left, to make obstructions which should protect
our retreat. At noon the wood was down, and soon after the
rebels opened their fire from two directions. Our deserted
camps, were riddled and the scene of the night before was re
peated. The brigade this time had the front, and after an hour's fight
theft old antagonists of Lee's Mills and Mechanicsville, — the
Georgia brigade — were repulsed with great slaughter, losing
many prisoners. Col. Lamar, owner of the yacht Wanderer,
was borne by, severely wounded. Gen. Smith was in the
hottest of the fire, giving his orders in his usual unruffled manner,
and personally supervising our artillery. The rebels sent over
a flag of truce for permission to bury their dead, and Capt.
Ayres, going out to meet them, discovered that they had sixty
pieces of cannon already in position and all ranged upon the
small strip of woods where the division lay closely packed.
By a ruse he kept the flag of truce out until night, the rebel
cannoniers waiting all the while anxiously at their guns. The
men were then safe for a little longer and lay down to rest, but
the stench of decaying horses and men, (it was a former battle
field) prevented sleep. The feelings of those few who knew
that certain annihilation awaited us with the morning dawn,
can better be imagined than described. Two o'clock came; —
will our orders never come ? Three o'clock — the growing day
becomes overcast. Just as the light begins to steal among th'e
trees, an aide dashes up, and away we go breathless and still,
thus covering on that march the retreat of the whole army.
So ended the action at Garnett's Hill.
On the march from Golding's, at dawn Sunday, the twenty-
ninth, they passed pile after pile of commissary stores that were

176 MAINE IN THE WAR.
slowly smouldering, and arriving at the Trent House, took a
position and waited for the enemy. He not making his appear
ance, the Seventh resumed its march, and reached Savage's
Station in the afternoon. Here they passed the exterisive
hospitals, filled with sick and wounded, and saw heaps of
ammunition and stores of all descriptions prepared for the flames4
and they were afterwards all destroyed by our troops. The air
was filled with dust and the heat was intense. Gen. Davidson
and Col. Mason were both prostrated by sun stroke and carried
to the rear. The plain was crowded with marching columns
and everywhere chaos seemed triumphant. At length the
regiment was formed in the wood skirting the plain, in column
by division, closed in mass, and it is said to have been Gen.
Sumner's intention to hurl the whole thirty thousand infantry
there posted, upon the. enemy as soon as he debouched upon
the plain. The enemy not making his appearance, brigade after
brigade was ordered to move on their weary march towards the
James river. As the regiment halted to rest about a mile from
Savage's Station and the men were supplying themselves with
new clothing from a deserted clothing depot, they heard behind
them the usual sounds of battle. They faced about and moved
in the darkening twilight, in solid columns towards the scene
of action. Many stragglers fell in with them and the men
re-echoed the cheers of those already engaged as they pressed
eagerly to the front, and the murmur "cold steel, cold steel"
ran through the ranks. They arrived upon the field just as the
enemy made his closing effort, but the fortunes of the day were
already decided. The regiment took position but the firing
ceased. Gen. Brooks came riding along with his wounded leg
bandaged up and ordered them to resume their march. As they
were moving away, the lights of those who were seeking for
their friends on the battle-field were distinctly visible and looked
like so many will-o'-the-wisps in the distance. A drenching
rain soon set in but still they marched on in the intense darkness.
The head of the column was delayed and Sedgwick and Richard
son passed. The road was narrow and very bad. After several
hours of drowsy tramping, guided in their course only by an
occasional candle at the roadside, they reached the bridge over
White Oak Swamp. They were delayed here till dawn the
next morning when they marched over followed by great numbers

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 177
off stragglers and the cavalry rear guard. Now a short rest
was granted the men and one half the regiments lay down in
order of battle while the rest went on picket. Being deemed
safe from immediate pursuit in the direction of the Chickahom
iny, the artillery was parked, the generals were occupying a
beautiful farmhouse and the tired soldiers were stretched in
sleep under every available shade or making their coffee or
bathing in an adjacent brook, when suddenly from some six or
eight field batteries. burst a most appalling fire. The rebels had
discovered our whole position by means of a. deserter, got our
range and for more than an hour poured an enfilading fire of
shot and shell upon us. The Twentieth New York broke and
ran in confusion ; the other regiments threw themselves flat on
the ground and the artillery was hurried off to the rear with the
exception of one gun of Mott's battery which was dismounted
and four caissons that were afterwards blown up. Gen. Smith
was dressing at the time and lost all his personal effects, and
many horses and men were disabled. All were affected at the
distress of the female occupants of the house, upon which the
hottest fire was directed, as their husbands and fathers were
killed before their eyes. Hancock's and Brooks' brigades now
went to the rear at double quick, but the Seventh received no
orders to follow but prepared themselves for the usual infantry
attack. The enemy then made a cavalry charge upon the
deserted piece of Mott's, but were forced by our fire to relinquish
it. The brigade then received orders to fall back and take
position in the woods in the rear. They marched back, the
Seventh bringing up the rear and were soon joined by their
pickets in their new position. The battle then began to rage
fiercely on their left and they were without further molestation
except an occasional skirmish fire. At dark .the battle of White
Oak Swamp was over and at ten o'clock they resumed their
march. On, through the dust and heat and darkness they
pushed till eight o'clock the next morning when they found
themselves near the James river and the weary soldiers were
allowed to stretch themselves on the ground and sleep. In
making these long marches day after day, which hardly seem
warranted by the distance passed over, it must be borne in
mind that the Seventh was on the extreme right of the army
12

178 MAINE IN THE WAR.
and had to be swung round on a circle of some thirty miles, in
order to avoid being cut off by the enemy.
At daylight July first they reached the James river and at
nine A. M. they marched back to the front to await an attack,
but received none, though the division on their left and nearer
the river had a heavy battle in which the gunboats participated.
On Wednesday the second they took up their line of march at
two o'clock in the morning, and at three o'clock it came on to
rain heavily and continued till qne o'clock in the afternoon, at
which time, wet and muddy, they reached Harrison's Landing.
The whole army came in during the day and Gen. McClellan in
person established the line of the new position. On the third
they moved about two miles to the front and were engaged in
throwing up strong field works. President Lincoln visited the
army while stationed here. After having once been within two
hours' march of Richmond they could hardly realize that they
were again so far back with the loss of so many who had fallen
by the wayside. Their camp here was pleasantly located near
a large fortification that had been recently built, the soldiers
were again supplied with full rations, and the lack of good water
in sufficient quantity to supply the troops was no longer felt,
for numerous wells were sunk from which a good supply of
clear water was derived.
Quite an amusing scene occurred here between the Seventh
and the Thirty-third New York in reference to a spring of
water. The farm on which they were encamped had been
thoroughly underdrained, and Maine dug a spring where one
of the drains emptied into a large ditch. New York and Maine
got water together for a while, but some dispute arose and New
York placed a guard over the spring and confiscated the whole
for themselves. Maine of course understood that water ran
down hill, and so tapped the vein about ten rods above and put
in a barrel which was soon filled with clear water, while New
York was left to guard a  mud hole. They waxed wroth
of course about it, but Maine kept cool and drank clear water.
During the time spent by the army at Harrison's Landing the
Seventh was employed in building a series of redoubts to defend
that position. Leaving here on the thirteenth of August they
marched to Newport News and embarked in transports for
Alexandria where they went into camp on their arrival. They

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 179
marched thence, on the thirtieth to Manassas or second Bull
Run, but did not participate in the action which commenced on
that day. The next day their division (Gen. Franklin's) joined
Gen. Pope at Centreville, where they were drawn up in line to
arrest the stragglers retreating from the battle-field. From this
place the regiment moved back to the defences of Washington
where they remained until the night of September sixth when
the Maryland campaign commenced and they moved up the
Tenallyto wn road to Rockville, Maryland, where they bivouacked
for the night. On the morning of the seventh they moved up
the Darnestown road to Sugar Loaf Mountain where on the
next morning they encountered the enemy and had a brisk
skirmish. Here they remained on picket during the night, and
next day about noon took up a line of march towards South
Mountain, crossing the Maryland range of mountains on the
twelfth and marched to Jefferson. On the next day they moved
towards Middletown and that night picketed the road leading
to Point of Rocks. At daylight next morning, they moved
forward towards Burkettsville, where about eleven o'clock in
the forenoon they arrived and found the enemy in force, occu
pying Crampton's Pass. This is said to be the same Pass
through which Gen. Braddock marched in seventeen hundred
and fifty-five accompanied by the youthful Washington as an
aide-de-camp. Gen. Franklin immediately formed his forces for
the attack. The regiment was ordered forward at double quick.
The enemy having heavy guns posted on the mountain side
above Burkettsville opened a severe fire of shot and shell upon
them as they crossed the plain. Passing on through the village
of Burkettsville, they were cheered for the first time during
the war by the Union ladies of the town standing at the doors,
while shot and shell were crashing through the roofs of the
houses and among our forces in the streets. On, up the moun
tain side, over the rugged road our troops pursued the flying
enemy, capturing three of his guns and in the short space of
an hour and a quarter killing, wounding and taking prisoners
twenty-one hundred of the enemy, and Gen. Howell Cobb's
Georgia division was put to utter rout. Moving over the
mountain they occupied the Pass, where they remained till the
morning of the seventeenth, hearing during the whole time
heavy firing in the direction of Harper's Ferry.

180 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the morning of the seventeenth they took up a line of
march through Connorsville, and reached the battle-field of
Antietam about eleven o'clock A. M., where they took a posi
tron on the right of the Dunker Church on the pike leading to
Sharpsburgh. It was first intended to keep Gen. Franklin's
corps in reserve on the east side of Antietam creek to operate
on either flank or on the centre, as might be required, but the
strong opposition on the right, developed by the attacks of
Generals Hooker and Sumner, rendered it necessary to send
them at once to the assistance of the right wing. The artillery
supports not proving adequate to prevent the advance of the
enemy, the Seventh was ordered up with its brigade and
charged upon the enemy, driving back the advance until abreast
of the church. As the right of the brigade came opposite the
woods it received a destructive fire which checked the advance
and threw the brigade into some confusion, but it formed again
behind a rise' of ground in the open space in front of the
batteries. The Seventh was then ordered to charge, all alone,
a very strong position of the enemy, some three quarters of a
mile across the open plain where a battery of artillery and a
rebel reserve brigade on the hill-side awaited their approach.
Every private in the ranks knew that a fearful blunder had been
made, but as obedience is the first duty of a soldier they ad
vanced promptly. The enemy withheld his fire until they had
passed over more than half the distance, when as they were
moving by the left flank to gain the cover of an orchard, he
opened a terrible fire upon them. At this point the regiment
had arrived within range of one of our batteries which had
been playing upon the enemy, and, not aware of the advance of
our forces, continued firing. The rebels opened with grape and
canister from a battery, and the regiment seemed devoted to
destruction, yet the men delivered their fire with steadiness and
terrible effect.
They were driven back out of the orchard into a cornfield,
where they reformed and again rushed forward, driving the
enemy before them, when he took refuge behind a stone wall,
and opened a galling fire of musketry. Moving thence through
the cornfield by a circuitous route they returned to their old
position in line of battle. Major Hyde, who was in command
of the regiment, in his report said that he brought out of the

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 181
action four officers and sixty-five men of the fifteen officers
and one hundred and sixty-six men that went in. Lieut.
Harlan P. Brown of company I, who was in command after
Capt. Cook was wounded, while at the head of his company
cheering on his men in that dreadful charge, was shot through
the brain and instantly killed. Lieut. Haskell of company B,
Acting Adjutant, was also mortally wounded and died at
Chambersburgh, Pennsylvania, on the seventeenth of October.
He lay upon the field three days after the battle, when he was
moved by his friend Capt. Jones. He was, before his death,
commissioned as captain of company G. Capt. Cochran of
company K was also severely wounded during the battle. Tho
regiment behaved with its usual gallantly and was complimented
for its good conduct by being temporarily made the body guard
of Generals Franklin and Smith. The strength of the regiment
had by this time become so much reduced that it was too small
for field duty, and by order of the War Department it was sent
home in October to recruit. It met with a handsome reception
in New York and Boston and was enthusiastically received in
Portland, Gov. Washburn and Council taking part in the cere
monies. The regiment went into camp at Island Park and at
once engaged in the work of filling up its diminished ranks.
On the twenty-first of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, Lieut. Col. Connor, in command of companies B, C, D, I
and K which had been filled by consolidation, left Portland for
the field and on the twenty-fifth it rejoined its old command, —
Third brigade, Second division, Sixth corps — at White Oak
Church, Virginia, where it remained in camp until April twenty-
eighth, when at noon it struck tents and with eight days' rations
marched to the heights opposite the city of Fredericksburgh.
They crossed the Rappahannock at Deep Run on the second of
May and deployed near the enemy's works, skirmishing slightly
during the night. At three o'clock in the morning of the third,
the skirmish line was withdrawn. The Sixth corps moved one
and a half miles to the right, and took a position directly in
front of the enemy's fortifications on Cemetery and Marye's
Heights, where it remained until half past eleven in the forenoon,
when the battalion was assigned a position in the first line of
the storming party, and ordered to assault the enemy's works.
Under a heavy fire of artillery, the line moved across an open

182 MAINE IN THE WAR.
plain and deep morass, in which many of the men sank to the
hips. The works were carried. In this attack, Lieut. J. G.
Butler, commanding company D,waskilled, while most gallantly
leading his men. After taking the heights, the line advanced
four miles towards Chancellorsville, at which point a desperate
battle had been fought during the day. Adjt. Charles H. Hasey,
during the battle volunteered as aid to Brig. Gen. Neill, com
manding Third brigade, Second Division, Sixth corps, and
gained the commendation of Gen. Neill by his gallantry in the
greatest danger.
The battalion bivouacked that night upon the field. Before
morning the enemy flanked the position, and at daybreak,
opened, upon the line with their batteries. It was evident they
were rapidly gaining our rear. The battalion was immediately
deployed and moved towards the enemy upon the run. A brisk
skirmish commenced at once, continuing more than an hour,
resulting in the check of the enemy's advance. At eight o'clock
in the morning the battalion was relieved from the line. At
ten, company B, Capt. Jones, was ordered to the front. At
eleven an attempt was made to break through our line. A
brigade was massed in our front, and charged at double quick
upon, the position occupied by company B. Gallantly and
steadily they advanced, sanguine of success. Capt. Jones coolly
awaited their coming without firing a shot or exposing a man,
till they were in easy range. Then he poured volley after
volley into their front, mowing them down in heaps, and throwing
them into confusion. A charge was made, causing a complete
rout, and resulting in the capture of one battle flag from the
Fifty-eighth Virginia, and eighty prisoners and completely
thwarting the enemy's design. At five o'clock in the afternoon
the attack was renewed along the whole line. A fearful struggle
followed, in which Lieut. Col. Connor, commanding, and Lieut.
A. M. Benson were wounded, and Lieut. Small was taken
prisoner. The battalion held its position until midnight, then
withdrew, crossed the river at Banks' Ford, and returned to the
camp at White Oak Church. The loss in this campaign, in
killed, wounded and missing, was four commissioned officers
and eighty-eight enlisted men. Capt. Cook at one time got into
the enemy's lines, but escaped by swimming the river. Capt.
Hill shot one of the cowards of the Twentieth New York, who

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 183
was running away. Corp. Boston with three men of company
B, captured several prisoners and brought them in.
May twenty-third . company F, under Capt. Fletcher, joined
the battalion, having been re-organized and filled at the recruit
ing rendezvous in Portland. At one o'clock in the afternoon
on the fifth of June, the battalion broke camp and moved to the
Rappahannock, where it supported Cowan's battery, while shel
ling the rebel rifle pits and covering the movements of the corps
of construction. At nine A. M., June sixth, crossed the river,
taking a position in the first line. June seventh, recrossed dur
ing the night and bivouacked on the heights opposite. Nine
P. M., June eighth, again crossed the river and threw up breast
works near the Bernard House. June ninth, returned to the
heights, where it remained until June thirteenth. At evening on
that day commenced the Pennsylvania campaign. Quickly and
silently the battalion took up its line of march. At two A. M.,
June fourteenth, bivouacked at Brooks' Station. At four P.M.
June sixteenth, arrived at Dumfries. The march was long, the
heat oppressive. June seventeenth, marched to Fairfax Station;
thence to Fairfax Court House, arriving June eighteenth. En
camped here until June twentieth, then resumed the march.
Bivouacked that night at Union Mills. On June twenty-first
marched to within one mile of Manassas Junction, at which
place picketed for three days. June twenty-fourth marched to
Bristow's Station; June twenty-fifth, to Centreville Heights, ar
riving at midnight ; June twenty-sixth, passed through Drains-
ville. June twenty-seventh, crossed the Potomac at Edward's
Ferry, and encamped on its banks. June twenty-eighth, march
ed to Hyattsville, Maryland ; June twenty-ninth, to New Mar
ket thence to Jewsburg ; June thirtieth, to Manchester. At nine
P. M. July first, continued the march. Reached the Baltimore
and Gettysburgh Pike at daylight ; at six P. M. July second, the
battle field of Gettysburgh, having made a march of thirty-five
miles without rest.
July third the battalion was sent to the extreme right of the
line to meet a force of the enemy attempting the flank. After
a slight skirmish in which five were wounded, a strong position
was gained, and the enemy's movement prevented. July fifth
the brigade to which the battalion belonged was detached to
pursue the enemy while the army moved to intercept his flight.

184 MAINE IN THE WAR.
July sixth, skirmished to the entrance of Monterey Pass. July
seventh, entered Waynesborough and encamped. .Picketed
here until July eleventh, when the march was again resumed.
Halted that night at Leitersburgh. July twelfth, rejoined the
corps at Hagerstown. Col. Mason rejoined and took command
of the- regiment at Funkstown. July nineteenth the regiment
recrossed the Potomac at Berlin. July twenty-fourth, marched
to Manassas Gap ; July twenty-fifth, to Waterloo, and encamped
at Warrenton Springs. September eighteenth, again broke
camp and marched to Stone House Mountain. October fifth,
marched to Cedar Mountain, and picketed on Robertson's
river. At nine P. M. October tenth, marched to Culpepper;
thence, October eleventh, to Rappahannock Station. October
twelfth, was deployed on the skirmish line, which drove the
enemy back beyond Brandy Station. October thirteenth,
marched to Bristow's Station; October fourteenth, to Chantilly,
where the regiment lay "until October nineteenth, awaiting an
attack of the enemy who had followed them thus far. October
nineteenth, moved to Gainesville, arriving at five P. M. The
regiment was immediately ordered to the front to establish a
picket line. It met Buford's division of cavalry which had
been in advance during the day, rapidly falling back, hard
pressed by a force of rebel cavalry. The Sixth Vermont was
ordered to report to Col. Mason. He at the same time received
orders to advance and check the enemy. A position was imme
diately taken on either side of the Warrenton and Gainesville
road. Custar's brigade of Buford's cavalry division passed to
the rear. Some of Gen. Stuart's rebel cavalry came charging
down the road, but a well directed volley from the infantry
massed in the woods, emptied several saddles and sent the
enemy back in confusion. October twentieth the regiment was
in the skirmish line, covering the advance of the Sixth corps.
There was brisk skirmishing during the day, compelling the
enemy to fall back beyond Warrenton. Encamped at this place.
November seventh, marched on Rappahannock Station, partic
ipating in the engagement at that place. Although under a
sharp artillery fire, no further casualties were suffered than a
few men slightly wounded. November eighth, marched to
Brandy Station and went into camp. November twenty-sixth,
at daylight, the regiment took up its line of march for the

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 185
Rapidan. Crossed'the river at midnight. November twenty-
seventh, were in line of battle until ten P. M., supporting a
portion of the Third corps at the battle of Locust Grove. No
vember twenty-eighth, advance to Mine Run. To Col. Mason
was given the command of the division skirmish line. During
the three succeeding days the regiment was in front and
constantly engaged in skirmishing with the rebel outposts. On
the morning of December second, recrossed the Rapidan.
December third, returned to camp at Brandy Station, where the
regiment went into winter quarters.
Here ended the campaigns of eighteen hundred and sixty-
three. In these campaigns the regiment marched more than
five hundred and sixty miles, and participated in engagements
in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Lieut. Col. Connor was on the first of December, eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, commissioned as Colonel of the Nine
teenth Maine. Major Hyde was promoted to the Lieutenant
Colonelcy of the Seventh, and Capt. Jones of Co. B, to the
Majority. Col. Hyde was for the entire year Provost Marshal
on the staff of Maj. Gen. Sedgwick, commanding the Sixth
Army Corps, and Lieut. Farrar of company K, served as
aide-de-camp' on the staff of the same officer. Capt. Freese of
company A served as Provost Marshal at Augusta, Maine, and
Capt. Cochran of company K, was Inspector on the staff of Maj.
Gardiner, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General for the
State of Maine.
The regiment lay at Brandy Station all winter, engaged in
drilling and perfecting themselves for the spring campaign.
They made a long, fatiguing march in December in conjunction
with Custar's cavalry brigade, towards Charlottesville. They
remained in the vicinity of Madison Court House for two days
when the cavalry returned after a fruitless attempt to take the
town. The regiment was then twenty-seven miles from its old
camp and Gen. Sedgwick consented to the troops marching
back that night if they chose. They left their bivouac at eight
o'clock in the morning and at six o'clock in the evening were
in their old quarters at Brandy Station where they remained till
May fourth, when at daylight, to the color was sounded and in
half an hour they were on their way towards the Rapidan. At
two o'clock in the afternoon they crossed the river at Germania

186 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Ford and moved up the Wilderness road, and marching some
five miles bivouacked for the night. At daylight on the morn
ing of the fifth they started again but had not marched more
than a mile when they came upon the enemy's skirmishers. A
halt was ordered and they formed in line of battle. After a
delay of about an hour they were ordered to advance and on
they went as fast as the nature of the country would permit.
Soon they heard a sound that every dd soldier knows so well
— something like the distant pattering of rain drops on the
leaves of the forest. Our skirmishers were engaged. The
Seventh had the extreme right of the line and echelon behind
the Forty-ninth New York. The firing became very heavy about
this time. At four o'clock in the afternoon they were facing by
the rear rank when the enemy hurled a very heavy force of
infantry on our right, intending to turn that point and get
between us and the river. On they came, yelling like demons,
drove in our skirmishers' and overturned everything in their
course. The first they saw was the rebels going around their
right. Not a moment was to be lost. The front must be
changed or they would be taken in the flank. Promptly came
the order "change front to rear on tenth company." The
change was made but not without severe loss. The enemy
supposing we were caught, doubled and came down on what
they supposed to be our rear, but only to receive a withering
volley throwing them into confusion. Then came our turn.
The order rang along the line to charge and our men advanced
with an onset that nothing could withstand. The enemy halted
a moment, then broke and ran. Our forces took some two
hundred prisoners, defeating Harry Hayes' Louisiana brigade
and thus ending their fighting for that day with a loss of eighty-
one. •
Early on the morning of the sixth the regiment took up their.
position in the second line, but did not remain long inactive,
receiving orders to relieve the First New Jersey, where they
remained until five o'clock in the afternoon, losing some fourteen
men. They then moved back to a line of rifle pits which had
been hastily thrown up. About dark Early's corps charged
our front but were driven back with severe loss. Then there
was a short interval of silence, but full too well our forces
knew its meaning. The enemy were preparing for the final

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 187
struggle. Hearing them yell off upon our right, our men knew
that the Third division was to take the whole weight of the
onset, and they had no fears for the result. But, vain hope!
they broke and ran at the rebel yell, not stopping to fire a shot,
while their brave Generals, Seymour and Shaller, who were
both taken prisoners, did all they could to stop them, but to
no purpose. On came the enemy, forming a line of battle in
our rear, and opened fire on us from front, flank and rear, and
ordered us to surrender. Major Jones replied, " All others may
go back, but the Seventh Maine, never I" After fighting some
three hours, Neill' s brigade re-established the line and the Sev
enth remained in this position until midnight when it moved off
by the left flank. In this fight they lost their Colonel. About
daylight next morning they crossed the plank road and took a
position on the right of the line. They put up breastworks and
remained here until about dark on the seventh, when they again
started on a night march, passing the old battle ground of
Chancellorsville. They halted about daylight to make coffee,
and then started towards Spottsylvania Court House. When
within three miles of it they found the rebel General Lee in full
force. He commenced to retreat at about nine o'clock in the
morning and our forces followed immediately," marching all day
and night, continually skirmishing with the enemy. Their loss
was twenty in killed and wounded. On the eighth they marched
until one o'clock in the afternoon and at three took a position
in the line of an assaulting column. The assault was to com
mence at six o'clock, but the enemy anticipated us and made
the attack, but was repulsed with heavy loss. They slept that
night on their arms in line of battle. On the ninth they were
building rifle pits all day. This was a sad day for the Sixth
corps," their brave old General, John Sedgwick, being killed by
a rebel sharpshooter, thus depriving the country of one of its
firmest supporters, and the army of one of its best Generals.
Fighting commenced on the tenth at daylight and continued all
day without intermission. At six o'clock in the evening they
made an assault, capturing some nine hundred prisoners and
driving the enemy out of his works, which they could not hold
owing to the darkness of the night and their ignorance of the
exact position of the enemy. In this affair the Seventh lost
twenty-five men.

188 MAINE IN THE WAR.
They then went on picket and had a very quiet time till
Thursday, the twelfth, when they moved in the morning around
to the right to support the Second corps. They went to the
support of Carr's brigade and were not long inactive, but being
ordered to move to the right did so and soon became engaged.
They fought the'enemy's breastwork at forty-five paces for three
hours, losing one hundred and thirty-eight officers and men.
Adjt. Charles H. Hasey and Captains Henry F. Hill, Joseph E.
Walker and Lieut. Hooper were killed, Col. Mason, Maj. Jones,
and Captains McGinley, Fletcher and Swan were wounded.
Capt. John W. Channing, the senior officer, here took command
of the regiment. This has been called the hardest fight that
ever occurred on the continent. In the space of not more than
half a mile, two corps each of the Union and the Confederate
army fought from four o'clock on the morning of the twlefth
until two in the morning of the theirteenth, both armies suffer
ing severely. We took twenty-two pieces of artillery and seven
thousand prisoners in this action. That night it rained very
hard and they slept on their arms all night not taking part in
the night action. The angle that the troops fought so hard to
gain was a shocking sight to see the next day. The rebel dead
lay there piled three and four deep. In one instance an officer
of the Seventh saw five dead men taken off a wounded one and
in the small space of half an acre lay from three to four hundred
of the dead. This was war with all its attending horrors. A
white oak tree some eighteen inches in diameter which stood in
range of the heaviest fire, was completely cut off by minnie
bullets. On the fourteenth they started at three o'clock in the morning
towards the river Ny, but did not cross, and lay there during
the fifteenth and sixteenth. On the seventeenth they again took
up their march towards the right. At five o'clock in the
morning of the eighteenth the Seventh formed part of the
storming column that was to carry the enemy's works directly
in front of Spottsylvania. The regiment started forward in the
third line, but when the fourth line of the enemy's works was
carried, it was in the first line. The regiment here suffered
severely, having forty-two men killed. Capt. Channing, com
manding the regiment, was wounded in the head by a case shot,
Capt. Fletcher, although not wounded, had his clothes literally

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 189
torn off from him and Capt. Henry Warren — as brave a man as
the regiment could boast of— was killed. On the nineteenth
they moved back to their old position on the river Ny. Next
day they moved to Gurney's Station on the Fredericksburgh,
Richmond and Potomac railroad. On the twenty-first they were
under arms at daylight. Our skirmishers were driven in by
the enemy at ten P. M-, but they paid dearly for it. At ten
o'clock they started "On to Richmond," crossing the Matta-
pony river five miles south of Gurney's Station. Theystarted
for the North Anna river on the twenty-third and crossed it at
seven P. M., and had not proceeded far when they heard heavy
firing in front. The regiment was deployed and afterwards
went to the support of the artillery of the corps. They lay in
camp until the night of the twenty-sixth on the south bank of
the North Anna and vicinity, when at dark they started for Hano-
vertown on the Pamunkey river, some five miles from Hanover
Court House, marching all night and going into camp at ten
o'clock the next night. On the twenty-eighth they crossed the
Pamunkey and went on picket, where seven of the First Maryland
rebel cavalry surrendered to private Calvin Berry of company I,
who brought them in and was complimented by Gen. Neill, com
manding brigade, for his exploit. They remained on picket next
day, during which Dr. Getchell who had been commissioned
but not mustered as Assistant Surgeon, ventured beyond the
lines and was captured by rebel cavalry.
They started next day at four o'clock in the morning for
Hanover Court House where they arrived after a march of six
hours and ate their breakfast over the graves of the soldiers of
the Second Maine who fell there in the battle of May twenty-
seventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-two. On the thirty-first
they moved forward and lay under arms several hours, but did
not become engaged. Capt. Channing, commanding, the regi
ment, here was surprised to learn that he was dead. This was
the second time that he had read his own obituary in the Maine
papers. Afterwards, when he had arrived in front of Peters
burgh, the Captain denied "the soft impeachment " in anote to
the editor of the paper in which he first saw it. Wednesday,
June first, they were on the old battle field of Coal Harbor
where Gen. McClellan had his headquarters during their stay
in front of Richmond in eighteen hundred and sixty-two. They

190 MAINE IN THE WAR.
were here engaged in supporting the Fourth and Fifth Maine
batteries. On the afternoon of the same day Capt. ChanrSng
was ordered to drive the enemy from the field in front of the
road leading to Tunstall Station, which they succeeded in doing.
and also carried the field beyond. Remaining on the skirmish
line all night and all the next day, their corps moved off toward
the centre and they held their position until relieved by Barlow's
division of the Second coTps. Friday morning, June third, the
Seventh was ordered to support and conform to the movements
of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania. They mOved
forward at the signal, but as they raised the hill the One
Hundred and Second Pennsylvania broke and fled without firing
a shot, but the Seventh held the position till ten o'clock at
night, with a loss of twelve men. On the morning of the fourth
they moved to the second line of rifle pits where they remained
all day, and at night went on picket and were not relieved till
the night of the seventh, keeping up during the night, of .the
sixth a desultory fire to keep the enemy's artillery quiet. Again
moving into the second line, they remained there all day, having
one man killed. On the morning of the eighth they moved to
the rear. They went on picket on the night of the ninth, and
the regiment did not fire a shot. They remained here until
eleven P. M. on the thirteenth, when they moved to Jones'
Bridge where they crossed the Chickahominy, moving thence to
Charles City Court House. All along the line of march the
men amused themselves by shooting pigs and sheep and picking
cherries. They encamped on the estate of Ex-President Tyler,
where they remained for three days, hearing for the first time
for months the shrill whistle of steamboats as they ascended
the James river. On the night of the sixteenth they crossed
the river on the long pontoon bridge, and at about two P. M.
on the seventeenth arrived within about three miles of Peters
burgh, where they went into the works recently captured from
the rebels by the colored troops.
The regiment remained here on duty, losing more or less men
daily, until the ninth of July when they were ordered to the
defence of Washington. Taking transports at City Point, they
arrived at Washington on the eleventh. They immediately
proceeded up Seventh Street to Crystal Springs and went into
camp. At four o'clock on the afternoon of the twelfth, they
were ordered to attack the enemy in front.

SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 191
Moving forward under the eye of the President hirnself, they
drove the enemy from the vicinity of Fort Stevens, thus relieving
the national capital from the rebel hordes led on by Gen. John
C. Breckinridge, formerly Vice President of the United States.
Maj. James P. Jones was killed in this charge — as faithful and
brave an officer as the country could boast of and known
throughout the Army of the Potomac as "the fighting Quaker."
Captain John W. Channing pf company E, was on the twenty-:
seventh of July commissioned as Major but having declined
and1 returned his commission, Capt. Stephen 0. Fletcher of
company F, was soon after appointed to the vacancy.
Moving from here on the afternoon of the thirteenth, the
Seventh took part in all the marches and countermarches of the
Army of the Shenandoah, until the twenty-first of August,
when their term of service having expired they returned to the
State and were mustered out of service on the fifth of September
by Capt. Charles Holmes, Seventeenth United States Infantry.
The Fifth and Sixth Maine having been consolidated, by an
order of the War Department with the remainder of the Seventh
whose term of service had not expired, was at first called the
Seventh Maine, but by a subsequent order that designation has
been changed to the First Maine Veteran Volunteers.

192 MAINE IN THE WAR.

IX.
EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized September seventh, eighteen
hundred and sixty-one at Augusta, the place of general
rendezvous. The companies were organized in different parts
of the State. The field and staff officers, the companies and
company officers originally composing this regiment, were as
follows : FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Lee Strickland, Livermore, Colonel; John D. Rust, Camden,
Lieutenant Colonel ; Joseph S. Rice, Ellsworth, Major; James
Dingley, Jr., Auburn, Adjutant; Augustus H. Strickland, Liver-
more, Quartermaster; Paul M. Fisher, Corinna, Surgeon; Jona
than S. Houghton, Solon, Assistant Surgeon ; Henry C. Henries,
Lincoln, Chaplain; Edgar A. Perry, Rockland, Sergeant Major;
John M. Robbins, Greene, Quartermaster Sergeant; Franklin
Gray, Skowhegan, Commissary Sergeant ; W. W. West, Water
ville, Hospital Steward. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Ephraim W. Woodman, Captain ; Austin S.
Bump, First Lieutenant ; John M. Adams, Second Lieutenant;
all of Wilton.
Company B. — Joseph F. Twitchell, Patten, Captain; Charles
C. Perry, Island Falls, First Lieutenant; Luther B. Rogers,
Patten, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — John E. Bryant, Buckfield, Captain ; Isaac H.
McDonald, Buckfield, First Lieutenant ; William H. Timberlake,
Livermore, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Henry Boynton, Detroit, Captain; Franklin E.
Gray, Plymouth, First Lieutenant ; John R. Sprague, Parkmanf
Second Lieutenant. .
Company E. — Thomas Hutchins, New Portland, Captain ;
Thomas S. Hutchins, Winthrop, First Lieutenant; Isaac A.
Phillips, Kingfield, Second Lieutenant.

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 193
Company F. — John Hemingway, Sanford, Captain; Alonzo
E. Kimball, Biddeford, First Lieutenant; John H. Roberts,
Alfred, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Augustus A. Hoit, Gouldsboro', Captain; Wil
bur F. Lane, Ellsworth, First Lieutenant; Edwin B. Bates,
Dedham, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — John F. Milliken, Belfast, Captain; Edward A.
True, Hope, First Lieutenant; Charles E. Howard, Portland,
Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — William M. McArthur, Limington, Captain;
Charles H. Robinson, Unity, First Lieutenant; John E. Mc-
Urda, Jefferson, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — John Conant, Bangor, Captain; Henry Brawn,
Oldtown, First Lieutenant; Hillman Smith, Bradley, Second
Lieutenant. The regiment left the State on the tenth of September, eigh
teen hundred and sixty-one. No finer body of men has entered
the service from this State.
Lee Strickland of Livermore, actuated by the same spirit
which had influenced others, left a large and profitable business
and a pleasant home, raised a company for the Eighth and was
elected Colonel of the regiment.
The regiment went first to Hempstead, Long Island, New
York, and reported to Brig. Gen. E. L. Viele, to whose brigade
it had been assigned. Gen. Viele moved his brigade to Wash
ington in a few days, and after a stay of three weeks reported
to Gen. T. W. Sherman at Annapolis, Maryland, on the sixth
of October, where that officer was organizing an expedition for
an unknown destination.
The troops embarked on the eighteenth day of October, the
Eighth on board the steamer Ariel. The fleet was composed
for the most part of steamships, many of which were among
the largest and finest owned by our merchantmen. Gen.
Sherman on board the Atlantic was followed by his command
in three columns, the brigade of Gen. Viele on the right, Gen.
Stevens — who afterwards fell at the second battle of Bull Run
while bravely leading the Pennsylvania Highland regiment — in
the centre, Gen. Wright — now commanding the Sixth army
corps — on the left. The vessels of each brigade followed each
other at a prescribed distance, the whole forming., one of the
13

194 MAINE IN THE WAR.
grandest sights ever beheld on this continent. It was the first
of those great expeditions that have been of almost incalculable
advantage to our cause. At Fortress Monroe Gen. Sherman
was joined by a naval fleet under command of Commodore —
now Rear Admiral Du Pont.
The expedition arrived off Port Royal harbor, South Carolina,
on tin! third of November. The fleet had been scattered by a
most violent storm, which at one time threatened to destroy it.
Most of the vessels had arrived on the seventh; and the prepa
rations for the attack having been completed, the Wabash — the
flag-ship of Du Pont — weighed anchor at ten o'clock A. M.,
and, followed by seventeen gunboats, moved forward to battle.
The contest was short, but brilliant. At two o'clock P. M. our
forces landed at Hilton Head, and hauled down the rebel flag,
which the enemy did not even attempt to secure, so deadly had
been the contest. They fled in the wildest confusion, and yield
ed to the army and navy, one of the finest ports on the South
ern coast.
The Eighth landed on the ninth, and was for several weeks en
gaged in constructing earthworks, in which employment they
gained a high reputation for energy and skill. Col. Strickland
resigned December fourteenth, on account of ill health, and
Lieut. Col. John D. Rust was commissioned Colonel.
On the fourteenth of February, Lieut. Col. Woodman — a most
excellent officer, afterwards Colonel of the Twenty-eighth Maine
(a nine months' regiment) and since Colonel of the Second Maine
Cavalry — was ordered to report to Gen. Viele, at Dawfuski
Island, South Carolina, with five companies from the Eighth.
Dawfuski Island lies in the Savannah river, opposite Tybee
Island and Fort Pulaski, and about five miles distant. The city
of Savannah, Georgia, on the same river, and nearly fifteen
miles from the ocean, was in part defended by Fort Pulaski ; a
strong fortification, built by government several years before
the rebellion.
Gen. Viele was directed to place batteries on two low muddy
islands in the river, between the fort and city, to prevent all
rebel communication with the fort. Twice each day these;
islands were covered with water, nevertheless it had been
decided that batteries could and must be placed upon them ;
and, although the men sank deep into mud and water, the work

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 195
progressed, and was completed, fully accomplishing the desired
object. But the sufferings of the soldiers who were employed
upon the work were almost unendurable. Three soldiers of the
Eighth, Samuel Holt, Lindsey 0. Goff and Morris Woodbury,
all of company C, were one night posted on picket on one of
these islands, and instructed under no circumstances to leave
their post. It was a cold night in February, and, as the tide
rose, the water came up slowly around them, rising nearly to
their breasts, and as slowly ebbed away ; and yet those faithful
sentinels obeyed their instructions. But they returned to camp
nearly exhausted. Holt soon after died from the effects of that
night's exposure. Goff returned to the State, broken down in
health and soon after died. Woodbury alone remains, but his
constitution was also ruined by the sufferings of that dreadful
night. Other soldiers of the regiment endured almost as great
sufferings, but all bravely performed the duties required of
them, and the regiment was highly complimented by Gen. Viele
for the faithfulness and energy always maintained by the officers
and soldiers. The enemy were not able to render any assistance
to the garrison in Fort Pulaski which was captured together
with the fort, a result due as much to the erection of the bat
teries by Gen. Viele on Bird and Jones' Islands, as to the
erection of batteries by Gen. Gillmore on Tybee Island.
The first of May, Col. Rust was ordered to report at Tybee
Island to Brig.. Gen. Gillmore, who had nearly completed prepa
rations for the bombardment of Fort Pulaski from that island,
which lies between the fort and the ocean. During the bom
bardment the most exposed position was assigned to companies
D, E, F, H and I, of the Eighth, the other companies of the
regiment being on Dawfuski Island. Several of the batteries
were worked by soldiers from the Eighth, and when the fort
surrendered Gen. Gillmore honored it by first hoisting its flag
where the flag of treason had so lately waved defiance. Gen.
Gillmore, in his report, made special mention of the bravery
displayed by Capt. McArthur of the Eighth Maine, now Lieuten
ant Colonel of the regiment, who commanded at one of the
batteries during the bombardment.
From that time until the spring of eighteen hundred and
sixty-four, the regiment was employed for the most part in doing
guard duty at Hilton Head, Beaufort, South Carolina, and

196 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Jacksonville, Florida. The regiment suffered many months
from the effect of exposure during the spring campaign of
eighteen hundred and sixty-two. At one time nearly three
hundred men were sick. The Surgeon, Dr. Fisher, resigned in
July, and was succeeded by Dr. J. D. Mitchell of Jacksonville,
Florida, a Maine man who had spent several years at the South
but had fled from his home, proving his devotion to his country
by leaving an extensive practice and a large property. He
joined the regiment in the fall of eighteen hundred and sixty-
two and found it suffering sadly from the effects of the spring
campaign. Very many deaths had occurred and more than two
hundred were at that time sick. His skill, improved by experience
at the South, was of incalculable advantage to the regiment, at
that time suffering from diseases contrac'ted in a Southern
climate. The men improved rapidly under his treatment, and
in a few weeks there were but few sick men in the regiment.
He was obliged to leave the service in a few months. The
enlisted men, as a slight token of their gratitude for his faithful
labors on their behalf, presented him with a valuable gold watch
and chain. In November about three hundred recruits were
sent to the regiment from the State, who were so well disciplined
and drilled that in the following spring, the Eighth was one of
the largest and most effective regiments in the Department of
the South. For various reasons the Eighth for many months
was not in active service.
In the fall of eighteen hundred and sixty-two, Brig. Gen.
Rufus Saxton, Military Governor of the Department of the
South, received instructions from the War Department to raise
five regiments of colored troops and commission the necessary
officers. Previous to that time government had not seen fit to
arm colored men ; but the War Department approved of the
plan submitted to it by Gen. Saxton, and he raised the first
regiment of colored troops armed by the government. The
question whether or not the policy was wise has been settled,
and it now appears almost incredible that it should have been
doubted ; but at first it met with bitter opposition. So unpopular
were the officers connected with the movement that very many
officers of white regiments would not associate with them ; and,
indeed, their opposition" was so strong that they would not
show sufficient respect for Gen. Saxton — a regular army officer

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 197
and a Christian gentleman — even to salute him as they passed
him on the street, although he afterwards became one of the
most popular commanders in the Department.
Notwithstanding the unpopularity of the movement, most
of the line officers and a large majority of the enlisted men of
the Eighth were warm advocates of the policy. No other
regiment in the Department was nearly as friendly, and, although
a few months later more than a thousand applications for posi
tions in colored regiments were received by Gen. Saxton, at
that time but few men save those of the Eighth desired to
accept office in the new regiment. They believed that black
men would fight and would make good soldiers, and that the
time would come when a position in a colored regiment would
be as good as in a regiment of white troops. They did not,
however, expect so soon to witness a revolution in public
opinion so great as that which took place in a few months.
Gen. Saxton, aware of the warm advocacy of this policy by of
ficers and men of the Eighth, selected from that regiment nearly
half of the line officers for the First regiment of colored troops.
The following are the names of the men commissioned, viz:
First Sergt. Levi W. Metcalf, company C, was promoted to
Captain; Sergt. William W. Sampson, C, to Second Lieu
tenant ; Private A. W. Jackson, C, to Sergeant Major ; Private
Asa Childs, C, to Second Lieutenant; First Sergt. Charles E.
Parker, D, to Second Lieutenant; Second Lieut. George Dolly,
H, to Captain ; First Sergt. Charles I. Davis, H, to Second Lieu
tenant; Corporal Eli C. Merriam, H, to Second Lieutenant;
Private E. W. Robbins, H, to Quartermaster Sergeant; Private
William Stockdole, I, to First Lieutenant; Sergt. E. P. White,
K, to First Lieutenant ; Sergt. Maj. Joseph H. Thibadeau, to
Captain. Although more than a thousand officers and men applied for
positions in the Second regiment of colored troops, and although
the Eighth had been already honored above all others, yet, on
account of the deep interest in the cause early manifested by
that regiment, Gen. Saxton selected from it more officers for the
Second than from any other.
The following are the names of the officers commissioned :
Wagoner R. B. Wasson, company B, was promoted to Quar
termaster Sergeant; First Lieut. John M. Adams, A, to Captain;

198 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Capt. Augustus A. Hoit, G, to Captain; Quartermaster Sergeant
William B. Dickey, — to Quartermaster.
Capt. Bryant was appointed on the staff of Gen. Saxton in
March, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, and assisted in raising
the Second Regiment of colored troops. The position of Lieut.
Colonel in the First or Third regiment was tendered him by Gen.
Saxton, but he declined to accept either commission. In Au
gust of that year, he was authorized by Gen. Saxton to raise a
regiment of colored troops. The first company had been or
ganized when the War Department changed the policy of raisr
ing those regiments, and revoked the authority given to Gen.
Saxton. This was brought about in a great measure by his per
sonal enemies. He had braved the sneers of his associates in
the regular army, and advocated a policy which they regarded
as chimerical, and, for doing so, had incurred their bitter hostili
ty. But, regardless of their sneers, governed by his own good
judgment and actuated by a noble spirit of christian philanthro
py, he stood forth almost alone as the champion of a movement
which was destined to be of incalculable advantage to the nation.
Under Col. Higginson the First regiment of colored, troops
fought bravely in Florida.
When the War Department learned of its success it was at
once decided to arm black men. In a few months a revolution
in public opinion took place upon that subject. Men who at
first had bitterly opposed the policy, became warm advocates
of the measure, and adventurers sought for and obtained posi
tions in colored regiments. Of these the department of the
South received its full share. Capt. Bryant, displeased with
the movements of office-seeking politicians in the army, refused
to be a competitor with them in raising colored troops, and was
appointed by Gen. Saxton Provost Marshal of the District of
Beaufort, which position he held until he joined his regiment in
front of Petersburgh.
In the fall of eighteen hundred and sixty-three Gen. Gillmore,
the commander of the department of the South, then besieging
Charleston, South Carolina, considered it of great importance
that the telegraph wire on the line from Charleston to Savannah,
Georgia, should be tapped, that he might thus gain information
that, could in no other way be obtained. Capt. Bryant was
selected to carry out his plans and instructed to commence

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 199
operations immediately. His forces were collected on Ladies'
Island, South Carolina, ten miles north of Beaufort, and con
sisted of a company from the First South Carolina Volunteers
(colored,) Captain, L. W. Metcalf; First Lieutenant, W. W.
Sampson, and Sepond Lieutenant, A. W. Jackson ; all promoted
from company C, Eighth Maine, and one company of the Fifth
South Carolina Volunteers (colored,) First Lieut. A. G. Osbo'rn,
also promoted from company C, Eighth Maine. Chaplain
Fowler, First South Carolina Volunteers, and a telegraph opera
tor, accompanied the expedition.
Capt. Bryant moved his force on the night of September
seventh, in row boats with muffled oars, on to an island twenty
miles inside of the rebel lines. He had previously selected a
safe route through the enemy's country to the telegraph line*
and was therefore able to move undiscovered between their
picket posts.
Lieut. Osborn with eight colored soldiers was directed to
accompany the operator to the telegraph line by the route
previously selected. Chaplain Fowler, the fighting parson of
the First South Carolina Volunteers — a brave and shrewd man — :
commanded the expedition. They left at dark on the night of
September tenth, crossed the Combahee river to the main land,
and proceeded to the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, along
which ran the wire they had been instructed to tap. They
carried two hundred yards of wire and a telegraph instrument.
They arrived at the railroad soon after midnight, and having
selected a secluded spot in the woods near the road, for a
station, immediately commenced to make the connection, and
were ready to receive dispatches by daylight. Messages were
received from that time until ten A. M., some of which were of
great importance to Gen. Gillmore. But owing to the unskilful
manner in which the connection had been made by the operator,
their operations were discovered about ten A. M. The party
immediately left the station and attempted to escape. Five of
the colored soldiers succeeded, but the pursuit was so hotly press
ed and made by so large a force of cavalry that the remainder of
the party were captured on the twelfth day of September.
Lieut. Osborn was at first confined at Pocotaligo, South
Carolina. In a few weeks he was removed to Charleston and
afterwards to a rebel prison in the interior of Georgia, whore,

200 MAINE IN THE WAR.
suffering privations and enduring hardships, his strong consti
tution was broken, and at length, on the twenty-fourth day of
March, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, death put an end to
his misery. Lieut. Osborn was a noble and brave young man,
greatly beloved by those who knew him. He entered upon the
perilous and to him fatal enterprise with eagerness and enthu
siasm, and was captured in a vain effort to save others , from
capture. On the nineteenth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
the regiment embarked under orders from Gen. Hunter, to
occupy Jacksonville, Florida, where it arrived March twenty-
third. A considerable portion of that city was found to be
in ruins, and the rebels under Gen. Finnegan closely invested
the place. The Eighth landed under the fire of the enemy, who
was shelling the city preparatory to a general attack. A two-
gun battery on the shore aided by the gunboats Norwich and
John Adams, opened such a fire upon the enemy that he soon
retired. Capt. Henry Boynton was detached as Provost Mar
shal of the city with his company (D,) for provost guard.
On the night of the twenty-fourth the rebels opened a vigorous
fire and shelled the city for some time, fortunately causing no
casualties in the regiment. Our forces were immediately put
in motion to repel the attack, when the enemy retired precipi
tately. On the twenty-fifth a reconnoissance was made in
force on the line of the railroad toward Baldwin. Our forces
with the Eighth upon the right, advanced several miles, driving
the enemy's pickets before them with occasional skirmishing,
the rebels shelling them from a distance. The object of the
reconnoissance having been effected, and our lines satisfactorily
established on ground previously occupied by the enemy, our
forces retired with the loss of two "killed and one severely
wounded in Capt. McArthur's company (I). Everything was
progressing favorably for an early and full occupation of Eastern
Florida, when the place was evacuated by order of Gen. Hunter,
March twenty-ninth, and the regiment was ordered back to
Beaufort to make preparations to participate in the contemplated
attack on Charleston. April third the regiment embarked for
Stone river near Charleston, when it lay on board transports
during the bombardment of Fort Sumter by Admiral Dupont's
fleet, April seventh, but the attack not being renewed, it was
ordered back to Beaufort, where it landed April twelfth.

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 201
April sixteenth the regiment was again ordered to the vicinity
of Charleston, and embarked to proceed thither. It proceeded,
however, no farther than Hilton Head, where it landed and
remained during the summer and fall, subjected to severe picket,
fatigue and garrison duty. Companies F, I and K with their
officers, were detached during the summer for provost guard
duty at Hilton Head where Capt. McArthur was Provost
Marshal. During the month of June Lieut. Lord of company F, was
detached to engineer and cut a road through a dense and
swampy forest on Hilton Head Island where many of the men
contracted a swamp fever which proved fatal in many cases.
On the fourteenth of November, the regiment was ordered to
Beaufort, South Carolina, where its numbers were again replen
ished by the addition of nearly two hundred men who had
"come in out of the draft" and who made excellent soldiers!
In March, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, three hundred
and sixteen veterans of the Eighth Maine, who had re-enlisted,
received a furlough of thirty days and returned to the State.
Col. Rust was ordered to report to Gen. Butler at Fortress
Monroe when the furlough of his men had expired?. He was
there joined the last of April by the remainder of his regiment,
which left Beaufort, South Carolina, on the fourteenth day of
April. On the fourth day of May he was ordered to march to
the front, but was suddenly taken ill, remained at Fortress
Monroe and did not again rejoin the regiment for duty. Lieut.
Col. Boynton, upon whom the command then devolved, was
with the force that landed at City Point and Bermuda Hundred
on the night of May fifth. Here they entrenched their position
and on the ninth moved on the Petersburgh and Richmond
railroad, their brigade being the advance. They struck the road
at a point about a mile and a half nearer Richmond than where
a break had been made in it on the seventh, and destroyed it
by tearing the track to pieces in some places and turning it
directly over in others. They then proceeded towards Peters
burgh and after a fatiguing march in the extreme heat, reached
Arrowfield Church just before the battle commenced, where
after a sharp fight the enemy was defeated, leaving his killed
and wounded in our hands. At the battle of Chester Station
next day, the Eighth arrived just as the engagement was closing

202 MAINE IN THE WAR.
and went to the support of a battery. The rebels were again
defeated. The artillery had set the pine woods on fire and
despite our generous efforts to save them many of the rebel
wounded were burned to death.
On the night of the twelfth they patroled the Richmond and
Petersburgh turnpike, for four miles and on the thirteenth and
fourteenth they held the crossing at Redwater Creek. On the
morning of the fifteenth the regiment reported at sunrise to
Maj. Gen. W. F. ("Baldy") Smith commanding the Eighteenth
corps (to which it was soon after permanently assigned, ) and
were placed on the extreme right of the corps to hold the
important road leading from Fort Darling to Bermuda Hundred
where their skirmishers soon engaged those Pf the enemy. The
fight here at Drury's Bluff on the fifteenth and sixteenth was
the first in which the regiment particularly distinguished itself.
The skirmishers were pushed up within thirty yards of the
enemy's cannon, and by pouring an incessant fire of bullets
through the embrasures and over the parapet, held their heavy
guns silent for over nine hours. The night was dark and rainy
and a thick fog arising towards morning enabled the enemy to
mass a heavy force in our front and hurl thfem upon us. The
skirmishers of the Eighth were quickly driven in, when they
lay flat on the ground, and as the enemy advanced at close
range, the red flashes from their muskets showing our men
where to fire in the gloomy darkness, they poured into the
vpry breasts of the rebels a murderous fire. The two lines
were within twenty-five yards of each other and the fighting
was desperate. Volley answered volley with great rapidity
and the slaughter of the enemy was terrible. The rebel line in
front of the Eighth slowly recoiled and was driven into the fort.
The battle soon became general. The artillery firing was very
heavy and volleys of musketry were discharged in rapid suc
cession. There was no light except the flashes of fire arms,
but these blazed in every direction. The regiment was swung
around to face the right and lay upon the ground among the
bushes till daylight. About an hour after, the enemy made
another charge on the Eighth, when a brisk fight of some
twenty minutes ensued, but the enemy being closed in mass his
loss was fearful and he was repulsed. They were so closely
engaged that he could not use the guns of the fort upon us

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 203
without firing into his own men too. The Eighth rejoined the
line of the Eighteenth corps, all of which had fallen back into
the open field north of the Halfway House, and with that line
again advanced and attacked the enemy, and after a considerable
struggle both armies withdrew for the day. Near the close of
the battle Lieut. Col. Boynton was severely wounded by a
shrapnel case shot and the command of the regiment devolved
upon Major McArthur. The loss in killed, wounded and
missing was ninety-five out of four hundred engaged.
The regiment was in the battle of Gill's farm on the eigh
teenth, and a detachment of two hundred was in the battle of
Wier Bottom Church on the twentieth where they lost eighty-
three out of one hundred and ninety engaged. Both these
engagements resulted in the repulse Pf the enemy.
They hastened to White House and Coal Harbor with their
corps, arriving the first day of June, and immediately charged
upon the works of the enemy. They also fought in the terrible
battle at that place on the third day of June, and for nine days
were almost constantly under fire. The regiments of the second
brigade, second division, of the eighteenth corps, were formed
by division closed in mass, the Eighth Maine in the rear. The
brigade charged to within a few rods of the enemy's works, but
received a fife so deadly that the men could move no further.
The men of the Twelfth New Hampshire, in the advance, fell
to the ground ; the Eleventh Connecticut advanced a few paces,
but were obliged to give way, breaking for a moment the ranks
of the Eighth, yet they were immediately reformed and the men
advanced with loud cheers, following their gallant Major into
the jaws of death. They fell to the ground, and, with bayonets,
plates and dippers, threw up the earth for a protection against
the deadly fire of the enemy.
The ground, thus bravely won, was as stubbornly held, and be
came a part of Gen. Grant's advance line. But the regiment
paid dearly for the position gained, losing one hundred out of
three hundred and fifty engaged. In a few days the regiment
with its corps returned to the south side of the James river, in
advance of the army of the Potomac, hastened back to Bermuda
Hundred,.and immediately started for Petersburgh. Under Mar-
tindale, the second division assisted in storming the outer main
line of the defences of Petersburgh, and pushed on to the inner

204 MAINE IN THE WAR.
lines ; but the enemy resisted so stubbornly that but little ad
vantage was gained.
Maj. McArthur was severely wounded on the eighteenth day
of June, while gallantly leading his regiment in the last assault
on the works of the enemy. This charge is spoken of by mili
tary men who witnessed it as a brilliant affair. The regiment
afterwards assisted in fortifying and defending the position gain
ed around Petersburgh.
Capt. Bryant joined the regiment on the twenty-eighth day
of July, and assumed command. He found but seven officers
and less than two hundred men, for duty. At eleven o'clock
P. M., July twenty-ninth, he received orders to hold his regi
ment in readiness to march at a moment's notice. Soon after
midnight, the Second brigade moved to the left, to assist in
supporting the Ninth corps in the assault, which was made upon
the works of the enemy, on the thirtieth of July. The morning
of that day was beautiful. The air, cool and bracing like a
New England morning, stimulated the men, who were in the
best possible spirits. At daylight the regiment saw around
them a large army, which had been silently massed during the
previous night. A thick wood, in front, concealed them from
the enemy. Gen. Grant rode in front of the line at an early
hour, to satisfy himself that everything was in readiness. A
few moments later, an explosion, which shook the ground for
miles around, was the signal for the commencement of the battle.
Large masses of troops moved through the woods, and wounded
men and rebel prisoners came back. The Eighth at length was
ordered forward. They marched through the woods under fire
and halted at the foot of a hill. The battle was raging beyond.
The news-boy brought the daily papers, and the postmaster
the mail, and the men read letters from dear ones at home, while
the enemy's shells burst, and their bullets fell around them.
The battle continued but a few hundred yards distant, but, for
a long time, they could learn nothing of the result. The roar
of artillery was deafening, and was pronounced the most terrific
that the Army of the Potomac had ever witnessed. At length
rebel cheers, which are easily distinguished from those of our
troops, heard above the rosfr of battle, told our soldiers that the
enemy was charging, and in a moment, the confusion on the
hilj above, that our men were repulsed. The Eighth was imme-

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 205
diately thrown forward as skirmishers, to prevent stragglers from
passing to the rear. The firing of the enemy increased as they
advanced. Shells burst around the men in every direction, but
they stood firm as rock, as the panic stricken soldiers pressed
against their line, and tried, in vain, to break through. Black
and white troops crowded together in the wildest confusion,
but thus far and no farther, said the men of the Eighth and the
rout was staid, the troops were rallied and the enemy repulsed.
The regiment was ordered to the' rear about ten A- M., and
marched to camp.
The regiment was afterwards employed until the sixth of Sep
tember in guarding entrenchments, first near Petersburgh, and
later near Point of Rocks. Col. Boynton returned and resum-
edcommand on the fourth of September. Sixty veterans, whose
term of service had expired, left that day in command of Capt.
Bryant, who had been commissioned as Major but declined the
position. They arrived at Augusta on the ninth of September,
and were mustered ont of service on the fifteenth. The regi
ment was sufficiently large to retain its organization after the
muster out pf the original members. Sixteen officers had been
wounded during the campaign; three had been killed and two
taken prisoners. Lieut. C. F. Munroe, company C, fell mortal
ly wounded, while gallantly leading his company in that terri
ble charge at Cold Harbor. Lieuts. John Stevens, company H,
and Hill, company I, also fell in the same fight, while bravely
charging with their companies. Ninety-eight enlisted men were
killed or died of wounds ; two hundred and fifty-two were wound
ed, and forty -five were missing in action.
Many changes had taken place in the regiment since it enter
ed the service. But one officer — Capt. Bryant — served three
years in the same grade, and but seven remained who entered
the service as officers.
Col. Rust was discharged from the service on the nineteenth
day of August.
Capt. Woodman, company A, was commissioned Major on the
twenty-eighth of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-one,
vice Joseph S. Rice resigned, and Lieutenant-Colonel on the
.fourteenth of December, vice John D. Rust promoted.
Capt. Twitchell, company B, was commissioned Major on the
fourteenth of December, vice Woodman promoted, and Lieut.-

206 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Colonel on the sixth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
vice Woodman resigned:
Capt. Hemingway, company F, was commissioned , Major on
the' sixth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, vice
Twitchell promoted, and Lieutenant Colonel on the eighteenth of
April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, vice Twitchell resigned.
Capt. Boynton, company D, was commissioned Major on the
eighteenth of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, vice Hem
ingway promoted, and Lieutenant Colonel on the sixteenth of
February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, vice Hemingway re
signed, and Colonel on the fourteenth of August, vice Rust dis
charged. Capt. McArthur, company I, was commissioned Major on the
sixteenth of-February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, vice
Boynton promoted, and Lieutenant Colonel on the fourteenth of
August, vice Boynton promoted.
Capt. Bryant, company C, was commissioned Major on the
fourteenth of August, vice McArthur promoted.
Capt. True, company H, was commissioned Major, vice Bry
ant declined commission.
From the time the regiment entered the service until the
veterans were mustered out, fourteen officers had joined from
civil life, thirty-three had resigned, four had been discharged,
one had been mustered out by reason of expiration of term of
service, one had been dismissed, four had been promoted in
other commands, two had been taken prisoners, five had died
of disease and three had been killed in battle. The regiment
entered the service with seven hundred and seventy enlisted
men; five hundred and seventy men joined afterwards; one
hundred and seventy-nine were discharged for disability, six
teen were promoted into other commands, thirty-five were
promoted in the regiment, one hundred and twenty-six died of
disease, ninety-eight were killed, or died of wounds, forty-five
were missing in action, twenty-four deserted, one hundred and
twenty- one were mustered out by reason of expiration of term
of service, three hundred and sixteen re-enlisted and six hundred
and sixty-eight remained. Of the regiment, both officers and
men, it may be said that in bravery and efficiency they have been •
excelled by few regiments, if any, in the service.
At Drury's Bluff, Wier Bottom Church, Cold Harbor, the dead-

EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 207
liest fight of the campaign, and at Petersburgh they earned and
maintained a reputation for coolness and bravery of which they
are justly proud. When the veterans left, they were in the Sec
ond Brigade, Second Division, Eighteenth Corps, in as good
spirits as they were when the campaign commenced.
When the regiment arrived at Boston, Mass., on its way to
the seat of war, a flag was presented to it on behalf of the State
of Maine. That flag was the first to be raised over Fort Pulas
ki after its surrender to our army, and being much worn was
sent to the Governor, and is now in the State House.
At Annapolis, Maryland, the wife of Gen. Viele, on behalf of
certain loyal wgmen of New York city, presented a flag to each
regiment in her husband's brigade. At the request of Mrs. Viele,
Governor Hicks, of Maryland, that noble patriot, who, more
than any other man prevented his State from seceding, presen-
ed the flag to the Eighth Maine, and stirred the hearts of all with
burning words of eloquence. That flag was borne by the regi
ment in all the battles, in which it had been engaged, and,
having been torn by the bullets, shot and shell of the enemy
until it had been nearly destroyed, was on the fifteenth day of
September presented by Capt. Bryant to Gov. Cony to be
preserved by the State as evidence of the dangers through
which the regiment had passed.
The regiment crossed to the north side of the James river
during the night of the twenty-eighth and participated in the
victory at Fort Harrison near Chapin's Farm next day. The
name of the fort has been changed to Fort Burnham in honor
of our gallant Maine general who was killed on its glacis, while
leading his brigade over its guns. The Eighth remained in the
trenches near Chapin's Farm until October twenty-seventh when
it was engaged in the reconnoissance made by the Eighteenth
corps to the vicinity of the Fair Oaks battle ground. An
assault having been ordered to be made by a- small part of the
force, companies A, C, E, F and G of the Eighth were deployed
as skirmishers to lead the column. The assault was unsuccessful
though the line went dashing forward in splendid order. A large
portion of the charging party was captured. Lieut. Chase was
taken prisoner and Lieutenants Kyes and Carr were mortally
wounded. Col. Boynton was sent back to hospital that night
on account of his old wound which was aggravated by his

208 MAINE IN THE WAR.
severe exertions that day. The enemy's works being found
strong and well manned, our fprces were withdrawn and the
next day the Eighth returned to its old position near Chapin's
Farm, where at the present writing it remains. During the
six months ending with October, eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, the regiment was in thirteen general engagements be
sides numerous picket skirmishes, in all of which it fought
with distinguished bravery. The men bore the long and weary
marches, the exhausting duty of the trenches, the often constant
deprivation of rest and comfort with patience and cheerfulness.
The regiment is in the Second brigade, Second Division, Eigh
teenth Army Corps.

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 209

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
After the fall of Sumter, the young men of Maine seemed all
ready to go wherever they might be needed, to vindicate the
honor of the government. Regiments were raised with unex
ampled readiness until the general government refused to receive
any more. But six regiments had then gone from Maine, and
it was thought that no more would be required. Companies
already formed were disbanded, the men returning to their
homes dispirited that they, too, were unable to assist in putting
down the rebellion.
As soon as the War Department discovered that more men
were needed, additional regiments were authorized to be raised,
and judging that there would be but a limited number, and that
the chance to get into one of them would be difficult, men
enlisted with great rapidity. In less than two weeks from the
arrival of the first company of the regiment at Augusta, the
Ninth was on its way to Washington, more than one thousand
strong. By an act of the Legislature the first ten regiments elected
their own officers. The privates elected the line officers and
the latter the field officers. The regiment was raised at large
and rendezvoused at Augusta. The following was the organi
zation of the regiment and each of the companies on leaving
Augusta, September twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
one. FIELD AND STAFF.
Rishworth Rich, Portland, Colonel ; Colman Harding, Gor
ham, Lieutenant Colonel; Sabine Emery, Eastport, Major; James
C. M. Furbish, Portland, Adjutant; John H. Lowell, Hallowell,
Quartermaster; Joel Richardson, Rockland, Surgeon ; Cyrus D.
Tuck, Fairfield, Assistant Surgeon; Marshall P. Getchell,
Waterville, Sergeant Major; Henry A. Gray, Portland, Quar-
14

210 MAINE IN THE WAR.
termaster Sergeant ; Joshua G. Ross, Portland, Commissary
Sergeant, Edward F. Wyman, Augusta, Hospital Steward.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — George F. Granger, Calais, Captain; Fred A.
Emery, Eastport, First Lieutenant ; Joseph Noble, Augusta,
Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Zina H. Robinson, Bath, Captain; Jonathan
P. C. Fall, Topsham, First Lieutenant ; Alfred T. Robinson,
Bath, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Thomas L. Reed, Augusta,, Captain; Henry
Sewall, Augusta, First Lieutenant ; John L. Emerson, Portland,
Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — William F. Baker, Bingham, Captain ; Winthrop
H. Hall, Palmyra, First Lieutenant; Sylvester B. Troy, Wel
lington, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Edwin W. Wedgewood, Cornish, Captain;
Ansel G. Marston, Cornish, First Lieutenant; John H. Andrews,
Biddeford, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Horatio Bisbee, Jr., Canton, Captain; Elisha
S. Bisbee, Peru, First Lieutenant', John Blake, 2d, Turner,
Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Enoch H. Hines, Houlton, Captain; Robert J.
Gray, Houlton, First Lieutenant; Charles 0. Brown, Moro
Plantation, Second. Lieutenant.
Company H. — Washington I. Chase, East Machias, Captain,
William J. Ramsdell, East Machias, First Lieutenant; Samuel
R. Barclay, Calais, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — George W. Cummings, Bangor, Captain; Scollay
D. Baker, Bangor, First Lieutenant; Billings Brastow, Brewer,
Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Thomas E. Wentworth, Gorham, Captain;
Chester B. Shaw, Gorham, First Lieutenant ; Charles A. Brooks,
Buxton, Second Lieutenant.
On arriving at Washington, September twenty-sixth, the
regiment was ordered to Bladensburg, one mile and a half from
the capitol. Here as much drill as possible was practised.
The regiment was soon assigned to Gen. T. W. Sherman's
Provisional Forces, then organizing to attack Port Royal, South
Carolina, and on the eighth of October left Washington for

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 211
Annapolis, where they arrived the same day and encamped
until embarkation Sunday morning the twentieth, on steamer
Coatzacoalcos. On the twenty-first they sailed for and arrived
at Fortress Monroe, where they remained until Tuesday the
twenty-ninth, when they sailed at noon in company with a large
fleet, with sealed orders. The passage from Hampton Roads
to Port Royal harbor was more terrific than a bloody battle.
The steamer was old and unseaworthy, and the storm fearful.
The hurricane deck had been wrenched so that every toss of
the sea made it sway and reel ; the hog chains and hog beams
were broken, the state-rooms were crushed in, and worse than
all, the steamer was leaking badly — there was already eight
feet of water in her hold. This at midnight in a fearful gale.
The Captain of the ship informed Col. Rich that she would
probably go down, but everything would be done to keep her
afloat as long as possible, and asked for men to help his ship's
crew. The Colonel had "reliefs" of sailors detailed from the
men, and all night they labored to keep the ship free and the
engine in motion. At every revolution the engine was assisted
by means of an iron bar, when the walking-beam was exactly
poised. Had it stopped for a single moment, the sea would have
broken the vessel into atoms. It was a cheering sight at about
noon next day to see the Wabash bearing down upon them.
In the morning scarcely a man on board expected ever to see
the shore again. The storm still increased, and not a single
sail of that magnificent fleet that had left Hampton Roads but
thirty-six hours ago, was in sight. But at noon the grand old
frigate loomed up in the distance, and hurried towards the flag
as it shook in the hurricane on the flag staff, Union down. The
men gave a glad shout, and not one but blessed the rough old
Admiral (Dupont) for his timely presence. The frigate laid by
them until a gunboat could be signalized, when they started for
shoal water, convoyed by the latter. Towards night the wind
gradually subsided, and without further mishap they reached
Port Royal, before the fleet had begun to collect. But they
would not go to sea again, notwithstanding rebel gunboats
began to come down the harbor. The men had enlisted to fight
the rebels, and would rather have stood the fire of twenty
gunboats than again venture to sea in a shattered craft. They
had no heed to do so. The gunboat with them, without waiting

212 MAINE IN THE WAR.
to sound, sent a few shots among the rebel boats, and they left
for up the river.
Soon the fleet began to collect, and in two days from their
arrival the bombardment of the forts commenced. The forts
were silenced near night on the seventh of November, and
Wright's brigade (the Third) was ordered to land. The Ninth
landed simultaneously with the Sixth and Seventh Connecticut
and Fourth New Hampshire, thus being the first to bear back
the old flag to the State of South Carolina. After throwing out
pickets they lay on their arms that night, but wrthout making
any attempt to pursue the enemy.
They remained at Hilton Head until the last of January, '
drilling and doing picket duty. They were then ordered to
embark for an unknown expedition, and proceeded to Warsaw
Sound, off the coast of Georgia. Here they stayed until the
first of March, partly on shipboard and partly encamped on
shore. It is since known that the original intention of the
force — about eight thousand men — was for an attack on Savan
nah ; but after getting to the place of rendezvous, it was thought
to be impracticable, and Fernandina, Florida, was substituted
in its place.
On the first of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
Admiral Dupont with his fleet, and Gen. Wright with his land
force on transports, started from Warsaw Sound for Fernandina.
The place was found to be deserted. The rebels saw the fleet
lying in Cumberland Sound, where it had anchored to remain
over Sunday. The commanders thought it better to commence
the fight on a fighting day, and they — tho rebels — employed the
day to evacuate, carrying away and dismounting all the guns
they could. At nearly night on Sunday a negro informed the
Admiral that the enemy were leaving, and it was then concluded
to go at them at once, even though it were Sunday. The
regiment did not get in, however, on account of the wind, until
Tuesday, the fourth. The Ninth happened to be on quite a
slow boat, and was in the rear making slow headway, while the
swiftef boats were pressing on as fast as possible, each anxious
to have the honor of getting first into the harbor. Every one
of them got aground, while the Ninth coming along last, was
piloted in by the navy boats that had already sounded out the
channel. Two companies were set ashore to take possession

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 213
of the town and bring back a train of cars that was running
over the railroad bridge, but had been stopped by some shells
from the gunboat Ottawa. This was brought in and found to
contain to overflowing, rebels and rebel goods. As the tide
rose the other transports were floated and came up the harbor,
when all landed. Here was the second time that the men had
been anxious for a fight, and were in hopes the rebels would
hold on, but were disappointed. The Ninth having first taken
possession of the town, the General deemed that it ought to
p have the honor of holding it. The other troops were accord
ingly taken to other points.
The town was in a state of great disorder and filth, and as
hot weather was coming on, it was feared that there would be
much sickness among the men. But by a careful system of
draining and cleansing, Col. Rich rendered it one of the health
iest places on the coast. Tents were dispensed with on account
of the heat of the sun, and the men quartered in the large hotels
found empty, which were fitted up as barracks for them. The
fortifications left by the. rebels were put in complete order,
others were madp and guns mounted on them all, and the town
put in a perfect state of defence. Amelia Island, on which
Fernandina is situated, is some eighteen miles long, and
frequently rebels would land at the southern point and get
contraband news from some of the inhabitants. It was there
fore necessary to have a number of mounted men to be always
in a condition to look out for them. Col. Rich accordingly
formed a company of cavalry from the regiment, selecting the
men from the different companies. The equipments were fur
nished from Hilton Head, but the horses yere captured in fre
quent expeditions into Georgia and Florida. These mounted
men proved of great service. Capt. Z. H. Robinson of compa
ny B, was detailed to act as Provost Marshal, with his company
for Provost Guard, and company I, Capt. Baker, was turned in
to a light battery, while the other companies were, in turn, drill
ed in heavy artillery tactics. The regiment was thus admirably
adapted for the defence of an isolated post such as Fernandina.
Up to this time but few changes had taken place in the regi
ment, although at Hilton Head quite a number of men died from
congestive fever! While at Warsaw Sound Lieut. John H. An
drews died after a sickness of but a few hours from eating "half

214- MAINE IN THE WAR.
tide" oysters. In January Lieut. Col. Harding resigned, and
Capt. Horatio Bisbee, Jr., was commissioned in his stead. Capt.
Cummings, of company I, and Lieut. Ramsdell, of company H,
resigned before the regiment left Annapolis. Capts. Hines, of
company G, Wedgewood of company E, Wentworth of compa
ny K, and Reed of company C, also resigned before leaving
Hilton Head.
While at Fernandina the regiment was constantly employed
in keeping the enemy from the island, and occasionally making
incursions on the main land, taking grain and cattle, and what
ever else could be of use in supporting the enemy. In June
Gen. Hunter sent a request to Col. Rich to take down one of
the steam saw-mills at St. Mary's, a village on the St. Mary's
river in Georgia, about ten miles from Fernandina. Col. Rich
dispatched Maj. Emery with two companies of men and about
fifty negroes to do the work of putting the machinery on board
a schooner, towed up there by a small gunboat — which latter
also remained. It was discovered, on landing that a force of
rebels were encamped a few miles from the town and that
cavalry pickets were stationed along the shore. These were
fired on and scattered by our pickets. The works of the mill
were very heavy and the detachment was detained three days
in taking it down and loading it, annoyed only by mounted
rebels. On the morning of the third day Maj. Emery received
notice that seven hundred infantry had been sent from Calahan
to capture his force. He was determined to get the mill on
board and hoped with the aid of the gunboat to keep them at
bay until the work should be completed. He accordingly drew
in his men as closely around the mill as practicable, and kept
the negroes at work. Soon the rebels attacked all along the
line, but very cautiously, fearing a large force. The gunboat
threw shells over the heads of our men into the woods, and the
rebels fell back for a time, waiting for the tide to fall in order
to render the fire of the gunboat useless. The banks of the
stream were high, and but a small fall in the tide brought the
guns entirely below them. As soon as this occurred the rebels
advanced again, but our men were well prepared for them.
Each man had made himself a breastwork with orders not to
fall back at all. There was no retreat. The rebels had con
jectured that our force was small, and were pressing up to the

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 215
very breastwork in order to make a charge, when every one
was startled. A shot from far down the river came plunging
into the woods in their rear. Col. Rich had seen and heard the
firing from Fernandina, and had come to our relief with five
companies of men on board the gunboat Dawn. The rebels,
too, saw them and retreated, leaving our men to complete their
work unmolested. The mill was worth about thirty thousand
dollars, and was taken to Hilton Head and set up.
Another small expedition worthy of mention was sent out a
few weeks later by Col. Rich to capture a party of rebels,
guarding the coast to prevent the escape of negroes. Company
I, Capt. Baker, and company A, Lieut. Emery, comprised the
force, under Capt. Baker. The rebels were at a place called
Cabin Bluff in Georgia, and the attack was intended for a
surprise. The force got there in boats without giving any
alarm until passing through the place where the rebels had
picketed their horses, some noise was made, which alarmed
them. As soon as this occurred our men rushed for the house,
but the rebels all escaped except five. One was killed and four
captured ; while one of our men was killed. All the arms,
horses, and horse equipments of the rebels were captured.
The regiment remained at Fernandina until January, eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, when it was ordered back to Hilton
Head in anticipation of the attack on Charleston. Previous to
leaving Fernandina, in consequence of some complaint, the
Colonel was dismissed the service by order of the President
and Lieut. Col. Bisbee was promoted to his place. On a repre
sentation of the matter, however, Col. Rich was reinstated
and Col. Bisbee, in accordance with his own wishes, mustered
out of service. When the first attack was made on Fort Sumter,
the Ninth was left in the forts at Hilton Head, while nearly all
the other troops in the Department were put on board of trans
ports, to assist the navy if an opportunity should offer. Every
one knows how the attempt failed with the loss of the Keokuk.
June twenty-seventh, Col. Rich, who had been unwell for
some time, resigned his commission on account of disability.
Lieut. Col. Sabine Emery was commissioned to fill the vacancy,
the vacancy of Lieutenant Colonel being filled by the promotion
of Maj. Robinson who was succeeded by Capt. Granger of com
pany A, as Major. Early in June Col. Emery was ordered with

216 MAINE IN THE WAR.
his regiment to go into camp at St. Helena Island. Shortly after
other regiments began to arrive, and finally the whole force
that attacked Morris Island on the morning of July tenth. Gen.
Strong here organized what he called his " Storming Brigade,"
consisting of the Ninth Maine, the Sixth and Seventh Connecti
cut, Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania, Forty-eighth New York, and
Third New Hampshire. This Brigade embarked on the morn
ing of the fourth of July for Folly Island, and during the night
of the ninth embarked in small boats with the other regiments
of the brigade, to attack Morris' Island by assault early in the
morning. For nearly all night the men rowed with muffled oars
up Folly river — a deep, crooked creek between James Island on
the one side and Folly and Morris Islands on the other. Occar
sionally all the fleet would stop to pull up or saw off piles driven
down by the enemy to obstruct the passage ; then it would si
lently move on again. At length the morning began to dawn,
still they rowed on. The batteries of the enemy were in sight ;
still silently the fleet of boats pulled towards them. Then, all
at once, these batteries burst forth, hurling their shell and shot
among the crowded boats. Not a boat was stopped except
those that were struck. The fleet first struck Morris Island,
about one quarter of its length .towards Charleston, and then
ran down along side the island to its southern point. On this
point it was designed to land, because the beach was hard ; but
to do this the boats must row down close to the shore, exposed
to the fire of the rebel infantry in the rifle pits ; besides the rebel
batteries all bore on the point of the island. On noticing this
Col. Emery sprang ashore and ordered the regiment to follow
and drive the rebels from their rifle pits. This was done in good
style, although the shore was an oyster bed, in which the men
would sink to their knees at every step. After pouring two vol
leys into the rifle pits in front, the rebels fled from them in great
confusion, leaving their dead and wounded. Col. Emery was
then informed that the rebels were fiercely attacking the left
flank of the regiment from what appeared to be another rifle pit.
He immediately changed the front of the two left companies, G
and I, and charged on the pit. The rebels left as fast as possi
ble, but were pursued without hesitation. Quite a number of
prisoners were taken, together with the flags belonging to the
Twenty-first South Carolina. In the mean time Lieut. Col. Rob-

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 217
inson with the remaining eight companies charged the batteries
on the sand hills and drove the enemy from their works. The
rebels on the lower part of the island supposing that our attack
was made for the purpose of cutting off their retreat, left their
guns and ran towards Fort Wagner, leaving the bulk of the at
tacking force to land unmolested. Before these had arrived
within range of Wagner, the Ninth had cut off and secured all
the prisoners captured that day. The regiment never had the
credit due it in the capture of Morris Island. Gen. Strong af
terwards told Col. Emery that the easy capture of the south part
of the island was due to the Ninth in landing and attacking as
it did.
It was in relation to the flags here captured that the following
letter was written to Gov. Coburn :
Department of the South, Headquarters in the Field, )
Morris Island, S. C, August 25th, 1863. j
To His Excellency the Governor of Maine: —
Sir: — I have the honor to forward per Adams' Express the
rebel flags captured in the action of the tenth of July on Morris
Island, South Carolina, by soldiers of the Ninth regiment of
Maine Volunteers.
The names of the captors are Moses Goodwin and David C.
Hoyt, both privates of company I. The former has since died
of wounds received in the discharge of his duty in the trenches
on Morris Island.
It will be, I am sure, a source of gratification and pride to
yourself and the citizens of your State, to receive these trophies
of the gallantry of her sons who are struggling in this distant
field for the vindication of our cause.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
With great respect, your obedient servant,
Q. A. GILLMORE,
Brigadier General Commanding.
The Brigade was then ordered to lie down and rest, — covering
themselves as best they could from the shells from Forts Sumter,
Wagner, and Johnson. The sun was intensely hot, the water
in the canteens was all exhausted, and the men were without
food. Not even a haversack had been allowed to be taken.
Still all lay down on the sand, expecting every moment to be
called on to repel an attack or make a charge on Wagner, with-

218 MAINE IN THE WAR.
out a word of complaint. Just before daylight the next morn
ing, Gen. Strong aroused the men, saying that they were to as
sault Wagner. Three regiments formed the assaulting column.
The Seventh Connecticut had the right, the Seventy-sixth Penn
sylvania the centre, and the Ninth the left. The column moved
silently forward, until the rebel pickets were reached. These
fell back rapidly towards the Fort. The rebels allowed our
troops to approach very near, and then opened with grape, can
ister and musketry ; with a cross fire of shell from Forts Sum
ter and Johnson. The havoc was fearful. The Seventh Con
necticut gave way on the right after losing very heavily. The
Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania and the Ninth still kept on. The
Pennsylvania regiment was subjected to a more destructive fire
than the Ninth, on account of occupying a ridge in their ad
vance. At last they gave way, and left the Ninth still pressing
towards the fort, the only remaining regiment of the column.
Gen. Strong was with the regiment, struggling through the low
marsh to get into the fort. The regiment reached it. An im
mense ditch was to be crossed, swept by flanking howitzers ;
but one regiment was left, and the probability was that this
could not hold it if they should be able to carry that part of the
work. Gen. Strong said, "It is useless," and gave the order
for the Ninth to fall back. About one hundred men were kil
led and wounded in the attack, and Lieut. Elton W. Ware of
company I was taken prisoner.
Fort Wagner was thus discovered to be an almost impregnable
earthwork, extending on both forks to the water, and conse
quently most difficult of capture. Gen. Gillmore determined to
construct a line of works directly opposite, as near to the fort
as it would be practicable for working parties to operate, then
to endeavor, with the assistance of the ironclads, to knock the
fort to pieces. After incessant labor for seven days, during all
that time the regiment being constantly under arms and in line
of battle, the line of works was completed, mounted with guns
and ready for action.
On the morning of the eighteenth of July all the batteries
were opened on the fort, and the ironclad fleet drew close in
shore and battered away also. Soon, not a single shot was
returned ; and at night it was even thought that the rebels had
evacuated. Another assaulting force was called for. The

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 219
entire First and Second brigades were ordered out, the First
brigade, as usual, taking the advance. This time the regiments
were formed in column by company at half distance, the Sixth
Connecticut on the right, the Ninth in tye centre and the Third
New Hampshire on the left. At about sunset the order was
given to advance, but immediately countermanded to give
opportunity for the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored) to
advance to the extreme front. This regiment had lately arrived,
was very full and very eager for a fight. It was formed in two
lines directly in front of the columns of the First brigade. The
men of this regiment were poorly disciplined and as yet unfit
to be put into such a position. Before coming under fire, while
marching up to the fort, Col. Shaw was obliged to halt twice
and reform his line, so badly did they press towards the centre.
When the fire opened, although perhaps the regiment did as
well as li-jing men could do under such a fire, the regiment
broke and came down on the First brigade in their rear. As
soon as they had passed, the Ninth again advanced, double
quick, but there was no use in doing so. Nineteen guns swept
a narrow neck of land not more than ten or twelve rods wide,
a continued fire of musketry flashed from the parapet, while
Fort Sumter and Fort Johnson threw shell from fifty guns.
Perhaps never in this war, over so small a space of ground, has
such a whirlwind of fire been seen. After getting up to the
fort it was impossible to pass the ditches, and at last, after
losing every commanding officer of a regiment with nearly half
its men, the First brigade was beaten terribly and driven from
the fort. Capt. Shaw of company K was killed, and Lieut.
Goodwin of company A was wounded and taken prisoner and
afterwards died. Col. Emery, Adjt. Shepard, Capt. Brooks of
company A, Lieut. Whitten of company B, Lieut. Emerson of
company C, Capt. Robinson and Lieut. Dyer of company B were
wounded. Two hundred and seventeen men were killed, wound
ed and missing.
From that time until the evacuation of the fort by the rebels,
the regiment was in the trenches every third night, under com
mand of Lieut. Col. Robinson, and after the parallels were com
pleted and a third assault decided on, the Ninth was again se
lected to form part of the assaulting party.
On the return of Col. Emery to his command, in October, af-

220 MAINE IN THE WAR.
ter recovering from his wounds received at Fort Wagner in July,
the regiment was ordered to Black Island, a very small island
about half way between James and Morris Islands. This was
held as an important po jit, to prevent the rebels from controlling
Folly river, and was within easy range of the batteries on James
Island. To Col. Emery was assigned the duty of picketing the
numerous creeks running between the enemy's batteries and our
own. A battery of rifled guns was also constructed, for the pur
pose of firing into Secessionville whenever the rebel batteries
at that place should fire on our small steamers bringing supplies
up Folly River. Nearly every day the regiment was subjected
to a shelling from the various rebel batteries on James Island ;
but escaped injury by digging bomb-proofs large enough to hold
an entire company, and occupying these so long as the firing
continued. While here Lieut. Bradley Smith of company A -was sent to
destroy a block-house built by the rebels on the creek leading
to Secessionville. This he approached in the day time, but found
that the rebels had anchored a couple of torpedoes in the chan
nel to prevent an approach to it. Lieut. Smith returned to camp,
procured an instrument to bore holes in the torpedoes, returned
again and flooded them and brought them along to headquarters;
One of these torpedoes is now in the capitol at Augusta. He
then manned his boat and went back to the block-house, which
he set on fire, notwithstanding the rebels continually poured
grape shot into it. He returned to camp without losing a sin
gle man.
When the old regiments were called on to re-enlist, the Ninth
responded at once. Nearly everyman in camp who was eligible
to re-enlist, and could be accepted by the surgeon, volunteered.
About four hundred and thirty veterans were thus secured to
the Government. The re-enlisted men returned home the twenty-
third of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, under Col.
Emery, while the remainder of the regiment — recruits, con
scripts, &c, were left at Morris Island under Maj. Granger.
After remaining at home thirty days, Col. Emery asked to be
transferred to the army of the Potomac, where it was supposed
active operations would begin as soon as Spring opened, and he
received orders to report in Washington. Here the regiment
was re-armed, and then was sent to Gloucester Point, Virginia,

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 221
where the balance of the regiment from the Department of the
South had already arrived. The regiment was put in the Sec
ond Brigade, Third Division, Tenth Army Corps, Gen. Ames
commanding the Division. On the first of May the whole force
left Gloucester Point, and the next day landed at Bermuda Hun
dred. May third Ames' Division advanced to the position af
terwards occupied by Gen. Butler's works, and for a day or two
was engaged in entrenching and skirmishing with the enemy.
On the seventh the Ninth, with the Thirteenth Indiana, was tem
porarily attached to the Eighteenth corps, and ordered forward
on the railroad between Petersburgh and Richmond. This was
done with small loss, and the road destroyed for about six miles.
On the morning of the sixteenth, the Ninth with the One Hun
dred and Twelfth New York were ordered to go to the support
of Gen. Heckman, but on arriving at the place, it was found
that the General's force had been nearly all captured. The One
Hundred and Twelfth New York being in advance, came very
near sharing the same fortune. The fog was exceedingly dense,
and the flank of the regiment was within the enemy's lines be
fore it was discovered. Lieut. Col. Carpenter, of the New York
regiment, was killed before he could extricate his command.
The Ninth, under command of Lt. Col. Robinson, immediately
formed in line of battle towards the enemy, and held their posi
tion until the fog cleared up. Three times during the day the
regiment charged upon the rebels, each time driving them and
capturing prisoners. Its position was the extreme right of the
whole line. At night Gen. Weitzel rode along and thanked the
regiment for its gallant conduct. Gen. Butler thought it inex
pedient to push his forces further, and fell back to his fortified
position. From this time — the battle of Drury's Bluff — Gen.
Butler occupied the same position for months. At this fight
Maj. Granger was wounded while going out to the skirmish line.
Company B suffered more severely than any other, having been*
on the skirmish line all day. •
While inside of the entrenchments the picket duty was very
severe.. The small space between the rebel lines and our own
was occupied by the two lines of pickets, and firing was con
stantly kept up between them. From twenty to thirty of the
Ninth were killed and wounded every day for some-time. Capt.
Barrows, Lieuts. Smith, Weeks, and Colbath, all the officers of
the picket, were wounded in one day.

222 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the twenty-fifth Col. Emery resigned, and Lieut. Col. Rob
inson was shortly after commissioned in his place, and he was
succeeded by Maj. Granger.
The regiment left their encampment on the twenty-seventy of
May, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and marched to Bermuda
Hundred, where they embarked on board steamer Convoy for
West Point, and arrived at that place on the twenty-ninth, and
bivouacked for the night, two miles from the Point. Early in
the morning they moved forward toward White House, which
is" some fifteen miles from the Point. The day was intensely hot
and the roads very dusty, the water along the route bad, scarce
ly fit to drink, and the men suffered much during the day, many
being sun-struck. They arrived at the Pamunkey river at four
o'clock the same day, and bivouacked for the night.
Early the next morning they crossed the Pamunkey to White
House, where they were compelled to wait for provisions. They
there received a seven days' supply, and at four o'clock resum
ed their march, which they continued until two the next morn
ing, and bivouacked for three hours, and at five o'clock again
moved forward. Although they had marched during the night,
there was but very little straggling. At four o'clock of the same
day they joined the Eighteenth Army Corps, then under com
mand of Gen. "Baldy" Smith, and at five the brigade formed in
line of battle.
The enemy was strongly entrenched in a belt of woods some
mile from their line, and opened on them with solid shot and
shell. The order soon came to charge, and forward the brigade
rushed on a run, with hearty cheers ; before reaching the woods
they had to pass over an open field some two-thirds of a mile
wide, which gave the enemy the opportunity of pouring into
them deadly volleys of musketry and grape and canister, which
terribly thinned their ranks. Still they did not for once waver,
Jrat gallantly closed up the awful gaps made by their fallen com
rades. The enemy were driven from their first line of works
near the edge of the woods, and made a hasty retreat to their
second line. They were so closely followed by the brigade that
they were driven over and out of this line of works also. The
colors of the Ninth were the first on the intrenchments, and
were pierced by numerous balls ; the enemy rallied and made a
desperate charge to regain their works. Having now a much

NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 223
superior number, the ranks of the Second brigade having been
so thinned by the charge, they in their turn were compelled to
fall back, but they still held the woods. The fight became des
perate. Every foot of ground was obstinately disputed. Soon
they were reinforced by the Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth New
York, and again rushed forward, the Ninth taking the lead, and
drove the enemy from their works. Col. Drake of the One Hun
dred and Twelfth New York having been mortally wounded, and
Col. Connel of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth New York kill
ed — by order of Gen. Devens, Lieut. Col. Robinson of the Ninth
took charge of the brigade for the remainder of the battle.
In this battle Capt. Cross of company B, and Lieut. Thomp
son of company C, were mortally wounded ; Lieut. McKenney
of company E severely wounded, but recovered ; Capt. Gray of
company G slightly wounded ; Lieut. Whitten of company B,
and Lieut. Bixby of company D, taken prisoners.
About the tenth of June, the regiment left Coal Harbor and
marched to White House, where they embarked for Bermuda
Hundred, arriving there the evening of the next day. It re
mained near Bermuda Hundred a short time, then marched near
to Petersburgh, where it participated in all the battles in front
of that place, and won a high refutation for bravery.
On the thirtieth of June the regiment, under command of
Capt. R. J. Gray, was ordered to occupy a line of rifle pits
within sixty yards and immediately in front of the enemy's
main line before Petersburgh. One hundred aud two men went
into the fight and but fifty-three came back.
On Wednesday, September twenty-first, the regiment whose
term of service had expired, left the front before Petersburgh
under command of Capt. Brooks of company A, and reached
Augusta on Saturday the twenty-fourth. It was raining in
torrents when the men arrived, but they were received at the
depot by a large crowd of citizens and were welcomed home
by Mayor Caldwell in a brief speech and then partook of a
collation at the Stanley House, after which they were escorted
by a band of music to Camp Coburn, where they remained until
the twenty-seventh when they were mustered out of service by
Capt. Charles Holmes of the Seventeenth United States Infantry.
Only about eighty men were mustered out, the remainder of
the original members having re-enlisted. The number of re-

224 MAINE IN THE WAR.
enlisted men and recruits whose term of service had not expired
being sufficiently large to retain its organization, the regiment
remained in service with its old command, and is now with Gen.
Grant's army before Richmond. Col. Robinson resigned August
sixteenth. Maj. Granger was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
and Capt. Noble of company H to Major, June sixth. On the
thirteenth of September Lieut. Col. Granger was commissioned
Colonel and on the third of October Capt. R. J. Gray of com
pany G was promoted to the Lieutenant Colonelcy, but was
killed in action on the Petersburgh and Weldon railroad, while
bravely leading his regiment, before he had been mustered into
his new grade. On the tenth of October Maj. Noble was
commissioned Lieutenant Colonel and Capt. Dyer of company
B, Majo¥*
A full company, recruited in the State by Capt. Samuel S.
Mann, formerly a Lieutenant in the Seventh Maine and with
which organization he was mustered- out of service, left the
State on the twenty-seventh of September and joined the
regiment where it became company K.
The Ninth has been at the front since this time doing the
ordinary duty of the army. On the twenty-seventh of October
it made a demonstration upon the rebel works in front of Rich
mond and lost heavily. The regiment is in the Third brigade,
Second division, Tenth Army Corps.

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 225

XL
TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Shortly after the First Maine was mustered out of service,
orders were issued for the. various companies composing it, and
which had enlisted for two years, although mustered into the
United States service for but three months, to rendezvous at
Portland with a view to reorganizing the regiment to serve out
the remainder of their time. This purpose, however, was found
to be partially impracticable without the adoption of coercive
measures, which, up to that time, had not been adopted. All
the companies of the First were, however, reorganized except
A, C and D, but principally by new enlistments, as six hundred
and ninety-seven out of the eight hundred and eighty-one men
in the Tenth were paid bounty as newly enlisted troops. Com
pany C in the new organization was formed by a fusion of the
three which were not able to organize separately, and a new
company recruited in Saco became • company A, and another
raised in Aroostook County became company D, and these filled
up the regiment to the standard requisite for mustering.
The following were the original officers of the regiment: —
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
George L. Beal, Norway, Colonel; James S. Fillebrown,
Auburn, Lieutenant Colonel ; Charles Walker, Portland, Major ;
Elijah M. Shaw, Lewiston, Adjutant; William S. Dodge, West
brook, Quartermaster; Daniel 0. Perry, Portland, Surgeon;
Josiah F. Day, Jr., Portland, Assistant Surgeon; George Knox,
Brunswick, Chaplain; John M. Gould, Portland, Sergeant
Major; Charles F. King, Portland, Quartermaster Sergeant;
Charles Thompson, Norway, Commissary Sergeant ; George J.
Northrup, Portland, Hospital Steward ; William Allen, Gray,
Drum Major; Alpl^eus L. Greene, Portland, Fife Major.
company officers.
Company A. — John Q. Adams, Captain; Ephraim M. Little-
15

226 MAINE IN THE WAR.
field, First Lieutenant; Charles E. Pierce, Second Lieutenant;
all of Saco.
Company B. — James M. Black, Captain; Charles W. Roberts,
First Lieutenant ; Alfred L. Turner, Second Lieutenant ; all of
Portland. Company C. — William P. Jordan, Portland, Captain; Benja
min M. Redlon, Portland, First Lieutenant; Benjamin F. Whit
ney, Windham, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — George W. West, Fort Kent, Captain; John
D. Beardsley, Grand Falls, First Lieutenant; Henry M. Binney,
Somerville, Massachusetts, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Albert H. Estes, Captain ; Cyrus Latham, First
Lieutenant; Andrew C. Cloudman, Second Lieutenant; all of
Portland. Company F. — William Knowlton, Captain; Edward S. Butler,
First Lieutenant; Abel G.Rankin, Second Lieutenant; all of
Lewiston. Company G. — Henry Rust, Jr., Captain; Jonathan Blake,
First Lieutenant ; William W. Whitmarsh, Second Lieutenant ;
all of Norway.
Company H. — Charles S. Emerson, Captain; James C. Folsom,
First Lieutenant; PhiUeas W. Dill, Second Lieutenant; all of
Auburn. Company I. — Nehemiah T. Furbish, Portland, Captain; He
bron Mayhew, Westbrook, First Lieutenant; John T. Simpson,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — George H. Nye, Lewiston, Captain; John F.
Witherell, Monmouth, First Lieutenant; Fayette Bicknell, Ox
ford, Second Lieutenant.
At the election of officers for the organization of the regiment,
Capt. Beal of company G, was elected Colonel, James S. Fille-
brown, who was Adjutant of the First Maine, Lieutenant
Colonel, and Capt. Walker of company B, Major. Captains
Beal and Walker were succeeded in the command of their
companies by their First Lieutenants respectively.
The regiment was mustered into the United States service on
the fourth of October, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, by Maj.
Seth Eastman of the First United States Infantry, and left
Portland, where it had been encamped nearly four weeks, on
the sixth Of the same month. "Being convened by rail to Fall

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 227
River, it embarked on board the steamer State of Maine, and
after twenty hours of rough, tempestuous weather, arrived at
New York, with the loss of one man — private Howard L. Grif
fin of company H. After being delayed all day, they disem
barked, marched on board another steamer and sailed to Amboy,
New Jersey, travelled thence by rail to Baltimore, where it
arrived about the middle of the afternoon of the eighth. The
usual joyful and cheering demonstrations were freely manifested
along the route, to which the regiment gallantly responded. At
Boston and Philadelphia it was served to bountiful collations,
which received ample justice from the hungry soldiers, and
perhaps a digression will be pardonable when we mention that
the loyal and patriotic citizens of Philadelphia have expended
thousands and tens of thousands of dollars in the same manner.
Not a regiment or company marches through that city without
being compelled to partake of refreshments lavishly and gratu
itously furnished.
Owing to some misunderstanding or gross carelessness, the
men were obliged to lie upon the bare floor of the depot, the
night they arrived in Baltimore, but it proved a downy couch
to many a weary soldier, as all the sleep obtained the previous
night was snatched at brief intervals on the route.
In compliance with an order from Gen. Dix, on the morning
of the ninth the regiment encamped at Camp Washburn/ Pat
terson Park, which proved to be a healthy and beautiful location
densely shaded by magnificent locust and oak trees. At the
expiration of nearly two weeks the regiment received arms
(Enfield Rifles,) and commenced a daily drill, continuing till
the fourth of November, when it removed to the Relay House,
a distance of nine miles from the city, where it encamped at
Camp Beal, relieving the Fourth Wisconsin and entering upon
their duties as railroad guard, on the Washington branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, with an eagerness derived
from long inactivity and a desire to be serviceable. Sentinels
were placed every quarter of a mile apart, and were on duty
day and night, to protect the bridges, culverts and track from
obstructions or the depredations of evil disposed persons.
November thirteenth it moved one mile towards Washington,
and four companies were distributed along the road to Annap
olis Junction, a. distance of nine miles, and guarded the whole

228 MAINE IN THE WAR.
intervening property with such care and fidelity that they
received the grateful thanks and compliments of the stockhold
ers. On the fourteenth, in addition to the sentinels previously
ordered, a guard was placed at each switch with orders to allow
no one not connected with the railroad to interfere with them
in any manner.
On the twenty-seventh it returned to its previous location at
Camp Beal, where it remained till February twenty-seventh,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two. The duty of the regiment
while stationed here was arduous and fatiguing, being composed
of six consecutive hours in every twenty-four of guard duty,
and four hours drilling, after completing Fprt Dix, begun by
the Fourth Wisconsin, and which commands the immense stone
bridge spanning the Patapsco river and known as the Thomas
Viaduct, and constructing commodious barracks for winter
quarters. But though cold storms of rain, snow and sleet were
of frequent occurrence, promptly and unmurmuringly each per
formed his allotted task, and but trifling sickness was caused by
the unavoidable exposure. Nearly all/the supplies for McClel
lan's army, then lying inactive about Washington, passed over
this road, rendering the duty of the sentinels doubly responsible
and laborious. The guard established at the depot, searched
every train from Washington, arresting many deserters, persons
of doubtful loyalty, and furloughed soldiers of the enemy.
This regiment was one of three, comprising the Railroad Brig
ade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Dixon S. Miles.
February twenty-seventh the five companies at headquarters
were sent out on the main stem to guard thirty-three miles of
track. On the eighth of March the companies on Washington Branch
were transferred to Monocacy Bridge, on the main stem, a dis
tance of forty-nine miles.
The regiment was taken to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, on the
twenty-eighth of March, and shortly afterwards established on
railroads towards Martinsburgh and Charlestown, as follows,
with headquarters at the former place: Companies D and F at
Harper's Ferry, company H at Duffield's, company K at
Kearneysville, company C at Van Cheiesville, company A at
Opequon Bridge, company B at Martinsburgh, company E at
Halltown, and companies G and I at Charlestown; afterwards

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 229
company C was marched to Charlestown. March thirtieth, regi
mental headquarters were at Harper's Ferry and orders were
issued for the troops stationed between there and Winchester
to obey all orders emanating from Maj. Gen. Banks, or Brig.
Gen. Shields. While stationed at these various locations the
officers pursuant to orders from higher authority, confiscated
much rebel property, such as horses, wheat, corn, &c, and the
men, in compliance with orders originating among themselves,
and issued by some waywardly-disposed, non-commissioned
officer, confiscated a considerable amount, for their especial
benefit and consumption, such as sheep, swine, fowls, milk,
eggs, ham, &c, thinking, doubtless, that when in an enemy's
country, its resources should furnish them with subsistence, or,
as they were risking, willingly, their lives for their country,
they possessed an undisputable right, as well as disposition, to
appropriate a portion of its luxuries.
April third Capt. Furbish of company I, was assigned to duty
as Provost Marshal of Charlestown. On the tenth Capt. West
of company D, was appointecLProvost Marshal of the district
of Harper's Ferry. He was relieved by Capt. Knowlton of
company F, who was in turn ordered to be relieved on the eighth
of May by Capt.^West, and Lieut. Beardsley acted in that
capacity until Capt. West's return.
May ninth, companies C, E, F, G and I went to Winchester
and Lieut. Col. Fillebrown was appointed Provost Marshal of
that place.
May twenty-fourth, companies A, D, H, and K, were remov
ed to Winchester, by rail, and company B left Martinsburgh and
marched twenty-two miles to the same place.
Company C, Capt. Jordan, and company I, Capt. Furbish, were
sent out four miles on the Front Royal turnpike, to delay the
enemy, supposed to be advancing to cut off the retreat of Gen.
Banks from Strasburgh. They were fired upon frequently dur
ing the night by Ewell's division, but a bold and determined re
sistance kept the enemy at bay till daybreak of the twenty-fifth,
when, being attacked by a regiment of infantry and a battery,
they withdew in good order, company C losing five men wound
ed, all of whom were taken prisoners.
The regiment was held in reserve during the battle fought at
Winchester on the twenty-fifth of May, and after the defeat of

230 MAINE IN THE WAR.
our forces was assigned the responsible and dangerous duty of
rear-guard to the corps, and acted in that capacity during the
celebrated retreat to Williamsport, Maryland. A battery of ar
tillery opened a raking fire upon them as they sullenly quitted
the city, but good order was maintained, though every shot fell
in or around the ranks, and was creditable to the rebel gunners.
Every officer and man was apparently as cool and collected as
though on drill or dress-parade. It is stated upon reliable au
thority that Jackson dared riot charge them with cavalry, hav
ing learned that they were proficients in the bayonet-exercise,
but for an excuse affirmed that he mistook them for "regulars,"
a soubriquet which they long retained.
Though tenaciously following with cavalry and light artillery
twenty-five miles, the enemy never ventured within musket shot,
and the regiment in consequence had no occasion to discharge
a gun. This being the first occasion on which the regiment
had been obliged to march any considerable distance, and the
weather being intensely hot and suffocating, many of the men
failed in strength and endurance and were captured. Many
others from their severe lameness were unfit for duty for several
days. Some secreted themselves in trees and uninhabited
dwellings, and after a few days' exposure to hunger and wan
dering scouts of the enemy, succeeded in reaching our lines.
The distance they were compelled |o travel was thirty-five miles.
Company B marched fifty-seven miles in twenty-four consecutive
hours. The entire loss during the retreat, including the sick unavoid
ably abandoned at Winchester, the killed, wounded and missing,
was ninety, as follows : Three killed, five wounded and eighty-
two missing; thirteen of the latter, however, escaped capture,
and thirteen were paroled, being too much disabled to march.
Assistant Surgeon Day was offered a parole, but refused to
take it and was carried to Richmond. Sergeant Merrill of
company F was concealed three days in Martinsburgh, by a
Union family, beneath the floor of the very room occupied by
Gen. Ashby. He was ensconced in a limited space, and that,
combined with the intense sufferings derived from a sprained
ankle and protracted fasting, served to render his condition
both critical, dangerous and painful. The proprietor of the es
tablishment being secreted in the same place, he dared not sur-

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 231
render himself, fearing fd bring a disgraceful death upon his
friends. As they were slowly and sternly marching through the streets
of Winchester, several pistol-shots were fired into the rear
companies, from hidden localities, but fortunately without
injury. Lieut. Col. Fillebrown was fired at severaal times, but
received no wound. He chanced to be alone, or the insult
would probably have been avenged. The men secretly vow
ed retaliation if they ever again visited the city. Foot-sore
and toil-worn they reached Williamsport, and gladly slept upon
the dew-laden grass, without coats or blankets. No covering,
save the broad canopy of heaven, sheltered those fatigued and
hungry soldiers, but as they quietly reposed, with the full-orbed
moon shedding its silvery effulgence upon their prostrate forms,
a casual observer would not have supposed they had been a
day without food, nor for the distance of thirty-five weary and
tedious miles been continually in peril from cannon-shot and
sabre. But such is a soldier's life, and now that they have
succeeded in arriving at a place of security, unscathed, they
slumber as peacefully and sweetly as though environed by the
pine-covered hills of Maine, and surrounded by friends jealous
of their comfort and happiness.
While at Williamsport the regiment was attached to the First
brigade of the First division, which brigade was immediately
afterwards taken command of by Brig. Gen. S. W. Crawford.
May twenty-eighth the regiment, with a squadron of cavalry
and a section of artillery, under Lieut. Col. Fillebrown, made a
reconnoissance towards Martinsburgh. On arriving at Falling
Waters, the enemy opened fire upon them with artillery, but
could not, from their elevated position, sufficiently depress their
guns to inflict damage. While the infantry and cavalry fell
back into cover, the artillery selected a favorable position and
soon silenced the enemy, compelling them to "limber up" and
precipitately retreat. They were allowed to retire unmolested,
as Col. Fillebrown's orders were only to watch, and not pursue
the enemy. Company K, Capt. Nye, being posted upon a hill,
directly between the two batteries, was, for a short time, in a
very precarious situation. The company became disturbed,
being anxious to gain shelter, and partially broke in confusion,
when the Captain commanded a halt, and made them reform.
The distance marched was ten miles.

232 MAINE IN THE WAR.
May thirty-first the regiment marched, unde*r command of
Col. Beal, to Falling Waters, five miles, established a line of
pickets across the bend of the Potomac, and recaptured some
clothing abandoned by the rebels in their hasty retreat.
* On the first of June they marched to Martinsburgh, eight
miles, and ascertained upon their arrival, that the rebels had cut
down the flag-staff, erected by Union citizens upon the Square,
destroyed the flag and devastated every store, owned and occu
pied by the Unionists. In prompt retaliajjon, they compelled
the secessionists to erect another staff, place the stars and stripes
upon it, then arrested all the disloyal persons and lodged them
in jail. On the third of June Maj. Walker was appointed Provost
Marshal, and many a citizen who came to his office, complaining
of the atrocities committed by Union soldiers, requesting [a
guard to be placed upon his property, and finally admitting that
he entertained and advocated sentiments hostile to the Union
cause, found gratuitous and commodious lodgings in jail, with
a blue-uniformed orderly always convenient to attend him, and
also to prevent his escape. Seldom did they demur or refuse to
accede to Maj. Walker's kind proposals, and when they did, a
glittering bayonet in the hands of a stout, determined soldier,
persuaded them to comply and hold their peace.
One man captured about four miles outside the limits of the
city was accused of having surrendered three Union soldiers
into the custody of the rebels, by foully deceiving them, and
when brought before Col. Beal and asked if he did it, smilingly
replied that he did, and boasted of it, "you may kill me, if you
wish," he continued, "'twill be only one for three P' "Repeat
those words," exclaimed Col. Beal, "and I will hang you in
stantly! I have a mind to do so now!" Cries of "Hang the
traitor!" swelled the throats of the hundreds assembled to hear
sentence pronounced upon him, and it was with the utmost
difficulty the men could be prevailed upon to permit the guard
to take him to jail. The respect and love they had for their
Colonel alone prevented them from inflicting summary punish
ment. June eighth the regiment proceeded with the brigade seventeen
miles towards Winchester, under command of Col. Beal. The
weather was excessively hot and sultry, rendering frequent
rests necessary, and grateful to the soldiers. Three several

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 233
times they halted beside the newly made graves of as many men
belonging to the regiment who were shot during the retreat by
the enemy, and who had been decently interred by humane
inhabitants along the route. Their worthy Chaplain pronounced
a brief but expressive and appropriate prayer over each solitary.
grave, and tears bedimmed the eyes of many a stalwart soldier
of the company to which the unfortunate martyr belonged, as
they stood, silently leaning upon their burnished muskets
recently discharged above the resting place of their comrade.
As the last word of the benediction was uttered, tears were
dashed roughly aside and from the agitated, heaving breasts,
came oaths of fearful retribution upon the heads of the murderers.
June ninth they marched through Winchester and in the
direction of Front Royal, a distance of ten miles. The solemn
declarations of vengeance upon the city proclaimed the day
before, were apparently forgotten or so sufficiently cooled by
the soothing influence of the drenching rain which poured
unceasingly upon them during the entire day, as to admit of no
demonstration ; but doubtless they would have arisen in all their
pristine fury, had they made a halt of several days duration as
they ardently hoped and confidently expected. Thus were their
sanguine anticipations doomed to overthrow, and never to be
realized. Disappointment was upon every countenance and
anxious, furtive and scowling glances were often turned upon
the hated city, and the clenched hands, fiercely closed teeth,
flashing eyes and hoarsely muttered curses portrayed the feelings
that animated their bosoms.
June tenth they marched to Cedarville, ten miles and lost two
men who were captured by guerillas and paroled. Company
D was detailed on the twelfth to help construct a bridge across
the Shenandoah river, and to repair and run a ferry boat until
the bridge was completed. For the energy, skill and prompt
ness manifested, they received the compliments of Gen. Crawford
in general orders.
While remaining at Cedarville, innumerable descents were
made upon the distant farmhouses, by day, and nocturnal visits
upon the adjacent ones, and abundant contributions of eatables
were levied. Bee hives usually appeared to be the principal
objects of the marauding expeditions by night, as they invaria
bly returned laden with such luxuries.

234 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Col. Beal was ordered to reprimand his men, and punish
them severely, if more depredations were committed. He did.
so in a very mild manner, telling them to be cautious and not
get caught repeating the offence. One flock of sheep numbering
nearly four hundred, was diminished to about thirty at the
expiration of two weeks. Hen-roosts suffered still more from
the effects of the "fatal epidemic," as in many instances not a
solitary member remained.
On the twentieth of June companies A, B and K, under Lieut.
Col. Fillebrown, occupied Front Royal, and on the twenty-
second headquarters were removed to the same place, where
the regiment did outpost duty two weeks, and although the
labor proved toilsome, the men enjoyed it, for they subsisted
upon the best the country could furnish. Large black and red
cherries grew spontaneously and in great quantities over the
whole country, and black and blueberries were also very abun
dant. While stationed at Front Royal the regiment occupied the
three large hospital buildings constructed to accommodate the
rebel wounded of the battle of Bull Run, which were convenient
and spacious, but rather too thickly infested with vermin to be
perfectly agreeable. A short time, however, sufficed to exter
minate the scourge.
June twenty-ninth and the day following, the First brigade
made a reconnoissance toward Luray Court House and returned
to Front Royal. The regiment under the direction of Lieut.
Col. Fillebrown, marched sixteen miles the first day and on the
next twenty-three. Col. Fillebrown was wounded and Orderly
Sergeant Pratt of company K, killed by accidental shot. Sergt.
Pratt was always distinguished for good conduct, prompt per
formance of his duty, and was ever kind and affable to all with
whom he associated. He displayed a zealous devotion and a
practical efficiency, which gave promise of distinction. There
was, at the time of his death, a vacancy in the officers of his
company, and he being the ranking Sergeant, would in all
probability have been promoted to the position he justly merited.
At the time of the accident he was engaged in eating dinner,
and in pleasant, lively conversation. The musket of a comrade
lying upon the ground was struck by the foot of another, causing
the fatal accident.

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 235
July third company E, Capt. Cloudman, being outpost guard
at Front Royal, on the Luray Turnpike, wounded two scouts
of the enemy and captured their horses. On the fourth a squad
from company F, under Lieut. Rankin, captured two from a
party of guerillas who were lurking in the mountains in front
of the village, and fired upon the Signal Corps.
On the sixth the brigade marched through Chester Gap, to
Sandy Hook, Rappahannock County, a distance of eight miles,
and the following day marched past Flint Hill, ten miles farther.
During the first day's march the route lay through the Blue
Ridge, a dense forest on either side of the road, not sufficient
breeze to perceptibly stir the foliage of the trees, four inches
of dust trodden to the consistency of powder, which the
slightest agitation would cause to rise in thick, smothering
clouds, the sun pouring his powerful rays unbrokenly upon their
heads, and the temperature at 120°. Unmurmuringly they
plodded on, scarcely a man of the Tenth falling out of the ranks.
At night they slept in the open air, preferring to do so rather
than pitch their tents, and as they lay down upon the wet grass,
their clothing' completely saturated with perspiration and red
with dust, joyous and happy songs arose on every side, plainly
denoting that their spirits were yet hilarious, notwithstanding
the hardships experienced. As the turnpike led through a
more open and level country during the last day's journey,
their march was less toilsome.
July eleventh they marched through Amissville, Glen Falls
and Waterloo, to near Warrenton, a distance of twelve miles,
over a rough road, remaining till the sixteenth, when the
brigade returned six miles to Waterloo. On the seventeenth
they marched to Washington, by way of Gaines' Cross Roads,
so called from a gentleman bearing the same name, living near
the junction and owning the large tract of land intersected by
"The Roads." The regiment marched twelve miles, the last
five being in a drenching rain, and encamped upon a high hill
one mile from and overlooking the pleasant village nestling
away among pleasant groves of oak and chestnut. Six or eight
miles to the southwest could be distinctly seen the village of
Sperryville, near which Gen. Sigel's forces were encamped.
The hill upon whose summit the brigade pitched their tents,
was a very commanding position, made strong by nature, and a

236 MAINE IN THE WAR.
very little labor would have been sufficient to render it impreg
nable. Here was an extended panorama of the most beautjful
and romantic scenery, comprising field and forest, mountain
and valley, and a wide, extensive space of alternate grove and
plain, the latter dotted with the snowy tents of more than
twenty thousand troops. Afar off in the dim distance where
the hill-tops seemed to pierce the sky, arise columns of smoke
from other encampments, and from those blue peaks flutters the
banner of the Signal Corps, as they converse in their apparently
complicated and mysterious language, with some other detach
ment not discernible to the naked eye. On nearly every hill-side
and in every valley gleams the white tent and brazen cannon.
During the day the polished bayonet and glittering sabre glisten
in the sunlight from every bush and grove, showing that more
troops than a casual observer notices, are in the immediate
vicinity. Here the regiment remained till the twenty-third, when
receiving marching orders they struck tents and made all other
necessary preparations. Leaving their pleasant location at the
first appearance of dawn, they marched through Washington —
while the regimental band played the lively tune of "Dixie's
Land" — Sperryville and Woodville, encamping three miles be
yond the latter place, making a distance of thirteen miles. The
following day the march continued through Boston and Grif-
finsburgh to Culpepper Court House, thirteen miles.
On the twenty-fifth company A, Capt. Adams, was sent ten
miles to Rixley ville, to guard abridge over Hazel river, remain
ing there till August sixth when it rejoined the regiment, having
been relieved by a regiment from Gen. McDowell's corps.
While at Culpepper, private Ira A. Kneeland of company H,
leing detailed as one of a guard for the signal corps, went out
side the lines five miles, captured a horse, continued his journey
ten miles farther, when meeting with a better one, he exchanged
and returned. Riding into camp the next day, he sold his horse
for fifty dollars.
Gen. Crawford frequently asserted that the Tenth Maine con
tained more "scouts," than all the other regiments in the First
brigade, combined, and Henry J. Ricker, company H, B. F.
Cobb, company C, and some others often acted in that capacity,
rendering much important service, and gaining considerable
valuable information.

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. ,. 237
On the eighth of August, the Union scouts came in, bearing
information that our cavalry pickets had been driven in by a
superior force of Stuart's rebel cavalry, and requesting rein
forcements immediately. Gen. Crawford at once issused orders
for the brigade to be in readiness to march at the expiration of
one hour with only guns and equipments. For a more complete
and concise history of the result of that day and the succeeding
one, we append Col. Beal's official report.
Headquarters Tenth Maine Regiment, \
Culpepper C. H., Va., August 11, 1862. }
Brigadier General S. W. Crawford:
Sir: — I have the honor to make the following report of the
late movements of my command. At half past one P. M„
August eighth, I received orders from you to march in one hour
with only arms and equipments. At the appointed time the
regiment, with the others of the First brigade, went out on Orange
Court House road, about seven miles. The air had been
extremely hot, and full a third of the men had fallen out;, but
nearly all came up during the evening. Being ordered to sup.
port Knapp's battery, I placed the regiment behind the hill and
remained there all the night and the next day, till a quarter
past four P. M., when other regiments of Banks' army having
arrived, we changed our position in front of Cedar Run and to
the right of the road ; which being done, we were again ordered
forward to support Best's battery. The battery, on taking
position in the rear of the woods at the right of the road, was
assailed by a heavy artillery fire from the enemy's right and
centre, from which the regiment was protected by the woods
and by lying down. I am happy to state that none of my force
were injured by this fire. At about six P. M., I was ordered
to advance through the woods, and did so at once. On emerging
from them, the condition of affairs was as follows : across the
open space, and distant two and three hundred yards, were
other woods, in the lower, eastern edge of which the enemy's
musketry was just being commenced. An unknown Federal
regiment, on the Orange road, was retreating slowly before this
fire and that from the enemy's centre, as also from the enemy's
artillery, whose overshots were striking around us. The enemy
rapidly worked up the edge of the woods towards our right,
< and commenced very vigorous fire upon us. Our men went

238 MAINE IN THE WAR.
forward rapidly, and on arriving at the summit of a slight
undulation, met a most murderous fire. Seeing that my men
had no shelter, I commenced to retire them to the woods we
had just left, where we might have done excellent service and
been comparatively safe. An, officer reporting himself as on
Gen. Banks' staff, came forward and forbade this movement,
and I ordered the men to halt on the northern slope of the knoll,
and to lie down and fire. I must mention that I waited some
time, unwilling to fire, because scattered parties from other
regiments were being driven from the woods by the advancing
enemy. Had my men been less determined, this crowd of
unfortunates would have created a panic in our ranks. At the
command, every man went to work, and for thirty minutes kept
up a continuous stream of fire along the line. The enemy,
however, from their shelter and immense numbers, had greatly
the advantage ; and our casualties, all of which happened at
this place, show how successfully they used it. A part of Gen.
Gordon's brigade soon appeared on our right, but the fire of the
enemy being so murderous that I could not believe it to be the
desire of any General to allow such useless slaughter, I gave
the order to retreat.
Previous to this order, all had done their duty manfully. I
have not heard of a single instance of cowardly or shirking
conduct during the fire. The retreat through the woods broke
up my command ; and many remained behind, and under cover
of the woods prolonged the contest. Others helped off the
wounded. We reformed in the timber skirting on the northern
bank of Cedar Run, and passed to the rear of Rickett's division.
Learning that two wagon loads of rations were near by, I
marched the regiment towards them, the men having been thirty
hours without food. The enemy having created a fright amongst
teamsters by firing a few shells, I was compelled to retreat, in
all about two miles, where, the teams being halted, the regiment
stacked arms, ate their suppers and went to sleep. We remained
in this vicinity till the morning of the eleventh, when we
received orders to return to Culpepper Court House, and go
into camp.
I cannot distinguish among the many brave, any one who
did not do his whole duty and prove himself a hero ; all prompt
ly obeyed, all gallantly faced the cross-fire of the enemy, which

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 239
in thirty minutes caused the frightful casualties which I am
obliged to report. I am happy to state that nearly all of our
wounded were brought off and taken care of as well as possible.
Our revised recapitulation is : In action, two field, four staff,
and twenty company officers ; four hundred and thirty-five
enlisted men.
Officers — killed, two; mortally wounded, one; severely wound
ed, two; slightly wounded, two.
Enlisted men — killed, nineteen; mortally wounded, eight;
severely wounded, seventy-three ; slightly wounded, sixty-
three. Aggregate, one hundred and seventy.
There are also missing, supposed prisoners, Lieut. Beardsley,
commanding company D, a sergeant and two privates.
Very respectfully, your' obedient servant,
GEORGE L. BEAL,
Colonel Commanding Tenth Maine Volunteers.
Subsequent to making this report, two wounded officers and
fifteen wounded enlisted men died from the effects of wounds.
August eleventh they marched back to Culpepper CourtHouse,
five miles, to guard the village. On the eighteenth they struck
tents and made preparation to march. From the nineteenth of
August to the seconcl of September, the brigade and all infantry
of Banks' corps, was in reserve and as such, were continually
marching from place to place. A few men were captured by
the enemy while straggling, and the corps was often in positions
of extreme peril, but took part in none of the numerous skirm
ishes and pitched battles. August nineteenth, Gen. Banks'
corps marched eleven miles, to Rappahannock Station, Fauquier
County, Virginia, rested one day, then marched down the river,
two miles, during the night. The succeeding day they went
eight miles up the river to support Gen. Sigel's command, and
Gen. Crawford received a severe cursing from Gen. Sigel, as
remuneration. On the twenty-third they marched to the neighborhood of
White Sulphur Springs, to the rear of Gen. Sigel, a distance
of six miles. The next day they countermarched and struck
across the country, passing by the Springs, eight miles. Com
pany H at one time killed a cow for food, having been without
all day, and just as they had removed the skin and entrails, a
rebel shell dropped in their midst, causing much confusion. Ere

240 MAINE IN THE WAR.
sufficient time had elapsed for them to recover their equanimity,
another hissed over their heads in dangerous proximity, warning
them that it was no fitting occasion to "confiscate" rebel
property. At the same moment came the order to march. A
few of the more audacious tarried long enough to appropriate a
generous slice, and after carrying it two days in their haversacks,
in some instances were driven by hunger to eat it raw.
August twenty-fifth they marched two miles up the river to
the vicinity of Piney Mountain, returned and went in the direc
tion of Warrenton, and took a cross, road toward Bealeton
Station, ten miles, and on the twenty-sixth marched five miles
toward Bealeton. Next day they passed Bealeton to Warrenton
Junction, twelve miles, and the following day continued the
march seven miles to Kettle Run, where they remained on the
alert till the morning of the thirtieth, when they resumed the
march, went seven miles to Manassas Junction, and returned
one-half the distance.
On the morning of the thirty-first, the regiment was sent
out on the Gainesville road as picket, but were hastily drawn
in at nine A, M., and marched by way of Brentsville, ^eleven
miles to Blackburn's Ford. The regiment moved at all times
during the month of August, under CoJ. Beal, and with the
other regiments of the brigade, except as picket on the thirty-
first. On the first of September the corps marched through Centre
ville to south of Fairfax Court House, a distance of six miles,
and the next day again took up the line of march and at two
o'clock on the morning of the third, arrived at Fort Ward,
Alexandria, having marched a distance of fourteen miles through
the mud, which in many places reached to their knees. Encamp
ing in the immediate vicinity of two large hay-stacks, the men
consigned a bountiful supply to their personal wants. Scarcely
had they satisfactorily adjusted their beds and lain themselves
down, weary and toil-worn, for a night's repose, or what small
portion of it remained, when Gen. Crawford sent for Col. Beal
and peremptorily commanded him to order his men to carry the
hay back to the stacks. Col. Beal informed him that the men
had experienced, during the four weeks just expired, a continued
succession of marches, countermarches, hunger and fatigue, had
been shelled in innumerable instances, and as they had finally

TENBH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 241
reached a place of security, where they would not be in danger
of disturbance for a few hours, at least, he considered it no
more than their rightful due, for gallant deeds, as the ground
was wet with recent, severe rains, and their suppers were scanty,
that they should have the hay, if it would add to their comfort.
Their food, for several days, had been what scattering remnants
of hard-bread they were fortunate enough to find in the mud
along the routes, with, perhaps, an occasional pig or chicken.
The General would listen to no remonstrance, or vindication of
the offence, but repeated the order to the Colonel to compel his
men to replace the hay, under guard, and to detail a guard from
the regiment, to render it secure from further molestation. The
indignation of the Colonel was instantly aroused at what he
deemed a direct insult to his brave men, and he replied firmly
that they should suffer no such indignity, while he commanded
them. He said they might return the hay to the rebel owner,
but should not do so under guard, nor should a single man be
detailed from his regiment, as sentry, that night. The General
inquired if he refused to obey the orders of his commanding
officer, and Col. Beal replied that he did stubbornly refuse to
so debase his men. "Then," continued Gen. Crawford, "con
sider yourself under arrest, sir."
Col. BeSl immediately surrendered his sword and returned to
his quarters, while Gen. Crawford procured a guard from another
regiment. The men replaced a portion of the hay, but retained
enough tff shield them from the mud and water.
Praises were bestowed upon Col. Beal, by his soldiers, and
the respect, admiration and devotion they already entertained
for him were deeply strengthened. He had ever been lenient
and indulgent, but this act of magnanimity far surpassed in their
eyes all former ones. After having one barrel of hard-bread and
a single gallon of molasses distributed to the brigade (consisting
of four regiments,) they marched two miles and again encamped.
Resuming the march on the fourth, they crossed the Potomac
and proceeded two miles north of Tenallytown, making a dis
tance of eight miles. As the brigade crossed the Potomac, led
by the Tenth Maine, at whose head rode Gen. Crawford, Col.
Beal rode along, and Capt. Furbish of company I, shouted:
"Three cheers for Col. Beal!" to which the regiment gladly
responded, and "three cheers and a tiger" were given with a
16

242 MAINE IN THE WAR.
hearty good will. The General turned in his saddle with a
frown upon his brow, but made no remark.
On the fifth the brigade marched ten miles, halting two miles
beyond Rockville, Maryland, and Col. Beal was reinstated to
the command of the regiment. While at Rockville the regiment
received its baggage, having been nineteen nights without
blankets, overcoats, or tents, exposed to the elements, and in
more than half the cases destitute of rubber cloths. The next
day the march was once more resumed, the regiment being
allowed but one team, having strict orders to burden themselves
no more than was positively necessary, with baggage. Their
knapsacks, rations and a few indispensable culinary utensils
comprised the articles carried. The force moved ten miles to
Middlebrook, where they remained forty-eight hours in line of
battle, ready at a moment's warning to meet the foe, then rap
idly advanced into Maryland. Resting two days, the march
was continued eight miles to near Damascus.
On the eleventh they changed location one mile, and on the
twelfth proceeded towards Urbana, to within one mile of
Ijamsville, making a journey of twelve miles, and on the thir
teenth marched nine miles farther and encamped in Frederick.
Many of the men had become so much exhausted and worn out
with continuous marching and a deficiency of subsistence that
they were obliged to enter the hospital at that place. The
following day the brigade marched through Middletown and
countermarched in various directions until two o'clock P. M.,
making a distance of thirteen miles, Col. Beal having command,
Gen. Crawford being in command of the division.
On the fifteenth .they marched seven miles, going over South
Mountain, the scene of a severe conflict the previous day, through
Boonesborough to a small hamlet, where Gen. Mansfield assumed
command of the corps. On the morning of the sixteenth they
advanced one mile toward the enemy, and at eleven o'clock P.
M., marched through Keedysville to the extreme right of the
grand army and in the rear of Gen. Hooker's corps. Heavy
picket firing continued during the night, but the men succeeded
in obtaining five hours of refreshing sleep, which greatly reno
vated their languid frames. At five o'clock on the morning of
the seventeenth the battle of Antietam commenced. This battle
takes its name from the creek or river on which it was fought,

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 243
which rises in the mountains of Pennsylvania and flowing in a
southerly direction, empties into the Potomac. The rebel name
of the battle is Sharpsburgh, from the village near which it
occurred. Sharpsburgh is a town of about one thousand inhab
itants and lies in a deep valley two miles from the Potomac,
some twelve miles north of. Harper's Ferry, and about eight
miles west of Boonesborough. The battle field is about five
miles by four in extent. Our signal corps was stationed upon
the summit of a mountain several hundred feet above the general
level around, at the top of which was an area of felled trees
covering about an acre. The signal station was a large chest
nut tree with the small branches cut off and scaffolds built of
poles laid across the larger limbs. From this elevation the
whole field except some places occupied by woods could be
seen with the naked eye, and the course of the Potomac, the
ford and the Virginia side were plainly visible without the aid
of a glass. More than two miles to the west lies Sharpsburgh;
further away, nearly five miles off, is Shepherdstown, Virginia;
a mile and a halfsn a northerly direction is a large house, near
Antietam Creek, Where Gen. McClellan had his headquarters;
to the east is Pleasant Valley, one of the loveliest vales of all
the world; northeasterly are Boonesborough and South Moun
tain and to the west, the steep, umbrageous sides of the Blue
Ridge. The panorama is a beautiful one and will long be re
membered as the spot where two large and splendidly disciplined
armies contended fiercely and where the rebels left so many of
their dead upon the ground unburied and others but slightly
covered with dirt where they fell, so that even the swine rooted
out ghastly faces and decayed extremities for weeks afterwards
and left them there a terror to visitors, rotting in the sun and
rain. Partaking of a hasty breakfast, the brigade steadily moved
towards the front, receiving inspiration from the stiring notes
of the fife and drum, and becoming more firm and courageous,
as the rebel shells flew hissing above their heads. At half past
seven they entered the musketry of the enemy. The troops
which the brigade relieved were those of the extreme left of
Ricketts' division, and who were then much exhausted. Rein
forcements were just arriving for the enemy to attack Ricketts
in front; while a rebel regiment, the Twentieth Georgia, had

244 MAINE IN THE WAR.
got in upon his left, and was pouring a murderous fire into flank
and rear. The Union force and the Twentieth Georgia occupied
a belt of woods of but a few yards width.
The brigade, marching in massed columns, deployed into one
line as it approached the woods to relieve Gen. Ricketts. The
Tenth was the left regiment of the brigade, and in deploying,
came upon the Twentieth Georgia, and their further progress
stopped. The regimental line was at once broken, the men
rushing for whatever protection they could find, and opened fire
which proved too much for the Georgia regiment.
It was here that Gen. Mansfield received his death wound.
Thinking from its position that the Georgia regiment was Union,
he ordered the Tenth to cease firing, which being obeyed only
in part, he rode between the two regiments and was there
wounded. The other regiments of the brigade had pushed forward and
engaged the enemy successively in field, turnpike, and woods
beyond. Considerable ground had been gained by the Tenth
from the enemy when Gen. Greene's division, — the Second —
advancing to the support of the First carried the Georgia regi
ment off before it. Orders were given to retire, and the regi
ment took no further part in the struggle.
The position of the regiment at first was critical ; the woods
were held by the enemy, and in advancing across the open land
they poured a destructive fire into their ranks. When, however,
a portion of the woods had been gained, the fight became more
equal and the enemy were speedily put in condition to offer no
further resistance. The order to retire was not obeyed by
many who advanced with Greene's division.
Corp. Reuben Viele of company K, ran ahead of the Union
line, and captured the Colonel of the Twentieth Georgia, while
a corporal of the Second Massachusetts, in company with him,
took a Lieutenant prisoner at the same time. Private Mark
Grover of company H; being one of the large number who
advanced with the Second division, remained upon the field the
entire day. Whenever his cartridge box became empty, he
replenished it from those of the fallen soldiers around him. He
skulked behind trees, bushes, or any convenient shelter, and
assured his comrades that he did not fire a solitary shot without
taking deliberate aim. Once, being surrounded by the enemy,

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 245
he escaped capture only by feigning death. Instances of this
kind are numerous, but it is impossible to give the names of all.
Col. Beal and his horse were severely wounded early in the
engagement. The latter kicking Lieut. Col. Fillebrown, disabled
him and he was carried from the field, but recovered from his
injury sufficiently to return to duty on the twenty-first, Major
Walker meantime having command of the regiment.
The day subsequent to the battle the brigade moved toward
the front and was held in reserve. On the nineteenth they
marched all day and till one o'clock A. M. of the twentieth,
passing through Rohersville and Brownsville, a distance of
thirteen miles. On the twentieth they marched along the crest
of Maryland Heights, five miles, to opposite Harper's Ferry,
Virginia, where they remained in the performance of the various
duties allotted to them, till the third of October when the regi
ment marched five miles to Berlin Station, under Lieut. Col.
Fillebrown, being detached from the brigade. Previous to
this, however, on the twenty-ninth of September, company K,
Capt. Nye, was sent to Knoxville, a distance of four miles, to
do provost guard duty. On the second of November he pro
ceeded with his command to Point of Rocks, to act as provost
guard on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, where Capt. Nye
acted as Provost Marshal.
October tenth company F, Capt. Knowlton, was sent to
Petersville, Maryland, to do guard duty. Maj. Gen. H. W.
Slocum was assigned to the command of the Twelfth corps, to
which the Tenth was attached, on the fifteenth.
On the nineteenth companies H and E, under Capt. Emerson
of the former company, made a reconnoissance into Loudon
County, Virginia. The first night and day were spent in ambush
upon Short Hills, where parties of guerillas were known to
congregate andfithence proceed upon their depredatory excur
sions. No enemy appeared, and ascertaining from an authentic
source that a squad of cavalry were at Bohlenton, the battalion
proceeded there at two o'clock, A. M., of the twenty-first, sur
prised four pickets and captured their horses, arms and equip
ments. One man escaped ; two videttes also avoided capture
and alarmed the main body, who followed the Union force at a
respectful distance, as far as Lovettsville, when Capt. Emerson

246 MAINE IN THE WAR.
charged upon or at them, after which nothing more was seen of
them. The regiment stayed at Berlin until the tenth of December,
when it concentrated at Harper's Ferry, and marched eight miles
into Loudon county, Virginia. Maj. Walker having meantime
resigned, and Capt. Emerson of company H, who was at this
time the senior Captain in the field from Maine, was promoted
to fill the vacancy. The last week that the regimental head
quarters remained at Berlin, company H was thirteen miles away,
at Adamstown, having marched there on the fourth of the month.
On the eleventh it marched, with the other regiments of the First
brigade, through Hillsboro' to Wheatland, eleven miles ; on the
twelfth through Leesboro' to Goose Creek, sixteen miles ; on the
thirteenth through Gum Springs to the residence of the rebel
Gen. Stuart in Fairfax county, thirteen miles, and on the four
teenth it marched ten miles further, through Fairfax Court House
and Station to camp beyond. The regiment remained in camp
near Fairfax Court House till Monday, January nineteenth, eigh
teen hundred and sixty-three, when it took up a line of march
towards Dumfries, and for the three succeeding days continued
on towards Stafford Court House, a distance of thirty miles,
where they arrived and encamped on the twenty-third, in a
drenching rain which rendered the roads, already in a wretched
condition, nearly impassable. For their prompt and energetic
efforts, cheerful obedience to orders, and the willingness and
activity with which they marched, the division commander issu
ed an order of commendation, which we subjoin.
Headquarters First Division, Twelfth Army Corps, ]
Near Stafford C. H., Va., Jan'y 24th, 1864. j
The Brigadier General commanding the Division, desires to
express to the troops of his command his high satisfaction with
their soldierly conduct displayed in the recent arduous march
from Fairfax Station to this place.
Under severe hardships and privations which resulted from
the storm commencing and accompanying us during our march,
and over roads seemingly impassable, their patient endurance
and prompt performance of every duty, merits the highest praise.
Soldiers deprived by unexpected obstacles of proper subsistence,
and exposed to the most inclement weather without shelter, and
yet enduring all without murmur, deserve the warmest thanks,

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 247
not only of their commander but of the nation they so faithfully
serve. By command of
Brig. Gen. A. S. WILLIAMS,
Commanding Division.
Wm. D. Wilkins,
Captain and A. A. General First Division.
Most assuredly ought the nation and all interested in its
welfare, feel grateful for such unhesitating and uncomplaining
endurance in their behalf. Wealth would fail to tempt, selfish
ness would not suffice to induce men to suffer such hardships.
The love of country, only, urges them on. Firm determination
to render efficient aid to support and sustain their Government,
incites them to such Spartan heroism.
While the regiment remained at Stafford Court House, it
performed heavy outpost duty. More than half the time were
the men upon detail, and the rest of the time was occupied in
drilling, by brigade and division, and in numerous imspections
and reviews. No movement was made during the months of
February or March. The men built log huts, using their shelter-
tents for roofs, by stretching them over poles, supported by
crotched, upright sticks, and in either end of the cabin wall
securely fastened to the beams. The encampment wore a ro
mantic and picturesque appearance, and many said even ludi
crous, but nevertheless all the requirements necessary for-
compactness and comfort, were answered. Several regiments
were encamped in the immediate vicinity, and when the troops
halted there, they were surrounded by a dense forest of lofty
pine and oak, but at the expiration of three months not a tree,
nor even a stump, stood within the distance of a thousand
yards. For several days subsequent to their arrival the inces
sant ringing of axes in every direction, and the loud crashing
of trees could be distinctly heard. Tall pines that had long
stood overlooking the surrounding country, and witnessed the
advent and exodus of generation . after generation, became
victims to the ruthless axe ; and their huge straight forms were
prostrated to the earth, chopped and split to a convenient size,
and made into rude cabins, to afford shelter to the soldiers from
inclement weather.
Frequently, when on picket, would the men cut trees of

248 MAINE IN THE WAR.
similar proportions to replenish their waning fires, causing some '
disturbance to their slumbering comrades, as well as the owner,
but impressed with the belief that hard pine of such dimensions
and standing so near, was excellent and convenient fuel, all
curses and remonstrances were uttered in vain. No positive
orders to the contrary being received from the Commanding
General, they considered it an undeniable privilege and con
ducted themselves accordingly.
Rebel productions of beef, mutton, pork, poultry, and honey,
were limited in the vicinity, therefore the soldiers had no favor
able opportunities to display their dexterity in confiscating
such articles as they invariably did when encamped within the
precints of a neighborhood abounding in these luxuries. Many
a rebel citizen residing in the Shenandoah and Luray valleys, at
that time, had ample cause to utter maledictions upon them.
Occasionally they indulged in the amusing and time-honored
game of base-ball, but not unfrequently were they called from
this pleasure, to some arduous and important duty.
Brig. Gen. Williams, commanding the First division, Twelfth
corps, complimented the regiment highly, after the grand review
by Gen. Hooker and President Lincoln, on the eighth of April,
for their regular and instantaneous execution of every move
ment, and in conclusion asserted that it was the best behaved
and best drilled regiment in the First division, which was justly
celebrated for its excellency in the manual of arms and its
efficiency and promptness in the performance of guard duty.
Due attention is not always paid to giving the proper salutations
to officers, but the Tenth became noted for the precision and
rapidity with which the salutes were given.
On the fifteenth, considerable excitement prevailed relative
to the orders received that day, which were to make all necessary
preparations for a general movement at an hour's notice. Cloth
ing must be kept constantly packed, and eight days' rations
always on hand and in readiness. The intelligence resulted in
many complaints in regard to the rations, but the prospect of an
advance was taken more coolly.
On the twentieth, Gen. Slocum visited and closely inspected
their quarters, after which he told Col. Beal that by diligent
scrutiny, he ascertained that the camp was sufficiently neat and

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 249
clean to quarter another regiment in, providing the army did
not move previous to the expiration of their term of service.
The officers were very particular to have the grounds thoroughly
policed every morning, and were liberally compensated therefor,
by the praise of the General.
On the twenty-sixth an order was received from the brigade
commander, to form in brigade line, at sunrise, on the following
morning, in readiness to march. An order was also received
from the division commander, directing the three years' men of
the Tenth to report at his headquarters without delay.
Many of the men lamented loudly the fatigue in store for
them, and murmured because they were not to be sent to the
rear instead of the front, as their term of service would expire
at the end of the week. Others were indifferent, being apparent
ly willing to march in either direction. Sorrow pervaded the
hearts of all, as the three years' men marched away. They
knew they were destined no more to be companions of the
toilsome march, lonely bivouac, or bloody conflict. It was like
severing family ties, and tears could be distinctly seen coursing
down the weather-beaten cheeks of many a war-worn veteran.
During the entire day complaints were heard from those most
desirous of going home, but they solemnly asserted that if called
upon to enter battle they would fight as unflinchingly and gal
lantly as ever, and the Confederates should long have occasion
to remember their farewell.
Early on the morning of the twenty-seventh the following
orders were received from the corps and division Generals, and
they show their respect and esteem for the regiment.
Headquarters Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac, )
Stafford C. H., Va., April 27th, 1863. j"
[extract.]
I * * The Tenth regiment Maine Volunteers is hereby
relieved from duty in the corps. The commanding officer is
charged with the care of all public property that may be left in
the camp of the First division. He will collect such property
and turn it over to the Quartermaster at Acquia Landing. He
will also turn in the arms and equipments of his regiment, to
the ordinance officers at that point, and apply to the Quarter
master at the Landing, for the necessary transportation, and
proceed with his regiment to the place of enrolment. This

250 MAINE IN THE WAR.
order will be carried into effect as soon as possible after the
troops of the First division have moved.
By command of
Maj. Gen. SLOCUM.
H. C. RODGERS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Headquarters First Division, Twelfth Corps, )
Near Stafford C. H., Va., April 26th, 1863. j
The Tenth regiment Maine Volunteers, having been ordered
to the rear, to be mustered out on expiration of their term of
service, the Brigadier General commanding division desires to
bear testimony to the gallant, faithful and valuable services of
this regiment, which has been with the division now nearly one
year. The fields of Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Rappahan
nock, and Antietam bear testimony to the valor and gallantry
of this regiment.
In bidding them farewell, the Brigadier General commanding
the division cannot suppress the hope that they may soon rejoin
us in the field. By command of
Brig. Gen. WILLIAMS,
Commanding Division.
William D. Wilkins,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant General.
Immediately after Col. Beal perused and explained the con
tents of the above orders, the field and staff officers started upon
a mission of waking the line officers ; every one they awoke
instantly joined them, and they proceeded through the entire
camp, awaking alike both officers and men. All were soon
awake and great rejoicings followed.
They visited the deserted camp grounds and gathered many
precious relics and mementos of "Dixie's Land," which had
been abandoned by troops recently occupying them, and after
partaking of a hearty farewell dinner, they packed and slung
their knapsacks and marched to Acquia Creek, a distance of
eight miles. The weather was excessively hot and sultry, but
at the expiration of four hours the last straggler had arrived.
For the last time they stacked arms, removed and deposited
their equipments beside them. They then marched on board a
steamer, waited impatiently till after nightfall, and at last quitted

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 251
rebeldom and proceeded to Washington, arriving at "The
Soldier's Retreat " at two o'clock on the following morning.
At three o'clock P. M. they continued the journey, reaching
Baltimore at eight o'clock and receiving accommodations for
the night at a building owned and occupied by a benevolent
and charitable company of citizens, known as "The Soldier's
Relief Association." Here the sick, wounded, hungry, toil-
worn, naked and penniless soldiers are cared for in a manner
reflecting great and lasting credit upon the patriotip and hu
mane society.
Before departing from Baltimore the staff and iine officers
paid a brief visit to Mr. E. H. Abbott, a gentleman who became
endeared to them when the regiment was stationed there in
eighteen hundred and sixty-one. One of the privates — a French
Canadian boy — who was a good soldier and beloved by all who
knew him, was taken suddenly and seriously ill. It was a time
when Baltimore was far less loyally inclined than to-day, when
Union men lived in fear, and. hourly felt that the presence of
United States troops was necessary to afford protection to their
lives and property, and essential to peace and tranquility in the
streets even by daytime. A gentlemanly stranger found his
way to the regimental camp, discovered the suffering condition
of the soldier lad, and humanely proposed to have him immedi
ately removed to his residence, where he could receive those
needful attentions which the camp can seldom bestow. Being
in appearance one of nature's true noblemen, and having gained
the confidence of the officers after informing them that he was
a native of New England, the boy was conveyed to his house
where he was nursed and cared for with tenderness until he was
in fitting condition to rejoin his company. Mr. Abbott's house
became, in fact, to a great extent, a hospital for the regiment.
In its quiet retirement and comfort many a sick soldier and
officer found those attentions which friends only are capable of
bestowing. When the regiment moved forward if an invalid could be con
veniently sent back he found a generous and hearty reception
in the hospitable mansion of this true Unionist. Thrice welcome
was he to the best that could be procured, and being provided
with an ample competency, Mr. Abbott was able to furnish all
the sick man required.

252 MAINE IN THE WAR.
As the officers called in a friendly manner upon this cherished
companion and friend, on their return home, one of the party
contrived to direct the attention of Mr. Abbott and his lady to
another part of the house, and a splendid service of plate, con
sisting of four pieces of heavy metal, elaborately and artistical
ly wrought, was spread upon the centre-table of the parlor, and
surrounded by the remainder of the officers. The arrangements
having been previously made, Mr. Abbott and wife were led
back, and, all unconscious of the proceedings, as they re-entered
the room were met by Col. Beal, who addressed them in a few
appropriate remarks, begging them to accept the humble testi
monial from the officers of the regiment, as a slight token of the
obligation and regard which they entertained toward those who
had done so much to divest their camp-life of its hardships and
monotony. Mr. Abbott was taken completely by surprise ; and he replied
that he was under obligations to them and not they to him, for
they had afforded him protection, to life and property.
As soon as this scene was enacted, it became Col. Beal's turn
to be surprised. The Chaplain of the regiment, Rev. George
Knox, stepped forward, and making a few remarks adapted to
the occasion, presented the gallant Colonel with an elegant
sword and accompaniments, the former bearing the following
inscription: "Presented to Col. George L. Beal, by the Line
and Staff Officers of the Tenth Maine Regiment, April, eighteen
hundred and sixty-three. " Merit is better than fanje."
Lieut. Col. Fillebrown had a short time previously been pre
sented with a similar testimonial from the officers, and the Chap
lain had received a superb gold watch and chain from the non
commissioned officers and privates.
The banner which was presented to the regiment in New
York, on its departure for the seat of war and left at Baltimore
for preservation, was again taken possession of, as the regiment
returned and as it floated upon the gentle breeze, all saw beauti
fully and neatly inscribed upon its silken folds, the names and
dates of the battles they had participated in during their absence,
and loud cheers rent the air.
Proceeding by rail, to Philadelphia, they partook of a hearty
meal, furnished gratuitously at " The Cooper Shop," then

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 253
resumed their journey, arriving in New York at midnight, and
were quartered at the Park Barracks. On the following day
they took steamer to Providence, Rhode Island, thence by rail,
to Boston, arriving at seven o'clock. They were marched to
Faneuil Hall, where Col. Beal dismissed them to seek dinner.
At one o'clock, P. M., the regiment left for Maine, arriving in
Portland at half past six. Upon its arrival at the depot, national
salutes were fired, and numerous other demonstrations made to
bid it "welcome home." A very large concourse of people had
assembled in and about the building, who made the welkin ring
with loud cheers as the soldiers formed in column in the crowd
ed streets. A committee of the City Council met the officers
and welcomed them and their command to the city. The
soldiers, although without muskets, the true emblems of their
offices, presented a truly martial appearance. Their counte
nances, as well as their uniforms bore undisputable evidence of
long exposure.
The scene at the depot was an exciting as well as an affecting
one. There were wives embracing their husbands, children
their fathers, and friends greeting each other.
An escort, composed of the soldiers of the Seventh Maine,
under command of Col. Mason, accompanied by the Band of
that regiment, the Portland Band, a detachment of the Ocean
Engine Company No. 4, and the America Hose Company No. 1,
was awaiting them, and conducted the regiment through the
various principal thoroughfares, to the New City Hall. All
along the route crowds were assembled on the sidewalks and in
the streets, frequently breaking up the companies and retarding
their progress.
As the regiment marched through State, Congress and Free
Streets, the up-town bells poured forth their merry peals, join
ing in the universal welcome of the citizens to those who had
willingly perilled their lives in defence of the Union. At the
City Hall an immense crowd had collected, completely blocking
the streets for a long distance. On the arrival of the regiment
the field and staff officers were introduced to the Mayor by
Alderman Moody, chairman of the committee of reception.
The Mayor graciously saluted and welcomed them to the city,
and then stepped forward and extended a hearty welcofce to
the soldiers; after which he introduced to them Hon. Josiah H.

254 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Drummond, Attorney General of the State, who in a few elo
quent and patriotic remarks, greeted their return from the war.
The men afterwards partook of dinner at several different hotels
and everything passed off pleasantly. Those members of the
regiment who resided in the city, then repaired to their homes,
and those from other parts of the State provided quarters for
themselves, or were lodged in the old City Hall.
On the seventh and eighth, all having returned from a short
leave which had been granted them, and the rolls having been
prepared, the regiment was paid off and mustered out.
During its term of service the Tenth lost over seventy men
killed and died of wounds received in action, and forty-eight
of disease. Some one hundred and forty were discharged for
disability and other causes. The eight companies which return
ed comprised a total of four hundred and fifty men.
The hard earned fame of this regiment will be a priceless
record of honor to themselves and their posterity for all time,
and their gallantry upon all occasions will be remembered with
pleasure and pride, while the sacred memory of their heroic
dead will be cherished among the richest legacies of the State.
Of the three hundred regiments composing the Army of the
Potomac, the Tenth was one of eleven which received the
commendation of Gen. Hooker for showing a good inspection
report. In the remarkable regularity, fulness and accuracy of
monthly and quarterly returns to the Adjutant General's Office
at Augusta, as well as the prompt, intelligible and concise form
in which all requisitions upon them for information, were
responded to, they were excelled by no regiment or corps in
the service. Although making no allotments (with the excep
tion of a few members of company E,) it is believed they
remitted home as large an amount of money as any other
regiment from the State.
On the sixth of October, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, as
the regiment was on its way to the seat of war, there came on
board the train at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a large, black,
Newfoundland, cross-breed dog, weighing considerably upwards
of one hundred pounds. Entering the car occupied by company
H, Capt. Emerson, he was adopted by the members of that
company and christened "Major." From that time until May
eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, when the' regiment

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 255
was mustered out of service, he continued a member of this
company, (never but once deigning to recognize a person
belonging to any other, and that during Banks' retreat from
Winchester when he became so crippled from continuous travel
that it was with the utmost difficulty he could proceed,) sharing
with almost human patience and fortitude all the vicissitudes
of camp life, with as much a sense of duty, apparently, as if he
had been duly enlisted and mustered for the war.
At the Relay House, where the regiment was stationed dur
ing the early part of its term of service, he was always among
the most advanced of the pickets, and no dog, arrived at
maturity, was ever allowed to crosj the lines with impunity.
When boxes of roasted turkey, chicken and other delicacies
were received from Maine for a Thanksgiving Dinner, he par
took of his share with great relish, and seemed to appreciate
the donation as profoundly as the soldiers.
In Gen. Banks' retreat from Winchester, he was very nearly
taken prisoner by a dastardly attempt on the part of the enemy
to "cutoff his rear." Although foot-sore and leg-weary, Major
was too much of a soldier to tamely submit to such an indig
nity, and after an absence of two days within the rebel lines,
he met a member of company F, whose acquaintance he had
never deigned to acknowledge in camp, and following him,
managed to reach the regiment in safety, where he immediately
sought out his own company and would recognize no one but a
member of it.
Major invariably accompanied the regiment on the march
and in all its movements, and no member of his company during
all the tedious marches and privations which the regiment was
called upon to undergo, ever became so weary or famished that
he was not ready to share his last biscuit with him or resent
any insult offered to him. At the battles of Cedar Mountain
and Antietam, and other actions in which the regiment was
engaged, he was in advance of the front rank, but like many
another hero, he had the good fortune to escape unharmed in
them all.
For awhile, when stationed upon the railroad, he habitually
chased the trains as they went past, and one day he not being
so nimble as he doubtless supposed, was struck and thrown
several paces, inflicting quite a severe wound upon his hip.

256 MAINE IN THE WAR. /
This accident which nearly proved fatal, convinced him that it
was futile to endeavor to stop the flying train by merely barking
at, and running ahead of it.
Previous to his joining the Tenth, Major had served out a
three months' enlistment with the First New Hampshire regi-*
ment, and with that organization participated in the battle of
Bull Run, receiving a slight wound. He returned to his native
State, and after a short stay at home, like the greater part of
our returned soldiers, he tired of the monotony of every day
civil life, and when he saw the train full of blue uniforms arrive,
his patriotism and the strange and mysterious fascination of
camp life proving stronger* than the love of home, he at once
re-enlisted and again went forward to the wars.
While the regiment was at Culpepper Court House, Virginia,
a man purporting to be the primitive possessor of Major, visited
the encampment and demanded his property ; but as Major hap
pened to be detailed for picket duty that day, and the business
of the gentleman would admit of no delay, he was compelled to
return without him, much to his disappointment. Again, as
the regiment was waiting in Portland, to be mustered out of
service, he paid the company a brief visit and once more estab
lished his claim, as original owner; undertaking to prove the
same, to the satisfaction of the company, by certain documents
in his possession. To pacify him, and satisfy all parties con
cerned, the company offered to purchase the dog at his own
price, but he refused to sell him, and insisted upon having the
animal. Captain Shaw would not surrender him, because he
belonged to the "boys," long before he took command of the
company, and the "boys" would not give him up, unless ordered
to do so by the Captain. The claimant thereupon applied to
Col. Beal, to procure an order from him, but strange to* say, the
Colonel peremptorily refused to meddle in a matter which he
said did not concern him, and told the man to settle the affair
with the boys, two of whom had in the meantime by a private
conveyance, taken Major a short distance into the country
for his health. So the man was forced to return home without
the dog, which he could not have obtained, or his equivalent in
money, which he might have received.
The boys then had a handsome silver collar made for Major,
and presented him to First Lieut. Granville Blake, who enlisted

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 257
as a private in their company, and had remained with it through
out its entire term of service. On the collar was engraved the
leaf, indicative of a Major's rank, the names of the battles in .
which he had been engaged, and of the parties by whom and to
whom presented. Capt. Emerson (now Lieutenant Colonel of
the Twenty-ninth Maine) who went out in command of the
company, having been promoted Major of the regiment, and the
original regimental Adjutant having been commissioned Captain
of the company, Lieut. Blake was the highest remaining officer
of the company who was an original member of it, and on this
account, as well as for his universal popularity with the men,
the pet was presented to him.
The dog went home to Auburn with Lieut. Blake, where he
remained until his master was commissioned Captain of company
H, Twenty-ninth Maine, when he again returned to service with
him, and many other of his old messmates in the Tenth. He
served with his accustomed fidelity and good nature up to the
battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, on the eighth of April, eighteen
hundred and sixty-four, in which he, as usual, engaged, and
where, it is said, he promiscuously engaged the rebels on his
own account. During the fight he was killed by a musket-ball;
thus gloriously laying down his life for the support of principles
he had not the capacity to comprehend. God grant that no
man, laying claim to that reason and intelligence which, dis
tinguish us from the lower animals, may have cause to blush at
his own allegiance to the government which protects him, in
comparison with this poor dumb brute, whose devotion cost
him his life, and whose bones, unknown and unnoticed, are now
mouldering in a distant and hostile land. Peace to his ashes,
and may we all improve the talent entrusted to our keeping as
nobly as he has done, and like him fall at last with our armor
on, battling manfully in the sacred cause of liberty, justice and
humanity. The officers and men sustained losses of clothing and property,
May twenty-sixth eighteen hundred and sixty-two, by unavoid
able abandonment in their retreat from Winchester to Williams
port, when serving as a rear-guard to Gen. Banks' command.
The dress-coats of the regiment having been packed and ordered
to Baltimore, for convenience and safety, but through the
inexcusable negligence or misapprehension of those having
charge of them, they were sent to Bristow's Station and burnt
17

258 MAINE IN THE WAR.
August thirty-first, with a large amount of other clothing,
military property and army stores, necessarily destroyed to
.prevent their falling into the hands of the rebels.
The Regimental Band, under the supervision of Lieutenant
Chandler, was one of the best in the service. They were ever
at the head of the regiment during the march, enlivening the
men by cheerful and melodious music. In accordance with an
order from the War Department they were mustered out of
service on the first of September eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
and the want of their influence upon the long and tedious march
was sadly felt.
The Tenth Maine Battalion was organized on the twenty-
sixth of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, from the three
years' men of the Tenth regiment. Of the companies of this
regiment, two, A and D, were originally mustered into the
United States service for the term of three years, and all recruits
received by the regiment after its departure from Maine were
enlisted and mustered for the same period. On the twenty-fifth
day of April the aggregate of company A was fifty-five and of
company D fifty-four men. The rolls of the other eight com
panies bore the names of one hundred and thirty-seven men who
were mustered for three years.
On Sunday, April twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, the following order was received at the regiment from
corps headquarters : [extract.]
"Headquarters Twelfth Corps Army of the Potomac, )
Stafford Court House, Va., April 26th, 1863. j
The enlisted men of the Tenth Maine Volunteers, whose term
of service extends to three years or during the war, will be
marched to these headquarters in charge of the following named
officers: Capt. J. D. Beardsley, Lieut. Charles F. King, Lieut.
Chandler Libbey, Lieut. Charles H. Haskell, and Assistant
Surgeon H. N. Howard.
These men will be constituted a provost guard, relieving the
three companies of the Second Massachusetts Volunteers now
on duty at these headquarters. They will be allowed to retain
their full proportion of camp and garrison equipage.
By command of
Maj. Gen. SLOCUM.
H. C. RODGERS,
Assistant Adjutant General."

TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 259
In obedience to this order, the officers and men referred to
reported at corps headquarters the same day, and by direction
of the Major General commanding were at once organized into
a battalion of three equal companies. Companies A and D
preserved their original organizations. To company A were
transferred the three years' men from company K, and a part
of those from H. To D were added the men from F and C.
The men from B, E, G, I, and the remainder of those from H,
were formed into a new company (B), to the command of which
Lieut. C. H. 'Haskell, formerly of company F, was assigned.
On the morning of April twenty-seventh, the battalion, in com
mon with the rest of the corps, left camp and marched in the di
rection of the Rappahannock river. On the same day the two
years' portion of the regimentleft Stafford CourtHouse for Maine.
Continuing the march, on the morning of the twenty-ninth the
battalion crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, and the
same night encamped on the south-east side of the Rapidan
river near Germania Ford. On the afternoon of the thirtieth it
arrived at and halted on the famous field of Chancellorsville.
Although from its position as provost guard the battalion was
not as much exposed to the fire of the enemy as it otherwise
would have been, yet on this occasion it did not altogether
escape. On the second day of the battle Asaph Judkins of
company B was struck in the foot and mortally wounded by a
fragment of a shell, which fell and exploded in the midst of the
command. On the third and last day of the fight, David Emery
of company B was struck in the knee and mortally wounded by
a rifle ball. Joseph B. Cook and Charles N. Dinsmore were
taken prisoners by the enemy. On the evening of May fifteenth
the command recrossed the Rappahannock at United States
Ford, and on the sixth, after a tedious and fatiguing march of
not less than twenty-five miles, reoccupied the old camping
ground at Stafford Court House.
On the thirteenth of June the army moved from about Acquia
Creek and Stafford Court House, and marched by way of Fairfax
and Edward's Ferry into Maryland, and ultimately into Penn
sylvania. It is sufficient to say that the battalion participated
in every part of that arduous and well known campaign.
To convey an idea of the severity of the marching, we need
only say that the battalion marched, between June thirteenth
and July twenty-seventh, a distance of more than five hundred

260 MAINE IN THE WAR.
miles. As a large portion of this time was spent at intermediate
points on the route, the marching was at an average rate of
twenty miles per day.
From the first of August until the twenty-fourth of September
was spent in camp along the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers.
On the latter day the battalion with the rest of the corps left
Raccoon Ford, on the Rapidan, and marched to Brandy Station,
on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Here the command
was put into cars, and on the twenty-seventh passed through
Alexandria and Washington, and took the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad for Ohio. Crossing the Ohio river into that State at
Bellair, it again took the cars at that place. Passing through the
State of Ohio by the way of Zanesville, Xenia and Dayton, and
through Indiana via Richmond and Indianapolis, the command
again crossed the Ohio river at Jeffersonville into Kentucky.
From Louisville, Kentucky, to Nashville, Tennessee, was the
route of one night ; and after a fatiguing and tedious journey
of eight days and nights, the battalion halted in the capital of
Tennessee. After remaining there three days, it moved by rail
to Murfreesboro, and encamped in close vicinity to the field of
Rosecrans' severely contested and hardly won battle of Stone
river. After remaining at Murfreesboro for a week, the battalion
again moved, this time marching to Shelbyville, and thence to
Wartrace, where it was encamped.
On the thirtieth of May, Capt. John Q. Adams and Lieut.
Charles Pierce of company I reported for duty, and Capt. Adams,
being senior officer, relieved Capt. Beardsley of the command
of the battalion. On the tenth of June, Capt. Adams was
appointed Provost Marshal of the corps and Capt. Beardsley
resumed command of the battalion. On the seventeenth of July
Second Lieut. Libbey of company D resigned. On the twenty-
seventh of July, Capt. Adams and Lieutenants King and Fowler
were detached to go to Maine, by order of Maj. Gen. Slocum,
to procure recruits to fill up the battalion to a regiment.
As it was found impossible to procure recruits enough for this
purpose, the battalion remained as provost guard at the head
quarters of the Twelfth corps. On the twenty-second of May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-four, company D reported to the
Twenty-ninth Maine, to which the battalion had been assigned by
order of the War Department, and on the thirtieth the remainder
of the battalion joined the regiment at Morganza, Louisiana.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 261

XII.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This was the first regiment raised in Maine at the direct
expense of the general government, under authority of the
President. The ten preceding regiments had been raised,
subsisted and completely fitted out at the expense of the State,
in pursuance of the act of April twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred
and sixty-one. Unlike the mode of organization pursued under
the ten regiment bill, requiring the election of the field officers
by the Captains and subalterns, by which the Colonel, Lieutenant
Colonel and Major could not be elected until after the organi
zation of the companies comprising the regiment, that of the
Eleventh was completed in advance.
The regiment was organized for active service October
eleventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and mustered into
the United States service on the following twelfth of November
by Lieut. Col. Eastman, First United States Infantry, and Capt.
Hight, Second United States Cavalry, while they were rendez
voused at Augusta. They were organized as follows : — •
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
John C. Caldwell, East Machias, Colonel; Harris M. Plaisted,
Bangor, Lieutenant Colonel; William M. Shaw, Portland, Major;
Charles J. Pennell, Portland, Adjutant; Ivory J. Robinson,
Augusta, Quartermaster; Albert S. Clark, Bristol, Surgeon;
William C. Gordon, Plymouth, Assistant Surgeon; Caleb H.
Ellis, East Machias, Chaplain; Harrison Hume, Robbinston,
Sergeant Major; George H. Caldwell, Troy, New York, Quar
termaster Sergeant; Henry C. Adams, Cherryfield, Commissary
Sergeant; Joseph D. Moore, Augusta, Hospital Steward ; Cory
don A. Alvord, Jr., New York City, Drum Major; Sylvester C.
Moody, Portland, Fife Major.
COMPANY officers.
Company A. — Woodbury S. Pennell, Portland, Captain; Syl-

262 MAINE IN THE WAR.
vanus B. Bean,'Brownfield, First Lieutenant; Randall Libby,
2d, Porter, Se'cond Lieutenant.
Gompany B. — William H. Kimball, Captain; Nathaniel W.
Cole, First Lieutenant; James H. Albee, Second Lieutenant;
all of Augusta.
Company C. — Robert F. Campbell, Cherryfield, Captain;
George W. Seavey, East Machias, First Lieutenant; J. William
West, East Machias, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Leonard S. Harvey, Weston, Captain; John
D. Stanwood, Springfield, First Lieutenant; Gibson S. Budge,
Springfield,, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Samuel B. Straw, Bangor, Captain; Francis W.
Wiswell, Holden, First Lieutenant; Francis W. Sabine, Bangor,
Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Augustus P. Davis, Gardiner, Captain; John
M. Beal, Portland, First Lieutenant; Samuel G. Sewall, Au
gusta, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Winslow P. Spofford, Dedham, Captain;,
Charles E. Illsley, Harrison, First Lieutenant; John S. Dodge,
Tremont, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Royal T. Nash, Gray, Captain; Nelson T.
Smith, Brownville, First Lieutenant; Charles A. Fuller, Cor
inth, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — John Pomroy, Bancroft, Captain; Benjamin B.
Foster, Orono, First Lieutenant; Simeon H. Merrill, Bridgton,
Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Jonathan A. Hill, Stetson, Captain; Melville
M. Folsom, Newburgh, First Lieutenant; Albert G. Mudgett,
Newburgh, Second Lieutenant.
Col. Caldwell, although having no previous military experi
ence, evinced an aptness for the correct performance of his
duties, while the regiment was encamped in Augusta, which
gave promise of that efficiency and distinction which he after
wards acquired.
The regiment left Augusta on the thirteenth of November
and proceeded to Washington, where it arrived on the sixteenth,
going into camp on the same day on Meridian Hill, where it
was immediately brigaded with the One Hundred and Fourth
and Fifty-second Pennsylvania and Fifty-sixth New York regi
ments, designated as the First brigade, to which was afterwards

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 263
added the One Hundredth New York regiment, and placed in
Gen. Casey's division. There they remained until the first of
January, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, when they went into
winter quarters in Carver barracks, which buildings had been
erected by the regiment. While in Washington the regiment
received the highest encomiums from Gen. Casey for its disci
pline and efficiency in drill. On the twenty-eighth of March
their division, numbering about ten thousand men, moved for the
Peninsula, proceeding to Alexandria and thence to Newport
News, where they encamped. Here they were detached from
the brigade on the sixth of April and proceeded to Young's
Mills, fourteen miles to the front, on the James river, at the
mouth of Warwick Creek, where the enemy was reported in
occupation of the place. The regiment made the march in
three and a half hours, and took up their quarters in the Virginia
barracks, which the rebels vacated the day before. While here
their pickets were attacked one day by the enemy, when four
pieces of artillery were sent to reinforce the regiment. Four
days afterwards they were attacked by the rebel gunboat Teazer,
which resulted in an artillery fight of about an hour and a half.
On the seventeenth their division arrived, when they rejoined
their brigade which was under the command of Gen. Naglee,
and advanced to before Yorktown. In a reconnoissance of the
enemy's works on the twenty-ninth, near Lee's Mills, the
Eleventh had the advance and were sharply engaged by the
enemy's artillery and infantry. Private Andrew C. Mace of
company A was killed, shot dead under the very walls of the
enemy's fortifications.
On the fourth of May the Union army advanced on the enemy's
works, Casey's division at a point near Lee's Mills. Col. Cald
well had the right of the first brigade, and the advance. Six
companies under Lieut. Col. Plaisted, thrown forward as skir
mishers, were the first to scale the rebel works at that point and
plant the national standard. The enemy having retired, the di
vision pushed on in pursuit, the Eleventh having the advance as
skirmishers for ten miles, and at four o'clock in the afternoon
coming up with the Federal cavalry under Gen. Stoneman, who
had the rear guard of the enemy at bay. Casey's division was
now halted in order to allow Hooker's division to come up and
take the advance, and shortly afterwards bivouacked, the Elev-

264 MAINE IN THE WAR.
enth passing the night in an open field without tents, blankets
or overcoats. The next day, Monday, took place the battle of
Williamsburgh. At daylight the regiment took up its march
towards Williamsburgh, and arrived in the smoke of the contest
about eight o'clock, their brigade reaching a point between the
brick church and half-way house, and the line of the enemy, not
more than a mile and a half from the latter, where they remain
ed five and a half hours, when the division was ordered to sup
port Gen. Hooker. After a march of two hours, the artillery
half the time to the axles in mud, the cavalry horses plunging,
and the men in mud to their ankles, the division arrived in the
rear of Gen. Hooker at half-past three o'clock in the afternoon,
the very moment he was driven back by the enemy. Gen. Casey
was preparing to support Hooker, when the order came to coun
termarch and return in haste. While returning Gen. McClellan
arrived on the ground. Learning the critical state of affairs,
that our left had been turned and Hooker driven back, of the
exposed and critical position of Gen. Hancock, who had turned
the left of the enemy at one o'clock, and who, notwithstanding
that, during four hours he had constantly sent for reinforcements,
had received none, that he was already yielding the advantages
he had so gallantly held all day, with the certainty that if un-
sustained the victory that had been within our grasp since one
o'clock was about to be turned into an inglorious defeat, and
that Hancock's command if not immediately sustained would
be cut off or be cut to pieces, he immediately ordered the Elev
enth's brigade to proceed with the utmost dispatch to sustain
Gen. Hancock. The brigade started off midst the pouring rain,
in mud to their ankles, at a double quick step, and made the dis
tance, three miles, through bog and mire and water in less than
an hour, and arrived upon the ground held against great odds
by Gen. Hancock and his brave men for so long a time. They
had been forced back one half a mile, Retreat before an enemy
across the mill dam by which the approach had been made, was
impossible, and there was no alternative but to surrender or be
cut to pieces. They were holding on, fighting desperately, yield
ing inch by inch, still hoping for relief. The relief was seen com
ing in the distance. The charge and shout that followed was
terrific, and bore down everything before it, and the enemy fell
back with great loss. Gen. Hancock indicated the line where

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 265
he was most exposed, and by the time it was occupied it became
dark. Although they had eaten nothing since the day before,
wet for fifteen hours, cold and chilled, without overcoats, tents
or blankets, not permitted to make fires, the troops stood by
their arms the entire night, with constant rain pouring upon
them, and never made a murmur. The next day the regiment
encamped on the battle field near Port Magruder, occupied in
brigade drills until the ninth, when they advanced ten miles be
yond Williamsburgh on the road to Richmond, and the next day
to Roper's Church. Here on the thirteenth, Col. Caldwell, pro
moted to Brigadier General, took leave of the regiment, and
Lieut. Col. Plaisted, promoted to the Colonelcy, took command,
and with their division moved to New Kent Court House, reach
ing that place the next day after an exhausting march of seven
teen and a half hours, without eating or drinking. Advancing
to Baltimore Cross Roads, and thence to York river railroad,
two or three miles from the railroad bridge across the Chicka
hominy, their brigade engaged on the twentieth in a reconnois
sance to Bottom's Bridge, two miles distant. After a sharp en
counter the enemy was driven from the railroad bridge, setting
fire to the bridge as he retired. A company of the Eleventh led
by Lieut. Mudgett, sprang into the Chickahominy, and, under
the fire of the enemy's artillery, extinguished the flames, using
their caps for buckets. The following day they marched to near
Bottom's Bridge and camped while the pioneers of the Eleventh
and company G, under Capt. Spofford, repaired the railroad
bridge. On the twenty-third the Chickahominy was crossed at
this point by their brigade. Gen. McClellan having ordered Gen.
Naglee to make a reconnoissance of the road ' and country by
the Williamsburgh road, as far as the Seven Pines, on Saturday,
the twenty-fourth, with instructions "if possible to advance to
the Seven Pines, or the forks of the direct road to Richmond,
and the road turning to the right into the road leading from
New Bridge to Richmond, and to hold the point if practicable."
Gen. Naglee, with the addition of two batteries of artillery and
Col. Gregg's cavalry, pushed the reconnoissance, not without
considerable opposition, to the Seven Pines, one mile and a half
beyond the Pines on the following day, and to a line perpendic
ular to the railroad from Richmond to West Point, intersecting
it midway between the fifth and sixth mile posts, the day fol-

266 MAINE IN THE WAR.
lowing. On the twenty-seventh the line was extended across
the "nine mile road," where it is intersected by the road to
Garnett's house, and thence by this road bearing to the right,
our picket lines extended to the Chickahominy. This line from
the river across the railroad to the Williamsburgh road, about
three miles long, was picketed at first by the First brigade,
and afterwards by Casey's division, but placed more directly
under the charge and protection of the regiments of the First
brigade which was encamped along its entire length for that
purpose. This was the line of our advance on the thirty-first
at noon, when two shells thrown into our camp first communi
cated the hostile intentions of the enemy.
During the preceding week before the battle of Seven Pines,
the amount of picket and fatigue duty performed by the regi
ments of the Eleventh's division was almost beyond the power
of human endurance. The details from the Eleventh for thirty
hours preceding the day of the battle for this service were
greater in number than from any other regiment.
Gen. Keyes' corps which had crossed the Chickahominy on
the twenty-third, lay for one week at the Seven Pines on the
right bank with the right wing of our army on the left bank
opposite,, and no bridges were thrown across the river to con
nect the two wings. During that time there was no communi
cation between the two wings except by the way of Bottom's
Bridge, a circuit of twenty miles. Mounted orderlies were in
the habit of crossing directly between the respective headquar
ters of the two armies, by fording the river. On Thursday,
the twenty-ninth, two days before the battle, twenty pioneers
of the Eleventh were detailed to construct a bridge across the
Chickahominy. They were mistaken for rebels by Sedgwick's
pickets on the left bank and fired on. The next day two com
panies of the Eleventh, picked axe men under Lieut.' West,
were detailed in addition to the pioneers to complete the bridge.
That night Lieut. West reported the bridge nearly completed
for infantry, and that two hours more would complete its
construction. The battle at Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks, commenced by the
enemy attacking and driving in our pickets. Casey's division
was put immediately under arms. Companies A, C and F of
the Eleventh, under Major Campbell, moved to the scene of

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 267
action, the balance of the regiment being detached on picket
duty, four companies under Capt. Spofford and three companies
under Capt. Merrill. Col. Plaisted, who was general officer of
the day, took command of the battalion, moved up the Williams
burgh road and brought his men into action under [a gradual
fire, when he was ordered to the support of Capt. Spratt's
battery, then hotly engaged on the right of the road, about two
hundred yards in advance. The battalion was filed to the right
across the road to the woods, one hundred and fifty yards
distant, which furnished a cover, while they advanced in line of
battle to the front until opposite the right of the battery, thence
by the left flank to their position, where the men lay down
behind a ridge that protected them, and reserved their fire until
the enemy emerged from the woods. Soon after Gen. Naglee
rode in front amidst a shower of bullets, and gave the order to
charge, which was received with the greatest enthusiasm.
With the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania on the right,
the battalion charged across the open space two or three hun
dred yards to a fence not more than fifty yards from the woods
into which the enemy had been driven, when they opened fire,
maintaining their position until two thirds of their commissioned
officers and six more than half of the battalion were either
killed or wounded, their flag riddled with bullet holes, and the
supports on their right had broken and given way, when the
order came to retreat. Of the ninety-three men of the battalion,
fifty-two were killed and wounded.
The four companies under Capt. Spofford, G, B, H and K,
which were detached for picket duty, being driven in, joined
their reserve, the Fifty-sixth New York, and fought with that
regiment during the engagement, behaving nobly and not
retiring from the field until compelled by a superior force. The
detachment under Capt. Merrill, consisting of companies I, E
and a part of company D, were on picket duty along the Gar-
nett field in front of which several rebel regiments marched
about dark. These companies called together at the edge of
the woods, fired upon the advancing rebels, tumbling three of
their field officers from their saddles. When Sedgwick crossed
the Chickahominy they immediately communicated with him,
and remained all that night during a rain storm, upon the picket
line without rations, with the enemy in their front and rear, and

268 MAINE IN THE WAR.
on Sunday in the forenoon, coming in and bringing more pris
oners than the entire number of men in their ranks.
During this battle the officers and men of the Eleventh gal
lantly performed their duty. Lieut. West commanding company
C, was killed. He fell at the head of his company near the
place where fire was first opened, shot through the breast, and
dying without a struggle. He was buried where he fell, and it
is said nearer Richmond than any other Union soldier during
the Peninsula campaign. He was a good officer and an excellent
man, distinguished for his constant attention to the wants of
his company and especially for his care of the sick. The bravery
of Sergt. Katon of company B, the color bearer of the regiment,
was conspicuous. He bore the standard in front of the line,
until ordered to halt on a line with the One Hundred and Fourth
Pennsylvania, and when the order came, "Forward to the
fence!" several yards in advance of that regiment, he was the
first man to reach it, against which he firmly planted the flag,
moving with the greatest steadiness amid a storm of bullets,
which completely riddled the colors. When the staff was shot
away, he supported its place with his own body, holding up the
shattered standard as high as he could reach, with one knee on
the ground and leaning over the dead body of Corp. Maddocks
of the color guard, in the very teeth of a fire, pronounced by a
veteran General to be "the most terrible fire of musketry," he
had ever witnessed. After the fight grew warm, Lieut. Rice
of company G, who was sick in the hospital, where there were
a number of the regiment , exclaimed, "Boys, all who can hold
up your heads, follow me !" He then shouldered a musket and
all joined their regiment and fought gallantly. Rice, after
seventeen rounds delivered with deadly effect, for he was an
excellent shot, was mortally wounded and carried from the field.
Lieut. Foster of company I, and Capt. Davis of company F,
Provost Marshal of the division, acted as aides-de-camp to Gen.
Casey, during the engagement, both behaving gallantly.
When at dark, the enemy had swept all before him, the
Eleventh was the last to leave the field. The hastily constructed
bridge thrown across the Chickahominy by the sturdy axemen
of the regiment, probably saved the left wing of the army on
the thirty-first, from disastrous defeat, Gen. Sumner crossing it
late in the afternoon by dint of almost superhuman exertion,

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 269
with two of his divisions, Sedgwick's and Richardson's, and
attacking the enemy's flank as he was pressing Keyes back
with resistless force, drove him back Richmondward in confu
sion. After the battle of Seven Pines, the Eleventh with its division,
occupied the rifle pits of the rear defences near the battle ground,
until the fourth of June, when, with its brigade, it moved to
the Burnt Chimneys. On the thirteenth the rebel Stuart's
cavalry made a raid in the rear of our lines, attacking and firing
into a train of cars on which were six officers of the Eleventh,
leaving for Maine on recruiting service. The bridges across the
Chickahominy being threatened by the enemy, the regiment
occupied Bottom's Bridge, a little past midnight, guarding it
until the seventeenth, when their camp was moved to a high
bluff by the railroad and about one mile from the railroad bridge,
on the right bank of the river. On the twenty-sixth was fought
the battle of Beaver Dam by Porter's corps, on the left bank of
the Chickahominy. The cannonading continued till past nine
o'clock at night, its heavy sound, at every discharge, "nearer,
clearer, deadlier than before," told too plainly that the tide of
battle was going against us. The week pf battles before Rich
mond had now begun, to be followed by the shifting of the base
of our army from the York to the . James river. In these oper
ations the Eleventh was actively employed. Shortly before
midnight on the night of the twenty-sixth, the regiment took
charge of the railroad bridge across the Chickahominy about
two miles above Bottom's Bridge. One hundred men under
Capt. Hill, were placed in the immediate vicinity of the bridge,
with outposts a quarter of a mile beyond. The balance of the
regiment stood by their arms as a reserve, twelve hundred yards
from the bridge. A line of communication was thus established
along the railroad track between the two detachments.
On the following day was fought the battle of Gaines' Mill
on the left bank, between our right wing under Porter, and the
enemy under Jackson, stragglers from which began to drift
down the left bank to the railroad bridge. Three pieces of
artillery under Capt. Brady, were added to Col. Plaisted's force,
and placed in position commanding the bridge. Heavy earth
works were thrown up to protect the pieces, and the whole
marked by small trees. The, flooring of the railroad bridge was

270 MAINE IN THE WAR.
torn up for about two hundred feet, and left loose so as to be
readily cast off in case of emergency, and the bridge prepared
for the torch. The force at the bridge was increased to seven
companies. They were posted above and below, close to the
channel and deep water, in the mud and water of the swamp.
The pickets of the Eleventh extended about one mile below the
bridge, while the balance of the regiment stood by their arms
in reserve, as a support to the artillery. By break of day the
next morning, stragglers from the battle fields of the twenty-
sixth and twenty-seventh, began to arrive in large numbers.
By ten o'clock in the forenoon about three thousand officers and
men, mostly Pennsylvania reserves, were passed over the
bridge to the right bank, and sent to the Provost Marshal at
Savage's Station. A long train of cars filled with sick and
wounded, passed early in the morning from Savage's Station to
White House, and about half past nine o'clock returned loaded
with forage. This was the last train that passed the bridge to
the Army of the Potomac. About this time the scouts of the
Eleventh who had been sent out early up the left bank, reported
a brigade of rebel troops with artillery and cavalry, about one
mile from the bridge. At ten o'clock the enemy was reported
within half a mile. About the same time, Col. Plaisted received
an order from Gen. McClellan "to tear up the flooring of the
bridge at once, and destroy the bridge on the appearance of
the enemy;" but to "delay till the last moment its destruction,
as another train of sick and wounded was about ready at Sav
age's Station." At half past ten our cavalry dashed across
the railroad within one hundred yards of the bridge towards
Bottom's Bridge, followed by the rebel cavalry. The enemy's
infantry immediately after made their appearance. The torch
was applied to the prepared combustibles by Sergt. Dunbar,
and the railroad bridge over the Chickahominy was in flames.
The Army of the Potomac was cut off from its base of opera
tions. The rebel army was in its rear. During the remainder
of the day the enemy felt of our picket line occasionally, but
not without loss. Lying concealed behind breastworks and
trees so as to command every part of the Stygian Chickahom
iny, the Eleventh's pickets never failed to punish every attempt
of the rebels to spy out our situation. That night our force
was strengthened by the addition «f one company and sixteen

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 271
men under Capt. Spofford. About midnight Col. Plaisted
received an order from McClellan "to destroy the foundation
of the bridge, utterly, so that it cannot be repaired for the
passage of artillery in any reasonable time." The superstruct
ure was gone, but the heavy uprights being green and water-
soaked, did not burn. This order must be executed immediately,
in the light of the still burning timbers and within one hundred
yards of the enemy's rifles. To the pioneers and a body of
picked, men of the Eleventh under Sergt. Dunbar, was assigned
the hazardous task, supported by the whole force of the regi
ment. This forlorn hope fully appreciated the danger. Though
they all might fall, half of the regiment even, they knew the
destruction of the bridge must be complete. The safety of the
Army of the Potomac, whose retreating column was moving
past within rifle shot, depended upon it. "I shall never die
but once," said the brave Sergt. Dunbar, "nor to a better
purpose." Most thoroughly was the work performed. For
eighty feet, covering the breadth of the channel, all the posts
and uprights, every portion of the bridge was removed. The
attack on the timbers by the Maine boys was so vigorous, so
bold and defiant, that the rebels retired without firing a gun.
Even their horses and wagons were heard to retire in haste,
doubtless supposing the bridge undergoing repairs to pass over
a body of our troops. In about two hours the enemy returned
in force, but the work of destruction was complete.
The next day several attacks were made on the regiment, but
without harm, while they were in the swamp near the bridge.
About five o'clock in the afternoon the enemy opened fire at
Bottom's Bridge from a battery, nearly opposite Capt. Brady's
masked battery. It was replied to with great rigor by Gen.
Naglee, who had fourteen pieces of artillery ; but the enemy's
fire not abating, Capt. Brady unmasked his battery, firing with
excellent effect. It was a fire from an unexpected quarter, and
the enemy's guns were soon silenced. The enemy then com
menced throwing up a redoubt opposite the position of the
Eleventh, but the three-inch guns of Capt. Brady soon drove
him from the attempt.
Our retreating army lacking transportation to carry with them
the immense quantities of ammunition and commissary storeB
with which the train of cars was loaded at Savage's Station, they

272 MAINE IN THE WAR.
were ordered to be destroyed by running the train into the
Chickahominy. Just before sunset the ill-fated train was let
loose, starting with a full head of steam with no hand to guide,
down a descending grade, the foremost car in flames, with ac
celerated speed rushing on, until it plunged into the chasm
made in the bridge, with an explosion that shook the earth and
filled the air with its ruins. The rear car was filled with tons
of ammunition in barrels, and an immense quantity of fixed
ammunition, shells of the largest size, for the siege guns. For
two hours the explosion of shells from that tremendous battery
was incessant. So terrific was the explosion, that the entire
rebel force in front of Bottom's Bridge abandoned their works,
and ran back towards the railroad in the most indescribable
confusion and panic. Under cover ' of the smoke which com
pletely hid the movement from the enemy, the Eleventh and the
three pieces of artillery withdrew and joined their brigade at
Bottom's Bridge. At dark the brigade moved towards White
Oak Swamp, having performed the important duty of holding
the bridges across the Chickahominy for three days and three
nights, until the entire army of the Potomac had passed by on
its way from Fair Oaks towards the James river. That such a
task should have been assigned to a single brigade is much to
be wondered at. Had the enemy broken through our weak
lines he would have struck the flank of our retreating column
within fifteen minutes' march from the bridges.
The march from Bottom's Bridge was made in excellent order.
The White Oak Swamp was crossed before daylight next morn
ing, and in the field beyond, the brigade bivouacked. The
Eleventh enjoyed 'a few hours' rest, having during the preceding
three days and nights been almost entirely without rest and
without relief.
On the thirtieth was fought the battle of White Oak Swamp,
or Poplar Hill, one of the most bloody conflicts on the Penin
sula. About ten o'clock in the forenoon the Eleventh's brigade
having been attached for the day to Smith's division, and assigned
to act as rear guard thence to the James river, was moved back
half a mile from the swamp and placed in position. It was
formed in line of battle on two sides of an open field along the
edge of the pine groves, the right resting at the James river
road and fronting the enemy, the left parallel to and fronting

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 273
the road. Included between the angle formed by the two lines
were acres of government wagons, pontoon trains, &c. Arms
were stacked and all sought the shade of the pine growth in
their immediate rear. Fires were lighted and the soldiers ate
their dinners of hard bread and coffee. The scene was one
resembling that of a picnic rather than a phase of war. Sud
denly all was changed. The clear atmosphere, until then
without a speck, was all at once filled with exploding shells.
Without a note of- warning, the enemy had brought up his
artillery behind the opposite hill, and suddenly running it
forward, all at once opened his batteries upon Pur army, who
had not discovered his presence till then. Col. Plaisted being
in command of the brigade in the absence of the General who
had gone to the front to ascertain the enemy's intentions, gave
the order to fall in, and then galloped to the crest of the hill
overlooking the whole field, in order to observe the condition
of things and to watch for the General's return. For a time
the enemy had it all his own way. Smith's division broke for
the woods, but was there rallied, the officers leaving their
horses tied to the trees in the open field. The teamsters of
the many army wagons soon began to harness. Some who
were harnessed, especially those of the pontoon trains, cut
their traces and away went the mules by fours and sixes.
Then it was that Naglee's brigade behaved like men. By his
wise precaution the brigade had been placed in line of battle,
surrounding on two sides the army wagons. The officers of
his brigade threatened the teamsters with instant death if they
moved their teams faster than a walk. Guards were stationed
along the James river road at short intervals for nearly a mile,
in order to prevent a stampede. A New York regiment broke
and was leaving the field, when it was charged upon with
bayonets by another regiment in its rear, and stayed. Presently
our batteries which had been planted early in the morning,
began to get at it, and then commenced a tremendous artillery
duel. The general having appeared on the ground, Col. Plaisted
returned to his regiment, which was found by its arms. For
twenty minutes they had stood in this position awaiting the
order to take arms, with the shells bursting all around them,
crashing through the pines over their heads, and had not broken
a stack. In company with the One Hundredth New York they
18

274 MAINE IN THE WAR.
were moved across the open field under the terrific cannonading,
towards the front some five hundred yards, and placed in line
of battle on the left of the James river road between Hazard
and Mott's batteries, and some two hundred yards in their rear.
A Virginia fence of seasoned oak rails lay near them. It was
but the work of a minute to make a breastwork of the rails,
in front of our line, some four feet thick and about three feet
high. The men lay down behind this shelter, a short distance
from it, the better to avoid the splinters, and there remained
for five hours under a heavy cannonading, in rear of two
batteries that had both its commanders wounded, Hazard
mortally, and about half their force, and more than half their
guns demolished by the enemy's fire, and not a man of the
Eleventh was wounded. The little breastwork proved a perfect
protection against the partially spent balls of the enemy.
During the heaviest firing, Corp. Keene of company D, with
two privates, at the suggestion of Gen. Naglee, advanced
between the two fires and brought away three horses left by
Gen. Smith's officers, tied to trees, all that were left alive,
which were afterwards presented to their owners. At about
nine o'clock in the evening Gen. Naglee whispered the command
"Countermarch by file right," and they left the breastwork and
took position in the road, where they waited until eleven o'clock
for the troops to pass towards the James river. Our artillery
was kept shelling the rebel position, the shells growing less
frequent, until that hour, when only one gun remained, and that
was worked at intervals of from fifteen to twenty minutes. By
midnight they were three miles on their march to James river,
before that one gun ceased to notify them that no enemy was
within at least that distance of our rear.
The brigade was not only the rear guard of the retreating
column by this route, but the Eleventh was the rear guard of
the brigade. The hardy pioneers were in the rear with fixed
bayonets, supported by twenty-four picked men, with orders to
run through friend or foe if necessary, to prevent a stampede,
fearing most, our own cavalry. This rear guard under charge
of Capt. Spofford, acting Major, protected the rear and kept
the men closed up and all on the move. Not less than a full
regiment of stragglers falling exhausted from the column, were
picked up by the rear guard of the Eleventh, the whole regi-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 275
ment finally acting as such, and forced along by the bayonet to
the river, where they arrived about sunrise. The march that
night of fifteen miles was not only made without water, but the
regiment did the duty of rear guard of a column of fifteen
thousand exhausted troops — forcing every man dropping by the
way to keep moving, and so faithfully was this duty performed,
that, when the James river was reached, not a man was missing,
or a knapsack, blanket, or shelter tent lost.
Arriving at the. James river their brigade bivouacked in a
wheat field where they caught a few hours' rest, when, aroused
by the enemy's guns, they marched towards the front and were
placed in the reserve, where they remained all day, July first,
momentarily expecting to be called into the battle at Malvern
Hill. At half past eleven o'clock they were again in line wait
ing for the army to accomplish its successful retreat to Harrison's
Landing. On the next day the brigade again took its place as
rear guard, the Eleventh having the rear of the brigade. The
brigade was alone held in a large field to support different bat
teries until three o'clock in the afternoon. Previous to that hour
men without order or organization rushed past. Had the
enemy appeared in pursuit, only our weak regiments and a few
pieces of artillery, aside from this brigade, could have been
rallied to oppose him. The remainder seemed a straggling
mob of men. Thus passed by the rear of the great Army of the
Potomac to Harrison's Landing.
The rain began to pour in the morning, and without abate
ment continued all day, rendering the roads in the rear, after
the tramp of so many thousand, almost impassable. Slowly
and with great difficulty, at the close of the day, the march was
made to the vicinity of Harrison's Landing, the brigade arriving
about dark, where it was immediately ordered on picket. It
retraced its steps through the mire, the rain still falling, without
complaint, without a murmuring word. Before midnight,
however, they were relieved by fresh troops from Shields'
division. The sick and weakly of the regiment who had been started
off with the regimental teams four days before, had all arrived
by easy stages and were in excellent condition. This result is
chiefly owing to hospital steward Hubbard and Messrs. Libbey
and Safford, two members of the Eleventh's Band, who were

276 MAINE IN THE WAR.
untiring in their exertions during the retreat, for their comfort.
Arriving at Harrison's Landing before the storm of July second,
they pitched the hospital tents and the tents of the field and
staff pfficers of the regiment, and thus saved the sick of the
Eleventh from the hard conditions of thousands of others, sick
and wounded, who lay for days and nights in the mud and
water with no shelter whatever from the pouring rain, there to
linger until death or the kind Samaritans of the Sanitary Com
mission came to their relief.
From the time the Eleventh was placed in charge of the
railroad bridge, until their arrival at Harrison's Landing, both
officers and men never flinched or faltered, but were always
cool and cheerful, ready and prompt. Captains Hill and Spof
ford rendered valuable assistance to Col. Plaisted throughout
the retreat. In the absence of the Lieutenant Colonel and
Major — both of whom were sick — they were his chief depend
ence ; and when he was compelled by illness to yield the
command early in the day of July second, the whole care of
the regiment devolved upon them. Surgeon Blunt's singular
indifference to danger, for the first time being under fire, aided
not a little, by his constant presence and example, to secure
that self-possession in the men which never forsook them in the
most trying circumstances. He is entitled to the distinction of
being the only surgeon of the brigade who did not arrive at .
Harrison's Landing in advance of his regiment.
Remaining at Harrison's Landing until August sixteenth,
they left for Yorktown. During the fall months, besides a
heavy guard duty, the regiment did a vast amount of fatigue
duty in levelling the approaches and parallels of McClellan
before Yorktown, and in renewing the fortifications of that
place. The severity of its labor, added to the insalubrity of
the climate, told fearfully upon the health of the men. While
at Yorktown, and mostly in the months of October and No
vember, the regiment lost thirty-four by death and eighty by
discharge for disability. In the Union cemetery near Yorktown
lie buried forty-seven of its number. They are buried on the
spot where Washington received the surrender of Cornwallis.
During the latter part of November the regiment made an
expedition into Mathews County, for the purpose of destroying
a large number of salt works which largely supplied the rebel

. ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 277
capital. The regiment did its duty so well and the results of
the expedition were deemed so important that the commanding
General ordered "Mathews County" to be inscribed upon its
banner. The loss of the regiment in this expedition which
occupied three days, was one commissioned officer and one
enlisted man, taken prisoners.
On the eleventh of December the regiment in company with
three others with cavalry and artillery, under command of Gen.
Naglee, made an expedition into the enemy's country in the
direction of the Rappahannock, penetrating within a few miles
of that river, and within sound of the battle of Fredericksburgh,
operating as an important diversion in rear of the rebel army.
The rebel rangers Were driven from five counties and all their
barracks, stables, stores and tanneries were destroyed. Large
herds of cattle intended for Lee's army were also captured.
Such was the soldierly conduct of the regiment in this important
reconnoissance that all the prisoners captured were entrusted
to the charge of the Eleventh for safe keeping, and to it on the
retreat was assigned by special order of the General, the post
of honor — the rear guard. The regiment was also commended
in general orders, while the other regiments were censured.
In this order Gen. Naglee said: "I am happy that this picture
of disgrace is partially redeemed by the unexceptionable con
duct of Col. Plaisted and the Eleventh Maine, who not only did
well their military duty, as all have done, but had that self-
respect which not only protected their own honor, but shielded
that of their brigade commander whose name must be tarnished
by such outrages."
On the twenty-sixth of December the Eleventh, with Naglee's
brigade, making eight regiments, embarked for North Carolina.
After a stormy passage, during which storm the original Monitor
was lost, the brigade landed at Morehead City on the, first day
of January, of the following year, and went into camp at
Carolina City. There Gen. Naglee was promoted to the com
mand of a division. In taking leave of his old brigade he issued
a spirited order designating the names to be inscribed upon the
banners of the several regiments, and reciting the important
battles and events in the history of the war in which they had
acted a conspicuous part. The following is the closing portion
of the order:

278 MAINE IN THE WAR.
"Thus is yours the honor of having been the first to pass,
and the last to leave the Chickahominy, and while you led the
advance from this memorable place near Richmond, you were
the last in the retreating column, when after seven days' con
stant fighting it reached a place of security and rest at Harrison's
Landing. Your descendants for generations will boast of the gallant
conduct of the regiments to which you belong, and when all
are laid in the dust, history will still proclaim the glorious deeds
performed by you.
A new page in your history is about to be written; let it be still
more brilliant than that already known. Your past good con
duct has won the warmest esteem and confidence of your late
brigade commander; ho has no apprehensions for the future."
The regiment remained at Carolina City three weeks, spending
the time in company and battalion drill. They then embarked
on a transport, and after lying in the harbor nine days, went to
sea in company with eighteen other regiments, entering Port
Royal harbor, South Carolina, on the thirty-first. On the tenth
of February, after being on board their crowded transport twenty-
one days, they landed on St. Helena Island, six miles from Hilton
Head. There our soldiers, besides the labor of making their
camp comfortable, spent much time in company, battalion and
brigade drills, and general review. The general health of the
regiment had been improving all the time since they left York-
town, till the day before they landed, when the ship fever broke
out and carried off seven of their number in one week. While
on St. Helena, the regiment received a very beautiful flag made
iny Boston, Massachusetts, purchased by the officers. It bore
on it the inscriptions designated by Gen. Naglee, and was
presented to the regiment in behalf of the officers, by Col.
Plaisted, with appropriate remarks.
A few days before leaving St. Helena the regiment received
four months' pay, and the next day collected and sent home to
Maine thirty thousand dollars. At that time the regiment
numbered little over five hundred men. After a stay of seven
weeks the regiment embarked on the fourth of April, on board
a transport, with the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania,
to form part of the Charleston expedition, and on the afternoon
of the fifth entered North Edisto inlet. There they remained

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 279
five days without landing, and then the attack on Charleston
by the iron clads having failed, they returned to Beaufort,
where they landed April eleventh. Here they had a pleasant
and neat encampment. During their stay Assistant Surgeon
Bates and Lieut. Butler commanding company C, were stricken
down by death. The former officer had been in the service
fourteen months, during which time he had ably and faithfully
performed the duties of his office. The severity of his labors
impaired his constitution to such an extent that he became an
easy prey to typhoid fever, resisting its attack only three days
and dying on the eleventh of April. Lieut. Butler died of
congestive fever on the fourteenth, after an illness of only two
days. He was an excellent officer and had been in the service
about eight months, having left College to enlist. Once pro
moted for good conduct from the rank of Second Lieutenant to
that of First, he v^as about to be made Captain in accordance
with the earnest recommendation of every member of his
company. He had won their love and confidence, and that of
the whole regiment, by his uniform kindness and his many
excellent qualities as a soldier and man.
The regiment remained at Beaufort until the fourth of June,
when it was ordered to Fernandina, Florida, by Gen. Hunter,
where it arrived on the fifth, and Col. Plaisted took command
of that post. When Gen. Gillmore arrived in the department,
and active operations against Charleston were resumed, Col.
Plaisted immediately repaired to Morris island and tendered the
services of the Eleventh. The General had not time to make
a change of regiments, but he accepted a detachment of the
Eleventh to serve as artillerists. Lieut. Sellmer with forty men
from companies C, E, G and H, were dispatched to Morris island,
where they bore a most honorable part in the siege of Wagner
and Sumter. After serving a battery of sea-coast mortars and
two hundred pound Parrott guns, they were selected by Gen.
Gillmore to man the famous "Swamp Angel" battery to fire
upon the city, and thus to the Eleventh belongs the honor of
having fired the first shells into Charleston. Lieut. Sellmer was
ordered by Gen. Gillmore to direct his fire upon the tall spire of
St. Michael's church, in sight from Morris island, but which
could not be seen from the battery, a thick curtain of wood on
James' Island intervening. He succeeded, however, by means

280 MAINE IN THE WAR.
of a pocket compass. One of the shells actually struck the
church at which the fire was directed, and another demolished
the statue of John C. Calhoun.
The regiment remained at Fernandina four months garrison
ing that town and Fort Clinch, besides doing a heavy fatigue
and picket duty. Assisted by one company of the Fourth
South Carolina, it built a fortification for the protection of the
town which required twenty-five hundred days' labor. Here as
at other places, the regularity and neatness of its camp attracted
general attention, and the good conduct and order of the regi7
ment was the praise of all good citizens and the approbation of
the military authorities.
On the sixth of October the regiment left Florida, having
been ordered to Morris Island, where it arrived on the seventh
and went immediately to the front. On the eleventh it was
assigned to the First brigade as artillerists, and for a long period
was engaged day and night in shelling Sumter and the rebel
works on Sullivan and James' Islands.
In the spring of eighteen hundred and sixty-four, the regiment
left Morris Island, and was placed in Gen. Butler's army, having
been assigned to the Third brigade, First division, Tenth corps.
Proceeding from Fortress Monroe they moved to the James
river where they were busily employed in throwing up entrench
ments and otherwise co-operating with movements, then in
progress before Petersburgh under the direction of Gen. Grant.
On the seventh of May their brigade engaged the enemy
nearly five hours, destroying a portion of the Petersburgh
railroad running to Richmond, and a number of bridges. Other
active operations were carried on during Butler's occupation of
Bermuda Hundred, in which the regiment bore a conspicuous
part. Near the close of July our troops captured a battery on the
New Market and Malvern Hill road, below the Four Mile Creek.
The Eleventh, under Lieut. Col. Hill, had taken the position on
the twenty-first, and. again on the twenty-second, captured four
teen prisoners with the loss of but one man. But not feeling
able to hold the ground without reinforcements, he fell back at
dark to the redoubt on the bluff. At daylight the next morning,
the regiment was again advanced under Col. Plaisted through
the strip of woods along the left bank of the Four Mile Creek,

ELEVENTH REGIMENT' INFANTRY. 281
and after a close fight of twelve hours, the enemy was pushed
back, step by step, beyond the Malvern Hill road, and a position
secured within fifty yards of the road and about one hundred
yards from the rebel battery, and commanding both. Rifle pits
were dug and the regiment held the position through the night.
Col. Cuneis' brigade having arrived, Col. Plaisted received
orders to advance to the road at daylight and secure the posi
tion if possible. The Eleventh was accordingly advanced, and
the road and battery both secured with trifling loss. They were
then relieved by two regiments of Col. Cuneis' brigade, and
returned to camp, after having been three days and three nights
constantly in the presence of the enemy, and for the most part
fighting. At half past ten on the night of the twenty-fifth, Col. Plaisted
returned to the bluff with the Eleventh, and assumed command
of the Union troops, below the Creek, Col. Cuneis' pickets hav
ing been driven in and the position on the New Market and
Malvern Hill road having been lost, the enemy holding both the
woods and the crest in front of the woods. Two companies of
the Eleventh were thrown forward on the left to secure the
entrance to the margin of the wood along the. Four Mile Creek,
leading to the enemy's position on the Malvern Hill road, and
one company of the same regiment was placed in the grove on
the right. Two regiments of Cuneis' brigade were advanced a
few hundred yards to the front, and lay in line of battle until
morning. His other two regiments were set to digging rifle pits,
and the rest of the Eleventh were placed in reserve. At day
light the enemy opened a heavy fusilade from the crest in front
of the woods upon the two regiments lying in the open field, and
both regiments retired within the fortifications. Finding that
these troops could not be relied upon to retake the lost position
on the Malvern Hill road, the Eighteenth Connecticut was placed
in reserve, and the Eleventh Maine was advanced along the
creek in the woods. The enemy was soon met in strong force,
and was slowly but steadily pushed back until confronted in the
line of rifle pits, dug and occupied by the Eleventh on the night
of the twenty-third. Not being able to dislodge the enemy
from this position by sharpshooters alone, four pieces of artil
lery of the First Connecticut, were opened upon the rebel
position. After a most vigorous shelling, the rifle pits were

282 MAINE IN THE WAR.
carried by assault. Thus a position was secured commanding
the Malvern Hill and New Market roads. This position was
gained against great odds, it being won against Kershaw's whole
division of Longstreet's corps. The sharpshooting was kept
up until dark, when the Eleventh was relieved by the Tenth
Connecticut, and placed in reserve. During the night Gen.
Hancock arrived with the Second corps and Gregg's cavalry,
and attacked the enemy at sunrise, and seized the Malvern Hill
road below the rebel battery of four guns. The commanding
officers of the Eleventh Maine and Tenth Connecticut were the
first to reach the guns when they were captured.
On the twenty-sixth, the Eleventh had twenty-three killed
and wounded. The small number of men lost, considering the
close and constant fighting, was owing to the excellent cover
afforded by the trees, and to the skill of the men in bushwhack
ing. Lieut. Col. Hill had the immediate command of the regiment
the most of the time, seconded by Maj. Baldwin.
On the morning of August thirteenth orders came for the
Third brigade to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice.
That night the Eleventh were stationed on picket on the right.
Early the next morning, on which day the battle of Deep Bot
tom was fought, the Eleventh was ordered to attack the enemy.
Three hundred and twenty-five of the regiment were on picket,
extending from the Grover House to the Four Mile Creek, a
distance of more than one mile. The Deep Bottom road divided
this front in about two equal parts. The Eleventh waB to
attack on the right, between Deep Bottom and Four Mile
Creek, the Tenth Connecticut on the left of the road. The few
officers and men in camp for duty were ordered to join their
respective companies on the picket line immediately. That
portion of the regiment on the left of Deep Bottom road, all
but one company, and the videttes, was thrown to the right of
the road, and the regiment hastily formed in a line — a thin
skirmish line without reserve. Ordered to attack, the Eleventh
was soon hotly engaged. At fifteen minutes past five, among
others Maj. Baldwin and Capt. Sabine were carried to the rear
wounded, the former severely. For more than two hours the
Eleventh was hotly engaged along its whole front, with a supe
rior force of the enemy, strongly posted, pressing him closely,
all the time suffering, and all the time steadily advancing.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 283
At half past seven the One Hundredth New York was sent
to take a portion of our front and the Sixth Connecticut as a
support to both regiments. Before the former regiment had
reached its position the general advance commenced, the
Eleventh being ordered to charge. In an instant the line sprang
forward, regardless of numbers, over the enemy's entrench
ments, and without halting even to gather up the prisoners,
throwing down their arms and announcing their surrender,
followed the fleeing rebels with hurrahs, so closely, they had
not time to form behind their rear defences, over two strong
lines of which they were driven in succession. Through the
woods, some four hundred yards, the pursuit was continued to
the open field at the foot of Spring Hill. Here along the edge
of the woods, in a last line of rebel rifle pits, the Eleventh was
halted and the skirmish line reformed. The prisoners captured
and sent in by the Eleventh were twenty-six, a small proportion
of the number captured by the regiment. Many were passed
over by the regiment, and left to be gathered up by the One
Hundredth New York and other regiments as they came up, the
Eleventh dashing on to capture the enemy's reserves, who,
leaving their arms in the stack, took to flight with the greatest
precipitation. The loss of the regiment in this engagement, nearly all of
which occurred previous to the charge, was nine killed and
forty wounded, including two commissioned officers. Two
companies, C and D, lost eleven and twelve respectively, killed
and wounded, and nearly half of their muskets. Company G,
Capt. Sabine, losing heavily, had its commanding officer disa
bled, when Orderly Sergeant Payne took command. In a few
minutes he was disabled and the next Sergeant took charge,
but never a man took one step backward.
After the line had reached the edge of the woods the roll was
called, and two hundred and ninety muskets were in line. The
whole number of muskets engaged in the affair was three hun
dred and thirty-nine ; forty-seven had been killed and wounded,
leaving but two men to be accounted for, and these were assis
ting the drum corps to carry off some of the wounded.
The rebels had been driven into their main works around
Spring Hill, which were now within easy range of our rifles.
A constant fire upon them was kept up whenever and wherever

284 MAINE IN THE WAR.
they showed their heads. Some rebels, more bold, attempted to
walk the parapets at first, but almost invariably were picked off
by the sharpshooters of the Eleventh.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, a flank movement of the
brigade to the right took place, which brought the Eleventh
across the Kingsland road into the field near the Four Mile
Creek, where it lay behind the rebel parapets in the open field
until dark, when the regiment was placed on picket across the
open field to the Four Mile Creek. At ten o'clock they were
withdrawn excepting the picket line, and led the advance of the
corps across the Creek to Strawberry Plain, where they arrived
at midnight and bivouacked in the open field. Before daylight
on the morning of the fifteenth, the men left on picket and fifty
men detailed at dark to construct a bridge, came up, and the
regiment was together again. At seven o'clock, the brigade
was ready to move and soon after moved in a northerly direction,
the Eleventh in the advance, some four miles to a point near
Fuzzle's Mill Pond, where the regiment bivouacked in the edge
of the woods until the next morning with three companies
thrown out as pickets during the day. At three o'clock on the
morning of this day, the regiment was ready to march. Soon
after daylight it moved about a mile to the front and formed in
line of battle on the right of the brigade and supporting the
right of Hawley's brigade then in advance. Soon after the line
of battle was changed and the brigade formed in the woods, the
Eleventh on the right. Three companies, under Capt. Merrill,
were thrown out as skirmishers. Two companies were left in
reserve on the right of the line, to be put on the skirmish line
if the direction of the march necessitated it. The enemy's
pickets were soon after met in a line of rifle pits and driven in
by the skirmish line, the Eleventh capturing a few prisoners.
Advancing across a second ravine the enemy was soon met in
strong force behind a line of breastworks of logs and earth,
and the engagement with all the skirmishers soon became hot.
While our force was attempting to develop the enemy's position
on the front, the order was given to drive the enemy into his
main works and ascertain whether the same could be carried by
assault. The skirmish line was accordingly pressed forward
very close — the bushes being thick — when a charge was made
and the enemy's works, which proved to be his real picket line,

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 285
carried with rousing cheers and with little loss. Not stopping
for a moment even to secure the affrighted prisoners, the line
rushed on, followed by the reserves. The Eleventh was now all
on the skirmish line ; the First Maryland cavalry and a battalion
of the Second corps followed as reserves. When the enemy's
main line was reached by the Eleventh the first volley from the
enemy not only checked the reserves, but turned them back.
Every possible effort was made to bring them forward, which
caused a delay and the opportune moment was lost.
The Eleventh was withdrawn a few yards, where it lay until
the First brigade came up and formed a line in, its rear. The
Eleventh was then withdrawn and a line formed on the right of
the Twenty-fourth Massachussetts, a little to the left of the
First brigade. When the latter soon after charged, the Third
brigade charged with it. The Eleventh dashed across Deep Run
and into the enemy's main works on its front.
On the left the eneiiy's works were not taken, which sub
jected the Eleventh to a heavy flank fire. The right of the
Twenty-fourth Massachusetts joined the left of the Eleventh
in the enemy's works. Thence its line ran back nearly at right
angles to the line over the slope into Deep Run. Near the left
of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, a small ravine entered
Deep Run almost abreast, at right angles to it. Beyond this
ravine, the enemy retired and held on to the angle of land
formed by it and Deep Run with the greatest tenacity. The
position thus held, formed a bastion which enfiladed our whole
line, and defied all attempts that were made to take it.
The enemy now crossed the ravine and charged down in front
of the Eleventh, but were severely repulsed. One time his colors
were shot down within two hundred feet of our front, but were
taken off.
The enemy. now entered the ravine in great numbers, their
battle-flags appearing above it, and there was great danger of
his turning the left of the Eleventh Maine and Twenty-fourth
Massachusetts, by moving down the ravine into Deep Run. The
fire of musketry had been incessant. The Eleventh had ex
pended all their cartridges, and as many more of the rebel
cartridges which were found along the work in abundance, and
their guns were so foul it was only by using the pieces of the
dead and wounded the fire could be kept up. Lieut. Col. Hill,

286 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Holt had in the early part of the
engagement left the field, wounded. Twice the regiment's
flag-staff had been shot away and one third of the men had
fallen. It was now near three o'clock in the afternoon, and the
position must be lost if not supported immediately. A Penn
sylvania regiment was sent from Barton's old brigade, but
before it got into position it was evident it would not stand.
The balance of the brigade was ordered up and began to move
by the left flank in rear of the Eleventh, but scarcely had the
movement commenced when the Pennsylvania regiment already
sent, dissolved and disappeared across the Run. The Twenty-
fourth Massachusetts then gave way, and the Eleventh shortly
retired, the rebel flag having been planted on the parapet.
In this fight the regiment lost ninety-three enlisted men and
three commissioned officers, killed and wounded, most of whom
fell from the flank fire while taking and holding the enemy's
works. Capt. Lawrence was mortally wounded, and Capt. Sar
bine who was also wounded, died from the effect of his wounds
about a month afterward.
About sunset the Eleventh was placed on the left of our line,
connecting with the Second corps at the Mill Pond, where it
lay until the night of the eighteenth, engaged most of the time
in fortifying its front. The regiment followed the movements
of the brigade to the New Market road near Malvern Hill, and
thence to Deep Bottom where it arrived at sunrise on the morn
ing of the twentieth and went immediately on picket. On its
return, Col. Plaisted was appointed by Gen. Birney to command
the rear guard of one thousand men, selected from the different
regiments of the Tenth corps. Lieut. Col. Hill and Maj. Bald
win not having recovered from their wounds, Capt. Merrill
commanded the regiment.
On the seventh of November the term of service of the orig
inal members of the regiment, numbering one hundred and
thirty-one, expired, leaving in the regiment which was encamp
ed at the front near the New Market road north of the James,
four hundred and seventy-six men and twenty commissioned
officers — ten present and ten absent. They returned to Maine
where they were mustered out.
Two hundred recruits were at this time added to the regiment
which was under the command of Lieut. Col. Hill.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 287
After Gen. Caldwell received his promotion he was assigned
to the command of Gen. Howard's brigade. He was in all the
battles of the Peninsular campaign after Fair Oaks, and his brig
ade never lost a gun, color or inch of ground. In the retreat to
Harrison's Landing his command was in six battles in three
days, marching all night after fighting all day. Gen. Kearney
wrote Gen. Caldwell a very complimentary letter for the efficient
service he rendered him at Charles City Cross Roads, where his
command captured a stand of colors. At the battle of Antie
tam his brigade drove a largely superior force of the enemy
before them, capturing seven stands of colors and three hundred
prisoners, a larger number both of colors and prisoners than
was taken by any other brigade in the army. At Gettysburgh
he succeeded Gen. Hancock in the command of the First
division, Second corps. He was subsequently relieved from
duty in the field and called to preside over a military commission
in Washington.

288 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XIII.
TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised and organized for the general
government upon the same basis as the Eleventh, and was
designed from the outset to constitute a portion of Maj. Gen.
Butler's New England division, designed for the capture of New
Orleans. Within three weeks after the first enlistment paper
was circulated, the regiment was raised. The men were sent
into camp at Portland, where they were mustered into the United
States service November fifteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
one, by Lieut. Col. Eastman. The regiment was officered as
follows : FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
George F. Shepley, Portland, Colonel; William K. Kimball,
Paris, Lieutenant Colonel ; David R. Hastings, Lovell, Major ;
Edwin Illsley, Lewiston, Adjutant ; Horatio N. Jose, Portland,
Quartermaster; James H. Thompson, Orono, Surgeon ; William
T. Black, Calais, Assistant Surgeon; Joseph Colby, Gorham,
Chaplain ; John W. Dana, Portland, Sergeant Major ; Elias F.
Goddard, Rumford, Quartermaster Sergeant; Julius Drake,
Portland, Commissary Sergeant; Sargent S. P. Coe, Portland,
Hospital Steward. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Gideon A. Hastings, Bethel, Captain; Elbridge
G. Bolton, Portland, First Lieutenant; Charles D. Webb, Port
land, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — George H. Chadwell, Captain ; Charles F. Little,
First Lieutenant ; S. Bolivar Wiggin, Second Lieutenant ; all
* of Portland.
Company C. — Charles C. G. Thornton, Scarborough, Captain;
William W. Deane, Westbrook, First Lieutenant ; Horatio
Hight, Scarborough, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Elisha Winter, Dixfield, Captain ; Henry B.

TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 289
Walton, Peru, First Lieutenant; Christopher C. Richardson,
Dixfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Enoch Knight, Bridgton, Captain; Horace
Eastman, Lovell, First Lieutenant ; Hamilton S. Lowell, Wind
ham, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Seth C. Farrington, Fryeburgh, Captain ; Ab
bott Coan, Orono, First Lieutenant; Edward H. B. Wilson,
Orono, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Moses M. Robinson, Portland, Captain ; Stephen
B. Packard, Auburn, First Lieutenant; William B. Skillin,
North Yarmouth, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — John F. Appleton, Bangor, Captain; Daniel
M. Phillips, Gorham, First Lieutenant; George Webster, Ban
gor, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Menzies R. Fessenden, Portland, Captain ;
Samuel F. Thompson, Bangor, First Lieutenant; Abram B.
Coombs, Bangor, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — George Washburn, Calais, Captain ; James S.
Cleaves, Calais, First Lieutenant ; Stephen M. Eaton, Gorham,
Second Lieutenant.
Col. Shepley for several years was United States District
Attorney, and one of the ablest and most eloquent lawyers in
the State. Lieut. Col. Kimball had been formerly United States
Marshal. Three of the field officers and six of the Captains
were lawyers and nine of the Lieutenants were either lawyers
or law students.
The First battery of mounted artillery was temporarily
attached to the regiment.
On the twenty-fourth of November the regiment left Portland
for Massachusetts, going into camp at Lowell, where they re
mained until the latter part of December, when they proceeded
to Boston and embarked on the second of January of the fol
lowing year on board steamship Constitution for Ship Island at
the mouth of the Mississippi, at which place they arrived on
the twelfth of February.
On the twenty-second of March, Col. Shepley was placed in
command of the Third brigade of Gen. Butler's division and
the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieut. Col. Kimball.
The regiment remained at Ship Island engaged in perfecting
itself in drill and discipline until May fourth, when it went to
19

290 MAINE IN THE WAR.
New Orleans which city had then fallen into our possession.
Landing on the ninth the regiment was stationed at the United
States branch mint, relieving the police and performing guard
duty. Gen. Shepley was appointed military commandant of the
city. On the twenty-second of June Lieut. Col. Kimball, who was
shortly afterwards promoted to the command of his regiment,
with six companies of the Twelfth, and Capt. Read of the gun
boat New London, who was to co-operate with him, was sent to
Pass Manchac, on an expedition which resulted in a complete
success, the enemy making but slight resistance before he
escaped in his boats across Lake Maurepas. Two batteries
consisting of six 32-pounders were captured, together with a
large amount of ordnance stores, camp equipage, and a stand
of colors. The bridges in that vicinity were destroyed, to.
gether with the depot and other buildings of the New Orleans,
Jackson and Great Northern railroad, thus breaking up all tho
enemy's communications between New Orleans and Jackson,
Mississippi. ^ rebel Colonel was also taken with eight thou
sand dollars in Confederate currency. This brilliant achievement
on being brought by Gen. Butler to the attention of the War
Department, was warmly commended, and the captured colors
were ordered to be kept in the possession of the Twelfth for
their gallantry. These colors were subsequently forwarded to
Maine and added to the collection of trophies in the hands of
the State.
Having been informed that a small force of the enemy were
repairing Pass Manchac, and that the troops had been withdrawn
from Ponchatoula, forty-eight miles north of New Orleans, the
headquarters of the rebel Gen. Jeff. Thompson, Gen. Butler
directed Maj. Strong, his chief of staff, to take five companies
of men to complete the destruction of the bridge and the repairs,
if any, and by a division of his force to endeavor to secure the
person of Gen. Thompson, and to destroy his supplies. Pur
suant to orders Maj. Strong on the thirteenth of September,
embarked on the afternoon of that day, on board the steamer
Ceres, at Lakeport, with three companies of the Twelfth Maine
— company C, Capt. Thornton, company D, Capt. Winter, and
company F, Capt. Farrington — and one company (Capt. Picker
ing's) of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts regiment. Maj.

TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 291
Strong had previously sent one hundred men of the Thirteenth
Connecticut regiment on board the gunboat New London, whose
commander, Capt. Read, had kindly consented to co-operate
with him. The object in view being to surprise the village of
Ponchatoula, to that end the New London was to land her men
at Manchac Bridge, whence, at daybreak next morning, they
were to drive the enemy that might be found there, northward
to Ponchatoula, while the remainder of the force, having found
their way fifteen miles up the Tangipahea river in the night,
should have landed, marched six miles westward, and captured
Ponchatoula in season to secure those of the enemy who had
been driven up from Pass Manchac. *
The attempt at a surprise failed ; for not only was the New
London unable to get over the bar into Manchac Pass, in the
darkness, but the Ceres, too large for the easy navigation of the
narrow and winding Tangipahea, failed, in each of the two suc
ceeding nights, to reach her destination on that river in season
to admit of our gaining Ponchatoula before daylight. Maj.
Strong resolved, therefore, to go with that steamer to Manchac
Bridge, and did so on the morning of the fifteenth. From that
point Capt. Winter was sent with his company southward, to
make the destruction of the railroad on Manchac Island more
complete, which duty he thoroughly performed. Capt. Picker
ing's company was left to guard the steamer, and the compar
nies of Capts. Thornton and Farrington began a forced march
of ten miles upon Ponchatoula.
A locomotive, one mile below the village, gave notice of their
approach, which could not be concealed, and ran northward,
giving the alarm at the village, and thence to Camp Moore, for
reinforcements. We met, on entering Ponchatoula, a discharge
of cannister, at seventy yards, from a light battery, in charging
which Capt. Thornton jeceived three wounds and was obliged
to retire from the field. His company then, under Lieut. Hight,
reinforced Capt. Farrington's first platoon, that had gained a
position on the enemy's right, while Lieut. Coan, with the
second platoon of that company, took a position, under partial
cover, on the left of the enemy's line. From these positions
our troops poured in so deliberate and destructive a fire that
the enemy was driven from the field, the* artillery galloping
away, followed by the infantry, on a road through the forest, in
a northwesterly direction.

292 MAINE IN THE WAR.
We were now masters of the field. Some busied themselves
with taking care of the wounded; some set fire to a freight
train, loaded with sugar, molasses, and other Confederate stores,
and others looked after matters in the Post and Telegraph
Offices. Gen. Thompson's headquarters were searched, and his
sword "Presented by a few Memphis Patriots," and his spurs
were brought away. Thinking it possible the enemy designed
coming in upon the railroad at a crossing about a mile below,
Maj. Strong ordered most of his little force down to that posi
tion, and Capt. Farrington with the remainder was to assist the
wounded away. While thus engaged, a train loaded with Con
federate troops, arrived above the village. They brought with
them two field pieces and a rifled 12-pounder. We were about
one mile below the village, and nearly ready to return, when
they opened upon us with shot and shell. Those of the wounded
who were able to walk, were with us. Several men in charge
of Sergt. Snow of company D, were bearing Capt. Thornton on
a mattress. They had just left the village and were very near
the enemy, when he opened fire. For them to proceed further
on the railroad, was impossible, as it also was to proceed through
the woods. They were passing the last house, and humanity
and prudence alike recommended that the Captain be left there.
Sergt. Snow with others, after leaving the Captain in charge of
one who felt unable to get away, hurried through- the wood and
joined the rear guard. Capt. Farrington was in the village with
the wounded, when the enemy passed him. He, however, had
no idea of remaining there, and by a circuitous route joined the
rear guard.
The return from Ponchatoula being necessarily along the
railroad, through a swamp, and on which there was no cover
for troops, it was, therefore, impossible to bring off those Of
our men who were most severely wounded, as they would be
exposed, for a long distance, to the fire of the artillery, which,
with horses attached, would be brought back upon the line of
the road, as soon as we should have left the village. It did so
return, at the signal of the inhabitants, but though actively
served, did us no harm, and the force reached the Ceres a little
after dark, and on the next morning returned to quarters. Our
force engaged amounted to but one hundred and twelve men,
the Twelfth losing fourteen killed and several wounded and

TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 293
taken prisoners. The r,ebel force consisted of three hundred
troops of the Tenth Arkansas regiment, one company of home
guards and one company of artillery. On the return march,
Sergt. Snow, than whom a braver man never lived, was lost.
After he joined the rear guard, from assisting Capt. Thornton,
he continued firing at the enemy until his musket was too hot
to use, and then was assisting to raise a rail off the track when
he fell from sudden congestion of the brain or sun-stroke, and
died in a few minutes.
On the twenty-first of October the regiment under Major
Hastings, Col. Kimball being on detached duty as president of
a military commission, left New Orleans for Camp Parapet,
eight miles distant, where they remained until November nine
teenth, when they marched about eighty miles through the
enemy's country to College Point, where they embarked on
board transports for Baton Rouge. During this march frequent
skirmishes took place with the enemy's pickets, with but few
casualties. On their arrival at Baton Rouge, December twen
tieth, they were placed in the defences of that city. On the
twelfth of February Col. Kimball rejoined the regiment and was
shortly afterward assigned to the command of the Second
brigade in Gen. Grover's division, the Twelfth forming a por
tion of the brigade under the command of Lieut. Col. Illsley.
At this time the Department of the Gulf was under the command
of Gen. Banks who had succeeded Gen. Butler, and operations
for the reduction of Port Hudson were inaugurated. During
the early stages of the campaign the Twelfth performed an
important part, assisting in covering the successful naval move
ment under Farragut, which resulted in his passing the enemy's
stronghold with his fleet and communicating with our fleet
above. Returning to Baton Rouge the Twelfth formed a portion of the
expedition through the Teche country to Red river. Proceed
ing to Donaldsonville with the remainder of Grover's division,
three days' long march brought them to Thibedauville on bayou
La Fouche. From thence they went by rail to bayou Roueff,
where after remaining two or three days, they moved to Berwick
Bay. Here they were put on board transports, Saturday, April
eleventh, and started up the bay into lake Chestimacha, up which
sheet of water they proceeded about thirty miles. Emory's

294 MAINE IN THE WAR.
division had gone up to attack the enemy at Franklin situated
on bayou Teche, about twenty-five miles, where it empties into
Berwick bay. While he engaged him, the Twelfth with the
rest of Grover's division were to attack in the rear. The
transport Arizona on which were the Twelfth and Forty-first
Massachusetts, grounded in passing the lake, and all attempts
at getting her off proving unavailing, the remainder of the fleet
went on without her, when her troops were disembarked, and
after considerable effort she was got off on Monday, and did
not join the rest of the fleet until afternoon, when all of the
troops had disembarked and gone on. They were soon over
taken, however, and that night the regiment lay on its arms
on the west side of the Teche, the rebel attempt to burn the
bridge across that bayou not succeeding. The next morning
our force moved onward, but the advance had not gone far
before it came upon the enemy in the edge of a thick wood.
The battle known as Irish Bend then took place. The fight
was short but severe. The enemy was in a concealed position,
but he was driven, our men fighting desperately and advancing
rapidly. When the Twelfth came up the woods were cleared,
but the danger was not over. The gunboat Diana, which the
rebels had captured from us but a short time before, came up
and commenced shelling the Twelfth without any casualty.
For two or three hours she kept up firing, when our forces
having all got out of reach, she was fired and abandoned.
Continuing their march our forces proceeded through the
enemy's country to the Red river, and embarking on transports
landed at bayou Sara on the right bank of the Mississippi,
fourteen miles above Port Hudson, to participate in the siege of
that place, then commencing. The Twelfth with their brigade
immediately engaged the enemy in his rifle pits outside his
defences, which were captured, while he retired to his works.
The siege was now fairly commenced, and on May twenty-
seventh the Twelfth led an assaulting column in the first charge
on the enemy's fortifications. On this occasion the regiment
suffered severely in killed and wounded. Their flag was the
first one planted on the outside of the parapet, the contending
parties approaching so near each other that bayonets were
crossed. In consequence of the enemy massing his forces in
largely superior numbers in our immediate front, the order for

TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 295
entering his works was countermanded. The conduct of the
regiment was specially commended in general orders.
On tne fourteenth of June the regiment participated in
another charge during a general assault the entire length of
our lines, which resulted in a repulse, and the Second brigade
under Col. Kimball, was ordered to hold the advanced position
obtained during the charge. Here the Twelfth remained in the
trenches, constantly on exposed 'outpost duty without shelter,
covering the operations in our approaches to the enemy's works,
suffering daily in killed and wounded, until the final surrender,
July seventh, when they were honored by being selected as
one of the regiments taken from each division, to participate
in the formal capitulation of the enemy.
Immediately following the surrender the regiment with their
division embarked forDonaldsonville where a successful engage
ment with the enemy under Gen. Dick Taylor, took place. The
Twelfth remained at this place about a month or until after the
disappearance of the enemy in that vicinity, when they went
to New Orleans. From thence with the Twenty-fourth Con
necticut they were sent to Ship Island to protect that post,
which was placed under Col. Kimball's command, against a
threatened attack from Mobile. Here they remained during the
excessively hot months of August and September, when the
force was recalled to New Orleans, the Twelfth on their arrival
being placed in charge of the external defences of that city,
at Camp Parapet, remaining until the commencement of the
following year, when they formed a part of an expedition for
the occupation of the town of Madisonville and the eastern
part of the State. The expedition was under the charge of
Col. Kimball and was successful in its mission, the place being
captured without resistance. The Twelfth remained at Madi
sonville until the eleventh of March, when on the departure of
Gen. Banks' Red river expedition which movement it covered,
thdy returned to New Orleans. On the twelfth two-thirds of
the regiment re-enlisted as veterans who, April sixteenth, were
furloughed and came to Maine, the non-re-enlisting men remain
ing under command of Capt. Cleaves at Camp Parapet. On
the expiration of their furlough they left Maine, June third/and
returning to New Orleans on the sixteenth, joined the balance
of the regiment and proceeded to Morganzia where they remain-

296 MAINE IN THE WAR.
ed until thp third of July. Then they were transported down
the river to Algiers where they remained encamped until the
thirteenth when with a portion of the Nineteenth corps, they
sailed for Fortress Monroe, arriving on the twentieth and on
the next day reporting to Gen. Grant at City Point, who sent
them to Bermuda Hundred. There they reported to Gen. Butler
who ordered them that evening to the front. Here they re
mained for over a month, constantly employed in our operations
before Petersburgh, when at an early hour on the morning of
July thirty-first the regiment embarked at City Point for Wash
ington from which city they proceeded on the second of August
to Tennailytown where they joined their division. Here they
remained encamped until the thirteenth when proceeding
through Snicker's Gap in the Blue Ridge they joined Gen.
Sheridan's army which was then falling back, at Berryville.
On the nineteenth of September took- place the battle of
Winchester. On the morning of this day at an early hour, the
Union column moved rapidly forward on the Winchester Pike,
the Sixth corps on the right, Nineteenth in the centre and Eighth
in the reserve — our advance driving in the enemy's outposts.
Arriving within a mile of Winchester at about eleven o'clock
in^the forenoon a line of battle was formed, the Twelfth's
brigade — first, of the Second division — forming a portion of the
front line, companies A and H being sent forward under Capt.
Phillips, as skirmishers, when the advance was ordered. The
enemy was driven across an open field into a piece of woods,
when an order was given for our advance to halt and adjust
the formation of the line, but so enthusiastic were our men
that they fixed bayonets and with a yell started forward upon
the double quick with such impetuosity that the enemy was
driven in great confusion. Our flank being exposed, our advance
soon found themselves under such a terrible cross fire from the
enemy's artillery and infantry, that they were obliged to fall back.
The field was strewed with the enemy's dead. The Twelfth's
brigade lost one fourth of its number in killed, wounded and
missing. The regiment lost heavily.
In this charge Captains Thompson of company I and Phillips
of company H, were killed. The former was struck with a
cannister shot and instantly killed. The latter, who was in com
mand of the skirmish line, was waving his sword and cheering

TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 297
on his men, when a ball struck him in his leg above the knee,
severing an artery. It was impossible to bring him from the
field, and he shortly afterwards died. During the fight the
Twelfth's brigade was pitted against " Stonewall's Invincibles."
On the re-formation of our lines our troops were again advanc
ed, but the first charge had done its work. The enemy offered
a feeble resistance, and when Torbet with his cavalry went dash
ing on their flanks, they broke and rushed through the streets
of Winchester a panic-stricken mob. The battle lasted all day,
and was the commencement of the ebbing flow of the tide of
success which had heretofore attended the rebels in the rich
valley of the Shenandoah. The next day our army advanced
to near Strasburgh, and found the enemy posted at Fisher's
Hill, a position which, though of great strength, was captured
by Sheridan's brave army with most of its artillery and stores.
Our loss was comparatively small. The Twelfth's brigade was
in the reserve, and although under the enemy's fire of artillery
during the storm of battle, not one was injured. During the
night of the twenty-second and after the capture of the enemy's
works who fled in utter rout, the regiment took the advance and
skirmished all night.
On the morning of the twenty-third, the regiment was at
Woodstock, from which place they advanced and joined in the
pursuit of the enemy who escaped through the Blue Ridge.
On the twenty-fifth they marched to Harrisburgh, where they
remained four days when they moved forward as far as Mount
Crawford. The next day they returned to Harrisburgh. The
object of this movement was to be within supporting distance
of our cavalry which had advanced as far as Staunton. The
army commenced falling back to Harper's Ferry on the sixth
of October, having accomplished all that was intended in this
region, when it was followed by the enemy's cavalry, who were
severely punished by the Union cavalry for their audacity. On
the tenth we took up a strong position on the north side of
Cedar Creek, our left resting near the north bank of the Shen
andoah. During the evening of the eighteenth, the Twelfth with
the remainder of the Second division of the Nineteenth corps
was ordered to be in readiness to make a reconnoissance to the
front at daylight the next morning. When on the point of
moving, the enemy attacked the extreme left of our lines,

298 MAINE IN THE WAR.
having taken the Eighth corps which held that position, by
surprise — driving them back, thus exposing the left flank of the
Nineteenth corps, which not being a flanking corps was in no
condition to make a proper resistance, until it changed front,
which was done as soon as the state of affairs was fully known,
but not until the Eighth corps was driven back and somewhat
demoralized. The Twelfth being in the front line, occupying
rifle pits, remained in its position until many of its number had
been struck down by bullets coming from both flank and rear.
That portion of the Nineteenth corps which was the flank, faced
towards the left after the commencement of the fight, being
obliged to fall back. The regiment then received orders to
change front, which it did in good order under a severe fire from
the enemy who had gained an eminence commanding the position
occupied by the Twelfth, which fell back to a position where
the lines of the corps were re-arranged, and there remained until
the timely arrival of Gen. Sheridan in person on the battle field.
All seemed inspired with the same confidence on his appearance.
Re-forming his army in one line of battle, it was pushed forward,
achieving one of the most complete and decisive victories that
had taken place in the Shenandoah. The enemy was scattered
in utter confusion/our men fighting as they never had fought
before, feeling that the annihilation of the enemy depended upon
their blows. That night the Twelfth occupied its old position
and next morning moved forward as far as Strasburgh, where it
remained until the twentieth, when it returned to its former
position on Cedar Creek. The regiment lost during the battle
one hundred and two in killed, wounded and taken prisoners.
The Twelfth remained at Cedar Creek encamped, until the
ninth of November, when it moved back to near Opequan
Creek with the rest of the army, where it remained until the
nineteenth. At this time expired the term of service of the non-
re-enlisting men, and of a large portion of the officers, num
bering in all about eighty, who returned to Maine for the
purpose of being mustered out, which took place on the seventh
of December at Portland. The re-enlisted men consisting of
four companies under Lieut. Col. Illsley, numbering about three
hundred and seventy-six men, were formed into a battalion.
During its term of service none of the field officers of the
Twelfth were killed. The utmost cordiality of feeling and

TWELFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 299
unity of action ever prevailed in the regiment. No man was ever
disgraced by any corporeal punishment, but each was always
ready to perform that which was required of him. The regi
ment bears a good record, having always been prompt and
trusty, never wanting in courage, invariably selected for arduous
and perilous service, and always complimented by every Gen
eral under whom they served.
Gen. Shepley remained military commandant of New Orleans
until the seventeenth of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
when he was commissioned on the following day Brigadier
General, and was appointed Military Governor of Louisiana,
and in that capacity acted until the spring of eighteen hundred
and sixty-four, when he was transferred to Norfolk, Virginia,
and served in a like capacity. His administration of affairs in
Louisiana met with wide approval, and a large portion of the
loyal people of that State would have elected him Governor, if
he had been constitutionally eligible.

300 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XIV.
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised at large and rendezvoused at
Augusta. The following was the organization of the regiment :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Neal Dow, Portland, Colonel ; Henry Rust, Jr., Norway,
Lieutenant Colonel; Frank S. Hesseltine, Waterville, Major;
Frederic Speed, Gorham, Adjutant; David S. Stinson, Auburn,
Quartermaster; James M. Bates, Yarmouth, Surgeon; Seth C.
Gordon, Gorham, Assistant Surgeon; Henry D. Moore, Port
land, Chaplain; Edward H. B. Wilson, Cumberland, Sergeant
Major; Wayne W. Blossom, Turner, Quartermaster Sergeant;
George W. Dow, Portland, Commissary Sergeant; Simeon A.
Evans, Fryeburgh, Hospital Steward.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Frederic A. Stevens, Bangor, Captain; William
H. H. Walker, Newburgh, First Lieutenant; George E. Moul
ton, Westbrook, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — William B. Snell, Fairfield, Captain; Edward
P. Loring, Norridgewock, First Lieutenant; Joseph B. Corson,
Canaan, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Alfred E. Buck, Lewiston, Captain; Freeman
U. Whiting, Newport, First Lieutenant; John S. P. Ham,
Lewiston, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Charles A. Bates, Norridgewock, Captain;
Almon L. Varney, Brunswick, First Lieutenant; James H.
Wetherell, Norridgewock, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Isaac F. Quimby, Westbrook, Captain; Morrill
P. Smith, Wilton, First Lieutenant; William A. Brainard,
Farmington, Second Lieutenant.
Company F.— Charles R. March, Portland, Captain ; Waldo
A. Blossom, Turner, First Lieutenant; John H. Sherburne,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 301
Company G. — Joshua L. Sawyer, Portland, Captain; Aaron
Ring, Westbrook, First Lieutenant; William T. Smith, Augusta,
Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Abernethy Grover, Albany, Captain ; Augus
tine W. Clough, Portland, First Lieutenant; Enoch Foster, Jr.,
Newry, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Stillman C. Archer, Cherryfield, Captain; Isaiah
Rendall, Portland, First Lieutenant; William C. Cushing, Win-
terport, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — William R. Swan, Paris, Captain; Amos G.
Goodwin, Biddeford, First Lieutenant; Melville C. Linscott,
Readfield, Second Lieutenant.
The regiment was mustered into service on the thirty-first of
December, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, by Lieut. Col. East
man and Capt. Hight of the United States army. It remained
in camp at Augusta until February eighteenth, eighteen hun
dred and sixty-two, when it left for the seat of war and arrived
in Boston that night, where the men were quartered in Faneuil
Hall, "the cradle of liberty." On the twentieth companies A,
B, E and I, under Col. Dow, with Maj. Hesseltine and a portion
of the staff, embarked for Ship Island, Mississippi, via Fortress
Monroe, on board the steamer Mississippi. Next day the
remaining companies under Lieut. Col. Rust, with the remainder
of the staff, proceeded to New York. They left that city on
the twenty-seventh, on board the steamer Fulton, direct for
Ship Island, where they arrived on the eighth of March and
immediately went into camp. The companies under Col. Dow
touched at Fortress Monroe on the twenty-fourth, took Gen.
Butler on board and next day put to sea. The ship encoun
tered a terrific gale off Cape Hatteras on the night of the
twenty-sixth, and many members of the regiment who were
experienced sailors, were called up from below and rendered
very efficient service in working the ship and saving her from
impending destruction. Without their aid the vessel would
have foundered. On the morning of the twenty-eighth, under
a clear sky and brilliant sunshine, on a smooth sea and with
Cape Fear light ten miles distant on their starboard bow, the
ship grounded on Frying-pan Shoals, where she was in much
greater peril than during the storm two days before.
The Mississippi was an iron ship of twenty-five hundred tons

302 MAINE IN THE WAR.
crowded with men, having on board the Thirty-first Massachu
setts in addition to the four companies of the Thirteenth, and
was fast aground, ten miles from land, exposed to the full sweep
of the sea, at one of the most dangerous points" on the Atlantic
coast. By great labor the ship was cleared from the shoal and
got afloat at half past five in the afternoon. It was found that
the anchor had made a hole in her bottom and her forward
compartment was filled with water to the level of the external
sea. This brought the ship down two feet by the head. While
the steamer was being got afloat, two companies of soldiers
were transferred to the United States steamer Mount Vernon,
that had come to its relief. The transfer was attended with
danger as the wind and waves kept constantly rising, and at
last it was entirely stopped by this cause.
The Mississippi could not possibly have survived on the
shoal through the night, as the sea became very rough. She
touched at Cape Fear where she remained part of the day and
then sailed for Port Royal, South Carolina, where they arrived
March second and went into camp, the ship hauling up for
repairs. The battalion of the Thirteenth remained here till
the thirteenth, when they embarked on board steamer Matanzas
and sailed for Ship Island, where they arrived on the twentieth
after a very pleasant passage. Here they found the remainder
of the regiment already in camp,
Ship Island is simply a heap of fine, snow-white sand, thrown
up by the action of the sea, ten miles from the southern line of
the State of Mississippi. It is about seven miles long and on
an average, one fourth of a mile wide. It is, in portions,
marshy, and high tides cover nearly one half of the whole island.
There is but one tide a day there, of about fourteen inches, but
this is constantly varied by the action of the wind. Good,
fresh water, however, could always be found by digging a few
feet beneath the surface.
The sanitary condition of this regiment as well as all the
other troops composing Gen. Butler's expedition, was, during
their stay on Ship Island, most lamentable. Passing in mid
winter from a rigorous northern climate to the enervating atmos
phere of the Gulf, provisioned only with army rations mostly
damaged in transportation, they were afflicted by an epidemic
of typhoid fever and diptheria. Surrounded by no objects to

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 303
gratify or relieve the eye, with nothing exciting to vary the
monotony of camp life, the utmost exertions were required to
prevent universal despondency and discontent. Deaths from
homesickness as well as disease and deliberate suicide, were the
result of the condition engendered from these causes. The
bread supplied, in particular, was so bad that but little of it
was eaten, and where the encampments were thickest upon the
island, might at any time be found, in windrows, like sea-weed
upon the beach, loaves which the men had thrown away as
refuse matter. The only compensating advantage arising from
this kind of life during the long stay upon the island was the
opportunity it afforded for perfecting the troops in drill and
discipline, in which the Thirteenth was not excelled by any
regiment on the island. Gen. Weitzel, one of the most accom
plished officers of the army, arriving early one morning when
nothing was known of his coming, after having reviewed and
inspected the regiment, said the men performed their duty in
every particular and that he had never seen better soldiers.
The great mortality upon the island, in proportion to the num
ber taken sick, was. ascribed by surgeons to the fact that no
nutriment could be supplied, from any source, to sustain the
proper system while nature, with the aid of medicine, was
throwing off disease.
All the other regiments having departed for the Mississippi
river, the Thirteenth was finally left alone to occupy Ship Island,
where it did camp, guard and fatigue duty till the fifth of July.
Qn the twenty-eighth of April, Col. Dow was appointed Brig
adier General and Lieut. Col. Rust was promoted to the Colonelcy,
Maj. Hesseltine to the Lieutenant Colonelcy and Capt. Grover
of company H to the Majority. July fifth, company K proceeded
to Fort Macomb, Louisiana, to garrison that post, and company
C proceeded to Fort Pike to garrison that post, relieving the
troops stationed there, subsequently reinforcing company K at
Fort Macomb. These two forts constituted one post. On the
eighth of July companies A, G, H and I were ordered to the
Mississippi river under Maj. Grover. Next day the former
occupied Quarantine Station and the three latter Fort Jackson,
relieving the troops at those points. Company A remained at
Quarantine till the seventh of August when it was ordered to
Fort St. Phillip. The companies at Fort Jackson remained

304 MAINE IN THE WAR.
there under command of Maj. Grover till July sixteenth, then
under Lieut. Col. Hesseltine till August twenty-fourth, when
they were ordered to Fort St. Phillip to reinforce the garrison.
On the eleventh of July, companies B and E left Ship Island
for New Orleans where they remained till the fourteenth, when
they moved down the river and next day occupied Fort St.
Phillip. Companies D and F remained at Ship Island under
Col. Rust, who commanded the post until January twenty-third
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, doing garrison and guard
duty, having charge of the stores, contrabands and prisoners
upon the island. At this date, by order of Gen. Banks, Col.
Rust relinquished the command of Ship Island to assume that
of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip at the entrance of Lake Pon
chartrain, where he remained until the first of August following
when he was detailed for duty at the city of New Orleans.
The duties at the forts were responsible and very monotonous.
They consisted of the care of the forts and their armament, in
guarding closely the river, examining all vessels which passed
and the papers of those engaged in the carrying trade to pre
vent contraband traffic so far as possible, .and to keep vigilant
guard against surprise of which serious apprehensions were felt
at Department headquarters, especially at the time when Gen.
Banks had withdrawn all the forces that could possibly be
spared from the outposts, to complete the investment of Port
Hudson. The rebel forces, scattered and dispersed by Gen. Banks in
his expedition up the Teche, having been reorganized, threatened
attack at every point considered vulnerable. The forts being
built upon a marsh with no dry ground within several miles,
insects and reptiles abounded to such an extent as to make
existence almost intolerable. Exposed to the malarious influ
ences of this most marshy country of the whole south, to the
direct rays of a tropical sun during the day and to the stings
of flies by night so as to make rest, except in the most closely
barred apartments, an impossibility, the men suffered severely
in health and spirits and were only too glad to accept the
fatigues and privations of active field service. About the first
of September they were ordered to New Orleans to perform
provost duty.
On the thirtieth of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 305
by the arrival of companies C and K at New Orleans from Fort
Macomb, the regiment, after a separation of sixteen months,
was once more united. Here it remained doing provost duty
till, having been joined to the expedition of Gen. Banks into
Texas, it embarked in the steamer Clinton on the twenty-third
of October. The men suffered severely during the voyage,
exposed on the upper deck of the badly crowded steamer to a
cold rain storm for forty-eight hours, and to a severe gale in the
gulf in which two of the transports foundered. On the first of
November the regiment landed, the first of the expedition, on
Brazos Santiago, Texas. A barren, desolate region, it hardly
seemed worth the cost of this second effort to save it to the re
public to the soldier who must wearily march, carrying his
burden over its arid, sandy soil. Yet hundreds of miles must
be traversed and millions of money spent before it was discov
ered that the captured waste was not worth the holding.
On the night of the third of November, in obedience to
orders the regiment headed the advance on Brownsville, fording
Boca Chica Pass to the main land and marching that day to the
mouth of the Rio Grande. Here it bivouacked twenty-four hours
waiting for rations, but none arriving it was provisioned from
Mexico, and made a forced march of thirty-five miles to Browns
ville on the sixth of November, taking possession of Fort
Brown which the rebels had hastily evacuated, blowing up the
government buildings. On the fourteenth and fifteenth it
marched back over the old Taylor road by the memorable battle
fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma to Point Isabel and
joined Brig. Gen. Ransom's coast expedition. Landing through
the surf on the southern extremity of Mustang Island on the
evening of the sixteenth of November, they made that night a
most trying march of twenty-four miles up the beach, and early
the next morning supported by the Fifteenth Maine (the rest
of the force failing to come up,) advanced in line of battle
against the fortifications of Aransas Pass, compelling the sur
render after a brief skirmish, capturing the garrison and six
guns. For their conduct in this affair the regiment was com
plimented in a speech by the General and honorably mentioned
in his official report. On the twenty-first the regiment crossing
the Pass, landed on St. Joseph ^sland and still in advance,
marched to the northern extremity, a distance of forty miles, in
20

306 MAINE IN THE WAR.
two days. On the twenty-fifth having crossed the channel to
Matagorda Island, it continued its march up the coast coming
within range of Fort Esperanza at the northern extremity of the
island, a distance of forty-five miles. On the morning of the
twenty-seventh the regiment with skirmishers in advance moved
up in line of battle, driving the rebels from their rifle pits and
took up position under a heavy fire of shells from the fort. A
severe norther that arose prevented the intended attack on the
fort, delayed an important movement to capture an interior
work and cut off the retreat of the garrison for which this regi
ment had been chosen. Fearing this movement and an attack
as soon as the gale abated, our infantry being within close range
of this work, the rebel force of one thousand men hastily
abandoned and blew up their very strong fort on the night of
the twenty-ninth. Fort Esperanza one of the strongest of
earthworks mounting eleven heavy guns, commanded Pass
Caballo the entrance to Matagorda Bay. By its capture our
force had possession of this fine harbor for a base for future
operations into the heart of Texas.
The regiment was encamped by this pass while the army was
being reinforced, until February eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, when it was ordered back to Louisiana and rejoined the
Nineteenth army corps at Franklin, to take part in the Red river
campaign then about starting. The deprivations and suffer
ings of the regiment during the Texas campaign were very
great. No land transportation accompanied the expedition and
the regiment, suddenly taken from garrison, being unprovided
with tents of any kind were exposed to the freezing northerly
gales, peculiarly severe in that region. To escape the piercing
wind the men dug holes in the sand and even sought to make
existence less miserable by constructing a shelter from the fresh
hides of slaughtered cattle. The scarcity of wood and want
of transportation made fire a rare indulgence. To add to their
sufferings the men were scantily and poorly supplied with
rations and at one time wholly deprived of food for two days. In
all these sufferings there was no distinction between officers and
men. Both alike were exposed without shelter and deprived
of sufficient food and means of preparing the little obtained.
While stationed here the regiment was sent on several impor
tant expeditions ; indeed it was always selected when any

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 307
hazardous work was to be performed. On the twenty-ninth of
December companies C, H and K, numbering one hundred men,
went on an expedition up Matagorda Peninsula. The following
is Lieut. Col. Hesseltine's report of the affair:
Headquarters Thirteenth Maine Regiment, )
Fort Esperanza, Texas, January 1, 1864. J
General: — I have the honor to report that in accordance
with instructions received through you from the Major General
commanding Coast Expedition, I embarked on the evening of
the twenty-eighth ult., with one hundred men of my regiment,
on the gunboat Granite City and proceeded that night outside
up Matagorda Peninsula to a point seven miles from the head
of it. In the morning we landed in small boats through the
surf on a reconnoissance, intending to return on board when
our object was attained, but shortly after our debarkation the
surf was so increased by a strong southerly wind as to cut off
all communication with the gunboat. A detachment under
Lieut. Ham, having returned from a scout up the Peninsula, I
deployed a line of skirmishers nearly across and moved down
under convoy of the "Granite City," driving back the rebel
pickets cut off by our line. Our progress was so impeded in
the night by bayous from the lake that by two o'clock P. M.,
we had advanced only seven miles and were obliged to shorten
the line of skirmishers. At this time I was warned by the
whistle of our convoy and the shells from her 30-pounder
Parrott of an enemy in the rear. Soon by aid of my glass I
was able to discern the head of a body of cavalry moving down
the Peninsula under a heavy fire from the gunboat. Their line
stretched steadily towards us, and without seeing the last of it,
I made out a force of from eight hundred to a thousand cavalry.
Throwing the reserve in advance of the skirmishers we moved
forward as before. In a half hour their skirmishers were swarm
ing close up to mine, slightly heeding the shell and shrapnel
which by reason of the heavy sea only now and then emptied a
saddle for them. Having drawn them to within good rifle shot
by allowing them to pepper away at us liberally, at command,
half the skirmishers faced about and gave them a volley with
apparently good effect, as it sent them, some hugging their
horses, others being supported, out of range. They all hastily
chose the other side. Having reached a narrow neck some two

308 MAINE IN THE WAR.
hundred yards wide made by a bayou from the lake, as the
boys were anxious to see the parade, I assembled the skirmish
ers, and countermarching so that they could face the foe, formed
line of battle across the neck. I knew my men ; they were
cool, and determined rather than the rebels should meet the
first encouragement of this campaign, that they would die there
with as many of their foes lying about them. They would not
meet us in front. They were fording the bayou and gaining
our rear. I gave orders to move back, quick time, and rode
ahead to select another spot for a stand. They were closing
around us. Hastily communicating to the officers my plan to
throw up from the drift, branches, logs and stumps, a barricade,
first a face to the enemy, then on each flank, I wheeled the men
in on the beach. As if by magic, and while the men were
forming their line for attack, there arose with knarled roots and
branches projecting, a rough redan, its pan coupe on a sand
ridge, its gorge out in the surf. They formed, advanced, hesi
tated, halted; a party rode up to reconnoitre and rode back
with minnie balls to report. They moved stronger to the right
to charge obliquely the left face, which speedily looked too bad
for them. While they deliberated darkness came with a heavy
mist. For a ruse or a threat we rung out three hearty cheers
and a tiger. Two fires on each flank gave our position to the
gunboat Sciota which came in from a reconnoissance up the
coast. The Granite City goes to send reinforcements. With
the expectation of an attack the men were kept at the barri
cade all night. Their scouts approached to learn from our rifles
that we were awake. Soon after midnight the picket fired and
ran in to report a strong body moving to the left on to the beach.
This force came up but a sharp fire sent them to the rear as the
gunboat Sciota, which had slipped her anchor, ran round and
poured in a broadside. They retired for the night. The morn
ing was very foggy. Bodies of cavalry were occasionally seen,
and about ten o'clock A. M., a considerable force was seen on
the right, but made no demonstration. As it was uncertain
what more the enemy might bring, the work was further
strengthened by digging pits with bayonets and wooden spades
and filling the barricade. Blankets were used for sand bags.
By noon it cleared away and the rebel gunboat J. G. Cass, ran
down inside opposite, our work and commenced shelling it with

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 309
her 20-pounder Parrott, making some very good shots, but
injuring no one. At three o'clock P. M., the men being without
food and water, the gunboats expected to our relief having
failed, by reason of the fog, to find us, and concluding that the
enemy had driven back our reinforcements, after some hesita
tion we moved secretly out to cut our way down the Peninsula.
The rebel boat shelled the abandoned work and as they report
from the Sciota, kept back a body of their own cavalry. Our
advanced skirmishers drove before us a few of the enemy's
scouts. Night came with a heavy fog and we advanced
cautiously. At ten P. M., the severest norther of the winter
struck us. At one A. M., we bivouacked for the rest of the
night. The next day at two P. M., twenty miles below our
work we were discovered from the Scotia and with great diffi
culty taken aboard. On the march the sick and exhausted
soldiers had been nobly aided by their comrades, so that not a
man, musket or equipment was left for the enemy.
The rebel gunboat J. G. Cass was driven ashore in the norther
and Capt. Strong, of the Monongahela, who came to relieve us,
reports that she was abandoned and destroyed. The loss of
this boat, the information secured concerning the enemy and
the Peninsula, already given you verbally, with the lesson taught
our enemies, make the reconnoissance not altogether valueless.
To the officers with me, First Lieut. J. S. P. Ham, commanding
company C, Second Lieut. Robbins B. Grover, commanding
company H, Second Lieut. John D. Felton, commanding com
pany K, and Second Lieut. Augustus C. Myrick, company 0,
the highest credit is due for the energy and pluck they mani
fested, aiding and arousing their men to endure and die sooner
than surrender. I would respectfully suggest that they are
worthy of notice, as a mark that the country honors those of
her sons who are valiant in upholding her honor.
Capt. Perkins of the Sciota excited my admiration by the
daring manner in which he exposed his ship through the night
in the surf till it broke all about him, that he might, close to
us, lend the moral force of his 11-inch gun and howitzers, and
by his gallantry in bringing us off through the gale.
To Capt. Lamson of the Granite City, great credit is due for
his exertions to retard and drive back the enemy. By the loss
he inflicted upon them, it is clear but for the heavy sea, he

310 MAINE IN THE WAR.
would have freed us from any exertion. Information comes in
that the attacking force was Green's cavalry, from twelve to
fifteen hundred strong.
I have allowed myself to be too minute in this report that
you may know how one hundred of your "Yankees" baffled,
beat back, and eluded so large a body of rebels and the rebel
gunboat, without loss.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient Servant,
FRANK S. HESSELTINE,
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding.
Brig. Gen. T. E. G. RANSOM,
Commanding 3d Brig. 2d Div. 13th Army Corps,
Fort Esperanza, Texas.
It was afterwards ascertained by a Galveston paper that the
enemy lost twenty-four from a company of infantry, who, hav
ing been sent over from Matagorda to cut off the retreat- of our
force, froze to death. Their loss by action was not known.
The whole regiment with boat, howitzers and crew, from the
steam sloop-of-war Monongahela, landed through the surf at
the same point and took position within a few miles of the rebel
works and army, till joined by a brigade moving up the Penin
sula under command of Brig. Gen. Ransom it moved up and
made a close reconnoissance of the enemy's works. It was at
this point that Capt. March, of company F, fell, shot through the
head, and was buried. One night two hundred picked men of
the regiment under command of Lieut. Col. Hesseltine were
sent up Matagorda bay on a boat expedition to cut out a rebel
gunboat. The failure of the pilot to pilot the boat through the
surf defeated the object of the expedition. From the first of
September, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, till the return of
tho regiment to Louisiana, the regiment was under command of
Lieut. Col. Hesseltine On the tenth of January, eighteen hun
dred and sixty-four, Col. Rust having been relieved from detach
ed duty in the city of New Orleans, arrived in Texas and was
assigned by Gen. RansofX, commanding First division Thirteenth
army corps, to the command of his old brigade.
Gen. Banks having in contemplation the enforcement of a
draft in the quasi loyal State of Louisiana, detailed Col. Rust
as President of Enrolling Board and Provost Marshal of. the

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 311
Second Congressional District, for carrying out the same. This
district, included the American part of the city (above Canal
Street), the parishes and towns on the river as far north as Port
Hudson, and those of the Teche and Atchafaylaya country.
Although Col. Rust made repeated applications to be relieved
and join his command when they were ordered to Texas, he was
not permitted to do so until the first of January, when the
enrollment having been completed, and the time for drafting in
definitely postponed, he was allowed to join his command, and
on the tenth of January reported to Brig. Gen. T. E. G. Ransom
at Matagorda Island, where he was assigned to the command
of a brigade (see Col. Hesseltine's report) consisting of the
Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine, Forty-eighth Ohio, One Hun
dred and Thirtieth Illinois, and Thirty-fourth Iowa regiments.
On the ninth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty- three, the
regiment reported back to the Nineteenth corps at Franklin,
Louisiana, which was then fitting out for the Red River expedi
tion, and was assigned to the Second brigade, First division,
Brig. Gen. James McMillan commanding. Col. Rust resumed
command of the regiment. On the fifteenth of March, the expe
dition then consisting of one division of the Nineteenth corps,
Gen. Emory, and two of the Thirteenth, Gen. Ransom, and
about seven thousand cavalry, all under command of Gen.
Franklin, left Franklin and proceeded by regular marches and
without serious opposition to Natchitoches, where it arrived
April second. Here Gen. Banks assumed command, and there
were added to the expedition detachments of the Sixteenth and
Seventeenth corps under Gen. A. J. Smith, and a brigade of the
corps d'Afrique.
On the sixth of April the column was put in motion toward
Shreveport, constantly skirmishing with the enemy, who tried
by these means to delay our advance until the arrival of their
own reinforcements. The Thirteenth on this day were detailed
as rear guard of the trains. The roads were heavy from rain,
and they got into bivouac at two A.M. in rear of the trains.
Starting at daylight to rejoin the main body, they reached
Pleasant Hill at dark in the midst of a drenching rain. Here
they lay upon their arms until the next morning, when the ad
vance was ordered, the cavalry and Thirteenth corps preceding
the division of the Nineteenth. Marching twelve miles the

312 MAINE IN THE WAR.
regiment were ordered into camp, when at four P. M. the cav
alry and Thirteenth corps having engaged the enemy and been
disastrously defeated, the Nineteenth corps was ordered to the
front upon the double-quick, nearly seven miles, which it made
in an hour and a quarter. Just before reaching the front, the
Thirteenth passing by the flank in a narrow road, a thick chap-
paral on one side, the supply train of the Thirteenth corps upon
the other, every vacant space filled by the men of the Thirteenth
corps, who had been driven from the fight in confusion, a squad
ron of our own cavalry came galloping to the rear directly upon
the regiment ; this crowded the men somewhat into the thicket
and caused a momentary delay, and it was only by fixing bay
onets and charging through our own demoralized forces that
they were enabled to take up the position assigned them, which
was twenty-five yards in rear of the first line composed of the
First brigade of the Thirteenth's division, and against which the
rebels were directing their most furious assaults ; here the men
lay down, exposed to a most furious fire, the enemy charging in
masses against our line. They, impressed with the belief that
victory was certainly theirs, having already driven our advance
two miles to the point where our forces had taken position, had,
at the same time they charged in front, sent a brigade of Polig-
nue's command to flank us on our right and complete the cap
ture of our forces and trains. This being seasonably discovered
by Gen. Emory commanding the division, and the first line
standing firm, a portion of the Second division, including the
Thirteenth, were deployed to the right to repel the movement.
Forming at the foot of the hill, and reserving their fire until the
enemy were within two hundred yards, they delivered their vol-.
leys across the open plain in front with such terrible effect that ¦
the enemy broke in the greatest confusion, charging across the
plain until the enemy were driven to the cover of the woods
beyond, the line was re-formed at the foot of the hill and a
strong line of skirmishers thrown out to prevent a surprise
which might be attempted in the darkness which now was com
ing on. The enemy had been punished severely, but Gen. A. J.
Smith's command had not yet reached Pleasant Hill, from
which the Thirteenth had advanced eighteen miles, the position
was not deemed tenable until his arrival, so at eleven P. M. the
troops were put in motion to the rear. Pleasant Hill was

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 313
reached at eight A. M., at which time thp enemy commenced
the attack upon our rear.
Our forces immediately made disposition for battle, the See
ond brigade in the first line. The enemy not having arrived on
the ground in force, the battle was not fairly opened until about
four P. M. the ninth of April. Previous to this the Second
brigade had been relieved by a brigade of Smith's command, ¦
and were posted on the right in rear of the front line to prevent
any attempt at flanking in that direction. Soon after the
engagement became general the Second brigade was ordered to
change front to the right, to be in readiness to repel an expected
attack in that direction, but before the troops were in position,
a brigade upon the left having given way under a furious
assault, they were ordered hurriedly in that direction to repel a
further advance of the enemy and to recover, if possible, the
ground which had been lost. The brigade emerged from the
wood in which they were posted, in two lines, at double quick,
the Thirteenth leading the front line. Before fairly out of the
woods, and before they had time to form in line of battle, the
brigade which had broken and some pieces of artillery came
rushing through their ranks followed closely by the advancing
enemy. This created temporary confusion and carried them
momentarily to the rear, but forming upon the left of the second
line, which had halted and were firing upon the enemy, the order
was given for the brigade to charge. The enemy broke and in
their turn retreated and were driven two miles beyond the posi
tion the left of our forces originally occupied. Darkness coming
on, the troops were recalled, put into position, and at eleven
P. M., after throwing out heavy pickets, were allowed to rest
upon their arms. . The rebels had been driven on every part of
the field, but a retreat was ordered, and at two A. M. of the fol
lowing morning our forces were again in motion to the rear but
were not disturbed by the enemy, and on the eleventh reached
Grand Ecore on the Red river. Here the troops entrenched
themselves, remaining until the twenty-second of the month,
when at two A. M. they crossed Cane river and commenced
their return to Alexandria. The enemy hung upon their front,
flank and rear, constantly skirmishing, but did not persistently
oppose their march until they attempted to recross Cane river
where the rebels were posted in strong position. The enemy

314 MAINE IN THE WAR.
were driven from the position by a flank movement, so that the
Second brigade then commanded by Col. Rust, which was a
part of the forces in front, though exposed to a sharp fire from
the rebel batteries, was not seriously engaged with the enemy.
The army reached Alexandria the twenty-fifth of April, were
met there by a portion of the Second division Nineteenth army
corps, entrenched itself and addressed itself under the superin
tendence of Gen. Bailey*, to the task of freeing the gunboats
from the unpleasant position in which they found themselves by
our retreat,. they being above the falls which were then impass
able by the heavier boats in consequence of the low stage of
water. Here the regiment was engaged in fatigue and picket
duty, being occasionally sent out with the command guarding
forage trains which were sent into the Country for supplies.
On the thirteenth of May, the fleet being in readiness to move,
the regiment moved with the army from Alexandria down Red
river. At Mausura the enemy endeavored to stop their prog
ress, but on displaying our lines but feeble opposition was
made. On the twenty-second of May the army reached the
Mississippi river at Morganzia Bend, after" a fatiguing march
where constant watchfulness was required and repeated lines
of battle had to be formed to repel attack. The distance
marched by the regiment on this expedition, exclusive of for
aging reconnoissances, was five hundred and fifty miles. The
regiment remained at Morganzia until the first of July when it
was ordered north with a portion of the corps to report to Gen.
Grant. The regiment arrived at Fortress Monroe on the twelfth of
July and sailed for Washington, reaching that place next day,
when they disembarked, marched around the defences of the
city and halted at Tennallytown. They subsequently made an
expedition to Snicker's Gap, returned and crossed the Potomac
at Chain Bridge, and afterwards, by marches and counter
marches, passing through Rockville and Frederick, Maryland,
reached Harper's Ferry. The men suffered very much from
fatigue during the time, and being obliged to march day and
night almost without cessation with very little rest, they often
fell asleep as they were moving along, but still they marched
on in pursuit of the enemy, whom, however, they did not suc
ceed in finding.

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 315
On the fifth of August the veterans of the regiment were sent
home on furlough under charge of their officers. They arrived
home on the ninth and received furloughs on the thirteenth.
By an order from the War Department their furlough was
extended and the regiment did not depart for the front until
September twenty-seventh, having the day previous been the
recipients of a handsome collation provided in the rotunda of
the State House by the citizens of Augusta. The regiment
reached Harper's Ferry the first day of October, when Sheri
dan's force was in the vicinity of Staunton, pursuing Early's
retreating forces up the Shenandoah Valley. Communication
with the front then being impossible, Gen. Stephenson on the
fifth ordered the regiment to Martinsburgh to report to Brig.
Gen. Seward, for the purpose of strengthening the defences of
that place. Martinsburgh was then an important post. Being
the base of supplies for Sheridan's whole army and the immense
quantities of ordnance, quartermaster's and subsistence stores
then so Indispensably necessary to the continuance of opera
tions at the front, it was imperative that the town should be
strongly garrisoned.
The regiment remained here until the expiration of its term
of service, and the duties it performed, though not involving
so much exposure as is incident to active campaigning, were,
nevertheless, arduous. In addition to the strong details neces
sary for guarding the public stores and the performance of
provost duty in a town exclusively governed by martial law,
the peculiar location of the town was such that an extremely
long line of pickets had to be most vigilantly maintained, sup
ported by heavy reserves on the different lines of approach,
there being no natural defences or unassailable positions in any
portion of the line, so that one half of the men were on duty
at a time by day and night, the usual fatigue details made at
such a post being taken from the guards of the day previous.
So long as the town remained a base of supplies, Mosby, with
his partizans, was constantly hovering about, endeavoring to
find some weak point where he could penetrate the line to
plunder or destroy. One of his attempts came near being
successful. His advance guard, dressing themselves in the
uniform of Federal cavalry succeeded at night in surprising the
picket stationed in front of the trains which were loaded with

316 MAINE IN THE WAR.
supplies for the -front and statiohed outside the town. Two of
the pickets were captured and one of them shot, but so prompt
ly was the alarm given and the line reinforced that the attempt
like all his others there, proved to be a failure.
Col. Rust was put in command of a brigade immediately on
his arrival and afterwards was placed in command of the town,
Lieut. Col. Hesseltine commanding the regiment. The service
of many of the troops of the garrison expiring and two regi
ments of the command being ordered away, Col. Rust under
the direction of Gen. Seward strengthened the defences of the
town by building barricades across the principal streets and
placing chevaux defrize at all the points of exit.
In the latter part of November, Gen. Rosser commanding a
division of rebel cavalry, made an extensive raid into Western
Virginia for supplies. The troops of that department had mostly
been incorporated with the Army of the Shenandoah, garrisons
only being left at the important points along the line of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad. On the twentjr-eighth, Rosser
struck New Creek on the Potomac, twenty miles beyond Cum
berland and a hundred from Martinsburgh. Here were extensive
store houses and hospital buildings constructed by Gen. Fremont
in eighteen hundred and sixty-two. Rosser surprised the place,
capturing a fort mounting four siege guns, a battery of four
field guns, several hundred prisoners and a large amount of
stores. Gen. Seward, acting under orders telegraphed by Gen.
Sheridian, sent the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine uuder Col.
Rust and a regiment of cavalry, dismounted and serving as
infantry, to reinforce Gen. Kelly commanding, who was stationed
at Cumberland, this place being threatened by Rosser. They
proceeded that night by rail to Cumberland when Gen. Kelly
ordered Col. Rust to proceed with the Thirteenth and Fifteenth
to New Creek, occupy the fortifications and take command of
the post. Rosser had hastily retreated from this place after
destroying all the government stores that could readily be found,
excepting the magazine of the fort and the hospital, so that the
place was occupied without collision with the enemy.
The regiments remained herg four days until other arrange
ments could be made for the defence of the place, when they
returned to Martinsburgh.
At the expiration of the regimental term of service the

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 317
veterans and recruits of the Thirteenth were consolidated
into three companies under their own officers and assigned
to the Thirtieth Maine. The non-veterans of the original
organization with the field and staff and surplus line officers
were sent home to be mustered out of service. They reached
Augusta, December thirtieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four,
the day their three years' term of enlistment expired. One
hundred and fifty-five of the original number of enlisted men
were mustered out ; two hundred and fifty-two of the original
members remained in service as veterans as well as eighty-two
recruits. Of these recruits, considerably more than half were
virtually original members of the regiment, as they enlisted
after the original organization but before the regiment left the
State. The regiment was mustered out of service on the sixth
day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, by Maj. J. W.
T. Gardiner, United States Army.
When it is considered that this regiment was assigned to
duty so far away from the State as to receive in all but about
forty-five recruits after leaving Maine ; that the regiment was
never full to the maximum ; that it was for two years in the
most marshy and malarious districts of the South, more fatal to
most troops than the bullets of the enemy ; and that it lost
seventy-five men in battle, the number of men remaining in it
after three years of service speaks highly for its domestic
economy. After Col. Dow's promotion to Brigadier General he was
assigned to an important command in the Department of the
Gulf at Pensacola, Florida, and elsewhere. He acquitted him
self well in the various positions to which he was assigned, and
the hopes of his friends as to his ability and courage were never
disappointed. He was taken prisoner during an illness in
Louisiana, and was for months held in confinement at Richmond
and elsewhere in the South, suffering severely, but he impressed
himself favorably upon all with whom he came in contact, even
those in the South who had been taught to despise him for his
zealous advocacy of temperance principles. He was, after long
imprisonment, exchanged, and has since resigned.

318 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XV.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment, like all those raised in eighteen hundred and
sixty-one, at the direct expense of the general government, was
recruited without regard to divisional limits of the State mili
tia, was officered in advance of its organization by persons
appointed by the Governor, and was rendezvoused at Augusta.
The following were the original officers of the regiment :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Frank S. Nickerson, Searsport, Colonel; Elias Milliken,
Burnham, Lieutenant Colonel; Thomas W. Porter, Bangor,
Major; Charles S. Bickmore, Searsport, Adjutant; John H.
Crowell, Winterport, Quartermaster; Enoch Adams, Litchfield,
Surgeon ; William Wescott, Standish, Assistant Surgeon ;
George W. Bartlett, Augusta, Chaplain; Merrill H. Adams,
Deer Isle, Sergeant Major; Barker B. Glidden, Belfast, Quar
termaster Sergeant; William Jackman, Patten, Commissary
Sergeant; Hiram C. Vaughan, Farmington, Hospital Steward ;
Charles R. Kendall, Waterville, Drum Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Charles Barnard, Captain; George Blodgett,
First Lieutenant ; Benjamin F. Harriman, Second Lieutenant,
all of Bucksport.
Company B. — Richard W. Mullen, Vassalborough, Captain;
Amander Rackliffe, Unity, First Lieutenant ; Joseph H. Spencer,
Albion, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — George Scott, Wisoasset, Captain ; Isaac W.
Reed, Boothbay, First Lieutenant; Andrew F. F. Hall, Wiscas-
set, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Nathaniel Sawyer, Dixmont, Captain; William
D. Chase, Oldtown, First Lieutenant ; John 0. W. Paine,
Charleston, Second Lieutenant.

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 319
Company E.— Olando W. Trask, Atkinson, Captain; Joseph
P. French, Bucksport, First Lieutenant; Joseph H. Metcalf,
Augusta, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Horace Blackman, Bradley, Captain ; Thomas
W. Porter, Lowell, First Lieutenant: Albion K. Bolan, New
Sharon, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — George H. Cheney, Portland, Captain; Amos
F. Noyes, Norway, First Lieutenant; Joseph M. Wiswell,
Searsport, Second Lieutenant.
OompanyH. — Lewis Chase, Fayette, Captain; Daniel Lothrop,
Winthrop, First Lieutenant ; George Webster, Portland, Second
Lieutenant. Company I. — James B. Hill, Patten, Captain ; Winslow
Roberts, Belfast, First Lieutenant; Charles Smith, Oldtown,
Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Edward S. Morris, Newfield, Captain; Timothy
H. Hubbard, North Berwick, First Lieutenant ; Benjamin F.
Stevens, Berwick, Second Lieutenant.
The Fourteenth was mustered into service as a regiment on
the thirty-first- of December, eighteen hundred and sixty-one,
by Lieut. Col. Eastman and Capt. Hight of the United States
Army. The regiment remained in camp at Augusta until the
fifth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, when it
proceeded by rail to Boston, where it embarked on the North
America, and sailed on the sixth for Ship Island, Mississippi,
arriving there on the eighth of March, after a tedious passage
of twenty-eight days, and disembarked next day. They were
assigned to the Third brigade, which was under the command
of Col. Shepley of the Twelfth Maine, on the twenty-eighth of
March, and remained on Ship Island until May, where they en
dured all the hardships of that situation with the other troops
stationed there.
On the nineteenth of May the regiment embarked for New
Orleans where it arrived on the twenty-fifth and next day dis
embarked and was quartered in Freret's Cotton Press until June
first when it removed to Lafayette Square and Odd Fellow's
Hall and commenced recruiting. Companies A and D were
detached on provost duty the same day. On the seventh of
July the regiment embarked for Baton Rouge on board steamers
Whiteman and St. Maurice, and arriving next day was quartered

320 MAINE IN THE WAR.
in the United States barracks. On the twenty-third, companies
F and K under Maj. Bickmore, accompanied by detachmemts
from other regiments, the whole force under the command of
Lieut. Col. Clarke of the Sixth Michigan, were sent on a scout
ing expedition. They crossed the Amite river, destroyed two
rebel camps, dispersed some guerillas and returned the next
evening. Two men of company F were killed by sunstroke
and were buried by the wayside near the banks of the Amite
river. Brig. Gen. Williams arrived and took command of the
forces on the twenty-sixth, and on the twenty-ninth the regiment
removed from the barracks and encamped in some thick timber
about two miles distant, near the intersection of the Bayou
Sara and Clinton roads.
Rumors of a rebel advance under Gen. Breckinridge with a
heavy force were now prevalent for some days. All necessary
arrangements were made by Gen. Williams to receive him. The
Fourteenth was in the advance, encamped in heavy timber, its
right resting on the intersection of Greenwell Spring road and
fronting on a road running to the intersection above mentioned.
The battle at Baton Rouge was commenced at four o'clock in the
morning, on the fifth of August, by the enemy throwing his entire
force upon the caipp of the Fourteenth. More than eight hun
dred men of the regiment were in the fight and one company was
detached on duty at another point. Lieut, (now Gen.)- Weitzel
in his official report says that "the whole brunt of the attack
fell upon the Fourteenth Maine" and two other regiments. A
line of battle was immediately formed by the Fourteenth in
front of their encampment, when finding the rebel skirmishers
approaching through a cornfield on their left flank, they changed
front to the rear- on the right company, and then moved cau
tiously forward through the timber to receive the enemy. The
fog was so dense that it was impossible to see twenty-five yards
ahead. The enemy was well advised of the exact location of
the camp, but, misjudging its distance on account of the fog,
fired over our men. The rebels failed to elicit a reply, until
they arrived within less than a hundred yards of the Fourteenth,
when the latter gave them a volley by battalion. Five rounds
were fired, which did terrible execution, when the enemy ceased
firing, and the Fourteenth rested about ten minutes, being
completely concealed from their adversary by a fence in front,

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 321
and the morning fog, which served as a curtain. In the mean
while, Col. Nickerson sent skirmishers to the right and left, to
watch the enemy, when it was reported that a rebel battery
and a considerable force of infantry had taken position a short
distance in front of his camp, directly on the right of our line.
A few discharges from this battery confirmed the report, where
upon the Fourteenth immediately changed front and opened
fire, and with their own battery posted in a road a little to the
right and rear, held the enemy completely in check.
Meantime a heavy fire was pouring through a cemetery in
front of the Twenty-first Indiana. Once more the Fourteenth
changed front, and gave the right the advantage, of one well
directed fire, when there came from that direction some most
terrific yells indicating the enemy's success, and leading Gen.
Williams to suppose that an attempt was being made to turn
our right. Col. Nickerson was then ordered to the right, his
battery there retiring about fifty rods. As the enemy had a
battery posted in the road, directly in front of the Fourteenth,
which would have exposed our men to its fire, they were
obliged to demolish a strong board fence, and move through a
corn field to a lane in the rear of their camp, up which they
passed and formed a line on the opposite side of the road, where
they were then ordered up with the Twenty-first Indiana, which,
on the attack being resumed, were deployed as skirmishers.
Here took place the worst fighting of the day, and here some
of the best officers and men of the Fourteenth went down be
fore the swift-winged messengers of death, and their names
will be embalmed in the nation's memory.
Col. Nickerson called upon his men for one more charge, and
they leaped forward under a deadly fire and drove back the
advancing foe. Gen. Williams, who was an eye witness to this
movement, complimented the men highly for their gallantry,
but was himself shortly afterwards killed by a rifle ball in the
chest, in front of the Sixth Michigan, while giving his men a
noble example of reckless and daring bravery. The Fourteenth
was moved a little to the left, discovering the enemy's flank
exposed, and a few rounds silenced his fire at this point. They
then moved from the field and were left under the command of
Lieut. Col. Porter, in a ravine on the right of the penitentiary,
where most of the other troops were posted. Col. Nickerson
21

322 MAINE IN THE WAR.
was here assigned to the command of the left wing consisting
of the Fourth Wisconsin, Seventh Vermont, Fourteenth Maine
and Manning's battery. Lieut. Col. Porter rendered Col. Nick
erson valuable aid by his bravery and coolness. Maj. Bickmore
and Adjutant Metcalf were both wounded, nobly doing their
duty. Quartermaster Crowell and Chaplain Bartlett both ren
dered valuable assistance by their immediate presence and
active participation in the action.
Capt. French of company K, was terribly wounded in one of
the finest charges of the battle, and being put on board the
steamer Whiteman to be sent to hospital in New Orleans, was
drowned by the sinking of the steamer on the voyage. The
Fourteenth behaved admirably during the action, and was highly
complimented by Gen. Butler and Col. Cahill of the Ninth
Connecticut, who took command after the death of Gen. Wil
liams. The loss of the regiment was thirty-six killed, seventy-
one wounded and twelve missing. On re-occupying their old
ground they buried their dead and those of the enemy and
cared for the wounded.
On the twenty-ninth of November Col. Nickerson was pro
moted to Brigadier General. Lieut. Col. Porter was afterwards
promoted to the Colonelcy, Maj. Bickmore to the Lieutenant
Colonelcy and Capt. Bolan of company F to the Majority.
The regiment subsequently moved to Carrollton on the left
bank of the Mississippi, five mile's above New Orleans, where
they remained until December thirteenth, when they were
ordered to Bonnet Carre, thirty miles further up the river, and
on the same bank, where they remained until May seventh,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three.
On the arrival of the regiment at Bonnet Carre, company H,
Capt. Roberts, and company B, Lieut. Long commanding, were
ordered to Frenier, which is on the westerly shore of Lake
Pontchartrain, to guard the passage over the narrow strip of
land between this lake and Lake Maurepas.
On the sixth of January, company H was relieved by com
pany E, Capt. Trask, who assumed command at this post and
so continued until April eleventh, when he rejoined the regiment
at Bonnet Carre, having been relieved by Col. Clarke of the Sixth
Michigan. On the twentieth of February company B returned
to Bonnet Carre, and companies D and H of the One Hundred

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 323
and Seventy-seventh New York and company I of the Twenty-
fourth Maine were placed under Capt. Trask's command.
During the time that Capt. Trask was in command at Frenier
he rendered good service and made many valuable seizures of
property and important arrests of persons. One party was
arrested with upwards of twenty-two thousand dollars current
money in his possession, attempting to pass outside the lines,
and several thousand dollars worth of quinine were seized, and
the parties arrested who were attempting to smuggle it outside
the lines for the use of the rebel troops.
On the twenty-fourth of March, Capt. Trask's battalion, in
conjunction with Col. Clarke of the Sixth Michigan, advanced
upon and captured Pontchatoula. An extract from Capt.
Trask's report says, " We were in the advance during the whole
of the fighting of the twenty-fourth of March, were under fire
five hours at one time, driving the enemy three miles, complete
ly routing them, destroying their encampment and the railroad
bridge over the Tangipaho river. During the ten days of this
expedition we slept on the ground without tents, and part of
the time without blankets, being in the face of the enemy."
During the encampment at Bonnet Carre, company A, First
Lieut. Stevens, was stationed at Kenner's, twenty-two miles
below Bonnet Carre ; company K, Capt. Blodgett, at Marmil-
lon's, nine miles above, and company F, Capt. Bolan, at
Humphrey's, fifteen miles above Bonnet Carre. They were all
employed in preventing smuggling through the rebel lines, and
upon expeditions into the interior for the purpose of reconnois
sance and other objects.
On the twenty-fourth of March, companies A, B, C, D, G, H
and I, and four companies of the Twenty-fourth Maine, under
command of Lieut. Col. Porter, who had in February assumed
the permanent command of the Fourteenth, embarked for College
Point, where they arrived the same night and remained until
four P. M., the next day, when, on the arrival of the balance
of the brigade, Col. Porter's command was ordered to proceed
at once by land to Manning's, fifteen miles further up the river,
where they arrived at nine P. M., the roads being in the worst
possible condition. On the twenty-sixth they again embarked
and proceeded to Doyle's, and on the twenty-seventh marched
to the Amite river, twenty-four miles, over a road impassable

324 MAINE IN THE WAR.
to teams or artillery. The men bivouacked on the banks of the
river with their arms by their side, as the enemy were known
to be in the vicinity, and during the night the rebels opened a
hot fire from the opposite bank, when the men instantly fell
into their places, and after a brief but warmly contested action,
the enemy retired. The loss of the Fourteenth was one mor
tally and two severely wounded. As it was found impossible,
owing to the condition of the roads, to bring up the artillery,
it was not deemed advisable to cross the river, and the next
day a retrograde movement was made towards the Mississippi
river, but the enemy, whose loss the previous night had been
severe, did not again show himself.
The regiment returned to Bonnet Carre, where it remained
until May seventh, when orders were issued to put it in light
marching order, with three days' cooked rations, and on the
same day they embarked for Doyle's, arriving there the next
morning, when they marched for the Amite river, arriving at
McGill's ferry (twenty-two miles), before sunset, where they
bivouacked until the afternoon of the ninth, when Col. Porter
with the Fourteenth, five companies of the Twenty-fourth
Maine, and four pieces of Barnes' Battery, moved on to Civique's
ferry, and in obedience to orders awaited the arrival of the
balance of the forces. As it was known that the enemy were
in the immediate vicinity, the pieces were placed in position,
and all necessary precaution taken to prevent a surprise. On
the tenth the enemy suddenly appeared and opened a brisk fire,
which was promptly responded to by both infantry and artillery,
which caused the enemy to retire after a brief contest with a
loss of three killed and several wounded. The attack was again
renewed on the eleventh with the same results.
On the twelfth, the remainder of the forces and the command
er having come up, preparations were made for crossing the
river, which was effected without opposition, the Fourteenth
being in the advance, and thence marched eleven miles into the
interior, and seized a quantity of cotton and sugar, and trans
portation for the same, returning to the river the same night.
They were occupied at this point in seizing and securing for
public use a large quantity of provisions, lumber and other
property until the nineteenth, when orders were issued at dark
to proceed at once to the Mississippi river for the purpose of

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 325
moving on Port Hudson, and at daylight of the twentieth the
regiment was again at Doyle's. At four P. M., of the twentieth
they started for Baton Rouge, which had been the scene of
their first conflict. On the morning of the twenty-second they
started for Port Hudson, reaching that scene of future contest
the same day, having marched seventy-five miles in three days.
On the twenty-fourth the Fourteenth were deployed forward as
skirmishers on the right of the enemy's works, and from that
time until the surrender of the place on the eighth of July, they
were at all times within range of the enemy's guns, and actively
engaged in reducing the place.
During the bloody assault of May twenty-seventh, the regi
ment was deployed forward, through fallen timber, as skirmishers
and advanced close under the enemy's works, holding their
position until all the other troops had retired, and until they
were ordered back. Owing to the cover the timber afforded,
the loss was comparatively small, but the timber and brush
having been set on fire during the action, it was with great
difficulty the men passed through it, or the wounded were
carried off. In this assault Maj. Bickmore, Acting Lieutenant
Colonel, was slightly wounded ; Capt. Trask, company E, Act
ing Major, dangerously wounded ; Second Lieut. Glidden,
company F, severely, and First Lieut. Fulton mortally wounded.
After the recall had been sounded, every officer and man who
had not been killed or wounded was present at roll-call and
answered to his name.
On the thirtieth the regiment with the Sixth Michigan, under
command of Col. Porter, took up a position on the extreme right
of the enemy's works, where they rested on the Mississippi
river and which had not before been invested. This position
they continued to hold until the assault of June fourteenth,
when this regiment and the Sixth Michigan were ordered to
gain tho rear of the enemy's works by passing under the bluffs
at the river side, and then gain the elevated table land and
charge the works in the rear before daylight. But this order
was not communicated to the commanders of regiments until
daylight of the fourteenth, and before the regiments could fall
in and move to the point of attack, the brief dawn of that lati
tude had passed, and the sun had risen, and when the men
emerged into the open space in front of the enemy's works,

326 MAINE IN THE WAR.
they found themselves in full view of the enemy, and opened, to
a direct as well as a flank fire from both batteries and musketry,
and the object of the attack frustrated. Orders were accord
ingly given from headquarters to move to the right to the
support of a battery, which position the regiment occupied
during the remainder of the day. Owing to the lateness of the
hour when orders to advance upon the enemy were received by
the commander of the regiment, and the consequent necessity
of countermanding the order when it had been partially executed,
the casualties were few.
On the twenty-second of June the regiment was ordered into
the trencKes on the right of the 21-gun battery at the left of
our lines, and remained in the trenches, day and night from that
time, amid one of the most furious bombardments of the war,
until the surrender of the place on the eighth of July. This
continued exposure for sixteen days to the direct rays of the
sun, without any shade or screen whatever, as well as the
frequent rains and heavy night dews, was very detrimental to
the health of the men, and produced a most fruitful crop of
chills and fever. \
During this campaign, from the seventh of May until the fifth
of August, the regiment was without tents of any kind, and
except one night at Baton Rouge, they slept, if at all, in the
open air, without covering or shelter. Officers and men fared
alike. They had no transportation except for ammunition, and
their only camp equipage was their camp kettles, which they
carried in their hands.
From the first investment of Port Hudson on the twenty-
third of May until its surrender, there was not a night in
which at least a part of the regiment was not on duty, either
in the trenches, or as skirmishers, pickets or sharpshooters.
Seven officers and forty-nine men volunteered in the attacking
column which was designed to lead the third assault, but for
reasons not disclosed this assault was not made.
After the surrender of Port Hudson the regiment was sta
tioned about three miles from that place on the road to Clinton,
as an advance guard, where they remained until the twenty-
second of August, when with the rest of the division they
marched to Baton Rouge, Col. Porter being in command of the
brigade. On the third of September they embarked for Sabine

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 327
Pass, Texas, and on the arrival of the expedition at that place,
the capture of the gunboats Sachem and Clifton by the rebels,
and the absence of other light draft armed steamers, caused a
return to Algiers, Louisiana. During the expedition the men
suffered severely, there being three regiments in a ship of about
eight hundred tons, and no apparatus for cooking. Rations
were mostly eaten raw, and for the last two days but half
rations of water were allowed. The men were so thickly
crowded that they were obliged to sleep standing. The Four
teenth lost one man overboard by reason of the overcrowded
and ill-provided condition of the ship.
After remaining a short time in Algiers, the regiment pro
ceeded by rail to Brashear City (eighty miles,) and soon after
took up the line of march to Opelousas, one hundred miles from
Brashear City. They proceeded by easy marches, and reached
Opelousas on'the twenty-first of October, and on the first day
of November again took up the line of march on their return to
New Iberia.
While encamped at Berwick City, opposite Brashear, the
regiment was at the unanimous request of the officers trans
ferred from the First to the Second brigade, Third division,
Nineteenth army corps. At this time the drill, discipline and
general condition of the regiment was believed to be of a
higher order than at any previous time.
After remaining a few days in camp at Opelousas the Four
teenth left on tho first of November, and after a two days'
march reached Vermilion bayou where they went into camp
and remained till the sixteenth, when they again broke camp
and in two days marched to New Iberia where they remained
without incident till January first, eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, when all but forty of the men who were elegible, re-enlisted
for an additional three years' service.
On the seventh of January they left New Iberia and after a
march of two days and a half over the most wretched road,
reached Franklin, where they remained until the sixteenth
when they embarked for Brashear City and proceeded thence
by rail to New Orleans arriving there next day. They remained
here until the tenth of February when in obedience to orders
they embarked on steamer Arago for New York on their veteran
furlough home. Arriving at Fort Jackson, they were boarded

328 MAINE IN THE WAR.
by a Lieutenant who upon the authority of a telegram from
Gen. Banks' chief Quartermaster, searched the ship for a black
and tan dog weighing seven pounds, which was alleged to be
missing from New Orleans and on board the steamer. Not
finding it on board, the Lieutenant returned on shore but soon
re-appeared with another order that unless the dog was at once
produced the Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Quartermaster and
senior Captain should be arrested, which was done, the dog not
being forthcoming. He took them on shore and allowed the
ship- to proceed on her voyage after having been detained twelve
hours. The officers arrested were taken to Fort Jackson and
confined under guard during the night, but Gen. Reynolds
having arrived the same night, he at once ordered their release
and that they proceed to rejoin their regiment, which they
effected at New York City.
The treatment of the troops on board the ship was creditable
to the officers in charge. The regiment reached New York on
the twentieth and proceeded home the same day by the Fall
River route, arriving in Boston the next morning and at Augusta
the same night.
The men rendezvoused at Augusta again on the twenty-sixth
of March at the expiration of" their furloughs where they
remained until April ninth awaiting transportation. During
this time, Col. Porter says, "the ladies (ever first in good deeds)
provided an excellent entertainment for the soldiers, which was
served in the State House, and which was graced by the pres
ence of his excellency Gov. Cony, and his honor the Mayor of
the city."
Proceeding by rail to Portland, the regiment embarked on the
steam transport Merrimac, and on the tenth sailed for New
Orleans, where they arrived on the nineteenth and disembarked
next day at the Parapet, eight miles above the city. They re
mained on duty there till the fifth of May, when they moved to
Baton Rouge, that place being threatened, where they were on
duty till June first. Next they proceeded to Morganzia where
they were brigaded under Gen. Nickerson their former Colonel,
and remained, taking part in several expeditions for the pro
tection of the Mississippi and breaking up guerilla parties, till
July third, when they moved down the river to Algiers prepara
tory to a then unknown sea voyage. They sailed on the

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 329
thirteenth on board steamer Tillie, Capt. Bowen, with sealed
orders and arrived at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, on the
twenty-second. Capt. Bowen and all his subordinates did every
thing in their power to render the men comfortable on the
voyage. The Fourteenth was assigned to Gen. Butler's com
mand. On the twenty-eighth they marched to Deep Bottom on
the north side of the James river, the brigade joining Gen.
Hancock who was operating at Strawberry Plain. They lost
one man killed on the picket line while there. On the thirtieth
they returned to the Peninsula works and next day marched to
Bermuda Hundred and embarked the same day for Washington,
where they arrived on the first of August. The next day they
marched to Tennallytown and went into camp, remaining till the
fourteenth, when they marched to the Shenandoah Valley by
way of Chaia Bridge and Leesburgh Turnpike. On the eigh
teenth they crossed the Blue Ridge at Snicker's Gap, forded
the Shenandoah river at its base and joined Gen. Sheridan's
army at Berryville, after a march of twenty-six miles.
The invigorating influences of mountain scenery, pure air and
good water, with the lightness of duty in comparison with that
which the regiment had previously performed, made their few
months campaigning in the Shenandoah Valley the most agree
able of the military experience of the regiment.
Here the regiment was engaged in marching, picketing, skir
mishing, and all duties incident to an active campaign, until
September nineteenth, when the whole army was put in motion,
at two o'clock in the morning, and marched out on the Berryville
Pike, towards Winchester. The First brigade, Second division
(which was composed of the Fourteenth, and five other regi
ments,) after crossing the Opequan moved into position just
behind a small belt of timber, which concealed them from the
enemy. Skirmishers were then thrown out, arms were stacked,
and the men allowed to rest. At noon the arms were taken, the
order "forward" was given, and the brigade moved forward in
line through the woods, the skirmishers encountering those of
the enemy in the open ground beyond.
The march was now across an open field six hundred yards
wide, to where the famous Stonewall Brigade was strongly
posted, in another belt of woods. On moved the brigade, in
common time, with colors flying, and pieces at the "right-

330 MAINE IN THE WAR.
shoulder-shift," into the storm, which had opened on them the
moment they came in sight. On they went, shoulder to shoul
der, filling up the gaps, and "touching the elbow," with the
same precision as when on drill. "Double-quick!" came along
the line, and on they moved with long and regular strides.
" Charge !" with a yell they bounded forward. Down went the
Stonewall Brigade; out through the woods, across the plain
beyond they fled in confusion, leaving the ground strewed with
killed and wounded, throwing away arms, accoutrements, and
clothing, in the hurry of their flight. "Halt!" was ordered;
but nothing could be heard ; and the men pressed eagerly for
ward through the woods, where they received a terrible fire
from the enemy's right, which extending beyond our left had
remained intact, and which now swung round and made a des
perate attack on our left flank. Their second line «coming up at
the same time caused the brigade to fall back on our second
line, until an extension could be made to the left. When this
was done the line again moved forward in pursuit of the now
flying rebels. The pursuit was continued to Winchester, where
the regiment camped in line of battle, and at seven o'clock the
men set about preparing the first meal of the day. The loss of
the Fourteenth in this battle amounted to sixty killed, wounded
and prisoners, or about one third of the number who entered the
fight; and out of nineteen officers seven were disabled.
The morning after the battle the pursuit was continued, and
just at night the enemy were discovered strongly entrenched on
Fisher's Hill, two miles below Strasburgh. The Union line
was developed the following day, and on the twenty-second
this position was assaulted and carried, but as the Fourteenth
was in the reserve there were no casualties.
The works on Fisher's Hill were stormed about six o'clock
P. M., and the pursuit of the enemy was continued all night,
the Fourteenth being with the advance. Many prisoners were
captured, and the regiment bivouacked at Woodstock next
morning at daylight. After a short rest and short breakfast, the
pursuit was resumed and continued as far as Harrisonburgh.
A great many prisoners were captured on the route, but the
enemy were not again encountered in force. After remaining
at Harrisonburgh a short time, the troops were moved forward
to Mount Crawford, and on the return of the cavalry from below,

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 331
the whole force retired to Cedar Creek where an entrenched
camp was formed.
On the nineteenth of October, the division was to make a
reconnoissance, and the Fourteenth was drawn up in line about
five o'clock in the morning; at the same time the rebels, under
Gen. Early, attacked the extreme left of the army, and driving
it back, advanced on the Nineteenth corps from the rear; the
first indication of his presence there, being given by the shots
which came from that direction. An order was given to change
front to rear on first company, which was executed in good
order by the Fourteenth, which moved over on the outside of
the works — and facing to the rear — opened fire, and held the
enemy in check until the brigade and two guns of the First
Maine battery had safely moved to the rear. The regiment
then retired to where the brigade had formed, and took its
position in line. The enemy were held in check for some time,
when orders were given to retire. After retiring about a mile
the troops were halted, line was formed, and the' men ordered
to lie down. The enemy kept up a continuous fire of shot and
shell, for about an hour at the same time manoeuvering to turn
the left, and having partially succeeded, the troops were again
ordered to retire. On the arrival of Gen. Sheridan a "right
about" was ordered, and the Fourteenth commenced moving to
the front, making the air resound with their cheers. After
advancing nearly a mile a position was taken, and a small
barricade of rails thrown up. Lying down behind this, the
Fourteenth awaited the enemy, while skirmishers were thrown
out to discover his position. Our skirmishers soon encountered
those of the enemy, and gradually falling back, drew them on
to the main line, which opened a heavy fire, effectually repulsing
the rebels, and turning the tide of battle. The order "forward,"
was then given, and the Fourteenth moved on in the line, after
the retreating enemy. The rebels were soon discovered in a
strong position behind a stone wall. Advancing under a heavy
fire, to a position on the top of a small hill in good range of the
rebels, the Fourteenth lay down and opened fire, which they
kept up until the enemy's fire slackened, when a charge was
ordered. The Fourteenth dashed forward, and the rebels
"standing not upon the order of their going," broke and fled
in disorder. The Fourteenth pursued as far as Cedar Creek,

332 MAINE IN THE WAR.
when it was ordered to occupy its old camp, and the little
remnant lay down that night in the spot from which they had
all been so rudely ejected in the morning. The regiment carried
two hundred men into the fight, and of this number, eighty
were either killed, wounded or captured.
Lieut. Col. Bickmore, who was killed in the second stand
made by our troops in the morning, entered the regiment as
Adjutant and was highly esteemed as a valuable officer by all
who knew him. He was promoted to Major shortly after the
capture of New Orleans, and to Lieutenant Colonel immediately
after the first assault on Port Hudson.
Sergt. Emerson, the color bearer, was shot early iu the
morning, and the colors were immediately seized by Sergt.
Pfister of company C, who bore them gallantly through the day.
At one time, when the line wavered and threatened to give
way, he advanced boldly to the front, and waving the colors in
defiance to the enemy, led the regiment forward in their last
gallant charge.
Shortly after the battle of Cedar Creek the regiment was
moved to a position near Kernestown, where heavy works were
erected, in which they remained until the expiration of their
term of service.
On the twentieth of December an order was issued from Gen.
Sheridan's headquarters for the consolidation of the regiment
into four companies, and the muster out of the non-veterans
and all officers rendered supernumerary, or whose term of ser
vice had expired. In obedience to this order fifteen officers and
thirty men left camp on the twenty-second for Augusta where
they were to be mustered out. The battalion of veterans was
left in command of Capt. Laing, who, with Capt. Worster; Lieut.
Crowell and Lieut. Quimby, composed the corps of officers
remaining. The regiment returned to Augusta and was mustered out of
service by Maj. J. W. T. Gardiner of the United States army,
on the thirteenth of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five.
Col. Nickerson was appointed to the command of the Third
brigade, Second division, Department of the Gulf, on the four
teenth of December, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and was
soon after confirmed as Brigadier General, to take rank from
the nineteenth day of November.

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 333
Gen. Nickerson held command of this brigade during the
siege of Port Hudson, and assumed command of the division
during the assault of May twenty-seventh, after Gen. Sherman
was wounded. On the organization of the Nineteenth corps he
was appointed to the command of the First brigade, Second
division ; but remained in command of the division until the
organization of the Sabine Pass Expedition, when he took com
mand of his brigade. On the return of the expedition from
Sabine Pass, Gen. Nickerson was obliged to retire from active
service a short time, on account of ill health. On his return to
the field he was assigned to the Second brigade, Second division,
and held this command through the Red River campaign.
During this campaign, Gen. Nickerson commanded several
important expeditions, and took a prominent part in all the
movements during the retirement from Alexandria. In July,
eighteen hundred and sixty-four, he was appointed to command
the District of Carrollton, which he held until relieved at his
own request ; and was soon afterwards appointed President of
a Board of Survey, on which he is still serving.

334 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XVI.
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised principally in Aroostook county,
which furnished at that time a greater number of troops in pro
portion to its number of inhabitants than any other county in
the State. It was rendezvoused at Augusta, and mustered into
the United States service by Lieut. Col. Eastman and Capt.
Hight, on the twenty-third of January, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two. It was organized as follows: —
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
John McClusky, Houlton, Colonel ; Isaac Dyer, Skowhegan,
Lieutenant Colonel ; Benjamin Hawes, Ashland, Major; James
Nowland, Houlton, Adjutant; Mark Barker, Exeter, Quarter
master; Jotham Donnell, Houlton, Surgeon; Samuel B. Hunter,
East Machias, Assistant Surgeon; Josiah I. Brown, Bristol,
Chaplain. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Benjamin B. Murray, Jr., Pembroke, Captain;
Samuel D. Leavitt, Eastport, First Lieutenant ; William K. Rich,
Pembroke, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Seth H. Leonard, Bowdoin, Captain; James H.
Whitmore, Bowdoinham, First Lieutenant ; Henry A. Shorey,
Bath, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Charles W. Clayton, Masardis, Captain ; Daniel
M. Prescott, Presque Isle, First Lieutenant ; Zebulon Rowe,
Presque Isle, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Charles S. Ulsley, Portland, Captain; John C.
Cobb, Windham, First Lieutenant ; Enoch M. Deering, Harrison,
Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Charles B. Smith, Houlton, Captain; John Z.
Swanton, Houlton, First Lieutenant; Albert W. Hoyt, Fort
Fairfield, Second Lieutenant.

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 335
Company F.— Laurens J. Joyce, Brunswick, Captain; James
H. Hackett, Houlton, First Lieutenant; Patrick Neville, Little
ton, Second Lieutenant.
Company G.— Franklin M. Drew, Presque Isle, Captain;
Ransom N. Pierce, Fort Fairfield, First Lieutenant; Elbridge J.
Pattee, Fort Fairfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company H.— John B. Wilson, Exeter, Captain; John B.
Nickels, Corinth, First Lieutenant; Harrison G. Prescott, Exe
ter, Second Lieutenant.
Company I.— Michael Boyce, Bangor, Captain; Thomas A.
E. McClusky, Houlton, First Lieutenant; John E. Callaghan,
Fort Kent, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Chandler R. Merrill, Calais, Captain ; William
Morey, Jr., Machias, First Lieutenant; Zadock Washburn,
Calais, Second Lieutenant.
On the twenty-fifth of February, it left Augusta for Portland,
where its departure for the seat of war was delayed until the
sixth of March, when it embarked for Ship Island, forming a
part of Gen. Butler's expedition against New Orleans. Upon
the occupation of that city the regiment was placed in Gen.
Phelps' brigade at camp Parapet.
From the nineteenth of May to the eighth of September, the
regiment was encamped at Carrollton. During this time Col.
McClusky was relieved of his command, and Lieut. Col. Dyer
was promoted, September thirteenth, to fill his place. For some
time after the arrival of the regiment at this post, it was in a
very bad state, from disease contracted amid the swamps of the
Mississippi. The health of the men was very much broken down.
The regiment went from Carrolton to Pensacola in September
and were placed in Camp Arnold. The salubrity of the place
at once told upon the sanitary condition of the men, who were
glad enough to get away from the deadly miasma of the swamps
of the Mississippi. Their health was so improved that the
number in hospital was reduced to less than one quarter. Col.
Dyer was placed in command of the post, and the command of
the regiment devolved upon Lieut. Col. Murray. Capt. Wilson
of company H, was made Provost Marshal.
The regiment remained at Pensacola until June, eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, Col. Dyer commanding the troops in
West Florida, including the military posts of Forts Pickens and

336 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Barrancas, during the greater portion of the time. Up to
March of this year twelve months had elapsed since the regi
ment sailed from Portland. Although during this periodit
had never been in battle its decimated ranks showed that it had
suffered from sickness and disease. At the date of its leaving
Maine it numbered, present and absent, nine hundred and sixty-
two rank and file. During the year that had passed it lost by
desertion, discharge and death, three hundred and twenty-nine,
leaving with the addition of fifteen men who had been enlisted,
the number at six hundred and twenty-eight. Only one com
missioned officer had died since its organization, but seven had
resigned. "
While stationed in West Florida details from the Fifteenth
were constantly engaged in scouring the adjoining country,
having several small skirmishes with the enemy. On one occa
sion, February twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
a scouting party under command of Col. Ferris of the Twenty-
eighth Connecticut, made up of equal numbers from that regi
ment and the Fifteenth Maine, started for a station known as the
"Fifteen Mile House;" where a company of rebel cavalry was
reported to be encamped, the object of the expedition being to ap
proach the camp before daylight, and make an attack before they
could mount their horses and escape. The party arrived at the
location where the cavalry was represented to be, at about three
o'clock on the following morning, and found that the rebels had
fled. By this time the men having become very much fatigued,
came to a rest and a small picket was thrown out. Early in
the morning, five rebels were discovered in the road, but after
exchanging a few shots with them, they fled. Finding pursuit
useless, the Colonel concluded to commence his march home
ward, leisurely, and await the movement of the cavalry. We
had gone nearly two miles, when the rebels again made their
appearance, perhaps fifty or sixty in number, and, filing into the
woods to our left, immediately opened fire. Their shots were
briskly responded to by our party, but so dense was the forest,
and so rapidly would the rebels change their position after firing,
being mounted, that the greater part of the bullets had no
effect. This warfare was kept up nearly six hours, and was, on
the part of the cavalry, of the most cowardly character. But
although the rebels had every advantage, being mounted and

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 337
under cover of the woods, not a man of our party was injured,
though the bullets flew all around. Several of the rebels were
seen to fall from their horses, and some of the horses fell.
On the afternoon of the sixth of March, another scouting
party from the Twenty-eight Connecticut and Fifteenth Maine,
under Col. Ferris, started for a small place called Arcada, where
a detachment of cavalry was known to be stationed. The party
was transported by a small row boat, loaded almost to the
water's edge. All passed off pleasantly and quietly until they
reached Judge's Mills, on the Escambia river, the place desig
nated for landing, which we did at about midnight, when one of
the boats, containing thirty-six men, was found to be missing.
Soon, however, she was reported as having passed the point,
and was now beating down for the place of landing. A boat
was dispatched to assist her, and the Colonel feeling that the
success of the expedition depended upon reaching Arcada be
fore daylight, and being satisfied that the boat was in no danger,
put the column in march for the place of destination, leaving the
boats in charge of a guard, with a small howitzer to defend
themselves against the rebels. They arrived at Arcada at about
three o'clock in the morning, and upon ascertaining from the
negroes at the house that the rebels were to breakfast at that
place, in the morning, they secreted themselves and waited
their arrival.
Soon the tramp of horses was heard, and five rebels rode up
to the house where our soldiers were secreted, shouting to the
blacks to "Hurry up with the breakfast!" little dreaming that
a score of live Yankees had taken possession of their quarters.
On the appearance of our soldiers two of the rebels immediately
surrendered ; the others turned to flee, but they were soon
checked by the leaden messengers sent after them. One was
slightly and the other mortally wounded ; one of the horses
was killed. One of the men escaped, though the horse was
captured. Soon another detachment of the cavalry made their
appearance, but hearing our shots, they made good their escape.
As our party had no horses, pursuit was out of the question.
The party then started for the boats, having taken four prisoners,
four horses, and quite a number of rifles.
Upon reaching the boats it was ascertained that eleven of
their number had been drowned during their absence. The boat
22

338 MAINE IN THE WAR.
which had been dispatched for the missing boat, had attempt
ed to take its passengers aud so great was the rush, she was
soon overloaded and swamped and thirty-six weary men, in the
darkness of the night, were struggling with the waves, encum
bered with a soldier's equipage.. By the greatest exertions
twenty-five were saved, but eleven found a watery grave, far
from home and friends, where not even their comrades can drop
the silent tear over their graves.
On the twenty-first of June, the regiment was ordered to New
Orleans, at which city they arrived on the afternoon of the
twenty-second, and were sent immediately to La Fourche Cross
ing, a station some sixty miles from Algiers, to reinforce Col.
Cahill, who was momentarily expecting an attack by the rebel
Gen. Magruder, who was scouting through this portion of Lou
isiana with the object of destroying the railroad, and by making
feints upon the approaches to New Orleans, to withdraw a por
tion of Gen. Banks' forces from Port Hudson. The regiment
took the cars at Algiers for La Fourche Crossing at about sun
down, and proceeded on their journey, arriving at the Crossing
at daylight on the twenty-third, where about five or six hundred
troops were already encamped.
At about nine o'clock in the forenoon an expedition com
manded by Gol. Dyer, proceeded to Thibodeaux, a station some
five miles from the crossing, to reconnoitre and ascertain the
enemy's position, but it returned at night with no satisfactory
results. -Learning that Brashear City had been taken and forti
fied by the rebels in force, Gol. Cahill concluded to strengthen
his own position. On the afternoon of the twenty-fourth our
cavalry scouts reported a large force of the enemy advancing
upon our line, and soon intelligence was received that a party
of the Ninth Connecticut, who were repairing the railroad, had
been fired upon. A line of battle was immediately formed, and
preparations made to meet the enemy. Scouts were constantly
arriving with intelligence of the movements of Magruder, and
it was ascertained that his force was not less than eight thousand
infantry, with a proportionate force of artillery. Our force did
not exceed twelve hundred. Towards dark Col. Cahill learned
that the enemy was endeavoring to get in our rear, and fearing
his retreat might be cut off by the destruction of the railroad
bridge, and the large amount of government property in our

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 339
possession fall into the hands of the rebels, he ordered an
evacuation, sending on the Fifteenth to protect the railroad
. until the supplies could be brought off. The Fifteenth marched
eighteen miles, protecting the railroad until daylight, when the
trains with all the supplies came up, and the whole command
proceeded to New Orleans, arriving at about three o'clock on
the twenty-fifth. Quartering in the Custom House until the
next morning they were ordered to occupy the fortifications at
the canal nearly seven miles from Algiers, upon which point
Magruder was expected to throw a portion of his force. Arriv
ing at the canal they remained until about midnight on the
twenty-ninth, when on the next morning they proceeded to
Camp Parapet, the enemy having crossed the river above that
place. Our forces at this point were under the command of
Col. Dyer.
The regiment remained at this post until September. During
this period several of the companies were detached and placed
in malarious localities, where large numbers of the men con
tracted swamp fevers and other diseases incident to such locali
ties. Early in September the regiment was ordered to New
Orleans, where they remained until the Texas expedition was
organized by Gen. Banks. The Fifteenth composed a part of
this expedition, and left New Orleans for the Rio Grande on
the twenty-third of October. After a sea-voyage of ten days,
during which time they encountered a very furious gale, and
barely escaped shipwreck, they landed on the island of Brazos
Santiago, November second, the flag of the Fifteenth being the
first unfurled to the breeze upon Texas soil.
When. Gen. Ransom organized his expedition against the for
tifications at Aransas Pass, he selected the Fifteenth and the
Thirteenth Maine to lead his advance. The troops, about fifteen
hundred in number, embarked on board of transports on the after
noon of the fifteenth of November, and set sail in the evening,
steering direct for Mustang Island, a distance of about one hun
dred and twenty-five miles from Brazos. They reached the
southern extremity of Mustang Island on the evening of the six
teenth, and landed a portion of our troops who prepared for an
advance upon the fortifications at the northern extremity of the
island. The two Maine regiments were the first to land and held
the advance in the march upon Fort Temmis. They took up

340 MAINE IN THE WAR.
their line of march at about ten P. M., which was continued
during the night. Early in the morning, after having marched
a distance of twenty or thirty miles, they came in sight of the
fort and the Maine boys were immediately formed in line of
battle to storm the works, supported by the Twentieth Iowa.
A sharp fire was opened by our skirmishers and the Mononga
hela threw a few shells upon the island, producing however but
.little effect. Headed by Gen. Ransom the two Maine regiments
moved forward. So completely surprised were the rebels at the
appearance of the force before their works, that they were
wholly unprepared for resistance, and surrendered uncondition
ally, with one hundred stalwart Texas rangers, and all the guns
and small arms pertaining to the garrison. For their endurance
and bravery on this occasion, the two regiments received a very
high compliment from the General commanding who addressed
them as follows :
" Officers and Soldiers of the Fifteenth and Thirteenth Maine:
It affords me great pleasure upon this my first acquaintance
with you, to speak in the highest praise of the manner in which
you have performed your duty during the tedious march you
have just completed. You have done nobly; have made quick
time and apparently have never learned to straggle. I have
never seen troops do better ; the march cannot be beat ; and
from the manner in which you advanced upon the enemy's
works, not knowing with what you had to contend, I know
you would have done honor to yourselves in storming yonder
fortification. But our friends yonder had not your pluck. You
have achieved a bloodless victory. The garrison with its con
tents has been unconditionally surrendered to our forces."
Upon marching in and taking possession of the fortification we
found the rebels all drawn up in line with their arms stacked ;
and as our forces marched in, a formal transfer was made. The
number of prisoners surrendered was one hundred, including
one Major, one Captain and a number of Lieutenants. We also
received three large guns, about one hundred rifles, together
with a large number of horses and other property pertaining
to the garrison.
Crossing Aransas Pass to St. Joseph's Island on the morn
ing of the twenty-second, and from thence to Matagorda Island,
the Fifteenth with the Thirteenth Maine also held the advance

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 341
in the expeditfon against Fort Esperanza, in Matagorda Bay, and
rendered conspicuous service in the capture of that stronghold.
The fort was occupied December first, the enemy having evacua
ted it the night previous. The object of the expedition being
accomplished, — the occupation of the entire coast of Texas,
from the Rio Grande to Matagorda Bay, — the troops composing
it were stationed about Matagorda Bay until March, eighteen
hundred and sixty-four, where they were exposed to the most
severe hardships, rendered doubly severe by the prevalence of
the Texas Northers, which rage upon the Texas coast during
the winter season. With no tents or shelter of any kind, and
with great scarcity of fuel, the two Maine regiments were com
pelled to live in holes dug in the ground, covered with raw cow
hides, and that, too, in weather which, in Maine, has no com
parison, even in December. The sufferings endured by our
troops on the Texas border, have rarely been surpassed in the
present war.
While at Matagorda peninsula, where they remained from the
seventeenth of January to February twenty-eighth, three-fourths
of the regiment re-enlisted, and was mustered for three
years. Embarking for New Orleans the regiment landed at
Algiers on the third of March, and proceeded by rail to Bra
shear City, from which place they marched to Franklin, where
they remained until the fifteenth, forming a part of Gen. Banks'
Red river expedition. They performed a march of more than
seven hundred miles in two months, bearing a conspicuous part
in the severe battles of Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill,
April eighth and ninth, and in the lesser fights at Cane Crossing
and upon the plains of Mausura, April twenty-third and May
sixteenth. Upon the return of the expedition to the Mississippi
the last of May, the regiment was stationed at Morganzia,
where they remained until the Nineteenth army corps were
ordered to the Potomac.
Leaving New Orleans July sixth they arrived at Fortress
Monroe on the seventeenth, and proceeded to Bermuda Hun
dred where they went into camp. Ten days after they went to
Washington, and on the thirty-first proceeded to Monocacy,
Maryland, where they remained until August fifth when the
re-enlisted men were ordered to Augusta, Maine, to receive
their furlough, and the non-veterans were temporarily attached
to the Thirtieth Maine regiment.

342 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The number who re-enlisted was three hundred'and fifty-four,
twenty-two being officers, leaving eighty-three behind who did
not re-enlist. On tho expiration of their furloughs they left
Augusta on the twenty-seventh of September to join the bal
ance of the regiment in Virginia near the Upper Potomac,
connected with Sheridan's army. Considerable many recruits
went out from Maine with them. The day previous to their
departure they were provided with a bountiful fruit collation
in the rotunda of the State House, by the city government of
Augusta. A brief and stirring address by Hon. Lot. M. Mor
rill, and a letter read by Adjutant General Hodsdon from Gov.
Cony, who was obliged to be absent on official business, were
received with demonstrations of enthusiasm.
Early in October the regiment left Bolivar Heights, about a
mile from Harper's Ferry, for Martinsburgh. On the twenty-
eighth of November the rebels made a raid on the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad at New Creek, Western Virginia, destroying
the government stores and making the entire garrison prisoners.
The Fifteenth was part of a forpe at once ordered to that place
for its protection.
The term of service of the non-re-enlisted men expired on
the twenty-third of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five.

FIRST COMPANY OF SHARPSHOOTERS. 343

XVII.
FIRST COMPANY OF SHARPSHOOTERS.
The Secretary of War having requested the Governor to
contribute a company of rifle sharpshooters to the general
government, orders were issued on the eleventh of September,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one, for the recruitment of the
requisite number and James D. Fessenden, Esq., of Portland
was appointed to superintend the formation of the company.
In addition to the usual physical examination, the men were
selected with scrupulous care as to their fitness for this service
and the test of qualification as marksmen was rigidly applied.
Firing at rest, at a distance of two hundred yards, the men were
required to put ten consecutive shots in a target, the average
distance not exceeding five inches from tho centre of the bull's
eye to the centre of the ball. The consequence was, a superior
class of men was secured. The company was rendezvoused at
Augusta and was officered as follows:
James D. Fessenden, Portland, Captain ; Jacob McClure,
Rockland, First Lieutenant ; Silas C. Barker, Augusta, Second
Lieutenant. ,
The men were furnished with an outfit of superior clothing
and uniforms and were mustered into service on the second of
November by Lieut. Col. Eastman of the First United States
Infantry. The company left the State on the thirteenth in com
pany with the Eleventh Maine and reached Washington on the
sixteenth where it went into camp of instruction aud was attach
ed to Berdan's Second regiment of United States Sharpshooters
as company D. On the nineteenth of March eighteen hundred
and sixty-two, it left for Camp Williams, near Alexandria,
Virginia, sixteen miles distant and arrived there next day, where
it joined Gen. Auger's brigade of Gen. King's division, which
was then attached to Gen. McDowell's corps. On the fifth of
April the company left Camp Williams for Bristoe's Station

344 MAINE IN THE WAR.
where it arrived the next evening and camped until the fifteenth
on which day it marched towards Falmouth, Virginia, via War
renton Junction, arriving at the latter place same night. Leav
ing there on the morning of April seventeenth, and marching a
distance of thirty miles within fifteen hours, with little opposition
from rebel cavalry and infantry, it entered Falmouth, Virginia.
After entering the town, as the enemy had fired the bridges
connecting it with Fredericksburgh, the company was detailed
to extinguish the flames within range of the rebel sharpshooters
on the opposite side of the river. It soon dispersed them by a
few well directed shots, and partially saved the bridge. It
encamped at Falmouth until May twenty-fifth, at which time it
left there, camping for the night about eight miles south of
Fredericksburgh, Virginia, near Fairview. Countermarching
on the morning of the twenty-ninth of April, it started to the
relief of Gen. Banks, in the valley, arrived at Catlett's Station
May thirty-first, and there took cars for Front Royal, Virginia,
via Manassas Junction. When near White Plains, about three
o'clock on the morning of June first, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, the train in their rear by some mismanagement
came into collision with that containing this company, nearly
demolishing several cars, killing one man and wounding twenty-
two others, some severely, (all of this company). They left
the scene of disaster the same evening, and arrived at Rector-
town. Remaining there in the cars until the evening of June
second, they returned by rail to Haymarket, Virginia, near
Thoroughfare Gap. There it remained in camp until June sixth,
when it left for Warrenton, Virginia, arriving there the same
night. Remaining there until June eighth, they marched to Elk
Run, Virginia, and continued here until June fourteenth, when
they left for Falmouth, arriving there June fifteenth, and there
remained in camp until August fifth. This day they left on
reconnoissance, proceeding some thirty miles into the enemy's
country south of Fredericksburgh, and returned on the eighth
of August, having accomplished their object, destroying an
important bridge on the Bowling Green road, and taking an
immense quantity of forage, horses, mules, cattle, etc.
They left Falmouth August tenth, arriving at Culpepper,
Virginia, on the evening of the eleventh, making a distance of
forty-six miles in about thirty-one hours. Remaining at Cul-

FIRST COMPANY OF SHARPSHOOTERS. 345
pepper in camp until August sixteenth, they marched toward
the Rapidan river, encamping near Cedar Mountain until August
nineteenth. A retreat was then ordered, and they marched to
the Rappahannock river at Rappahannock Station, arriving
there on the morning of the twentieth. Their regiment acted
as rear guard, and had hardly crossed the river when the rebel
cavalry made their appearance. — The company had lost but one
man up to this time (private A. W. Hutchins,) who was unwell
and was overtaken by the advance guard of the rebels. He
was afterwards exchanged, but died at Fort Delaware. — The
enemy made several desperate attempts to cross. The men
were in line of battle and under a terrific fire of shell and
cannister for three days, with occasional firing during the
nights. The company commanded by Capt. McClure, was
detailed to go to the river and ascertain where the enemy were
crossing to our side. While performing this important duty,
and just as it discovered them, a company of rebel cavalry,
sixty strong, charged on us. Our little company of twenty-
eight men, deployed as skirmishers, repulsed and scattered
them in every direction, killing two, wounding several, and
taking their Captain and two privates prisoners. None of our
men were injured. While here they were supporting batteries
at times, and in this duty the regiment lost six killed and
several wounded.
On the twenty- third of August the regiment was on picket
and under a severe artillery fire which lasted about two hours.
Several of the regiment were wounded, and one man in this
company (private Washington Tucker) received a wound which
resulted in his death shortly afterwards. On the twenty-third
they started for Warrenton, where they remained until August
twenty-sixth, when the regiment was detached to Gen. Patrick's
brigade, and marched to White Sulphur Springs. There com
pany D were deployed as skirmishers, and ordered to drive the
enemy's skirmishers to the other side. Brisk skirmishing
ensued, which lasted some six hours, and resulted in our driving
the enemy across the river. This was the fairest test yet had
between the rebel sharpshooters and ours. The loss of the
regiment was three killed. The rebels lost thirty.
They marched August twenty-seventh in the direction of
Manassas Junction. When near Groveton, or Manassas, Au-

346 MAINE IN THE WAR.
gust twenty-eighth, they discovered the enemy in force. During
the night they were compelled to fall back to Manassas, a"nd
remained there until the twenty-ninth when they were ordered
forward to the same ground before occupied, this company
supporting two pieces of artillery stationed near the Seabury
road. About dark the rebels attacked us in overwhelming
force, and we were driven back. In this action Lieut. Barker
was taken prisoner, private James F. Sally was wounded and
private John Jordan killed. The company had but twelve
enlisted men in this battle. The rest of the company were
completely exhausted by the severe marching, countermarching
and fighting of the previous ten days, with short rations. They
lay by the roadside until about noon of August thirtieth, when
another advance on the enemy was ordered. The company
were on the right and deployed as skirmishers. The fighting
became so fierce that it lost sight of the right wing of its
regiment, and with the remainder of the left wing joined one
of the Pennsylvania reserve regiments, where it fought in
closed ranks during the remainder of the day. It fell back to
Centerville on the night of August thirtieth, broken and disor
dered, and remained there until September first when it moved
to Fairfax and encamped for the night, and on September
second fell back to Falls Church where it encamped until Sep
tember seventh when it marched into Maryland September
ninth, eight miles from Washington, District of Columbia, on
the Harper's Ferry road. From there it marched by the way
of Brooksville and Lisbon to Frederick, Maryland, where it
arrived September twelfth. September fourteenth they marched
to South Mountain, came upon the enemy in force, and engaged
them about three P. M., the regiment being deployed as
skirmishers and leading the attack. Night found the enemy
completely routed after a brisk fight. On the morning of the
fifteenth we pursued them, encamping about two miles from
Keedysville and the enemy's lines. September sixteenth the
regiment was deployed and advanced to feel the enemy's line.
Slight skirmishing ensued in which one man in this company
(private Arthur Wellington Tucker) was wounded aud died the
same night. After their object was accomplished they fell back
a short distance and lay on their arms all night. On the morning
of the seventeenth at the battle of Antietam, they advanced in

FIRST COMPANY OF SHARPSHOOTERS. 347
close column line of battle, the regiment forming the extreme
right of Doubleday's. division. They fought continually for
four hours, during which the regiment lost about seventy-five
killed. The loss of the company was six.
September nineteenth they went into camp near Sharpsburgh,
Maryland. October twentieth they marched to Bakersville,
where they remained until October twenty-sixth when they
marched to Berlin. On the thirtieth they crossed the Potomac
and encamped near Lovettsville, Virginia. November first
they marched to Purcelsville, remaining there until November
third, when continuing the march they arrived at Warrenton
November sixth. November eleventh they marched for Brooks'
Station, between Falmouth and Acquia Creek, where they
remained in camp until December tenth, when they marched
toward Fredericksburgh, crossing the river three miles below.
On the night of December twelfth the company camped under
the enemy's guns, and on the morning of December thirteenth
they were ordered forward, and deployed as skirmishers on the
extreme left of Franklin's corps, their left resting on the river
banks. During the day they advanced about a mile and a half,
driving the enemy from their fortifications, and capturing sev
eral men and one commissioned officer. The company stood
picket through the night of the thirteenth. On the fourteenth
it lay in line of battle all day, at night on picket, and on the
fifteenth on picket all day, skirmishing quite lively, recrossing
the river that night. The loss in battle was nothing. One man,
a straggler, (private Edwin Thompson of this company,) was
left behind and captured by the enemy. From this date until
April twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, the men
were in winter quarters, doing the usual camp duty. Tuesday,
April twenty-eighth, they left camp near Stoneman's Station,
Virginia, and marched again to Fredericksburgh and encamped
three miles below, remaining there in reserve for the First army
corps until the thirtieth.
On the first of May they crossed the Rappahannock and next
day advanced some two miles south of the Gordonsville road
in the direction of Spottsylvania Court House, where they
encountered the enemy and after a sharp fight captured a num
ber of prisoners larger than their own force. The disaster to
the Eleventh army corps here forced the regiment to fall back

348 MAINE IN THE WAR.
to within half a mile of the Gordonsville road, where it was
entirely cut off and surrounded by the enemy. , They had sharp
fighting during the night but succeeded in opening communica
tion with Gen. Hooker and next morning fell back to Chancel
lorsville, where for two days they were constantly engaged
with the sharpshooters of the enemy. With the rest of the
army they retreated across the river on the morning of the fifth
and returned to their old camp at Stoneman's Station where
they remained till the first of June. They then participated in
the long and severe marches of the army and on the first of
July were at Tarrytown. The company was constantly engaged
in the three days' battles at Gettysburgh on the second, third
and fourth, and lost eleven in wounded, missing and prisoners.
Moving back they were at Warrenton, Virginia, on the first of
August, at White Sulphur Springs a month later, Culpepper on
the first of October and at Brandy Station December first. They
remained here and near Culpepper till May third when they broke
camp and participated actively in the ensuing campaign. On
the fifth, sixth, tenth and eleventh they were engaged in skirm
ishing with the enemy and on the twelfth participated in a
charge. Next day they skirmished with the enemy and drove
him into his earthworks. On the sixteenth they skirmished
and retook from the enemy the breastworks which had been
evacuated by our forces the day before. Thus the company
followed the movements of the army on its march south from
the Rapidan, marching and skirmishing with the enemy. May
twenty-third our skirmish line charged the enemy's redoubts on
the banks of the Pamunkey river and captured them. Capt.
Barker was here wounded by a shell. Next day the company
crossed the Pamunkey and skirmished with the enemy, captur
ing other works. On the twenty-fifth there was sharp picket
skirmishing and the company was detailed for the day to
Burnside's corps, — the Ninth. They built earthworks on the
twenty-eighth near the Pamunkey river and on the thirty-first
they were deployed as skirmishers and their line took the first
line of the enemy's works at Shaw Run.
During the month of June the company was engaged about
twenty-four days, skirmishing or marching and had arrived in
front of Petersburgh where they were in the First brigade,
Third division, Second army corps. The company has partie-

FIRST COMPANY OF SHARPSHOOTERS. 349
ipated actively in the late campaign of the Army of the Potomac
and is still with it in the field, the original members having
re-enlisted and recruits having been added to it sufficient to
retain its organization. It has ever proved itself a fine company
and has done honor to its members and to the State.
Capt. Fessenden having been promoted to a Lieutenant
Colonelcy on the staff of Maj. Gen. Hunter, Lieut. McClure
was on the seventeenth of October, eighteen hundred and sixty-
two promoted to the Captaincy. He served with distinguished
ability until the sixteenth of September, eighteen hundred and
sixty-three when he was commissioned as Major of the regiment
and on the second of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. He was never
mustered on either of these promotions, but was subsequently
discharged as Captain for physical disability from wounds
received in action.
Lieut. Col. Fessenden was shortly promoted to a Colonelcy
and served as an aide-de-camp until the summer of eighteen
hundred and sixty-three and until Gen. Hunter was relieved
of command.
In October following when Gen. Hooker was sent to Tennes
see with troops, Col. Fessenden was assigned to duty on his
staff in the same capacity as he had served under Gen. Hunter.
He remained with Gen. Hooker until that officer was relieved,
was in all his campaigns at the West and from Chattanooga to
Atlanta. After his return from that campaign Col. Fessenden
Was at the urgent and repeated solicitation of Gen. Hooker,
appointed Brigadier General by the President and was assigned
a command in the valley of the Shenandoah.

350 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XVIII.
FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY.
At the commencement of the war the cavaliers of the South
were superior in skill and efficiency to our northern troopers ; but
after a few months the sceptre of superiority was wrested from
them by the latter, whose many brilliant exploits have far eclipsed
anything ever performed by the rebel horsemen, and have been
the admiring theme of thousands. Among the Federal cavalry
the First Maine has won an enviable reputation. This regiment
was raised at large and organized by the authority of the
United States government and consisted of twelve companies.
It was mustered into the United States service October thirty-
first, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, by Lieut. Col. Eastman
of the First United States Infantry, and Capt. Thomas Hight,
Second United States Cavalry, organized as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
John Goddard, Cape Elizabeth, Colonel; Thomas Hight,
United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel; Samuel H. Allen,
Thomaston, Major; David P. Stowell, Canton, Major; Calvin S.
Douty, Dover, Major; Benjamin F. Tucker, United States Army,
Adjutant; Edward M. Patten, Portland, Quartermaster; George
W. Colby, Richmond, Surgeon ; George W. Haley, Eastport,
Assistant Surgeon ; Benjamin F. Tefft, Bangor, Chaplain ; Addi
son P." Russell, Houlton, Sergeant Major ; Eustis C. Bigelow,
Portland, Quartermaster Sergeant; Charles S. Crosby, Bangor,
Commissary Sergeant; Samuel C. Lovejoy, Rockland, Hospital
Steward; Artemas D. Bickford, Houlton, Principal Musician;
William L. Boyd, Houlton, Principal Musician.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Warren L. Whitney, Newburgh, Captain ; Sid
ney W. Thaxter, Bangor, First Lieutenant; Joseph C. Hill,
Kennebunk, Second Lieutenant.

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 351
Company B. — Jonathan P. CiHey, Thomaston, Captain; Wil
liam P. Coleman, Lincplnville, First Lieutenant ; Frank L.
Cutler, Union, Second Lieutenant. *
Company C. — Robert F. Dyer, Augusta, Captain; Dudley L.
Haines, Readfield, First Lieutenant; George S. Kimball, Gar
diner, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Charles H. Smith, Eastport, Captain; Andrew
B. Spurling, Orland, First Lieutenant; William Montgomery,
Orland, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Black Hawk Putnam, Houlton, Captain; John
H. Goddard, Portland, First Lieutenant; Osco A. Ellis, Lincoln,
Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Nathan Mayhew, Captain; Stephen Boothby,
First Lieutenant; Jarvis C. Stevens, Second Lieutenant; all of
Portland. Company G.-^-Augustus J. Burbank, Lewiston, Captain-;
Zebukm B. Blethen, Lewiston, First Lieutenant ; Isaac G. Vir
gin, Dixfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — George J. Summat, United States Army, Cap
tain; Charles H. Baker, Skowhegan, First Lieutenant ; JohnR.
Webb, St. Albans, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Louis 0. Cowan, Biddeford, Captain ; Paul
Chadbourn, Waterborough, First Lieutenant ; Frank W. Pray,
Shapleigh, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — George Prince, Bath, Captain; George Cary,
Houlton, First Lieutenant; John D. Myrick, Augusta, Second
Lieutenant. Company L. — Reuben B. Jennings, Captain ; Constantine Tay
lor, First Lieutenant ; George Weston, Second Lieutenant ; all
of Farmington.
Company M. — George M. Brown, Bangor, Captain; John C.
C. Bowen, Bangor, First Lieutenant ; Evans S. Pillsbury, Guil
ford, Second Lieutenant.
For the character of its men and the quality of its horses this
regiment was equal, if not superior, to any in the service. It
was raised in shorter time than any similar organization in any
other State. Before it left the State Col. Goddard resigned and
was succeeded in the command by Maj. Allen who was com
missioned Colonel. Capt. Whitney of company A was promoted
to Major, and Lieut. Thaxter of the same company was promo
ted to the Captaincy.

352 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The regiment remained encamped at Augusta throughout the
fall and winter, the delay in its departure growing out of the
inability of the War Department to make advantageous disposi
tion of it in the field, until March fourteenth, eighteen hundred
and sixty-two, when companies A, D, E, and F, left for Wash
ington under the command of Col. Allen (who was taken ill in
New York city,) arriving at the national capital on the nine
teenth. These were followed by companies B, I, H and M,
under Maj. Douty which arrived on the twenty-fourth, and
companies C, G, K and L, under Maj. Stowell, which arrived
on the twenty-eighth. In the transportation of the regiment
not a man was injured, and only one or two horses. All along
the route the men were received with various demonstrations
of joy and patriotism.
Shortly after their arrival in Washington, companies A, B,
E, H and M, which constituted the first battalion, under Major
Douty, marched to Harper's Ferry by the way of Frederick,
and joined Col. Miles' railroad brigade, where they were dis
tributed at various points engaged in guarding the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad, while companies C, D, F, G, I, K and L,
under Maj. Stowell, went to Warrenton Junction and joined
Gen. Abercrombie's brigade. After being thus assigned the
several companies were detached for service in different local
ities. Maj. Douty's battalion remained in the vicinity of
Harper's Ferry until the tenth of May, on which day he was
commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in place of Col. Hight who
had resigned, when he started with his command and joined
three days after, Gen. Banks' force at Strasburgh, the battalion
being attached to Gen. Hatch's cavalry brigade. Meanwhile
on the eighth, six companies under Maj. Stowell. started on a
reconnoissance to Culpepper Court House.
After crossing the Rappahannock, company L, Capt. Taylor,
was thrown forward as an advance guard, when, as they ap
proached Culpepper Court House, Capt. Taylor threw forward
a squad of fifteen men in advance under command of Lieut.
Vaughan, to act as skirmishers. On arriving near the village,
a force of two hundred rebel cavalry was discovered, armed to
the teeth, drawn up in line of battle, not twenty yards distant.
Lieut. Vaughan immediately formed his men in line of battle,
whereupon the enemy retreated, pursued by our little force who

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 353
succeeded in capturing eight prisoners, for which gallant act,
they received the praise of Gen. McDowell. Four days after
this reconnoissance their brigade under Gen. Hartsuff marched
to Fredericksburgh, where Col. Allen rejoined his command,
which was placed in Gen. Ord's division.
On the twentieth companies B, M and H, under Lieut. Col.
Douty, participated in the skirmish at Woodstock, during the
retreat of Gen. Banks' force down the Shenandoah. Two days
after companies M and H, under Capt. Brown, engaged in a
skirmish beyond Strasburgh. The following day Lieut. Col.
Douty with his whole battalion engaged in the battle at Middle-
ton, covering Gen. Banks' retreat to Williamsport, whose
forces since the march from Strasburgh had been engaged in a
constant succession of attacks by a much larger number of the
enemy, which aimed at nothing less than their entire capture.
During the most critical period of the retreat, the battalion
promptly obeyed every order, and their coolness and bravery
under fire contributed very materially to the ultimate escape of
the whole division, with so large a portion of their baggage.
There are two main travelled turnpike roads leading down
the valley and into Winchester from the southward. That from
Strasburgh, situated on the Manassas Gap railroad, is the most
direct, the other leading from Front Royal, also on the same
railroad, is more circuitous. The line of these two roads is
connected occasionally by cross roads called "dirt roads." On
the morning of Saturday, the twenty-fourth, it was ascertained
that the rebels had got possession of, and were advancing up,
the Front Royal road to get in Gen. Banks' rear and cut him
off. Col. Douty with five companies of the First Maine and
two of the Vermont cavalry, being at or near Middleton, which
is on the Strasburgh road and at the conjunction of one of
these dirt roads, received an order to advance up the cross road
to the Front Royal pike, and endeavor to ascertain the strength
of the force which the enemy were pushing up that pike to
intercept the retreat of Gen. Banks. After some considerable
skirmishing and having accomplished the object of the recon
noissance, he fell back to Middleton,. where he found Gen. Hatch,
his superior in command. Gen. Banks with the most of his
men and trains, had already passed that point, on his way to
Winchester, Gen. Hatch still holding the main body of his
23

354 MAINE IN THE WAR.
cavalry there to protect the rear of the retreating army. In
the meantime a large force of the enemy's infantry and artillery
had crossed over from the Front Royal road, and slipping in
between Banks' retreating column and our cavalry reserve,
commenced shelling it furiously at short range. Soon after an
order was given by some one to charge on the enemy, which
was immediately to be put into execution, but so destructive
was the infantry and artillery fire in front, that many of the
horses of the platoons in advance, were shot down or disabled,
and consequently those in the immediate rear coming up at a
furious rate, were thrown upon the disabled mass in front, the
next again forced by the momentum of the column upon these,
creating a most fatal and inextricable confusion. There were
very many wounded by shot or shell, or bruised by the
collision or fall of horses. The loss of the latter was large,
numbering one hundred and seventy-six, with the same number
of horse equipments. The charge of companies A, E and M
with drawn sabres through the town of Middleton in the face
and eyes of a most galling fire, and the conduct of companies
B and H in covering the retreat of the Tenth Maine infantry
by keeping at bay a formidable regiment of cavalry at Winches
ter, was the beginning of the noble record which the regiment
has won. Among the officers wounded were Maj. Cilley, who
had previously been promoted from Captain, Capt. Putnam and
Lieut. Estes of company A. The former was taken prisoner
and paroled, together with Assistant Surgeon Haley. Lieut.
Hill, Acting Quartermaster of the battalion, was captured with
his teams by the enemy, and as he was seated upon a wagon,
with true Yankee curiosity, was anxious to know what there
was in it. After searching for some time he found a loaded
revolver, with which, jumping from the team, he shot his
guard, took his horse and recapturing his own and some other
teams, drove back to the Union lines. Immediately after these
these operations, Lieut. Col. Douty, with the remains of his
command, retreated up the pike, and getting into a diverging
dirt road, eventually made his escape to the main body under
Gen. Banks.
On the twenty-fifth, the regiment accompanied by the Second
and Fifth Maine and First Pennsylvania batteries, all under the
command of Col. Allen, were ordered to Alexandria, but while

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 355
on the way the order was countermanded and they joined Gen.
McDowell's column three days after, at Manassas Junction,
which moved to Front Royal, where they arrived on the thirty-
first. After it was decided by Gen. McDowell to open com
munication with Gen. Banks at Williamsport via Winchester
which was in possession of the rebels, and Martinsburgh, parts
of two companies of the regiment, C and D, were selected to
perform this very difficult and dangerous enterprise. Under
command of Maj. Whitney, they left Front Royal during the
afternoon of July second, and proceeded to within one mile of
Winchester, where, just at dark, they halted, and in the woods,
behind a hill that lay between them and the town, encamped
until morning, wet and weary, exposed to a drenching rain, the
trees their only shelter. There were three hundred of the
enemy in Winchester ; but thinking themselves secure in their
rear, they had no guard of any kind outside the town in this
direction. At daylight the next morning our little force dashed
through the town in gallant style. Secesh citizens, rebel sol
diers, and Union prisoners, were alike utterly astonished. All
supposed this to be the advance guard, and that our troops
were advancing in force. Soldiers threw down their arms, and
the prisoners jnmped from their beds and rushed over and by
the guard into the street. One bold feat was performed by
Lieut. Montgomery, of company D. Obtaining , permission of
Maj. Whitney, he rode back to where three soldiers were stand
ing guard over some Union prisoners, and suddenly confronting
one of them, demanded his gun, which was immediately given
up, and wheeling his horse on the instant he galloped away to
join his party, leaving them all in mute astonishment at the sud
denness and boldness of the act.
Dashing on to execute his mission, Maj. Whitney halted his
force within six miles of Martinsburgh, and proceeded in
person to Gen. Banks' headquarters. Having delivered and
received his orders, he returned to his command, and the next
day they all returned in safety to the opposite bank of the
Shenandoah, and arrived at Front Royal on the fifth. While
encamped here a few members of the regiment, when returning
from a scouting expedition, were told by a negro, about five
miles aut on the road, that they were inside the rebel pickets.
•They laughed at the idea, but soon after one who was a little in

356 MAINE IN THE WAR.
the rear, saw three or four in the bushes by the roadside, one
of whom had his rifle raised to his shoulder. He immediately
threw himself to the opposite side of his horse, when a bullet
whizzed over his saddle. They rushed forward with a shout,
evidently expecting to pick him up; and by the time they
discovered their mistake he was well out of range. The next
day a reconnoissance was made in this direction, but no signs
of the enemy were discovered. On the eighteenth the regi
ment returned with McDowell's corps to Manassas, thence
marching three days after to Weaverville, near Warrenton
Junction, where they joined Gen. Rickett's division. In the
meanwhile the battalion under Lieut. Col. Douty, moved to
Winchester on the twelfth, company H keeping on to Stras
burgh, and companies E and M to Front Royal, followed on the
twentieth by companies A and B. The whole battalion was
there placed under the command of Brig. Gen. Crawford.
On the tenth of July the battalion joined the regiment at
Warrenton, which left with their division on the twenty-second
for Waterloo, remaining there nine days, when they moved for
the Rapidan river. The battle at Cedar Mountain occurred on the
ninth of August. The regiment was attached to Gen. Bayard's
brigade which was in the advance near the Rapidan and fell
slowly back delaying and embarrassing the enemy's advance as
far as possible, and capturing some of his men. The two fol
lowing days the regiment participated in a reconnoissance in
force, moving on the next day with the army of Virginia to the
banks of the Rapidan. Gen. Pope having commenced falling
back from his position across the Rappahannock, the First
Maine assisted in guarding the rear of the army, engaging on
the twentieth the enemy's advance near Brandy Station, fight
ing as it fell back across the river, the engagement lasting about
four hours. For the week following, the regiment was attached
to Bayard's brigade which held the right of Pope's army.
During this time they were engaged in guarding fords and
reconnoitering from Sulphur Springs to Waterloo. Joining
Porter's corps they moved back on the twenty-eighth to Manassas
Junction, and on the following day were placed under Brig.
Gen. Elliott of Gen. Pope's staff, and marched at daylight to
near Bull Run where Gen. Pope had concentrated his force and
was giving battle to the enemy on the ground where occurred

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 357
the disastrous battle of the previous year. Over-matched and
out-generaled by the enemy, Pope fell back with his exhausted
and decimated army to the fortifications at Washington, the
First Maine which had joined Gen. Reno's column at Fairfax
Court House, arriving on the third of September, and encamp
ing on Seventh street. Two days after they left for Frederick,
Maryland, attached to Gen. Burnside's corps, at which place on
the twelfth, they participated in an engagement, and occupied
the place on the following day, when Col. Allen was appointed
by Gen. Burnside, Military Governor. The following officers
were detached from the regiment for staff and other duty:
Capt. C. H. Smith, Provost Marshal, Capt. S. Boothby, acting
aide-de-camp, Adjt. J. C. Stevens Acting Assistant Adjutant
General. On the fourteenth, when took place the battle of
South Mountain, company G acted as the body guard of Gen.
Reno, who was killed on the field of action. At the battle of
Antietam on the seventeenth companies M and H participated.
They were in Fitz-John Porter's corps.
The total number of horses lost in action and worn out in
service from March to the first of November was about seven
hundred. The regiment remained stationed at Frederick until the second
of November, when it was relieved, and ordered to report to
Brig. Gen. Reynolds at Rectortown, Virginia, where it arrived
on the fifth, on which day company L, Capt. Taylor, was attach
ed to headquarters of the First corps. The next day the regi
ment marched for Warrenton, entering in the advance, and
capturing a few prisoners. On the twelfth, three days after
their arrival at Bealeton, they were temporarily assigned to
Gen. Bayard's cavalry brigade, and went on picket at Freeman's
Ford. On the eighteenth they reported to Gen. Reynolds, near
Stafford Court House, two days after which four companies
under Capt. Taylor, were sent back to the Occoquan to guard
pontoon trains. Encamping near Brooks' Station, the regiment
performed picket duty in the vicinity of Stafford Court House,
until the tenth of December, when, being relieved from duty on
the following day, they marched for Falmouth, with the First
corps, and were assigned to Gen. Bayard's brigade. Burnside's
movement on Fredericksburgh was now in progress. The next
day the First crossed the Rappahannock on the lower pontoon

358 • MAINE IN THE WAR.
and supported Gibson's battery all day, re-crossing the river at
ten o'clock at night, and relieving the Second New York cavalry
on picket below the city. The evacuation by our forces of the
city having been successfully accomplished, the First moved on
the twenty-third from their camp near White Oak Church to
camp Bayard near Belle Plain, four miles distant, where they
went into winter quarters, doing picket duty on the lower Rap
pahannock half the time.
On the twentieth of February of the following year the regi
ment was assigned to the First brigade, Col. Kilpatrick com
manding, of the Third division, under the command of Gen.
Gregg of Gen. Stoneman's cavalry corps. Col. Allen having
resigned on account of ill health, Lieut. Col. Douty was pro
moted to the command of the regiment. Forming a portion of
Gen. Stoneman's expeditionary corps, they broke camp April
thirteenth and went to Deep Run, arriving the next day at Rap
pahannock Station, where they found a small body of the enemy
strongly posted across the river. Two squadrons, companies
A and B, under Maj. Boothbyy dismounted and charged across
the railroad bridge, driving the enemy from his redoubts and
rifle pits. The following day, after an attempt to cross the Rap
pahannock at Beverly Ford, which was found impracticable on
account of the high stage of the water, the regiment moved to
near Warrenton Junction, from thence to Catlett's Station,
where they remained eight days on picket, thence to Bealeton,
crossing the Rappahannock at noon on the twenty-ninth at
Kelly's Ford, and bivouacking near Mountain Run.
The next day all unserviceable horses having been sent to the
rear, they took up the line of march for the Rapidan, constitu
ting a portion of another expeditionary corps to embarrass the
enemy, while Gen. Hooker made his forward movement across
the Rappahannock at Fredericksburgh. Crossing at Raccoon
Ford without opposition, the regiment bivouacked on the south
side. On the morning of May second, at daybreak, after march
ing all the previous day and night, they reached Louisa Court
House, where a detail of fifty men from companies B and I,
under Capt. Tucker, was made, to proceed as far as they could
on the Gordonsville road, for the purpose of conveying the im
pression to the enemy that our next movement would be on
that place. Capt. Tucker's command after proceeding about

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 359
three miles drove ^n the enemy's pickets, when he came upon
the main reserve of the enemy, drawn up in line of battle, about
five hundred strong, who poured a volley into our men. Capt.
Tucker finding that he was so largely outnumbered, ordered a
retreat, the enemy charging him with his whole force. Our loss
was two killed and twenty-eight taken prisoners. The balance
reached the regiment in safety, without being pursued by the
enemy. The regiment marched all night, reaching Thompson's
Cross Roads at daybreak, and continuing their march without
halting to within fifteen miles of Richmond. From this point
Lieut. Col. Smith, with a detachment of one hundred men of
the First Maine and one hundred men of the Tenth New York
cavalry, was sent to burn the upper railroad bridge over the
South Anna river, but finding it strongly guarded burned the
station house and barracks and returned without casualty. On
the fourth the regiment started on its return, marching to Yan-
ceyville, where a halt of one hour was made. The next day
afternoon they started for the Rapidan, marching all night, and
continuing their march the next day and night, reaching Raccoon
Ford at daylight on the seventh, crossing the river and resting
till afternoon, when they went to Kelly's Ford, arriving in the
night. The following day they crossed the river, by swimming
their horses, and marched for Bealeton Station.
During this raid Lieut. Estes of company A, who served as
an aide to Col. Kilpatrick, was, with ten men, detached at Aylett's
Station on the Mattapony, to dash across the country north
ward, and, if possible, convey news of the destruction of the
enemy's communications. He struck the Rappahannock at the
Tappahannock Court House, but found the river too much
swollen to cross. Here they surprised, captured and paroled a
rebel Lieutenant and fifteen men. Being obliged to tarry here
a short time, four hundred Essex county militia assembled under
Gen. Mule, and approached the lower ford, where the Union
squad was waiting. When at a short distance, Gen. Mule sent
a flag of truce to Estes, with a note informing him that he (Gen.
M.) had sufficient force to capture them, and advised, to pre
vent the effusion of blood, that he surrender the Union forces
at Bowler's Ferry. Lieut. Estes refused, mounted and spurred
rapidly down the river. During the flight they caught a rebel
Major, two Captains, and three privates, going to join their

360 MAINE IN THE WAR.
regiments, and paroled them. Gen. Mule and his militia, three
hundred strong, followed closely, and soon the brave handful
found themselves caught in a cut de sac between the swollen
river and the Great Dragon swamp. They refused again to
surrender, abandoned their horses, destroyed their arms and
took to the swamp. Here military pursuit was abandoned, but
the planters turned out and actually hunted them with blood
hounds the next morning, when they were all captured, some
wounded by the dogs. A detachment was immediately sent
with them toward Richmond, but on the Mattapony they were
met by our Cameron dragoons, and the captors and captured
instantly changed places. Lieut. Estes wheeled about and
escorted his escort to Gloucester.
Another chivalrous affair took place during a little brush the
regiment had with the Black Horse cavalry at some river point.
One of the latter, Lieut. Paine, was crossing where the water
was deep, and the current strong. His horse was swept down
stream, and the rider thrown from the horse, was in such peril
that his comrades made no attempt to save him. Lieut. Stone,
company H, First Maine, however, gallantly dashed into the
river, caught the rebel officer by the hair of the head, and drew
him from the angry waters. Lieut. Stone was subsequently
captured and taken to Richmond, but was unconditionally re
leased, and returned to Washington after an absence of less than
a week, bringing with him a letter from Gen. Winder, of the
rebel service, tendering him his unconditional release for his
gallantry in rescuing Lieut. Paine from peril at the risk of his
own life. Lieut. Stone learning at Washington that Lieut.
Paine had in turn been taken prisoner, and was confined in the
Old Capitol prison, obtained a pass to visit the rebel officer
there, when the interview between them was quite interesting.
On the tenth the regiment started for Acquia Creek, which
they reached at noon the next day. On the fifteenth they went
to Bealeton Station, in which vicinity they remained until June
eighth, Col. Douty in the meanwhile commanding their brigade
and Lieut. Col. Smith in command of the regiment. Col. Douty
having resumed command of the regiment on the eighth, they
marched to Kelly's Ford and bivouacked on the bank of the river
for the night. The next day they made a detour and gained
the rear of the enemy near Brandy Station. About eleven

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 361
o'clock in the forenoon, they debouched from the woods in full
view of a heavy body of rebel cavalry and artillery advantage
ously posted on an eminence where the rebel Gen. Stuart had
his headquarters. The Second and Tenth New York cavalry
led the advance, but being overpowered by superior numbers
they were thrown into confusion. They were then withdrawn.
At this critical moment Col. Douty with the regiment swept to
the right and charged the rebels in the flank. When he received
the order from Col. Kilpatrick to charge, the enemy were
posted in largely superior force, with one section of artillery,
in the rear and on both sides of the headquarters of Gen. Stuart,
a large house with extensive shrubbery. With drawn sabres
the regiment gallantly charged across the railroad and up the
hill, two battalions sweeping around the left of the house, and
one around the right, both columns driving everything before
them. Uniting beyond the house, they charged a full half mile
further, scattering the whole force opposed to them in every
direction. They captured two guns, nearly one hundred pris
oners and the battle flag of Hampton's brigade of cavalry,
which was brought off the field by Corp. Drew of company A.
Being unsupported the captured artillery were abandoned, and
the regiment retired with a loss of thirty in killed, wounded
and missing, re-crossed the Rappahannock the same night and
the next day marched to Warrenton Junction, thence to Union
Mills, arriving on the seventeenth at Aldie, after a march of
twenty-five miles under a burning sun. There the enemy were
in force in a very strong position. After their brigade had
drawn near the town, Col. Douty was ordered forward with his
regiment to report to Gen. Gregg commanding the division.
At this time the whole of the First brigade had become hotly
engaged with the enemy. Having reported, Col. Douty was
ordered to proceed with his command to a position left of the
town, but before arriving there was ordered to return in haste,
which he did, ascending the hill on the right of the town near
the battery just in time to meet and resist the impetuous
charge of the enemy upon the exhausted forces of part of the
First brigade. A portion of the regiment led by Col. Douty in
person, immediately charged in the face of a terrible fire, turned
the enemy and pursued him to the very crest of the hill, where
a large force of dismounted men were posted behind stone

362 MAINE IN THE WAR.
walls. Our advance being exposed to a cross fire, suffered
severely. Col. Douty was killed instantly. The resoluteness
and impetuosity of our charge so discomfited the enemy that
he, immediately gave way, and Maj. Boothby by quickly follow
ing up the advantage with a battalion, utterly routed him,
driving him from the ground. The wounded were then taken
off, the trophies of the field collected, and the dead were being
buried, when the regiment was relieved about dark. Our loss
was two officers killed, one wounded, four enlisted men killed
and eighteen wounded. Col. Douty was killed while at the
head of his men, — a noble life crowned by a glorious death.
The other officer killed was Capt. Summat, Of company H, who
fell under a murderous fire of grape and musketry. Corporal
Abner C. Emery of the same company received five bullet
wounds, neither one fatal. On tho death of the lamented and
heroic Douty, Lieut. Col. Smith was promoted to the command
of the regiment and Maj. Boothby was commissioned Lieutenant
Colonel. In the action of the nineteenth at Middleburgh the regiment,
during the morning, supported a section of battery commanded
by Lieut. Fowler of the Second artillery. About ten o'clock
in the forenoon the regiment advanced up the Winchester Pikes
about two miles and took position in the woods on the left of
the pike to support skirmishers. When ordered to advance two
companies, M and E, commanded by Capt. Brown and Lieut.
Ellis, charged through the woods on our front and left, "across
an open field to a stone wall, where after a sharp engagement
they captured a Lieutenant Colonel, three line officers and
twenty-one enlisted men — a daring feat but gallantly performed.
Lieut. Taylor of company M, and Lieut. Neville of company E,
both fell iri the contest. Two other companies charged through
the woods on our front to a point where the belt of woods crossed
the pike. There they united with the rest of the regiment
which charged directly up the pike. In the belt of woods the
enemy were posted in force behind a stone wall, and had suc
ceeded in forcing our skirmishers to fall back. The regiment
charged upon them, drove them from their strong position and
advanced through the woods into an open field, where a strong
force of the enemy was posted, and where a desperate contest
ensued ; but, by repeated, charges he was compelled to aban-

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 363
don his chosen position and retire. Our loss was three com
missioned officers killed, one wounded, seven men killed and
twenty-six wounded. Among the officers killed was Capt.
Kimball of company C, who fell in the rear of the enemy's
line, having cut his way through it.
On the morning of the twenty-first the regiment was assigned
a position on the right of the brigade near Middleburgh,
thence advanced in the second line of battle to Upperville.
When near the town Col. Smith was ordered to charge the place,
drive out the enemy and get beyond it, if possible, all of which
was duly accomplished. On entering the town the regiment
was met by a discharge of grape from a gun posted to oppose
it, which was immediately captured, the enemy dispersed and
driven beyond the town, whither the regiment pursued and
engaged him, killing and wounding many, and capturing seventy-
five prisoners. Our casualties were small, none being killed.
The next day the regiment returned to Middleburgh, where
they remained until the twenty-sixth when they went to Lees-
burgh, from thence crossed the Potomac at Edward's Ferry and
marched all night to Burnsville, Maryland, thence to Frederick
through Hyattsville and Urbana, thence to New. Windsor via
Liberty, Westminster, Manchester, Hanover in Pennsylvania,
arriving at Gettysburgh, July second, and engaging on the fol
lowing day in a severe cavalry fight on the right. The next day
they reconnoitered position on the right of our lines, advancing
on the following, through Gettysburgh to Cashtown, capturing
a large number of stragglers from the enemy and between two
and three thousand of his wounded. That night they camped
at Stevens' Furnace. The next day they advanced through
Greenwood, Fayetteville and New Franklin to Chambersburgh
where they captured many more of the enemy's stragglers.
From thence until the fifteenth, every day but one was spent
in marching, passing through tho towns of Fayetteville, Funks
town, Quincy, Waynesboro' and the mountains, into Maryland,
Middletown, Boonsboro', Harper's Ferry in Virginia, where
they crossed the Potomac and on the morning of the fifteenth,
when the column had reached Halltown, the regiment advanced
on Winchester Pike toward Charlestown to which place Col.
Smith was directed to go, or until he found the enemy in force.
Advancing nearly a mile, the enemy's pickets were surprised

364 MAINE IN THE WAR.
and driven until the regiment was met by a regular line of
skirmishers. The engagement then became general. Col.
Smith deployed six companies, kept two in the pike to charge
the centre of the enemy from time to time after his flanks were
sufficiently forced back, and kept three small companies in
reserve. Thus by a bold front and two hours of severe skirm
ishing, the regiment drove a very much larger number of the
enemy nearly two miles, and from several good positions, when
they were ordered to retire and rejoin the column. On return
ing the regiment was exposed to an artillery fire from two pieces
which the enemy opened, who also charged furiously on our
right and centre, but were promptly repelled, and did not
follow. Two enlisted men were wounded. That day the
regiment reached Shepherdstown.
The next day at noon the enemy under Gen. Stuart attacked
the pickets of the Tenth New York cavalry, near Shepherds-
town. When the attack was made Col. Smith was proceeding
with his regiment on the Winchester pike for forage. Having
advanced about a mile a courier reported the enemy's attack
and that the pickets were hotly pursued. Col. Smith immedi
ately observed that about half a mile ahead the pike crossed a
ridge covered by a belt of timber, and being desirous of obtain
ing that position he ordered the gallop, and the regiment dashed
forward. As they drew near the timber they met the squadron
on picket completely overwhelmed by a superior force, making
every effort to cover its lead horses and wounded men. The
advance of the enemy reached the crest of the ridge first, but
in spite of his steady firing, two companies of the First, B and
A, commanded respectively by Lieut. Coleman and Lieut. Cole,
when ordered to take the summit of the hill, charged with such
impetuosity as to drive back the enemy, killing one and wound
ing three. The position being gained the regiment was imme
diately disposed for still further defence, in which position they
opposed the rapidly increasing numbers of the enemy for more
than an hour, strengthening their line from time to time until
the regiment was nearly all deployed and engaged in the front.
Here it was that Maj. Boothby was wounded while engaged in
the very front, urging the men to still more gallant resistance.
Subsequently the enemy massed in such numbers on the left
flank as to make longer resistance impossible, and our line of

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 365
skirmishers was driven back about two hundred yards to a
favorable position. Company M, Capt.. Brown, of the reserve,
by a dashing and resistless charge into the face of the enemy,
covered our dismounted men at that moment, in a most cred
itable manner. Supported by a portion of the Fourth Pennsyl
vania cavalry, the regiment defended this position against every
effort of the enemy to rout it, even driving the gunners from a
howitzer that the enemy had the rashness to bring within
carbine range, till relieved by the Sixteenth Pennsylvania
cavalry, when it retired from the front and took position as a
support. Shortly afterwards the enemy opened with several
pieces of artillery and simultaneously advanced with such
overwhelming numbers as to peril the thin lines of the Sixteenth,
whereupon four companies of the First Maine went to their
support just in season to render timely assistance, and shortly
after the rest of the regiment became actively engaged and
thus shared the fortunes of the remainder of the day until
nearly midnight, when they were withdrawn from the field,
losing fifty-seven in killed, wounded and missing. The next
day the regiment returned to Harper's Ferry, crossed the
Shenandoah and were almost constantly on the move, engaged
in picketing, making reconnoissances and performing other
duties, untif the thirteenth of September, when they marched
with their division at four o'clock in the morning for Culpepper,
meeting the enemy's pickets at Hazel river. There a sharp
fight took place in which the enemy was driven. Our forces
then entered Culpepper Court House, the division of the First
Maine on the right, Buford's division on the left and Kilpatrick
in the centre. They then encamped near Cedar Mountain.
On the following day the regiment moved towards the Rapi
dan, the enemy falling back, and went on picket near Robinson's
river. Three days after, their camp was moved to Cedar Moun
tain battle field. The next day Maj. Brown with a detachment
of one hundred and fifty men from companies A, H, I, K and
L, went to Telegraph Mountain to capture a rebel signal party.
Dismounting at the foot of the mountain he commenced the
ascent with one hundred men, when the enemy discovering his
approach made his escape on the opposite side. They remained
on the mountain during the night. The position was held while
our army lay in the vicinity and used as a signal station.

366 MAINE IN THE WAR.
From thence on the twenty-fourth, the regiment marched to
Sulphur Springs, and thence on the second of October to Bealeton
Station, Virginia, taking up the line of march on the tenth at
daylight for Culpepper, where they found Kilpatrick fighting
near James City, in which vicinity they camped for the night,
and the next day went to their old camp at Sulphur Springs.
The following day the regiment started on a reconnoissance to
Little Washington and Sperryville, the latter place at the en
trance of Thornton's Gap, which is the first gap leading into the
Shenandoah Valley. When at Gaines' Cross Roads, Lieut.
Harris of company F and twelve men were sent back to divis
ion headquarters to report progress. On approaching Jefferson
they found that a large force of rebels had moved across our
rear. They were discovered, and after several narrow escapes
and .tiresome marches on foot, they were captured by Mosby's
men, near Thoroughfare Gap. At Sulphur Springs Lieut. Harris,
however, made his escape and came into our lines near Warren
ton. The regiment on its return reached Gaines' Cross Roads
at dark. They then started {pr Sulphur Springs and when near
Amissville came upon the pickets of the enemy. Finding him
in large force, the regiment fell back under cover of the darkness
and made a wide detour to Warrenton. Discovering numerous
camp fires, it was supposed our forces were here, whereupon
Maj. Thaxter rode into camp, went to a tent and made inquiry.
"What regiment!" he asked, shaking one of the sleepers.
"Twelfth Virginia," was the reply. "All right," said the
Major coolly, as he withdrew and communicated the information
he had received. Finding that they were again near the
enemy's lines, the regiment was quickly put in motion, march
ing until daybreak, when they came out at New Baltimore.
Here they halted two hours to rest. At noon they arrived at
Bristoe's Station, having made a march of over one hundred
miles in thirty hours, and losing only a few men, whose horses
being unable to keep up, fell into the hands of the enemy. In
this vicinity they remained until the enemy began to shell
Bristoe's Station, when they fell to the rear of the Second
corps, covering Gen. Meade's retreat to Bull Run. From this
point on the fifteenth, they made a reconnoissance to Manassas
Junction, during which they met a heavy body of rebel cavalry,
and were obliged to fall back, fighting all the way to Bull Run,

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 367
where they were relieved by infantry which was in position to
support them, and which resulted in a general skirmish, artillery
being used on both sides. In the evening they marched to
Fairfax Station, and on the sixteenth joined their brigade near
Union Mills. From thence the regiment marched to Fairfax
Court House, Centreville near Bull Run, Gainesville, Warrenton,
Fayetteville, making a reconnoissance on the twenty-third to
Beverly Ford and Rappahannock Station, with the Second
Pennsylvania cavalry, all under the command of Col. Smith,
the First Maine being under the command of Lieut. Col. Boothby.
A brisk skirmish with the enemy took place, during which
Lieut. Smith of company I was wounded in the arm, and had
his horse shot.
From tho twenty-fourth to December fourth, the regiment was
principally engaged in scouting and picketing. At the last
date companies H and I, under Capt. Chadbourne, made a recon
noissance to the rear, across the Rapidan to United States Ford
and Hartwood Church, where the roads were found so blockaded
that their horses had to be led through almost impassable
woods and paths. On the fourteenth the regiment went on
picket near Morrisville, when two days after they were relieved
and commenced building winten quarters near Bealeton Station.
On the twenty-first Col. Smith was ordered to take command
of an expedition to Luray, composed of the First Maine and five
other regiments. The expedition was a difficult and hazardous
one, and was executed with energy and rapidity. Col. Smith
entered Luray on the twenty-third, meeting with but slight
opposition. His force succeeded in destroying two tanneries
well stocked with hides and leather, and a large government
workshop filled with unfinished cavalry and artillery stock and
equipments. A large amount of tobacco was also captured.
Returning through Sperryville, four more tanneries well stocked
and a large mill were destroyed. Several skirmishes took place
on the march, but only with small parties. The expedition
which returned to camp Christmas evening, was every way sue
cessful, and Col. Smith received a letter of commendation from
Gen. Pleasanton for the very able manner in which so difficult
and hazardous a movement was executed.
At the commencement of the following year, active operations
were suspended beyond a few raids, and the army of the

368 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Potomac went into winter quarters, giving the men a period of
rest, while such preparations were made as were necessary for
an opening of the spring campaign with stirring movements.
The First Maine went into quarters near Warrenton, where
aside from the routine duties of camp life, they were not called
upon to perform service of any notable importance until Gen.
Kilpatrick projected his famous raid, one of the boldest of the
war, to the vicinity of Richmond. Three hundred men under
the command of Maj. Taylor, who had just been promoted from
the Captaincy of company L, were selected from the regiment
for the expedition. This detachment was ordered to be in
readiness to march at six o'clock on the morning of February
twenty-seventh and report at brigade headquarters at Brandy
Station. From thence, on their arrival, they were sent by Gen.
Pleasanton to Gen. Kilpatrick, who placed them in Gen. Davies'
brigade at Stevensburgh, where they remained until the twenty-
eighth, when one hundred and fifty from companies D, F, H, K
and M under Capt. Myrick of company G were ordered to report
for special service to Col. Dahlgren who had command of a por
tion of the expedition. At three o'clock in the morning of this
date the expedition started out from camp, proceeding to the
Rapidan, which they crossed at Ely's Ford. From thence the
column marched to Spottsylvania Court House, which place
was reached without encountering any of the enemy. From
Spottsylvania Court House the main body proceeded to New
market and thence to Childsburgh, where a detachment was
dispatched to destroy the bridges on the Richmond and Fred
ericksburgh railroad, which was done. At Frederickshall on
the Central railroad they came upon a court martial, peacefully
holding its session and captured a Colonel, five Captains and
two Lieutenants. Gen. Lee had passed over the railroad on
his way to his army but an hour before our men reached it.
Leaving Frederickshall the expedition pushed oh for Richmond
— a detachment of five hundred men under Col. Dahlgren keep
ing to the right in the direction of Louisa Court House, while
Gen. Kilpatrick with the main body moved upon Ashland, both
parties scouring the country thoroughly, and doing all possible
damage. As the forces neared Richmond the two main parties
began concentrating. Col. Dahlgren was to move down to the
right of Richmond, destroying as much of the James River

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 369
canal as possible. Then taking the river road, he was to cross, if
possible, and enter the city from the south side and attempt the
deliverance of the prisoners on Belle Isle. Gen. Kilpatrick,
with the main body, was to attack the city by the Brooks Turn
pike, simultaneously if possible with the other movement. It
was hoped to reach the city on Monday night, the twenty-ninth,
or early the following morning, when a partial if not a total
surprise could be effected. Two of those fatalities which more
than once during this war have snatched success from the very
grasp of those who by their valor and daring have richly deserv
ed the victor's crown, interposed to prevent the consummation
of one of the best conceived and most brilliant plans of the whole
war. Col. Dahlgren had taken a negro to pilot him to Richmond.
His detachment had rapidly moved across the country, destroy
ing barns, forage and everything which could possibly be of
service to the enemy. Pushing on so as to reach Richmond as
soon as possible, Col. Dahlgren discovered that his negro guide
had betrayed him, and led him toward Goochland instead of
Richmond, and Tuesday midnight found himself miles in just
the opposite direction from that which he wished to take. The
negro was promptly hanged for his baseness. Exasperated by
this treachery, the men burned the barns and out-buildings of
John A. Seddon, the rebel Secretary of War. Retracing his steps
Col. Dahlgren marched down the river road, destroying the
Dover flour mills and several private flouring establishments and
saw-mills. His force also did considerable injury to the James
River canal, burning canal boats and seriously damaging one or
two locks. They did not reach the immediate vicinity of Rich
mond till afternoon, when everybody was on the alert, Kilpatrick
having already made his attack. Col. Dahlgren's detachment
was divided into several parties for the accomplishment of differ
ent objects, keeping together, however. One party attempted to
cross the river, but were repulsed. A very sharp fight ensued,
and, finding the enemy in superior numbers and confronting
them on every road, the forcp was compelled to fall back. In
attempting to cut their way out Col. Dahlgren with about one
hundred and fifty men, got separated from the rest, and during
an engagement in the swamps of King's and Queen's county
with the enemy, he was killed, and his command taken prisoners.
In the meanwhile, Gen. Kilpatrick had advanced down the
24

370 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Brooks Turnpike from Ashland, having torn up the rails at. that
point, destroying the telegraph as "he marched. At one of tho
stations, however, the operator succeeded in sending a dispatch
to Richmond, announcing that the Yankees were coming.. He
was a prisoner in less than fifteen minutes.
The troops reached the outer fortifications early on Tuesday
morning, and, as the spires and houses of the city came in view,
cheer upon cheer went up from our men. Riding rapidly
toward the city, the outer line of works was entered. The
rebels therein surrendered, threw down their arms, and other*
took to their heels. A fight then ensued for the next line, but
the batteries were too much for them, and so with his battery
Gen. Kilpatrick opened upon them and the city.
There is no doubt that the men would have dashed upon and
over anything that stood in their way, so enthusiastic had they
become, but Gen. Kilpatrick acted the wiser part, and as the
shrill whistle of the locomotive told of the bringing up of re
inforcements from Pickett's brigade, at Bottom's Bridge and
vicinity, he reluctantly gave the order to move toward Mechan
icsville. That this was difficult to do soon became apparent.
On every road the enemy's pickets confronted them, and a
series of manoeuvres took place, in which the enemy were found
to be on the alert at every point. Night coming on, Gen. Kil
patrick, with his accustomed audacity, halted and made prepara
tions to camp. He had chosen a place, however, too near a
rebel camp, and of this fact he was reminded by being shelled
out of his position.
Wednesday morning about nine o'clock, a large force of
cavalry came upon the rear of the column. Gen. Kilpatrick
was not unprepared for this, and decided to give them battle.
The First Vermont, under Lieut Col. Preston, ably assisted by
Captains Grant and Cummings, and the First Maine, bore the
brunt of this fight, which lasted something over an hour, while
the Sixth Michigan and other regiments of Gen. Davies' brigade
were in position to render whatever assistance might be neces
sary. Only one charge was made, and that was by company
A, of the First Maine, led on by Lieut. Estes, who was Acting
Assistant Adjutant General on Gen. Kilpatrick's staff, and by
Capt. Cole, of the same company, when five of the enemy were
captured. The enemy sullenly retreated, but, when the com-

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 371
mand moved forward, harrassed the rear and flank. Several
times an offer of battle was made, but they refused.
Moving to Old Church where Gen. Kilpatrick was rejoined
by the main portion of Col. Dahlgren's command, he proceeded
to Mechanicsville, White and New Kent Court House, arriving
on Thursday, March third, within Gen. Butler's lines, having
met a Union force at New Kent Court House that had been
sent to render such assistance as was necessary. Though the
expedition was a failure as to the main result intended to be
accomplished, still it met with success in cutting the railroads
between Lee's army and Richmond, and the destruction of much
property and stores. The detachment from the First Maine
had the position of honor, and conducted itself with more than
usual honor and gallantry throughout, making several most
brilliant charges and getting further into Richmond than any
other portion of the command. At one point the second line
of fortifications was carried by companies D, F, H and K, and
would have been holden had they received sufficient support.
Companies A and E under Capt. Cole made a splendid charge.
Capt. Myrick and Lieutenants Harris, Andrews and Foster
acquitted themselves in a highly creditable manner.
The raid of Gen. Kilpatrick was followed by another equally as
bold and more successful in its results. The time having arrived
when the Army of the Potomac under the genius of Grant,
should make an advance, Gen. Sheridan with his cavalry corps,
began the execution of a movement in the rear of Lee's army.
The First Maine formed a portion of this expedition proceeding
from Warrenton to near Paoli's Mills on the first of May, and
from thence going to the Rapidan river, crossing at Ellis' Ford
early on the morning of the fourth, and on the following day
engaging in a reconnoissance to Fredericksburgh, joining their
brigade at Todd's Tavern, where they participated in a brush
with the enemy on the seventh and eighth with little loss. The
next day morning their corps started towards Richmond, the
regiment moving as advance guard and skirmishing slightly
with the enemy at the outset. Fording the North Anna
river, Gen. Custer's brigade of the First division charged into
Beaver Dam Station, recapturing three hundred and seventy-
eight Union prisoners belonging to the Fifth corps who had
been taken at Todd's tavern. Reaching the station three long

372 MAINE IN THE WAR.
trains loaded with commissary stores were destroyed, together
with a large warehouse filled with an immense quantity of flour,
bacon and whiskey. They also thoroughly destroyed the Vir
ginia Central railroad for miles, burning the ties and bridges,
bending the rails and damaging it in every conceivable manner.
The First division bivouacked on the south side of the North
Anna, while the Second and Third were on the north side. A
strong picket guard was thrown out in the rear, and skirmish
ing was kept up all night. At daylight in the morning the
enemy succeeded in getting one piece of artillery in position,
and opened a vigorous fire while a crossing of the river was
effected. Moving south in the direction of the South Anna,
the First division had the advance. The rebels during the
night had succeeded in getting a force in our front, and were
annoying our column. Companies D, K and A, charged them,
under Lieut. Col. Boothby, who received a severe wound which
terminated in his death shortly afterward. This was on the
tenth. Crossing the South Anna in the afternoon, and marching
two miles they bivouacked for the night. At three o'clock on
the morning of the eleventh, the First brigade, Second division,
under Gen. Davies, went on a special expedition to Ashland
for the purpose of destroying the railroad and supplies, for
which point the rebel Gen. Stuart with his cavalry was rapidly
making, after which they returned to the main column. After
leaving Goodall's tavern the First Maine, which was acting as
rear guard for the corps, found it necessary to dismount to hold
in check a brigade of the enemy, while pur column moved on.
We were now within sixteen miles of Richmond, and at once
took up the line of march directly towards the city, the First
division in advance and the Second in the rear. We marched
and fought all day and night, the enemy being constantly re-
enforced, until at daylight, when within three miles of Rich
mond, the force opposed to us in front were two brigades of
infantry and a brigade of cavalry, while in our rear was Stuart,
with two brigades of cavalry, together with every man that
could be raked up in Richmond. 'We now turned to the left on
the Meadow Bridge road leading to Mechanicsville, pressing
the enemy steadily back.
When about four miles on the road we found the enemy
strongly intrenched behind fortifications, composing the outer

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 373
line of the Richmond defences. The position was a strong one,
being situated upon a hill, commanding our whole corps, and
our preservation depended upon our driving them out. Gen.
Sheridan was equal to the emergency. The enemy was already
pursuing us closely in the rear. The General ordered Gen.
Custer to take his gallant brigade and carry the position. Gen.
Custer placed himself at the head of his command, and with
drawn sabres and deafening cheers charged directly in the face
of a withering fire, captured two pieces of artillery, upwards
of a hundred prisoners, together with caissons, ammunition
and horses, which he brought off in safety. The rebels re
treated behind the Chickahominy, destroying in their flight
Meadow bridge.
In the rear Col. Gregg's brigade, of the Second division, and
a portion of the Third division, under Gen. Wilson, were hotly
engaged with Stuart. Gen. Wilson sent word to Gen. Sheridan
that the enemy were driving him slowly back. Gen. Sheridan
sent word that "he must hold the position at all hazards ; that
he could and must whip the enemy." Col. Gregg's brigade,
being re-enforced by a regiment from the First brigade, charged
the enemy, and drove them nearly a mile. The day was now
ours. The enemy had disappeared from our front, and we suc
ceeded in rebuilding the Meadow bridge, and the First and
Third divisions crossed, covered by the Second division, which,
in turn, withdrew and also crossed without being annoyed by
the enemy.
The rebels still continued to show themselves in our front
until we had passed Mechanicsville, where Gen. Merritt, by
making a demonstration as though the column were moving to
wards White House, caused them to destroy a bridge when we
turned short to the right upon the road to Bottom's Bridge.
We now encamped on the old Gaines' Mill battle field, and
moved at seven o'clock on the morning of the thirteenth, march
ed in a southeasterly direction, crossed the York river road at
Despatch Station, and camped early in the day at Bottom's
Bridge. It was now necessary to ascertain the whereabouts of Gen.
Butler's forces. For the past three days it had rained incess
antly ; our men were without rations and horses without forage,
and the entire command fatigued, hungry and jaded. Gen.

374 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Sheridan at once sent out to communicate with Butler, appris
ing him of our arrival and the scanty state of our forage and
rations. Our immediate wants were promptly supplied, and a despatch
boat instantly provided to start for Fortress Monroe to commu
nicate with the War Department. Our mon for three days
previous to our arrival at the James river had literally lived off
the country. A large number of horses gave out on the road,
and many were shot in battle. The dismounted men, as well as
the recaptured prisoners, were compelled to walk the whole
distance. The entire loss of the expedition from the time it
crossed the Rapidan until it reached Haxall's Landing, where
the corps encamped, was not over eight hundred in killed,
wounded and missing. Most of our dead and all of our wound
ed, with the exception of about thirty mortally wounded, were
brought off by us. Our means of transportation were very
limited. Having no ambulance train with us, we were com
pelled to carry the wounded in Government trains and wagons
captured from the enemy. The suffering of the wounded dur
ing the slow and tedious march was necessarily great, but all
of them preferred death itself to falling captives to our barbar
ous foe.
Among the narrow escapes of the officers in the First Maine,
Col. Smith had one horse shot, Maj. Thaxter two horses, and
Capt. Myrick and Lieuts. Jewett and Benson each had one
horse shot under them.
On the sixteenth the regiment moved in advance of the corps
to Jones' bridge and prepared a crossing. Leaving camp at
noon of the twenty-sixth they marched all night, landing in the
morning near the Pamunkey river which they crossed at Han-
overtown Ford. To ascertain the position of the enemy, a
portion of the cavalry corps under Torbett and Gregg moved
toward Mechanicsville and brought on an action with the ene
my's cavalry at Hawes's store, near Tolopotamoy creek, on the
twenty-ninth. During the engagement the regiment were in
the reserve supporting a battery near Hanovertown. Its loss
was slight. The distance travelled by the First Maine during
the month of May was three hundred miles. The aggregate
casualties were sixty-nine.
On the first pf June the regiment went to White House, our

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 375
new base of supplies, to picket the flank of Gen. Smith's forces
moving from that point to join Gen. Grant's army. In the en
gagement which took place the next day near Barker's Mill,
Chaplain Bartlett was instantly killed. He was struck in the
."breast by an unexploded shell from the enemy and literally
blown to pieces. On the fourth the regiment was on picket re
lieving the Fourth Pennsylvania, at St. James' Church, encamp
ing on the following day at Bottom's Bridge. The next day with
their corps they marched to New Castle, crossing the Pamunkey
in the night and marching to Aylett's, thence up the south
bank of the Mattapony river to a point near Polecat Run, thence
to the North Anna river, crossing on the tenth where the enemy
was met at Trevellion Station, and an engagement took place.
During the fight the regiment supported Randolph's battery
with very slight loss. On, the twelfth, while one portion of the
regiment was engaged in picketing, the other portion went to
Louisa Court House, where their brigade destroyed the rail
road. Moving back on the fourteenth in advance of the corps,
the regiment re-crossed the river, and on the twenty-first arrived
at the White House. The next day they engaged the enemy
at Black Creek from sunrise till late at night, with small loss.
The immense wagon train of Sheridan's cavalry corps, which the
enemy was now attempting to capture, had pulled out on the road
leading through New Kent Court House, occupying from four
to five miles of road. That night the train moved on towards
the James river. The next day the Chickahominy was touched
at Jones' Bridge. Soon after effecting a crossing the enemy
appeared on the heights, but were speedily driven from their
position. On the following morning the First division, Gen.
Torbett's, took the advance on the main road, while the
Second division, Gen. Gregg's, was to hold the only road lead
ing to Richmond that would not intercept the train. The
Second brigade of which the First Maine had the advance was
sent out on the road to St. Mary's Church. Our advance guard
soon met and drove the enemy's pickets, and charging, we
routed their reserve and occupied the church. Hastily throw
ing up breastworks in the edge of the woods, preparations were
made by us to hold the position. Having captured a dispatch
from Gen. Gregg to Gen. Sheridan, from which the enemy
learned there was nothing before them but one division, and

376 MAINE IN THE WAR.
having their entire corps (three divisions,) they immediately
set about to take advantage of our weakness. Then followed
the hardest cavalry fight any portion of our corps had ever
experienced. The enemy commenced the attack at noon. Our
advance line of skirmishers fell back on the second line, behind
our rude works. Two squadrons of the First Pennsylvania
were thrown in as a support for the flank, and for half or three-
quarters of an hour the fight raged hot and furious all along
our right; but an ominous stillness on the left foretold the
coming tempest in that quarter, and during a lull in the firing
on the right, a heavy column suddenly burst through our line
at its connection with the Second Pennsylvania, coming on
through the dense underbrush with stealthy tread, till within
twenty feet of our works, when they dashed on at double quick,
leaping over the low breastworks, discharging their pieces,
which they then clubbed and used in a manner familiar to infan
try. Our men mostly stood like giants immovable, loading and
firing their carbines till they could use them no longer and then
using the revolver. Company K did not move from their places
till the extreme left had been routed and the rebels were far in
their rear, when, at the command, they fell back in order, firing
as they went, and the remainder of the regiment on the right
of the road, companies B, E, A, M and F, finding the left over
whelmed, fell back with them.
Conscious of their superior numbers the enemy pressed on
closer and closer, which only effected a shorter range, for our
men stood firm upon their first footing. Charge followed charge,
made by at least four times the number opposing them, but our
steady carbineers hurled them back each time with terrible
slaughter. Battery A, Second United States Artillery, kept up a constant
stream of fire into their ranks, and met each charge with grape
and cannister. For two hours the conflict raged, our force stub
bornly holding them, until by overwhelming numbers they were
able to flank us, both right and left. The First Maine and First
Pennsylvania cavalry were the last to leave the field. By the
stubborn tenacity of these two regiments our battery was kept
upon the field until they had exhausted their ammunition, and
then brought safely off. To no two regiments, perhaps, in the
corps could this position have been better assigned. The train

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 377
was now safely past, and fortunately for it that it was, for at
this juncture of affairs Gen. Gregg's division of cavalry was for
the first time in the history of its organization, compelled to
retire, but in a masterly manner, leaving the field in the hands
of the enemy. In the many battles in which Gen. Gregg has
fought his division, always distinguishing himself by his cool
bravery and high-toned military ability, never has he so covered
himself and his command with glorj', and so fully established
its fighting qualities, as on this occasion.
Out of two hundred and sixty men who went into the fight,
of the First Maine, they lost te*n officers and fifty-six men killed,
wounded and missing. Col. Smith had his horse killed under
him, and was wounded in the thigh, but remained upon the field,
being one of the last to retire. Maj. Cilley was wounded in the
leg, severely. Capts. Tucker and Montgomery, and Lieut.
Hussey, were each wounded. Capt. Phillips, who was serving
on Gen. Gregg's staff, was killed, and Capt. Ellis died of wounds
and exhaustion an hour or two after the battle. Large numbers
of our men fell from sheer exhaustion and were captured, though
many of them, refreshed by rest and the coolness of the evening,
succeeded in effecting their escape and reaching our lines during
the night and next morning. Our wounded and other prisoners
were cruelly treated by the enemy, who stripped and robbed
them of everything they could use, even to hats and socks, and
cut and hacked them with their sabres, after their surrender.
Col. Smith's and Maj. Cilley's wounds incapacitating them
from service, the command of the regiment fell upon Maj. Thax
ter, while Capt. Myrick commanded the first battalion in place
of Capt. Tucker, who lost his arm.
Moving to James river, on the twenty-sixth, the regiment
crossed, landing at Fort Powhattan, and from thence moving to
Prince George Court House, thence to a point on the left and
rear of the army.
i On the fourth of July the regiment moved from their camp
near Lee's Mills, to Light House Point, where they remained
until the tenth, when they were ordered to report to Col. Bryan,
commanding cavalry detachment at army headquarters. The
next day they went on picket on the left of the infantry picket,
remaining until the sixteenth, when they were relieved, and re
ported back to the brigade near Lee's Mills. On the following

378 MAINE IN THE WAR.
day they moved to Light House Point, where they remained
encamped until the twenty-sixth, when they crossed the Appo
mattox and the James rivers. One squadron was engaged on
the twenty-eighth, near New Market, with the enemy, with a
loss of four men wounded. On the afternoon of the twenty-
ninth, while picketing on' the right of the line, they were at
tacked by the enemy, but held their position. That night they
were relieved by the Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, and re
joined their brigade, withdrawing to the south side of the James
river, and crossing the Appomattox the next day, marching to
the left of the line and going ^nto camp near Lee's Mills.
During this month the regiment marched one hundred miles.
The work performed by the regiment during the month of
August consisted chiefly in picketing on the left and in rear of
the army. It also formed a portion of the expedition across the
James river, co-operating with the Second and Tenth corps by
scouting and picketing the roads from the left of the Second
corps to below Reams' Station, while the Second corps destroy
ed the railroad. It had no very heavy marching, but its work
was constant and very wearing to the men and horses. It was
on picket ten days, supporting a line from three to five miles in
length. It marched six days, and was in camp fifteen days.
Most of the time while in camp it was in close proximity to the
enemy, requiring the horses to be kept saddled, and allowing
but little rest for the officers and men. The aggregate loss was
forty-nine mep killed and wounded, and one missing ; twenty-
one horses killed, forty-four wounded, and ten lost.
When the regiment accompanied the expedition referred to,
it broke camp near Prince George Court House, on the thir
teenth, marched all night, and crossed the Appomattox at Point
of Rocks, and the James river near Deep Bottom. The next
day they took position on the right of the infantry, and were
employed during the day in scouting the country between the
New Market and Charles City roads, a small reconnoitering
party going to within half a mile of White's tavern. The regi
ment had a slight skirmish with the enemy during the afternoon
on the Charles City road. On the sixteenth their brigade ad
vanced on the New Market road as far as White Oak Swamp.
At this place Gen. Miles' brigade of the Second corps joined
them. One regiment of infantry was thrown forward as skir-

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 379
mishers, while the Sixteenth Pennsylvania cavalry and First
Maine were formed with drawn sabres, ready to take advantage
of any confusion on the part of the rebels. Advancing steadily
the enemy were driven, skirmishing as they fell back to White's
tavern, where they made a stand, and compelled our forces to
fall back tp the south side of White Oak Swamp. Remaining
on the north side of the James, alternately fighting and skir
mishing till the twentieth, they re-crossed the James and the
Appomattox rivers, marching all night to near Prince George
Court House, where, after a halt of a few hours, they moved to
the Temple house on the Jerusalem plank road, and from thence
at ten o'clock at night to Gurley's house, one mile from the
Weldon railroad. The next day they led the advance of their
brigade down the railroad, skirmishing with the enemy, on the
Dinwiddie Court House road, until in the afternoon the rebels
were found in heavy force, when a fight took place near Reams'
Station which lasted till after dark. Two days after the regi
ment participated in the battle at Reams' Station with slight
loss, retiring during the night to Jerusalem plank road, where
they went on picket, and on the next day encamped.
On the second of September under the command of Lieut.
Col. Cilley, who had been promoted from the Majorate, they went
on a reconnoissance through the infantry line near the Yellow
Tavern, driving in the pickets on the Vaughn road aud then
turning to the right, taking the Poplar Springs road, finding only
pickets until within half a mile of the Boydton plank road
where the enemy was posted with artillery. Withdrawing they
returned to camp and were engaged in picketing the sixteenth,
when they went in pursuit of the rebel cavalry with the rest of
their brigade as far as Stony Creek, on the opposite side of
which the enemy was posted in a strong position, having taken
up the bridge, so that it was impassable. An unsuccessful
attempt was made by our force to cross the creek, when they
returned to camp. On the nineteenth one battalion of the
regiment was sent on a scout to Lee's Mills, where they drove
in the pickets of the enemy and re-established our former picket
line. On the twenty-ninth the regiment marched to the Yellow
Tavern and from thence to Wyatt's, where the enemy's pickets
were found and driven in. They then proceeded on a recon
noissance to the Vaughn road by way of the Wyatt road, but

380 MAINE IN THE WAR.
were obliged to retire as the enemy drove the line on our left
back to the Wyatt house. Advancing the next day on the
Wyatt road the regiment made a connection with the First
brigade on the Vaughn road. No force of the enemy was found
in our immediate front. That night they picketed a flank of
the division.
During this month the regiment marched one hundred miles.
Its number was augmented by the addition of the six Maine
companies of the First District of Columbia Cavalry. This
consolidation increased the regiment to over eighteen hundred
men, giving it a large surplus of officers as well as men, beyond
the regulations, who were placed on detached service.
On the thirtieth the regiment reported, commissioned officers
present for extra and daily duty, eighteen; commissioned officers
present for extra and daily duty, sixteen; enlisted men present
for duty, five hundred and twenty-two ; enlisted men for extra
and daily duty, three hundred and six ; sick, eight ; aggregate
present, eight hundred and seventy. Commissioned officers on
detached service, sick, etc., twenty-nine ; enlisted men on
detached service, sick, etc., nine hundred and twenty-nine;
aggregate present and absent, eighteen hundred and twenty-
eight; showing a gain of seven hundred and sixty-eight since
August. On the twenty-sixth of October, the regiment joined Gen.
Hancock's force in its reconnoissance on the extreme left of
Gen. Meade's army, southwest of Petersburgh. Breaking camp
at three o'clock in the afternoon of that day, they proceeded
with their division to near Perkin's house on the Halifax road,
where they bivouacked until half past three o'clock the next
morning, when the command was put in motion. The skjr was
overcast. It was a most impressive sight to see the sombre
looking columns moving so silently in that almost Egyptian
darkness. Moving out on the Halifax road the regiment turned
to the right on the Dinwiddie Court House road, meeting with
no serious opposition until Rowenty Creek was reached, where
the enemy was found on the opposite side of the bridge con
cealed by a heavy wood and strong breastwork, the land being
open on this side. Capt. Freese was ordered to dismount his
battalion, aud put them on the right of the road, where they
opened a fire which raked the whole line of the enemy, and

FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY. 381
caused him to escape the terrible storm of bullets. In this
short, sharp, decisive action, but one man was wounded, while
Corp. Knowles of company F, had the honor of capturing the
officer commanding the rebel pickets. Advancing along the
Dinwiddie Court House road until they reached the Quaker or
new Military road, the regiment turned north towards the
Boydton plank road. Advancing from this point the enemy was
next encountered near Gravelly Creek, where he opened on the
brigade with artillery. A considerable force was discovered
across a ravine in a strong position and protected by earthworks.
This position, the brigade, under command of Col. Smith, was
ordered to carry by storm. The men of the First Maine, to
gether with those of the Sixth Ohio, were dismounted. Seldom
has a more determined or successful charge been made. Our
brave boys swept over that ground with the force of a tornado.
Tents, forage, clothing, arms, &e, left behind, proved the haste
with which the rebels fled. Halting at the first opening be
yond, there was only time to take breath, rest a little, bring up
the led horses, draw ammunition (of which a hundred rounds
per man had been exhausted) and mount, when the sudden and
fierce attack was made on the Second corps, and the regiment
was again dismounted and ordered to report to Gen. Mott, of
that corps.
But before they had reached the point to which they were
ordered, on the extreme right of Gen. Mott's division, it was
discovered that the whole force was flanked, and the cavalry
was attacked in the rear. They were then ordered back on the
double quick; taking position on the right of the Boydton
road with' the Twenty-first Pennsylvania on the left, they met
the enemy for the third time that day. Before the pressure of
vastly superior numbers and the murderous fire poured upon
them, a portion of the command wavered, and the whole line
was thown into some confusion. This, however, was but
momentary. At the inspiring voice of Col. Cilley, they soon
rallied, and held that powerful force at bay, silencing their fire
until the order came to fall back. The regiment had seen hard
service, as the bloody fields of Brandy Station, Aldie, Middle
burgh and Upperville bear testimony, but this was, upon the
whole, the hardest day's fighting it had ever done. The regiment
lost seventy-seven in killed, wounded and missing. The only

382 MAINE IN THE WAR.
officer killed was Lieut. Winfield S. Collins. In his death the
service sustained a severe loss. He had been recently promoted
and placed in command of a large company which he had greatly
improved, indeed, well nigh perfected in its discipline. During
the fight he was conspicuous for his bravery. He fell late in
the day, shot through the head while rallying his men. The
conduct of Maj. Thaxter during the fight was worthy of praise.
Although his term of three years service had expired and he
was under orders to proceed to Maine with the men to be mus
tered out, yet he could not resist the temptation to take part in
another fight. He fearlessly exposed himself, charging mounted
with the dismounted men, but escaped uninjured.
During the early part of December, the regiment had on its
rolls sixteen hundred and fourteen men, of which number five
hundred and sixty-two were present for duty. Two hundred
men, including fourteen officers, went out of the service the
month previous and returned to Maine.
In the cavalry reconnoissance by Gen. Gregg on the first of
December to Stony Creek Station, in which the enemy's posi
tion was carried and a large amount of rebel government
property destroyed, the First Maine participated. The larger
portion of six companies were dismounted, and held the bridge
crossing Rowenty Creek, about five miles from Stony Creek
Station. This bridge was afterwards destroyed by their pio
neers, by which means our force escaped with but few casualties.
On the sixth the regiment left their camp near the Jerusalem
Plank road and joined the expedition of Gen. Warren, which
went out to destroy the Petersburgh and Weldon railroad. The
object of the expedition having been accomplished, it' returned,
after a week's absence, and the First Maine went back to its
encampment, where it was January first, eighteen hundred and
sixty-five. In December, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, Col. Smith was
promoted to Brigadier General.

FIRST REGIMENT LIGHT ARTILLERY. 383

XIX.
FIRST REGIMENT LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Under the authority of the War Department received in the
autumn of eighteen hundred and sixty-one, six mounted batteries
of light artillery were raised for the service of the general
government. They were raised promptly and left the State
in the winter ol sixty-one and spring of sixty-two. They were
all independent organizations, and no field officers were appoint
ed until the twenty-second of May, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, when Captain Tillson of the Second battery was com
missioned as Major and was mustered in that grade. He was
subsequently made chief of artillery of Gen. McDowell's corps.
On the thirtieth of December following he was promoted to
Lieutenant Colonel and shortly afterwards to Brigadier General.
On the eleventh of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
Capt. McGilvery of the Sixth battery was commissioned Major
and on the twenty-sixth of March, Capt. Leppien of the Fifth
battery was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. June twenty-
third, after the death of Col. Leppien, Maj. McGilvery was
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Capt. Hall of the Second
battery to Major. On the first of September following, Lieut.
Col. McGilvery was promoted to Colonel, but his muster into
that grade was afterwards' revoked by the War Department.
Maj. Hall was also commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel and
Capt. Robinson of the Fourth battery as Major, but neither of
them were ever mustered as such. In the summer of eighteen
hundred and sixty-four both Col. McGilvery and Maj. Robinson
died. Lieut. Col. Hall was again commissioned in the same
grade, and Capt. Bradbury of the First battery was promoted
to Major, and both were mustered in these promotions.
The Maine batteries have never served together, and field
officers from the State have invariably been assigned to com
mands composed, in part, at least, of troops from other States.

384 MAINE IN THE WAR.
To the original number a new battery has since been added.
The original batteries were designated by the ordinal numbers
and their histories are subjoined separately. They have done
the State distinguished honor.

FIRST MOUNTED BATTERY. 385

XX.
FIRST MOUNTED BATTERY.
This battery was raised in conjunction with the Twelfth Maine
Infantry and was rendezvoused at Portland. The original
officers were
Edward W. Thompson, Brunswick, Captain ; John B. Hub
bard, Hallowell, Albert W. Bradbury, Eastport, First Lieuten
ants; George E. Harding, Bath, John F. Godfrey, Bangor,
Second Lieutenants.
The battery was mustered into service December eighteenth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one, by Capt. George A. Kensel, of
the Fifth United States Artillery, and left Portland next day and
proceeded to Camp Chase, Lowell, Massachusetts, where it
remained until the sixth of February, eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, when it left for Boston where they embarked on
the Idaho and sailed on the eighth for Ship Island, Mississippi,
reaching that place on the tenth of March after a long and
tedious passage. Here they were provided with the necessary
outfit of a mounted battery. The battery embarked for New
Orleans on the eighth of May, and arrived there on the fifteenth,
being the first mounted corps which landed at that point. The
city was at that time under strict martial law and the battery
was necessarily a portion of the patrol and guard. Its camp
was in the midst of the city at Tivoli Circle, one of the many
places of resort and recreation in which New Orleans abounded.
A large number of men were recruited for the battery here and
it left the city on the first day of September with one hundred
and forty-nine men, under orders for a camp about six miles
from the city for the protection of the right of the Parapet which
extended from Carrollton on the Mississippi river to the impene
trable swamps surrounding Lake Pontchartrain. This camp
with the troops stationed in it, was under the command of Col.
Dudley of Massachusetts.
25

386 MAINE IN THE WAR.
It was the most malarious and unhealthy climate the men
had ever experienced and could hardly be exceeded this side of
Central Africa. The battery during its stay there in inactivity
for one month lost, permanently and temporarily, seventy men.
During their stay at Thibodeauxville a reconnoissance in force
was made in the direction of Brashear City for the purpose of
opening up the railroad to that point. A section of the battery
under Lieut. Bradbury, constituted the artillery of the expedi
tion. On the first of October, they were ordered to report to Gen.
Weitzel' s Reserve brigade which was in process of organization
and which was composed of choice troops from the Department
of the Gulf. October twenty-fourth Gen. Weitzel started upon
his first expedition into the La Fourche country moving by
transports to Donaldsonville, and on the twenty-seventh the
battery was engaged -for the first time. This was at Labadie-
ville, where the enemy had made a stand. Gen. Weitzel went
immediately to the attack and the battery dismounted one of
the enemy's guns and captured it, themselves, a task which
usually falls to the lot of cavalry. The gun was a 12-pounder
howitzer and the battery was allowed to retain it and thus
mounted seven guns. They here lost but one man and several
horses. Next day they went permanently into camp near
Thibodeauxville on Bayou La Fourche, where the Opelousas and
Great Western railroad crosses the bayou, and remained here
until the eleventh of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three.
The battery was at this time in a very effective condition though
their numbers were so reduced by disease that a detachment of
infantry was assigned to them.
On the fifth of December, Capt. Thompson resigned on account
of ill health, and Lieut. Bradbury was promoted to fill the
vacancy.' " Sergt. Haley had been promoted to the Second Lieu
tenancy, caused by the resignation of Lieut. Harding in January
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and was now promoted to
First Lieutenant and Sergt. Morton to Second Lieutenant.
On the eleventh of January, Gen. Weitzel, starting on his
first expedition up the Teche moved his command by railroad to
Brashear City, crossed the bay, and marched upon a considera
ble land force of the enemy supposed to be near Pattersonville
on the Teche, and strengthened by the steamer Cotton, which

FIRST MOUNTED BATTERY. 387
had been used as a gunboat and had a very heavy armament.
On the fourteenth the enemy gave battle on land and with his
gunboat in the bayou. The battery had the left of Gen.
Weitzel's line, and was constantly engaged during the action,
which lasted, with occasional cessation, through the day. Its
only loss was one man wounded — private T. M. Thompson —
who lost both arms.
The enemy having been routed, the gunboat destroyed, and
the object of the expedition entirely accomplished the battery
returned by the same route to Camp Stevens, where it remained
until February twenty-second, when it moved to Brashear
City, and went into camp. They were afterwards encamped
for a short time on Bayou Boeuf, eight miles below Brashear
City. At this camp, on the thirtieth of March, Capt. Bradbury
received a shot through his left shoulder while riding with a
cavalry officer near our line of sentries, and was thrown off
duty. He subsequently obtained leave of absence from the
department and went north to recover from his wound, which
was quite severe. Nothing of importance had occurred since
the expedition up the Teche, until early in April, when Gen.
Banks commenced his movements, which terminated in his
operations before Port Hudson.
The battery crossed Berwick bay on the ninth of April. On
the twelfth and thirteenth they were hotly engaged at Bisland,
where Lieut. Morton and one man were slightly wounded.
Lieut. Haley was in command. The battery was not engaged
again until the twenty-fourth of May, when it arrived before
Port Hudson.
On the twenty-seventh, in Gen. Weitzel's command, the bat
tery was hotly engaged, Lieut. Morton commanding. The
casualties were one killed, one Corporal and eleven privates
wounded. Thirteen horses killed. On the twenty-ninth two
men died of wounds. Lieut. Hubbard who had been promoted
to Captain on the staff of Gen. Weitzel, was here killed, while
gallantly leading a charge. From this time until the surrender
of Port Hudson there was more or less firing from the battery
every day, On the sixteenth of June Lieut. Haley reported
for duty and assumed command.
The casualties from the twenty-seventh of May until the sur
render of Port Hudson, were one Corporal and six men wounded.

388 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Immediately after the fall of Port Hudson, the battery was
embarked on transports and moved to Donaldsonville, where
they took a prominent part in the bloody engagement of the
thirteenth of July. They lost one 6-pounder, two limbers,
sixteen horses killed. Among the officers and men there were
one killed, Lieut. Morton seriously wounded, fourteen privates
wounded. Every effort was made to save the piece, but in vain.
Lieuts. Haley and Morton conducted themselves with the utmost
bravery, but the fire was so deadly that the piece could not be
removed. The battery left Donaldsonville and arrived at Baton Rouge
August third. On the thirteenth Capt. Bradbury returned from
the north and assumed command. Directly after his return, he
was ordered to turn over the old guns, which had seen so much
service, and to draw four light 12-pounders, (Napoleons,) in
their stead. On account of the great depletion in the batteries,
and the scarcity of volunteer recruits from the north, the bat
teries throughout the department were reduced to four guns,
until the ranks could be filled by volunteers or conscripts from
the north.
On the eighteenth of September, the battery left Baton Rouge,
having been ordered into Gen. Weitzel's command, in the army
corps of Maj. Gen. Franklin.
.For the third time, they wound along the banks of the Teche,
and having been some distance beyond Opelousas, retired to
camp near New Iberia where they remained till January seventh,
eighteen hundred and sixty-four.
Much interesting information might be given of the marches,
skirmishes, affairs, etc., of this campaign, but nothing particu
larly affecting the First battery.
On the seventh of January they broke camp and marched for
Franklin, arriving next day, and remaining till the eighteenth,
when they took transport for Brashear City, where they arrived
next day, and took the cars for New Orleans, reaching the city
on the twentieth. The battery remained there until February
tenth, when it embarked on the Arago for New York on their
veteran furlough. The subject of re-enlistment had been prop
erly laid before the battery and every" man who was present
and eligible, re-enlisted for an additional three years and several
in hospital applied for the privilege. They reached Augusta

FIRST MOUNTED BATTERY. 389
on the twenty-second of February and were furloughed. March
twenty-second it again rendezvoused there and remained till
April fourth, when it left for Portland and staid till the fifteenth
and received sixty-three recruits, when it left for Annapolis,
having been ordered to report to Maj. Gen. Burnside there
which it did on the nineteenth, when it was ordered to Wash
ington where it went into Camp Barry and remained till May
sixteenth. When the one hundred days men were called into
service the battery was ordered to Fort Lincoln in the defences
of Washington to take charge of the men and the fortification.
They remained there till the twenty-fourth, when they returned
to Camp Barry where on the twenty-sixth they were dismounted
with about fifteen other batteries and ordered to Forts Smith
and Strong on the south side of the Potomac, one half the
battery at the former under Capt. Bradbury, and the other at
the latter under Lieut. Snow. On the fourth of July they were
ordered back to Camp Barry to be remounted, where next day
they received six light 12-pounder Napoleon guns. On the
twelfth the battery was engaged with the enemy who were
making a raid on the city of Washington and Lieut. Snow's
section fired seventy rounds. On the thirtieth, the battery
reported to Gen. Emory, commanding Nineteenth corps at
Tennallytown, Maryland, and August third, joined the First
division of the corps with which they remained till the close of
the year, actively engaged in the marches, battles and skirm
ishes of Gen. Sheridan's brilliant campaign in the valley of the
Shenandoah, in which it invariably distinguished itself. The
battery was ordered to march at midnight on the eighteenth of
September and next day took part in the action at Winchester.
Late in the forenoon the engagement became general and our
line of battle advanced through the first piece of woods which
separated our forces from the enemy's line and which
was being held by our skirmishers under a brisk fire. The
battery advanced through the wood, the First brigade in advance
of it, when in the opening beyond, four pieces, under Lieuts.
Morton and Snow, were brought into position upon the left of
the road and opened fire upon the enemy's line which could be
seen about eight hundred yards distant lining the edge of the
opposite wood. Our troops being heavily pressed upon the
right, a section under Lieut. Sanborn was moved down to help

390 MAINE IN THE WAR.
sustain that position. Just then the line in front gave way and
left the section exposed, but it opened a destructive fire upon
the enemy's line and upon a battery which he had planted
directly in their front. The section was here exposed to a
heavy fire of sharpshooters and to an enfilading battery con
cealed by a piece of woods upon the right. Lieut. Sanborn
was- wounded quite early and carried from the field. The
infantry soon re-formed and charging gallantly drove the enemy
after an obstinate resistance and the battery after firing its last
round of ammunition, retired. Procuring a fresh supply, they
followed the flight of the enemy, which had now become a
rout, as fast as they could, coming in battery and shelling him
whenever it was possible. They 'bivouacked that night near
Winchester. On the twenty-second the enemy was attacked at Strasburgh.
The battery was placed in position upon the line of Col. Moli-
neaux' brigade, one section upon the first line, one upon the
second and the third upon the high ground just in rear of the
second line. The only firing was done upon the first line. The
firing was desultory during the early part of the day, but a little
after noon a general advance was ordered along the line, when
a vigorous shelling commenced and lasted half an hour, when
the line advanced and the enemy was routed.
Capt. Bradbury having been commissioned as Major was on
the twenty-eighth mustered into his new grade and made chief
of artillery of the Nineteenth corps, and Lieut. Haley was
promoted to the Captaincy. He had been absent on detached
duty for some time but rejoined the battery on the twenty-sixth.
October tenth, the battery marched to Cedar Creek where it
went into position and remained till the action of the nineteenth.
The battery was in the front line on the right of the pike be
tween the First and Third brigades of the Second division of
their corps, but did not open fire until the enemy was discovered
approaching the left of the line and descending the hill towards
the pike. On account of the dense fog and smoke it was im
possible to see any great distance. About the same time the
enemy opened from an enfilading battery on our right and front
and several of his shells burst between the guns of our battery.
Soon after the enemy appeared on our left a*nd rear, taking
position on the crest of the hill. Lieut. Morton was ordered

FIRST MOUNTED BATTERY. 391
with a section to check their advance. Getting into position
at short range, without infantry supports, it opened fire and the
enemy soon charged and captured one piece with the drivers,
severely wounding Lieut. Morton and Sergt. Mooney. The
other four guns were still in position on the hill firing at a
column of the enemy crossing the bridge and coming up the
pike. It remained here until the enemy got possession of the
left of our works and were charging us on the hill, when it
was ordered to fall back. In retreating, the battery was
exposed to a severe fire until it had passed Gen. Sheridan's
headquarters. The battery returned with the infantry and took position on
the left of the Sixth corps, but was soon ordered to the left
and rear taking position on the hill, when the line was again
re-formed still farther to ' the left and rear, but the battery was
not further actively engaged. Capt. Haley was severely
wounded in the thigh in the early part of the engagement, but
remained on the field until the "retreat was ordered. Lieut.
Morton was severely wounded in the arm and leg and while
being taken from the field was again wounded in the bowels and
killed. The battery was then left in command of Lieut. Snow,
who mentions Sergeants Grimes and Oliver and Corporals Carr
and McNamara for conspicuous gallantry on the field. Private
Charles H. Fuller carried the colors during the engagement and
brought them off the field under a terrific fire after having his
horse shot. On the morning of the twentieth they marched to
Strasburgh and went into position, but next day returned to
Cedar Creek.
On the ninth of November it marched from Cedar Creek to
near Winchester, about nine miles. Capt. Haley rejoined the
battery December twelfth, having nearly recovered from his
wound. December thirtieth it marched nine miles to Steven
son's Station, where it at once engaged in building winter
quarters.

392 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXI.
SECOND MOUNTED BATTERY.
This battery was raised at large, and was mustered into the
United States service November thirtieth, eighteen hundred and
sixty-one, officered as follows:
Davis Tillson, Rockland, Captain; James A. Hall, Damaris-
cotta, Samuel Paine, Portland, First Lieutenants ; Samuel Fes
senden, Portland, William A. Perry, Rockland, Second Lieu
tenants. Capt. Tillson was educated at West Point Academy, and had
been Adjutant General of Maine.
The battery rendezvoused at Augusta until the tenth of
March, when it went to Portland where it remained sta
tioned at Fort Preble until April second, when it left for Wash
ington, and went into camp on Capitol Hill. On the twentieth
it embarked on board transports and three days afterwards ar
rived at Potomac Creek, going into camp at Bell Plain on the
twenty-seventh, where it remained until the ninth of May, when
it moved to Falmouth. On the twenty-second of that month
Capt. Tillson was promoted to Major and assigned as Chief of
Artillery for Ord's (afterwards Ricketts') division. He was
succeeded in the Captaincy by Lieut. Hall. On the twenty-
fifth the battery took up the line of march, and four days after
arrived at Manassas. From thence they went to Front Royal,
where on the first of June the right and left sections were sent
forward to report to Gen. Bayard, then on the road to Stras
burgh. On the sixteenth the detached portion returned to
Front Royal and the battery was immediately sent to Manassas,
where it remained until the fifth of July, when it took up the
line of march passing through Buckland and New Baltimore and
arrived at Warrenton on the afternoon of the next day. On
the twentieth Lieut. Fessenden was appointed aide-de-camp on
Gen. Tower's staff. Three days after the battery moved and

SECOND MOUNTED BATTERY. 393
went to Waterloo where it remained encamped until the fifth of
August, when it went to Culpepper Court House. Four days
after the battery engaged the enemy five miles beyond Culpep
per, at Cedar Mountain, for about half an hour and silenced his
battery. During the battle the battery came gallantly up to
the fire, and opened upon the flank of the rebel camp near
morning. On the fifteenth the battery moved from its encampment at
Cedar Mountain and after marching eight or nine miles went
into camp on the plantation formerly owned by the rebel Gen.
Ewell. Two days after it marched to Mitchell's Station on the
Rapidan river. The bridges across this river having been de
stroyed, the battery proceeded to the Rappahannock river,
where on the twenty-first it engaged the enemy all day, holding
its position until the twenty-third, when it was sent to guard a
bridge which was burned by our army before its retreat. Pro
ceeding to Thoroughfare Gap it engaged the enemy on the
twenty-ninth, having one piece disabled. On the thirty-first it
engaged the enemy on the old battle field of Bull Run. On the
day previous, during the battle of Manassas, Lieut. Fessenden,
aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. Tower, was mortally wounded in the
abdomen, and had his horse killed under him at the same
instant, during the afternoon, while in the advance of his com
mand, in immediate proximity to the enemy, and leading a reg
iment of his brigade, under a murderous fire of musketry, into
close action, at one of the most critical and sanguinary periods
of the disastrous engagements of that day. After thirty-eight
hours of suffering, he died on the first of September at Centre
ville. Arriving in Washington on the eleventh of September, the
battery remained in the defenses of that city until the thirteenth
of October, when it crossed over into Maryland and went to
Sharpsburgh, where it remained over a week and then moved
into Virginia, going into camp at Brooks' Station on the twenty-
third of November, after having been on the move nearly four
weeks. On the ninth of December the battery took up the line of
march towards Fredericksburgh, taking position on the north
side of the Rappahannock river under direction of Capt. De
Russy of the United States Army. On the night of the

394 MAINE IN THE WAR.
eleventh they fired a few shots at the enemy, and the next day
crossed the river. On the following day, when took place the
battle of Fredericksburgh, the battery was ordered into position
at nine o'clock in the forenoon, in a corn-field on the south side
of the pike road, and on the left of Gen. Gibbons' division, to
support its left flank, where they opened fire upon a rebel bat
tery, sixteen hundred yards diagonally on their right flank,
which was playing on them, and which soon turned its fire in
another direction. As the heavy mist which hung over the
battle-field cleared away, Capt. Hall found he was exposed to a
cross-fire from a battery of the enemy, seven hundred yards
directly on his left flank, which opened with a well-directed and
rapid fire of solid shot, which was very galling. The Second
maintained its position nearly thirty minutes, when, by order
of Gen. Gibbons, Capt. Hall sent his caissons back across the
road under cover ; not, however, until a limber chest of one of
them was blown up. The guns were kept in position, firing
only occasionally into the woods, until two o'clock in the after
noon, when the battery commenced shelling the woods in their
front, where our infantry were about to advance. On the
advance of Gen. Gibbons' line, the battery was posted within
two hundred yards of the woods into which they directed a
rapid fire of shell, which was continued until Gibbons' division
fell back, retiring some distance in the rear. Capt. Hall now
discovered a body of the enemy advancing from the woods iri
front of his left, upon which, at a distance of two hundred
yards, he opened with case shot and cannister, cutting down
men and colors, until his last round was expended, when he
was obliged to retire. On the morning of the fourteenth, the
battery took a position on the extreme left of the line assigned
by Gen. Reynolds' Chief of Artillery. Late in the afternoon
of the fifteenth, they recrossed the river and took position on
the heights, covering the bridge over which Gen. Franklin's
troops were crossing. Their casualties during the battle were
two men killed, fourteen wounded; twenty-five horses killed
and six wounded.
On the twentieth the battery went into camp near Fletcher's
Chapel, where it remained until the twenty-eighth of April of
the following year, when it marched to the banks of the Rap
pahannock river, three miles below Fredericksburgh, taking
position on the heights.

SECOND MOUNTED BATTERY. 395
On the third of May it took part in the battle of Chancellors
ville, holding the extreme right of the lines of the army, and
making a reconnoissance the next day with Gen. Robinson
towards Ely's Ford, where they had a short but brisk fight.
They then went into camp near White Oak Church.
On the twelfth of June commenced the Pennsylvania cam
paign. By order of Gen. Wainwright they broke camp, cross
ing the Potomac on the twenty-third and keeping in the advance
until on the morning of July first, when they engaged the
enemy about two miles beyond Gettysburgh, on the westerly
side of the town, in conjunction with the First division of the
First army corps. The march for that day had been so arranged
that it was nearly two hours after they became engaged before
other batteries arrived, during which time they were under a
heavy fire of artillery, which they were gradually silencing
when they were charged by the enemy's infantry in column.
This charge they repulsed, but their infantry support forsaking
them they were left with their right flank exposed to the sharp
shooters, who had taken cover in a ravine, and were obliged to
retire, when the rebel infantry rallied, and a hand-to-hand
encounter took place over two of their guns, the combatants
mingling together in their struggle for the prize. The guns
were all brought safely off. Later in the day, being so reduced
in men and horses, and the gun carriages having been smashed,
but three pieces could be manoeuvred, which were the first
placed in position in the graveyard on Cemetery Hill, sweeping
the road leading up through the town where the enemy were
advancing. On the second and third days they fought the
enemy's artillery from this position with great success.
Returning to Virginia through Maryland, the battery on the
second of August went to Norman's Ford, where they remained
until the sixteenth of September, when they went to near Cul
pepper and thence to the Rapidan river, and finally proceeding
to Camp Barry, Washington, where they arrived on the eighth
of November.
During the month of December, and until the twenty-fifth of
April, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, the battery remained sta
tioned at Camp Barry, recruiting and refitting for the field. On
this last named day they joined the Ninth army corps under Maj.
Gen. Burnside, and marched to Alexandria, thence to Fairfax

396 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Court House, Bristoe's Station, Warrenton Junction and Beale
ton Station at which place they remained in camp until the
fourth of May when they marched to Germania Ford on the
Rapidan river crossing the river the next day and took position
on the south bank. On the sixth they went to the front and
took position on the left wing of the army near the Brock road,
and participated in the battle of the Wilderness. During the
night of the seventh they marched to Chancellorsville, where they
remained during the following day. On the ninth they marched
to St. Mary's bridge on the Ny river. During the eight suc
ceeding days the battery took an active part in the battle of
Spottsylvania, doing good service. Four were wounded, and
two guns disabled by the enemy, but they were taken to
Fredericksburgh under command of Lieut. Stubbs, and in two
days were again refitted for use. On the nineteenth they
marched three miles to the left and took position on the left of
the Sixth army corps. Two days after they marched in. the
direction of the North Anna river where, on the morning of the
twenty-fourth they took position on the north bank, three miles
from Hanover Station, and engaged the enemy at intervals that
day and the succeeding one. On the twenty-seventh they
marched to the Pamunkey river, which they crossed the next
day at midnight and advanced on the twenty-ninth three miles
and halted in line of battle. Finding no opposition the next
day they advanced three miles farther and took position. The
following day two of their guns were transferred to the Wash
ington arsenal.
On the first, second and third of June the battery was engaged
in the battle near Bethesda Church, having one man wounded,
and one gun disabled which was immediately repaired. Moving
to the left they participated in the battle of Coal Harbor,
marching on the afternoon of the twelfth by the way of White
House Point to the Chickahominy river, which they crossed on
the fourteenth, thence to the James river which they crossed
the next day arriving near Petersburgh on the sixteenth, and
on the next day moving to the front and taking an active part
in the day's engagement which resulted in the capture of one
line of the enemy's fortifications. Advancing two miles and
taking position they engaged the enemy from the nineteenth tO
the twenty-first inclusive having one man wounded. From the

SECOND MOUNTED BATTERY. 397
twenty-fifth to the fifth of July they remained in position during
which time they had one man killed and six wounded. They
were then relieved and went into camp one mile to the rear,
remaining several days. But two officers of the battery were
present, one, Lieut. Montgomery, having been discharged on
account of disability, and the other, Lieut. Perry, serving on
Gen. Tillson's staff. On the twenty-fourth they again took
position remaining until the thirty-first when they were relieved,
during which time they were engaged in the assault made on
the enemy's works at the explosion of the mine. On the
thirtieth Orderly Sergeant Austin Reed received a commission
and was mustered Second Lieutenant.
On the tenth of August the battery again took position where
they remained until the fourteenth when they changed position
three miles to the left and there remained until the twenty-first
when they were relieved. Two days after they marched two
miles to the right and took position where they remained, until
the seventh" of September, when they were relieved and went
into camp and there remained ten days when they moved to
City Point and were stationed in the defences of that place,
where they were January first, eighteen hundred and sixty-five,
during which time they had received a large number of recruits
and the two guns which were transferred on the twenty-first of
May. Maj. Tillson served as Chief of Artillery for Ricketts' division
until the ninth of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
when he was placed on Gen. McDowell's staff as Chief of Artil
lery for the corps, in which capacity he served until returning
from a leave of absence in October he reported to Lieut. Col.
Haskin, in charge of the defences of Washington north of the
Potomac, and was made Inspector of Artillery. In January
of the following year he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of
artillery, and continued on the same duty until March twenty-
seventh, when he was appointed Brigadier General and ordered
to report to Maj. Gen. Burnside at Cincinnati, to inspect the
defences of Covington and Newport, Kentucky. During the
summer and fall he had the defences of Cincinnati and the works
on the Louisville and Nashville railroad repaired and put in
good condition, and raised and organized two regiments of
heavy artillery. On the fourteenth of December, he was made

398 MAINE IN THE WAR. ,
Chief of Artillery for the department of the Ohio, and on the
thirty-first assigned the command of the defences of Knoxville,
Loudon and Kingston. On his arrival at the former place,
which was menaced by the rebel Gen. Longstreet with a pow
erful army, he commenced the erection of fortifications, in
addition to which duties he engaged in the raising and organ
izing the First regiment United States colored heavy artillery.
Capt. Hall remained in command of the battery until he was
promoted to field officer of artillery with the rank of Major, his
commission bearing date of June twenty-third, eighteen hundred
and sixty-three, although he was not mustered until July tenth.
He has for some time been in command of Camp Barry, the
artillery camp of instruction at Washington. He was succeed
ed in the Captaincy by Lieut. Ulmer, who was honorably dis
charged from the service on the eighteenth of November,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, and who was succeeded in
the command by Lieut. Albert F. Thomas.

THIRD MOUNTED BATTERY. 399

XXII.
THIRD MOUNTED BATTERY.
The original officers of this battery were as follows :
James G. Swett, Brewer, Captain; Ezekiel R. Mayo, Hamp
den, Seth Allen Emery, Bangor, First Lieutenants; Melville C.
Burgess, Hermon, Joseph W. Whitmore, Hampden, Second
Lieutenants. The battery was mustered into service on the eleventh of
December, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, by Lieut. Col. Seth
Eastman of the First United States Infantry, and left its rendez^
vous at Augusta on the nineteenth of March following, for
Portland where it was quartered until April first, when it left
for Washington, arriving there on the third. On the fourth it
marched to Capitol Hill where it went into quarters and remained
till the fourteenth, when it embarked for Alexandria, Virginia,
having been detached for pontoniers under Gen. McDowell.
During the entire time the battery was on this service it was
under Maj. Huston, McDowell's chief of engineers. Its
duties consisted in seeing that the rubber pontoons were inflated
and in order, to guard and have general supervision over them..
Their position was on the Rappahannock river at Falmouth
opposite Fredericksburgh.
During Jackson's raid up the Shenandoah valley, Capt. Swett
was ordered to Manassas with a detachment of the pontoon
train. At the same time, Lieut. Mayo was ordered with one
half the battery, mounted for the occasion, with light 12-pounder
howitzers, to proceed under Gen. Bayard with McDowell's ad
vance. The pontoon train got delayed, and was some eight
days in reaching Manassas. The guns furnished Lieut. Mayo,
not meeting the expectations of the General for the purpose
designed, were turned over to the ordnance department and he
was ordered to report back to Capt. Swett. The detachments

400 MAINE IN THE WAR.
therefore rejoined those who had been left behind and the
whole battery was again together.
Shortly after it was ordered to Washington to turn over its
condemned rubber pontoons and received wooden ones in
their place. The battery there received between three and four
hundred horses and other equipments of a pontoon train, but
being delayed oh account of the lack of cables, etc., many of
the horses died in the meantime. At length having received
its outfit, it was ordered to report to Maj. Huston, at Gen.
McDowell's headquarters at Culpepper Springs, to join the
engineer corps in the forward movement on Richmond. Before
reaching its destination, however, all necessity for it had
ceased, in consequence of the series of defeats to the federal
arms and the retreat of the whole army under Gen. Pope, which
fell back, a perfect mob, to the fortifications around Washing
ton. The battery remained at Alexandria and was soon
ordered to turn over its horses to a cavalry command, and soon
after the invasion of Maryland, on the seventh of November,
it turned over its pontoon train to the engineer department and
was ordered to report to Col. Gibson at Fort Lincoln, where it
engaged in constructing an advanced battery, in which work it
continued till the latter part of March of the following year.
By special orders of the War Department, number one hundred
and forty-four, under date of March twenty-eighth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, it was attached to the First Maine
Heavy Artillery, where it became company M. Capt. Swett
was discharged on the fourteenth of May and Lieut. Mayo was
promoted to the Captaincy. The regiment to which it was
transferred was then and for some time subsequently, stationed
in the defences of Washington, and the record of this battery
is comprised in the history of that regiment. On the twenty-
third of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, it was by
Special Orders, number eighty-eight of the War Department,
reorganized as the Third mounted battery of Maine light artil
lery. Seventy-two of the original members of the battery
re-enlisted as veteran volunteers and on the eighteenth of
January, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, they left Fort Sumner,
Maryland, under Capt. Mayo, for Maine, on their veteran
furlough. They reached Augusta on the twenty-first and on
the twenty-second of February again assembled there in expec-

THIRD MOUNTED BATTERY. 401
tation of orders to report back to the First Maine Heavy
Artillery, but a telegram was received at this time by their
commanding officer, detaching them from that organization and
ordering them to report at Camp Barry, District of Columbia,
to be equipped as light artillery. They left the State on the
twenty-fifth and reached their destination on the twenty-eighth,
where it was filled to the maximum by the non-veterans left at
Fort Sumner and by new recruits. A full equipment for the
field was not furnished the battery until the latter part of April,
although the guns (six 3-inch rifles) were received on the
fifteenth. The battery remained at Camp Barry till July fifth,
when It embarked at Washington for City Point, Virginia,
with orders to report to the Army of the Potomac for assign
ment to duty. It arrived on the seventh and in obedience to
orders, went into camp there to await orders assigning it to
some particular army corps. On the ninth it moved to the front
near Petersburgh and reported to Gen. Burnside, commanding
the Ninth corps, and was at once assigned to the Third division
of that corps, then in position before the enemy's works on
Cemetery Hill. The battery was assigned a position directly
opposite the rebel fort which was subsequently blown up on the
thirtieth. As soon as darkness permitted, that night, the guns
were placed in position, and the men commenced constructing
earthworks for cover. From this time until the nineteenth of
August when it left this position, the battery was almost daily
engaged with the batteries of the enemy, and it bore an honora
ble part in the terrible engagement of July thirtieth when the
great mine was exploded. Capt. Mayo was sent to hospital,
sick, on the thirteenth of August and the command of the battery
then devolved upon Lieut. Emery. The battery was withdrawn
from the trenches in the night of the nineteenth and ordered to
the rear to give the cannoniers an opportunity for rest which
they so much needed, as well as from the fact that their camp,
by the cutting away of woods on its front, had become exposed
to the shells of the enemy. Resting until the night of the
twenty-second the battery was again put into position at Fort
Rice, a little to the left of its former position. Their division
having been consolidated with the First division of their corps,
the battery was, on the thirtieth, transferred to the Artillery
Reserves, Army of the Potomac, but still remained in Fort Rice.
26

402 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Capt. Mayo returned from hospital and assumed command on
the twenty-ninth of September. On the twenty-fifth of October
the guns were withdrawn from the fort and the battery moved
to the defences of City Point, where it remained to the end of
the year.
During the whole time the battery was at the front, artillery
duelling and the firing of sharpshooters were of daily occurrence,
and to cross the open field by daylight to approach the breast
works was to invite the special attention of the rebel sharp
shooters, and narrow escapes were almost without number; yet
the battery was very fortunate, having but two men seriously
injured, one losing his right arm and the other being shot
through the left thigh.
The battery was not called to make long or frequent marches
during the campaign, but its duty at the front was arduous,
exacting the utmost vigilance. When it was withdrawn from
the lines before Petersburgh, the chief of artillery under whose
supervision it had been, spoke in high terms of the battery, and
of the soldierly manner, neatness, order and system in which
it performed its duties, both with its guns at the front and in
its camp at the rear.
On the collection of the Artillery Reserve brigade at City
Point, near the close of October, its command fell upon Capt.
Mayo. His command consisted of five light batteries, one
company of New York heavy artillery, together with the
reserve ammunition train of the Army of the Potomac.
Lieut. Emery having been detailed for general court martial
duty at City Point, the command of the battery devolved upon
Lieut. Willis M. Haycock.

FOURTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 403

XXIII.
FOURTH MOUNTED BATTERY.
This battery was raised at large and rendezvoused at Augusta.
Its original officers were
O'Neil W. Robinson, Jr., Bethel, Captain; Lucius M. S.
Haines, Augusta, Hamlin F. Eaton, Readfield, First Lieutenants;
Charles W. White, Skowhegan, Matthew B. Coffin, Skowhegan,
Second Lieutenants.
Capt. Robinson was a graduate of Bowdoin College and a
lawyer by profession.
The battery left Augusta on the fourteenth of March, eigh
teen hundred and sixty-two, for Portland, where until the first
of April it was quartered at the Cape Trotting Park, when it
left for Washington and on the fifteenth was Stationed at Fort
Ramsay, seven miles from Alexandria. Returning to Washing
ton two days after, the men were mounted for the first time and
provided with six rifled field pieces.
On the twenty-eighth of June, they left for Harper's Ferry, and
thence moved up the Shenandoah Valley until they reached Mid
dleton, where they joined Gen. Sigel's division of Maj. Gen.
Banks' corps who were pursuing the rebel Gen. Jackson.
Leaving on the afternoon of July fifth for Front Royal, which
was reached the next day, they were almost constantly on the
move until the ninth of August, after leaving Culpepper Court
House, when they participated in the battle of Cedar Run. On
the afternoon of this day which was intensely warm, they were
ordered into position on a small hill, under the cross fire of two
rebel batteries, and kept up a continuous fire until nearly eight
o'clock in the evening. Then they were ordered to fall back,
which they did, about one mile, followed by rebel sharpshooters,
until, meeting the advance of Gen. Pope's army, they halted in
a field, and remained there until nine o'clock, when on account
of the rebels' shell, they were obliged to fall back still further

404 MAINE IN THE WAR.
in the rear. During the engagement their loss was as follows :
One man killed, six wounded, and one missing ; seven horses
killed and four wounded. One gun was disabled by having an
axle broken by a shot, but was brought safely off the field. They
expended five hundred and two rounds of shell and spherical case
shot during the action. Amid the whole confusion, roar of
cannon, screaming of shells, and rattle of musketry, not a man
flinched from his post. The day succeeding the battle, their
horses were kept in the harness awaiting an attack, while on
the following da^- the battery moved west about one half mile,
and on the next day marched back to Culpepper Court House
with Gen. Banks' corps. Here they remained until the nine
teenth, when they left Culpepper, during the forenoon, crossed
the Rappahannock at the railroad crossing, and encamped on
its bank for the night. The next day, while skirmishing with
cavalry took place in their front, they were placed in position
to cover the left approach to the railroad bridge, while on the
day which followed they moved up to the left of the bridge,
supported by the One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania
regiment, in consequence of large bodies of rebel infantry hav
ing moved to their right.
At seven o'clock in the morning, a rebel battery attempted
to get into position on a knoll about nine hundred yards from
our battery, when the latter moved up the hill, and went within
range, opened a spirited fire and drove the rebel battery off the
hill before they could even unlimber their pieces. Apparently
they were badly cut up. In this action the Fourth gained for
itself much credit, both for its accuracy of fire and the coolness
of its men. During the forenoon they received an order to join
the corps to which they were attached. Taking up the line of
march, they proceeded on until noon of the next day, when on
the twenty-fourth they took part in the artillery fight at Sulphur
Springs. On the night of the twenty-ninth, while our forces were
retreating to Bull Run, their corps which formed the rear of the
army, were in momentary expectation of an attack, but none
was made, and the next day they moved, continuing until Septem
ber second when they encamped at Alexandria and for the first
time since leaving Culpepper Court House, they unharnessed
their horses. During the retreat, the battery lost, from over-

FOURTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 405
work, twenty-one horses that either died or were left worthless
on the road. The next day they encamped near Long Bridge,
Washington, where they were joined by their baggage train
which they had not seen since the sixth of August, and received
their first mail since the battle of Cedar Run.
On the following day they moved into Maryland, marbhing
through Tennallytown, beyond Rockville, until on the tenth
they reached Middlebrook where the centre section was detached
for service under Lieut. Coffin. Continuing their march the
next day, they halted near Damascus, where the right section
was detached for service under Lieut. Eaton. Their next day's
march to Urbana, was the hardest work of the campaign. Six
horses were killed. Resuming their march on the thirteenth they
forded the Monocacy river and arrived at Frederick at noon,
where they found Gen. Burnside shelling the rebels about two
miles in their advance. The following day and night was spent
in marching over a rough and hilly country. Passing over the
battle field of South Pass on the succeeding day, the battery,
after leaving the Hagerstown Turnpike, from thence passed
through Boonsboro', and encamped for the night, at ten o'clock,
on the road to Harper's Ferry. The next day they marched
two miles to the vicinity of Redansville, where they found
seventy-five thousand of our troops massed together in plain
sight, with preparations making for a battle. Here they camped
for the night. At five o'clock the next morning thoy moved
toward the left wing of our army, under fire, and were ordered
into position to cover a bridge across the Antietam creek, over
which our infantry were passing, and a ford at the same place.
The battery held the right approach to the bridge and ford,
maintaining their position until the third day afterwards, when,
the rebels having retreated, the battery got off at six o'clock in
the afternoon, and marched all night through a range of moun
tains which separated them from the Potomac. On the following
day they halted near Brownsville, and the next day resumed
their march for Harper's Ferry, arriving at Sandy Hook at
noon. The day succeeding, Lieut. Coffin was detached and
made Quartermaster for the artillery of the corps. The next
day the battery was moved on to Maryland Heights. This day
twenty-five horses were drawn — not half enough to refit the
battery. The subsequent six weeks were spent at this point,

406 MAINE IN THE WAR.
when on the thirtieth of October they marched to Sharpsburgh
and encamped.
On the first of December, the battery was stationed at three
different positions ; the right section at Antietam Iron Works,
under command of Lieut. Eaton, who the next month was dis
charged from the service ; the left section at Blackford's Ford,
under command of Lieut White ; the centre section at Shep-
herdstown bridge ; all three doing picket duty on the left bank
of the Upper Potomac, headquarters at the bridge. In this
position the battery remained untiP the tenth, when they joined
their corps (Twelfth) at Harper's Ferry, reporting to Maj. Gen.
Morell, who ordered them to take position on Bolivar Heights,
on the turnpike road leading to Charlestown. On the twenty-first
they were ordered into position within the line of fortifications
on Camp Hill, where they remained until the seventh of April
of the following year, during which time one section of the
battery, in February, under Lieut. Coffin, who was shortly after
wards discharged, made part of an expedition to Leesburgh,
Virginia. Moving across the Potomac on the seventh of April, the
battery went into camp on Maryland Heights, where they
remained undisturbed until the fifteenth of June, when orders
were received to be in readiness, to march at a moment's notice;
for the rebels having defeated Gen. Milroy at Winchester, were
moving on Harper's Ferry. Preparations for a siege commenced,
and continued until the heights were evacuated on the thirtieth,
when the battery marched out of the fortifications and took
position at Monocacy Junction, and on the sixth of July went
into camp on South Mountain battle field. Two days after, their
division was consolidated with the Third corps, Maj. Gen. French
taking command. During' the remainder of the month they
were almost constantly on the move, their division participating
on the twenty-third in the fight at Wapping Heights, where
the artillery was in position, although little firing was done.
On the first of August they went into camp near Bealeton,
remaining until the fifteenth of September when their corps
moved, and they went into camp on the Culpepper and Warren
ton Pike, about one mile north of the city, where they remained
until October tenth, when they fell back with the army towards
the Rappahannock river, which they crossed the next night.

FOURTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 407
The next day they were assigned to the Second division, com
manded by Gen. Prince, which covered the rear of their corps
on its retreat to Centreville Heights where they arrived on the
night of the fourteenth. The next day their division moved to
Union Mills, and in the afternoon they had a sharp fight with a
rebel battery at McLean's Ford, in which two of the enemy's
pieces were dismounted, and he was driven from the field. On
the nineteenth commenced our advance towards the Rappahan
nock river, the battery going into camp near Catlett's Station.
Here they remained until the seventh of November, when, after
a fight, they crossed the river at Kelly's Ford, camping for
the night on the west side. The next day their division con
tinued the march, and on the eleventh, the battery went into
camp with the artillery brigade of their corps near Brandy
Station. Here they remained until the twenty-sixth when, with
the corps, they moved and on the morning of the following day
crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and encamped near Rob
ertson's Tavern. Two days after they moved up on to the line
of battle near Mine Run. At eight o'clock on the afternoon of
the next day the battery fired the signal gun for the artillery to
open on the enemy's works in our front. The firing was con
tinued for some two hours and then ceased. On the morning
of December first, Capt. Robinson was ordered to take command
of a brigade of artillery, his own battery making a part, and
report to Gen. Tyler. Then commenced our retreat. Crossing
the Rapidan, the battery on the third went into their old quar
ters near Brandy Station. In the latter part of the month
Capt. Robinson was made chief of artillery with the rank of
Major, and took command of the artillery brigade of the Third
corps, and *the command of the battery devolved upon Lieut.
Kimball, the senior officer, Lieut. White, being on recruiting
service in Maine where he had been for some months.
The battery remained at Brandy Station with the Third corps
until the thirty-first of March of the following year when the
Third corps was discontinued and the battery was assigned to
the artillery brigade, Sixth corps.
On the fourth of May the battery numbering two officers and
one hundred and twenty-five men under command of Lieut.
Kimball, broke camp at Brandy Station and marched with the
Sixth corps, crossing the Rapidan. The next day they came up

408 MAINE IN THE WAR.
with the enemy's pickets, when fighting commenced. The
battery was not actually engaged in the memorable battles of
the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, there being but very little
artillery used. They occupied responsible positions at different
times and participated in all the long and fatiguing marches.
On the twenty-first, for the first time during this campaign, the
battery engaged the enemy for a short time, losing neither men
nor material. They were then reduced to four guns, having a
few days before turned over two of their pieces. On the twenty-
fifth Lieut. White rejoined the battery and shortly afterwards
was promoted to the command.
On the first of June they marched to Coal Harbor, found the
enemy in force and went into position on the right of the Second
division, Sixth corps, engaging the enemy's artillery for about
three hours, duing which they were subjected to a heavy fire, the
rebels having the advantage in position. In this engagement
one man was wounded and several horses killed. Throwing
up fortifications the next day, the following morning they
opened on the enemy's works but elicited no reply. That day
they were relieved and went to the rear, where they were parked
and remained subject to a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery.
On the twelfth they moved into the front line and remained
until the troops had all been withdrawn quietly, when they
marched with the rear guard toward the Chickahominy river
which they crossed that night. Three days after they crossed
the James river, and on the seventeenth went into position in
front of Petersburgh, throwing up works, and the next morn
ing opened on the enemy, throwing a few shells into Petersburgh
but receiving no reply. On the night of the twentieth the
battery went into a fort near the Appomattox river, and the
next morning opened on a train of cars passing out of Peters
burgh towards Richmond, which evidently annoyed the enemy ;
for he immediately opened all his artillery that could be brought
to bear on our works. The engagement lasted until about dark,
when firing ceased. We lost one man killed. That night the
Sixth corps was relieved by the Ninth, and marched to the left
and went into camp, remaining until the twenty-ninth, when
the battery marched with the corps to Reams' Station to the
relief of Wilson's cavalry, but found no enemy, and returned
the next day to their old camp.

FOURTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 409
, On the sixth of July the Sixth corps was ordered to Wash
ington to meet the rebel Gen. Early's forces then advancing
into Maryland. The Fourth battery was left behind, until the
thirteenth when receiving orders to join the corps, they left in a
transport for Baltimore, arriving at that city on the afternoon
of the fifteenth, when finding that the corps had advanced
towards Harper's Ferry having several days the start, and that
the excitement in Washington had subsided, they were imme
diately ordered to return to City Point, where they arrived on
the twentieth and marched to the advanced lines in front of
Petersburgh. In the engagement of the thirtieth the battery
participated, being temporarily detached with the Fifth corps.
They lost two men wounded.
On the second of August they joined their brigade in camp
at the rear where they remained until the twenty-first, when
they again moved to the front, remaining until the twenty-first
of December, only being relieved on one part of the line during
that time, to take position on another, occupying almost every
work from the Appomattox river to the Weldon railroad,
engaging the enemy's batteries almost every day, losing only
two men wounded. In the meantime a new section was manned,
restoring the battery to its original number of six guns. On
the twenty-first of December the three years' term of service of
the battery expired, at which time twenty-one of the original
members were mustered out.
The battery at the commencement of the year eighteen hun
dred and sixty-five remained in the front line of works before
Petersburgh. During the year eighteen hundred and sixty-four, Lieutenants
Kimball and Haines resigned on account of disability. Maj.
Robinson on account of ill health was compelled to leave the
service in April of that year, and returning to the residence of
his father in Waterford, Maine, after a lingering sickness of
three months, died on the seventeenth of July, the anniversary
of his fortieth birthday.

410 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXIV.
FIFTH MOUNTED BATTERY.
This battery was raised at large and entered the service under
favorable auspices. It was mustered into the United States
service, December fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one,
officered as follows :
George F. Leppien, Portland, Captain ; William F. Twitchell,
Portland, Greenlief T. Stevens, Augusta, First Lieutenants;
Adelbert B. Twitchell, Bethel, Ezra Clark, Portland, Second
Lieutenants. Capt. Leppien, at the time of his appointment, held a Lieuten
ant's commission in a Pennsylvania battery, attached to Gen.
Blenker's division. He received his education in the best uni
versities of Germany, devoting some five years to military study
in the leading school of Prussia. Both the second Lieutenants
had seen experience in military life.
The battery was rendezvoused at Augusta until the tenth of
March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, on which day it left
for Portland, and remained quartered at Fort Preble until April
first, when it proceeded to Washington and encamped on Capi
tol Hill. Here they remained until the nineteenth of May,
when they embarked for Acquia Creek, and from thence marched
to Fredericksburgh. On the twenty-fifth they proceeded by way
of Manassas and Thoroughfare Gap to Front Royal, where they
were stationed on the Shenandoah river.
On the seventh of June Lieut. Stevens with the first section,
went on picket duty and a reconnoissance among the mountains
south of Front Royal. Ten days after, the battery went to

On the fourth of July they marched to Warrenton, and
occupied the heights west of the city ; and on the twenty-
second marched to Waterloo.
On August fourth they marched to Culpepper, and encamped

FIFTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 411
north of the town. Five days after they marched to Cedar
Mountain, and took position at night on the right, under a
heavy fire of artillery. On the twelfth the left and centre sec
tions, under Lieut. Twitchell and Sergeant Whittier, with a brig
ade of cavalry were sent to reconnoitre the Rapidan river.
Three days after the battery marched to Barnett's Ford, on the
Rapidan, and on the seventeenth broke camp and fell back
through Culpepper to Rappahannock Station. On the twentieth
they covered the railroad bridge, and on the two following days
engaged the enemy's batteries, preventing them from getting
in position on the bank of the river, and also dispersed a rebel
brigade forming near the bridge. They also assisted in destroy
ing the bridge, and on the twenty-third fell back, covering the
retreat of the division to Warrenton, during which one of their
guns was disabled by recoil. On the twenty-seventh they fell
back from Warrenton at night and on the next day marched
through New Baltimore and Gainesville, engaging the enemy
in the afternoon with the division at Thoroughfare Gap, holding
their position until night, when they fell back, detached from
the division, and with Buford's cavalry brigade covered the
retreat by way of Gainesville and Bristoe's Station, and then
joined the division at Manassas. On the afternoon of the
thirtieth, during the general engagement, the battery was
posted on the left, where they played on the enemy's advance.
At the time of the charge by the rebels to turn the left of our
army, the battery was thrown across the lines to oppose them.
On account of their infantry supports deserting, four of their
guns were captured ; but they saved their first piece and their
line of caissons. During the retreat all of their records were
lost, while their baggage and other property was ordered to bo
abandoned. Lieut. William F. Twitchell was here killed. On
account of the loss of their guns they were ordered on the
seventh of September to Washington, to refit, where they re
mained until the twenty-fourth of October, when they rejoined
their division and went to Berlin, Maryland, from thence on the
thirtieth crossing into Virginia and encamping four miles be
yond Lovettsville.
At the battle of Fredericksburgh, on the thirteenth of Decem
ber, the battery was under the fiercest and heaviest cannonade
of the day. Every man worked with great coolness and

412 MAINE IN THE WAR.
bravery. The gunners were highly complimented by experi
enced artillery officers, for their accuracy of aim and rapidity
of fire.
After this battle the battery went into winter quarters near
Fletcher's Chapel.
On the twentieth of January of the following year, the bat
tery broke camp and moved to near Banks' Ford on the Rappa
hannock river. On the return of the army they re-occupied
their old camp near Fletcher's Chapel, where they remained
until the twenty-eighth of April. They moved to the bank
of the Rappahannock, near Gen. Franklin's crossing, on the
twelfth of the preceding month, and on the second of May
marched up the river, crossed at United States Ford, and the
next morning took part in the battle, occupying a position
within the lines of the Third corps, near the brick house at
Chancellorsville. Here, in an open field, without the least
shelter, the men and officers faced the most destructive fire that
could be put forth from three of the enemy's batteries, at a dis
tance of less than seven hundred yards, sustaining the severest
injury from a rebel battery of light twelves, securely posted in
their direct front. The battery was carefully and effectively
worked, both in replying to the enemy's artillery and in hold
ing in check a large body of infantry massed in the woods on
their left, until of four officers, Capt. Leppien was mortally
wounded, Lieuts. Stevens and Twitchell were severely wounded,
six men killed, twenty-two wounded, forty horses killed or dis
abled, and the ammunition in the limbers exhausted, when, on
the enemy's skirmishers advancing, by order of Gen. Hancock,
the guns were dragged off with the assistance of the infantry
supports. The position vacated was immediately occupied by
the enemy. Capt. Leppien, who was wounded in the leg, was
borne from the field and carried to Washington, where, after
amputation, he died on the twenty-fourth. For a considerable
period during his field service, Capt. Leppien filled the position
of chief of artillery to Gen. Ricketts, commanding the division
to which his battery was attached. His rare ability having
attracted the attention of Gen. Ricketts and of the brigade
commanders and staff officers in his division, they very urgently
recommended to Gov. Coburn that he should be promoted to
the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of Maine artillery, a post made

FIFTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 413
vacant by the appointment of Col. Tillson as Brigadier General.
His Excellency, in . pursuance of these recommendations, com
missioned him as Lieutenant Colonel on the twenty-sixth of
March, but, owing to some delay, he was not mustered into the
service with that rank until the eighteenth of May, while on
his death bed. He sleeps. in a hero's grave. He was suc
ceeded in the Captaincy by Lieut. Stevens. i
After the battle of Chancellorsville it was by the greatest
exertion that the battery was brought to White Oak Church
and there refitted, and a detail obtained from the infantry of the
corps, drilled and made efficient, by the time the army moved
early in June towards Maryland. Passing northward along
the line of the Orange and Alexandria railroad, through Cen
treville, crossing the Potomac at Edward's Ferry, through
Pleasant Valley and Emmettsburgh, Maryland, on the first of
July it again went into battle, and opened on the rebels attempt
ing to break the line of the First corps on the west of the town
of Gettysburgh. When the corps was forced to retire, the bat
tery was posted by Gen. Hancock on a small hill three hundred
yards to the right and rear of the north end of Cemetery Hill,
and during the night small earthworks were thrown up for the
protection of men and pieces. In this position, having an
enfilading fire on the enemy attempting to carry by assault the
works on the end of Cemetery Hill, early on the morning of
the second our battery assisted very materially in the repulse ;
and on this day and the following engaging a battery of 20-pound
Parrots. posted to the north of our lines, it received frequently
the commendation of general officers for correctness and effic
iency of fire. In concert with eight rifled pieces on Cemetery
Hill, four of the enemy's ammunition chests were exploded in
less than twenty minutes after this battery opened. Lieut. Hunt
was wounded in the first day's engagement; and on the second
Capt. Stevens, severely, by a Sharpshooter, both officers being
in the active discharge of their duties. For the second time the
battery was left with only one officer not wounded. In this
engagement three men were killed, thirteen wounded, six taken
prisoners, and seventeen horses killed.
On the sixth of July the corps moved, and on the tenth
again faced the enemy near Hagerstown, Maryland, and the
battery was placed in position on the left of the corps. Pass-

414 MAINE IN THE WAR.
ing into Virginia on the twenty-third, they reached Warrenton,
and on the first of August went into summer quarters near
Rappahannock Station. In November they moved with the
army to Mine Run, and on the twenty-fourth of December went
into winter quarters near Culpepper. During March of the fol
lowing year, when the consolidation of corps took place, the
battery was transferred from the First to the Fifth army corps.
On the fifteenth of April they were transferred to the Reserve
Artillery and went into camp at Rappahannock Station. On the
fourth of May they moved with the Reserves of the army to the
Wilderness and Spottsylvania, when the Reserves were broken
up and the battery was assigned to the Sixth army corps.
During this time the battery had not been in position. At
Spottsylvania they were put in position and engaged the enemy
for two hours without any casualty, when they moved to Coal
Harbor, where the left section was detailed to go forward on
the skirmish line, where they were placed in earthworks thrown
up that night. About three miles from Coal Harbor the battery
was put in position three days after, supported by the First
Maine Heavy Artillery. The enemy was engaged without loss
to the battery. Moving with the army to the extreme left,
they went with the Sixth corps to Reams' Station, and then
returning were placed on the extreme left of the line behind
earthworks, where they remained until the ninth of July, when
they went to City Point and proceeded to Washington, where
they arrived on the night of the eleventh. Thence they left for
Crystal Springs, where they joined their corps, which immedi
ately proceeded to the Blue Ridge, passing through Snicker's
Gap across the Shenandoah near Berryville, when they received
orders to return to Washington, where they arrived on the
twenty-fourth of July. Two days after they started and
returned to the Shenandoah, taking up a position near Halltown
where they entrenched. After remaining here about two weeks
they went to Clifton Farm, near Charlestown, where they
remained until September nineteenth, when they moved for
ward and participated in the battle at Winchester, which took
place on that day. They were engaged from nine o'clock in the
forenoon to four o'clock in the afternoon, with a loss of seven
men wounded.
At a critical moment during the battle when the enemy had

FIFTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 415
gained an advantage, the battery was posted in their front and
poured its fire unflinchingly into its columns to the last. A
staff officer, riding up, warned it to the rear to save it from
capture. Col. Tompkins, in command of the artillery of the
Sixth corps, sat upon his horse with a loaded revolver, close
beside the battery, and ordered it not to move. It did not
move. The men of the battery, loading and firing with the regu
larity and precision of a field day, kept it at work in the face
of the foe, who advanced to at least within two hundred yards
of the muzzles of the guns.
The next morning they pushed on after the retreating enemy
arriving near Strasburgh in the afternoon, when they went into
camp. The next day they went into position near Fisher's Hill,
but took no active part in the day's fight which resulted in
a decisive and disastrous blow to the enemy who retreated in
confusion. Our forces pursued the enemy to Harrisonsburgh,
where the battery went into camp. From here the battery
returned with the army to Cedar Creek and remained encamped
until October nineteenth, when the enemy making a flank move
ment, compelled the Union army to change its position, the
battery taking a position and engaging the enemy for two hours
or more, with a loss of twenty-nine men wounded, of which
number three died, and thirty horses killed. The centre section
of two guns, together with three caissons was captured. The
'battery was among the last to retire from the field, retreating
with the army until orders were received to make a stand,
when they again went into position, and kept up a terrific fire
until the tide of victory was turned, following the enemy in his
utter rout until they reached their camp near the creek. Dur
ing the retreat of the enemy, the battery recovered the guns
and caissons they had lost. Three days after the battle they
were placed in position near Strasburgh, covering the town,
where they remained until the tenth of November, when the
battery was ordered to the rear, where they went into camp
within five miles of Winchester, remaining until the twenty-
eighth of December, when they went to Stevenson's Station.
Since its organization up to this time there had been dis
charged from the battery forty -two men; nine had been
transferred to the veteran reserve corps ; six had been killed
outright in action; eight died from wounds; thirty-two had

416 MAINE IN THE WAR.
deserted. The battery had had eight officers, five of whom
now remain. Thirty veterans re-enlisted. In January, eigh
teen hundred and sixty-five, the battery was attached to the
Nineteenth army corps, and was encamped at Frederick,
Maryland.

SIXTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 417

XXV.
SIXTH MOUNTED BATTERY.
The Sixth battery, recruited principally in York, Waldo and
Aroostook counties in the months of November and December,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one, was mustered into the United
States service by Col. John Goddard, of the First Maine Cavalry
at Augusta, January first, eighteen hundred and sixty-two. The
battery was officered as follows :
Freeman McGilvery, Stockton, Captain; George H. Smith,
Hodgdon, Edwin B. Dow, Portland, First Lieutenants; Fred A.
Morton, Augusta, William H. Rogers, Stockton, Second Lieu
tenants. The battery lay in camp at Augusta until March, when it
received orders to proceed to Portland and occupy the barracks
where Camp Berry now stands. Orders were received March
thirtieth, for all the light batteries in Maine to report at Wash
ington, District of Columbia, and April first, the six batteries
took the cars for that city, and arrived in Washington, April
third and went into camp at East Capitol Hill.
The Sixth battery remained in camp about a month, when it
was ordered to march to Fort Buffalo and garrison that outpost.
Fort Buffalo was a small redoubt, mounting four light guns
situate near the village of Falls Church, Virginia, about seven
miles from the Potomac. A portion of the company were armed
with muskets while the remainder acted as artillery men.
Matters becoming quiet in the neighborhood of Washington,
the guns in the fort were sent to Fort Ramsay and the Sixth
battery ordered to relieve the Fourth Maine battery at that post.
A few days afterward orders came to dismantle Fort Ramsay
which mounted several heavy guns en barbelle and had a large
stock of ammunition. After several days the fort was vacated
and the battery ordered to occupy the village of Falls Church,
Capt. McGilvery being appointed commander of the post. At
27

418 MAINE IN THE WAR.
this time the. rebel general Stonewall Jackson made his advance
down the valley, driving Gen. Banks into Maryland, and great
fears were entertained that an attack might be made on Wash
ington. The Sixth battery held the extreme outpost and
picketed as far out as Fairfax Court House. Communicating
with the headquarters at Arlington Heights by a system of
signals, Capt. McGilvery received very complimentary notices
for his energy and watchfulness on this occasion. Shortly after,
the battery was ordered to Washington to receive its proper
armament. After fitting up a camp at East Capitol Hill, it
received its battery which consisted of four light 12-pound brass
pieces, (Napoleons) and two 3-inch rifle guns, (10 pounders,)
with one hundred and twenty horse harnesses, ammunition and
accoutrements complete.
Before it was properly drilled, the battery was ordered to
report to Gen. Banks at Harper's Ferry. It marched down the
valley via Charlestown and Winchester to Cedar Creek, Virginia,
where Gen. Banks' army then lay, and remained at Cedar Creek
until after the fourth of July, when the corps moved via Front
Royal, across the Blue Ridge to Little Washington, Virginia,
near Culpepper. It remained in camp at Little Washington
nearly a month, during which time the battery was well drilled
and perfected for the field.
About this time Stonewall Jackson was reported to be ad
vancing with a heavy force from Gordonsville on Culpepper.
The separate corps or armies under Generals McDowell, Banks
and Sigel were consolidated under the command of Gen. Pope
and designated the Army of Virginia. Gen. McDowell's corps
lay at Culpepper ; Gen. Banks was ordered near Culpepper, and
Gen. Sigel remained at Sperryville. News having arrived that
Jackson had crossed the Rapidan, thirty thousand strong, Gen.
Banks' corps, six thousand six hundred strong, was ordered to
move forward and engage him. The morning of August ninth,
Banks' corps passed McDowell's and met the enemy strongly
posted at Slaughter (or Cedar) Mountain. The attack was
made immediately, and after six hours most terrific fighting,
Gen. Banks was forced to retire, he having received no aid from
Generals McDowell or Sigel. The Fourth and Sixth Maine
batteries were in Banks' corps and fought their maiden fight on
that day. The Sixth was posted on the extreme left flank of

SIXTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 419
the corps and repulsed a most determined attack made by the
enemy, who, after repeated charges, was driven in confusion.
The battery was attached to Gen. Augur's division and was
under a heavy fire of rebel artillery. The rebels hoped to dis
able and drive us from the field. After Gen. Augur was
wounded he sent word to Capt. McGilvery, congratulating him
and his battery on their gallant fight, and said, the battery was
the means of repelling the assults on the left flank, and saved
the division from being destroyed or taken prisoners. The last
gun was brought off the field in the face of the enemy's infan
try not fifty yards distant.
An error was made in Gen. Pope's order wherein he mentions
the Second and Fifth, instead of the Fourth and Sixth Maine
batteries as having distinguished themselves. The Second bat
tery fired but a few rounds, after the action was over, and the
Fifth did not fire a shot. The Second and Fifth both belonged
to Gen. McDowell's corps. Next day Gen. Banks' corps occu
pied Culpepper, and Gen. McDowell's corps watched Jackson.
August twentieth, commenced the retreat to the Rappahannock
river, and from that time until the twenty-ninth they marched
and countermarched, fought night and day, the men living on
half rations and the horses on what they could pick up.
The Sixth battery was engaged at Rappahannock Station,
Sulphur Springs and Blackburn's Ford. At Catlett's Station
orders were received detaching the Sixth battery from Banks'
corps and ordering it to proceed by forced marches and report
to Maj. Gen. Hooker who had just arrived at Manassas with
the advance of the Army of the Potomac and had fought and
driven Jackson without any artillery. It reported on the morn
ing of August twenty-ninth and fought at second Bull Run all
day with its division, which was relieved about four P. M., by
Gen. Kearney's division.
At daylight on the thirtieth, the army was re-formed and as
Jackson had been reinforced during the night by Gen. Long-
street, our army awaited the rebel attack. At two o'clock P.
M., it was made by a heavy column falling upon our left flank;
at the same time an attack was made along our whole front.
So sudden and overwhelming was this assault of the enemy that
our whole line gave way before it, losing whole batteries, with
out hardly firing a shot.

420 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The Sixth Maine was the centre of three batteries. The
battery on the right was captured entire and the battery on the
left got away. The enemy charged our battery on the right
and front. It fought them until its support had left and all the
horses of two guns had been killed. Capt. McGilvery finding
it useless to maintain the unequal contest, and the enemy gain
ing his rear, gave orders to fall back which was done leaving
the two disabled guns on the field.
Capt. McGilvery made a stand at the Brick Hospital and
repulsed the enemy with great loss, amply paying for the loss
of his two guns. The repulse at the Hospital enabled us to
get off many of the wounded.
The battery was ordered to fall back toward Centreville by
Gen. Heintzelman, as the army was in full retreat. It arrived
at Centreville Heights the next morning and was ordered into
position on the heights covering the Bull Run road. September
first, the army evacuated Centreville and fell back upon the
defences of Washington. At night the enemy made a grand
attack upon our left flank with the expectation of cutting off
the column, but after a desperate resistance wherein we lost
two of our best Generals, Kearney and Stevens, they withdrew.
The Sixth battery was with Kearney's, division but was not
called into action. Next morning it continued its movement
and arrived at Fort Lyon near Alexandria the same night.
The battery remained at Fort Lyon ten days refitting, and
moved with its division, via Rockville to Frederick, Maryland.
Gen. McClellan then assumed command of the combined armies
of the Potomac and Virginia.
The enemy were reported crossing the Potomac at Shepherds-
town and moving on Frederick city. September seventh, the
army commenced its movement to encounter the enemy and on
the fourteenth he was found strongly posted at South Mountain
and Crampton's Pass. The attack was immediately ordered,
and both positions carried at the point of the bayonet, the
enemy falling back on the main body which took position on the
south side of Antietam Creek. On the seventeenth, our army
moved into position and commenced a furious attack on the
rebel right and centre. The Fourth and Sixth Maine batteries
were posted on an eminence covering the stone bridge over
which Hooker's corps had passed in the morning and Franklin's

SIXTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 421
corps later in the day. It was an important position in case of
our defeat, but as the movement proved successful the batteries
did not fire a shot. At night the rebel army commenced their
retreat and our army remained in position, firing occasional
shots and reorganizing. On the morning of the nineteenth the
rebel army had entirely disappeared from our front, and our
forward movement commenced. Finding Gen. Lee had recrossed
into Virginia, Gen. McClellan ordered our army into camp.
Two corps encamped around Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and the
remainder in Pleasant Valley, Maryland, where Gen. McClellan's
headquarters were. tThe Sixth battery encamped at Sandy
Hook, Maryland. Upon the reorganization of the army, Gen.
Banks' old corps was incorporated into the Twelfth army corps
and Gen. Slocum assigned to the command. Gen. Geary com
manded the Second division, to which the Sixth battery was
attached. During its stay at Sandy Hook it received a number
of recruits and a full section of guns, horses, harnesses and
material to replace those lost at Manassas.
When the army made its flank movement to Falmouth, the
Twelfth corps was left at Harper's Ferry to guard the valley.
Gen. Burnside had succeeded Gen. McClellan in command and
had fought the battle of Fredericksburgh.
The Sixth battery was ordered to cross the Potomac and take
position on Bolivar Heights, Virginia, covering the Winchester
Pike. The division made many reconnoissances down the
valley as far as Berryville and Winchester, but developed no
enemy. December tenth, the Twelfth corps moved to guard
the line of communications from Alexandria to Falmouth. The
First division moved to Stafford Court House, the Second
division halting at Fairfax Station. The First brigade of the
Second division with one section of the Sixth battery was
ordered to proceed to Dumfries and hold that important post.
On the morning of December twenty-seventh the enemy sud
denly appeared before the town with three thousand cavalry
and six pieces of artillery, under Stuart, and demanded the
surrender of the post. Col. Candy of the Sixty-sixth Ohio,
commanding the brigade, refused, and immediately made dis
positions for defence. After a severe fight of three hours, the
enemy were compelled to withdraw. Col. Candy spoke very
highly of the firing of the section, which prevented the cavalry

422 MAINE IN THE WAR,
from forming for a charge. Hearing the rapid artillery fire,
Lieut. Dow was permitted to take the balance of the battery to
Lieut. Rogers' assistance, and after a severe march through mud
axle deep, he arrived at Dumfries at dark and joined his com
rade amidst cheers loud and long. The division shortly after
moved to Acquia Creek, which was our base of supplies, leaving
the First brigade and the Sixth battery at Dumfries, which
immediately made preparations to resist any attack and built
winter quarters.
Lieut. Smith who had been absent on recruiting service since
the battery was at Cedar Creek, returned to the battery here,
but resigned and left for home. Lieut. Morton resigned while
the battery lay at Sandy Hook and Sergt. Orville W. Merrill
of Portland, was commissioned in his place. Lieut. Merrill
resigned while in camp at Dumfries, and Sergeants William H.
Gallison of Portland and Edward Wiggin, Jr., of Hodgdon,
were commissioned Second Lieutenants. Capt. McGilvery had
been promoted to Major during his absence and the command
of the battery devolved upon Lieut. Dow.
The battery remained at Dumfries until May twenty-seventh,
when it was ordered to report to the reserve artillery camp at
Falmouth, where it was again reduced to a four gun battery on
account of the diminished number of men. Lieutenants Galli
son and Wiggin were mustered out by order of the War
Department, on account of this reduction. June thirteenth,
the army commenced its movement toward the Potomac. On
the fifteenth the battery, which was attached to Maj. McGilvery's
brigade, arrived at Fairfax Court House, and remained till the
twenty-fourth when it marched to the Potomac and crossed at
Edward's Ferry, camped until the twenty-eighth, then marched
via Frederick and Taneytown, Maryland, to Gettysburgh, Penn
sylvania, arriving there July first. In the memorable contest
at Gettysburgh the Sixth Maine was kept in reserve until six
P. M., when the crisis of the battle had arrived. Our artillery
had been charged by the rebel infantry and forced to give way.
Many pieces were captured, while others were limbered up and
went to the rear in great confusion. Our infantry fell back to
the ridge running parallel with the Taneytown road, connecting
Little Round Top or Weed's Hill with Cemetery Hill. The
Sixth battery was posted on the only road that led from the

SIXTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 423
rebel position through our lines. The rebel infantry halted to
re-form, and their batteries took up new positions. At half past
six the final attack was made and the enemy endeavored to
pierce our lines by the road upon which the battery was posted.
For an hour the contest raged with great fury, but the Sixth
held the position. Maj. McGilvery, who, after the wounding
of Maj. Randolph, commanded all the artillery along the line,
started after another battery as the men of the Sixth were
dropping fast and their ammunition was getting short and, just
as the enemy was completely repulsed at all points, he brought
up Seely's regular battery,
The battery was highly complimented by Maj. McGilvery and
Generals Tyler and Hunt, respectively chiefs of the reserve and
army artillery, for its gallantry on this occasion. They reported
at daylight on the third for duty, and were placed on the line to
the left of Cemetery Hill supported by the First division, Second
corps. They participated in the terrific artillery duel of that
morning, and assisted in the repulse of the grand assault on
Cemetery Hill, which decided the fate of the battle and com
pelled the rebel army to re-cross the Potomac.
> Marching thence to Hagerstown, they were ordered to report
to Maj. Gen. Howard, commanding the Eleventh corps, in his
advance on Williamsport. They bivouacked at Williamsport on
the fourteenth, the enemy having crossed the Potomac. Retrac
ing their steps to Middleton, Maryland, thence to Berlin, they
returned to the artillery reserve. On the eighteenth, they
re-crossed the Potomac into Virginia, and proceeded by easy
marches to Warrenton, arriving on the twenty-fifth, remain
ing till August first, then marched to Warrenton Junction
and camped. They broke camp at the Junction, September
sixteenth; and marched to Culpepper, where they lay until
October twelfth, when they commenced their retreat to Centre
ville Heights, subsequently advancing to Brandy Station.
During the retreat the battery was ordered to the First corps
and participated in the skirmishes in which that corps was
engaged as rear guard. During this retreat the battle of Bris
toe's Station was fought and won by the Second corps. From
the first of November till the twenty-sixth, the battery was
posted by sections, along the railroad, supported by infantry to
guard the communication with Washington. November twenty-

424 MAINE IN THE WAR.
sixth it moved toward the Rapidan and crossed on the twenty-
eighth, finding the enemy strongly posted at Mine Run.
December first they recrossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford and
marched toward Brandy Station, arriving on the third. On the
eighth it was ordered to the reserve again and went into winter
quarters. Lieut. Dow was commissioned Captain and mustered
in September first, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, having
been Lieutenant commanding since December tenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-two. Large and convenient log houses were
built for officers and men, and stables for the horses. During
the winter the battery was recruited to the maximum standard.
Lieut. Wiggin had been re-commissioned a First Lieutenant,
and Sergeants Samuel Thurston and Marshall N. McKusick
were commissioned Second Lieutenants. The recruits were
constantly being drilled and the battery made efficient. In
April, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, upon the reorganization
of the army, the battery was assigned to the Second corps,
Gen. Hancock. A very high compliment was given the battery
by Col. Burton, commanding the reserve, upon its high state of
discipline and efficiency.
May third, the battery left camp near Stevensburgh at eight
P. M., and marched toward the Rapidan, crossing next morning
and bivouacking at night on the Chancellorsville battle ground.
On the fifth it broke camp at daylight and took up the line of
march toward Spottsylvania Court House. Arriving at Todd's
Tavern it was announced that the enemy was advancing rapidly
against us. The corps was formed in line of battle in the
woods where but little artillery could be used. The Second
corps line was formed on the Brock Road, extending on either
side of the Plank Road. The battery was posted on the Brock
Road with the right section on the Plank Road. The First New
Hampshire battery was posted on the left of the Sixth Maine.
A line of works had been thrown up hastily in our front, and a
second line was fbrmed, behind which the battery was posted,
out of sight of the enemy. About four o'clock the armies met
and most terrific infantry fighting ensued.
The battle ground was truly a "wilderness." At daylight,
May sixth, the battle opened fiercely and our troops had driven
the enemy two miles at ten o'clock, but were in turn forced to
retire to their own works. At four o'clock P. M., Longstreet

SIXTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 425
made his grand attack to pierce pur lines at the junction of the
Brock and Plank Roads. He advanced boldly against our
hastily constructed line of breastworks where he was checked.
But the dry logs of which the works were built caught fire, and
our troops were forced to retire.
The rebel line now quickly advanced, little dreaming of what
was in store for them. On they came with banners flying, con
fident of victory, until within two hundred yards of their goal,
when the Sixth Maine and First New Hampshire batteries
opened upon them with double shotted cannister, making great
gaps in their lines and causing the greatest consternation. In
vain they tried to re-form and advance. General field and line
officers fell beside their men and colors, while the artillery and
infantry poured volley after vdlley into the broken rebel ranks.
They could not stand such fire, and, amid a storm of shot and
shell, they sought their own lines broken and discomfited.
During the action, which lasted half an hour, our breastwork
caught fire, but the men stood to their guns till they were blist
ered, and had to be sent to hospital after the action was over.
Night coming on we lay beside our guns, and next day remained
in position repairing damages.
May eighth, at daylight, they resumed the line of march to
Todd's Tavern near which our flankers were furiously attacked,
The battery was ordered into position north of the Tavern,
where it remained until the morning of the ninth, when it relieved
the Tenth Massachusetts battery south of the Tavern, covering
the Carparthen Road. Two guns were detached for picket
duty with Col. Kitchings' brigade, about four hundred yards out
on the road. May tenth it resumed its line of march for
Spottsylvania, went into position near the. Deserted House,
and opened fire, covering the advance of the Fourth division.
At night it was ordered to report to Gen. Gibbon, Second divi
sion, on the right. It went into position and remained till night
of the eleventh, when they marched and bivouacked near the
Fifth corps hospital. On the morning of the twelfth it marched
and parked in rear of the Deserted House. At three A. M.,
the grand flank attack was made by the Second corps in which
twenty pieces of artillery, two general officers and three thou
sand five hundred prisoners were captured. The Sixth battery
hauled off six rebel guns. At eleven A. M., it advanced to the

426 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Loudon House and opened fire on the salient of the rebel line.
Lieut. Thurston was wounded by a rebel sharpshooter. During
the night of the thirteenth the enemy retired, and the battery
was ordered forward and occupied the enemy's position of the
previous day. They left position on the morning of the fifteenth,
and parked onHhe Fredericksburgh road.
On the seventeenth it turned" in one section of guns under a
General Order, reducing all six-gun batteries to four guns. On
the eighteenth it removed to the position held on the twelfth.
At noon it withdrew, marched across the Fredericksburgh road
and parked in a field till ten A. M., nineteenth, when they
marched to the Ny river and parked near the Anderson House.
When Ewell attacked our flank on the Fredericksburgh road,
the battery was ordered to proceed at quick time and report to
Gen. Tyler to assist in repelling the attack. The fight was over
before it reported, and it returned. At eleven P. M., it reported
to Gen. Tyler, commanding heavy artillery division, and marched
via Guineas' Station, Bowling Green and Milford Station, across
the Mattapony river and went into battery near Poplar Tavern.
It was in position till nine A. M., on the twenty-third, when it
marched to North Anna river and went into battery, covering
Birney's attack.on Taylor's Bridge, which position was success
fully carried. On the night of the twenty-fourth, it crossed
North Anna river and relieved Clark's New Jersey battery near
Doswell's house. At six P. M., of the twenty-fifth it opened
fire on the enemy's breastworks, driving them out, Smith's
brigade charging and capturing the works. At nine P. M., it
withdrew, and recrossed the river and went into battery covering
the pontoon bridge and at eleven A. M., on the twenty-seventh,
moved toward the Pamunkey river and crossed, and was in
position at different points on the line till night of June first,
when it moved to Coal Harbor.
In the second advance across the James river the battery
was attached to the Second division and rendered veryimportant
service in the capture of the enemy's works. On its return to
Petersburgh the battery was placed in Fort Davis on the Jeru
salem Plank Road, and took its place as one of the siege batteries.
The battery remained in Fort Davis until October twentieth,
when it was removed to Fort McGilvery (named in honor of its
former commander). Fort McGilvery overlooks the city of

SIXTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 427
Petersburgh and is situate about six hundred yards from the
rebel forts, near the Appomattox river. The battery was
engaged almost daily with the rebel batteries opposite, and
established a reputation for the accuracy of its practice.
Lieut. Wiggin resigned on the first of May, and Sergt. John
G. Deane of Portland was promoted Second Lieutenant.
The battery's original term of service expired December
thirty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, but it re-enlisted
for three years. On the twenty-ninth of November, Capt. Dow
was discharged for disability and' Lieut. Rogers was shortly
after promoted to the Captaincy. Sergt. Joseph W. Burke of
Litchfield, was commissioned Second Lieutenant, November
twenty-eighth, and has since been promoted to First Lieutenant.
Capt. McGilvery, after his promotion to field officer, was for
some time in command of the Artillery Reserve brigade with
the Army of the Potomac. He was a daring and successful
officer and distinguished himself at the battle of Gettysburgh.
At the time of his death, September seventh, eighteen hundred
and sixty-four, he had command of a hundred guns. Being
wounded in one of his fingers at Deep Bottom and it being
necessary to amputate it, chloroform was administered to him
for the purpose. .He died during the operation.

428 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXVI.
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
In the light and experience of a year's conflict, revealing the
strength and resources of the seceded States, it became clearly
manifest that the Union armies then in the field, would be
insufficient to prosecute the war successfully and restore the
republic in its former integrity.
Maine had responded promptly and fully to every call of the
President, furnishing fifteen regiments of infantry, one regi
ment of cavalry, six batteries of light artillery and a company
of rifle sharpshooters to the service, but more troops were
wanting, and there were still many good men ready to volunteer
and thus by recruiting the national armies, prevent the impend
ing draft. Therefore in May, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
some time after all recruiting had been suspended by order of
the War Department, the Governor of the State was authorized
by the general government to form a new regiment for the ser
vice of the country. This was designated the Sixteenth and
was officered in advance of its organization, as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Asa W. Wildes, Skowhegan, Colonel; Charles W. Tilden,
Castine, Lieutenant Colonel ; Augustus B. Farnham, Bangor,
Major; AbnerR. Small, Waterville, Adjutant ; Isaac N. Tucker,
Gardiner, Quartermaster; Charles Alexander, Farmington,
Surgeon; Joseph B. Baxter, Gorham, Assistant Surgeon;
George Bullen, Skowhegan, Chaplain; Francis A. Wildes,
Skowhegan, Sergeant Major; George W. Brown, Augusta,
Quartermaster Sergeant ; Charles H. Parlin, Skowhegan, Com
missary Sergeant; William W. Eaton, Brunswick, Hospital
Steward ; William H. Palmer, Calais, Drum Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A.— Charles A. Williams, Skowhegan, Captain ; S.

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 429
Forrest Robinson, Skowhegan, First Lieutenant; Isaac A. Pen
nell, New Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company B.— Charles K. Hutchins, Augusta, Captain;
Eleazer W. Atwood, Gardiner, First Lieutenant; George W.
Edwards, Gorham, Second Lieutenant.
Company C— Daniel Marston, Phillips, Captain; Hovey
Austin, Presque Isle, First Lieutenant; Marshall S. Smith,
East Livermore, Second Lieutenant.
Company D.— Moses W. Rand, Waterford, Captain; Hum
phrey E. Eustis, Dixfield, First Lieutenant; Henry P. Herrick,
North Yarmouth, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Arch D. Leavitt, Turner, Captain; William E.
Brooks, Skowhegan, First Lieutenant; William A. Stevens,
Waterville, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Thomas E. Wentworth, Gorham, Captain;
Oliver H. Lowell, Gorham, First Lieutenant ; George A. Deer-
ing, Saco, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Samuel Clifford Belcher, Farmington, Captain ;
Joseph H. Malbon, Skowhegan, First Lieutenant; Isaac H.
Thompson, Anson, Second Lieutenant.
Company H.— John Ayer, Bangor, Captain; Ira S. Libby,
Limerick, First Lieutenant ; Israel H. Washburn, Orono, Second
Lieutenant. Company I. — William H. Waldron, Lewiston, Captain; Wil
liam Bray, Turner, First Lieutenant ; Charles A. Garcelon,
Lewiston, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Stephen C. Whitehouse, Newcastle, Captain;
Augustus T. Somerby, Ellsworth, First Lieutenant; Augustus
C. Peters, Bluehill, Second Lieutenant.
From every part of the State recruits came forward to the
rendezvous at Augusta, somewhat slowly during May and June,
but under the stimulus of the President's proclamation of July
second, for "three hundred thousand more," and the bounties
thereupon offered by towns and the State, so rapidly that the
ranks were soon filled. The Lieutenant Colonel and Major had
been in service from the organization of the Second Maine.
Brave, able and patriotic officers, they were well sustained by
the enlisted men ; men who had left well-tilled farms and com
fortable homes, who had gathered from workshop and mill, from
hill and plain and forest and river, leaving all that was pleasant

430 MAINE IN THE WAR.
and dear to them, for the defence of country and liberty, men
of such intelligence and morality as do honor to any community
and form the bone and sinew of the Pine Tree State.
On the fourteenth of August the regiment was drawn up and
formally mustered into the United States service by Maj. J. W.
T. Gardiner. A few days of preparation followed, when orders
were received for the regiment to hasten to Washington. It
left Augusta on the morning of the nineteenth, leaving only
four men behind in hospital and entered Washington on the
evening of the twenty-first.
The regiment crossed the Potomac the next day, over Long
Bridge, and bivouacked four miles beyond at Camp Casey and
the next day moved to Arlington Heights and laid out camp at
Fort Tillinghast, near the former residence of the rebel general
R. E. Lee. Here heavy artillery drill was commenced in the
fort, in addition to the daily infantry drill, a house was taken
for a hospital and arrangements projected for increasing its
numbers to eighteen hundred, the requisite number for a heavy
artillery regiment. Companies were detached and sent to gar
rison three other forts in the line of works around Washington
on the south, and a chain of rifle pits to connect them was com
menced, but before completing them an order was suddenly
received to join Gen. McClellan's army, then advancing to meet
the enemy who had crossed the Potomac and were threatening
Pennsylvania. On the night of the sixth of September, the
regiment was collected at Fort Tillinghast and at daylight next
morning crossed the Potomac in light marching order and took
the road to Leesborough. The knapsacks and overcoats were
left at the fort under guard and subsequently stored in Wash
ington. The sick remained under charge of the Surgeon and
in a few days were sent to the general hospital.
Owing to their inexperience and the excessive heat, the men
were severely tried by the first day's march, and made the fif
teen miles to Leesborough with much difficulty. They con
tinued the advance next day and reached Ridgeville, Mary
land, on the eleventh, at which place they were assigned to
Gen. Hartsuff's brigade, and remained until the seventeenth,
when they were ordered forward to Frederick City and thence
through South Mountain Pass to Sharpsburgh.
Soon after leaving Frederick, Col. Wildes, who had been

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 431
indisposed several days, became so unwell as to be obliged to
return. His resignation which had been tendered several days
before, was accepted, to date from the eleventh, but at his
request, and by a vote of the officers, he was reinstated on the
twenty-fifth, though still absent sick.
After various changes in location the brigade encamped near
the Potomac, three miles west of Sharpsburgh. The other reg
iments that had been longer in service, were well supplied with
clothing and camp equipage, but the Sixteenth, having left their
Sibley tents at Arlington Heights, had not even a single piece
of shelter tent to protect them from cold and storm. The days
were still warm, but the nights were chill and frosty. The
only covering the men had was such as they had constructed of
boughs and occasionally of cornstalks gathered from the neigh
boring fields, through which the rain penetrated as easily as the
cold. The rations issued were poor and often insufficient. All
the baggage still remained at Washington, from the inability of
the quartermaster to obtain it. None had a change of clothing,
and filth and vermin began to prevail. The number of sick
increased daily, and, although the surgeon and assistant surgeon
were with the regiment, almost no medicines were furnished
till the middle of October, and the only shelter they could pro
cure for the sick, was formed by the flies taken from the officers
tents. A general hospital was established at Smoketown,
where the severest cases were sent, rarely to return. The reg
iment had diminished to less than seven hundred men, and of
these two hundred and fifty were at one time on the sick list,
seventy being in the regimental hospital. It is not strange that
under such influences, uncleanliness, gloom and despondency
prevailed. Some fell victims to homesickness, a disease so
fearful in its severer type. The contrast with their former life
made this state of, privation and exposure more unbearable;
weaker constitutions succumbed at once, the stronger bore
up for a while, but the full fruits of those days were yet to be
gathered. Lieut. Col. Tilden, commanding the regiment, made every
exertion to better this condition of affairs and dispatched an
officer to Washington to bring up the baggage and clothing,
but without avail. The army was being fitted out to pursue
Gen. Lee, and anything out of the regular military channel

432 MAINE IN THE WAR.
received no consideration. Under such circumstances, march
ing orders were received and the regiment broke camp on the
twenty-eighth of October under a heavy rain, passed through
Sharpsburgh and Rohrersville, halting at night in the woods of
Crampton Gap. Capt. Williams of company A, was taken'sick
and conveyed to a citizen's house where he died a few days
after. The suffering of that night will never be forgotten by
the men who, exposed to the drenching rain and piercing wind,
could neither maintain the fires necessary to keep them warm,
nor lose in sleep the consciousness of their condition. With
morning the march was resumed via Burkettsville to near Ber
lin, where the army was massed. On the thirtieth and thirty-first
of October the men drew shoes and shelter tents and on the
first of November, the more severely sick, about fifty in number,
were sent to Washington and the regiment with its brigade
crossed the Potomac at Berlin. Thence the route led through
Lovettsville, Waterford, Middlebury and White Plains to
Warrenton where they arrived November seventh, in the midst
of a heavy snow storm. Here Capt. Whitehouse of company
K, was left sick. The night of the tenth a forced march was
made to Rappahannock Station, where the rebels had a small
force on the northern bank of the river. These were quickly
dispersed, and their camp destroyed. The brigade being ordered
to hold that point, went into camp near the bridge. Rations
were abundant and shelter sufficient, but neither overcoats nor
under clothing arrived, and so many were destitute that whole
companies were relieved from duty. The sick list was still
excessively large, although many had been sent away. A com
mission to investigate the matter found everything being done
that was possible under the circumstances. On the nineteenth
the regiment was transferred to the First brigade and ordered
to report to Col. Root commanding, then stationed at Bealeton.
Dr. Hunter, Second Assistant Surgeon, here joined the regi
ment. Next day they marched to Morrisville and on the next
to Stafford Court House, camping on the twenty-fourth near
Brooks' Station on the Acquia Creek and Falmouth railroad.
Both the State and National Thanksgiving day occurred on the
twenty-seventh, and as if to make it more joyful and memorable
to the men, their knapsacks and overcoats that day arrived from
Washington. Seldom have men greater cause for thanksgiv-

. SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 433
ing than the Sixteenth had that day. The overcoats gave
warmth and a respectable appearance, while the knapsacks
contained the under clothing to take the place of what had been
worn eleven weeks. There, too, were the little conveniences
they brought from home, pictures of loved ones, letters, sta
tionery and all those cherished things that a soldier clings to,
as mementoes of his absent friends or relics of his former peace-
life. A better feeling succeeded to the former despondency.
State and personal pride could ill brook the disgrace that had
fallen upon the command, and all felt that the stain must be
wiped out, even, if need be, in blood. So when the order came
to march to the front at Fredericksburgh, it was not wholly
unwelcome. Breaking camp on the eleventh of December, the
regiment marched to near Falmouth, bivouacked for the night
and next day crossed the river and took position on the left in
Gen. Franklin's grand division. The battle opened along the
entire line on the morning of the thirteenth. At first the regi
ment was not engaged though exposed to severe shelling ; but
at noon the brigade was ordered to charge the works in front.
The ground was a ploughed field, soft and wet ; it was a half
mile to the Bowling Green Pike, then nearly as far to the rail
road, beyond which was the wooded slope crowned by the rebel
batteries, whose shot and shell swept every part of the plain.
Lieut. Col. Tilden was in command, Col. Wildes still being
absent. The Sixteenth held the centre of the line of battle with
the Ninety-fourth New York in the rear to prevent straggling.
Quickly and firmly the line advances ; iron death-bolts shriek in
the air and burst around ; bullets hiss and whistle by, but above
the roar of battle rings the inspiring war cry. Only the dead
and wounded halt. The pike is reached and crossed, then the
ground descends to the railroad behind whose embankment lies
the foe. The storm thickens. Veteran troops, who know the
danger, falter and fall behind, still onward, in perfect order,
sweeps the Sixteenth. Fear and doubt are swallowed up in
firm resolve and deep enthusiasm; no stay, no tarrying, till
with fixed bayonets the railroad is reached and the rebel line is
scattered or captured, hundreds of prisoners are sent to the
rear, and again the fearless band, alone and unsupported, pass
to the woods in which the routed foe is re-forming. Steadily
they load and fire, vainly hoping for support and reinforcements.
28

434 MAINE IN THE WAR. y
To advance would be certain capture, to remain, sure destruc
tion. Reluctantly the order to withdraw is obeyed and sullenly
the victors retire over the field they had so gloriously won, while
the enemy concentrating a deadly fire from either flank, make
the return more deadly than the advance.
The loss of the regiment is sufficient proof of its valor. Of
the force that entered the fight nearly fifty per cent, was killed
and wounded, the whole list of casualties being two hundred
and twenty-six, half the loss in the brigade. The past was re
deemed. The Pine Tree State could well be proud of her soldier
sons who that day gained from Gen. Burnside, commanding the
army, this praise; "Whatever honor we can claim in that con
test, was won by Maine men."
The fourteenth was spent in skirmishing and under cover of
night the army withdrew to the northern bank of the river and
in a few days were ordered into winter quarters. The Sixteenth
was located near Fletcher's Chapel in the lower part of Stafford
County with a base of supplies at Belle Plain. The Chapel
was occupied as a hospital and filled with sick, the victims of
the former exposure and want, the fell effects of which were
seen in the unusual mortality in the cases of amputation, eight
in nine proving fatal. A general . hospital was established on
Windmill Point, near Acquia Creek, where the sick were sent
when the fruitless advance of January twentieth was made. A
little row of headstones near the Chapel and on the Point,
marks the last resting place of numbers of the Sixteenth.
During the winter months the regiment was thoroughly
drilled and its effectiveness largely increased. Col. Wildes,
who had not rejoined his command since his illness in Septem
ber, resigned on the eighth of January, and on the fifth of
February Lieut. Col. Tilden was promoted to the vacancy, Maj.
Farnham to the Lieutenant Colonelcy and Capt. Leavitt of
company E to the Majority. Hospital Steward Eaton was also
at the same date commissioned Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Hunter
having resigned. A band was formed during the winter, the
necessary instruments being purchased by the officers.
Gen. Burnside was superseded in the command of the army
by Gen. Hooker, who brought it into the finest condition it had
ever known. In the new arrangement of corps, the Sixteenth
was assigned to the First corps, (Gen. Reynolds,) Second

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 435
division, (Gen. Robinson,) First brigade, (Col. Root). The
spring campaign opened on the twenty-ninth of April. Next
day the regiment crossed the Rappahannock, three miles below
Fredericksburgh, the main army making a flank movement by
the way of Chancellorsville and on the second of May the regi
ment made a forced march to the extreme right near that place,
the First corps relieving the Eleventh, that had been routed.
A night attack was ordered, but the enemy withdrawing, no
action ensued. May third, fourth and fifth they were occupied
in intrenching and changing positions. The night of the fifth
was cold and rainy and in the darkness the army recrossed the
river, returning next day to near its old position. The new
location of the Sixteenth was near White Oak Church.
For a month the army remained comparatively quiet, when
the rebel movement towards Pennsylvania compelled a counter
stroke of the Union forces. On the twelfth of June the regiment
broke camp and marching by way of Rappahannock Station,
Bull Run Creek and battle field, Manassas Junction, Centreville,
Frederick City, Emmettsburgh, &c, reached Gettysburgh on
the first of July. At ten A. M., they were in sight of the
battle field where Gen. Reynolds had just been killed. The
First and Third divisions were already actively engaged and
the Second division was at ogee hurried forward to their sup
port. Leaving the town to the right it advanced and took
position along a range of hills west of the town. A hasty
barricade was thrown up, but without benefit, as the disposition
of the enemy's forces necessitated a movement further to the
right. Here the Sixteenth became engaged with the foe, each
behind a rail fence and about two hundred yards apart. The
rebels fired high doing little damage, while they met with heavy
loss, so that when shortly after a charge was made by the
regiment, few were found to offer opposition or retreat. Return
ing frorrt the charge, the regiment moved again to the right
and fought with the rest of the division until flanked and over
powered by numbers. Then, when the whole force was falling
back, Gen. Robinson, in order to save as much as possible of
the division, ordered Col. Tilden to again "advance and hold
the hill at any cost!" It was done but less than forty men
escaped to rejoin the division near Cemetery Hill.
Faithfully the little remnant fought and labored during the

436 MAINE IN THE WAR.
remaining battle days. The second day, one of our batteries
had lost so heavily in men and horses that it could not be
removed and was exposed to capture. A rebel brigade ad
vanced for the purpose at the same time that the remnant of the
Second division was sent to its support. Meeting near the
guns, the rebel advance, nearly a thousand men with thirteen
stand of colors, passed into the Union ranks and was made
prisoners. At this time Maj. Leavitt, who had been absent
sick, returned and assumed command. The Colonel was taken
prisoner, the colors destroyed to prevent' capture, Captains
Lowell and Whitehouse killed, Capt. Waldron, Surgeon Alex
ander and other officers wounded, and the whole loss in killed,
wounded and missing, eighty-five per cent, of the force engaged.
Capt. Waldron' s wound prevented him from returning to the
service. On the sixth, the regiment, if forty men can be called such,
returned to Emmettsburgh. Thence marching through Middle-
town, Boonsborough, Funkstown (where strong earthworks
were thrown up and battle threatened), Sharpsburgh and Peters-
ville, crossed the Potomac at Berlin on the eighteenth and
reached Warrenton Junction the twenty-fifth, where Lieut. Col.
Farnham, who had been absent sick, and Chaplain Bullen who
had remained with the wounded at Gettysburgh, rejoined the
command. The same night they proceeded to Bealton, and the
following evening to Rappahannock Station. The railroad
bridge had been burned and the enemy was entrenched on the
opposite side. Our troops encamped and threw up a line of
earthworks along the river banks. Occasional picket firing was
indulged in but no fighting until August first, when the pontoon
train having arrived, a bridge was laid and the river crossed at
early light, the rebels fleeing at the first discharge leaving a
few prisoners and two killed. There was no Union loss. After
crossing, the whole brigade advanced nearly to Brandy Station,
then fell back to the high land south of the river and threw up
intrenchments. The regiment occupied its assigned position
for a week when it was ordered to recross the river and encamp
in a belt of woods one fourth of a mile north of the bridge.
While in this location, the Sixteenth received an addition of
one hundred and sixty-eight recruits, who soon became skillful
and efficient soldiers. At this time Assistant Surgeon Baxter

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 437
was detailed in the division hospital and has not since been
on duty with the regiment being now detached in corps hos
pital. September seventeenth the sick and wounded were sent
to Washington, and the brigade crossing the Rappahannock
proceeded without opposition by the way of Stevensburgh to
near Culpepper and camped at the base of Poney Mountain.
Drill and discipline were strictly enforced. On the twenty-fourth
Dr. Alexander, having recovered from his wound, rejoined the
regiment. On the twenty-seventh they broke camp at daylight
and marched southwardly nearly to Raccoon Ford on the Rapi
dan river, pitching camp that night in a large oak and maple
forest on ground, wet, level and malarious. The health of the
regiment would soon have suffered, but at the end of a week a
new camp was located one mile to the west on elevated and
well-drained ground. Here on the seventh of October, the
regiment was again increased in numbers by receiving three
hundred and thirty-nine drafted men, substitutes and volunteers.
While here Chaplain Bullen resigned.
Scarcely were the new recruits assigned, to companies when
marching orders came, and on the night of the ninth the brigade
broke camp and moved quickly down the river to near Germania
Ford, where next day a strong demonstration of crossing was
made in order to mislead the rebels who were attempting a
flank movement on Washington. The feint served its purpose,
and under the cover of night the whole force was withdrawn
and at early dawn halted two miles east of Culpepper. As
soon as the stores and rolling stock could be removed from the
town the onward movement began. The regiment moved at
noon and crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford in the
evening, the men fording the stream three feet deep. Resting
that night and next day, they received rations and on the
thirteenth at two A. M., began a forced march towards Wash
ington. Bivouacking at Bristoe's Station, they marched again
at daylight, reached Centreville at noon and occupied the
intrenchments till near night, then advanced by the Warrenton
Pike to the Bull Run stream, threw up breastworks and slept
on their arms. Marching and countermarching, they reached
Bristoe's Station on the twenty-second, the men suffering much
from the cold and wet from crossing the swollen streams. often
knee deep.

438 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The usual routine of camp life ensued till the November
movement against the enemy then securely completing winter
quarters, to be occupied by the Federal troops. In the advance
the First brigade was in the left wing that crossed at Kelly's
Ford. The regiment broke camp at early light, November
feeventh, and moving through Morrisville, Brandy Station, Beale
ton, &c, reached Liberty soon after midnight and next day chose
a good position and erected comfortable barracks, as the regi
ment was to remain on outpost duty.
November twenty-third the command moved at daylight and
on the twenty-fifth crossed the Rapidan on pontoons at Gold
Mine Ford, and bivouacked on the high hills forming the southern
bank of the river. On the twenty-seventh their advance began
at daylight. The regiment moved slowly, being detailed to
protect the wagon train. Passing Wilderness Church, the
march was by the plank road leading to Orange Court House.
At nine P. M., they bivouacked near Robinson's Tavern. On
the thirtieth the brigade was temporarily assigned to the First
division, Fifth army corps. All arrangements for a general
attack had been made, knapsacks were unslung and only the
order awaited for a charge across the stream and against the
formidable rebel works extending along the crest of the hills
beyond. This was a trying moment to the men of the Sixteenth, as
most of them had never before been in battle, but every one
stood bravely up to the work. The artillery opened briskly,
but for some good reason the order to charge was withheld and
thousands of lives saved. The regiment lay in line of battle
that day and night and was relieved on the morning of Decem
ber first and withdrawn to the rear after sending out one hun
dred skirmishers with Lieut. Col. Farnham as division officer of
the picket line. The cold was intense and the rations scanty.
The whole army was suffering much and more must be endured
before camp could be reached. At sunset the withdrawal began
and next day they recrossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford and
continued to march to Stevensburgh where the troops camped
till assigned a location for winter quarters. On the third the
brigade was ordered to Kelly's Ford and a winter camp arranged.
The position was well chosen. The soil was sandy and easily
drained; wood was plenty, springs of water near at hand and

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY 439
to add to the attractions of the place, the rebel barracks still
remained to furnish lumber for their winter homes, which were
commenced and hurried forward at once. But scarcely were
they completed when an order was received for the brigade to
march to Mitchell's Station on the Orange and Alexandria rail
road. On the twenty-fourth, the regiment broke camp at
sunrise, and passing through Culpepper, bivouacked four miles
beyond in a marshy forest, where a cold and comfortless Christ
mas was passed. Next day the brigade moved on to Mitchell's
Station, where winter quarters were selected and a new camp
laid out, but not till nearly a week of heavy rain and deep mud
had added still more to the exposure and suffering of the troops,
the effects of which were seen in the large sick reports of
January and February, and the increased mortality of the closing
month of eighteen hundred and sixty-three and the opening of
eighteen hundred and sixty-four.
The winter months passed pleasantly, and the regiment was
not once called upon to break camp although in close proximity
to the enemy's lines. The health and efficiency of the recruits
received in the fall constantly improved. In February Rev.
Mr. Balkam, who had been appointed Chaplain, joined the
regiment, remaining with it until the next autumn, when he
resigned, to the great regret of officers and men. March twenty-
sixth the First corps was ordered to be consolidated with the
Fifth, though the Second division and First brigade remained
the same in number and organization.
On the twenty-eighth, the command was rejoiced by the safe
return of Col. Tilden, after an absence of nine months, passed
for the most part in the notorious Libby Prison at Richmond,
from which he made his escape through the famous tunnel. His
return was made the occasion of an expression of the esteem in
which he was held by the regiment, the men presenting him
with a handsome black steed and trappings, and the officers
providing a rich and bountiful collation, at which all the field
officers of the brigade were present.
April twenty-second, fifty men were transferred to the navy
and veteran reserve corps.
On the third of May marching orders were received, and at
two o'clock on the morning of the fourth the regiment, part
being on picket, with the rest of the brigade broke camp and

440 0 MAINE IN THE WAR.
took the road to Culpepper; thence moving on, crossed the
Rapidan at four P. M., at Germania Ford, and bivouacked that
night near Wilderness Church, after a march of twenty-five
miles, which was very fatiguing, as the men were heavily load
ed and unused to marching, and they threw away many blankets
and overcoats. On the morning of the fifth, reveille sounded at
four o'clock, and the brigade moved forward about a mile to the
Lacey House, where they halted and rested till near noon, when
the engagement became general. The brigade formed line of
battle, advanced across the field and woods and by the Orange
Court House road about a mile, where they found the rebels in
strong force, with artillery so planted as to command the road,
and having much the advantage in position. Within short
range of this battery, the woods terminated in an open field, to
the border of which the Sixteenth advanced and held the point
till about sunset, when a charge was ordered and partially
obeyed, but with no real advantage. The line was then re
formed at the edge of the woods, and repulsed every attack of
the enemy till relieved and sent to the rear at daylight the next
morning. A portion of the Sixth corps was afterwards driven
from the same ground. After breakfast the brigade again ad
vanced to nearly the old position, but was shortly withdrawn
and sent to the extreme left, on the Fredericksburgh and Orange
plank road, where the rebels had been pressing heavily, and
where breastworks were built under active skirmishing. Thus
far the loss was slight. From here the regiment advanced with
the army, skirmishing, entrenching, making day and night
marches, and taking part in pitched battles with the enemy,
during the whole of that terrible campaign. On the eighth they
were led, at four o'clock in the morning, by Gen. Robinson, in
the charge that was made near Spottsylvania Court House.
Irresistibly the division swept on over every work and obstruc
tion for full two miles, and nearly to the Court House, when
Gen. Robinson was wounded, and the exhausted troops encoun
tering strong intrenchments and fresh troops, the line was
withdrawn a short distance and re-formed. The regiment and
division had done all that men could do, but the rebel works
were too powerful and strongly manned to be carried by a single
division, however brave. The regiment lost nearly one hundred
men. Capt. Belcher and Lieut. Fowler were so severely woun-

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 441
ded that they never returned to the regiment, but were subse
quently discharged for disability from wounds received in action.
Lieut. Richards was wounded and taken prisoner. In losing
Gen. Robinson, the division was not only deprived of a brave
and able officer, but being without a proper commander was
ordered from point to point, wherever an additional force was
needed, and sometimes was forced into service that it otherwise
would have escaped. Moving on with the army, the regiment
was in the battle of Laurel Hill, on the tenth. It was in the
breastworks, thrown up the night before, until eleven A. M.,
when it was ordered to the left and centre, and took part in the
day's engagement that culminated in a general charge on the
rebel works, about seven o'clock at night, though without suc
cess, and with a loss of about fifty men and four officers. The
brigade was now temporarily assigned to the First division, Gen.
Cutler's. On the twelfth they were fighting till three o'clock
P. M., when the brigade charged'the rebel works without carry
ing them. In this charge Maj. Leavitt was mortally wounded
by a musket ball passing through his chest. He was carried to
Washington, where he died. He was one of earth's truest men
and bravest soldiers, and his noble virtues and manly qualities
had endeared him to every heart. June twenty-second, Capt.
Belcher of company G was commissioned Major, but was never
mustered as such.
Moving byway of Guinea Station, Carmel Church, &c, they
reached Jericho Ford, on the North Anna river, the twenty-
third, where they crossed with slight opposition, but scarcely
had the Second division crossed to the support of the First
when the rebels made a sudden and vigorous attack and at the
same time their batteries opened a hot fire of case shot and
shell with the evident design of capturing our troops or sweep
ing them into the river, in the disorder of crossing; but the
excellent disposition of our batteries, with the skillful and rapid
arrangement of the infantry to meet the assault, foiled the
attempt and hurled back the foe in wild confusion and with
heavy loss. For this affair, brief but brilliant, the troops
received a congratulatory order from Gen. Meade. Skirmish
ing along till the night of the twenty-sixth they recrossed the
river, marched through Mongohick, down the Pamunkey to
Hanovertown where the -regiment crossed on the twenty-eighth;

442 MAINE IN THE WAR.
had a skirmish near Bethesda Church on the thirtieth, were
continually exposed to shelling, and on the fifth of June made a
night march of five miles to Coal Harbor, where the whole corps
was put in reserve. Part of the regiment that had been left on
the skirmish line near Bethesda Church was captured. On the
eighth the First brigade was transferred from the Second division
to the Third, under General Crawford. At noon of the eleventh
they camped within two miles of Bottom's Bridge over the
Chickahominy, and next day pressed forward to White Oak
Swamp and formed line of battle. Only the Third division was
sent to make a demonstration towards Richmond while the
main part of the army should move farther down and cross the
James river at Charles City Court House. They crossed the
James by steamer on the sixteenth, and, halting till afternoon,
pressed forward rapidly to near Petersburgh, halting at three
o'clock the next morning. At daylight they advanced to the
support of the Ninth corps and were under fire all day. At
night they participated in a charge on the rebel works which
was but partially successful.
In the assault that was made on the eighteenth the brigade
advanced nearly a mile, forcing back the rebels and gaining
possession of the Norfolk railroad within a mile and a half of
the city. The regiment obtained a position which has since
been held, but beyond which no advance has been made. Earth
works were thrown up and the place made secure against
attack, but any exposure of person was greeted by bullets from
rebel sharpshooters. Capt. Stevens of company. E, was shot
on the nineteenth while quietly reading behind the works, and
the regiment suffered daily loss till relieved and sent farther to
the left.
August fifteenth the whole Corps was withdrawn to the rear
in anticipation of the attack upon the Weldon railroad on the
eighteenth, and moved to Yellow House, five miles south of
Petersburgh. The line of battle was formed by the Second
division west of the railroad and the Third on the eastern side.
The Sixteenth was formed on the extreme left of the Third
division and should have connected with the right of the Second
division, but a vigorous attack from the enemy forced it back in
some confusion, thus exposing its flank and rear at the same
time that an assault was made in front. The ,regiment was

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 443
withdrawn a short distance and re-established the line of battle.
In doing this the Sixteenth lost a number of officers and men
as prisoners, about thirty wounded and Sergt. Maj. Edwin C.
Stevens killed. A genial friend, a brave soldier, an unfaltering
patriot, his was a soldier's death.
The advance of the rebels was checked and they fell back
beyond the woods in which the contest had taken place. On
' the nineteenth, the enemy reinforced, made a heavy attack
along the whole line, under which the skirmish line which was
without breastworks, gave way and allowed a large force to
advance unperceived in the dense wood to the rear of the line
of battle then hotly engaged. The First brigade had repulsed
two direct assaults when the foe appeared in the rear and close
at hand. In the confused struggle that followed, portions of
each regiment escaped but the greater part were taken prisoners.
Less than a hundred men of the Sixteenth with two officers
re-formed in the open field that evening. The prisoners were
closely guarded by the rebels but just as they were to enter the
cars for Richmond, Col. Tilden and Lieut. Davis of company K,
sprang into the bushes and after many hair-breadth escapes,
succeeded in passing through the lines and rejoining the com
mand on the twenty-second.
August twenty-first was made the third and last assault of
the enemy at this point with, to him, heavy loss. Shortly after,
the Third division was withdrawn from the front and completely
reorganized and the Sixteenth was assigned to the Second
brigade. The usual routine of camp life continued until Septem
ber fifteenth when a successful reconnoissance was made by the
brigade in the direction of the Southside railroad to ascertain
the position and works of the enemy in that direction. Next
day the Sixteenth was assigned to garrison duty in Fort Wads-
worth on the Weldon railroad. The fort then unfinished was
soon completed and occupied by the regiment till the Fifth was
relieved by the Sixth corps, nearly three months.
October eleventh, the regiment received ninety recruits and
an officered company of eighty-five, under Capt. Hildreth, which
had been raised in Maine, and assigned to the Sixteenth as com
pany A. On the twenth-seventh, eighty-seven more men were
received, and December seventeenth a fourth detachment of
eighty-five. Surgeon Alexander was discharged for disability in

444 MAINE IN THE WAR.
November, and Assistant Surgeon Eaton, who left the State as
hospital steward, was promoted to be surgeon. Adjut. Small
was commissioned Major on the thirty-first of October, but being
a prisoner has not yet been mustered on his promotion.
December fifth, the regiment was relieved from duty at the
fort, and ordered to the rear, bivouacking near the Jerusalem
plank road. On the seventh, taking Sussex Court House road,
they crossed the Nottoway river at Blackman's Ford, and bivou
acked two miles from the court house. They reached the Wel
don railroad the next afternoon. In the work of destruction,
which was rapid and complete, the regiment was engaged till
midnight and a part of the day following. On the tenth, the
return commenced, the Second brigade being detailed as rear
guard, and covered by a small regiment of cavalry, which about
noon was attacked by a mounted force of the enemy and driven
in confusion upon and through the brigade. Two companies of
the Sixteenth repulsed the rebel charge without loss. Next day
they re-crossed the Nottoway and returned to their old position,
having been absent six days, marched eighty miles, destroyed
twenty miles of track and much valuable property, with a loss
to the regiment of four men taken prisoners.
The lateness of the season and inclemency of the weather ren
dering it probable that no further land movements would be at
tempted till spring, a favorable camp ground was selected and
winter quarters erected. The barracks, the third and probably
the last to be built by the Sixteenth, will suffer nothing by com
parison with any camp in the army, and display the genius and
skill of the noble sons of Maine. Quietly settled in winter
quarters, the regiment is daily improving in everything essen
tial to military efficiency.
The following complete summary of changes in the regiment
from August eighteen hundred and sixty-two to January eigh
teen hundred and sixty-five, will be of interest: Officers;
number commissioned at organization of the regiment, thirty-
eight; since promoted from ranks, twenty-eight; added by
assignment, three; added from civil life, two; total commis
sioned, seventy-one. Number discharged for disability, twenty-
three; resigned three; commission revoked, one; discharged
for promotion, one ; died in action or of wounds received there,
nine ; died of disease, two ; still in commission, present and

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 445
absent, thirty-two. Total, seventy-one. Enlisted men : whole
number, present and absent in August, eighteen hundred
and sixty -two, nine hundred and forty-four ; recruits received,
seven hundred and ninety-nine; number in company assigned,
eighty-five; transferred, thirty-one; returned from missing in
action, one hundred and seventy-three; returned from de
sertion, sixty-five; total, two thousand and ninety-seven.
Number discharged for disability, two hundred and forty-eight;
discharged by order, fifty-four ; by civil authority, one ; trans
ferred, one hundred and eighteen ; died in action or of wounds
received there, ninety-six ; died of disease, one hundred and
forty-eight ; missing in action, three hundred and eighty-three ;
deserted, one hundred and sixty-two ; total loss since organiza
tion, twelve hundred and ten ; whole number remaining, present
and absent, eight hundred and eighty-seven ; aggregate, two
thousand and ninety-seven. The number of officers wounded
in action is twenty-three ; number of enlisted men, wounded in
action, three hundred and ninety-five.

446 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXVII.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised by enlistments mainly from the
counties of York, Cumberland, Androscoggin and Oxford, dur
ing the last week of July and the first two weeks of August,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two. Its original organization was
as follows: FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Thomas A. Roberts, Portland, Colonel ; Charles B. Merrill,
Portland, Lieutenant Colonel ; George W. West, Fort Kent,
Major; Charles W. Roberts, Portland, Adjutant; Jacob T.
Waterhouse, Portland, Quartermaster; Henry L. K. Wiggin,
Auburn, Surgeon; William Wescott, Standish, Assistant Sur
geon; Paschal P. Ingalls, Casco, Assistant Surgeon; Harvey
Hersey, Portland, Chaplain. COMPANY OFFICERS. ,
Company A. — William H. Savage, Portland, Captain; Charles
P. Mattocks, Portland, First Lieutenant; James M. Brown,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — George W. Martin, Portland, Captain; Wil
liam M. Jenkins, Fryeburgh, First Lieutenant; Benjamin C.
Pennell, Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Augustus Goldermann, Minot, Captain; Otho
W. Burnham, Poland, First Lieutenant; Joseph A. Perry, Port
land, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Isaac S. Faunce, Lewiston, Captain; Milton
M. Young, Lewiston, First Lieutenant; John C. Perry, Port
land, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Ellis M. Sawyer, Cape Elizabeth, Captain;
George W. Fickett, Cape Elizabeth, First Lieutenant ; William
Roberts, Yarmouth, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Albion Hersey, Augusta, Captain; Uriah W.

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 447
Briggs, Augusta, First Lieutenant ; James M. Safford, Augusta,
Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Edward J. Merrill, Farmington, Captain; Ben
jamin G. Ames, Phillips, First Lieutenant ; Prescott Newman,
Phillips, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Almon L. Fogg, Westbrook, Captain; Dudley
H. Johnson, Presque Isle, First Lieutenant; Edward. Moore,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — William Hobson, Saco, Captain; Putnam S.
Boothby, Biddeford, First Lieutenant ; James 0. Thompson, Port
land, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Andrew J. Stimson, Kittery, Captain; John
P. Swasey, Canton, First Lieutenant; Madison K. Mabry,
Hiram, Second Lieutenant.
It was mustered into the service of the United States at
Camp King, Cape Elizabeth, on the eighteenth of August,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, by Maj. J. W. T. Gardiner, U.
S. Dragoons, and left the State three days afterwards, with full
ranks, reaching Washington on the twenty-third. Here it was
ordered into the line of forts on the east side of the Anacostia
and north side of the Potomac rivers, and remained there doing
garrison duty and perfecting itself in drills, both of heavy artil
lery and infantry, until the seventh of October, when it marched
across Long Bridge, and that night bivouacked for the first time
in Virginia. The next day it reached Upton's Hill and there
joined the Third brigade, (Gen. Berry's) of the First division,
(Gen. Birney's) of the Third army corps, then commanded by
Maj. Gen. Stoneman.
The next move took it again across the Potomac into Mary
land. Going into camp near Edwards' Ferry, on the twelfth of
October, the time was very carefully deVoted to drills, till the
campaign of the winter of eighteen hundred and sixty-two and
sixty-three, commenced. On the twenty-eighth of October the
division broke camp and marching to White's Ford, forded the
Potomac at that point. From this place the march was con
tinued by way of Leesburgh, Salem and Middleburgh to War
renton. Near this point an engagement was expected, but
none took place, and after a halt of a few days the column
again started and on the twenty-second of November, reached
Falmouth, on the north side of the Rappahannock river. Here

448 MAINE IN THE WAR. I
the troops went into camp and protected themselves as well as
possible from the severity of the weather. A great number of
the men were taken sick. A few deaths occurred, but for the
most part the sickness was that consequent upon being tough
ened into hardy soldiers.
On the eleventh of December they broke camp and marched
to the river Opposite Fredericksburgh, where they remained
during the day and night, whilst the city was being shelled and
a crossing effected. On the twelfth the division was sent to the
extreme left of our lines* not crossing the river. Early on the
morning • of the thirteenth, the troops were under arms arid
about noon of that day the division, commanded by Gen. Bir
ney, crossed the Rappahannock on pontoons and hurried to the
scene of conflict, remaining upon the battle field about fifty-six
hours, the greater part of the time exposed to musketry and
shot and shell. An effort was made on the part of the enemy
to take a battery of ours, supported by the Seventeenth. The
regiment, numbering at that time about six hundred and twenty-
five muskets, under the personal eye of Gen. Berry, made a
counter assault and drove them quickly back to their intrench
ments. Gen. Berry afterwards complimented the regiment for
its steadiness under fire for the first time. In this engagement
the regiment lost two men killed and nineteen wounded.
On the night of the fifteenth they recrossed the river and
were immediately ordered to prepare comfortable winter quart
ers. They remained in camp with nothing of particular inter
est to record, excepting that it took part in the abortive at
tempt of Gen. Burnside, on the twenty-first of January, eigh
teen hundred and sixty-three. From the time the regiment
went into camp, to the first of April, many men died from
disease. It was the first winter "out," and there was a larger
proportion rendered unfit for duty, than at any subsequent period
in its history.
About the first of April the camp was changed and a new
one made, acknowledged by many to be the best in the army.
It was named in honor of the distinguished General then
commanding the Third corps, " Camp Sickles." On the twenty-
eighth they broke camp and marched down the Rappahannock
some three miles below Falmouth where a feint was made by a
portion of the army upon the enemy's lines. They remained

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 449
there till the afternoon of the thirtieth, when the Third corps
marched rapidly up the river about fifteen miles. The next
morning they crossed on pontoons and moved to the immediate
vicinity of Chancellorsville House.
The battle of Chancellorsville began on the afternoon of the
first day of May. The division was placed in position along
the plank road leading from Petersburgh to Orange Court
House and there bivouacked for the night. At about one o'clock
P. M., of the second, the division advanced, became engaged
and drove the enemy several miles. This was known as the
battle of the Cedars. Many prisoners were captured from the
enemy with very slight loss on our side. Just before dark the
division was recalled in consequence of a successful assault of
the enemy upon the right flank of the army.
Returning to a field near the plank road, the division was
ordered to make a night attack upon the enemy, to open com
munication with other parts of the line. The advance began
at about midnight and was in a great measure successful. The
Seventeenth drew off a gun which the enemy took in the after
noon and which was retaken by our side. It was during this
midnight assault that the rebel Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson
received his fatal wound.
At dawn of day on the third the enemy made a terrific attack
upon our position while the division was forming in line of
battle. The lines were quickly formed under a hot fire, and it
fell to the Seventeenth to support a battery placed at the front.
The regiment lay under heavy fire, exposed to' the full view of
the enemy's gunners from daylight till nearly noon, at which
time a new line was established, and the division had the honor
of being placed in the very front. Here breastworks were
thrown up, an attack being expected and the men lay on their
arms till the morning of the sixth, when the army recrossed the
river at United States Ford and returned to the old camp
around Falmouth. ,
In this battle, First Lieut. D. H. Johnson of company H,
was instantly killed by a musket shot ; Capt. Augustus Golder-
marin of company C, at the time acting as field officer, Capt.
Edward J. Merrill of company G, First Lieut. James M. Brown
of company A, and Second Lieut. Thomas A. Lord of company
K, were severely wounded, and First Lieut. P. S. Boothby of
29

450 MAINE IN THE WAR.
company I, was slightly wounded. Of the enlisted men there
were three killed, fifty-nine wounded and forty-five missing.
About the last of May, Col. Roberts was obliged to resign
on account of ill health, and the command of the regiment
devolved upon Lieut. Col. C. B. Merrill.
On the eleventh of June they broke camp and reached Beale
ton Station the next day. On the fourteenth they marched
nearly to Catlett's Station, thence the next day marched to the
first Bull Run battle field near Manassas Junction, where the
brigade was placed on picket. On the seventeenth they marched
about two miles and bivouacked in front of Centreville. On
the evening of the nineteenth they marched to Gum Springs,
from thence on the twenty-fifth to the Potomac where they
crossed on a pontoon bridge at Edwards' Ferry and marched
on the tow path to the mouth of the Monocacy river where the
regiment bivouacked fOr the night, having marched during the
day thirty-four miles. On the twenty-sixth they proceeded to
Point of Rocks, on the twenty-seventh to Middletown, and on
the twenty-eighth, through Frederick City, towards Emmetts-
burgh. On the twenty-ninth they halted at Taneytown, the thir
tieth at Amissville, and on the first of July moved to Emmetts-
burgh, where the brigade and a battery remained to guard a pass
through the mountains. At daylight on the second, they pro
ceeded rapidly to the vicinity of Gettysburgh where the action
had already commenced. The brigade was at once placed in
position on the left flank of our lines, and the fighting of the
day SQon commenced. The action was very hot upon this
portion of the line. The regiment fought without cessation
from four to seven o'clock, losing more than one third of its
strength in killed and wounded. It remained in its position
upon the left till about eleven o'clock A. M., of the third, when
the enemy made his renowned but unsuccessful assault upon
the centre of our lines. It was then ordered to the point
attacked, the division forming a support to the front lines.
Here it remained under fire till night, when the brigade was
sent on picket to the front, and the night was consumed in
burying the dead, and caring for the wounded, mostly those
of the enemy.
During the battle Lieut. Hiram R. Dyar of company G, was
instantly killed, and Captains Almon L. Fogg of company H

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 451
and Milton M. Young of company K, mortally wounded. Adjt.
Charles W. Roberts, Lieut. G. W. Verrill of company C, and
Lieutenants Newton Whitten and Stephen Graffam of company
D, were severely wounded. Of the enlisted men twenty-nine
were killed, ninety-four wounded and one missing.
The enemy having withdrawn, the troops remained quietly in
possession of the battle field till on the morning of the seventh
when the corps took up its line of march, following the rest of
the army in pursuit of the enemy. It passed through Emmets-
burgh, Frederick City, Middletown, South Mountain Pass and
Keedysville to the Antietam battle field, which it reached on
Friday, the tenth. On the fifteenth the column passed through
Sharpsburgh to Sandy Hook; thence to Harper's Ferry, where
the Potomac was again crossed on the seventeenth. The march
was continued on the east side of the Blue Ridge by Snicker's
Gap and Upperville, arriving in Manassas Gap on the twenty-
second. On the next day the division was engaged in the battle
of Wapping Heights. Being in the second line the regiment
was not to a great extent exposed to the enemy's fire. The
only casualty was that of Sergt. Maj. Fred W. Bosworth, mor
tally wounded by a shell.
On the twenty-fourth the army resumed its march, passing
through Piedmont, Salem and Warrenton and went into camp
in that vicinity. The regiment was encamped close by the
Sulphur Springs in Fauquier county on the banks of the Rap
pahannock. They remained here drilling and picketing from
the thirty-first of August to the fifteenth of September, when,
breaking camp, the division marched down the river and on the
next day crossed it and proceeded nearly to Culpepper, where
it again went into camp. On the twenty-third the regiment re
ceived one hundred and seventy recruits, conscripts and substi
tutes, who were at once instructed in the duties of the soldier.
On the tenth of October, owing to a flank movement of the
enemy, the army commenced a retrograde movement, re-crossing
the Rappahannock and proceeding toward the national capitol.
At Auburn Mills the regiment took part in a small engagement
resulting in complete success. Here two men were wounded
and three missing They passed Bristoe's Station and Centre
ville and arrived at Fairfax Station, near which place they
encamped. After a rest of three days they again marched

452 MAINE IN THE WAR.
southward to Catlett's Station. Here Maj. West was mustered
as Colonel of the regiment on the twenty-second of October,
and assumed command. They lay here, repairing the railroad
which was destroyed by the enemy, till the seventh day of
November when the army again crossed the Rappahannock, the
regiment's division at Kelly's Ford where very little resistance
was encountered. The next day they advanced to Brandy
Station, and there built winter quarters.
On the twenty-sixth of November they broke camp and
marched rapidly to the Rapidan river. The next day the regi
ment became hotly engaged with the enemy at Locust Grove,
where it lost seven killed, forty-four wounded and one missing.
Among the killed were Capt. Ellis M. Sawyer company E, then
acting as field officer, aud First Lieut. J. M. Brown of company
A, both by musket shots. The regiment captured quite a num
ber of prisoners.
At Mine Run the enemy was found in force and an attack
was arranged ; but it was not made and on the first day of
December they returned to camp near Brandy Station. Nothing
interrupted the quiet of the winter months excepting two re-
connoissances, in which the regiment participated. Col. West
being in command of the brigade the command of the regiment
devolved upon Maj. C. P. Mattocks, senior officer present.
The time was devoted to drills and the regiment attained a very
high state of discipline and efficiency. The ranks were filled
with returned convalescents and about thirty recruits, so that
at the commencement of the spring campaign there were five
hundred men for duty, with twenty-one commissioned and five
acting officers.
On the twenty-fifth of March, by orders from Gen. Meade,
the original Third corps was consolidated with the Second
corps, the First division (Birney's) of the former becoming the
Third division of the latter. Brigades were also consolidated,
by which the Seventeenth found itself in Gen. Hays' (Second)
brigade. Col. West resumed command of the regiment on the
first day of March. About the middle of April the Second
corps was reviewed by Gen. Grant, who specially complimented
the regiment on its fine appearance.
On the night of third of May the regiment broke camp at
Brandy Station and crossed the Rapidan river the next morning,

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 453'
bivouacking that night on the old battle field of Chancellors
ville. The following day they moved as far as Todd's Tavern
which was reached about noon. But the enemy having struck
our column on its flank, the corps at once returned to connect
with the Sixth corps. The attack of the enemy was precipitous
and by the middle of the afternoon the conflict raged furiously.
This was the commencement of the battle of the Wilderness.
The Seventeenth found itself on the right of its corps. The
line was advanced. The Colonel threw out skirmishers to feel
the way ; the enemy was found and a sharp fire of musketry
commenced. After an incessant fire of over an hour, it was
perceived that the enemy wavered, and the regiment being im
mediately advanced, the enemy fell back leaving many dead and
wounded and about fifty men as prisoners in the hands of the
regiment. Being somewhat disconnected from the rest of the
line, this affair was wholly that of the Seventeenth. After
nightfall the brigade was relieved, the casualties of the day
being eleven men killed, two officers and sixty-five men wounded
and one officer (Maj. Mattocks, detached to command a regi
ment of sharpshooters, taken prisoner). It was arranged to
attack the enemy at an early hour on the sixth. The formation
of the brigade was such as brought the Seventeenth and Fourth
Maine regiments in advance. At the appointed hour the attack
was made, the line advanced steadily, driving the enemy in
great disorder over two miles through the thick undergrowth
of the wilderness. Many prisoners were taken. At a most
critical period the supporting line moved in a wrong direction,
leaving the two Maine regiments side by side in the extreme
advance and entirely disconnected and unsupported; but they
gallantly held their ground under a concentrated fire of mus
ketry and grape till every round of ammunition was exhausted
and they were ordered to retire. In the thickest of the fight
Col. West had his horse shot under him, and soon afterwards
he himself was very severely wounded in the thigh, and was
borne from the field.
The line was at length pressed back by the enemy to the
Brock road on which it was re-formed and breastworks hastily
thrown up. At about four o'clock in the afternoon the enemy
made a furious and prolonged assault but was repulsed at every
point, and he fell back leaving his dead in our hands. The

454 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Casualties of the day were, of the Seventeenth, one officer,
Lieut. Benjamin Doe, of company K,) and twelve men killed,
six officers and seventy-four men wounded, and eleven men
missing. On the seventh the brigade advanced to feel the enemy, and
the regiment lost three men killed, five wounded and one miss
ing; this ended the battle of the Wilderness. Marching to
Todd's Tavern and crossing the Po river on the ninth, the regi
ment was placed on picket. The next day the picket line was
driven in, the regiment losing ten men wounded and two missing.
On the eleventh they supported a line of skirmishers, losing
one officer and one man wounded. During the night of this
day they marched to the left flank of our lines, and at daylight
the next morning the corps made its famous charge in which it
took eight thousand prisoners and eighteen guns. In this
charge the regiment bore a conspicuous part, some of the cap
tured guns being turned by it upon the enemy. The rebel Maj.
Gen. Johnson was captured by Sergt. Frank Haskell of com
pany C, and private J. F. Totman of company A. Their loss
during the day was three men killed, forty wounded and ten
missing. From the twelfth to the twenty-first the regiment, although
under fire, was not particularly engaged. On the sixteenth
Lieut. Col. Merrill returned from detached service and relieved
Maj. Moore of the Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who
had commanded the regiment from the seventh. On the twenty-
first, the corps moved by the left flank marching night and day
till it halted at Milford, where it remained till the morning of
the twenty-third when it moved southward and joined the Fifth
corps at the North Anna river. Here the regiment participated
in the charge made by the division, which resulted in capturing
a redoubt and some prisoners and driving the enemy across the
river, thereby gaining Taylor's Bridge. In this charge the
regiment lost one officer (First Lieut. J. S. Roberts, company
A) and three enlisted men killed, and seventeen men wounded.
The next day they crossed the river and erected a line of breast
works under fire. Here Second Lieut. Walter F. Noyes of com
pany G, was killed by a shell. On the night of the twenty-sixth
they again moved by the left flank and marched rapidly south
ward, crossing the Pamunkey river, the next day, south of which
the army again encountered the enemy.

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 455
On the first day of June the regiment was transferred to the
First brigade then commanded by Col. Egan of the Fortieth
New York Volunteers. On the second, they again moved by
the flank to Coal Harbor, and on the third and fourth were under
fire although in reserve, losing several men wounded by shells.
On the fifth one hundred and twenty-nine men from the Third
regiment were transferred to the Seventeenth, augmenting
the strength of the regiment to over two hundred guns. They
remained in the works near Barker's Mills (losing two or three
men wounded by sharpshooters,) till the twelfth, crossing the
Chickahominy on the thirteenth and the James on the fifteenth,
at Windmill Point. On the fifteenth they marched to the
vicinity of Petersburgh and bivouacked that night behind some
captured works. The next morning at daylight the enemy's
batteries opened, badly wounding several officers and men in
the brigade. Subsequently the Seventeenth and the Twentieth
Indiana were ordered to assault the enemy's works, but after
two trials they found themselves not able to take a position
which a whole division failed to do later in the day. The loss
of the regiment during the day was nine men killed, two officers
and forty-six men wonnded, and three missing.
The next day the regiment was placed in the front line within
two hundred yards of the enemy's works. A skirmishing fire
was kept up, but the only casualty of the day was that of Capt.
B. C. Pennell, at the time in command of the regiment, who
was instantly killed by a shot from a sharpshooter. On the
eighteenth, an unsuccessful assault was made upon the enemy's
works in which the regiment took part, losing six men killed
and eighteen wounded. From this time till Jnly tenth the
regiment lay behind the works, losing by skirmish fire, two men
killed and seven wounded. On this day, the tenth of July, the
Second corps was placed in reserve.
On the twenty-sixth, the Seventeenth marched to Deep
Bottom, north side of the James river. Without becoming
engaged they recrossed the James on the twenty-eighth and
with the division marched back to the lines in front of Peters
burgh. On the night of the twenty-ninth the division relieved
other troops then occupying the entrenchments. On the thirty-
first the corps was again placed in reserve and there remained
till August twelfth, on which day they broke camp and marched

456 MAINE IN THE WAR.
to City Point. The next day they embarked on transports and
in the night sailed up to Deep Bottom, disembarking on the
morning of the fourteenth.
The regiment was placed on picket and skirmished briskly
with the enemy from the morning of the fifteenth till the night
pf the eighteenth, losing in that time four men wounded, when
they marched back to the Petersburgh line and went into the
works. They lay here, doing picket and fatigue duty under
constant fire till October first, when the division was relieved
to participate in a movement upon the left of our lines. The
regiment returned on the fifth without incident, and went into
Fort Sedgwick on the Jerusalem Plank road, a fort popularly
known throughout the army as Fort " Hell."
On the twelfth of this month Lieut. Col. Merrill received an
honorable discharge from the service, he having previously
resigned his commission, and Maj. Mattocks, who was still a
prisoner, was promoted to his place. On the same day Col.
West, having partially recovered from the effects of his wound,
returned and took command of the regiment which, on the
fifteenth, was placed a short distance in the rear and did picket
and fatigue duty till the evening of the twenty-fourth.
The loss of the regiment from August nineteenth, to October
twenty-fourth, in the entrenchments, was one officer (Lieut.
Wellington Hobbs), and nine men killed, and two officers and
twenty men wounded. On the twenty-sixth of October they
marched to the left and on the twenty-seventh took part in the
affair at Hatcher's Run, losing one man killed and one missing.
That night they returned and the next day went to near their
former position. On the thirtieth they went into Fort Rice,
near Fort Sedgwick, and directly in front of Petersburgh where
it remained doing garrison and picket duty till November
twenty-ninth, when it was relieved and the next day placed in
another position on the left of the line.
On the seventh of December the division together with the
Fifth corps started on an expedition to destroy the Weldon
railroad, a movement that was thoroughly and quickly accom
plished without opposition. After a long march the regiment
returned on the thirteenth and immediately went to work pre
paring comfortable winter quarters. On the thirty-first of this
month their position remained unchanged.

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 457
The regiment at that date numbered about three hundred men
for duty and was commanded by Maj. William Hobson. Lieut.
Col. C. P. Mattocks was still held by the enemy as prisoner of
war. Col. West received the appointment, by brevet, of Brig
adier General of Volunteers, "for gallant conduct in the battle
of the Wilderness." He was at that time absent on account
of his wound.
The number of casualties for the year eighteen hundred and
sixty-two were two men killed, nineteen men wounded; for
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, four officers and thirty-seven
men killed, eleven officers and two hundred men wounded, fifty
men missing ; for eighteen hundred and sixty-four, five officers
and fifty-nine men killed, thirteen officers and three hundred
and fourteen men wounded, one officer and thirty men missing.
Aggregate number of killed, wounded and missing in the three
years, seven hundred and forty-five. Of those reported missing
in eighteen hundred and sixty-three, all but eight men were
captured by the enemy and afterwards exchanged. The eight
were probably killed. Of those reported missing in eighteen
hundred and sixty-four a large number are known to have been
severely wounded and undoubtedly dead.
Since the organization of the regiment there have died of
disease, four officers and one hundred and three men ; died of
wounds received in action, (not included among those killed,)
two officers and eighty-eight men.

458 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXVIII.
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised principally in the Penobscot valley
and was mustered into the United States service, August
twenty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, by Capt. Bartlett,
Twelfth U. S. Infantry. It was officered as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Daniel Chaplin, Bangor, Colonel; Thomas H. Talbot, Port
land, Lieutenant Colonel; Charles Hamlin, Orland, Major; Rus
sell B. Shepherd, Bangor, Adjutant; Horatio Pitcher, Bangor,
Quartermaster; Rotheus E. Paine, Hampden, Surgeon ; Jerome
B. Elkins, Ashland, Assistant Surgeon; Albert R. Lincoln,
Dennysville, Assistant Surgeon.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — William C. Clark, Captain; Charles W. Nute,
First Lieutenant ; Samuel E. Burnham, Second Lieutenant; all
of Lincoln.
Company B. — Samuel W. Daggett, Captain, Frederic C. Low,
First Lieutenant; Charles E. Robinson, Second Lieutenant; all
of Bangor.
Company C. — Zemro A. Smith, Captain; William T. Parker,
First Lieutenant ; George W. Grant, Second Lieutenant ; all of
Ellsworth. Company D. — Christopher V. Crossman, Captain; Frederic
E. Shaw, First Lieutenant; Arlington B. Marston, Second
Lieutenant; all of Bangor.
Company E. — Whiting S. Clark, Sangerville, Captain; James
W. Clark, Sangerville, First Lieutenant; Frederic A. Cum-
mings, Bangor, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Lorenzo Hinckley, Hampden, Captain; Roscoe
F. Hersey, Bangor, First Lieutenant; George R. Fernald,
Levant, Second Lieutenant.

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 459
Company G.— Samuel A. Colby, Bucksport, Captain; Fred
eric C. Howes, Orland, First Lieutenant; Emery S. Wardwell,
Bucksport, Second Lieutenant.
Company H.— Harrison G. Smith, Columbia, Captain; Thomas
H. Palmer, Milbridge, First Lieutenant; William R. Newen-
ham, Cherryfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company I.— John W. Atwell, Orono, Captain; Andrew J.
Jaquith, Oldtown, First Lieutenant ; Samuel J. Oakes, Oldtown,
Second Lieutenant.
Company K.— George W. Sabine, Eastport, Captain ; William
R. Pattangall, Pembroke, First Lieutenant; Stephen C. Talbot,
East Machias, Second Lieutenant.
Col. Chaplin was one of the first to recruit a company for the
Second Maine regiment, in which he was shortly promoted to
the rank of Major, and from which he was discharged for pro
motion to the Colonelcy of the Eighteenth, in consequence of
the reputation he had then acquired for efficiency and gallantry.
Previous to leaving Bangor, where the regiment was rendez
voused, an elegant silk flag was presented to it by the ladies of
that city. On the twenty-fourth of August, eighteen hundred
and sixty-two, the regiment left Bangor and proceeded to the
national capital, where they were placed in the defences. On
the twenty-seventh of October, Chaplain Henry C. Leonard,
who, for one year and a half, was connected with the Third
Maine, was transferred to this regiment. In a few weeks after
wards the regiment, by order of the War Department, was
transferred to another branch of the service and known as the
FIRST MAINE HEAVY ARTILLERY.
The old companies were enlarged to the prescribed form for
such bodies of men. Two new Majors were added, and four
Lieutenants in each company instead of two.
Eight companies were stationed at Forts Alexander, Franklin
and Ripley, under the immediate command of Col. Chaplin, and
two companies were placed at batteries Vermont and Cameron,
in the same vicinity. The regiment now employed their time
in fatigue work, battalion drill with rifles in the field, and' artil
lery drill and practice in the forts and batteries.
On the twenty-eighth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, the Third Maine mounted battery of light artillery was
attached to the regiment as company M, and remained with it

460 MAINE IN THE WAR.
until February twenty-third of the following year, when it was
reorganized and went back to its original status.
In the early part of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
the three forts, Alexander, Franklin and Ripley, were called, by
order of the War Department, redoubts Davis, Kirby and Cross,
and the one great work of which these three redoubts were
prominent parts, was called Fort Sumner, in honor of Maj. Gen.
Sumner. One week after the battle of Middleburgh, two companies of
the First and two of the New York Ninth artillery, were sent
in charge of Maj. Shepherd to strengthen the defences near the
Washington and Baltimore railroad, nine or ten miles from Fort
Sumner. On the first of August, Lieut. Col. Talbot was placed in com
mand of a camp of instruction for drafted men on Mason's
Island, between Georgetown and Arlington. Four companies
of the regiment acted as guard of the camp, under Capt. Atwell
of company I. On the twenty-first of this month, the anniver
sary of the mustering of the regiment into the United States
service, was heartily and becomingly celebrated.
The regiment remained in the defences of Washington until
the fifteenth of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, when,
on this day, eighteen hundred strong, it left Fort Sumner and
went to Belle Plain, there joining the army of the Potomac
then fighting before Spottsylvania Court House. Two days
after, the long column of Gen. Tyler's artillery division, to which
the First was attached, moved toward Fredericksburgh, pass
ing over its fortified heights and advancing toward Spottsylva
nia, they were massed in a field thronged with troops and sup
ply wagons, and then commanded to stack arms and rest.
They slept in the edge of a heavy growth of timber, soundly,
though it had been whispered about that a battle would begin
immediately, and that their march had been forced in order that
they might assist in it.
Before daylight the next day the earnest and continuous
utterances of cannon told that the battle had begun and the
regiment was forthwith marched to the ground of conflict.
This was the very locality where Hancock but a few days before
had captured so many prisoners and guns. It was a rough or
uneven height. Half way up the gradual ascent, just beyond

r EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 461
a farm-house, was a breast-work, with several angles, stretch
ing from a wood on the right hand, to a wood on the left hand,
entirely across the broad field, near the centre of which stood
the farm-house. In this breast-work the First was placed. Far
ther up the elevation, there were other lines of earth-works oc
cupied by troops. On the summit of the hill, tall oaks hid from
the view everything beyond. Over the works of the enemy,
along by these oaks, Hancock's men dashed when they surpris
ed and so signally damaged the foe. From this position Han
cock was again trying to advance upon the enemy. The prin
cipal struggle seemed to be in the woods beyond. A few shells
passed over the line of the regiment and tore up the earth in the
rear. Several mangled forms of officers and soldiers were brought
on stretphers to the farm-house near them. The house, though
so much demolished as to be scarcely a shelter, was made, for the
time being, a hospital. For a while it seemed certain that the
regiment would immediately be engaged in the work of death.
Suddenly, firing in their front ceased, and all the troops in lines
of battle were withdrawn from the earth-works and marched to
their camping-places. The First was taken back to the field and
the resting place so suddenly left in the morning, and thence, a
half a mile farther, into a noble oak wood, just on the right of
Gen. Grant's headquarters. Here they pitched their ponchoes
and made themselves comfortable. They had performed one
day's hard marching, leaving but few sick, and no stragglers
behind. In front of the wood the regiment occupied, southward, there
was much of open territory. The strips of wood only made
agreeable divisions. At one point in the valley stretching
southward, and eastward, the silver tide of the Po gleamed to
the eye. Across the valley four miles, Spottsylvania Court
House, and slightly nearer to us, our advanced lines, could be
seen. In one opening southeast from the Court House, could
be se'en a portion of the rebels' line of works. Large plats
between that line and our camp were occupied by various divi
sions of the Army of the Potomac.
One more night the regiment passed as a body unbroken,
though somewhat weary. In the long twilight the men sat in
groups throughout the camp, talking of the events of the van
ished day, and watching the moving of large bodies of troops

462 MAINE IN THE WAR.
from the right of the line of the army toward the centre and
the extreme left. Another morning came, the nineteenth. Our
men arose at an early hour refreshed. During the forenoon
they cleaned and put in order their equipments, and wrote letters.
Regiments and brigades continued to pass from the right to the
left till into the afternoon, moving toward the left preparatory
to the flank movement to the North Anna river. During the
afternoon the regiment with their briglde was moved out and
massed, awaiting orders to march. A long distance before them,
a strip of wood veiled the hill of their first experience under
fire. In that direction lay the Sixth corps. On the right of the
strip of wood hiding the hill, there was a heavy forest stretch
ing away beyond our right. On the right of the regiment's
brigade, and on the left, the thick foliage of the forest trees
began to rustle under gusts presenting the grand current of a
thunder shower. Now and then were heard peals of thunder.
The brigade stacked arms, and moved just across to the road on
the left into the woods. Many of the men pitched their ponchoes.
The air grew dark and wild, and some rain fell. Suddenly the
rifles of approaching skirmishers began to ring in the woods on
the right of the height occupied by the Sixth corps. The spite
ful reports became more frequent and numerous. While wait
ing here, and after nearly all the troops had passed to the left,
sharp musketry was heard in the direction of their right and rear
near Fredericksburgh Pike. Their brigade was ordered to the
scene of conflict. The enemy had already reached the pike un
der the rebel Gen. Ewell, and had captured one of our trains
heavily laden with supplies. The brigade moved at double quick
in the direction of the enemy, then by the right flank in a line
nearly parallel with the pike, the First forming the extreme right.
The line having been extended sufficiently to the right, the regi
ment then formed line of battle, and having deployed the right
and left companies as skirmishers, the line advanced through a
thick pine forest, toward the pike. But a few minutes elapsed
before our skirmishers engaged those of the enemy, but being
supported by so heavy a line, the foe was pushed before them
to the pike. The road was filled with teams in the greatest dis
order, deserted by guard and drivers. Several of the horses
had been killed, but the enemy's repulse was so sudden that he
had neither time to secure the captured prize nor apply the

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 463
torch. The advanced line of the enemy was hurled back from
the pike through another pine thicket, into a field, and across a
ravine to his reserve, which was posted on the further side of
the ravine behind a temporary breastwork of rails. On arriv
ing at the edge of the field, our line was regulated and the
regiment advanced in a firm, imposing line toward the enemy.
Half way down the declivity the regiment was halted, where it
was designed to hold the left of the line. The right rested in
the woods, and under the partial cover was thrown forward so
as to form almost a right angle with the left wing, which
enabled the right to partially enfilade the enemy's position in
front of the left.
Here the action began in fearful earnest. The clash of
musketry became an unceasing, deafening roar. Without
faltering and unprotected the regiment maintained its position
for two hours and a half, until night, when despair of success
caused the enemy to retire. Then the regiment which had suf
fered severely, fell back to a road leading to the pike and
bivouacked for the night. Their loss was six commissioned
officers killed and the same number wounded, seventy-six
enlisted men killed, and three hundred and eighty-eight,
wounded. Total : four hundred and seventy-six. Among the
officers killed were Captains William R. Pattangall, William T.
Parker, First Lieutenants George W. Grant, John F. Knowles,
Gersham C. Bibber and Second Lieut. Wilmot T. Vickery.
On the morning of the twentieth the regiment moved to a
position near that occupied previous to the battle. In the eve
ning they moved forward, proceeding to Massadonia Church,
a substantial brick edifice in a grove of large trees, and then
striking the turnpike leading southward. In the broad light of
the following morning they crossed the Fredericksburgh railroad
and at noon passed through the village of Bowling Green. A
mile outside the village, the whole body of Tyler's and Birney'e
divisions were massed on the high grounds overlooking Milford
Station, when after spending an hour in the enjoyment of rest
and refreshment, the column descended into the valley of the
Mattapony, crossed the railroad at the Station, and then the
Mattapony on a bridge, and from the bridge ascended a ridge
covered with forest. During the night they built strong defen
ces, the enemy being in their front. The next day passed quietly.

464 MAINE IN THE WAR.
There was no cessation of labor; no relinquishment of the
defensive work against the enemy. The next day morning,
word came that they had no further occasion to hold themselves
in readiness to meet the foe on that spot ; that he had passed
rapidly on his way to the North Anna and that they must forth
with follow him to his new position. Moving directly southward,
their course most of the distance led through an uneven coun
try legs fertile and beautiful than the valley of the Po aijd the
valley of the Mattapony. Descending in the closing hours of
the day into the valley of the North Anna, they heard reports
of cannon. A new line of battle was forming, and batteries
were firing in their front and on the left, where a common bridge
and a railway bridge, half or three-quarters of a mile apart,
spanned the North Anna. They wheeled into a road leading to
the left, and followed it a short distance to its junction with the
road, descending gradually over ground slightly broken and roll
ing to the common bridge. Here they halted and massed in the
woods a few minutes, when they were marched toward the bridge
and massed again . They were to be the reserve of Gen. Birney's
division, already hotly engaged with the enemy. The regiment
lay upon the ground waiting for whatever might be the next
thing to do. Down the road cannon thundered, and rifles
poured their terrible hail. The sun went down. During a
larger portion of the night the regiment was engaged in build
ing a breastwork. The next morning Gen. Birney's division
crossed the North Anna, and took possession of the enemy's
first line of works. During a large part of the day the regi
ment remained in reserve and rested. In the afternoon they
were detached from the heavy artillery division and ordered to
cross the North Anna and report to Gen. Birney, commanding
Third division, Second corps, who subsequently assigned them
to the Second brigade. Without delay the regiment descended
the road, forded a brook, and then circuitously, by way of the
hollow through which the brook flowed, and a piece of woods,
and a line of breastworks and redoubts, got over a swe^ll of
ground, an extensive corn field, to the bridge. During all the
march, our batteries in the redoubts, were doing their best, to
cover the movement. At dark the regiment ascended the blufl
from the bottom on the south of the North Anna, near where
the Fredericksburgh railroad crosses the river, advanced over

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 465
the first line of breastworks, which had been taken from the
enemy, and some hundreds of yards onward, over a level field
of wheat, and passed the night with other troops in throwing
up another line of breastworks.
On the following morning the regiment was relieved and fell
back to the edge of the table land, or to the rebels' old line.
In the afternoon one battalion under Maj. Shepherd, crossed to
the north side of the river near the railroad, repaired a piece of
road, and then returned. At sunset the regiment advanced to
a breastwork on the right of our front line. There were two
corps of the army on the south side of the river. Suddenly
these troops began to cross the river. Gen. Grant had decided
not to attempt to force the enemy from his works on the ground
before them. The bridges were covered with boughs and
leaves, the column moved in silence and under cover of the
darkness, and without accident or loss, the whole body rejoined
their train of wagons and ambulances and their herds of cattle,
and by the left flank, advanced toward the Pamunkey. .
The sun was going down on the evening of the twenty-eighth
as their column was massed in the shadow of the tall, fair ranks
of the trees on the banks of that river, which they soon crossed
and moved to Hanovertown, where they threw up a breast
work and established themselves at the extreme left. While at
this point Maj. Shepherd, with one battalion of the regiment,
went out still farther to the left and nearer to the turnpike lead
ing toward Richmond, to keep through the night a watchful eye
for whatever movement might take place in that direction. Off
two or three miles from the centre of the line, were heard the
report of rifles. At length stillness came on, and the night was
passed by the sleeping army without annoyance of assault or
alarm. On the evening of the thirtieth the main body of the army
had been ordered to move. Following the column leading off
from the breastworks on their right the regiment retraced their
Steps circuitously to the turnpike, passing over several lines of
breastworks into a road running first northward and then west
ward to the main thoroughfare leading from Hanover Court
House to Richmond. Continuing their march, they arrrived at
the Hanover Court House and Richmond road. Here they halted
and commenced throwing up breastworks, working all night.
30

466 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The next morning several batteries on both sides were hotly
engaged. Rifles, too, all along the lines, poured their deadly
showers. The sharpshooters and skirmishers boldly advanced
upon the enemy's works, supported and aided by the fire of our
batteries in their rear, and took them. The assault in which
the regiment participated was made across a valley and the lit
tle affluent of the Chickahominy, winding through it, called the
Tolopotomy, and up a steep bushy ridge, serving as the base of
the enemy's front line. The sharpshooters and skirmishers
were forthwith followed by several bodies of infantry and two
batteries of light artillery. One battalion of the First, under
Lieut. Col. Talbot, was among the first of the troops to advance
to the captured works. The other two battalions were soon
afterwards marched from the extreme right of our line, in the
forest, to the open region of our own and the enemy's centre,
and thence across the Tolopotomy, to join their companies. But
this first step toward the enemy was not sufficiently advantage
ous to make us sure of another. The ridge occupied by our
men, was exposed to a fire from a stronger and better position
of the enemy. The batteries occupying it with the infantry,
and other batteries on our front line, on the north side of the
Tolopotomy, did their utmost to silence the enemy's guns, but
without success. . Our troops in the advance held their ground,
and sheltered by the works they had taken and built over, suf
fered but little. Shot and shell struck near and over them
fiercely, but only one of the regiment was killed.
On the morning of June second, their corps had marched
from the Hanover Court House and Richmond road back by the
left flank toward Hanovertown, the ground they occupied on
the twenty-ninth of May. Long before sunrise their brigade
rested in a field midway toward the latter place. As daylight
came on, they began to move in a southeasterly direction, cross
ing the Tolopotomy, and reaching, late in the afternoon of the
second., Goal Harbor, where they halted on a parched and bar
ren elevation. A new line of battle was formed in their front,
the enemy being engaged. The regiment's division received an
order to march to a position in the rear of the left of the line,
and to remain awhile as a reserve. Just as they started for this
position, a thunder shower came upon them wjth great force
and fury. All hearts were grateful, however ; for the wind and

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 467
tumult brought upon the dusky earth, and upon the heated and
travel-worn soldiers, the benediction of rain. Thunder in the
sky responded to the noise of cannon and musketry on the
earth. The air grew darker and darker with clouds and rain.
The column moved by many bodies of troops. Part of the way
they were screened from the enemy by strips of forest. Part
of the way they passed him in plain view. As they neared
the woods, within the shelter of which they had been com
manded to hold themselves in readiness for whatever call might
come, they marched under a cross fire of the enemy like that of
the North Anna, but hardly a man was struck. After entering
the woods, the column descended into a hollow of oaks and
pines, where all the brigades were ordered to be massed and
made comfortable for the night.
The next morning, the storm having passed, their division
marched a little distance from the camp, and during the con
tinuance of the terrific battle that took place the regiment
remained in a position near to the front as a reserve. As the
day advanced, the general firing of cannon and rifles along the
line ceased. Their division, leaving the rest of the Second
corps on the left, moved toward the right to strengthen that
part of the line. Taking a position swept by the enemy's bat
teries and by the rifles of his sharpshooters, our men went to
work felling trees and throwing up a breastwork. On the fourth
there was much firing on the enemy's side against our position,
but no meeting of foes face to face. Toward evening the regi
ment's division having been relieved, marched back to the left,
to pccupy the position vacated the day before. The following
day was spent till evening in rest. As the sun was going down
they were on the march again, halting near midnight near Bar
ker's Mill, three miles from the Chickahominy, where by moving,
the whole division lay behind a finished line of new breastworks
and redoubts. This position was occupied a week. During the
movement from the North Anna to Coal Harbor the casualties
of the regiment were two killed, thirteen wounded, and four
missing. On the evening of the twelfth their corps started again by
the left flank for a more southerly point. The column marched
out from the defences and advanced a few miles on the road
leading to Dispatch Station, where they halted and rested for

468 MAINE IN THE WAR.
the road to be cleared before them, when, at day-break the next
morning, they advanced again rapidly to Dispatch Station,
crossing the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, and thence advanc
ing toward the James, emerging, late in the day, from the
woods and entered the road leading from Charles City Court
House to the Quaker Road and Malvern Hill. As the sun sank
behind the forests down the western horizon, they wheeled out
of the main road leading toward Richmond, and ascended
southward the ridge of farms parallel with and overlooking the
James river, four or five miles below Harrison's Landing, halt
ing and massing in a field of clover, and then crossing the
James the next day afternoon.
On the fifteenth they marched for Petersburgh, halting near
the Dunn House at midnight, which was situated about a mile
from the Appomattox, and about two and a half miles from the
city. The next day, after re-building the works captured by
the colored troops of the Eighteenth corps, the regiment, in
common with their corps, assaulted the enemy's works under a
heavy artillery and musketry fire, and drove him back half a
mile, with but little loss. Here, under a continued and furious
cannonade, the regiment halted and threw up works. The next
day Maj. Sabine was severely wounded.
On the morning of the eighteenth the regiment advanced on
the enemy's works, and carried two lines in the vicinity of the
O'Haire House, but finding the third line very formidable they
fell back to cover themselves from a galling fire, behind an em
bankment on the pike. The regiment remained in this position
as support to a battery until nearly five o'clock in the afternoon,
when they were massed for that fatal assault upon the enemy's
wo^ks that had been considered too strong to carry in the morn
ing. The line of works in question, were from six hundred to
seven hundred yards in front of the position occupied by the
regiment, and the intervening space was a clear plain, in a por
tion of which was a corn-field. The works were so constructed
as to sweep by direct and enfilading fires every foot of the en
tire plain, and were defended by an ample force. Their brigade
was massed for the assault, the First in three battalions consti
tuting the three front lines, commanded respectively by Majors
Shepherd and Grossman, and Capt. Clark of company E, and
covered during the massing by the embankment already spoken

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 469
of. During'the time the brigade was massing, all firing ceased
on the part of the enemy, in apparent anticipation of the move
ment, reserving his fire until it should be fearfully effective.
On the crest of the embankment there was a board fence, and
quietly the rebels waited until this obstruction should be par
tially cleared away. When the word "forward" was given the
three front lines of the regiment moved promptly. The moment
the front line appeared Upon the crest, the dreadful, portentous
silence that had prevailed was broken. The first battalion was
swept away, except a few isolated men, by the deadly fire of
grape, cannister and musketry, before it had advanced an hun
dred yards. Whole companies reeled beneath the fury of the
shock, yet the gallant few pressed forward. Those who were
to support the regiment advanced to the cover of the road, but
no farther. Unsupported they pushed on, a few getting within
less than forty yards of the enemy's breastworks, when, more
than two-thirds of the regiment being either killed or wounded,
the order to fall back was given, and they fell back to the cover
of the road.
Their loss during the operations of that day and the two pre
ceding days, was seven commissioned, officers killed and twenty-
five wounded ; one hundred and eight enlisted men killed and
four hundred and sixty-four wounded. Total, six hundred and
four. Among the officers killed were Capt. Frederick C. Howes,
Lieuts. Albert G. Abbott, Thomas S. Drummond, Gardner H.
Ruggles, James E. Hall, Allen E. Barry, and Samuel Crowell.
The regiment remained in this vicinity until the twenty-first
when the brigade moved about three miles to the left and
extended the lines in that direction. The next day the brigade
constituted a portion of a force that was to swing forward and
establish a line at nearly right angles with the one occupied,
which would extend south of Petersburgh and menace the
enemy's railroad communications. The force that was to per
form an important part in the movement failed to connect with
our extreme left, and it was consequently unprotected against
a flank movement. The brigade was hardly in position when
the enemy made an impetuous attack in force upon our rear
and left flank, passing in around the latter. The troops on the
left giving away, and delay seeming fatal, the order was given
to fall back as hastily as possible to the works occupied in the

470 MAINE IN THE WAR.
morning. The aggregate loss was twenty men, mostly pris
oners. On the first of July the regiment was relieved from duty with
the Third brigade, and ordered to report to the Second brigade,
in which the regiment was assigned a position in the first line.
Here they remained until the eleventh, when about midnight of
that day orders were received to destroy the works in their
immediate front, preparatory to abandoning the position, which
was done at three o'clock»on the morning of the twelfth. The
regiment moved on the Jerusalem Plank road about a mile to
the left of the Jones House where the corps was massing. The
following morning the division moved to the rear of the
"Deserted House" and the Fifth and Ninth corps, where it
remained doing occasional fatigue duty until the twenty-third,
when the regiment moved to the right about a mile and assisted
in erecting works on the extreme left and left flank.
On the twenty-sixth the regiment marched to Deep Bottom
and crossed to the north side of the river. The movement was
rapid, and the men were enervated by the heat and extremely
fatiguing march. Some little fighting occurred, but the regi
ment was not engaged. During the evening of the twenty-eighth
their brigade re-crossed the James and after another severe
march arrived at the Bryant House, in rear of the Eighteenth
corps, the next morning. That evening the regiment moved
forward to the works and relieved that portion of the line
occupied by the Eighteenth corps in the vicinity of the O'Haire
House. During the night of the thirtieth the regiment after remain
ing all that day under a heavy artillery fire was relieved, and
marched to a position on the rear line near that occupied pre
viously. Here they remained doing occasional fatigue duty
until the twelfth of August, when, about noon that day, orders
were received to march immediately. Before two o'clock in
the afternoon the column, composed of the whole oorps, was
moving in the direction of City Point, where it arrived at dark
and was massed. The next day evening the corps left in trans
ports and went to Deep Bottom, where the regiment's brigade
was massed in a field at an early hour the next morning, when
after sunrise, it took up the line of march, striking the New
Market road which they passed up half a mile and took posi-

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 471
tion behind works at Strawberry Plain. The regiment remained
in position until afternoon when their brigade was ordered back
and massed in rear of that position about half a mile in the
woods. Here the regiment remained until the morning of the
fifteenth, when the brigade marched about a mile to the front
and right where it deployed in line of battle in the woods. The
regiment remained in this position until three o'clock the next
morning, when they relieved the pickets in front of the enemy's
works. Soon after the regiment was posted, it was ordered to
advance the line which was done with little loss. This line
was held until the eighteenth, when on the morning of that day
Col. Chaplin, who was in command of the line, was mortally
wounded by a sharpshooter, and died shortly afterwards.
Gol. Chaplin had been in command of a brigade nearly all the
time since the regiment had joined the Army of the Potomac.
Lieut. Col. Talbot was promoted to the command of the regi
ment, but having previously resigned on account of physical
disability, he was never mustered on his promotion and he was
succeeded in the command by Lieut. Col. Shepherd.
While on the skirmish line the regiment lost one man killed
and seven wounded. The night of the eighteenth the regiment
was relieved and took up the line of march with the division to
the front of Petersburgh, where, after a severe inarch with little
rest, it arrived in the vicinity of Fort Sedgwick, known as Fort
Hell, and relieved a portion of the Ninth corps which, in con
nection with the Fifth corps, was taking advantage of the thin
line of the enemy's right, to extend and swing our left forward
so as to seize the Weldon railroad. At this point the lines were
not over six hundred yards apart, and the picket lines at some
points were separated by only a few yards.
The regiment remained at this position and in the front lines,
until the thirtieth of September, during which time the com
mand was exposed to a constant fire from the rebel pickets,
sharpshooters and artillery. The men wOre covered by works
and lived for the most part under ground. Their loss during
this time, in killed and wounded, was about twenty. On the
morning of the first of October, the division moved out of the
Works and massed near the railroad. In the afternoon it went
to the Yellow House, then marching to the left and front, to the
Peebles House, where the regiment bivouacked fer the night.

472 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The next morning the brigades of the division were massed for
a reconnoissance. The first brigade, to which the regiment be
longed, marched by the front to the Squirrel, Level road. The
skirmish line soon struck the enemy, drove him from an advance
line of works, passed over that line and advanced in the direc
tion of the South Side railroad. In this position the regiment
remained under the enemy's fire for several hours, but owing to
his ignorance of their position, or his inefficient use of artillery,
they lost but seven men. It having been ascertained that the
enemy's position was too formidable to assault with the force at
hand, the troops were withdrawn at night, and returned to the
Peebles House, where they bivouacked.
The regiment remained in this position, doing fatigue and
picket duty, until the night of the sixth, when it returned to
Fort Sedgwick and was exposed to an incessant fire from the
enemy until the night of the twenty-fourth, when, with the di
vision it was withdrawn from the lines and massed near the rear
line of works east of the Jones House, where it bivouacked for
the night, and remained until two o'clock the next afternoon,
when the division marched along the rear line of works to the
Gurley House, and passing through struck the Halifax road,
where they remained until the next morning, when they were
again put in motion and took the Wyatt road, subsequently strik
ing the Vaughn road. Soon the skirmishers struck the enemy's
outposts, and crossing a river, found quite a force occupying a
strong position on the further side, but a determined charge of
the skirmish line drove the enemy from his works, and the
column passed on until it reached the Boydton Plank road. On
reaching the pike the regiment constituted a portion of the flank
line. The Second division of the corps had charged forward,
and two pieces of artillery had been placed some distance in
advance. About four o'clock in the afternoon a portion of the
enemy's force charged upon the artillery, drove back the sup
ports, and captured the guns. The force at hand was quickly '
put into position, and the regiment was ordered to charge.
With terrific yells they pushed forward to the pike and deliver
ed a well directed volley to the scattering foe in sight. Two
hundred prisoners were captured, the two guns that the enemy
had taken) and a stand of colors. Just before dark \the situation
was critical in the extreme. The ground was covered with a

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 473
dense forest, broken here and there by small clearings, and aid
ed by this' the enemy was attempting to surround our force. On
One side Brev. Gen. Smith, of the First Maine cavalry, had dis
mounted his men and was repelling a violent assault ; from an
other direction shells were thrown into our partial circle, while
from a third direction there were occasional discharges of mus
ketry. There was no cover in any direction ; every point was
exposed. In so small a compass had the enemy closed upon our
force, that his artillery threw shells over us, killing his own men
on the further side. This line broken at one point, and all was
lost. The loss of the regiment in this affair was very small, con
sidering their perilous situation. Three commissioned officers
were wounded, and twenty-nine enlisted men killed, wounded
and riiissing. About nine o'clock at night, the brigade was with
drawn, and after a march of four miles through the mud, a cold
rain having fallen, they bivouacked about midnight. The next
day they went back to the front of Petersburgh, where the regi
ment was ordered to Cedar Level Station; to do guard and pro
vost duty at the subsistence depot. The next day afternoon four
companies under Maj. Smith, were ordered back to the lines be
fore Petersburgh, while the remaining eight companies under
Col. Shepherd, remained on duty until November fourteenth,
when three more companies were ordered to the front, Col. Shep
herd taking command of that battalion, and Maj. Smith com
manding the detachment at Cedar Level Station, which on the
twenty-ninth joined the regiment.
On the second of December the regiment was ordered to
occupy a position further to the left, where Fort Liebet is situ
ated. Their division had been under fire from the beginning of
the campaign to that date, and this change was effected to give
it an opportunity to rest and organize. On the morning of the
seventh the division moved along the rear line, and after waiting
for the Fifth corps to pass, struck the Jerusalem Plank road
and thence marched to the Npttaway river, near Freeman's
Ford, which they crossed the next morning, the regiment's
brigade forming the train and rear guard. Marching south of
west by Sussex Court House to Jarrett's Station on the Weldon
railroad, they assisted in the destruction of a large portion of
that road and then returned. On the thirteenth the regiment
moved to a position between the Halifax and Vaughn roads,
where they went into winter quarters.

474 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The regiment, January first, eighteen hundred and sixty-five,
had an aggregate of about five hundred and fifty present for
duty, with convalescents returning frequently from hospital.
It numbered on its rolls about thirteen hundred men.

NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 475

XXIX.
NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was composed principally of men from Saga
dahoc, Waldo, Knox and Kennebec counties. It was mustered
into the United States service at Bath, August twenty-fifth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and was officered as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Frederick D. Sewall, Bath, Colonel; Francis E. Heath,
Waterville, Lieutenant Colonel; Henry W. Cunningham, Bel
fast, Major ; Frank W. Haskell, Waterville, Adjutant ; James
W. Wakefield, Bath, Quartermaster; Adoniram J. Billings,
Freedom, Surgeon; Henry C. Levensaler, Thomaston, Assis
tant Surgeon; Eliphalet Whittlesey, Brunswick, Chaplain;
William P. Joy, Waterville, Sergeant Major; Benjamin B.
Hanson, Pittston, Quartermaster Sergeant; Thomas D. Wake
field, Bath, Commissary Sergeant; Delon H. Abbott, Orono,
Hospital Steward; Daniel R. Maddocks, Belfast, Drum Major;
Carter N. Pay son, Camden, Fife Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — James W. Hathaway, Mercer, Captain; J.
Whitman Spaulding, Richmond, First Lieutenant; David E.
Parsons, Norridgework, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Lindley M. Coleman, Lincolnville, Captain;
William Clements, Monroe, First Lieutenant; Levi Rackliff,
Lincolnville, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — George H. Rowell, Fairfield, Captain; Joseph
H. Hunt, Unity, First Lieutenant ; Francis M. Ames, Fairfield,
Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — William H. Fogler, Captain; Horace C. Noyes,
First Lieutenant; Edward R. Cunningham, Second Lieutenant;
all of Belfast.
Company E. — Daniel L. Dickey, Stockton, Captain; James

476 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Johnson, Searsport, First Lieutenant ; John S. Tapley, Frank
fort, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Isaac W. Starbird, Litchfield, Captain ; George
L. Whitmore, Bowdoinham, First Lieutenant; Charles E. Nash,
Hallowell, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — James W. Welch, Augusta, Captain; Everett
M. Whitehouse, China, First Lieutenant ; George C. Hopkins,
Mount Vernon, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Joseph Eaton, Jr , Winslow, Captain; Willard
Lincoln, China, First Lieutenant ; Albert Hunter, Clinton, Sec
ond Lieutenant.
Company I. — Edward A. Snow, Rockland, Captain; Ger-
shom F. Burgess, Camden, First Lieutenant; George D. Smith,
Rockland, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Charles S. Larrabee, Bath, Captain ; Joseph
Nichols, Phipsburg, First Lieutenant; Dumont Bunker, Fair
field, Second Lieutenant.
Col. Sewall had served for several months as assista ntAdju-
tant General on the staff of Gen. Howard. Lieut. Col. Heath
was promoted from a Captaincy in the Third Maine, in which
regiment he had served from its organization ; and Maj. Cun
ningham had previously held a similiar position in the Fourth
Maine. The regiment left Bath early on the morning of August
twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, having been
raised, organized and equipped in less than four weeks, and
reached Washington on the evening of the twenty-ninth. The
next day it was ordered to the defences of the city, on the
south side of the Eastern Branch, garrisoning a line of five
forts. During the time the regiment remained here it was tem
porarily attached to the brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen.
Woodbury of New York. Nothing of interest occurred dur
ing the month the Nineteenth remained on this line, the time
being chiefly occupied in preparing for the sterner duties of
active service.
On the thirtieth of September, the regiment was moved by
rail, via Frederick City, Md., to Harper's Ferry, reaching the
latter place October fourth. Here it was attached to the First
brigade, Second division, Second corps, in which it has always
remained. The Second corps was at that time in the Right

NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 477
Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by
Maj. Gen. Sumner, and was commanded by Maj. Gen. Couch,
Who remained in command of the corps until the spring of eigh
teen hundred and sixty-three. The Second division was com
manded by Brig. Gen. 0. 0. Howard, of Maine, and the brig
ade by Brig. Gen. Gorman, of Minnesota.
During the month of October the Army of the Potomac was
reorganized and prepared for the fall campaign ; but on the thir
tieth of the month, the Second corps took up its line of march
for Warrenton, crossing the Shenandoah at Harper's Ferry and
proceeded up Loudon valley.
At Middle bury the Nineteenth first came under fire and
behaved with that coolness and steadiness that has character
ized the regiment in every action in which it has been engaged.
Passing through Paris and Salem the regiment, with its corps,
reached Warrenton on the ninth of November, having been
highly complimented by Gen. McClellan for its qualities as a
marching regiment. At Warrenton Col. Sewall rejoined the
regiment, .having been obliged to leave his command at Har
per's Ferry, on account of sickness.
On the fifteenth of November the Second corps moved from
Warrenton, and on the seventeenth reached Falmouth in front
of Fredericksburgh. At that time very few cannon and com-
paritively no troops were to be seen in the fortifications of the
city, and it was the general belief that a crossing would be
immediately made and the storming of the heights effected.
But the pontoons had not yet arrived and the Nineteenth was
ordered to the work of building a corduroy road from Belle
Plain Landing to Falmouth, over which supplies, ammunition
and the bridges were to be drawn. On this duty the regiment
remained two weeks, the army occupying a position along the
bank of the Rappahannock.
At daylight on the morning of the eleventh of December, the
simultaneous discharge of four hundred pieces of artillery,
announced the commencement of the battle of Fredericksburgh.
Two companies of the Nineteenth were ordered to remain'on
the north side of the river to support Capt. Benjamin's U. S.
battery, which was posted at the ford below a mill dam, about
a mile above the city. The remainder pf the regiment crossed
the river with its corps at four o'clock P. M. During the five'

478 MAINE IN THE WAR.
days in which the battle of Fredericksburgh was fought, the
Nineteenth sustained an important part, though suffering
comparatively little loss. The Second corps operated on the
extreme right of our line, occupying a position to the rear and
right of the city, suffering frightfully from the repeated charges
made against the enemy's works, and from the incessant fire of
the enemy's artillery. Previous to this Gen. Gorman had been
ordered to a command in the West, and Brig. Gen. Sully was
assigned to the command of the brigade, which he retained
until the following May.
On the night of the fifteenth of December, the army fell back
across the Rappahannock, and the Nineteenth went into winter
quarters upon a hill to the right of Falmouth, where it remained
until the close of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three.
During this time the regiment attained such a degree of effi
ciency and discipline, that it was classed among the first regi
ments of the corps to which it was attached, and was one of
the eleven regiments in the army of the Potomac to which
additional furloughs and leaves of absence were granted in
accordance with General Orders, Number Eighteen, of which
the fQllowing is an extract:
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
March 5th, 1863.
********* The following regiments and batteries, appearing from the
inspection reports, to have earned high commendation from
inspecting officers, it is left to the discretion of corps com
manders, having regard to the efficiency of their commands, to
increase the leaves of absence and furloughs to those commands
for the fifteen days following the receipt of this order, to
three, instead of two, enlisted men for every one hundred pres
ent for duty, and three officers, instead of two, as provided in
General Orders Number Three : * * * Nineteenth
Maine Volunteers.
********* Col. F. D. Sewall resigned, on account of ill health, February
twenty-first, and was succeeded in command by Lieut. Col.
Francis E. Heath.
On the twenty-seventh of April the movement commenced
that resulted in the battle of Chancellorsville. The Second

}

NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 479
division of the Second corps, to which the Nineteenth was
attached, had orders to co-operate with the Sixth corps, Gen.
Sedgwick, in the attack upon the heights of Fredericksburgh.
On the morning of May first the regiment broke, camp and
at eight o'clock that evening was detached to guard the tele
graphic communications between the left wing and Gen. Hook
er's headquarters. The regiment was deployed along the line
of telegraph, its right being at United States Ford and its left
at Falmouth, the distance between these two points being ten
or twelve miles, and remained in this position until the morning
of May third, when it received orders to join -its brigade at
Fredericksburgh, which was accomplished at two P. M. The
regiment bivouacked that night on the northern bank of the
Rappahannock, near the Lacey House, and remained in that posi
tion as a support to battery B, First Rhode Island artillery, until
the night of the fourth, when it was posted as guard at the ford
at Falmouth Village ; the Sixth corps having that day been un
successful in its attempt to turn the right flank of the enemy.
On the morning of the fifth the regiment removed the pontoon
bridges which crossed the river at Fredericksburgh. After
remaining in bivouac two days, the regiment was moved to a
hill one-half mile in rear of the Lacey House, where it went into
camp. Early in June the enemy were discovered moving toward the
Shenandoah Valley, evidently with a design on Washington.
To be prepared for such an emergency a portion of the army
marched to Warrenton and toward Centreville thus covering
the capital. The Second corps remained on the Rappahannock
to hold the attention of the enemy until the fifteenth of June,
when it marched northwardly, by way of Stafford Court House,
Dumfries and Occoquan, and reached Sangster's Station on the
afternoon of the seventeenth. From here the corps matched
via Centreville, Gainesville and Haymarket to Thoroughfare Gap,
which latter point it reaphed June twenty-first. Here the corps
remained until the twenty-fifth when it again took up its line.
of march for the Potomac, the First brigade tp which the Nine
teenth was attached being the rear guard. On reaching
Haymarket, on the same day, a small rebel force attacked the
brigade while marching by the flank, opening upon it, with a
battery. Our battery quickly moved into position and a pprtipa,

480 MAINE IN THE WAR.
of the Nineteenth were deployed as skirmishers and the rebel
force was soon compelled to retire. In this engagement the
regiment had one man killed. Resuming the march the regi
ment reached Gum Springs that night and pn the following
night crossed the Potomac at Edward's Ferry, reached Fred
erick City, Maryland, on the twenty-eighth, and on the twenty-
ninth marching thirty-five miles,, reached JJijiontown.
On the first of July the regiment was detailed to guard the
wagon train which duty it performed until it reached Taney
town, where it was relieved and ordered to push on and rejoin
its corps, and ' at midnight it bivouacked upon the field of
Gettysburgh. On the morning of the second the Second corps
was assigned its. position, holding what afterward became1 the
left centre of the line, connecting with the Eleventh corps
on the right and the Third corps on the left. The enemy com
menced the attack on this part of the line at three P. M., by
advancing a heavy force of infantry under cover of artillery.
The design of the enemy was to break our line at this point and
thus gain admission within the semi-circle formed by it, and
to this important duty his best troops were assigned. The
Third corps first become engaged but suffered so severely and
were so hard pressed that they were obliged to retire in con
fusion. The enemy seeing the advantage gained, rushed forward
with a confidence and steadiness that seemed irresistible, but
the Second corps was as one man and poured in such a galling
fire that the rebel column was checked. The Nineteenth held
the most important position upon that day, suffering from an
enfilading fire in addition to the fire of the enemy in front.
Though the ranks became rapidly decimated the men held the
ground with desperation. The rebel line began to waver and
was soon thrown into disorder. Col. Heath now gave the order
to charge, and with a cheer the men rushed forward under a
terrific fire of shot and shell from the rebel batteries which were
at this moment opened upon them. The enemy was driven back
within his own lines, the Nineteenth during the charge captur
ing over four hundred prisoners and one stand of colors, and
recapturing two pieces of artillery which had previously fallen
into the hands of the enemy. The regiment lay under cover of ,
a ravine near the enemy's lines until dark, when it was with
drawn and placed in position on the same ground it occupied

NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 481
during the day. Col. Ward of the Fifteenth Massachusetts,
commanding the brigade, having been killed during the action,
Col. Heath assumed command of, the brigade, and the command
of the regiment devolved upon Lieut. Col. Cunningham.
At daylight on the morning of the third, four companies of
the Nineteenth under command of Capt. Fogler, were thrown
out as skirmishers, and during the day held a position near the
enemy's lines until driven in by the enemy's advance in the
afternoon. The balance of the regiment were placed on the
crest of the hill behind the remnants of a stone wall and waited
for the attack. At two o'clock in the afternoon the enemy had
concentrated his artillery and opened his batteries upon our left
centre. Our artillery promptly replied and for two hours there
was kept up a terrific artillery duel. At four o'clock the enemy
threw forward his infantry, under command of Longstreet, for
a final assault, in three lines of battle with a strong line of skir
mishers in front. Our skirmishers retired slowly and obstinately,
holding the ground tenaciously to the last. Our line waited until
the attacking force was within short musket range, and then
opened with such a terrific fire that the front line of the enemy
fell back in confusion. Their reserve lines, however, moved to
our right., hoping to gain our flank. To meet this movement
the brigade under Col. Heath was obliged to change front to the
right, which manoeuvre was successfully accomplished under an
enfilading fire from the rebel batteries.
The rebel attack was bravely met ; their lines began to waver ;
and "forward" resounded alon£ the line. With a yell the
whole line rushed down the hill with a steadiness and impetu
osity that nothing could withstand. A very large number of
prisoners, and no less than thirteen stand of colors were taken
by the Second division of the Second corps alone. After this
charge the regiment, with its brigade, was moved to the posi
tion it occupied during the day.
The total loss of the regiment* in the battles of these two days
was twelve officers and two hundred and twenty men. The
regiment took into action on the first day of the battle four hun
dred and forty officers and men. Col. Heath was struck in the
side by a piece of shell, while the brigade was changing front,
on the third, and was carried from the field, but soon returned
and resumed command of the brigade.
31

482 MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the afternoon of the fifth, after having buried the dead and
carried the wounded to the rear, the Second corps started in
pursuit of the flying enemy, and marched that night to Two
Taverns. On the seventh the corps reached Taneytown, arriv
ed at Frederick City on the eighth, crossed the South Mountain
on the ninth, and reached Smoketown on the tenth, where the
outposts of the enemy were met. On the eleventh the Nine
teenth fqp med in line of battle with its brigade, and drove in
the enemy's pickets, who fell back to the main army, which was
entrenched around Williamsport. The Union army lay around
Williamsport, hourly expecting to make an attack, until the
fourteenth, when it advanced, and the Second corps met Gen.
Lee's rear guard, the balance of his army being already across
the Potomac. On the eighteenth, the regiment crossed the Po--
tomac and Shenandoah rivers at Harper's Ferry, and, by a
series of marches up Loudon Valley, reached Manassas Gap on
the twenty-third, and Morrisville on the twenty-ninth.
Here the Nineteenth remained in camp until September nine
teenth, receiving in the meantime one hundred and ninety-eight
recruits from Maine. On the twelfth the regiment with its
corps marched to Rappahannock Station, and on the thirteenth
crossed the Rappahannock, and during the day co-operated with
Gen. Gregg's division of cavalry, compelling the enemy to fall
back to a position some three miles south of Culpepper. No
further movement occurred until the twenty-seventh, when the
regiment was ordered to relieve our cavalry on the Rapidan,
and until October seventh it maintained a very extensive picket
line. On the eighth of this month the regiment moved back to
Culpepper and encamped on the north side of the town. Here
one hundred and forty-four recruits were received.
On the twelfth, the army commenced a retrogade movement,
as the enemy were attempting to gain our flank. The move
ment commenced that night, the Second corps being the last
to leave, having been ordered to act as rear guard. It moved
to Bealeton, thence by way of Fayetteville to Auburn, thus pro
tecting the flank of our column. On the fourteenth, while march
ing by the flank at Bristoe's Station, the enemy opened with
artillery and advanced his infantry to the attack. Col. Heath's
brigade was in the advance, and was moved on the double
quick to the embankment on which the railroad track was laid.

NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 483
The Nineteenth had hardly reached its position before the
rebels appeared above the crest of the hill in front. The men
with steadiness and firmness awaited the approach until the
rebel advance was near the embankment and then, at the word,
arose and gave them volley after volley until panic stricken
they fled in confusion or threw down their arms and motioned
their surrender. A stand of colors belonging to the Twenty-
second North Carolina regiment was captured by the Nineteenth,
besides many prisoners and small arms. The casualties of the
regiment were one killed and twelve wounded. The conduct
of the men in this gallant affair won the highest compliments
from the Generals commanding the division and corps.
The conscripts, though many of them had received their
arms only a few days before, fought like veterans. On account
of their good conduct, the restrictions which had been placed
upon them were removed and they were thereafter allowed the
same privileges as old soldiers.
At this time the corps was commanded by Gen. Warren and
the division by Brig. Gen. Webb of New York, Generals
Hancock and Gibbon having been wounded at Gettysburgh.
At eleven o'clock that night the regiment reached Centreville,
crossing Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford. Here the corps was
placed in position for battle and remained thus until the nine
teenth of October, when it marched to Bristoe's Station and
thence to Warrenton on the twentieth, where it went into camp.
On the fifth of November Col. Francis E. Heath was honora
bly discharged, having tendered his resignation on account of ill
health. On the seventh the regiment again broke camp and,
with the corps, marched to Kelly's Ford where it effected a
crossing on the ninth, and moved to within three miles of
Brandy Station, and on the tenth went into camp, occupying
the log houses of the Second Louisiana regiment (rebel).
On the twenty-sixth the regiment joined in the movement to
Mine Run, crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and on the
twenty-seventh moving forward to Robertston Tavern, where
the enemy were found strongly posted upon the hills and in the
woods. Skirmishing at once commenced, the Nineteenth acting
as support to the skirmishers until four P. M., when the whole
division pressed forward in line of battle. The enemy fell hack,
making but little resistance. Night putting an end to further

484 MAINE IN THE WAR.
offensive operations, the regiment was detailed for picket which
duty it performed during the night. At daylight on the morning
of the twenty-eighth the regiment was deployed and skirm
ished with the enemy until noon, when it was relieved and
joined the brigade. The next morning the corps moved to the
left and proceeding to White House Church, moved forward
upon a plank road about four miles, where our advance found the
enemy occupying a strong position in force. At three o'clock
on the morning of the thirtieth, the corps was formed in line of
battle for an attack and remained in this position until night,
when the whole corps was withdrawn except the Nineteenth
Maine, which was detailed for picket. The regiment deployed
the whole length of the division and remained thus during the
night. At daylight the regiment was withdrawn and' joined
the brigade and found the corps again in line of battle. The
army was about to retire beyond the Rapidan, and the Second
corps was to cover the retreat. Remaining in this position
until the army was safely across the river, the corps took up its
line of march and reached Gold Mine Ford on the Rapidan at
noon the next day, and arrived at its former encampment at
eleven o'clock the following night.
On the sixth of December the corps moved forward to
Stevensburgh, and after two days of bivouac was disposed as
most convenient for winter quarters.
During the winter the Nineteenth encamped near Culpepper
and about two and a half miles from Brandy Station. In De
cember Lieut. Col. Selden Connor of the Seventh Maine was
promoted to the Colonelcy of the Nineteenth in place of Col.
Heath, but did not join his new command until February.
On the sixth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four,
the Second corps made a reconnoissance to Morton's Ford on
the Rapidan. The Nineteenth crossed the river at that point
on the night of this day, and deploying as skirmishers remained
thus until near morning, when all the troops across the river
were ordered to return. The corps returned to camp again on
the night of the seventh. The total loss on this reconnoissance
was about three hundred. The Nineteenth had one man killed
and several wounded. After this the regiment remained in
camp until the opening of the spring campaign.
On the army being reorganized in the spring, Gen. Hancock

NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 485
resumed command of his corps, Gen. Gibbon of the Second
division, and Gen. Webb assumed command of the First brigade.
When the spring campaign opened, the Nineteenth moved
across the Rapidan with its corps and on the fifth, sixth and
seventh of May, took part in the battles of the Wilderness, par
ticipating in three desperate and bloody engagements and
suffering terribly in killed and wounded. The gallant Col.
Connor was dangerously wounded on the seventh, and was
shortly afterwards promoted to Brigadier General for gallant
conduct on the field of battle. On the eighth, while the Union
army was marching from the Wilderness to Spottsylvania, the
enemy made an attack at Todd's Tavern with the intention of
stopping the progress of our army. The fight lasted several
hours and resulted in the defeat of the enemy at every point.
In this action the Nineteenth took an important part under com
mand of Maj. J. W. Welch.
On the ninth, tenth and eleventh occurred the battles of Po
river. On the ninth the regiment was deployed as skirmishers,
and steadily advanced until the enemy retired within his works.
On the tenth the regiment formed a part of the column which
twice assaulted the enemy's works with severe loss. On the
eleventh the regiment assisted in fortifying and holding a posi
tion near the enemy. From the twelfth to the eighteenth
occurred the engagements known as the battle of Spottsylvania.
In this bloody battle the Nineteenth encountered the enemy
face to face for seven days and nights. On the twelfth it
participated in the famous charge of the Second corps, during
which Maj. Welch was severely wounded, but not till he had
captured and borne off a rebel battle flag. On the eighteenth
the regiment took part in a less successful assault upon the
enemy. On the twenty-fourth, at Taylor's Bridge, the regiment,
under command of Lieut. Col. Cunningham, suffered a loss of
twenty in killed and wounded while advancing as skirmishers
on the extreme left of the corps, having been temporarily
detached from its own brigade.
On the thirty-first and June first, the Nineteenth took part in
the battle of Bethesda Church under the command of Capt. W.
H. Fogler. In this engagement the regiment charged twice
upon the enemy's works, deployed and sustained a severe loss.
Capt. Fogler having been wounded, the command devolved upon

486 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Capt. Dumont Bunker, who led the regiment in the terrible
battle of Coal Harbor on the third, in which it participated in
the gallant and partially successful charge upon the enemy's
works. For ten days after this action the Nineteenth occupied
a position within fifty yards of the enemy's works and held a
rebel battery in subjection, though suffering many casualties
from the enemy's sharpshooters.
At the battle of Petersburgh on the eighteenth, the Nine
teenth, under command of Capt. Charles E. Nash, took an
important part. During the charge upon the enemy's rifle pits
the regiment was temporarily attached to the Third division
and formed the extreme right of the assaulting column, this
being the post of honor and the most critical point of the whole
line. It advanced across a wide open field, gained the first
line of rebel entrenchments and still pressed on, all the while
subjected to a galling flanking fire from the right. The advance
rebel line struggled vigorously to regain the lost ground and
charged three times against the right flank of the regiment, but
without success.
On the twenty-second at Jerusalem Plank road the extensive
line on the left became disorganized and fell back hastily,
leaving the Nineteenth Maine under command of Capt. J. W.
Spaulding, entirely unsupported. Still the men stood firmly,
while the bullets poured in from three points of the compass,
until nearly surrounded, when, to prevent capture, it was nec
essary to retire. In this engagement the regiment suffered
many casualties and lost a large nuriiber taken prisoners. The
colors fell three times, the bearers who successfully bore them
being shot dead. On the twenty-third the regiment rejoined
their brigade, and occupying the advanced line during the day
and night was relieved on the following day. From that time
until the twenty-sixth the regiment was engaged chiefly in
picket and fatigue duty. On the twenty-sixth they marched
from camp at four P. M., and with the corps marched all day
and night, arriving at and crossing the James river at Deep
Bottom early in the morning of the next day, when they were
soon after deployed as skirmishers and advanced nearly a mile
through the woods, where after engaging the enemy they were
relieved and rejoined the brigade after dark. The two follow
ing days the regiment did not meet the enemy but were engaged

NINETEENTH REGIMENT IxVFANTRY. 487
in building breastworks and throwing up earthworks. On the
evening <jf the twenty-ninth the regiment with the division
marched back across the James, and marching all night
arrived in front of Petersburgh at day break on the following
morning. They did not participate in the fight of this day. At
night they moved back to their old camp.
During the engagements at Deep Bottom and Strawberry
Plain, from the fourteenth to the eighteenth of August inclusive,
the regiment participated with but slight loss. On the four
teenth they took part in an exciting charge on the enemy's
works, leading the advance and holding their position until
night, when they fell back. During the explosion of the great
mine in front of Petersburgh they lay in support of the Ninth
corps, but took no active part.
On the morning of the twenty-fourth of August, the regiment
reached Reams' Station, and was engaged in the forenoon of
this day in destroying the railroad. The next morning the regi
ment advanced with the brigade down the railroad about one
mile from the Station, and formed line on the east side and
nearly at right angles with the railroad. In the afternoon they
marched back, and lay in support of the First division during
the two first attacks of the enemy upon that line. The regi
ment, together with tho Nineteenth Massachusetts, was then
marched to the left and took position, making connection be
tween the Second and Third brigades, the part of the line
occupied by this regiment running nearly at right angles with
the railroad. It was here exposed to a terrific enfilading fire of
artillery. The charge that took place proving unsuccessful,'
the regiment fell back to the works it had, and formed line upon
the front side of the works facing the enemy, who were now in
the rear of this line. While in this position the enemy advanc
ed up in our old front and both flanks, when the regiment again
changed front and engaged the enemy. It held its position
here until the troops fell back upon both its right and left, when
it was obliged to fall back to the woods, where it again formed
line and remained until about ten P. M., when it marched with
the brigade back to its old camp.
On the twenty-sixth of October, the regiment left bivouac
near Fort Bross, at two o'clock, P. M., marched to and across
the Weldon railroad, and bivouacked for the night at nine P. M.

488 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The next morning they left bivouac near the railroad, and
marching in a westerly direction, found the enemy in a slightly
fortified position on the west side of Hacker's Creek. The regi
ment was placed in position in the second line of battle, which,
advancing, carried the works, capturing a few prisoners. They
then marched by the flank to a mill, where a portion of the regi
ment was sent on picket, capturing a Major belonging to the
Confederate army. On leaving this place, two companies were
thrown out as flankers and marched to and across the Boydton
Plank Road, where the regiment formed a line of battle on the
extreme left of the line, and were exposed to artillery in front
and rear. The line then advanced in good order and occupied*
a new position on the left of the plank road in an open field, ex
posed to a murderous fire of shot and shell, and at one time
almost completely surrounded by infantry. Under these trying
circumstances the regiment held the position with creditable
coolness and courage. About five P. M., the regiment moved
to the right, supporting a position of the Third brigade. Soon
after an attack was made on our right, when four companies of
the regiment were ordered to that point ; seven companies re
maining. Thus the regiment remained until after dark, when the
entire regiment formed on the plank road, joining the brigade
and throwing out pickets in front and rear. About twelve
o'clock at night, they left the plank road and marched back to
near Hacker's Creek, where they remained until the twenty-
eighth, when they were ordered to occupy the works on the
creek, captured the previous day, holding the road until the
division filed past, when they again joined the column and contin
ued the march to near Fort Bross, at which place they arrived
at five P. M. The casualties of this engagement were one man
killed, four wounded, and two missing.
About this time the condition of the regiment dating from its
organization, was as follows :
Number of officers when organized, thirty-nine; number
joined since organization, thirty-nine; total, seventy-eight.
Number of officers lost by discharge and other causes, forty-
four ; number of enlisted men when organized, nine hundred
and sixty-nine ; number joined since organization, six hundred
and eighty-one ; total, one thousand six hundred and fifty . Lost
by killed and died of wounds received in action, one hundred

NINETEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 489
and sixty-nine ; lost by disease, eighty-two ; lost missing and
now prisoners, one hundred and twenty-five ; lost by transfer
to Navy and Veteran Reserve Corps, ninety-seven ; lost by dis
charge for disability, two hundred and fifty ; lost by discharge
to accept promotion, forty-two ; lost by discharge, expiration
term of service, three; lost by desertion, fifty-seven; total,
eight hundred and twenty-five. Number officers present, sick
and for duty, fifteen ; number officers absent sick and from other
causes, nineteen ; total, thirty-four. Number of enlisted men
present, sick and for duty, two hundred and twenty ; number
of enlisted men present from other causes, six hundred and
fifty; total, eight hundred and twenty-five.

490 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXX.
TWENTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This was the last of the five three years regiments raised in
the State, in the summer of eighteen hundred and sixty-two.
It was rendezvoused at Portland and officered as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Adelbert Ames, Rockland, Colonel; Joshua L. Chamberlain,
Brunswick, Lieutenant Colonel; Charles D. Gilmore, Bangor,
Major; John M. Brown, Portland, Adjutant ; Moses W. Brown,
Brownville, Quartermaster; Nahum P. Munroe, Belfast, Sur
geon; Nahum A. Hersom, Sanford, Siroella A. Bennett, New
Portland, Assistant Surgeons ; Luther P. French, Corinth, Chap
lain; Weston H. Keene, Bremen, Sergeant Major; Howard L.
Prince, Cumberland, Quartermaster Sergeant ; Elisha Besse, Jr.,
Winthrop, Commissary Sergeant; Lewis W. Pendleton, Gor
ham, Hospital Steward ; Andrew J. Philbrick, Palmyra, Drum
Major. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Isaac S. Bangs, Waterville, Captain; Addison
W. Lewis, Waterville, First Lieutenant; Charles W. Billings,
Clinton, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Phineas M. Jeffards, Foxcroft, Captain; James
Lyford, Sebec, First Lieutenant ; Walter G. Morrill, Williams
burgh, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Isaac H. McDonald, Buckfield, Captain; Frank
G. Russell, Rumford, First Lieutenant; Augustus H. Strick
land, Livermore, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Isaac. W. Haskell, Garland, Captain; Edward
B. Fifield, Dexter, First Lieutenant; Mattson 0. Sanborn, South
Berwick, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Atherton W. Clark, Waldoborough, Captain;
Joseph B. Fitch, Bristol, First Lieutenant; George F. Sumner,
Union, Second Lieutenant.

TWENTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 491
Company F. — Timothy F. Andrews, Harmony, Captain;
Hosea Allen, Wellington, First Lieutenant; Edwin Folsom,
Harmony, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Ellis Spear, Wiscasset, Captain; Joseph F.
Land, Edgecomb, First Lieutenant; Joseph J. A. Hoffses, Jef
ferson, Second Lieutenant. <¦
Company H. — Henry C. Merriam, Houlton, Captain; Daniel
Stimson, Biddeford, First Lieutenant ; William C.Bailey, Gar
land, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Lysander Hill, Thomaston, Captain; Samuel T.
Keene, Rockland, First Lieutenant; Prentiss M. Fogler, Second
Lieutenant. Company K. — Charles L. Strickland, Bangor, Captain; James
H. Nichols, Brunswick, First Lieutenant ; William W. Morrell,
Livermore, Second Lieutenant.
The regiment was mustered into service on the twenty-ninth
of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, by Capt. Charles
G. Bartlett, of the Twelfth United States infantry, and left
Portland September third on steamer Merrimac and reached
Alexandria, Virginia, on the sixth. Next day it proceeded to
Washington, where it went into camp near the Arsenal grounds.
On the eighth the regiment moved across Long Bridge and
bivouacked on Arlington Heights. Soon after it started on
the march into Maryland, moving by way of Frederick City
and South Mountain and arrived on the battle-field of Antietam
on the night of the sixteenth. On the seventeenth, the day of
the battle, the brigade supported a battery, but' were not sub
jected to any fire except artillery and suffered no loss. On the
twentieth the division crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown
Ford, as a force of reconnoisance, and fell back before a heavy
force of the enemy, re-crossing the river under a heavy fire of
musketry, but with only slight loss. The regiment then lay in
camp near Antietam Ford, busily engaged in drill and instruc
tion of officers and men, until the thirtieth of October, when it
moved to Warrenton, Virginia, remaining there about a week,
Gen. Burnside having, meantime, relieved Gen. McClellan in
the command of the army. The brigade then moved to the
vicinity of Falmouth on the Rappahannock. They lay in the
vicinity of Falmouth until the thirteenth of December, when
the regiment crossed the river and took part in the action of

492 MAINE IN THE WAR.
that day at Fredericksburgh. They crossed the river and moved
to the rear of the town under fire of artillery. There the brig
ade formed line of battle and advanced to the front, relieving
the troops on the front line immediately before the works of
the enemy, and exchanged volleys of musketry with them.
They lay here on the ground till the morning of the fifteenth,
sheltered by the crest of the hill from the fire of the enemy,
when they were relieved and went back into the town, remain
ing there till rhidnight, when the brigade returned to the front
and held the line, while the corps was falling back across, the
river and itself re-crossed as rear guard. They returned on the
morning of the seventeenth to their former camp near Stone
man's Switch, where they remained until the second of May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, participating, however, in a re
connoissance across the Rappahannock at United States Ford on
the thirtieth of December, and in Gen. Burnside's "mud march"
from January twentieth to twenty-fourth. In the afternoon of
the twentieth the corps broke camp and moved up the Rappahan
nock. Rain came on soon after they started, and the brigade
proceeded not more than three miles, when it bivouacked for the
night. Early next morning the brigade formed in order of march,
but being delayed by the obstructions in the road, batteries being
stuck fast in the mud, they marched all day in the rain, advancing
only seven miles, when they went into bivouac. The day fol
lowing, the brigade lay in the woods. In the afternoon the
troops were engaged in building corduroy roads for the pur
pose of bringing the artillery back to camp. On the twenty-
fourth the troops returned to their original camping grounds.
During the battle of Chancellorsville the regiment was de
tached to guard the telegraph line from right to left : it was ex
posed to artillery fire, and suffered no loss. After that battle
the regiment returned to the old camp near Falmouth, when
Lieut. Col. Chamberlain took command, Col. Ames having been
promoted to be Brigadier General. On the twentieth of May
the brigade moved to Golding's Farm, on the twenty-eighth to
United States Ford, and on the fifth of June to Ellis Ford. On
the thirteenth they broke camp, aud marched by way of Mor
ristown, Catlett's Station, Manassas Junction and Gum Springs
to Aldie, where the corps encamped, June nineteenth. On the
twenty-first the brigade was sent out to reconnoitre towards

TWENTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 493
Middleborough. Two brigades of the enemy's cavalry, with
artillery, were encountered beyond that place, and after a sharp
fight, driven to Upperville. The loss of the regiment was one
man killed, one officer and seven men wounded. The corps re
sumed the march on the twenty-sixth, and on the second of July
came upon the battle-field of Gettysburgh.
The Twentieth, under command of Col. Chamberlain, formed
the extreme left of the line of battle on the afternoon of that
day. The brigade was posted along the crest of a rocky,
wooded hill, and facing to the west. This hill gradually sloped
down to a level space also wooded, and two hundred yards to
the left rose again abruptly in a peak called Wolf Hill. The
regiment was bent back from the main line and faced towards
the hill beyond. A company was thrown forward as skirmish
ers, well out, but, for some reason, not connecting on the right.
The line was scarcely established when the enemy in force,
without skirmishers, pushed through the woods between our line
and the hill, drove the skirmishers directly to the rear, and fell
at once in two lines upon the left wing of the regiment, which
also had been bent back and faced nearly to the rear. After a
brief struggle the first attack was repulsed, and the enemy
re-formed and made a second, more vigorous and persistent. The
lines surged back and forth awhile, when the Colonel ordered a
charge, with fixed bayonets, and the right wing swung forward
cutting the enemy off from their retreat. As they fell back in
some confusion, the company of skirmishers which had been
driven off at the beginning of the action and were partly in
rear of the enemy, poured a volley into the disorganized crowd.
This added to their panic, and a large number, some driven
before, directly to the rear, surrendered. Nearly three hundred
prisoners were taken, including twelve commissioned officers,
one a Colonel. The prisoners were of the Fourth and Fifth
Texas and Fifteenth and Forty-seventh Alabama, a portion of
Longstreet's corps. In the evening the regiment charged and
drove the enemy from Wolf Hill, and pushed skirmishers well
down on the opposite side in close proximity to the enemy.
Their skirmishers advanced again, cautiously, in the darkness,
and dense woods. Twenty-three of them and one commissioned
officer decoyed into our lines, were captured by Lieut. Sidlinger
and five men. The total loss of the regiment in the action of

494 MAINE IN THE WAR.
the second, was three officers killed and one hundred and thirty-
four men killed and wounded.
On the third the brigade was under heavy fire of artillery but
took no active part. From the fifth until the tenth, it marched
in heavy and incessant rains through Middletown and over
South Mountain, and on the tenth encountered the enemy on
Sharpsburgh Pike. After a severe and protracted skirmish the
enemy were driven back, and the road was securely held. The
loss of the regiment in killed, wounded and missing, was eight.
On the eleventh it moved to Williamsport; thence back to South
Mountain, crossing the river at Berlin, and with brief delays
moving along the eastern base of the Blue Ridge. The regi
ment took part in the affair at Wapping Heights, July twenty-
third. Returning from Manassas Gap, the corps encamped at
Warrenton and Beverly Ford, (engaged a part of the time in
building corduroy roads from Bealeton to Warrenton Junction),
until September sixteenth . From Beverly Ford it moved beyond
Culpepper and encamped on the seventeenth. On the tenth of
October it broke camp and moved towards the Rapidan, and
the next day fell back through Culpepper, across the Rappahan
nock. The day following the corps recrossed the Rappahannock
and advanced toward Brandy Station. On the morning of the
thirteenth it moved back again, crossing the river, and following
the line of the Orange1 and Alexandria railroad, the regiment
marching nineteen hours out of the twenty-four. In the en
gagement at Bristoe's Station, it was with that part of the Fifth
corps which supported the Second corps, and after the action
marched to Centreville, having been on foot twenty-four hours.
The day following they moved to Fairfax and bivouacked, and
on the sixteenth marched to Centreville again, moving on the
eighteenth back to the vicinty of Fairfax. On the nineteenth,
they resumed march and encamped near Warrenton. On the
thirtieth they moved to Three Mile Station for camp and pick
eting, until the seventh of November, when the regiment, under
command of Major Spear, took part in the affair at Rappahan
nock Station. The skirmish line of the Twentieth, (eighty
men) under Capt. Morrill, joining on the right with the Sixth
Maine, charged with that gallant regiment, and entered the
works of the enemy simultaneously with them. The loss of the
regiment was one killed and seven wounded. The regiment

TWENTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 495
moved afterwards with the corps across the river at Kelly's
Ford and encamped two miles beyond. The division was
detached and moved to the north bank on the ninth, guarded
the ford until the nineteenth and then rejoined the corps across
the river. Lieut. Col. Gilmore being absent, the command
devolved upon the Major. On the twenty-sixth, they moved
with the corps across the Rapidan, and, on the twenty-seventh,
encountered the enemy near New Hope Church. Next day
they moved in a heavy rain, to the right to Robertson's Tavern,
and the next day went to the front. The brigade was on picket,
under fire, before the works of the enemy three days, with loss
of two wounded, and formed the rear guard of the corps in the
retreat on the morning of December third. From December
fourth until May eighteen hundred and sixty-four, the regiment
was encamped near Rappahannock Station, building roads,
picketing, and guarding the bridge and a section of the Orange
and Alexandria railroad. From the return of convalescents
and from recruits, it gained about one hundred men and num
bered at the opening of the spring campaign, three hundred
and forty-seven muskets. It was still attached to the Third
brigade, First division, Fifth corps and in the absence of the
other field officers, was commanded by Maj. Spear.
On the morning of May fourth, the brigade crossed the Rapi
dan, moved up the plank road towards Locust Grove, and formed
line of battle. Next morning the enemy appeared in front, but
made no offensive demonstrations, and about noon an advance
of our lines was ordered. The Twentieth was placed on the
right of the brigade, in the second line of battle, its right rest
ing on the road. The country was covered with thick woods,
with an occasional opening, one of a hundred yards in width im
mediately in our front. On the opposite side of this the enemy
were posted, occupying the edge of the woods. Our lines,
emerging suddenly into the open field, crossed under their mus
ketry fire and drove the enemy with precipitation. The second
line was following closely in pursuit, and had advanced about
a thousand yards, when the Major observing from the musketry
on the right and the rear that that part of our line had not come
up, and there was danger of being flanked, halted the regiment
and sent Capt. Sidelinger to deploy skirmishers and reconnoitre
on the right. This officer soon reported the enemy advancing

496 MAINE IN THE WAR.
from that direction. Meantime, the regiment in front perceiving
itself flanked, had fallen back and re-formed in the rear of the
Twentieth. The whole line was re-formed, partly bent back and
facing to the right, but the enemy re-enforced, poured through
the opening left by the brigade on the right, were overlapping
us in the rear, and pressing heavily on the front, and the brigade
was ordered to fall back. One company under Lieut. Melcher,
having become separated from the regiment, was cut off and
called upon to surrender ; but charging promptly, they broke
through the enemy and brought in thirty-five prisoners, without
serious loss. Among the severely wounded was Capt. Morrill
of company B, who was struck in the face while gallantly lead
ing his men.
On the seventh the Twentieth formed a part of a reconnoitre-
ing force to push the enemy back and ascertain his strength, it
having been reported that he was withdrawing from their front.
Advancing with three other regiments, it drove in the rebel pick
ets, until, meeting the partially concealed work behind which
the main force was posted,' it was met by a severe fire of mus
ketry and artillery. Having ascertained the force and position
of the enemy, the line was withdrawn and pickets established.
Among the killed were Lieuts. Lane and Sherwood. At one
o'clock next morning the regiment withdrew, and followed the
corps, which had moved the evening previous towards Spottsyl
vania Court House. The detachment of the brigade with which
it was connected was ordered to report to Gen. Crawford, com
manding the Third division. At six o'clock P. M. this division
advanced. The Twentieth was on the second line, which closely
followed the first, supporting it. Advancing through a dense
wood, the first line, composed of Pennsylvania Reserves, en
countered the enemy and halted, sustaining for a while a sharp
fire, but they finally broke before a sudden attack of the enemy.
In a moment the unexpected assault fell upon the second line,
sharp and persistent, and in many cases hand to hand. It was
quite dark when the enemy were beaten back. The regiment
captured more than one hundred prisoners. Capt. Morrell of
company A, was killed instantly, and Lieuts. Melcher and Prince
severely wounded. From this time until May twenty-first the
Twentieth lay almost constantly immediately before the enemy
and was every day under fire, losing more or less men. On the

TWENTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 497
eighteenth Col. Chamberlain returned and took command. The
corps withdrew from Spottsylvania Court House on the twenty-
first, and next evening crossed the Ta river and during the day
encountered the rear guard of the enemy, which consisted of
cavalry and artillery. The Twentieth, with two other regiments,
all under command of Col. Chamberlain, was thrown forward,
and the enemy were in a few minutes driven from their position
with a loss of several prisoners and horses. On Monday, the
twenty-second, the division 'crossed the North Anna at Jericho
Ford, and the regiment shared in the action of that day, and
next day skirmished with the enemy and assisted in the destruc
tion of the Virginia Central railroad. The corps recrossed the
river and, on the night of the twenty-sixth, moved down the
left bank and crossed the Pamunkey on the morning of the
twenty-eighth. Monday, the thirtieth, the division advanced
towards Hanover Court House, skirmishing with the enemy and
forcing him back during the entire day. Fighting was renewed
June third and the enemy was compelled to fall back to the
rear of a swamp to a second line of works. Some twenty-three
men were killed and wounded. Withdrawing from the vicinity
of Bethesda Church on the fifth, the division moved to the
extreme left and -picketed along the north bank of the Chicka
hominy until the evening of the twelfth, when it moved down
the river and crossed the next morning, and, after a severe
march, reached the vicinity of Petersburgh near midnight. Col.
Chamberlain had on the sixth been assigned to the command of
the First brigade of their division, and the command of the regi
ment devolved on Maj. Spear. In the assault of the eighteenth
of June, the Third brigade suffered no great loss. Col. Cham
berlain was severely wounded while leading his brigade in a
desperate assault upon the enemy's works, and was by Gen.
Grant promoted on the field to be Brigadier General, subject to
the approval of the President, for gallant and distinguished
services. The suggestion of Lieut. Gen. Grant was promptly
approved by President Lincoln. During the night of the twenty-:
first, the Twentieth threw up and occupied works in front of
the entrenchments of the enemy, near the Jerusalem Plank road,
occupying them until the fifteenth of August. During their
occupation the regiment lost seventeen men killed and wounded
and one officer, Capt. Keene, acting Major, and who had been
on the eighteenth commissioned to that grade, who was instantly
32

498 MAINE IN THE WAR.
killed on the twenty-second. August eighteenth, the corps
moved to the Weldon railroad and the Twentieth shared in the
engagements of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twenty-first,
capturing several prisoners on the latter day. It occupied an
intrenched position on that road until September thirtieth.
Having moved on the morning of that day to the front and left,
the brigade formed to assault the works of the enemy at Peebles'
Farm. Three companies of the regiment, under Capt. Clark of
company E, were on the skirmish line, and Maj. Spear with the
balance of the regiment was directed to support the skirmish
line and lead the assault. The Twentieth charged, in one rank,
with the skirmish line, across a field five hundred yards wide,
drove in the skirmishers of the enemy and were among the
first to go over the rebel works. It captured one piece of
artillery and seventy prisoners, including six commissioned
officers. Later in the day, the regiment under Capt. Clark,
Maj. Spear commanding the brigade, with the brigade repulsed
a heavy and persistent attack of the enemy. The total loss of
the Twentieth during the day was one officer, Capt. Weston H.
Keene of company A, who was instantly killed, and fifty-nine
men killed and wounded, out of the one hundred and sixty-
seven men taken into action.
The regiment, under Capt. Clark, shared in the movement to
Hatch's Farm on the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth of Oc
tober and, deployed as skirmishers, covered the retreat. Next
day it returned to its former position where the men proceeded
to build winter quarters. Col. Gilmore soon after returned and
took command; The Twentieth was with the Fifth corps on
the eighth of November in the expedition to destroy the Weldon
railroad. Since that time it has been in camp near the Jerusa
lem Plank road. The whole number of casualties during the
campaign was two hundred and ninety-eight, and about two
hundred recruits were received. The regiment numbered on
the twenty-sixth of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five,
six hundred and sixty-two, and had two hundred and seventy-
five muskets for duty in addition to an unassigned company.
Brevet Maj. Gen. Adelbert Ames was appointed a Brigadier
General in May, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, in accord
ance with the urgent request of Generals Hooker, Meade,
Howard and others, for distinguished service and gallantry at
Chancellorsville, where as Colonel of the Twentieth he had

TWENTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 499
served as additional aide-de-camp to Gen. Meade. Upon the
personal application of Gen. Howard, Gen. Ames was assigned
to the First brigade, First division, Eleventh army corps.
At the time of the cavalry fight at the ford of the Rappahan
nock, June ninth, he was in command of a picked brigade
detached for that purposed by Gen. Hooker.
At the battle of Gettysburgh, after the fall of Gen. Barlow,
he assumed command of the division and repulsed the night
attack made on Cemetery Hill. Subsequently he supported
Kilpatrick's cavalry and occupied Hagerstown.
In August, he was sent with his brigade to South Carolina
and took an active part in the operations against Fort Wagner
on Morris Island. While there he submitted to Gen. Gilmore
a plan for taking Fort Sumter by assault. It was accepted and
might have been successful, but owing to the jealousy of other
officers, it is supposed, the order was countermanded.
After the repulse at Olustee, Gen. Ames, then on Folly Island,
was sent to Florida and put in command of a division.
When the troops from the Department of the South were sent
North to reinforce our armies in Virginia, Gen. Ames accom
panied them. He commanded a brigade and then a division in
the Tenth corps, and bore a conspicuous part in the operations
before Richmond.
When the Eighteenth corps was re-organized and sent to the
Army of the Potomac, Gen. Ames had a brigade and afterwards
a division. Subsequently he had a division in the Tenth corps;
and upon the re-organization of the Army of the James a
division in the Twenty-fourth corps. He was in immediate
command of the troops in the first unsuccessful assault on Fort
Fisher. And in the second assault it was his division that did
the work, after one of the most desperate and gallant fights
known in history.
After Col. Chamberlain's promotion to Brigadier General he
(Col. C.) was absent suffering from the effect of his wound, un
til November, when he returned to the field and was assigned
to the command of the First brigade, First division, Fifth corps.
He had charge of his brigade during the expedition to the Wel
don railroad in December. Still suffering from his wound, he
was obliged to relinquish his command temporarily, and return
ed home about the middle of January, eighteen hundred and
sixty-five.

500 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXXI.
TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment and the seven following were raised and organ
ized under the governmental call of August third, eighteen
hundred and sixty-two, to serve for nine months. Their officers
were elected under the ten regiment act.
The Twenty-first was mustered into the United States service
on the thirteenth of October, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,
and was officered as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Elijah D. Johnson, Lewiston, Colonel; Nathan Stanley, Vas-
salboro, Lieutenant Colonel; Benjamin G. Merry, Bath, Major;
Joseph T. Woodward, Sidney, Adjutant; William S. Brown,
Waldoboro, Quartermaster; George E. Brickett, China, Surgeon;
David P. Bolster, China, Assistant Surgeon; John S. Cushing,
Sidney, Second Assistant Surgeon ; Phineas Higgins, Waldo
boro, Chaplain; George W. Hubbard, Waterville, Sergeant
Major ; Henry J. Cushing, Skowhegan, Quartermaster Sergeant ;
George E. Allen, Augusta, Commissary Sergeant; Frank Bod-
fish, Waterville, Hospital Steward.
COMPANY ¦ OFFICERS.
Company A. — Isaac W. Comery, Captain ; Aaron W. Wallace,
First Lieutenant; Daniel W. Demuth, Second Lieutenant; all
of Waldoboro.
Company B. — John U. Hubbard, Waterville, Captain; An
drew Pinkham, Waterville, First Lieutenant; Benjamin Libby,
Fairfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company C— James L. Hunt, Captain; Luther Small, First
Lieutenant; Roswell C. Harris, Second Lieutenant; all of Bath.
Company D. — Joseph P. Garland, Winslow, Captain ; Thomas
A. Maxfield, Vassalboro, First Lieutenant; David Lowell,
Phipsburg, Second Lieutenant.

TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 501
Company E. — James M. Williams, Augusta, Captain; War
ren H. Pierce, Windsor, First Lieutenant; John F. Tibbitts,
Woolwich, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Augustus N. Linscott, Jefferson, Captain;
Abraham H. Preble, Whitefield, First Lieutenant; George A.
Russell, Readfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Marcus L. Hewett, Thomaston, Captain; Leroy
Copeland, Thomaston, First Lieutenant; Micah Hobbs, Hope,
Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Samuel W. Clark, Newcastle, Captain ; Martin
V. B. Chase, Sidney, First Lieutenant; William F. Rundlett,
Newcastle, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Andrew J. Erskine, Bristol, Captain ; Edward
K. Hall, Nobleboro, First Lieutenant; Frederic N. Huston,
Damariscotta, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Amos 0. Tobey, Skowhegan, Captain; Hiram
H. Crosby, Norridgewock, First Lieutenant; Ozias E. Bartlett,
Skowhegan, Second Lieutenant.
This regiment left Augusta on the twenty:first of October for
Washington. When it arrived at Trenton, New Jersey, a
telegram was received from Maj. Gen. Banks, ordering Col.
Johnson to return with his command to New York City and
report to him at that place, Gen. Banks having at that time
received orders to organize the "Banks' Expedition," and
established his headquarters at New York for that purpose.
Returning, the regiment went to East New York, where it was
joined by the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth Maine regi
ments, forming with them a Provisional brigade under the com
mand of Col. Johnson of the Twenty-first. Here the regiment
remained more than two months. The sudden atmospheric
changes in that locality were exceedingly detrimental to the
health of the men, unaccustomed as they were to exposure in
a climate so changeable at such a season, in spite of the kind
attentions of the citizens of that vicinity.
The regiment in the interim, whenever the weather would
permit, was not idle, but employed the time in company and
battalion drill, acquiring considerable proficiency in those move
ments. On the ninth of January of the following year, companies A,
C, E, F, H and K received orders to break camp and proceed
to Brooklyn for transportation. The order was promptly obeyed,

502 MAINE IN THE WAR.
and at night the detachment accompanied by the Field and Staff,
except the Colonel, Surgeon and Quartermaster Sergeant, were
safely on board the transport ship Onward in New York har
bor, where they were joined by company K of the Twenty-fourth
Maine, the whole being under command of Lieut. Col. Stanley
of the Twenty-first. Leaving New York on the morning of the
eleventh, the detachment reached Fortress Monroe on the fif
teenth of the same month. Lieut. Col. Stanley reported at this
place to Gen. Dwight in command of the Expeditionary Forces,
and after taking an assortment of medical stores and leaving
Assistant Surgeon Thomas for duty on another transport about
to sail, the detachment left on the sixteenth for New Orleans,
arriving at that city on the last day of that month, when the
detachment was ordered thence to Carrollton where it debarked
and encamped, having been on ship board twenty-two days.
Remaining here one day and night it was ordered to Baton
Rouge, where it arrived on the third of February and reported
to Gen. Grover in command of the post. By his direction it
encamped near the city on the same field where the Fourteenth
Maine had met the rebel forces under Breckinridge on the fifth
of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.
On the eleventh of February, Col. Johnson with the remainder
of the regiment arrived, save a part of company G, which came
soon after, having been in charge of a transport ship. The
regiment on being re-united, commenced its work, furnishing
a large detail for picket daily in a locality where the line was
necessarily in low and marshy grounds, exposing the men to all
the miasmatic influences and other dangers of a climate so
hostile to the northern constitution. The regiment lost fear
fully by disease, notwithstanding the utmost precaution was
taken by all concerned to preserve the health of the command.
It was here assigned to the First brigade, First division, Nine
teenth army corps. The other regiments of the brigade were
the Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Massachusetts and the One
Hundred and Sixteenth New York Volunteers, the latter regi
ment under Col. E. P. Chapin who was in command of the
brigade. The division was commanded by Gen. Augur.
Baton Rouge had now become a place of considerable impor
tance as a base of military operations against Port Hudson and
other points in the vicinity, it being now fully apparent that
the object of the "Banks Expedition" involved the opening of

TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 503
the Mississippi river, and also as a depot for supplies and
rendezvous for the colored troops which at that time were being
rapidly organized. In view of this, a considerable force was
stationed there to prevent the possibility of a successful attack
by the enemy. The first movement of importance in which
this regiment participated was made on the fourteenth of March,
when the whole corps in co-operation with Admiral Farragut's
fleet advanced on Port Hudson, Gen. Augur's division being in
the reserve. No attack, however, was made in force by the
army at this time, its movements engaging the attention of the
garrison of Port Hudson, while Farragut, attacking the water
batteries, passed safely with two vessels of his fleet, to aid
materially in the general plan and meet the army afterward
above this point on its return from the Teche country.
On the day following the passage of the vessels of the fleet
by Port Hudson, the First division moved to Monticello Bayou
and there encamped, where the regiment remained until the
twenty-second of March, maintaining a strong picket line on
the Clinton and Port Hudson roads. On that day it was ordered
to proceed in connection with a body of cavalry, in the direction
of the Amite river, to ascertain if there were any of the enemy
in that vicinity, and, at the same time, to guard a large train
from the Quartermaster's Department sent out to collect cotton
and forage. This duty being satisfactorily accomplished, the
regiment returned late at night to camp at Baton Rouge. From
this time until May the regiment was employed in the construc
tion of defences about the city, losing no opportunity to perfect
itself in drill. The construction of a large fort bearing the
name of Fort Williams, in honor of Gen. Williams who fell in
defence of the«place the previous year, involved the felling of
much heavy timber about the city within range of its guns, a
work at which the lumbermen of Maine were perfectly at home.
On the twentieth of May a forward movement was ordered,
and the First division left Baton Rouge on the morning of that
day for Port Hudson, by the Bayou Sara Road, encamping for
the night near this road, at a point about fifteen miles distant
from Baton Rouge.
The next morning the advance was disputed at a point near
Plains' Church, where the division was passing through a thick
wood. The attack being made by artillery, the batteries of the

504 MAINE IN THE WAR.
division were advanced and put in position, and two companies
from the Twenty-first, with other troops, were deployed as skir
mishers in the woods on the left of the road, to guard against
an attack by infantry. After a sharp artillery duel for a little
time, the division advanced into an open field, where the Twenty-
first were ordered to remain as a reserve, being in full range of
the batteries of the enemy, whose shot ploughed the ground
about them, and whose shell burst over their heads. Here they
stood calmly, as if on parade, till the remainder of the brigade
had marched across the field and charged the rebels from their
position, sending them back toward Port Hudson with severe
loss. At this juncture, artillery firing was heard in the direction
of Baton Rouge, and the Twenty-first was ordered by Gen.
Augur to proceed at once to the support of a squadron of cav
alry then engaged with the enemy, who were endeavoring to
cut the communication of the troops with that place, and, as
they hoped, capture the main body of our forces. The regiment
charged through a thick wood, across a deep ravine, and drove
the attacking party from the field, meeting with no loss.
On the twenty-fourth, Gen. Banks having passed through the
Teche country, came down the river and joined the division,
when the whole corps moved on Port Hudson. During the
twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth the regiment was supporting bat
teries. On the morning of the twenty-seventh the increased
activity of the artillery showed that something of importance
was to be done. At noon preparations were made for the attack.
Volunteers for a storming party were called for, and furnished
promptly. Capt. S. W. Clark and Lieut. A. W. Wallace, from
the Twenty-first, commanded the party from the regiment. At
four o'clock P.M. the signal for the assault was given; the
storming parties advanced from the woods in which the lines
were formed, and at the same time the garrison opened upon the
advancing column with grape, cannister, and shell. The storm-
ers were immediately followed by an advance of the whole line.
The position of the Twenty-first in this assault was opposite
the main entrance to Port Hudson. The advance was made for
a long distance through a thick abattis. The Second Vermont
battery being immediately on the right of the Twenty-first, and
handled with fine effect, protected the men from the terrible loss
which they must otherwise have met at a point so carefully

TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 505
guarded by the enemy. As it was, the loss in killed and wound
ed was more than sixty in less than half an hour, when, finding
it impracticable to carry the works under a fire so murderous, a
recall of the troops from the field was ordered. Lieut. Hubbard
and Adjut. Woodward were wounded, and Lieut. Wallace was
killed. Every man of its color guard was either killed or wound
ed save one, Color-Sergeant Dyer, who died soon after from his
wounds, having been twice wounded and completely disabled
before he would resign the colors to his comrades.
At this time the regiment was much reduced in numbers,
many officers and men being in hospital at Baton Rouge entire
ly unable to be with their commands, from disease contracted
in the line of their duty. A few who had somewhat recovered,
hearing that a battle was to be fought, left the hospital, two of
whom, Capt.. J. M. Williams and Lieut. M. V. B. Chase, reached
the field in time for this assault, the latter to take command of his
company, Capt. Clark being in command of the storming party.
In addition to this, one of the largest companies, company
I, had been detailed to guard the ammunition train of the divi
sion, reducing the number of men for duty very materially from
the number usually in the ranks of a regiment. From this time
till the fourteenth of June, the regiment was employed on
picket and fatigue duty. On that day, it was again engaged
and lost fourteen men.
The regiment was present at the surrender of Port Hudson
on the seventh of July, arid preparations were made imme
diately thereafter for the transportation of those regiments home
that had already remained far beyond the expiration of their
term of service. The Twenty-first was accordingly assigned
to the Second brigade of the Post Forces, under command of Col.
Johnson, Gen. George L. Andrews being in command of the
post ; and on the twenty-fourth of July it left for Maine. The
regiment with others, being the first to pass up the Mississippi
river, received a continuous ovation along the route and arrived
at Augusta on the seventh of August, having been more than
ten and a half months in the service, nearly a year having
elapsed from the time the men entered camp at Augusta.
The regiment was mustered out of the service on the twenty-
fifth of August, by Lieut. F. A. Crossman of the United States
Army.

506 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXXII.
TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This was the second of the regiments organized in eighteen
hundred and sixty-two for nine months' service. It was ren
dezvoused at Camp John Pope, Bangor, and its officers were
elected in the same manner as those of the first ten regiments.
The original officers of the regiment were as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Simon G. Jerrard, Levant, Colonel; Olonzo G. Putnam, Dover,
Lieutenant Colonel; John 0. Brackett, Palmyra, Major; Frank
G. Flagg, Hampden, Adjutant; Lyman C. Bailey, Calais,
Quartermaster ; Josiah Jordan, Dover, Surgeon ; Jason Huck-
ins, Corinth, Assistant Surgeon; John W. Cook, Dover, Second
Assistant Surgeon ; John K. Lincoln, Bangor, Chaplain; Roscoe
G. Rollins, Bangor, Sergeant Major ; Edward M. Young, Ken-
duskeag, Quartermaster Sergeant; William Lowney, Bangor,
Commissary Sergeant; Eugene B. Sanborn, Machiasport, Hos
pital Steward; Oliver D. Richardson, Mapleton Plantation,
Drum Major; George W. Grant, Bangor, Fife Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A — Henry Crosby, Hampden, Captain ; Thomas J.
Knowles, Hampden, First Lieutenant; James P. Ireland,
Corinna, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — James W. Williams, Captain ; John T. Gilman,
First Lieutenant; George H. Anson, Second Lieutenant; all of
Bangor. Company C. — George A. Bolton, Orrington, Captain ; Jasper
Hutchins, Brewer, First Lieutenant; Joseph A. Baker, Orring
ton, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Charles H. Union, Addison, Captain; Ephraim
P. Dorman, Harrington, First Lieutenant ; Nathaniel White,
Columbia, Second Lieutenant.

TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 507
Company E. — Henry L. Wood, Dexter, Captain; W. Prince
Hersey, Lincoln, First Lieutenant ; Thomas J. Pekes, Charles
ton, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — William B. Taylor, Calais, Captain; Benjamin*
F. Waite, Jr., Calais, First Lieutenant; Gibbs F. Libby, Rob-
binston, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Aziel W. Putnam, Houlton, Captain ; Robert
H. Outhouse, Hodgdon, First Lieutenant ; Henry H. Putnam,
Houlton, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Isaac W. Case, Kenduskeag, Captain ; Joseph
Richardson, Corinth, First Lieutenant ; Anson C. Jerrard, Ply
mouth, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Archibald C. Lambert, Dover, Captain ; Mont-
ville C. Bailey, Sangerville, First Lieutenant; Owen B. Williams,
Sangerville, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Turner W. Whitehouse, Newport, Captain;
Amos B. Matthews, Hartland, First Lieutenant; Edwin W.
Trueworthy, Newport, Second Lieutenant.
The regiment was mustered into service October eighteenth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, by Capt. Samuel Dana, of the
Seventeenth United States Infantry, and left the State on the
twenty-first, arriving in Washington on the twenty-fourth, and
next day it was ordered to Arlington Heights, Virginia, and
temporarily brigaded in the Third brigade, Casey's division,
Reserved army corps, commanded by Col. Fessenden, of the
Twenty-fifth Maine. The regiment remained there till Novem
ber third, principally engaged in drill and guard duty, when it
was ordered to Fortress Monroe, to form a portion of the
projected expedition to New Orleans. On the fifth they embarked
on the steamer S. R. Spaulding and moved down the Potomac,
reaching their destination on the seventh, after a most uncom
fortable passage in an incessant storm of sleet and wind, being
the first regiment of the expedition to rendezvous there.
Not being permitted to land at the fort they proceeded to
Newport News, where comfortable barracks were found for the
soldiers and there was good opportunity for drill. November
twenty-first, the Twenty-second was temporarily attached to
Gen. Corcoran's brigade, which landed at Newport News on
that day. Remaining here until December second, the regiment
embarked at Fortress Monroe for New Orleans. The expedi-

508 * MAINE IN THE WAR.
tion of which the regiment was a part left on the fourth, and
arrived at Ship Island on the twelfth, leaving the next day for
New Orleans, where it arrived on the fifteenth. On the six
teenth it was ordered to report to Gen. Grover, who had been
placed in command of a force for the capture and occupation of
Baton Rouge, then held by a small rebel force. It moved up
river on the afternoon of that day, and reached Baton Rouge at
daybreak the next morning, and landed without opposition.
The Twenty-second was the first regiment ordered to land and
occupy the works. For several days the regiment was- kept
almost constantly under arms, apprehending an attack from a
superior rebel force reporfed in the vicinity, but it at length
settled down to the usual routine of garrison duty.
December thirty-first, the regiment was brigaded with the
Sixth New York, Twelfth Maine and One Hundred and Thirty-
first New York, forming the First brigade of Grover's division,
first under command of William Wilson, Sixth New York, and
later under Brig. Gen. Dwight.
While at Baton Rouge the regiment suffered severely from
sickness and death, notwithstanding every care and effort to
preserve the health of the troops ; and it was only after the
regiment had entered on more active duties that the prevalence
of disease abated.
The Twenty-second regiment formed a part of the force which
left, Baton Rouge March thirteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, under Gen. Banks, for the purpose of making a recon
noissance in the rear of Port Hudson ; and after accomplishing
that object, returned on the sixteenth to Monticello Bayou, six
miles from Baton Rouge.
March twenty-sixth, with the rest of Grover's division, the
regiment embarked on steamers for Donaldsonville; thence it
marched by land to Brashear City, reaching that place on the
eleventh of April. From the twenty-third of March to the
eighteenth of April, owing to the sickness of Col. Jerrard,
Lieut. Col. Putnam was in command of the regiment. The
object of this movement was to get possession of Western
Louisiana, then held by a considerable rebel force.
On the morning of the thirteenth, Grover's division embarked
on transports and moved up the Atchafalaya lake, for the pur
pose of attacking the works in the rear, Gen. Banks having

TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 509
previously thrown a heavy force across Berwick Bay, which
was then engaging the enemy in front. Only seven companies
of the Twenty-second accompanied this movement, companies
B, G and H, under Maj. Brackett, being left at Brashear for
want of transportation.
During the day the troops were safely landed at Irish Bend,
in rear of Franklin, and after crossing Bayou Teche, encamped
for the night. Early on the morning of the fourteenth, the whole
force was moving in the direction of Franklin, the Third brigade
in front, followed immediately by the First. While advancing
over an extensive cane field, the leading brigade was engaged
by a large rebel force strongly posted in the woods bordering the
field, and after nearly two hours of hard fighting was repulsed
and driven to the rear by a charge on its right flank. At this
moment the First brigade was ordered forward, and the regi.
ment took its position in line with the coolness of veterans.
The rebels came dashing forward, firing and yelling, and when
but a few yards distant halted and delivered a volley. Lieut.
Col. Putnam, with commendable presence of mind, ordered the
men to drop upon the ground, and the leaden shower passed
With but a single casualty. The regiment immediately sprang
up, and the whole line advanced on the enemy, who broke and
left the field in disorder.
April fifteenth, the regiment was ordered to Franklin to gar
rison that place, and remained there until the twenty-fifth, when,
leaving Maj. Brackett with companies D and I, Col. Jerrard
proceeded to New Iberia and took command of that post.
While here the Twenty-second did good service in suppressing
negro insurrections that prevailed in St. Martin's and other
parishes. Capt. Henry L. Wood was appointed Acting Provost '
Marshal of St. Martinsville, with one company for provost guard.
May sixth, it proceeded to Washington, Louisiana, and
arrived there on the - eleventh. It remained there until the
twentieth, when it marched to Barru's Landing, and was tem
porarily attached to the Provisional brigade under Col. Morgan,
Ninetieth New York Volunteers. May twenty-first the brigade
started for Brashear City in charge of an extensive train, and
arrived there on the twenty-seventh, after a hard march of
eight days.
It left Brashear on the evening of the twenty-eighth for Port

510 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Hudson, proceeding by rail to Algiers, thence by water to
Baton Rouge, from which place it marched, reaching Port Hud
son June first, having marched during the campaign more than
five hundred miles. The next day after its arrival the Twenty-
second was ordered to the front to support the Indiana an 1
First Maine Batteries. One-third of the regiment was detailed
daily for the rifle pits ; the remainder was held in reserve on the
left of the batteries.
At eleven o'clock on the evening of the ninth of June, Col.
Jerrard was informed by an aid to Col. Morgan, that an assault
was to be made by Grover's division, to commence in one hour.
The Twenty-second was ordered to advance on the works in
front of the batteries, and, if possible, carry them. The skirm
ish line was immediately called in, and at the appointed time
the regiment was moving forward, companies A, B and E in
front deployed as skirmishers, the remainder in line of battle a
few yards in the rear. The distance to the enemy's rifle pits
was about six hundred yards, over ground naturally rough, and
rendered almost impassable by fallen timber. The Ninetieth
New York on its right and the One Hundred and Thirty-first
New York on its left soon became engaged, and as the attention
of the enemy was directed chiefly to them, the Twenty-second
advanced unobserved until its skirmishers had nearly reached
the works. A portion of the advance under Capt. Gilman and
Lieutenants Anson and Knowles had become separated in the
darkness from the skirmish line, and, reaching the works con
siderably in advance of the rest, drove the enemy from a gun,
but being too far in advance to receive prompt support, they
were compelled to retire with a loss of two killed, two wounded,
and Lieut. Anson and one soldier prisoners. At this time the
regiments on their right and left were repulsed. The enemy
now concentrated his fire upon the regiment, compelling it to
fall back a few yards behind a hill, from which it was soon after
withdrawn and returned to its former duties.
During this attack Capt. Henry Crosby of company A fell
mortally wounded near the enemy's works, while gallantly lead
ing his company. He was a brave officer, a true patriot and a
firm friend, endeared to all who knew him.
Sunday, June fourteenth, was appointed for the third, and,
as was then believed, last assault on Port Hudson. Gen.

TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 511
Dwight was ordered to make a feint on the left at .three o'clock
in the morning, for the purpose of drawing the enemy from the
real point of attack. The assault was to be made by a division
under Gen. Paine, and to commence at daybreak, and the bat
teries along the whole line were to open at that time. The
First and Third brigades were held in reserve. At one o'clock
A. M.,the First brigade was in motion, and reached the centre,,
where the attack was to be made, at half past three o'clock,
and at once took position in the rear of the assaulting column.
Instead of advancing at three o'clock, Gen. Dwight did not
move until nearly seven, thereby allowing the enemy to mass
his forces to oppose Gen. Paine. This mistake contributed
largely to our defeat.
Under cover of the batteries, the assaulting force advanced
to the ditch in front of the works. Here it received a fire which
threatened to annihilate it. The ditch was wide and deep and
could be crossed only with difficulty under the most favorable
circumstances. To attempt it in the face of such a terrible fire
was madness. They were compelled to retire, leaving the field
thickly strewn with the dead and wounded. During this assault
Gen. Paine was seriously wounded while trying to rally his
division. It was at this critical moment the reserve was order
ed forward. The First brigade was then under command of
Col. Halcom, Col. Morgan commanding the division. A ditch
had been cut through a deep ravine through which the brigade
could have advanced to the works without serious loss. Not
having been informed of this route, Col. Halcom ordered a
charge over ground obstructed by fallen timber, and commanded
at all points by the enemy's rifles. At the command, the
brigade moved rapidly forward until nearly half the distance
had been passed over, when reaching a ravine, it halted, and
the men lay down. The brigade had lost quite heavily, and
some of the regiments had been thrown into great confusion.
Col. Halcom again ordered the brigade forward. The soldiers
hesitated. Only a few stood up, and they were either shot
down or compelled to lie down immediately. Not desiring to
remain there, Col. Jerrard called on his regiment to follow him
to the works. ; It responded nobly, and moved forward as rap
idly as possible, until it reached a ravine at the foot of the
parapet, when finding the brigade had not followed, he determined

512 MAINE IN THE WAR.
to halt and await orders, not deeming it proper to throw his
regiment, unaided, upon the works. For more than one hour
he received no orders, nor learned anything from the other reg
iments of the brigade. At length an aid arrived with an order
for him to report in person to Col. Morgan. Col. Halcom had
been shot dead while attempting to rally the brigade, and being
the next officer in rank, Col. Jerrard was ordered to take com
mand and charge the works immediately. He asked where
the regiments of the brigade could be found, and was answered,
"It is immaterial where they are, charge them upon the works
from any point where you can find them."
Maj. Shawman, commanding Ninetieth New York, soon
reported. That regiment had been badly cut up by a cross fire
from the enemy's works, and could not then muster more than
one hundred men and four commissioned officers. He was
ordered to withdraw his regiment, if possible, and join Col.
Jerrard farther to the left, where he had determined to make the
assault. Before this order was executed it was countermanded
by Col. Morgan. The position of the First Louisiana was sim
ilar to that of the Ninetieth New York. These regiments were
only withdrawn on the following night, under cover of the
darkness. The position of the One Hundred and Thirty-first
New York was more favorable, and after moving to the left into
the ravine, it soon joined the Twenty-second Maine. The
Twenty-second marched to the field with two hundred men, but
at that time did not number more than one hundred and seventy,
and the One. Hundred and Thirty-first New York numbered
about seventy-five-, making a total of two hundred and forty-five
available men. With this small force, (and virtually without
support,) Col. Jerrard was ordered to carry works which had
resisted successfully the combined effort of nearly three brigades
in the morning. He immediately represented to Col. Morgan
the condition in which he had found the brigade, but he was
ordered "to charge the works if he should lose every man."
The order was peremptory, and he prepared to obey it.
In front of the works was a deep, narrow ravine, running
nearly parallel, and not more than two rods distant. This
ravine could be reached without seriously exposing the men,
and when formed within it, one-half the distance to the works
was gained. Col. Jerrard at once ordered the regiments to

TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 513
form in column in the ravine, the One Hundred and Thirty-first
New York in front. While moving up the ravine, the brigade
was met by a rapid fire, killing and wounding several soldiers,
and compelling the One Hundred and Thirty-first New York to
fall upon the ground to avoid its effects.
Col. Jerrard ordered Col. Day, commanding the One Hundred
and Thirty-first New York, to move his regiment a little to the
front, in order that the Twenty-second might form in the rear.
He replied that he would go on to the works himself, or die,
if so ordered, but his men utterly refused to advance any
further. The Twenty-second was thus left with a few officers
and soldiers who had gallantly gone through all the perils of
that day, and now stood ready to make still greater sacrifice.
Knowing that any attempt to carry the works with this small
force could result only in the instant slaughter of every man
in the regiment, Col. Jerrard determined to fall back, believing
that neither duty to his country nor to his men, required the fruit
less sacrifice. He at once informed Col. Morgan of his action.
Shortly after he received an order from Gen. Grover, counter
manding the charge, for the reason that a large rebel force had
been discovered drawn up a little in rear of the works, render
ing it impossible to carry them. After dark the brigade was
withdrawn and returned to the position it occupied before the
battle. Next day Col. Jerrard was placed under arrest by order of
Gen. Grover, from representations made against him by Col.
Morgan. Demanding the charges, he was assured they would
be furnished immediately, but they never were. Gen. Grover
informed Maj. Brackett on the eighteenth that the Colonel would
be released from arrest and returned to his command in a few
days, but on the twenty-second he received an order from Gen.
Banks, dismissing him from the service for "using dircouraging
and insubordinate language in the presence of a number of
officers and enlisted men, while forming the brigade for the
charge." Thus he was dismissed without an opportunity of
meeting his accusers, or knowing the offence with which he was
charged until he learned it from the published orders.
The charge was wholly false and the Colonel would have
proved it so had he been afforded an opportunity, and the
responsibility of the disasters of that day would have been
33

514 MAINE IN THE WAR.
placed where it justly belonged. Letters which he received
from the regimental commanders of his brigade, Maj. Grosvenor,
First Louisiana, Maj. Shawman, Ninetieth New York and Lieut.
Col. Day and Maj. Rexford, One Hundred and Thirty-first New
York, prove the injustice with which he was treated.
Despairing of a trial in that Department, he applied to Gen.
Banks for permission to take depositions of officers and soldiers
who were with him on the field, that he might have a trial in
this State" or at Washington, but it was refused.
June sixteenth a call was made for volunteers for a storming
party. Captains Case, and Wood and Lieut. Brown, with five
enlisted men, volunteered from the Twenty-second.
July sixth, Capt. Case of company H, died from congestive
chills, after a few hours illness. He died at the encampment of
the storming party, having volunteered to lead a company of
stormers, and, if necessary, to seal his devotion to his country's
cause with his life, in a final attempt to take Port Hudson. No
soldier more brave, or patriot more true than he, has yielded
his life in this unfortunate struggle.
Port Hudson surrendered July eighth, after which the regi
ment was quartered inside the works. On the twenty-fourth
it started for Maine, passing up the Mississippi by boat to
Cairo, thence by rail to Bangor, where it arrived August sixth,
and was mustered out of service on the fourteenth by Lieut. F.
E. Crossman, Seventeenth United States Infantry.

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY.

515

XXXIII.
TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY.
With the exception of one company from Cumberland county,
this regiment was composed entirely of the quotas from the
counties of Androscoggin and Oxford. The men went into
camp at Portland between the tenth and fifteenth of September,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and a number of the companies
were organized prior to going into rendezvous. It is believed
that in moral and intellectual qualities the men composing this
regiment, have not been exceeded by any sent from the State.
A large number of our most intelligent citizens, graduates of
seminaries and colleges, men of culture and wealth, were found
in its ranks, and the number of men of foreign birth, would
scarcely exceed a dozen in the entire regiment. The regimental
organization was completed on the eighteenth of September
with great unanimity in the election. The following were the
original officers of the regiment :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
William Wirt Virgin, Norway, Colonel;. Enos T. Luce, Au
burn, Lieutenant Colonel; Alfred B. Soule, Lewiston, Major;
Winthrop H. Hall, Palmyra, Adjutant; William Bray, Turner,
Quartermaster; Jesse P. Sweat, Brownfield, Surgeon; Richard
R. Ricker, Minot, Assistant Surgeon; Joseph 0. Snow, Nor
way, Chaplain; Royal E. Whitman, Turner, Sergeant Major;
Samuel R. Crocker, Fryeburgh, Quartermaster Sergeant ; Philip
Bray, Turner, Commissary Sergeant; Stephen B. McKenney,
North Yarmouth, Hospital Steward; William W. Foss, Mexico,
Drum Major; Robert M. Sykes, Auburn, Fife Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Dudley B. Varney, Captain; Kirke W. Moses,
First Lieutenant ; Henry A. Norcross, Second Lieutenant ; all
of Lewiston.
Companj B. — Horace C. Little Bridgton, Captain; E. Mellen

516 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Wight, Bethel, First Lieutenant ; Granville Fernald, Harrison,
Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Charles H. Prince, Buckfield, Captain; Albion
Thorn, Canton, First Lieutenant; Ezra Soule, Hartford, Second
Lieutenant. Company D. — Charles E. Bradford, Turner, Captain ; Horace
C. Haskell, Turner, First Lieutenant; Hiram Moore, Minot,
Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Almon C. Pray, Auburn, Captain; Freedom H.
Lander, Auburn, First Lieutenant ; Charles W. Gerrish, Lisbon,
Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Horace N. Bolster, Paris, Captain; Joseph H.
Abbott, Rumford, First Lieutenant ; William B. Lapham, Wood
stock, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Alonzo P. Lamb, Poland, Captain; Charles
Thurston, Danville, First Lieutenant ; Joseph H. Freeman,
Poland, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Amos F. Noyes, Norway, Captain ; Josiah H.
Stearns, Lovell, First Lieutenant; James M. Howe, Jr., Frye-
burgh, Second Lieutenant. .
Company I. — James S. Nash, Livermore, Captain; William
K. Staples, Oxford, First Lieutenant; Henry C. Wentworth,
East Livermore, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Moses N. Stanley, Porter, Captain ; Joseph 0.
Gentleman, Porter, First Lieutenant; William G. Spring,
Hiram, Second Lieutenant
The regiment was mustered into service September twenty-
ninth, by Capt- Dana, Seventeenth United States Infantry, and
left for Washington at nine o'clock Saturday morning October
eighteenth. Along the route they were everywhere greeted
with cheers and proofs of good will. They arrived in Wash
ington on the twentieth, about dark.
That night they slept in a large new building near the depot
and next morning marched to the arsenal, some three miles, got
their muskets and then encamped on East Capitol Hill. That
night found the regiment in shelter tents, one mile east of the
capitol, with the sand drifting like snow around them. Here
they remained till Saturday, the twenty-fifth, when they gladly
left Washington, under orders to report to Gen. Cuvier Grover
of the regular army, (a native of Bethel, Maine,) at Seneca,

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 517
which is on the banks of the Potomac, some fifteen miles above
Washington. Marching through Georgetown, they took the
tow path of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and marching up
the river three or four miles, bivouacked for the night. There
was a pouring rain next morning, but they shouldered their
muskets and slowly wended their way along the bank of the
river and at five o'clock P. M., met an orderly from Gen. Grover
at Lock Twenty-one, who directed them to encamp on the side
of a hill and await orders. Never had it rained harder than
when they marched through a wheat field, with the mud ankle
deep, to lie down for the night in their blankets, which were
dripping with water. In the morning the clouds had disap
peared, and the sun rose gloriously. The men arranged their
camp and remained there three weeks, guarding the river. In
addition to the Twenty-third the brigade was composed of the
Fourteenth New Hampshire, Tenth Vermont, and Thirty-ninth
Massachusetts, all of which were three years' men except the
Twenty-third. November twenty-first the brigade moved three
miles down the river to Offutt's Cross Roads, about ten miles
from Washington and two from the Potomac. They remained
here till December twentieth, when the brigade was distributed
up and down the river from Great Falls, ten miles from Wash
ington to Monocacy Creek, thirty miles higher up. The Twenty-
third had ten miles of river to guard, with its headquarters at
Muddy Branch. It remained here but a few days, when it was
ordered to Edward's Ferry, thirty miles from Washington, where
it remained till April nineteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, doing guard duty on the river, the details being about
forty men a day. For the six months preceding the latter date,
the regiment was drilled, disciplined and instructed in the most
thorough manner, and it is believed that no regiment during the
same time, ever made greater progress. The officers recited
every evening in tactics and the regulations, no absentees being
allowed, and the Sergeants had daily recitations. The officers
devoted an hour each morning in practically exemplifying the
lessons of the evening previous, and each Sergeant had his own
squad under drill. The time was occupied by company drills
in the forenoon and regimental drill of from two to three hours
in the afternoon of each day, and the regiment acquired a high
reputation for efficiency in drill and guard duty. Their camp

518 MAINE IN THE WAR.
at Edward's Ferry during the winter was a paragon of peatness
and health, the admiration of all who saw it, and will long be
remembered by the brigade for its novelty and beauty.
Lieut. Col. Luce had command of the regiment from the
eighteenth of February till March twenty-fourth, Col. Virgin
being President of a general Court Martial at brigade head
quarters, during the time
The spring campaign having opened, the Fourteenth New
Hampshire and Thirty-ninth Massachusetts were ordered to
Washington. The Twenty-third proceeded to Poolesville, about
three miles from the ferry, where it remained till May fifth, when
it was ordered to Washington. Breaking camp in the afternoon
of that day it marched, in a drenching rain, down to the ferry,
where three companies still remained under Maj. Soule. Next
morning it took up its march for Washington on the tow path
of the canal, by the side of the Potomac, and reached George
town on the afternoon of the second day. Here they were
ordered to march back to Chain Bridge, cross the river and
encamp near Fort Ethan Allen. Here they remained about
three weeks, doing picket duty, Lieut. Col. Luce being in com
mand, Col. Virgin commanding the brigade. The regiment
here found time for drill and kept up its former proficiency.
Sunday, May twenty-fourth, they were again ordered to break
camp and in the afternoon proceeded fifteen miles down the
river to Alexandria. The day was intensely hot, and the men
threw away large numbers of knapsacks and blankets. They
reached Alexandria about eleven o'clock that night and biv
ouacked just outside the city on the Washington pike. In the
morning they went into camp near the turnpike and remained
a few days, when they moved to the west side of the railroad
and remained about four weeks.
While at Alexandria, the details for picket and other duty
were very large, four hundred men being often detailed in a
single day. The regiment while here dug a large amount of
rifle pits and redoubts, built barricades across principal streets
and furnished a strong patrol for the city, in addition to their
regular picket duty, on which it daily sent out one hundred and
fifty men. Two companies bivouacked every night in the
redoubts to support the batteries in case of an attack, and a
large force was daily detailed to guard the bridge leading

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 519
southward from the city. The discipline and drill of the regi
ment was nevertheless well kept up.
Friday June seventeenth they broke camp at ten o'clock and
marched back towards Poolesville, near which they had passed
the winter. The weather was intensely hot and the roads dusty,
but on the twentieth they reached their old camp. The Army
of the Potomac was at this time in the vicinity of Leesburgh,
Virginia, nearly opposite Poolesville. Lee's army was further
west, marching towards Harper's Ferry. On the twenty7second,
company F was ordered to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain,
about eight miles north of Poolesville, to protect a signal
station. The regiment remained here four days, when all the
force at Poolesville was ordered to Harper's Ferry, which was
then strongly threatened by Gen. Lee and was only garrisoned
by a small force. The regiment reached Harper's Ferry on the
twenty-sixth and encamped about a mile above that place on
the Maryland side. The troops in and around the works at this
time under command of Gen. French, probably numbered about
eight or ten thousand. Lee's army had just crossed the river,
a few miles higher up, on his way to Pennsylvania, and his
scouts could then be seen on the distant hills.
The next day the regiment was ordered to proceed to Port
land to be mustered out, its term of service having almost
expired. It arrived in Portland on the evening of July second
and n£xt day was furloughed till the fifteenth, when it was
mustered out by Lieut. Crossman of the United States army.
During the ten months the regiment was in service it lost
about fifty men by disease and two by accident, one being
drowned and one accidentally shot. It had its share of hard
marches and performed much fatigue, guard and picket duty.
By the fortune of war it was never under fire, but this was by
no fault of its officers or men. It did all it was ordered to do
and did it well, leaving a reputation among the people wherever
its members went and among military men with whom they came
in contact, for quiet, good order, sobriety and thorough knowl
edge and performance of their duties, of which they may justly
be proud.

520 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXXIV.
TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was mustered into the United States service
October sixteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and was
officered as follows : FIELD AND STAFF.
George M. Atwood, Gardiner, Colonel ; Charles T. Bean, War
ren, Lieutenant Colonel; Eben Hutchinson, Athens, Major;
George E. Atwood, Gardiner, Adjutant; Oakes A. Fillebrown,
Wayne, Quartermaster; John C. Manson, Pittsfield, Surgeon;
Roscoe L. Harlow, Washington, Assistant Surgeon; Ansel J.
Libby, Canaan, Second Assistant Surgeon ; Frederick A. Hods-
don, Belfast, Chaplain; George W. Beal, Winthrop, Sergeant
Major; Sylvanus C. Small, Richmond, Quartermaster Sergeant;
Samuel E. Johnson, Topsham, Commissary Sergeant; Silas C.
Thomas, Litchfield, Hospital Steward; John E. Todd, Farm
ington, Drum Major. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Arthur Deering, Richmond, Captain; Charles
C. Newell, Richmond, First Lieutenant; Edward F. Goud,
Dresden, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Francis L. Batchelder, Union, Captain; George
W. Kalloch, Warren, First Lieutenant ; John J. Watts, Warren,
Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Samuel S. Brown, Clinton, Captain; Andrew
J. Martin, Pittsfield, First Lieutentant ; Marcus Rowell, Clin
ton, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — George W. Hurd, Harmony, Captain; Albion
K. P. Knowles, Cambridge, First Lieutenant; Augustus H.
Cook, Athens, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Hiram C. Vaughan, Farmington, Captain ; John
H. True, Fayette, First Lieutenant ; David P. Luce, New Vine
yard, Second Lieutenant.

TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 521
Company F. — Robert H. Purrington, Bowdoinham, Captain;
Vincent Mountfort, Bowdoin, First Lieutenant; Amos M. Jack
son, Litchfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Alfred Fletcher, China, Captain; E. Lewis
Sturtevant, Winthrop, First Lieutenant; George W. Hall,
Wayne, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — William -Holbrook, Madison, Captain; George
M. Longley, Solon, First Lieutenant; Tilson Baker, Moscow,
Second Lieutenant.
Campany I. — George W. Smith, Gardiner, Captain ; Charles
C. Hinds, Pittston, First Lieutenant; Melvin S. Hutchinson,
Gardiner, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Hiram M. Campbell, Mercer, Captain; Frank
McLaughlin, Starks, First Lieutenant; Cyrus P. Curtis, Mercer,
Second Lieutenant.
Col. Atwood had been formerly Adjutant General of the State.
The regiment which was organized at Augusta on the twentieth
of September, remained in camp at that place until the twenty-
ninth of October, on which day it left for New York city,
reported to Maj. Gen. Banks, and went into camp at East New
York. In consequence of the measles appearing among the
soldiers, the regiment was detained until the twelfth of Janu
ary of the following year, when it embarked on board the ship
Lizzie Southard, with orders to proceed to New Orleans. Com
pany K formed a portion of the detachment of the Twenty-first
Maine that sailed in the ship Onward from New York for New
Orleans on the eleventh. Owing to head winds the ship was
detained at Fortress Monroe until the twenty-sixth of that
month, when it proceeded to its port of destination, where it
arrived on the fourteenth of February. After remaining a few
days at New Orleans, the regiment embarked on board steamer
Eastern Queen, on the twenty-sixth, with orders to proceed to
Bonne Carre, forty miles above New Orleans, where it was
united with the Third brigade, Second division under the com
mand of Gen. Nickerson of Maine. During its stay at this
place a portion of the regiment was engaged in active duties
at different times and places. Company I, Capt. Smith, was
detailed on the ninth of March for picket duty on the New
Orleans and Jackson railroad, situated on Lake Ponchartrain.
On the twenty-first, in company with the Sixth Michigan, two

522 MAINE IN THE WAR.
companies of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh New York,
and one company of the Fourteenth Maine, started for Poncha
toula. On their way they landed at Wadesborough, driving
the enemy from the place. Company I occupied the town and
captured a large quantity of hides and tobacco, took fifteen
prisoners, held the place two days, and then evacuated by order
of Col. Clark. The company remained on picket duty till the
twelfth of April, when it returned to Bonne Carre.
On the twenty-first of March, companies A, B and E were
detailed to accompany an expedition under Gen Nickerson to
the Amite river, which was absent eight days. On the seventh
of May, companies C, F, G and K were detailed to accompany
a second expedition under Gen. Nickerson to the same river.
On the twenty-first the regiment was ordered to Port Hudson,
where it remained through the whole siege of that place. A
portion of the regiment was often called upon to build roads
and bridges during the approach of the forces to the stronghold
of the enemy. Nearly every night during the investment the
men were ordered to work on earthworks and rifle pits. In the
desperate assaults on the twenty-seventh of May and fourteenth
of June, the regiment participated, fortunately with but few
casualties. On the twenty-fourth of July the regiment left Port Hudson,
passing up the Mississippi to Cairo and thence by railroad to
Maine, arriving at Augusta on the sixth of August, and on the
twenty-fifth of the same month were mustered out of service,
having served one year lacking ten days.
The regiment lost heavily from disease, not less than one
hundred and eighty-four having died. About one hundred were
discharged for disability. They went out with nine hundred
men and returned with five hundred and seventy.. None of the
regiment were killed in battle or died from wounds.

TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 523

xxxv.
TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This was the second of the eight nine months' regiments.
mustered into service and was the first which left the State. It
was originally officered as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Francis Fessenden, Portland, Colonel; Charles E. Shaw,
Portland, Lieutenant Colonel ; Alexander M. Tolman, Portland,
Major; Thomas H. Hubbard, New York City, Adjutant ; Henry
Pennell, Gray, Quartermaster ; Josiah Carr, Minot, Surgeon ;
Cyrus K. Bowker, Raymond, William H. True, Freeport, Assis
tant Surgeons; Edward B. Furbish, Portland, Chaplain; George
0. Gosse, Portland, Sergeant Major; Freeman E. Clark, Port
land, Quartermaster Sergeant; William Graham, Westbrook,
Commissary Sergeant; Charles K. Packard, Raymond, Hos
pital Steward; Samuel D. Dean, Westbrook, Drum Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Frank L. Jones, Captain; George H. Abbott,
First Lieutenant ; Charles B. Hall, Second Lieutenant; all of
Portland. Company B. — Edward N. Greely, Falmouth, Captain; Levi
M. Prince, Portland, First Lieutenant; Hollis R. Mountfort,
Cumberland, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Charles H. Doughty, Gray, Captain; Whitman
Sawyer, Raymond, First Lieutenant; George F. Andrews,
Otisfield, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Chester A. Greenleaf Brunswick, Captain;
David Pennell, Harpswell, First Lieutenant; Alfred D. Stetson,
Brunswick, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Elisha Newcomb, Captain; George B. Stevens,
First Lieutenant ; Edmund P. Merrill, Second Lieutenant; all
of Westbrook.
Company F. — Thomas W. Harris, Gorham, Captain; Samuel

524 MAINE IN THE WAR.
T. Johnson, Windham, First Lieutenant; Charles Jones, Wind
ham, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — George W. Randall, Freeport, Captain ; John
C. Kendall, Freeport, First Lieutenant; Alvan F. Bucknam,
Yarmouth, Second Lieutenant.
Company H.— Charles C. Chase, Portland, Captain; John H.
Knight, Portland, First Lieutenant; Ebenezer Hutchinson,
Cape Elizabeth, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Ezekiel Westcott, Cape Elizabeth, Captain;
Edmund W. Dyer, Cape Elizabeth, First Lieutenant ; John P.
Carswell, Pownal, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Samuel L. Davis, Standish, Captain; Asa C.
Palmer, Gorham, First Lieutenant ; Seba S. Brown, Baldwin,
Second Lieutenant.
The regiment, comprising nine hundred and ninety-three men,
was mustered into service on the twenty-ninth of September,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, by Capt. Dana, Seventeenth
United States Infantry. It left its rendezvous at Portland on
the sixteenth of October for Washington, arriving there on the
eighteenth, where it went into camp on East Capitol Hill, and
was assigned to the Third brigade of Casey's division of the
Reserve army corps, for the defence of the national capital.
Col. Fessenden was placed in command of the brigade, which
immediately engaged in drills in evolutions of the line under
the.s instruction of Maj. Gen. Casey. On Sunday, October
twenty-sixth, in obedience to orders, the regiment moved in a
furious storm to a camping ground on Arlington Heights, on
the north side of Columbia turnpike, immediately in front of the
line of earthworks for the defence of Washington. Here it
remained till March twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, and was continually engaged in guarding Long . Bridge
on both sides of the Potomac, and in constructing batteries and
infantry epaulements,in connection with a permanent party de
tailed for making fascines, gabions, and hewing timber for maga
zines and bomb proofs. Several batteries and a long stretch of
strong infantry epaulements attest the diligent labor of the regi
ment in the fall and wintpr. Besides this, the regiment erected for
itself a camp of commodious log houses, roofed with boards, in
accordance with a suggestion and plan of Quartmaster General
Meigs. It was the most elaborate and permanent camp ever

TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 525
constructed in the department, and still stands a witness of the
skill and ingenuity of Maine woodsmen.
In December, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the Third
brigade of Casey's division was broken up, and part of it
together with the First brigade, was sent from the department.
The Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh Maine formerly of the Third
brigade, were organized into the First brigade of Casey's divi
sion, and remained together as a brigade until the expiration
of their term of service. As the Third brigade, with the
exception of a fortnight, and the new First brigade were con
tinually under the command of Col. Fessenden, the regiment
was commanded, with the exception of a few days, by Lieut.
Col. Shaw. The condition of the regiment at the end of its
service bears testimony to the successful and assiduous efforts
of Lieut. Col. Shaw in bringing it into a fine state of drill and
discipline. On March twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
the brigade was ordered to move to Chantilly, on the Little
River turnpike, five miles to the north of Centreville. The
country yvas much infested by guerrillas, and several bold
attacks upon our cavalry pickets made it seem necessary to hold
that important turnpike, which led through a main gap in the
Bull Run Mountains to the Shenandoah valley, with a stronger
force. The brigade encamped in the woods by the side of the
turnpike, and picketed the country in its front for several miles.
Soon after its arrival at Chantilly, Gen. Abercrombie succeeded
Gen. Casey in command of the division, and remained with it
until it was finally broken up. The regiment was engaged in
picket duty in this vicinity till July twenty-sixth. The pickets
of the First brigade joined the pickets of Gen. Hays, com
manding the Third brigade, upon its right, and its left was
extended until it joined the pickets of Gen. Stahl's cavalry
division. Though there were many guerrillas in the vicinity
and occasional alarms, no attack was ever made on the infantry
pickets. On the twenty-first of June, the Army of the Potomac moved
to Centreville and Fairfax Court House and vicinity. The divi
sion here came under the command of Gen. Hooker, command
ing the Army of the Potomac, who distributed the brigades
among different corps. The First brigade, comprising the

526 MAINE IN THE WAR.
twenty-fifth and twenty-seventh Maine, was ordered in June to
report to Maj. Gen. Slocum, commanding the Twelfth corps, at
Leesburgh, but before the brigade marched the orders were
changed and the regiments ordered to proceed to Arlington
Heights and report to Gen. Heintzelman, to be sent home, it
being found that their term of service was about expiring. On
the following morning, June twenty-sixth, the regiment marched
to Arlington Heights, and on Tuesday, June thirtieth, it was
sent home by railroad. It arrived in Portland July third, at
ten o'clock in the evening. It was received at the depot by
the committee of arrangements of the city council, and a salute
was fired. It then marched to the city hall, escorted by the
Portland band, and after being welcomed home by Mayor Mc
Lellan, partook of a collation prepared by order of the city
authorities. The companies not belonging in the city were
quartered for the night in the old city hall. The regiment dur
ing its term of service, participated in no engagement, but it
performed faithfully the arduous and responsible duties assigned
to it. Twenty-five of the men died of disease, five officers and
twenty-seven men were discharged, thirteen men deserted and
nine were transferred. The regiment was mustered out of service
on the tenth of July, by its Colonel, who was a Captain in the
Nineteenth United States Infantry.

TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 527

XXXVI.
TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised in the counties of Knox, Hancock
and Waldo. Company F was raised in Knox county, com
panies C, E and H in Hancock and companies A, B, D, G, I and
K in Waldo. The several companies were organized and ren
dezvoused at Camp John Pope, Bangor, between the ninth and
seventeenth of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.
The enrollment of the enlisted men dates from September tenth,
that being the day on which all the nine months' troops were
ordered to be in camp. The regimental organization took place
on the twenty-third of September and resulted in the choice of
the following officers :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Nathaniel H. Hubbard, Winterport, Colonel; Philo Hersey,
Belfast, Lieutenant Colonel; James N. Fowler, Searsport,
Major; Daniel S. Simpson, Searsport, Adjutant; Timothy
Thorndike, Belfast, Quartermaster ; Charles Abbott, Winterport,
Surgeon; Willard C. Collins, Penobscot, Assistant Surgeon;
Samuel Bowker, Bluehill, Chaplain ; Richard H. Young, Cam
den, Sergeant Major; Otis Kaler, Winterport, Quartermaster
Sergeant; Frank Milliken, Commissary Sergeant; Sullivan D.
Wiggin, Searsport, Hospital Steward; John W. Sayward,
Thorndike, Drum Major. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A — Abner W. Fletcher, Troy, Captain; Harvey
M. Coffin, Jackson, First Lieutenant; Samuel E. Hunt, Thorn
dike, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Peter W. Bobbins, Searsmont, Captain; Ezra
W. Reeves, Montville, First Lieutenant; Thomas H. Peavey,
Liberty, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Jasper N. Gray, Captain; John F. Whitcomb,
First Lieutenant; William 0. McDonald, Second Lieutenant;
all of Ellsworth.

528 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Company D. — George Dudley, Frankfort, Captain ; Nicholas
S. Clements, Monroe, First Lieutenant; Joseph W. Eveleth,
Winterport, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Eben G. Ingalls, Sullivan, Captain; Mahlon C.
Witham, Charlestown, Massachusetts, First Lieutenant; James
E. Connors, Sullivan, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Andrew E. Clark, Captain; William F. Brown,
First Lieutenant ; William E. Norwood, Second Lieutenant; all
of Camden.
Company G. — Ansel Wadsworth, Belfast, Captain ; John P.
Perkins, Palermo, First Lieutenant ; Edward F- Fletcher, Lin
colnville, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Rufus B. Bickford, Brooksville, Captain ; John
R. Gross, Orland, First Lieutenant; Thomas S. Osgood, Bluehill,
Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Frederic Barker, Captain; Charles Baker, First
Lieutenant; Llewellyn D. Woodward, Second Lieutenant; all
of Belfast.
Company K. — William H. Black, Swan ville, Captain; Free
man Goodhue, Stockton, First Lieutenant ; Gorham K. Hastings,
Searsport, Second Lieutenant.
The several companies with their officers were mustered into
service October eleventh, and the field and staff on the eigh
teenth. The time between arriving at the rendezvous and
muster in was occupied in company and battalion drill in which
good progress was made, uninterrupted except by the attempts
of recruiting officers, with the permission of the governor, to
recruit men for three years from the company organizations.
This policy proved a bad one for the regiment and came near
disorganizing some of the companies.
The regiment left the State, October twenty-third, and arrived
in Washington on the twenty-sixth and immediately encamped
on Arlington Heights, Virginia, where it was brigaded with the
Twenty-second, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh Maine, under
command of Col. Fessenden of the Twenty-fifth Maine, and
remained till November sixteenth, when they embarked at
Alexandria for Fortress Monroe there to report to Gen. Banks,
to accompany his expedition to Texas, as they supposed, for
which there was a general desire among both officers and men.
The General not having arrived and the expedition not being

TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 529
ready, permission was given to disembark at Newport News,
the regiment holding itself in readiness to re-embark at a
moment's warning. December second they re-embarked on
steamers Pocahontas and Matanzas. Sealed orders were given
to the commander of troops on each vessel, to be broken only
when absolute necessity required it by being driven by storm
away from the'fleet. On the fourth the fleet left Hampton Roads,
each vessel following its leader. It was a grand sight to see
the double column steaming out to sea. The first night a gale
was encountered off Hatteras, which separated the fleet, driving
some vessels an hundred miles to sea. A general breaking of
"seals" ensued, disclosing Ship Island as the rendezvous in
case of separation. The third day out a case of small pox was
reported on board the Matanzas, which for a few days created
considerable anxiety. On the twelfth, most of the transports
had arrived at Ship Island, and many, without dropping anchor,
were ordered to proceed to New Orleans. The Matanzas having
contagious disease on board was placed in quarantine, seventy
miles below New Orleans. The six companies on board this
steamer remained in quarantine ten days awaiting the appearance
of new cases of disease, and feasting somewhat at the expense
of the orange orchards then laden with ripe fruit, in that vicinity.
No new cases having appeared, this wing of the regiment was
ordered to proceed to Camp Chalmette, the old battle ground of
Jackson and Packingham, five miles below New Orleans. Here
it remained till January eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three, when it was ordered to proceed to Baton Rouge to join
the other wing of the regiment which had arrived there Decem
ber seventeenth, participating in the skirmish in gaining
occupation of that town. The regiment united, after a six
weeks separation, was brigaded with the Twenty-fifth Connec
ticut and others, under command of Col. Payne, Fourth Wis
consin. After breaking camp several times, fortifications
meantime having been thrown up by this and other regiments,
about Baton Rouge, a reorganization took place, and the Twenty-
sixth was brigaded with the Thirteenth and Twenty-fifth Con
necticut and One Hundred and Fifty-ninth New York, under
command of Col. H. W. Birge of the Thirteenth Connecticut.
This organization, which was made January twenty-second,
remained permanent. Now began the dull routine of camp life,
34

530 MAINE IN THE WAR.
nothing of especial interest transpiring except now and then a
review until the ninth of March when orders were issued for" all
the forces to be placed in light marching order and held in
readiness with three days' cooked rations, to advance at a
moment's warning. In this state were the forces kept until the
thirteenth, when at four o'clock P. M., the army was in motion
on the road to Port Hudson. Early on the morning of the
fourteenth, the forces were under way and at three P. M., had
arrived within three miles of Port Hudson where a halt was
made and the several brigades placed in position for immediate
use. The object of the expedition seemed to be unknown, but
the general impression was that a combined land and naval
attack was to be made. Hour followed hour until eleven o'clock
at night when the roar of the heavy guns from the fleet was
heard. A rapid fire was kept up by the mortar boats and gun
boats for an hour or more when the reflection of a fire was seen
upon the clouds over the river. Many' speculations began to
float, but the unpleasant fact soon became known of the war
steamer Mississippi being on fire and floating down river.
Her magazine took fire about two o'clock in the morning, and
scattered the fragments of the unfortunate vessel through the
air, like leaves in the whirlwind. At the same time came
orders to be in readiness to retreat, as the object of the expedi
tion had been accomplished, which proved to be the passing of
the flag ship Hartford and the Albatross, by Port Hudson. At
three P. M., on the fifteenth, the forces quietly left the vicinity
of Port Hudson, moving seven miles down the river and there
encamping for several days, after which they retired to Baton
Rouge. On the twenty-eighth, orders were received for the
Twenty-sixth with other regiments to strike tents and embark
on the river steamer St. Maurice. This was completed at
sunset and during the night the steamer dropped down the river
to Donaldsonville, sixty miles below Baton Rouge. Nearly all
of the forces from Baton Rouge aame here and on the thirty-
first took up the line of march for Thibodeaux, it being thirty-six
miles west of the Mississippi and Bayou La Fouche. From
thence the army was transported by rail to Brashear City.
Arriving at the latter place April ninth, a rest of two days was
granted, and on the eleventh Grover's division of which the
Twenty-sixth was a part, was ordered to embark and proceed to

TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 531
Irish Bend above Franklin on Grand Lake, to cut off the retreat
of the confederates whom the other part of the Union army
was driving. On the morning of the thirteenth the transports
steamed around the Bend, and as they approached the shore to
land a few shots from a section of a rebel battery were received
without damage to which the gunboats replied with shell and
scattered the small force of rebels at once. The troops were
all landed early in the morning and taken through the woods to
Bayou Teche (about one mile), with but little opposition^ only
two being injured. The force of the rebels numbering about
two hundred, retreated towards Franklin, drawing after them
our forces numbering about six thousand with three batteries.
Night came on with thick clouds which ended all attempts at
further pursuit. At four o'clock next morning an advance was
ordered, Birge's brigade taking the lead, throwing out the Twen
ty-fifth Connecticut as skirmishers. At six o'clock as the
skirmish line was approaching the skirts of a field hemmed in
with wood, the opposition became too strong for the skirmish
line and the Twenty-sixth was ordered up to its support. As
it drew near the enemy, a battery opened on the regiment which
not heeding, they advanced to within short musket range, when
a line of infantry opened on it from behind a ditch and fence so
strong as to check its advance. A rapid fire of musketry com
menced and continued for an hour until several regiments and
a section of a battery being placed in position, the rebels left.
Their force was reported to be one battery and two thousand
' five hundred infantry. As our forces advanced down the Bayou
a rebel gunboat was encountered, and a brisk fight took place
between her and our batteries, by which she* was in a short
time blown up ; not, however, until she had done some damage
to our troops in the woods by her shells. This closed the con
test of the day but without effecting the object of the expedition,
as the. force met proved to be only a part sent out to check the
Union force, while the main body of the rebels should pass by
with their train on another road farther in the interior. In this
fight, known to those participating in it as the battle of Irish
Bend, the Twenty-sixth lost in killed and wounded sixty-eight
from three hundred, of whom one was a commissioned officer,
the others, non-commissioned officers and privates. Lieut. Col.
Hersey, was seriously wounded in the right shoulder, necessita-

532 MAINE IN THE WAR.
ting amputation or resection. Happily for him and much to
the credit of Dr. Abbott, Surgeon of the regiment, the latter
was decided upon contrary to the advice of the remaining
Surgeons of the division, and his arm was saved, which though
a poor substitute for what it was, is yet of much service.
In this engagement, which was quite severe for the time and
forces, both men and officers exhibited good courage and were
determined to show the older regiments, with whom there was
some rivalry, that the "nine months' mercenaries" could fight
and stand fire without running, or even the semblance of fear.
Immediately all of the forces of the expedition united and
proceeded up Bayou Teche to Red river with but little opposi
tion. Some of the forces went direct to Port Hudson, but a few
were left to guard a train of contrabands, mules, horses, cattle
and sheep back to Brashear City, a distance of three hundred
miles. Among those left was the Twenty-sixth. The long
march from Alexandria to Brashear City, a part of which was
forced, well nigh wore out the officers and men. They arrived
at Brashear City with their "seven mile train" on the twenty-
sixth of May, having been gone from it forty-three days. On
the night of the twenty-seventh, the regiment was transported
by rail to Algiers, thence by steamer on the night of the twenty-
ninth to Port Hudson, to participate in its siege. Here the
regiment remained on duty in the trenches and on picket till
the fourteenth of June when it participated in the second assault
on the works which was unsuccessful. In this many officers
and men distinguished themselves for bravery. Finding it
impossible to penetrate the rebel works, they advanced to
within twenty feet of them and sheltered themselves for the
day under the steep bluff on which they were built. Lieut.
Brown of company F, was wounded, two privates killed and
several wounded in the assault. Subsequent to this assault
and until the surrender of the works the regiment guarded a
section of the Twenty-first Indiana heavy artillery, within mus
ket range of the rebels.
On the eighth of July the rebel garrison surrendered, and on
the tenth the time of service for this regiment was ended.
Preparations were soon made for the journey home. On the
twenty-fifth, having gathered up the sick and wounded, all went
on board steamer and were taken up/ the river to Cairo, thence

TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 533
by rail to Bangor, where they arrived on the ninth of August.
On the seventeenth the regiment was mustered out of service
by Lieut. F. E. Crossman, Seventeenth United States Infantry,
having served eleven months and seven days, from date of en
listment. This regiment did as much service as any of the
nine months' regiments, and as much as any of the regiments in
the Gulf Department while there. The short period that it
remained in the South was hardly sufficierit to acclimate it,
hence climate diseases made the effective force usually quite
small. Many died of disease, but few of wounds. The mortality
of the regiment from all causes was not far from two hundred.

534 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXXVII.
TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised almost exclusively in York county
and was rendezvoused at Portland. It went into camp Septem
ber tenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and was organized
for active service on the nineteenth, by the election of the
following officers : FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Rufus P. Tapley, Saco, Colonel; Mark F» Wentworth, Kit-
tery, Lieutenant Colonel; James M. Stone, Kennebunk, Major;
Edward M. Rand, Portland, Adjutant; Lewis O'Brien, Saco,
Quartermaster; John E. L. Kimball, Saco, Surgeon; Freeman
Hall, North Berwick, Assistant Surgeon; Calvin L. Hayes,
Kittery, Sergeant Major; John Hall, North Berwick, Quarter
master Sergeant; William H. Tapley, Saco, Commissary Ser
geant; Ivory M. Hodsdon, Saco, Hospital Steward ; Charles E.
York, Biddeford, Drum Major.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — George H. Ward, Saco, Captain; Samuel H.
Libby, Limerick, First Lieutenant; Frank L. Harmon, Saco,
Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Isaac P. Fall, South Berwick, Captain; Moses
S. Hurd, North Berwick, First Lieutenant; Lysander B. Young,
South Berwick, Second Lieutenant.
Company C— John D. Hill, Buxton, Captain; John H. Came,
Buxton, First Lieutenant; Joseph F. Warren, Hollis, Second
Lieutenant. Company D.— David B. Fullerton, Berwick, Captain ; Thomas
Sherman, Jr., Lebanon, First Lieutenant; Fredericks. Bryant,
Kennebunkport,' Second Lieutenant.
Company E.— John M. Getchell, Wells, Captain; William H.
Miller, Sanford, First Lieutenant ; Joseph E. Chadbourn, Wells,
Second Lieutenant.

TWENTY-SEVENTH REQIMENT INFANTRY. 535
Company F. — Jeremiah Plumer, Captain; Amos W. Page,
First Lieutenant ; John W. Perkins, Second Lieutenant ; all of
'Biddeford. Company G. — Edmund A. Dixon, Eliot, Captain; Joseph D.
Parker, Kittery, First Lieutenant; Dennis M. Shapleigh, Kit-
tery, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Henry F. Snow, Cornish, Captain; Almond 0.
Smart, Parsonsfield, First Lieutenant ; Ralph R. Hussey, Acton,
Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Seth E. Bryant, Kennebunk, Captain; Noah
Gould, Lyman, First Lieutenant; Henry B. Osgood, Alfred,
Second Lieutenant:
Company K. — : William H. Johnson, Waterborough, Captain ;
Frank A. Hutchins, Kennebunkport, First Lieutenant; John
McJellison, Shapleigh, Second Lieutenant.
The regiment was mustered into service on the thirtieth of
September, by Capt. Dana of the Seventeenth United States
Infantry, and left the State on the twentieth of October for
Washington, arriving there on the twenty-second. The next
day it went into camp on East Capitol Hill, and was assigned
to the Second brigade of Casey's division. On the twenty-sixth
it marched to Arlington Heights, where it encamped on the
estate of the rebel Gen. Lee and was brigaded under Col. Fes
senden of the Twenty-fifth Maine, and soon after commenced
picket duty in connection with the Fourth Delaware and One
Hundred and Fourteenth New York. While here the regiment
furnished daily a fatigue party of four hundred men to labor on
the unfinished works in the vicinity and in the construction of
infantry epaulments.
On the twelfth of December it marched to the south of
Hunting Creek and relieved a Vermont brigade in the duty of
guarding a picket line eight miles long, for the most part through
a thickly wooded and very broken country, extending from the
Potomac near Mount Vernon, to the Orange and Alexandria
railroad. There was a nightly school for the instruction of offi
cers, and the regiment was under orders to march at a moment's
notice and join the expedition at Fortress Monroe. On one
occasion an order was received to join the expedition, and while
one half the regiment, after breaking camp, was marching to

536 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Alexandria to take transports, it was met by a counter order
and returned to camp.
On the night of the eighth of March, the rebel guerrilla
Mosby made a raid on Fairfax Court House and captured Col.
Stoughton, commanding the post, two Captains, thirty men
with their arms and equipments and fifty-eight horses, passing
out, as he himself reported, within two hundred yards of the
fortifications at Centreville after being challenged by a sentry
from the redoubts. Large quantities of supplies for the army
were gathered there and it was probably to prevent a recurrence
of such raids that the brigade was ordered to Chantilly. The
regiment remained here through a severe winter, till the twenty-
fourth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, having
during all that time three hundred men on daily duty. Col.
Tapley was discharged January twenty-third and Lieut. Col.
Wentworth was, on the eleventh of February, commissioned as
Colonel, Maj. Stone as Lieutenant Colonel and Capt. Hill of
company C as Major.
At seven o'clock in the morning of March twenty-fourth, the
regiment left Camp Casey and marched about fifteen miles
carrying their shelter tents, blankets and knapsacks and en
camped that night in a hard wood growth near Fairfax Court
House, which was at that time a small village of perhaps twenty
buildings built upon two streets which cross each other at right
angles, with six inches of mire and filth of every description in
its streets, and in which all the pigs of the town ran at large,
with perhaps a dozen buildings which could boast of a whole
pane of glass, and in its centre a dirty diminutive brick build
ing with a small cupola or belfry upon it. Night came on with
a driving rain, but next morning at nine o'clock the march was
resumed and they moved to Chantilly and commenced picket
duty on the outermost line of infantry in the defences of
Washington, the brigade again under the command of Col.
Fessenden of the Twenty-fifth Maine. They here encamped in
Sibley tents in a forest of pine and hard wood, a short distance
from Chantilly Farm, a fine tract of nine hundred acres, and
boasting before the war a splendid house and fertile grounds.
The house was burned, and the land laid waste. Centreville
was three miles to the southwest of their position and was
garrisoned by another of our brigades. Bull Run mountains

TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 537
were in full view, nine miles down, and farther down the peaks
of the Blue Ridge. Bull Run battle-fields were eight miles
below, and the location could be seen from Chantilly House.
Nearly a mile southwest was the battle-field of Chantilly, fought
August thirty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, wher,e the
lamented Generals Stevens and Kearney fell. The regiment
remained here till June twenty-third when it was transferred to
the Army of the Potomac and on the twenty-fifth returned to
Arlington Heights. The Army of the Potomac had then just
commenced to advance. The Twenty-seventh and Twenty-fifth
Maine constituted the First brigade of Casey's division, and it
was placed on a new picket line running across the Little River
turnpike and connecting with Gen. Stahl's cavalry division on
the right, and with the infantry pickets of Gen. Hayes' brigade
on the left. For a time Gen. Abercrombie commanded the
division with headquarters at Centreville. The Little River
turnpike was macadamized and was one of the best in that
portion of the State, leading out through the gaps in the Bull
Run and other mountains, to the Blue Ridge and the valley of
the Shenandoah. The vicinity of these gaps and mountain
ranges, had been during the war the theatre for guerrilla oper
ations, to which indeed the country was admirably adapted.
Sudden dashes by the enemy upon some portion of this line,
were frequent, and very few nights passed without an alarm
upon it. Rebel videttes were seen standing upon the pike for
weeks together, in plain sight of our cavalry videttes, which
during the day were generally posted a little in advance of the
infantry pickets and drawn in again at night. That portion of
the line held by the First brigade, although often menaced was
never seriously attacked.
June twenty-third, Gen. Hooker took command of the division
and the brigade comprising the Twenty-seventh was ordered to
report to Maj. Gen. Slocum, commanding the Twelfth corps,
then at Leesburgh. This order was given under the impres
sion that the brigade was composed of three years' men, but
when it was found that its term of service was about expiring,
it was, on the twenty-sixth, ordered to report to Gen. Heintzel
man for transportation home.
At this moment the whole Army of the Potomac was moving
up to meet Gen. Lee, then advancing rapidly to invade Pennsyl-

538 MAINE IN THE WAR.
vania. Thus all the country in front of the fortifications for the
defence of Washington, was entirely exposed. All the old
troops in the vicinity had been sent forward and the capitol
itself was almost entirely uncovered. Clerks from the different
departments were patrolling the city and Union citizens guard
ing Long Bridge. It was the most anxious hour of the war.
The exact intentions of the rebels were not yet fully known,
but it was certain that they were acting upon the advice of and
in concert with disloyal men in the north. They were buoyant
and confident of success. Intimations were rife of conflagra
tions in northern cities and welcomes to traitors. A change
became necessary in the commander of our army ; who should
the new man be, and would he inspire confidence? Anxiety
was on every face and doubt oppressed the national heart. It
was at this moment that the men of the Twenty-seventh were
appealed to by the President and the Secretary of War, to. stop
for the defence of Washington until the impending battle should
be fought. It may be doubted if any army has ever seen better
material than that which composed the nine months' regiments
from this State, and the Twenty-seventh had its share of it.
Gentlemen from each of the liberal professions entered its ranks
at the organization and well-to-do farmers and mechanics. They
had been assured that they would be discharged on the tenth
of June, nine months from the day of the draft which they had
prevented by volunteering, was ordered, but they had not been
and they were disappointed and dissatisfied. Upon no con
sideration, it was thought, would they be held beyond the
thirtieth, nine months from the day of their muster-in, and
again they were disappointed. The government, it was said,
had not acted in good faith and had no right to thus detain
them. It was almost July and those who were farmers had
arranged and expected to be at home to secure their hay crop,
while they were paying several times the daily wages they
received from the government, for labor upon their farms, which
they could better have performed themselves. It was under
such circumstances that the regiment was appealed to to remain,
and they knew full well the meaning and what the result of the
appeal must be. If the armies of the Union were beaten it was
death in the defences of Washington or untold sufferings in a
rebel prison. Yet when the appeal was made, three hundred

TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 539
and fifteen of them, officers and men, volunteered to remain and
did remain until the battle of Gettysburgh had been fought and
won, the enemy beaten back, the city saved and the Union
preserved. ,
The result was officially announced by the President in the
afternoon of Saturday, July fourth, and there being no further
necessity for the services of the regiment, it marched to Wash
ington, after having received the thanks of Gen. DeRussy,
commanding the troops in the defences of that city. Taking
the cars for home they arrived at Portland on the sixth of July,
the remainder of the regiment, under Maj. Hill, having pre
viously reached there with the Twenty-fifth Maine.
The nation was saved and how its heart went forth to greet
and welcome the returning soldier ! No one inquired who these
soldiers were, where they had been or what particular duty
they had done. -It was enough that they wore the livery of
their country, that they belonged to the armies of the republic,
that they had performed the duty assigned them and were
returning home. There were thanks and blessings in every eye
and welcomes on every hand. Receptions were tendered the
men all along the route and it was with some difficulty that the
Mayor and city authorities of Portland, where preparations had
been made, could be induced to relinquish them,
The Twenty-seventh was mustered out on the seventeenth of
July by Lieut. Crossman, after having been in service ten
months and seven days. It left the State with nine hundred and
forty-nine men, lost twenty men by death, eight officers by
resignation and fifty-four men by discharge, etc., leaving eight
hundred and sixty-seven officers and men, when the regiment
reached Arlington Heights. It had at no time less than seven
hundred and forty men for duty. It is not for a regiment or its
officers to select its duty or determine what its work shall be.
Others assign it. The Twenty-seventh acted well its part.
On the twenty-fourth of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-
five, the medals awarded the regiment by the War Department
for remaining beyond the expiration of its term, until the
danger then threatening the capital was over, were sent from
the office of, the Adjutant General of the army, to Gov. Cony,
and were by him, through Col. Wentworth, distributed to the
persons entitled to them.

540 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXXVIII.
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Owing to the great number of enlistments from the nine
months troops at Augusta and Bangor into regiments for three
years' service, the men at both places were so reduced that it
became necessary to unite the surplus, after the formation of
two regiments at each, to make another regiment. Four com
panies, raised in Hancock and Washington counties were there
fore sent from Bangor to Augusta and, with the unassigned
companies at the latter place, formed this regiments The regi
ment was organized for active service October sixth, eighteen
hundred and sixty-two, with the choice of the following
officers : — FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Ephraim W. Woodman, Wilton, Colonel ; William E. Had-
lock, Cranberry Isles, Lieutenant Colonel; Joseph D. Bullen,
New Sharon, Major ; Nathan Cutler, Augusta, Adjutant ; James
W.Merrill, Norridgewock, Quartermaster; Elijah F. Plaisted,
Phillips, Surgeon; Elias H. Lake, Wilton, Assistant Surgeon ;
' Jeremiah W. Marsh, Jay, Chaplain; Francis A. Luce, George
town, Sergeant Major; Thomas R. Hazard, Saint George,
Quartermaster Sergeant ; Robert A. Palmer, Rockland, Commis
sary Sergeant; Reuben B. Jennings, Farmington, Hospital
Steward ; Jeremy W. Spear, New Portland, Drum Major ; Thomas
J. Allen, Jay, Fife Major. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Seth T. Hutchins, Anson, Captain ; William
R. Peabody, New Portland, First Lieutenant ; Charles Whittier,
Chesterville, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Gustavus A. Stanley, Farmington, Captain;
EvanderT. Prescott, Wilton, First Lieutenant; James D. Ro-
bie, Monmouth, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Joshua B.Johnson, Sullivan, Captain; Curtis

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 541
Davis, Cherryfield, First Lieutenant; Samuel C. Wallace, Mil-
bridge, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Orrin W. Thomas, Phillips, Captain; Jotham
S. Staples, Phillips, First Lieutenant; Nathaniel H. Ricker,
Avon, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — John M. Lincoln, Perry, Captain; Charles H.
Witham, Surry, First Lieutenant; Herbert Wadsworth, Pem
broke, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — -Edward B. Neal, Wiscasset, Captain; Thomas
S Hall, Edgecomb, First Lieutenant; Frank Thorp, Boothbay,
Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Augustine Thompson, Rockland, Captain ; Isaac
Murch, Vinalhaven, First Lieutenant ; John F. Perry, South
Thomaston, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Thomas F. Hutchinson, Machias, Captain;
James A. Chase, East Machias, First Lieutenant ; John S. Smith,
Princeton, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — John Angus, Bucksport, Captain; Noah F. Nor
ton, Penobscot, First Lieutenant; Jones S. Kelly, Orono, Sec
ond Lieutenant.
Company K. — Charles H. Dyer, New Sharon, Captain; Bil
lings J. Ridley, Jay, First Lieutenant; Henry W. Golder,
Belgrade, Second Lieutenant.
The Twenty-eighth was mustered in as a regiment on the
eighteenth of October, though the companies were mustered in
between the tenth and fourteenth. When organized the regi
ment numbered nine hundred and thirty-five men and, although
the last to complete its organization, was the first of the nine
months' troops to leave Augusta. It left the State on the
twenty-sixth for Washington, but on reaching Jersey City was
ordered to Fort Schuyler, New York harbor, to report to Gen.
Banks. While here their old rifled muskets were exchanged
for new Enfield rifles. November twenty-sixth, they were
ordered to East New York and that night they were quartered
in Plymouth (Henry Ward Beecher's) Church, where the pastor
and several members of the church attended upon the sick most
of the night. The regiment was so orderly that residents on
the opposite side of the street were not aware any troops were
quartered there till they moved out in the morning. Marching
seven miles to East New York, where they found the Twenty-

542 MAINE IN THE WAR.
first and Twenty-fourth Maine, they were attached to the Pro
visional brigade under Col. Johnson of the former regiment.
Here the regiment was engaged in drilling and building barracks
and ordinary camp duty. While here Lieut. Col. Hadlock was
thrown from his horse, breaking to pieces the bones of the left
shoulder, and 'breaking his left arm beside otherwise injuring
him. Still he did not go off duty but when on the thirteenth
of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, the regiment
broke camp and moved to Brooklyn, he took command and
directed the business of the departure, Col. Woodman being
at New York city on official business.
The Twenty-eighth left New York on the seventeenth of
January and reached Fortress Monroe on the twenty-second,
where they touched for orders and were ordered by Gen. Dwight
to report to Maj. Gen. Banks, commanding Nineteenth army
corps at New Orleans. After an eight days' passage during
which they experienced a severe gale they arrived at New
Orleans on the twenty-ninth where they were turned over to
Gen. Sherman's Second division and ordered to encamp at
Chalmette, (Gen. Jackson's old battle ground) seven miles
below the city. Here was a long line of earthworks, con
structed by the rebels a short distance below the Jackson
monument, which they abandoned in confusion when the gun
boats came up the river after the taking of Forts Jackson and
St. Phillip. The regiment remained here drilling and doing
picket duty down river and on the fifteenth of February embarked
for Pensacola, Florida; to reinforce the troops stationed there,
a rebel attack being feared. Arriving at the Warrenton Navy
Yard on the seventeenth they disembarked and camped just
outside the yard, having reported to Col. Dyer of the Fifteenth
Maine,, commanding the troops in the district of West Florida.
On the twenty-first and twenty-second, companies A, B, C, P,
G and H under Col. Woodman proceeded across the bay to
Pensacola. The remaining four companies under Lieut. Col.
Hadlock, then moved farther up and in the rear of Fort Barrancas,
camping on ground occupied by forces under the rebel Gen.
Bragg, at the bombardment of Fort Pickens. Thus the regiment
remained, doing picket and other duty till March twenty-second,
when Col. Woodman's detachment moved back to the navy
yard where it was joined on the twenty-fourth by the companies

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 543
under Lieut. Col. Hadlock, and the regiment embarked on
steamer Eastern Queen for New Orleans, where it arrived on
the twenty-ninth, and seven companies under Col. Woodman
were ordered up the river to Donaldsonville at the junction of
Bayou La Fourche with the Mississippi, and the other three
companies under Lieut. Col. Hadlock were sent to Plaquemine,
on the Mississippi, twenty-five miles above, which was at this
time the extreme Union post on that side of the river. On the
second of April, company B, under command of Capt. Stanley,
was thrown across the river to guard the telegraph from Baton
Rouge to Bonne Carre and on the eighteenth, Captain Stanley
and five men were captured by rebel cavalry, which, also, the
same day, captured Sergeant Wilder and six men of company
E, who had been sent out by the Provost Marshal to seize and
bring in contraband goods. Lieut. Witham of company E,
commanding provost guard, was pursued five miles by the
rebels and overtaken on the river bank, while trying to carry a
skiff to the water. Being called upon to surrender, he turned
to fire on the squad, when he was dangerously wounded and
left for dead, but he afterwards recovered. Company I across
the river firing on the rebels they left in some haste. A widow
living near, got Lieut. Witham into the boat with the aid of a
negro, and carried him over to camp. While at Donaldsonville
the regiment captured large quantities of contraband goods,
many of which were being run into the enemy's lines for traffic,
by Jews, with some kind of French or English protection
papers, but they were turned over with their goods to the
Provost Marshal's department. Many negroes came into our
lines about Plaquemine after they found they were not sent
back or given up to their masters as had previously been done
in some instances. Late in April, companies C, G and K under
Col. Woodman marched twenty-five miles up the river to assist
Gen. Emory in repelling a raid toward Algiers. On the twenty-
seventh of May, Col. Woodman was ordered to Port Hudson
with nearly six companies, a fraction of one being left with the
convalescents, under Maj. Bullen, to garrison Fort Butler at
Donaldsonville, and four companies being left at New Orleans.
The companies proceeding to Port Hudson left all their knap
sacks and other heavy articles at Baton Rouge, except a few
tents which were taken to Springfield Landing where they

544 MAINE IN THE WAR.
arrived on the thirtieth. Thus, in light marching order they
moved on to the rear of Port Hudson and were assigned to Gen.
Nickerson's brigade of Gen. Dwight's division, with the Four
teenth Maine, and took position on the left centre of the advanced
line. For two weeks the regiment was employed day and night
doing picket duty and building batteries, with occasionally a
man wounded. In the advance on the fourteenth of June, part
of the command was in front, but suffered no loss. June twenty-
second, it was ordered to assail a bastion of the rebel works and
then to fall back, with the assurance of support. It advanced
to within a stone's throw of the fortifications, and after waiting
for support, which did not come up, retired in good order, with
a loss of three killed, nine wounded, and twenty-six missing.
The missing all came into camp the next night, having been
thrown forward so far in advanae that they were obliged to wait
for night, under cover of which to fall back. July first, Col.
Woodman was detailed by Gen. Dwight to take charge of the
trenches and the mining operations on the extreme left of our
lines, each alternate day, and approached with them to within
twelve feet of the enemy's works, and so close at some points
that the picks of the enemy could be heard digging on the other
side, by those at work in the trenches. Grenades were thrown
by both sides from one trench to the other and occasional
skirmishes ensued.
On the twenty-eighth, the garrison under Major Bullen,
at Fort Butler, Donaldsonville, was attacked by a large rebel
force and a desperate fight ensued. Passing through Plaque
mine the rebels had burned the steamboats and a considerable
quantity of cotton belonging to loyal men, and captured part
of the provost guard, composed of a few sick men of the
Twenty-eighth. As they approached the guard house, the only
person there, a young soldier belonging to company E, was
ordered by the rebel in advance to surrender. Without a word
the boy shot the rebel, who fell dead from his horse across the
doorway. The soldier passed out by the back door, got over
the levee and under its cover got safely to Donaldsonville in
time to meet them again shortly after. Reaching that place,
the rebels demanded the surrender of the fort, which was a
small earthwork at the junction of the Mississippi and Bayou
La Fourche. Its side towards the river being the same as the

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 545
i
rest of the levee of which it was a part, was strengthened by
a stockade of plank driven full of spikes. Although the low
state of the river made it easy of access on that side, there
being no ditch there, and having but one hundred and twenty
effective soldiers' Major Bullen refused to surrender. Soon Cap
tain Neal of Company F, to whom had been entrusted the
defence of the left entrance of the Fort, received a terrible fire
from the enemy who came up on the opposite bank of Bayou
La Fourche to a point where they could fire on his flank, which
was wholly unprotected ; but the gallant Captain and his com
mand endured the fire without wavering and replied with vigor,
which, with the assistance of one .of the guns of the fort, drove
them in disorder. Almost simultaneously with the attack on
our left, the enemy made a vigorous assault in front of both
entrances of the fort, with a large force. On the left they
were bravely repulsed by Capt. Neal, who ordered his men
to stand close against the gate between the loop holes and fire
among the rebels who were close against the gate on the other
side, so that there was but six inches between the combatants.
The rebels then surrendered, were disarmed and taken in. A
rebel Lieutenant hearing cheers on the other side where the
gate had been forced and seeing his own men passing in here,
supposed the fort was taken and rushing exultantly in found
himself a prisoner. Capt. Thompson of company G, to whom
had been given the defense of the right entrance, after a severe
engagement under great disadvantages, and with a number
many times exceeding his own, was compelled to withdraw to
the inner works, where he and his command, with the greatest
desperation, fought the enemy, who in large numbers had suc
ceeded in, getting within the outer works. During the hot fight
on the left, Lieut. Murch of Capt. Thompson's company, was in
¦ command of one of the reserves, and was ordered to support
Capt. Thompson, which he did with the greatest energy, and
after an hour's struggle was killed while in the advance bravely
repulsing a rebel assault. Here also Lieut. Perry was severely
wounded. The force was so small that the reserves had now
to support Capt. Neal, and now Capt. Thompson, as the case
demanded. After an engagement of three hours and a half, some twenty-
five of the enemy at the left surrendered, and more than one
35

546 MAINE IN THE WAR.
hundred on the right. A majority of those who succeeded in
getting within our works made their escape, leaving us little
more than one hundred, among whom were a Lieutenant Colonel,
Major, two Captains, and six Lieutenants. The entire rebel
loss was about six hundred. Gen. Stone, Chief of Staff to Gen.
Banks, visited the ground immediately after the action and spoke
of it as one of the most gallant and brave affairs that had
occurred during his military experience, and recommended all
of the surviving officers for promotion.
General orders were read to the troops before Port Hudson
in honor of the gallant deeds of that small garrison which
had killed, wounded and captured more than three times its
own number. During the fight some of the houses furnished a
mask for the rebel advance and many of the inhabitants aided
the enemy, and a second attack being expected, Major Bullen,
after having given notice, and with the approval of Gen. Stone,
burned all that part of the town which stood in the range of
the guns, it being considered necessary for the safety of the
fort should the enemy again attack.
On the fourth of July the six companies of the Twenty-eighth
at Port Hudson, were ordered under Lieut. Col. Hadlock, to
march to Springfield Landing and embark to reinforce Fort
Butler, then besieged by the enemy, who had succeeded in
blockading the river. Many of the field officers at Port Hud
son having been disabled by sharp-shooters, Col. Woodman was
retained there. Col Hadlock reached the fort on the fifth, and
found that since the fight, there had been1 sent to the place
troops enough to increase the entire garrison to twelve hundred.
The same evening that Col. Hadlock arrived, Major Bullen was
murdered, while posting a company of the Second Louisiana,
by a member of one of its companies — private Francis G. Scott
of company F — who shot him, and the Major died two hours
afterwards. Scott was a New Orleans desperado, had served
as a regular in the Mexican war and was at one time in the
Confederate service. Being noisy from liquor or insubordina
tion, the Major ordered his arrest, when Scott at once fired on
the Major who was unarmed. He was at once double-ironed,
sent to New Orleans, court-martialed and shot.
Near this time the enemy sent about one hundred and forty
paroled prisoners to Fort Butler. Considering it imperative

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 547
that they should be sent at once to New Orleans, Lieut. Col.
Hadlock1, by the advice of the Captain of the gunboat, sent a
flag of truce to the rebel commander on the river, asking pass
age for them by the rebel batteries. Retaining the flag over
night, Gen. Dick Taylor sent it back with thfi request refused.
Just at dark Admiral Farragut came down from Port Hudson
with the Essex, New London, etc., granted a convoy, accompa
nying it himself, and the transports with the paroled men ran
the gauntlet of the batteries with slight damage. The rebel
refusal was received just afterwards.
Port Hudson having surrendered on the eighth, Col. Wood
man rejoined and took command of the regiment on the tenth.
On the twelfth he embarked with the regiment for Baton Rouge,
and arriving the same day, he took command of the post.
August sixth the regiment embarked for Cairo, Illinois, on its
way home. Stopping part of a day at Vicksburgh, some of the
officers visited Gen. Grant. Arriving at Cairo, it came by
way of Terre Haute and Buffalo, read 'ag Augusta on the
eighteenth, having passed nearly round the whole Confederacy
during its absence. They were everywhere enthusiastically
received from Cairo on their way home, and the kindness of the
ladies to the sick was everywhere remarkable. They were
warmly welcomed at Augusta, and. speeches were made by
Governor Coburn, Maj. Gen. Howard and others.
The regiment was mustered out on the thirty-first by Lieut.
Crossman. Quite a number of the men re-enlisted at the South
and did not return with the regiment, but the prisoners had aU
been paroled or exchanged and were mustered out with the rest.

548. MAINE IN THE WAR.

XXXIX.
TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
On the twenty-fifth of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-three,
the War Department authorized the raising of additional three
years' troops to be called veteran volunteers, in case they were
raised in compliance with the requirements of general orders,
the principal of which was that more than one-half the enlisted
men should already have served for at least nine months in the
army and the officers, should be selected from those who had
already served in the army and been honorably discharged by
expiration of term of service, resignation or otherwise. To
these troops special bounties and other privileges were allowed.
Under these orders, Maine was authorized to raise three regi
ments of Veteran Volunteer Infantry and one Battery of Vete
ran Volunteer artillery, but there being a general desire through
out the State to raise a new regiment of cavalry, the third of
these regiments was by the War Department changed from in
fantry to cavalry. The Veteran Volunteers raised in Maine
during the latter part of eighteen hundred and sixty-three and
the early part of eighteen hundred and sixty-four, were the
Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth infantry and the Second cavalry
regiments and the Seventh mounted battery of light artillery.
Col. Beal, but lately mustered out of the. Tenth Maine, was
authorized to raise this regiment, and the officers, a great part
of whom had also served in the Tenth, were all designated in
advance of the organization as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF.
George L. Beal, Norway, Colonel; Charles S. Emerson, Au
burn, Lieutenant Colonel ; William Knowlton, Lewiston, Major ;
John M. Gould, Portland, Adjutant ; Charles Thompson, Nor
way, Quartermaster; Josiah F. Day, Jr., Portland, Surgeon;
Horatio N. Howard, Abbott, Henry C. Cotton, Lisbon, Assist
ant Surgeons ; George Knox, Portland, Chaplain ; Alpheus L.

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 549
Greene, Portland, Sergeant 'Major; Cornelius D. Maynard,
Portland, Quartermaster Sergeant; Charles H. Pettingill, Au
burn, Commissary Sergeant; Lawson C. Allen, Andover, Hos
pital Steward. ,
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — John Q. Adams, Captain; Edwin W. Fowler,
First Lieutenant; Charles E. Pierce, Second Lieutenant; all of
Saco. Company B.: — Benjamin M. Redlon, Portland, Captain; Sam
el E. Hunt, Thorndike, First Lieutenant; Lorenzo D. Stacy,
Porter, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — William P. Jordan, Portland, Captain; Moses
N. Stanley, Porter, First Lieutenant; Charles B. Fillebrown,
Winthrop, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — John D. Beardsley, Grand Falls, Captain;
Charles F. King, Portland, First Lieutentant ; Chandler Libbey,
Limestone Plantation, Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — John M. Beal, Portland, Captain; Charles C.
Graham, Portland, First Lieutenant; Cyrus T. Waterhouse,
Westbrook, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Alfred L. Turner, Portland, Captain; Abel G.
Rankin, Lewiston, First Lieutenant ; Levi W. Harmon, Lewis-
ton, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — William W. Whitmarsh, Norway, Captain;
Henry R. Millet, Norway, First Lieutenant; Sylvester W.
Cummings, Freedom, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Granville Blake, Auburn, Captain ; George B.
Coburn, Lewiston, First Lieutenant ; Hartwell S. French, Tur
ner, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Almon C. Pray, Aujburn, Captain; John 0.
Kidder, Mexico, First Lieutenant; John L. Hoyt, East Liver
more, Second Lieutenant.
Company K.— George H. Nye,. Captain; Albert E. Kingsley,
First Lieutenant ; William Bagnall, Second Lieutenant ; all of
Lewiston. The regiment was rendezvoused at Camp E. D. Keyes, Au
gusta, and there mustered into service on the seventeenth of
December, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, by <Capt. Bailey
and Lieut. Fessenden of the regular army. It left Augusta

550 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Sunday morning, .January thirty-first, eighteen hundred and
sixty-four, reaching Portland the same day, where it remained
till February second, when it sailed at noon in steamship De
Molay for New Orleans where it arrived on the sixteenth, and
next day reported to Gen. ^Banks. Two cases of small pox
having broken out during the passage, they were not allowed
communication with the shore when they arrived at Key West,
Florida, on the tenth. Onfthe seventeenth the regiment was
ordered to Algiers, where it was quartered in the Bellville Iron
Works. They took the cars on the twentieth for Brashear City,
eighty-two miles distant, and next day moved twenty-eight
miles in steamer Star Light to Franklin, where they went into
camp and were assigned to the Second brigade, (Gen. McMillan,)
Fist division, (Gen. Emory,) Ninteenth army corps, (Gen.
Franklin.) The regiment remained at Franklin till the fifteenth
of March, when the corps started for Red River, reaching Alex
andria the twenty-fifth by way of Bayou Vermillion, Opelousas,
etc. On the twenty-seventh they were transferred from the
Second to the First brigade, in which they still remain. Remain
ing in camp till the twenty-ninth they left for Natchitoches,
crossed Cane river on the thirty-first, reaching their destination
April second, when they went into camp and remained four days,
when they again moved forward, the cavalry and Thirteenth
corps leading the advance and skirmishing more or less with the
enemy every day. They reached Pleasant Hill on the seventh
and Sabine Cross Roads or Mansfield on the eighth, where they
took part in the action of that day. They were formed in line
of battle about four o'clock P. M., and waiting till the enemy
advanced to within fifty yards, the Twenty-ninth poured such a
volley into him that he withdrew and re-formed, subsequently
advancing three times, being driven back at each advance and
only escaping pursuit by the approach of darkness. At eleven
o'clock that night the brigade was ordered back to Pleasant
Hill where they arrived at nine o'clock next morning and
found the Sixteenth and Seventeenth corps in line of battle.
At half past four in the afternoon of the ninth the action of
Pleasant Hill began. The fighting was fierce and desperatp on
both sides. . Shot and shell, grape and cannister and ball and
bayonet, were strewing the ground in every direction, till about
sundown the battle seemed as though a trifle might turn it either

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 551
way. Our whole reserve was brought up and the musketry
seemed one continuous volley for a few minutes, then fierce
charges were made and the wild hurrahs of our boys " proclaimed
that the red field was won." We drove them from every part
of the field, taking many prisoners. Night coming on our troops
could not follow up the work, but lay on their arms in line of
battle. As the cavalry had lost all of their trains in the first fight and
our supplies were out, our forces were ordered to fall back to
Grand Ecore for supplies, as the river was so low that the
transports could not get up. At eleven o'clock they were into
line and marched till noon next day, (Sunday,) and encamped,
for the night, which was the first sleep they had had since
Thursday night. The next day they reached Grand Ecore and
went into camp where they received clothing and rations and
threw up strong works of dirt and logs, in anticipation of an
attack. Here Col. Beal assumed command of the brigade.
They left Grand Ecore on the twenty-second and marched from
two o'clock in the morning till eleven at night, making a dis
tance of forty miles. Next day at Cane River Crossing they
had an engagement with the enemy, driving him ; and moving
on, they reached Alexandria on the twenty-fifth and camped
above the Rapids, near the fleet. On the thirtieth the regiment
crossed Red river and was detailed on fatigue duty, damming
the river. Since leaving Franklin it had marched more than
four hundred miles, was at one time sixty hours without sleep
and very little to eat, marching fifty-six miles meantime and
fighting two battles.
May first, the regiment was detailed for fatigue duty, broke
Camp and crossed Red river, camping near the Rapids. From
this time until the twelfth, they were engaged in cutting timber
and building a dam in the river to relieve the gunboats. The
ast boat having passed the Rapids on the twelftht, he regiment
returned to Alexandria and next day marched for the Mississippi
which they reached on the jtwentyfirst and went into camp,
moving down four miles next day to Morganzia Bend, where
company D of the Tenth Maine battalion reported to the regi
ment for duty. The battalion of the Tenth Maine, which was
left in the field when that organization was mustered out, had
been, by order of the War Department, some time previously

552 MAINE IN THE WAR.
assigned to the Twenty-ninth. On the thirtieth, the remainder
of the Tenth battalion reported to the regiment, which remained
at Morganzia till July second, employed in drilling, inspections,
picket and fatigue duty, when it embarked for New Orleans,
where it arrived next day.
On the fifth they embarked on steamer Clinton with sealed
orders and next day cleared the river when it was found that
the'y were bound to Fortress Monroe. After a fine passage they
reached there on the twelfth and sailed to Washington City,
where they disembarked next day and marched around the
defences of the city, halting at Tennallytown. From this time
the regiment shared the marches and countermarches of the
Nineteenth corps, finally reaching the Shenandoah valley.
September nineteenth, the regiment marched towards Win
chester and engaged the enemy at noon and checked the force
which had driven the Second division of the Nineteenth corps, '
and afterwards supported Gen. Crooks's command in its suc
cessful charge against the rebels, where Maj. Knowlton was
mortally wounded and died next day. Capt. Nye of company
K was soon after promoted to the vacancy. Moving to Fisher's
Hill on the twenty-first, they next day built works, and at six
P. M., charged the enemy's fortifications and routed the enemy
with a loss of one officer and three men wounded. The regi
ment followed the enemy all night, and afterwards moved to
Harrisonburgh where it went into camp. On the second of
October the men were under arms, there being cavalry skirm
ishing toward Mount Crawford. A new company raised in
Maine under command of Capt. Edward S. Butler of Lewiston,
joined 'the regiment and was assigned as company A, the old
company of that letter returning to the State on the fifth where
it was mustered out of service, its term having expired.
Moving to Cedar Creek they were attacked by the enemy at
daybreak on the nineteenth and driven back four miles. The
timely arrival of Gen. Sheridan turned the tide of battle and
our forces then drove the enemy ten miles. In this action the
regiment lost eighteen killed and one hundred and eleven
wounded. On the twenty-first they returned to their old camp.
Chaplain Knox joined the regiment on the eighteenth and was
accidentally killed on the thirty-first. He was a sincere, devot
ed christian and a universal favorite with the entire regiment,

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 553
as he also had been in the First and Tenth Maine, in both of
which organizations he served during their whole term.
November eighth, the regiment voted for State officers and
for Presidential electors and next day marched through Middle-
town and Newtown and the First division went into winter
quarters between Newtown and the Opequan river and built the
front line of defensive works of the army.
Col. Beal who had previously been made Brigadier General
by brevet, was on the thirtieth appointed to the full grade, and
on the twentieth of December, Maj. Nye was promoted to '
Colonel, and Adjt. Gould to Major. December thirtieth, the
regiment moved nine miles to near Stevenson's depot, where it
was in winter quarters in February eighteen hundred and sixty-
five. ' i

554 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XL.
THIRTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment on its organization had much good soldierly
material, and, like all of the regiments formed in the latter
years of the war, it had also some whom large bounties and
misguided zeal of recruiting officers had drawn into the service
without proper regard for their fitness. It had also quite a
number of old men and discharged soldiers, whose disability was
only apparently removed. A large proportion of its men and
officers, were, however, experienced soldiers.
On the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-four,
the regiment was in barracks at Augusta. On the ninth its
organization was completed by the mustering into service of
the tenth company. The regiment was officered as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Francis, Fessenden, Portland, Colonel; Thomas H. Hubbard,
Hallowell, Lieutenant Colonel ; Royal E. Whitman, Turner,
Major; John C. Kendall, Freeport, Adjutant; Francis H. Coffin,
Portland, Quartermaster ; Josiah Carr, Minot, Surgeon ; Thomas
H. Breslin, Portland, Assistant Surgeon; Simeon C. Higgins,
Turner, Chaplain. COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Horace C. Haskell, Turner, Captain; William
W. Noyes, Livermore, First Lieutenant; Francis E. Dwinal,
Minot, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Freeman U. Whiting, Newport, Captain; Henry
Green, Freeport, First Lieutenant; Lucius D. Fisher, Norway,
Second Lieutenant.
Company 0. — Whitman Sawyer, Raymond, Captain; Henry
T. Simpson, Gray, First Lieutenant; Lewis F. Cummings,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — Warren H. Boynton, Bangor, Captain; Daniel
Quimby, Jr., Bangor, First Lieutenant; Reuben Seavey, Farm-
ingdale, Second Lieutenant.

THIRTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 555
Company E. — George W. Randall-, Freeport, Captain; Sumner
N. Strout, Durham, First Lieutenant ; Abraham N. Rowe, Yar
mouth, Second Lieutenant.
Company F.— Levi M. Prince, Portland, Captain; Henry B.
Cleaves, Brjdgton, First Lieutenant ; Richard Bradley, FryO-
burgh, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Kirke W. Moses, Lewiston, Captain; Justin
K. Richardson, Turner, First Lieutenant; Frederick Hayes,
Berwick, Second Lieutenant.
Company H.— Jonathan P. C. Fall, Topsham, Captain; David
S. Barrows, Saco, First Lieutenant; Charles C. Grow, Fairfield,
Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Frank L. Jones, Portland, Captain; Charles B.
Hall, Portland, First Lieutenant ; William H. Motley, Portland,
Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Royal T. Nash, Gray, Captain; Chandler B.
Bailey, Turner, First Lieutenant; Frank S. Coffin, Machias,
Second Lieutenant.
On the seventh of February, the regiment, being fully armed
and equipped, broke camp at Augusta and proceeded to Port
land, where they embarked on board the steamship Merrimac,
and sailed the next day for New Orleans, where they arrived on
the night of the sixteenth. They were then quartered at
Algiers, from which place on the afternoon of the eighteenth
they left for Brashear City and from thence up Bayou Teche,
they went to Franklin. The movement was made during a snow
storm, and the exposure caused much subsequent sickness. At
Franklin the regiment was assigned to the Third brigade, First
division, Nineteenth army corps, in which organization under
various commanders it has continued to the present time. The
corps was commanded by Gen. Franklin and the division by
Gen. Emory.
From the nineteenth of February to the fourteenth of March,
the regiment remained encamped at Franklin, when on the fif
teenth their division moved to enter upon the Red river campaign.
On the twenty-fifth they reached Alexandria. The route was
over the rich flats of lower Louisiana and the distance marched
was one hundred and sixty miles. On the twenty-seventh the
march was continued to Natchitoches, where the army encamped
on the thirty-first.

556 .MAINE IN THE WAR.
On the seventh of April, when fifteen miles north of Natchi
toches the Thirtieth was detached from the main column as rear
guard to the supply trains of the First division. After a tedi
ous march in a drenching rain storm, and during the last three
hours over muddy and uneven roads and in utter darkness, a
part of the train, became mired, and at ten and a half o'clock'
at night, the regiment was compelled to bivouac in the woods,
seven miles in the rear of the division. The next morning the
march was resumed, and in the afternoon of the same day,
having marched eighteen miles, the regiment joined the brigade,
which had been in camp nearly two hours at Mill Spring,
eleven miles northwest of Pleasant Hill. At four o'clock in the
afternoon the regiment being much fatigued, received orders to
prepare to move forward at once, and shortly commenced a
rapid march toward Sabine Cross Roads, near Mansfield. At
this time tho firing of artillery and musketry, which had been
heard at intervals during the day, was heavy and continuous
in our front. At six o'clock they had marched a distance of
nearly six miles from the last halting ground, and reached the
theatre of the engagement between Lee's cavalry and the
Thirteenth army corps of the Union forces, and the troops of
the enemy under Taylor, Green and Morton.
The cavalry and the Thirteenth corps had been engaged with
surperior forces, and were very much shattered. The cavalry
trains and artillery had been taken by the enemy, and the
cavalry, with rits immediate infantry supports, driven back in
confusion. The Thirtieth, pursuing at double quick step through
a road crowded with, retreating troops and trains, filed to the
left and formed line of battle under fire, in a pine wood near the
summit of a hill, and in rear of a large open field. The regiment
was held at first as reserve of the Third brigade, but was almost
immediately moved forward and to the left, to assist in check
ing an attempted movement of the enemy upon the left flank of
the division. Here the enemy's fire was quite galling. Maj.
Whitman, while dressing the ranks upon the front and left, was
wounded, and here the regiment met with nearly all the loss
suffered in the action. The enemy was checked chiefly by the
fire of the other regiments of the division, and at eight o'clock
in the evening the Thirtieth, without having delivered a full
volley, was moved to the right upon the main road, and lay

THIRTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 557
under arms awaiting orders. Their total loss in this action was
one commissioned officer wounded, two enlisted men killed,
seven enlisted men wounded, and forty-two enlisted men miss
ing. The missing men fell out from exhaustion before reaching
the field of battle, and were probably captured when our forces
had retreated.
At midnight of the eighth, the regiment took up the line of
march with the division, and at nine o'clock in the forenoon of
the next day had reached Pleasant Hill, seventeen miles in rear
of the battle field. Here the forces of Gen. A. G. Smith,
portions of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth army corps, had
arrived, some six thousand strong, and here the Nineteenth
army corps took position and awaited the enemy. Firing was
heard nearly all day upon our skirmish line, and occasional dis
charges of artillery from the enemy. At half past four in the
afternoon, the rapid discharges of musketry along our entire
line told the advance of the enemy upon our skirmishers. The
Thirtieth was then formed in line of battle, in rear of a ditch,
upon level ground. Its front was somewhat obscured by shrubs
and bushes, and in the rear the surface rose foi) a distance
of forty rods over open ground, and by a gentle descent and
another rise further to the rear was met by a growth of pine
woods near half a mile in rear of our line of battle. The
v position of the Thirtieth was the extreme1 left and front of the
line of battle of the division.
Capt. Boynton's company (D) was deployed as our advance
skirmish lirie in the woods, in front, supported by Capt. Ran
dall's company (E); Capt. Prince's company (F) was deployed
upon either bank of the ditch, thirty yards in advance of our
line. Shortly after the firing had become general upon our
advanced lines, company D came in in good order, having
delivered three volleys.upon the enemy, and formed on the left
of the battalion. Company E, retiring at about the same time
further to the right, was ordered by Col. Benedict, commanding
the brigade, to occupy the interval between the right of the
One Hundred and Sixty-second and left of the One Hundred
and Seventy-third New York regiments. These regiments in
the order given, formed the continuation of the brigade line
upon the right. Immediately behind our companies of skirm
ishers, a full brigade of the enemy emerged from the wood,

558 MAINE IN THE WAR.
deployed iu line of battle with our skirmishers, advanced, and
moved upon us rapidly and in excellent order, delivering a
heavy fire as they advanced. Our interior line of skirmishers
then opened line, and did the enemy considerable damage, but
failed to check him. When the enemy was within a hundred
yards, the battalion opened fire, and continued an effective dis
charge until ordered to retreat. This order was not given until
the three regiments which formed the entire right of our brig
ade line had broken and retreated nearly a quarter of a mile up
the hill. At this time our flanks were almost enveloped by the
enemy's gaining the unoccupied ground upon our left and that
abandoned on our right, and our line was strongly pressed in
front. At the command the battalion retired in tolerable order
up the- hill, over ground very much exposed and under a very
heavy fire. Arrived at the summit of the hill, the line was par
tially reformed and another volley delivered upon the enemy.
The regiment again fell back toward the wood before mentioned,
and in the edge of it made a final stand. Here a portion of
Gen. Smith's force advanced to our support, and under our
combined fire the enemy commenced to fall back, followed
closely by our forces. In this advance the regiment became
much broken. Four companies formed upon the left of an Ohio
regiment, mistaking their colors for our own. Nearly all the
remainder advanced with our colors across the open field and
drove the enemy beyond our first position. Here the second
Une of the enemy emerged from the wood, and rallying their
retreating forces, made a stand for several minutes. Under our
rapid fire they finally broke, and were pursued by our forces for
two miles. At midnight of the ninth, our forces again fell back,
and on the eleventh reached the Red river at Grand Ecore.
The loss of the Thirtieth in the engagement of the ninth was
nine killed, fifty-eight wounded, and twenty-nine missing. The
missing in this action were nearly all from our companies of
¦skirmishers, and were probably killed, wounded and prisoners.
In both of the actions, the officers and men of the regiment
behaved admirablj. If any deserve especial praise it is Capt.
Randall of company E, who, though separated from the battal'
ion by orde? of the brigade commander, and severely wounded
in the shoiidder in the earlier part of the action, was last io
rgtpeat, first te reform his company, »n4 among the last te

THIRTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 559
relinquish the pursuit. Sergt. Edmund R. Shaw, the color
bearer of the regiment, behaved with marked coolness and gal
lantry throughout the day, and received a severe and dangerous
wound in the knee. Among the killed in the action of the ninth
was Lieut. Sumner N. Strout, a most gallant and esteemed
officer. Col. Benedict, the brigade commander, was killed,
leaving the brigade in command of Col. Fessenden.
At Grand Ecore the regiment performed much severe labor
as an advanced picket for the army, and in constructing earth
works and abattis for the defence of the position. On the
twenty-first the retreat of the army was resumed, which, on
the morning of the twenty-third was effectually stopped by a
force of the enemy so posted as to hold with infantry and
artillery the crossing of Cane river, where the only practicable
road lay. To the Third brigade was assigned the duty of ford
ing the river, above the crossing, and dislodging the enemy.
The Thirtieth bore the most conspicuous part in this affair. The
largest regiment of its brigade, and from its position exposed
to the most severe fire, it assaulted and drove from a position
which was a natural fortress such as held by good troops would
have been almost impregnable, five regiments of the enemy's
force. This was done by a brigade of four small regiments, of
which only one other than the Thirtieth did or from the nature
of the ground could, successfully engage the enemy. The
officers highest in command of the army, have spoken of this
affair of Cane River Crossing, or Morrell's Bluff, as the most
gallant action of the campaign, and have said that its success
opened the way and saved the army. It is but the truth to say
that this success was due almost entirely to the conduct of the
Thirtieth. On the twenty-fourth the march was continued and
on the next day the army camped at Alexandria, .,
On the thirteeuth of May, the retreat was continued towards
the Mississippi. Three days after, the army was confronted
by a large force of the enemy at Marksville and Mansura.
The two armies marshalled on one beautiful prairie, the whqle
circled by a belt of woods just visible. A cautious advance in
line of battle- was ordered, and although the armies were face
t^ face for upwards of six hours, and a rapid artillery engage
ment conducted during this time, almost without pause, $h$
enemy withdrew before any serious engagement was fcad be-

560 MAINE IN THE WAR.
tween the infantry forces. For the greater part of the day the
Thirtieth wag in the front line, and under fire of the enemy's
artillery. The march was continued and the Atchafalaya river
reached at SemmeSport on the seventeenth. Here the regiment
did good service in helping to bridge the river, and cross the
army train.
From Semmesport the army march tp Morganzia, on the
Mississippi, where it arrived on the twenty-second. Here,
more than at any other place the regiment experienced the full
effects of the hardships and exposure of this disastrous1 cam
paign. Resting in the intense summer heat, the debilitated,
finding no strength to recuperate, died, the strong were debil
itated. Between the fifteenth of March and May twenty-second,
the regiment marched over five hundred miles, and was engaged
in four battles. Its losses in killed, wounded and missing in
battle amount to two hundred and twenty-eight officers and
men. A part of the loss was temporary, and many of the
wounded afterwards returned to duty.
On the second of July, the regiment as part of its division,
sailed from Morganzia to New Orleans, encamping at Algiers
until the eleventh when it again sailed for Virginia. On the
eighteenth it reached Fortress Monroe, and was sent imme
diately to Deep Bottom. Here the regiment held for twenty-four
hours a picket line, in face of the enemy, which, in a few hours,
was easily taken from the regiment which relieved it. Here
too, the regiment did touch labor upon temporary earthworks,
working almost continually under fire ; and here it was only
the want of consent from higher authorities which prevented
the commander of the regiment at that time, from attempting
the recapture of the abandoned picket line, and removing all
cause for harsh reflection upon the conduct of the brigade.
From Deep Bottom the regiment was transported to Wash
ington, thence it marched to Harper's Ferry, and through the
latter part of August and early in September was engaged in
the numerous movements and affairs of the Army of the Shenan
doah. In September the Third brigade was detached from its di
vision, and continued thus until October twenty-sixth. Although
in this interval it performed more fatiguing duty than the
remainder of the army, and was constantly engaged in moving
and guarding stores, in marching up and down the valley, and

THIRTIETH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 561
in protecting from guerillas valuable supply trains, it failed to
share the glory of Gen. Sheridan's battles and victories of the
nineteenth of September and October. On the twenty-sixth of
the latter month the regiment with its brigade rejoined its
division at Cedar Creek. On the ninth of November it moved
with the army to a position between Kearnstown and Newtown.
On the thirtieth of December it moved to Stevenson's depot,
four miles north of Winchester.
The entire distance marched by the regiment during the year
was upwards of one thousand miles, exclusive of all raids and
temporary movements from camp. It has been engaged in four
battles. It has lost in killed and from wounds received in bat
tle, three officers and twenty enlisted men, and in wounded five
officers and one hundred and twenty-two «nen. It has losljby
disease, two officers and two hundred and eight men.
On the eighteenth of November an qfder was issued assign
ing to the Thirtieth the rp-enlisted men of the Thirteenth Maine.
The, consolidation having been effected gave the regiment the
maximum of men and officers of the most excellent material,
hardy, willing and experienced soldiers.
During the year eighteen hundred and sixty-four, the following
officers were detached: Lieut. Col. Royal E. Whitman, while
absent wounded in Maine, was temporarily assigned to recruit
ing service and Court Martial duty. Assistant Surgeons
Thomas H. Breslin and Charles K. Packard, have for a time
been detached to act as Surgeons for the One Hundred and
Sixty-fifth New York Volunteers. Capt. Freeman U. Whiting
with his company, (B), was, during March and April, detached
as guard for the corps ammunition train. First Lieut. Daniel
Quimby of company D, was for a time detached with a separate
command to hold the town of Newtown, and is now guarding
a signal station on the advanced picket line. First Lieut. Henry
B. Cleaves of company F has twice been Acting Quartermaster
in the absence of Quartermaster Coffin. First Lieut. Charles
B. Hall of company I has been on duty upon the brigade staff
as aide-de-camp, Ordnance Officer, Provost Marshal and In
spector, nearly all the time since March. Second Lieut. Francis
E. Dwinal of company A has also been detached upon the
brigade staff the greater part of his term, as aide-de-camp and
Ordnance Officer.
36

562 MAINE IN THE WAR.
From the time of its organization until the tenth of April,
when the command of the brigade ' devolved upon him, Col.
Fessenden, now Brigadier General, commanded the regiment.
At the battle of Cane River Crossing he lost a leg and has since
been on Court Martial duty at Washington. From April tenth
until July first, Lieut. Col. Hubbard had command and was
subsequently appointed Colonel. From July first until October
first, Col. Hubbard being absent sick and Lieut. Col. Whitman
absent wounded, Capt. Randall, now Major, was in command.
On the first of October Col. Hubbard returned and with the
exception of three weeks, when, during his absence on Court
Martial Lieut. Col. Whitman commanded, has continued with
the regiment.
"She true history »f the regiment is written in returns and
reports, matters of tedious statistics to strangers, but which
with their notes of loss and gain, of shifting aggregate, of
transfer, discharge, death, give to the members much cause for
just pride, and much occasion for sad recollections. It is
written too, in the hearts of many, who rejoice at the bravery
and success of friends, and of many others whose friends will
never come back to them again.

SECOND REGIMENT CAVALRY. 563

XLI.
SECOND REGIMENT CAVALRY.
This regiment when organized was composed of robust and
strong men, well armed, equipped and disciplined. They were
mustered into the United States service at-different times in the
months of November and December, eighteen hundred and sixty-
three. The original roster of the regiment was as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Ephraim W. Woodman, Wilton, Colonel ; John F. Godfrey,
Bangor, Lieutenant Colonel; Charles A. Miller, Rockland,
Major; Eben Hutchinson, Athens, Major ; Andrew B. Spurring,
Orland, Major; Nathan Cutler, Augusta, Adjutant; John F.
Milliken, Belfast, Quartermaster; James Cleaveland, Skowhe
gan, Commissary; George W. Martin, Houlton, Surgeon;
Louis E. Norris, Hampden, Assistant Surgeon; Charles Nason,
Kennebunk, Chaplain; Emilus N. D. Small, Farmingdale, Ser
geant Major; Sylvanus C. Small, Richmond, Quartermaster
Sergeant; George E. Allen, Augusta, Commissary Sergeant;
Andrew R. G. Smith, Wiscasset, Hospital Steward; Charles T.
Bean, Warren, Hospital Steward; Albert A. Mitchell, Canton,
Saddler Sergeant; Acton P. Thompson, Canton, Chief Trumpeter.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — Joseph F. Twitchell, Mattawamkeag, Captain;
Warren Mansur, Houlton, . First Lieutenant; Silas C. Barker,
Augusta, Second Lieutenant.
Company B.— Benjamin G. Merry, Bath, Captain; Andrew
J. Nichols, Augusta, First Lieutenant; Noah Jewett, Readfield,
Second Lieutenant.
Company C\— Elijah D. Johnson, Lewiston, Captain; Melvin
S. Hutchinson, Gardiner, First Lieutenant ; Rodolph L. Dodge,
Portland, Second Lieutenant.
Company D.— John M. Lincoln, Pembroke, Captain; George
W. Seavey, Machias, First Lieutenant; William Gillespie, Cal
ais, Second Lieutenant.

564 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Company E. — Samuel W. Clarke, Newcastle, Captain; Adoni-
ram J. Pickard, Rockland, First Lieutenant; Frederick A. Met-
calf, Damariscotta, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Gustavus A. Stanley, Farmington, Captain;
Evander S. Prescott, Wilton, First Lieutenant; Simeon W.
Parlin, Phillips, Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — Samuel W. Knowles, Bangor, Captain ; William
Banton, First Lieutenant ; Jason C. Chandler, Corinth, Second
Lieutenant. Company H. — Adolphus B. Matthews, Belfast, Captain ; Dan
iel S. Simpson, Searsport, First Lieutenant; Marcus A. Vose,
Montville, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Isaac W. Haskell, Garland, Captain; William
L. Richmond, Winthrop, First Lieutenant; Thomas A. Brann,
Gardiner, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Moses French, Solon, Captain ; Samuel S. Hol-
brook, St. Albans, First Lieutenant ; Abner C. Emery, Skowhe
gan, Second Lieutenant.
Company L. — Samuel H. Libby, Limerick, Captain ; Andrew J.
Woodman, Saco, First Lieutenant ; William H. Moody, Kenne-
bunk, Second Lieutenant.
Company M.— -John H.Roberts, Alfred, Captain; Ivory R.
Allen, Waterboro', First Lieutenant; Isaac R. Adams, Wilton,
Second Lieutenant.
In the spring of eighteen hundred and sixty-four, the regi
ment left Augusta, where it was encamped, and went to Port
land where it embarked on transports for New Orleans, arriving
in April in better condition than was expected, after the rough
passage which all the transports experienced, losing on the
voyage, two men and one hundred and fifty horses.
Immediately upon landing, Major Miller with three squadrons,
comprising companies A, D, and a part of G, was ordered to
the front to participate in the Red river expedition, against the
rebel Gen. Dick Taylor. Col. Woodman was sent to Greenville,
there to take command of the Camp of -Instruction for cavalry,
his regiment joining him in a few days.
On the twenty-sixth of May .the regiment was ordered to Thi-
bodeaux, where Col. Woodman joined it, he having, at his own
request, been relieved from the command of the Camp of Instruc
tion.

SECOND REGIMENT CAVAERY. 565
On the second of- June, Major Miller with his command
rejoined the regiment, having performed six weeks of honora
ble and active service with the loss of ten or twelve wounded.
In the latter part of May, Gen. McNeil, who was in command
at Thibodeaux, found it necessary to break up the regiment,
sending a portion to Napoleonville on Bayou La Fourche, other
companies to Chachonla, Tigreville, Bayou Bceuf, Brashear
City, on the New Orleans and Opelousas Railroad, and one
company at Houma, the shj|e town of Terrebonne Parish. At
these points they were engaged in picketing, scouting and
skirmishing with the enemy in and around nearly all parts of
the La Fourche District.
On the twenty-sixth of July, the regiment having beetf
re-united, moved from Thibodeaux to Algiers, where, after
remaining about a week, it crossed the river to New Orleans and
proceeded to Greenville, from which place it left in a few days
for Pensacola, Florida.
On the eighteenth of September an expedition under the
command of Gen. Asboth, comprising eleven companies of the
Second Maine, under command of Lieut. Col. Spurling, Col.
Woodman commanding the brigade in camp, two companies
First Florida cavalry and two companies Eighty-second United
States colored volunteers, temporarily mounted, embarked at
Barrancas on a raid into the interior of West Florida. Landing
at Deer Point, opposite Pensacola, they commenced the march
inland. Marching fifty miles, though a barren, sandy region,
they met no rebel force until they reached Euchelia, where on
the twenty-third the Second Maine, under Lieut. Col. Spruling,
suprised and captured twenty-five rebel cavalry who were
enforcing a conscription. Col. Spurling was "then sent with a
small detachment of his command, nineteen in number, in
another direction on a scouting tour.
The main column then pushed on for Marianna, the county
seat of Jackson county, where it encountered the enemy.
The Second Maine was in the advance, Major Cutler's battal
ion ahead. As they entered the town they were met by a volley
from the rebel cavalry, which killed and wounded several.
Among the formmer was Lieut. Ayer, company I, who had been
recently promoted from Quartermaster Sergeant. The severe
fire caused them to waver and fall back. Major Hutchinson's

566 MAINE IN THE WAR. »
battalion was then ordered to charge, which they did, Majors
Hutchinson and Cutler leading, and driving the rebels through
the town. Charging down the street, they found a barricade of
wagons across it. ' Passing that, some over, some through and
others around it, they continued the pursuit, when all at once
a body of militia who were concealed in houses, churches and
stores, opened a furious fire, and literally mowed down every
officer and man at the head of the column. Maj. Cutler fell,
badly wounded, his leg broken, wrist fractured, and with other
wounds. He had two horses shot under him. Major Hutchin
son was wounded in foot and leg. Lieut. Adams, company M,
was mortally wounded. Lieutenant Moody, company L, was
wounded in the thigh. The total casualties, were twenty-nine ;
three killed, nineteen wounded and ten missing. Major Cutler,
Lieut. Adams, and several enlisted men, had to be left at
Marianna, being too badly wounded to bring away.
By this daring raid we inflicted severe damage on the rebels,
obtained a large supply of commissary and Quartermaster's
stores, arms, two hundred and fifty horses and mules, four hun
dred head of cattle, and about five hundred contrabands.
Over one hundred prisoners were taken in all ; one Colonel,
two Captains and several Lieutenants. The city officials, judge,
and members of the court were also captured.
Retiring to Point Washington, the expedition returned to
their camp at Barrancas, arriving on the fifth of October, having
been absent about three weeks. Lieut. Col. Spurling did not
rejoin the main column until it reached Cerro Gordo on its
return, when he and his command came in with fifteen prison
ers, fifty horses, several teams, and a large train of cattle,
mules and contrabands, having, been absent five days and
accomplished all this without the loss of a man. During this
jaunt he traveled one hundred and twenty-five miles and experi
enced several adventures.
Shortly after this expedition, Lieut. Col. Spurling, with
detachments from the Second and other regiments, in all a
force of about seven hundred, made a dash on Milton. His
object was to capture a force of cavalry, which was only frus
trated by a disobedience of orders on the part of a co-operating
force. The rebels were routed and thirteen of. their numbeT
taken prisoners. On the return he destroyed many«buildings

SECOND REGIMENT CAVALRY. 567
and a considerable amount of stores ; also bringing away over
one hundred thousand feet of valuable lumber.
On the thirteenth of December the regiment formed part of
an expedition that made a raid into the edge of Alabama. The
object of the raid was to destroy the large quantity of military
stores and supplies supposed to be at Pollard, Alabama, also to
burn or destroy the extension trestle bridge across the Escam
bia river, of the Mobile and Charleston Railroad, and do what
other damage to the enemy that could be done conveniently.
Late in the afternoon of the day on which the expedition left
Barrancas, Lieut. Col. Spurling left the main column and pro
ceeded in advance with the Second Maine. His intention was >
to reach, as soon as practicable, Pine Barren Creek, and, if
possible, capture the rebel picket known 'to be stationed there.
'Lieut. Glidden was despatched with a small force dismounted to
cross a short distance below and get in their rear if possible,
and thus make the capture sure ; but the bad condition of the
bridge, deep water and swift current, prevented him from exe
cuting his plans. Presently two men were seen coming up the
road, and both taken. The third on duty at the bridge made
good his escape. The bridge was repaired and the cavalry
passed over and quietly awaited the arrival of th§ main column
which came up in the evening. At three o'clock on the morning
of the fifteenth, the march was again resumed in the direction
of Pollard, Alabama. After a march of fifteen miles, they came
to Bluff Springs, where they encountered a small force of rebels.
They were routed and pursued to Escambia river. After reach
ing it it was found the rebels had'fired the bridge and appeared in
considerable force on the other side. The cavalry dismounted
to fight on foot, and the sharp crack of the carbine as the Sec
ond Maine opened with repeating rifl.es told them there was no
escape in flight.
In the meantime, one hundred of the Second Maine were sent
to take possession of another bridge about four miles up the
Escambia. Within six miles of Pollard, which was a depot of
great importance filled with valuable warlike material, they
came suddenly upon a station of the Mobile and Great Northern
Railroad, and captured the station master with fifty able bodied
negroes, workmen on the road. The Railroad bridge which
spans the Escambia at this point was burned— one thousand sacks

568 MAINE IN THE WAR.
of corn, the track torn up for a long distanoe, and the trestle
work destroyed. After doing all further damage possible, they
returned to the main column which had repaired the bridge
burned in the morning, and crossed over. Another brisk skir
mish took place within six mjles of the town, in which the
artillery, Capt. Roberts, company M, Second Maine, in charge
of two howitzers, was engaged. Darkness coming on the
command went into camp for the night. The next morning the
advance guard entered Pollard without opposition, where every
thing that was of any value to the enemy had been destroyed
by a, portion of the expedition.
Having accomplished all that was intended in the commence
ment, late in the afternoon the column took up the line of march
back to Barrancas. Fearful that the enemy might get reinforce
ments from Mobile, or other points, Lieut. Col. Spurling was
sent forward with the Second Maine to hold the bridge over the
Escambia. On reaching the bridge the planks had been torn
up and a picket posted on the other side. The column came
up, the battery was placed in position, and at daylight, the
morning of the seventeenth, opened fire with grape and shell
on the building which sheltered the rebels. The infantry
charged, led> by Col. Robinson of the Ninety-seventh colored
regiment, who was in command of the expedition, who was
severely wounded in the thigh. The command now devolved
upon Lieut. Col. Spurling, who, as fast as the forces crossed,
placed them in line of battle and put them in motion.
But a short distance had been marched when the enemy
appeared in our front and gave evidence of preparation for
battle. The engagement soon became general. The column
was moved forward, the infantry opening with telling effect,
causing the rebels to fall back, which they did for five miles,
trying all the while to gain an advantageous position and give
battle, but to no purpose. They did not even take along their
dead and wounded. Thus four distinct battles were fought.
They made many charges upon our train with a view of captur
ing it, but as many times they were fearfully repulsed and sent
back badly punished. The last engagement took place at Pine
Barren Creek, which the expedition was obliged to ford. At
this juncture four wagons and one ambulance had to be aban-

SECOND REGIMENT CAVALRY. 569
doned, but not until after being destroyed. In this engagement
the Second Maine lost one killed and five wounded.
That Lieut. Col. Spurling was able to bring back the command
encumbered with a train of fifty wagons sixty miles through
the enemy's country, attacked almost every hour in front, rear
and flanks by a force superior to his own in numbers, is suffi
cient comment on his ability and qualities. Five times at
different places the rebels chose their ground and position, and
attacked us with an equal force, and were -not only handsomely
repulsed but terribly punished. The expedition having been a
complete success the whole command returned to Barrancas,
arriving on the nineteenth in camp.
Col. Woodman being in command of the Fourth brigade cav
alry division, left the regiment in command of Lieut. Col.
Spurling. During the summer season of this year the sudden transition
of the men of the Second from the rigid climate of Maine to the
excessive heat of Southern Louisiana, constant exposure to
alternate rains and scalding sun, in one of the most malarious,
and to Eastern troops unhealthy districts of our country, living
upon salt provisions, with very little or no vegetable diet, drink
ing impure water and frequently sleeping upon the wet ground,
generated interrnittent, bilious, lung and typhus malaria fevers
chronic diarrhea, scurvy and other diseases, and caused fearful
inroads in their ranks. At one time they suffered so severely
from sickness and disease that deducting seventy who were
transferred to the Navy, those who died or received their dis
charge, so reduced their number that out of nine hundred and
eighty-nine, not over four hundred and fifty reported for duty.
In forty days, from the tenth of August, sixty-two men died
in the regimental hospital, exclusive of those who died in gen
eral hospitals. In thirty-five days from the tenth of August,
one hundred cases of scurvy appeared; and Chaplain Nason
came on north and making known the facts to the people of
Maine, succeeded in collecting and forwarding to the regiment
a large and bountiful supply of vegetables and various other
articles that they were in need of, bringing about a favorable
result.

570 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XLII.
SEVENTH MOUNTED BATTERY.
The Seventh Veteran Battery was raised during the last days
of November and the month of December, eighteen hundred
and sixty-three, under provisions of General Orders from the
War Department, .with. rendezvous at Camp Coburn, Augusta;
and was mustered into the United States service with full com
plement of officers and men, December thirtieth, by Lieut; Fes
senden, Fifth United States Artillery.
Adelbert B.. Twitchell, Bethel, Captain; William B. Lapham,
Woodstock, Lorrin E. Bundy, Portland, First Lieutenants;
Daniel Staples, Old Town, Frank Thorp, Boothbay, Second
Lieutenants; Osborne J. Pierce, Albion, Orderly Sergeant;
Albert S. Twitchell, Bethel, Quartermaster Sergeant.
Horses were furnished the battery in the State, pursuant to
orders from the War Department.
The battery left the State February first, eighteen hundred
and sixty-four, proceeding directly to Washington, and report
ing to Lieut. Col. Hall, commanding Camp Barry, Artillery
Camp of Instruction, District of Columbia.
Full and complete equipments, guns and harnesses, were not
furnished until about the first of April, and from the day of
receiving these, until the day of active service, every moment
for drill and instruction was improved.
In April the battery was assigned to the Ninth army corps,
,Gen. Burnside commanding, then at Annapolis, Maryland, but
subsequently joined the corps en transit through Washington,
April twenty-fifth. It crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford
May fifth with the corps, and was in three different positions
at the battle of the Wilderness, though not actively engaged,
as the nature of the country (mostly woodland) allowed but
little use of artillery.
The battery had its first real fight at Spottsylvania, May
twelfth, a battle that raged from early morn until night. The

SEVENTH MOUNTED BATTERY. 571
battery was many yards in advance of any other battery on
the left of the line and was fiercely engaged nearly five hours,
and doing such execution as to take rank from that day with
the experienced batteries of the corps. The battery was a
participant in the subsequent engagements in that locality.
It arrived at the North Anna river on the twenty-third and
threw up a redoubt during the night, and the two days follow
ing had almost continued and, sharp practice with the rebel
artillery. Subsequently at Bethesda Church on the afternoon
of June second, and on the forenoon of the third the battery was
hotly and effectively engaged when the rebels attempted to
turn the right of our lines; and again at Coal Harbor, for
several consecutive days, it was in position and several times
under a severe fire.
The battery arrived in front of Petersburgh on the afternoon
of the sixteenth and was engaged with the troops of the corps
in all the sanguinary struggles to force back the rebel lines and
gain the city, and continued on the front line at the Taylor
House, seven hundred and fifty yards from where the mine was
sprung, for forty-seven consecutive days, a longer period, it is v
believed, than any other battery of the Army of the Potomac
has been in a difficult and exposed position at any one time. It
was a position of danger and responsibility, requiring a large
portion of the men to be on the alert night and day.
The battery was with the Ninth corps in the flank movements
and engagements to the south and left of Petersburgh, and
from October first to November thirtieth occupied Fort Welch,
the extreme left position on the front line, near the Pegram
House. The Ninth corps, from this time until January first, eighteen
¦hundred and sixty-five, occupied the old summer lines of the
Ninth and Fifth corps, and the Seventh battery was and is now1
in the fortification known among newspaper correspondents as
"Fort Hell," though the real name at the present time is Fort
JBedgwick. It is about four hundred yards from the rebel mai»
fine, and is a trying position during the winter months. Por
tions of the cannoniers are on the alert night and day, and
besides the exposure from picket firing, there is much danger
from sixty-four pound mortar shells frequently thrown into the
fort. This battery was the only new battery retained in the

572 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Ninth army corps when the artillery of the corps was organized
into a brigade, the others beiflg sent into the Reserve artillery.
Though entering the field a fortnight after receiving guns and
harnesses, and consequently having but little time for drill, it
has kept up its organization and discipline, never been for one
hour unprepared for service, and is held among the first class
batteries of the army for discipline and efficiency. It is com
posed of a superior class of men, and starting with a new
battery and entering at once upon and passing through the
severest campaign record, it is sufficient proof of the efficiency
and excellence of its officers that it was not only not disorgan
ized but has made itself a reputation which is an honor to the
State and an earnest of what it will be in the future.

FIRST DISTRICT COLUMBIA CAVALRY. 573

XLIII.
FIRST DISTRICT COLUMBIA CAVALRY.
This regiment was an independent organization, originally
designed for special service in the District of Columbia, subject
only to the orders of the War Department. It was under the
command of Col. L. C. Baker. About eight hundred men were
raised for it in Maine, making it to all intents and purposes a
Maine organization. The officers from Maine were as follows:
Company D. — Joel W. Cloudman, Stetson, Captain; William
S. Howe, Stetson, First Lieutenant ; Eli Parkman, Charleston,
Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — Edward T. Sandford, Warren, Captain; James
MaguiM^ Portland, First Lieutenant; James F. McKusick,
Warren, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Robert F. Dyer, Augusta, Captain ; James H.
Russell, Houlton, First Lieutenant ; Joseph W. Lee, Calais,
Second Lieutenant.
Company L. — Charles C. Chace, Portland, Captain; Robert
C. Smith, First Lieutenant; William S. Farwell, Rockland,
Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — John W. Freese, Houlton, Captain; Vincent
Mountfort, Bowdoin, First Lieutenant; Corydon B. Lakin,
Stetson,Second Lieutenan t.
Company H. — Andrew M. Benson, Oldtown, Captain; Zebu-
Ion B. Blethen, Lewiston, First Lieutenant; Sylvanus R. Jack
son, Foxcroft, Second Lieutenant.
Company G— Thomas C. Webber, Gorham, Captain; Daniel
F. Sargent, Brewer, First Lieutenant; Leander M. Comins,
Lincoln, Second Lieutenant.
Company M.— Daniel F. Sargent, Brewer, Captain; Edward
P. Merrill, Portland, First Lieutenant ; Henry D. Fuller, Corinth,
Second Lieutenant.
Samuel H. Merrill, Portland, Chaplain.
Capt. Cloudman's company, numbering one hundred and forty

574 MAINE IN THE WAR.
men, left the State for Washington in the fall, of eighteen hun
dred and sixty-three, the three officers receiving their commis
sions from the President of the United States. The remaining
officers were commissioned by the Governor of Maine. Capt.
Sandford's company went next, followed on the twenty-ninth of
February, of the following year, by the remaining five companies.
After performing important service in and about Wa8hiugton
half of the regiment reported in May to Gen. Shepley at Nor
folk, Virginia, and were assigned to Portsmouth, where they
were dismounted, excepting officers, for a short time, while the
other half were with Gen. Butler's army and participated in
Gen. Kautz' cavalry raid on Petersburgh, in the early part of
June. On the first of July the regiment was stationed at Jones'
Landing, part of the command garrisoning Fort Pride on the
same line of defence. On the twenty-sixth they went to
Malvern Hill, where, joining the Union forces they*had one
officer wounded while engaged in repulsing the enemy. Re
turning to Jones' Landing they crossed the Appomaitox river
and on the second of August moved four miles nearer the
enemy's lines and picketed. The next day they went to Lee's
Mills, the headquarters of the regiment being established at
Sycamore Church, four companies doing duty at Cox's Mills.
On the eighth they marched to within four miles of Petersburgh
on the Weldon and Petersburgh railroad, where they remained
on picket until the twenty-first, where they deployed as skirm
ishers, dismounted, on the left of the Fifth army corps and
participated in taking a brigade of the enemy and three stand
of colors. Skirmishing with the enemy on the morning of the.
twenty-third, they drove him four miles, and destroyed twenty-
eight large sacks of salt. In the afternoon they fought and
drove the Hampton Legion, killing and wounding many and
taking some prisoners. Capt. Sargent was killed. The fol
lowing day there was fighting near Reams' Station. The next
day after fighting the enemy continually from early dawn until
four o'clock in the afternoon, repulsing him in every attack until
they came inside the lines of the main force, the regiment was
dismounted, taken into the field on the extreme left of the
line, there to build a breastwork which was hardly completed
when the enemy opened with shot and shell. A few moments

FIRST DISTRICT COLUMBIA CAVALRY. 575
after the enemy made his appearance with a loud yell, charging
on our lines from right to left, his artillery playing all the while.
In our front the rebels were handsomely repulsed. The main
forces of the enemy were on the right flank of our infantry, which
gave way. Our lines remained firm until nightfall, and the firing
ceased. The regiment was the last to leave the field, proceed
ing to Jerusalem Plank Road, where they formed a picket line
and held it until relieved by a regiment from Gen. Gregg's
cavalry. The next day they went baok to Sycamore Church
on picket duty, when an order was received to transfer all the
Maine officers and men of the regiment to the First Maine
cavalry. During their term of seven months' . service, Capt.
Cloudman was promoted to Major. After being transferred
they remained doing picket duty on the extreme left of the
army on a line about four miles in length. They numbered
about four hundred men.
On the morning of the fifteenth of September they were
attacked by a heavy force of the enemy who succeeded in run
ning off some twelve or thirteen cattle from a large herd in
their rear under guard of another regiment. When attacked
two batteries were under command of Maj. J. S. Baker at
Sycamore Church, and the other battalion under command of
Capt. Howe, who had been promoted from Lieutenant, near
Cox's Mills, two miles below. The attack was made at break
of day, almost at the same moment at three points, namely : At
the right of the line held by the First District Columbia cavalry,
the weakest part of the whole, where there was no reserve, and
where there could be little or no resistance; at Sycamore
Church, and at Cox's Mills. At the church as the rebels with
demonaic yells charged up the road, our men rallied, and with
cool determination met the terrible onset. Three times the
rebels were compelled to fall back in confusion, till by vastly
superior numbers our little force was surrounded, their horses
which had been kept saddled all night were captured, and they
were compelled to succumb.
At Cox's Mills, at the first dawn, the men rallied under Capt.
Howe just in time to find a strong force of rebels approaching
them by the road on their left. They were instantly formed
behind a slight breastwork, where they coolly waited till the
enemy, charging up the hill and outnumbering them ten to one,

576 MAINE IN THE WAR.
were completely in range, when they threw from their heavy fif
teen shooters, volley after volley, which sent them back on the
double quick. Again they rallied and again were driven back.
At this point it was discovered that a strong force of the enemy
was on each flank, while that in front was not lessened. No
alternative now remained but to fall back toward Sycamore
Church. This was done in good order, keeping the enemy at
a respectable distance by occasional volleys from their formida
ble rifles and without the loss of a man. In doing this, however,
they fell into the lion's mouth, for the rebel force engaged
at Sycamore Church, having secured their prisoners, formed in
a semi-circle across the road and, dressed in our uniform,
were mistaken for our own men. Successful resistance was
now impossible, and having done all that brave men coujd do,
like men they yielded to their fate. Their loss was severe.
Nine officers and over one hundred and fifty privates were taken
prisoners, besides several killed. Both Majors Baker and
Cloudman were captured.
The enemy having been successful in their raid, the regiment
went back to the church the next day. Their history after this
is identical with that of the First Maine Cavalry.

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 577

XLIV.
THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This regiment was rendezvoused at Augusta and was origin
ally officered as subjoined. The , Colonelcy was tendered to
George Varney, formerly of the Second Maine, who subsequent
ly declined. FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
George Varney, Bangor, Colonel; Thomas Hight, Augusta,
Lieutenant Colonel; Stephen C. Talbot, East Machias, Major;
William B. Allyn, Belfast, Adjutant; Robert A. Palmer, Rock
land, Quartermaster; Joseph D. Mitchell, Readfield, Surgeon;
Richard R. Ricker, Minot, Assistant Surgeon; Albert G. French,
Fayette, Assistant Surgeon; George C. Crawford, Readfield,
Chaplain". COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A.— Daniel White, Captain; James Dean, First
Lieutenant; George A. Bolton, Second Lieutenant; all of
Bangor. Company B. — Albion K. P. Wallace, Milbridge, Captain;
William H. Shoppee, Machias, First Lieutenant; Voranus L.
Coffin, Harrington, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — James M. Williams, Augusta, Captain ; William
0. Tibbetts, Chelsea, First Lieutenant; Sanford W. Syphers,
Gardiner, Second Lieutenant.
Company D.— Chauncey 0. Noyes, Mount Desert, Captain;
George W. Thompson, Trenton, First Lieutenant; Augustus
R. Wescott, Castine, Second Lieutenant.
Company E.— Caleb H. Ellis, Fort Fairfield, Captain ; John P.
Sheahan, Dennysville, First Lieutenant; Edwin S. Rogers,
Patten, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — William R. Currier, Brewer, Captain; Byron
C. Gilmore, Bangor, First Lieutenant; Albert S. Snow, Brewer,
Second Lieutenant.
37

578 MAINE IN THE WAR,
Company G. — Ozias E. Bartlett, Skowhegan, Captain; Almond
S. Gushee, Appleton, First Lieutenant; Hiram C. Gage, St.
Albans, Second Lieutenant.
Company H. — Edward L. Getchell, Bangor, Captain; Elias'
Brookings, Jr., Cherryfield, First Lieutenant; DeWitt C. Mor
rill, Bangor, Second Lieutenant.
Company I. — Albert H. Packard, Winthrop, Captain ; Calvin
Boston, Gardiner, First Lieutenant; Charles A. Farrington,
Waterville, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Joseph S. Harlow, Foxcroft, Captain; Lucius
M. Coffin, Beddington, First Lieutenant; Charles 0. Brown,
Rockabema Plantation, Second Lieutenant.
-The regiment, Lieut. Col. Hight commanding, left Augusta
on the eighteenth of April eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to
join the Army of the Potomac. On the twenty-ninth Lieut.
Col. Hight was promoted to Colonel to fill the vacancy that
existed when the regiment left the State. Arriving at Alexan
dria it was assigned to the Second brigade, Second division,
Ninth corps, and then marched to Bristoe's Station, where after
remaining a few days, it broke camp on the morning of May
fourth and on the sixth participated in the battle of the Wilder
ness, suffering heavily in killed and wounded. Two days after
they marched to Chancellorsville and on the tenth skirmished
with the enemy at Nye Run.
On the twelfth they were engaged in the battle of Spottsyl
vania, losing twelve killed, seventy-five wounded and one
hundred and eight missing. They were under fire for six days
afterward. On the twenty-first, they marched to the Po river,
thence byway of New Falls Church to the North Anna, crossing
that river on the twenty-fourth under the enemy's fire, recross-
ing on the twenty-sixth, and in two days reached and crossed
the Pamunkey. After skirmishing with the enemy for two or
three days they fought him June first at Tolopotomy Creek.
The next day they marched to Bethesda Church, and on the
third fought him again at that place, losing fifteen killed and
thirty-nine wounded. The battle was a furious one. About
noon the regiment was led up in the midst of a galling fire to
hold a road and protect it from a flank movement. For its
gallantry on this occasion, Gen. Griffin, commanding the brigade,
in a laudatory order said, that: "It also gives me pleasure to

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY. 57&
add my evidence to the well-known fact that the Thirty-first
Maine has made for itself a most brilliant record, and won for
its officers and men imperishable renown." The next day they
moved onward and marched to Coal Harbor, remaining under"
fire and participating in frequent skirmishes until the twelfth,
when they suffered greatly from the shelling of the enemy and
from his sharpshooters.
Col. Hight, who was relieved on the seventh, having resigned,
being out of health during the campaign and unable to do duty,
and Lieut. Col. Talbot, being sick and unable to take the field,
the command of the regiment devolved upon Maj. White, who
went out as Captain of company A, and who was subsequently
promoted to the Colonelcy.
On the twelfth they commenced their long, wearisome march
across the Chickahominy and James rivers, and on the sixteenth
skirmished with the enemy in front of Petersburgh. Early the
next morning the brigade found themselves within two hundred
yards of the enemy's entrenchments, confronted by a battery
of artillery. There was no way of flanking the position. It
must be taken by direct assault across the ravine and up a steep
bank. During the night Gen. Potter had led his division into
the ravine. The troops were placed in position in two lines,
the Thirty-first with their brigade on the left of the first line,
constituting a portion of the charging column.
It was fifteen minutes past three. The brigade commanders
had timed their watches, that the movement might be in concert.
There was silence along the line. The first faint rays of com
ing daylight began to appear. The time had come. The word
of preparation was whispered along the lines. The men,
cramped by lying in the trenches, rose to their feet, and dressed
their ranks in silence. They grasped their muskets with a
nervous energy. There was no clicking of gunlocks. Their
spirits roused to the tremendous moment. Nowl It was hot
shouted but spoken lightly. Yet it is powerful enough to put
those lines in motion. They go up the bank holding their breath,
running, leaping, rushing. There are four flashes of light, a
line of fire, one volley only! They are up to the breastworks.
On them! Over them ! Surrender! The movement is a com
plete success. Six pieces of artillery and six hundred prison
era is the result, the glorious work of three minutes.

580 MAINE IN THE WAR.
The next day the lines were advanced and, until the thirtieth
of July, the regiment was constantly under fire of' the enemy
and seriously annoyed, by his sharpshooters, losing largely
during this time in valuable officers and men. On that day,
thirtieth, when the mine was exploded the regiment had assigned
them an important position. In connection with the Ninth New
Hampshire and Second Maryland regiments all under charge of
Col. White, they were the first to enter the rebel works. The
Thirty-first suffered largely having ten killed, thirty-one wounded'
and forty-seven taken prisoners, including Col. White and six
other officers.
From this time till the eighteenth of August they remained
under fire before Petersburgh doing picket duty, testing severe
ly the material of which the regiment was composed. So
exposed was their position that they were obliged to send out
their pickets under cover of darkness and relieve them in the
night. , On the eighteenth, their corps was removed from before
Petersburgh and sent to support the Fifth corps in a movement
on the Weldon railroad, they remaining at the front until the
fourteenth of September, when, for the first time, they were
relieved and allowed a few days of comparative rest.
In the battle of Poplar Spring Church on the thirtieth of
September the regiment in command of Capt. Dean of company
A, distinguished itself, and was the last one to fall back, when
the enemy turned the right of their brigade and compelled a
retreat. They lost five killed, fifteen wpunded and sixteen
taken prisoners. The next day morning, October first, they
were again attacked while on the picket line, and Capt. Dean
fell into the hands of the enemy. The night previous when a
part of the brigade fell back, Capt. Dean stopping with a
part of a company, Sergt. Kimball of company H, went and
rallied the rest of the regiment and took them to the front in
face of the enemy's bullets; and then with a squad of men
went and stopped on picket all night, until they were driven
back to the main line. The gallant Sergeant also assisted the
color bearer in bringing off the colors, and when Capt. Dean
was captured he was in command of the regiment until Capt.
Bolton, who was serving on Gen. Griffin's staff, was relieved at
his own request and took command, and was subsequently made
Major. The regiment at this date was so reduced in numbers
that only about sixty reported for duty.

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT INFANTTY. 581
From the first of October to the twenty-seventh, the regiment
was engaged mainly in drilling and on picket duty. During
this time Lieut. Col. Getchell, formerly Captain of company H,
and who had been absent in consequence of wounds received
on the third of June at Bethesda Church, returned and took
command. The shattered and thinned ranks of the regiment
were also augmented in strength by the arrival of company L,
Capt. Alvan D. Brock of Bangor. This accession was shortly
followed by another, company M, Capt. J. Sumner Rogers, and the
Thirty-second Maine, which regiment was then broken up and
consolidated with the Thirty-first, by which it received fifteen
officers and four hundred and seventy men, of which number six
officers and one hundred and seventy-five men were present for
duty. On the twenty-ninth of November their corps was ordered to
relieve the Second corps and with the Seventeenth Vermont
and Fifty-sixth Massachusetts regiments they were assigned to
Fort Davis on the Jerusalem Plank Road in front of Petersburgh,
where they still remain.

582 MAINE IN THE WAR.

XLV.
THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Under the call of the President dated February first, eighteen
hundred and sixty four, two regiments of infantry were author
ized in this State by the War Department. This regiment with
the Thirty-first Maine, was raised under this call and rendez
voused at Augusta. The Thirty-second was raised in the
counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Lincoln, Ox
ford, Sagadahoc and York. It was officered in advance of its
organization. FIELD AND STAFF.
Mark F. Wentworth, Kitteiy, Colonel ; John M. Brown, Port
land, Lieutenant Colonel; Arthur Deering, Richmond, Major;
Calvin L. Hayes, Kittery, Adjutant ; John Hall, North Berwick,
Quartermaster; Clark C. Trafton, Kennebunkport, Surgeon;
John H. Kimball, Bridgton, Henry S. B. Smith, Brunswick,
Assistant Surgeons-; William A. Patten, York'; Chaplain.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A.— Seth E. Bryant, Kennebunk, Captain; Horace
H. Burbank, Limerick, First Lieutenant; Samuel A. James,
Kittery, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Amos F. Noyes, Norway, Captain; Joseph E.
Colby, Rumford, First Lieutenant ; Henry M. Bearce, Hebron,
Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Herbert R. Sargent, Portland, Captain; Joseph
B. Hammond, New Gloucester, First Lieutenant; Charles F.
Burr, Freeport, Second Lieutenant.
Company D. — William R.Ham Lewiston, Captain; Charles
B. Rounds, Danville, First Lieutenant; James J. Chase, Turner,
Second Lieutenant.
Company E. — Ebenezer S. Keyes, Jay, Captain; Charles W.
Keyes, Wilton, First Lieutenant ; James A. Stanley, Farming-
ton, Second Lieutenant.

THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 583
Company F. — Isaac P. Fall, South Berwick, Captain; Fred S.
Gurney, Saco, First Lieutenant; John G. Whitten, Alfred,
Second Lieutenant.
Company G. — James L. Hunt, Bath, Captain ; Thomas Child,
Bath, First Lieutenant; James B. Currier, Greenwood, Second
Lieutenant. Company H. — George H. Chadwell, Captain ; Thomas P. Beals,
First Lieutenant ; Henry G. Mitchell, Second Lieutenant; all of
Portland. Company I. — Marcus L. M. Hussey, Newcastle, Captain;
Wilmot Whitehouse, Newcastle, First Lieutenant ; George L.
Hall, Nobleborough, Second Lieutenant.
Company K. — Horace H. Burbank, Limerick, Captain; Ste
phen G. Dorman, Wells, First Lieutenant; Silas M.Perkins,
Kennebunkport, Seond Lieutenant.
Previous to completing the organization, Lieut. Burbank of
company A was promoted to the captaincy of company K> Sec
ond Lieut. James was promoted to fillthe vacancy, and was
himself succeeded by William B. Pierce of Biddeford. On the
twentieth of April six companies, having completed their organi
zations, left the State under command of Major Deering, and
reached Washington the twenty-second. The regimental or
ganization was completed and the Colonel mustered in by Lieut.
Louis M. Hamilton of the Third United States infantry, May
sixth, and the four remaining companies under Col. Wentworth
left the State on the eleventh for the front, arriving in Washing
ton the fourteenth. During the night of the twenty-sixth of
April, the battalion of six companies joined the Second brigade,
Second division of the Ninth corps, and next day marched thirty-
four miles, encamping on the night of the twenty-eighth at
Bristoe's Station, where they remained till the fifth of May,
when they marched twenty-five miles to the Rappahannock.
Next day the battalion joined the Ninth corps, which had pre
ceded it three days, and took part in the battle of the Wilder
ness, and until the morning of the eighth it was continually
under the fire of the enemy, building fortifications and changing
position. Continuing the march, it bivouacked on the night of
the eighth on the old battle field at Chancellorsville. On the
eleventh, the battalion under command of Lieut. Col. Babbett
of the Ninth New Hampshire, engaged the enemy and drove

584 MAINE IN THB WAR.
him about a mile. Much fatigued with heat and hard marching,
they retired a short distance to prepare for the morning attack.
Next morning commenced the battle of Spottsylvania and
they were employed throughout the entire engagement, holding
the most exposed part Of the lwie, charging and driving the
enemy various times, with severe loss of officers and men.
They left the field on the morning of the nineteenth, where they
had been under fire for eight days, leaving many of their brave
men there, some of whom had not even a soldier's burial. On
the twenty-fifth they crossed the North Anna under brisk
cannonading from the enemy and passed a stormy night in the
woods, and' the next morning threw up works. They were
entirely without food and were nearly exhausted with huhger
and fatigue. Here Col. Wentworth with the other four compa
nies joined the battalion. The regiment remained here under
command of Lieut. Col. Brown, Col. Wentworth being sick,
until the twenty-sixth, when it re-crossed the river and arrived
, at the Pamunkey on the twenty-eighth, after a tedious march.
Continually varying its position until the thirtieth, the regiment
encamped at New Castle until June second, when it marched
to Coal Harbor, and was next day fiercely engaged. It was
exposed the most of the day but stood nobly and drove the
enemy further than any regiment on the whole line, but lost
heavily in both officers and men. Among the former was Capt.
Ham of company D, one of the best officers of the regiment.
The Thirty-second remained at Gaines' Farm, twelve miles
from Richmond, until the twelfth, when it marched thirty-five
miles in twenty-seven hours, and arrived near the James river.
On the night of the fourteenth it halted near Charles City Court
House and dined on the estate of Ex-president Tyler, and next
day crossed the James. It marched on the night of the fifteenth
and the next morning, thirty-five miles in eighteen hours with
out halting even to make coffee, and arrived in the afternoon of
the sixteenth at the second line of works in front of Peters
burgh, and was immediately ordered forward to drive the enemy
from his works. At twelve o'clock that night, the regiment,
with a New York brigade, was ordered in front of a rebel
battery and infantry strongly intrenched at Shand's Farm,
where at half-past three the next morning, the brigade compris
ing the Thirty-second and Thirty-first Maine, charged the works,

THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY. 585
and captured a battery of two guns, with horses, caissons, etc.,
and about five hundred prisoners and a thousand stand of arms.
Col. White of the Thirty-first Maine captured a gun and car-
' riage, with the horses retreating upon the run, and brought it in
himself. On the nineteenth the regiment advanced tw o or three miles
and built fortifications by digging up the earth with their bayo
nets, and throwing it up with dippers and hands, having no
intrenching tools accessible. This day Lieut. Col. Brown was
wounded by a sharpshooter, leaving the regiment in command
of Capt. Noyes. He was leaning ov er the breastworks at the
time. While the stretcher bearers were getting ready to carry
him to the rear, one of them was mortally wounded. The
Colonel then arose and walked to the rear without assistance.
About five o'clock A. M., the regiment was ordered forward
with the Ninth and Eleventh New Hampshire and Second
Maryland, into an open field, and were . there shelled four
hours. The New York brigade, on the right, returned to their
breastworks and left these four regiments alone exposed to a
direct and flank fire of artillery and musketry, until at nine
o'clock they were relieved by a regiment of heavy artillery.
Col. Wentworth was this day sent to hospital sick, and the
command devolved upon Lieut. Col. Brown.
The Thirty-second remained here until the thirtieth of July,
when the rebel fort directly in its front was blown up at half
past four in the morning. The regiment, led by its Colonel,
was one of the first to enter the fort. Col. Wentworth and
Adjutant Hayes were almost the first officers inside the works,
and Gen. Bartlett, grasping the Colonel's hand, said he desired
to shake hands with the only officer who had led his men in.
Just after they passed the fort, Col. Wentworth was wounded
and carried back into it. He was shot through the left side,
the bali passing entirely through his body and then fracturing
the fore arm of Sergt. Ray P. Eaton of Bath, a member of
company G, and at the time acting Sergeant Major. His arm
was amputated the same day, above the elbow. The regimen
tal flagstaff was shot in two, the national flag was torn up by
the men of the regiment after the order was given to lay down
their arms, and the remaining portion of the staff broken
purposely, rather than it should be captured by the enemy.

5:86 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Lieut. Chase pf company D, while fighting bravely, was '
dangerously wounded in the head. Captain Hunt of com
pany G, at the risk of being killed, jumped over the breast
works and ran inside our lines, thus saving himself from capture,
though receiving a severe wound in the shoulder. The regi
ment took two more lines of works and were repulsed with the
heavy loss of thirteen officers and ninety men killed and woun
ded, besides many missing of whose fate nothing has ever been
learned. It came out of the fight with but twenty-seven men
under Adjt. Hayes, the only officer left.
On the nineteenth of August, the regiment with its division
moved six miles to the left and supported the Fifth corps during
the capture of the Weldon railroad, but was not engaged.
September thirtieth, the regiment, under Capt. Hussey, was
sharply engaged near Poplar Spring Church and Pegram House.
Being often in advance of any other regiment and not being
sufficiently supported, it was routed with a loss of nine men
wounded and thirty-five missing, in addition to many killed and
left on the field.
On the thirtieth of November, the regiment, under command
of Lieut. Col. Hunt moved to near Fort Hayes, and remained
there until December twelfth, when, by order of the War
Department, it was consolidated with the Thirty-first Maine, on
account of the reduced state of both regiments, and all surplus
officers and non-commissioned officers of the Thirty-second were
mustered out. Although it was in service less than eight
months, its numbers diminished by hard) active and continued
seryice both on the march and in baatle, prove the fidelity with
which it served and. the hardships it underwent.
Col. Wentworth resigned and was honorably discharged on ac
count of wounds received in action on the eighteenth of October.
Lieut. Col. Brown was discharged for the same cause, Septem
ber twelfth, and on the fourth of October, Capt. Hunt of company.
G, was promoted to the Lieutenant Colonelcy. Surgeon Traf-
ton having died, Assistant Surgeon Kimball was, on the six
teenth of September, promoted to Surgeon.

FIRST REGIMENT VETERAN INFANTRY 587

XLVI.
FIRST REGIMENT VETERAN INFANTRY.
The re-enlisted men and recruits whose term of service had
not expired, remaining as battalions of the Fifth and Sixth
Maine when those organizations were mustered out, were per
manently transferred to the battalion of the Seventh Maine, and
on the twenty-first of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-four,
were consolidated at Charlestown, Virginia, and formed a regi
ment which was by the War Department designated as the
Seventh Maine, but this designation was subsequently on the
twentieth of September, changed to its present one. The fol
lowing officers, who remained in service with their respective
battalions after their regiments were mustered out, were trans
ferred with their battalions to this regiment :
FROM THE FIFTH BATTALION :
Captain John Goldthwait of Windsor ; First Lieutenants Wal
ter Foss of Biddeford and P. Jordan Mitchell of Greenwood;
Second Lieutenants Joseph A. Grenier of Portland and John
McClellan of Casco. FROM THE SIXTH BATTALION :
Adjutant William H. Coan of Dexter ; Captains Alexander
B. Sumner of Lubec, Edward Williams of Calais and Charles T.
Witherell of Eastport; Second Lieutenants Ira P. Wing of
Barnard and John B. Waid of Eastport.
The following officers of the Seventh Maine remained with
the battalion after the regiment was mustered out:
Major Stephen C. Fletcher of Skowhegan; Surgeon Francis
M. Everleth of «Presque Isle ; Assistant Surgeon Stillman P-
Getchell of Vienna; Chaplain Collamore Purrington of Presque
Isle; Captains George H. Buker of Bangor, Albert A. Nicker
son of Fairfield, William H. Larrabee of Danville, Timothy
Swan and George McGinley of Houlton, and Eli H. Webber,
of China; First Lieutenants Augustus Merrill of Lyndon, Ben-

588 MAINE IN THE WAR.
jamin F. Bicknell of Bangor, Warren T. Ring of Oldtown and
James A. Everett of New Vineyard ; Second Lieutenant George
R. Cony of Oldtown.
On the sixth of October, eighteen hundred and sixty-four,
Thomas W. Hyde of Bath", who had been Lieutenant Colonel
of the Seventh Maine, and was mustered out with that organi
zation, was commissioned Colonel of the regiment and on the
twelfth Lieut. Glazier formerly of the Seventh was commissioned
Quartermaster. Maj. Fletcher was, on the twenty-ninth, pro
moted to Lieutenant Colonel and Capt. Sumner to Major.
On the nineteenth of September the regiment was engaged
with the enemy at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, where it
lost one officer and one man killed and sixteen men wounded.
In the battle at Charlestown on the first day of its organization.
its loss was one man killed, one officer and nineteen men
wounded and three missing. It was engaged at Fisher's Hill
on the twenty-first and lost one man killed and four wounded.
On the nineteenth of October it took part in the action at Cedar
Creek and lost eight men killed, one officer mortally wounded,
fiftyTeight men wounded, and twelve missing. The regiment
shared in all the marches and hardships of Gen. Sheridan's
brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, and, on the ninth
of Decernber, marched for Washington, and the next evening
embarked on board transports for City Point, where it arrived
on the twelfth and next day marched to Patrick Station where
it still remains, with Col. Hyde in command of the brigade.
Surgeon Everleth is acting brigade Surgeon, Capt. McGinley is
acting as Provost Marshal on Gen. Getty's staff; Lieut. Small
is serving as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. Bidwell, Lieut.
Savage in the same capacity on the staff of the brigade com
mander and Lieut. McClellan is detailed to command the division
Sharpshooters. ,
The regiment is in the Third brigade, Second division, Sixth
army corps. Its conduct has invariably maintained the splendid
reputation of the regiments in which its mdbibers originally
served.

APPENDIX. 589

APPENDIX.

Enlistments were constantly going on during the year eigh
teen hundred and sixty-four. On the eighteenth of July the
President called for five hundred thousand men, and Maine's
proportion of this was eleven thousand six hundred and ninety.
Authority was given the Governor to raise' thirty companies of
unassigned infantry to be attached to regiments already in the
field, whose numbers had become so reduced as to need them.
Fifteen of these have already been raised and others are in
process of recruitment. Those already recruited were officered
and assigned as follows : ¦'
First Company — (assigned to Twenty-ninth Maine). — Edward
S. Butler, Lewiston, Captain; Freedom H. Lander, Auburn,
First Lieutenant ; Charles W. Gerrish, Lisbon,! Second Lieuten
ant. Second Company — -(assigned to Sixteenth Maine).— Charles
T. Hildreth, Gardiner, Captain; Samuel P. Newman Smyth,
Brunswick, First Lieutenant; William T. Dodge, Oxford, Sec
ond Lieutenant.
Third Company — (assigned' to Ninth Maine). — Samuel S.
Mann, Bangor, Captain; George H. Roberts, Lyman, First
Lieutenant; Willis H. Butler, Sanford, Second Lieuteuant.
Fourth Company — (assigned to Thirty-first Maine). — Alvan
D. Brock, Bangor, Captain; Azro C. Hibbard, Lewiston, First
Lieutenant; Charles W. Rollins, Sebec, Second Lieutenant.
Fifth Company— {assigned to Nineteenth Maine).— Addison
W. Lewis, Waterville, Captain; Edward B. Sargent, Boothbay,
First Lieutenant; Charles Bennett, Bridgton, Second Lieutenant.
Sixth Company— (assigned to Thirty-first Maine).— J. Sumner
Rogers, Orrington, Captain ; George I. Brown, Bangor, First
Lieutenant; .Nathaniel H. Ricker, Augusta, Second Lieutenant.
Seventh Company— (assigned to duty at Forts Popham and
McClary). — Augustine Thompson, Union, Captain; Henry

590 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Green, Freeport, First Lieutenant; Hollis B. Hill, Stetson,
Second Lieutenant.
Eighth Company — (assigned to the Eleventh Maine). — George
S. Scammati, Waterville, Captain; Sanford Hanscom, Albion,
First Lieutenant; Monroe Daggett, Plantation Number 11,
Range 1, Second Lieutenant.
Ninth Company — (assigned to Twentieth Maine). — Malcolm
W. Long, Bangor, Captain; George H. Smith, Hodgdbn, First
Lieutenant ; John W. Hubbard, Hiram, Second Lieutenant.
Tenth Comprmy — (assigned to Twelfth Maine). — Edward M.
Robinson, Madison, Captain ; David S. Harriman, Lebanon, First
Lieutenant; Sylvester F. Jordan, Lisbon, Second Lieutenant.
Eleventh Company — (assigned to Twelfth Maine). — Edward
W. Thompson, Brunswick, Captain; Richard Bradley, Frye-
burgh, ¦ First Lieutenant, Kendall Pollard, Lewiston, Second
Lieutenant. «
Twelfth Company — (assigned to Twelfth Maine). — John
Montgomery, Boothbay, Captain; Luther J. Drake, Union, First
Lieutenant; Benjamin D. Bryant, Webster, Second Lieutenant.
Thirteenth Company — (assigned to Fourteenth Maine). — John
0. W. Paine, Bangor, Captain ; Adolphus J. Chapman, New
burgh, First Lieutenant ; William W. Gray, Brownfield, Second
Lieutenant. Fourteenth Company — (assigned to Fourteenth Maine). —
James N. Fowler, Searsport, Captain; Joseph M. Wiswell,
Searsport, First Lieutenant ; Henry G. Balkam, Calais, Second
Lieutenant. Fifteenth Company — (assigned to Twelfth Maine). — Henry
L. Wood, Bangor, Captain; J. Frank Kendall, Bridgton, First
Lieutenant; William H. Larrabee, Lewiston, Second Lieuten
ant. Six companies of Sharpshooters were also raised as two
battalions and reckoned as a part of the thirty companies
auth6rized. The two battalions were united before they left the
State and called the First Maine Sharpshooters. The following
were the original officers :
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Jacob McClure, Rockland, Lieutenant Colonel; John W.

APPENDIX. 591
Channing, Fairfield, Major; Alfred G. Hunt, Rockland, Adju
tant; Wilson R. Woodard, Bangor, Quartermaster.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Company A. — George R. Abbott, Thomaston, Captain ; Fred
erick D. Wright, Windsor, First Lieutenant; George A. Rider,
Washington, Second Lieutenant.
Company B. — Thomas H. Peavey, Liberty, Captain; Thomas
W. Billings, Brownville, First Lieutenant; Hiram T. Strout,
Waldoborough, Second Lieutenant.
Company C. — Charles F. Sawyer, Rockland, Captain; John
Butler, Lewiston, First Lieutenant ; Samuel W. Scofield, Whit-
neyville, Second Lieutenant.
Company .D. — Albion Whitten, Troy, Captain; JohnH. Terry,
'Montville, First Lieutenant ; James Sidelinger, Union, Second
Lieutenant. Comp'any E. — William 0. Howes, Fairfield, Captain; George
W. Sweetser, Biddeford, First Lieutenant; James W. Libby,
Leeds, Second Lieutenant.
Company F. — William H. Harrington, Harrison, Captain;
Warren T. Noyes, Jonesborough, First Lieutenant; Henry W.
Martin, Dover, Second Lieutenant.
This organization left the State earlj in December, eighteen
hundred and sixty-four, and proceeded to City Point, Virginia,
where the battalion organization was refused a recognition by
the War Department, and Lieut. Col. McClure was mustered
out. The other field officers were never mustered.
In view of attempted raids on Calais, where an attempt was
made in July to rob a bank and later on Castine where a sur-
' prise of the garrison was plotted, additional companies of coast
guards were authorized, making in all seven companies which
were raised in the State during the year and mustered into the
service. Two of these were ordered out of the State and are
now doing duty in the defences of Washington ; the others are
garrisoning Forts McClary and Popham and the batteries at
Rockland, Castine, Eastport and Calais.
Under the act of Congress authorizing credits for citizens in
the naval service, Gov. Cony and Maj. Gardiner were appointed
by the Provost Marshal General of the United States a com
mission to settle the credits to which Maine was entitled. The

592 MAINE IN THE WAR.
Governor at once issued' a circular to all municipal officers
requesting them to return to the Adjutant General the names,
etc., of all men in the naval service for whom they were entitled
to credit. Thirty-four hundred and thirty-six were allowed by
the commission, of which four hundred and seven were placed
to the general credit of the State by the War Department.
Two hundred and fifty-one more were assigned arbitrarily by
the Governor to such places as had suffered in being defrauded
of their men, inability to pay bounties and other reasons which
bore peculiarly hard upon various-localities.
By the urgent and repeated solicitations of Gov. Cony, a
United States general hospital has been established in Augusta
for the accommodation of our sick and wounded soldiers. This
institution, for along time under charge of Dr. Brickett and-
latterly of Dr. Derby, has it»een conducted in an acceptable
manner and our soldiers are delighted with it above all hospitals
of which they have ever been members.
On the seventeenth of November, eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, Maj. R. M. Littler of the Veteran Reserve Corps, was ordered
to relieve Maj. Gardinerin the duties of Acting Assistant Provost
Marshal General of the State, the latter officer being incapaci
tated by the state of his health, which had been ruined by long
and arduous service in the army, for performing the duties of
the position which were growing every day more laborious.
Maj. Littler enlisted at the beginning of the war as a private in
an Iowa regiment and was promoted through the various grades'
to his present one for gallant and meritorious service on many
battle fields in the West. At the battle of Pittsburgh Landing
he lost his left arm. His promptness, industry, assiduous
attention to his duties and invariable courtesy have enabled him
to perform his part with advantage to the government and
satisfaction to the public.
On the nineteenth of December, eighteen hundred and sixty-
four, the President issued a call for three hundred thousand
additional men to be enforced by a draft after February fifteenth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-five. The quota of the State upon
this call was eight thousand, three hundred and eighty-nine.

FINIS.

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