USA > Maine > Maine; a history, Volume II > Part 24
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A little later the regiment took part in one of the most brilliant epi- sodes of the war at Rappahannock Station. It was actively engaged in the battles of May 10 and 12 at Spottsylvania and suffered terrible loss. It was also engaged though much less severely at Cold Harbor and soon after was relieved from active service as its term of enlistment had expired. The later recruits who still owed service formed a battalion which became a part of the First Maine Veteran Infantry.
Sixth Maine Infantry .*- The historian of the regiment says :
"Of the ten companies, half were from Central Maine, and half from the coast. It was a happy combination of the sailor, the lumberman, the student, the farmer, the merchant and the laborer, with a lucky absence of the politician.
"The Old Town company was composed of big men, they taking uni- forms several sizes larger, on the average, than had ever been made, either in Maine or Massachusetts, and were styled 'the Jam Breakers.' Sixty-six of these men averaged six feet in height and one hundred and sixty-six pounds in weight.' Many were river-drivers and wood-choppers by pro-
"Fox says that the average height in the Union Army was 5 feet 81/4 inches, that the soldiers from Maine, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri were slightly above this height, and that the average height of the West Virginians was 5 feet 9 inches.
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fession, and had a reputation for skill and daring in breaking jams of logs when running them on the turbulent waters of the Penobscot and its branches, hence the very appropriate title which they bore."
The regiment arrived in Washington on July 19, and a few days later held a thanksgiving on news of a victory at Bull Run! It went to the Pen- insula, took part in Hancock's fine charge at Williamsburg, and, like the other regiments engaged, received the personal thanks of General McClellan. A little later it suffered the mortification, not uncommon in the war, of being stampeded in the night by a lot of mules. The regiment did good work at Garnett's Farm, and was engaged in some of the Seven Days Battles and at Antietam.
Of its splendid courage at Fredericksburg and Rappahannock Station, mention has already been made. The Sixth took part in the famous attack at the Bloody Angle, Spottsylvania, losing 37 killed and mortally wounded, only one less than at Fredericksburg; the total loss was 125. Two days later the regiment, though mustering only 70 men fit for duty, was under fire for eight hours and had 16 killed or wounded. Daily skirmishes en- sued, but no casualties were experienced until the arrival of the army at Coal (Cold) 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. They were soon trans- ferred to Petersburg, and on July 12, as their term of service was about to expire, they were sent to Washington. This was the time of Early's raid, and they volunteered to remain thirty days for the defense of the city, but on Early's retreat they were sent home and were mustered out August 15. "About 238 men, whose time had not expired, remained in the service and were classified as the Sixth battalion." Messrs. Whitman and True say of the regiment: "In three battles they led the attack, where they left on the field not less than half of their number engaged." The Sixth bat- talion was subsequently merged in the First Maine Veteran Infantry.
Seventh Maine Infantry .*- The Seventh Maine was raised in various parts of the State. On August 23, 1861, the regiment set out, as was sup- posed, for Washington. Contrary to expectation, orders came to stop in Baltimore and camp was pitched in Bellevue Garden in the western part of the city. Three weeks later the camp was moved to an unhealthy place, and as a result "sickness was very prevalent and deaths frequent, which prevented the regiment being ordered upon the great expedition then ren- devousing at Annapolis under General Burnside." When the regiment finally left for the front it had lost 80 men by disease. It took part in the Peninsula Campaign, where it had 5 men killed or mortally wounded, but its first hard fighting was done at Antietam, where the folly of a whiskey-
"Fox, "Regimental Losses," 62. Clark, "Campaigning with the Sixth Regiment, Eastern Maine, in the Rebellion," 63.
ME .- 33
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drinking brigade commander caused a loss in killed, wounded and missing of over half its men. The next month it was ordered home to recruit. Five companies * * * under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Selden Connor rejoined the army in January. They were engaged at Fredericks- burg, and suffered a loss of 12 killed, 49 wounded, and 31 missing. In the battle of the Wilderness the regiment helped save the right wing, if not the army, when Gordon's carefully planned flank attack had swept away Shailer and Seymour's brigades. The regiment was nearly surrounded, and was called on to surrender, but Major Jones, who was in command, an- swered "All others may go, but the Seventh Maine never." At the Bloody Angle the Seventh "fought the enemy's breastwork at forty-five paces for three hours, losing one hundred and thirty-eight officers and men." The adjutant and two captains were killed, the colonel, the major and three captains wounded. A few days later it was engaged in the first of Upton's splendid assaults at Spottsylvania. It was also chosen to take part in the second, but its former major, T. W. Hyde, who was then acting as aide to General Sedgwick, knowing the loss that the Seventh had already suffered, induced the corps chief of staff to substitute another regiment.
The Seventh was a part of the force sent to Washington when Early made his raid and helped drive the enemy from the front of Fort Stevens with President Lincoln watching their charge. Major Jones was killed in this attack, "as faithful and brave an officer as the country could boast of and known throughout the army of the Potomac as 'the fighting Quaker.""
The regiment served for a short time in the Shenandoah and then was sent to Maine for muster out. Their old commander, General Hyde, says of them: "Enlisted just after Bull Run, composed of people exasperated at our defeat, and going down to Virginia meaning business, it is little wonder they made a good record. Not once did they do anything the proudest infantry of this or any other time would be ashamed of. A lot of zealous, patriotic Maine boys, averaging somewhere about twenty-two years, they proved themselves worthy descendants of the farmer soldiers who held this border, the debatable ground, against savage and Frenchman, and who placed the English banners over Louisbourg. Another generation of their ancestors assisted in nearly every battle of the Revolution, when from Kittery Point to Machias no draft or enforced enlistment, but patriotism alone 'robbed the cradle and the grave.' """
The members of the regiment remaining in service were formed into five companies which later became a part of the First Maine Veteran In- fantry.
Eighth Maine Infantry .*- The Eighth Maine Infantry left the State on September 10, 1861, and in the following month sailed from Annapolis with General T. W. Sherman's expedition to Port Royal, South Carolina.
"Hyde, "Following the Greek Cross," 232.
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Landing at Hilton Head, November 8, it remained on duty in that Military Department over two years. During its stay there it took part in the reduc- tion of Fort Pulaski, the occupation of Jacksonville, Florida, and was pres- ent at the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Most of the time, however, was passed in garrison duty at Hilton Head, and Beaufort, S. C. In the mean- time the regiment received about 300 recruits and 200 conscripts, which kept its ranks up to the maximum, although the loss by disease had been very large. In March, 1864, a proposal for re-enlistment was accepted by 16 officers and 330 men, who returned to Maine on the thirty days' furlough granted in such cases. The colonel obtained through Governor Cony a transfer of the regiment to the north, but this proved to be only a change from death by disease to death by bullets. The Eighth joined the Army of the James on April 29, 1864, and in less than a year had so many men killed that it won a place in the "300 fighting regiments." At Drury's Bluff it lost almost a quarter of the men engaged. Four days later a detachment of 190 men suffered 83 casualties. At Cold Harbor the regiment lost 100 out of 350. It took part in the unsuccessful assaults on Petersburg in the middle of June, where the loss of life was greater than in any battle in which it had been engaged. Its loss in the trenches at Petersburg was also very severe. In September the veterans of the regiment were mustered out, but enough men remained to permit the regiment to retain its organiza- tion. It fought at Fair Oaks, Spring Hill, the storming of Petersburg, and Rice Station, losing 20 killed and mortally wounded, and was present at Appomattox. It remained in Virginia at Richmond, Manchester, and Fort- ress Monroe until January, 1866, when it was mustered out.
Ninth Maine Infantry .*- The history of the Ninth Maine Infantry is very similar to that of the Eighth. Fox says:
"The Ninth left the State, September 24, 1861, and in the next month sailed from Fort Monroe for Hilton Head, S. C. The year 1862 was spent in garrison duty until June; then it joined the forces operating in Charles- ton Harbor. Led by Colonel Emery, it participated in the assault of Strong's brigade on Fort Wagner, and in the opening fight on Morris Island captured two of the enemy's flags. During the siege of Fort Wagner its casualties, in the assaults and in the trenches, amounted to 189 in killed, wounded, and missing. In October, 1863, the regiment moved to Black Island, S. C. While there, 416 of the original members re-enlisted and received their furlough. On April 18, 1864, the Ninth proceeded to Gloucester Point, Va., where it was assigned to Ames's Division, Tenth Corps. Ascending the James river, the troops landed at Bermuda Hundred, and advanced immediately on the enemy's lines. Severe fighting followed, and in the battle of May 20 the casualties in the regiment were 9 killed, 39 wounded, and 4 missing. At Cold Harbor, having been transferred to the Eighteenth Corps, it joined in the assault with a loss of 12 killed, 55 wounded, and 5 missing. While in the trenches before Petersburg, on June 30, 1864, in an affair on the picket line, there was a loss of 7 killed, 34 wounded, and 5 missing, out of 102 who went into the fight. The loss at
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Deep Bottom was 5 killed, 21 wounded, and 29 missing. Only 201 were present for duty when ordered to Chaffin's Farm ; in that battle Lieutenant- Colonel Gray fell at the head of the regiment."
The regiment also participated in the battle of Darbytown road where it suffered heavy loss. In 1865 it was sent to North Carolina where it remained until its muster out in the following July.
Tenth Maine Infantry .- See First Maine Infantry.
Eleventh Maine Infantry .- The Eleventh Maine was mustered into service on November 12, 1861, and was the first regiment raised in Maine at the direct expense of the general government. It was at once sent to join the Army of the Potomac and took part in the Peninsular campaign. Its good conduct at Fair Oaks has already been mentioned. In the "change of base" it did excellent rear guard work. After the bulk of the army had been withdrawn to Washington, the Eleventh was left in garrison at York- town, whence it made two successful forays. From Yorktown it was sent to the southern coast and served in North and South Carolina and Florida until the spring of 1864, when it was sent to the James. While on the coast its chief duty was the manning of guns, including the famous "Swamp Angel," engaged in the bombardment of the defenses of Charleston Harbor and of the city itself. At the James it took part in various battles, and lost heavily at Deep Bottom and Fussel's Mills. In November, 131 of the original members of the regiment were mustered out, their term having expired, and some 200 recruits were received. At the capture of Peters- burg a portion of the regiment took part in the storming of Forts Gregg and Whitworth. The regiment was part of Ord's corps, which cut off Lee's retreat at Appomattox, relieving the cavalry, which was just giving way. Here an imprudent advance caused the regiment some loss and its commander was wounded and taken, but released, as the Union troops were pressing his captors closely. The regiment was extricated and reformed and two companies sent forward as skirmishers. Firing and shouting were now heard behind them, and all feared the enemy had gained their rear, but the officers decided to push for the woods, which they had been ordered to occupy. Presently, however, an excited Union officer was seen approach- ing on the gallop, and coming within hearing distance he shouted, "Halt, boys ! halt! Lee has surrendered and the war is over." But service was not over for the Eleventh, and the regiment remained on duty until January, when orders were issued for its muster out, which took place on February 2, 1866.
Twelfth Maine Infantry .*- The Twelfth Maine was raised with the understanding that it was to form part of General Butler's expedition against New Orleans. It might well have. been styled the lawyers' regiment. Messrs. Whitman and True say: "Col. Shepley for several years was United States District-Attorney, and one of the ablest and most eloquent
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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."
In Louisiana the regiment made two raids on Pass Manchac. The first was very successful. In the second the Twelfth was obliged to retreat, losing 12 killed and several wounded and taken, out of 112 engaged. The regiment was under fire at Irish Bend, but suffered no loss. At Port Hud- son it took part in both assaults; in the first "its flag was the first one planted on the outside of the parapet, the contending parties approaching so near each other that bayonets were crossed. . . The conduct of the regiment was specially commended in general orders. After the second assault the Twelfth held an advanced position where men were killed and wounded daily until the end of the siege. Its good work was recognized by its being chosen to take part in the ceremonies of the formal surrender."
On April 16, 1864, two-thirds of the regiment re-enlisted. In July it was transferred to the James river, Virginia, where it took part in the operations against Petersburg until the close of the month, when it was transferred to the Shenandoah Valley. It suffered heavily in the battle of Winchester, was in reserve at Fisher's Hill, and participated in the disaster and the triumph of Cedar Creek, losing 102 in killed, wounded and pris- oners. In November its term expired and about 80 men returned to Maine for muster out. The re-enlisted men, about 376 in number, were formed into a battalion, and were sent to Georgia. The battalion once more became a regiment by the addition of six companies of unassigned infantry organ- ized in Maine in the winter of 1865 for one, two and three years' service. The one year men were mustered out at the end of their term in February and March, 1866, and the rest in April of that year.
The Thirteenth Maine Infantry .- The Thirteenth Maine might have been called the Prohibition regiment, for it was raised and commanded by Neal Dow, by the special request of Governor Washburn. The field officers were selected by the colonel, and mothers who had objected to their sons enlisting on account of the temptations of army life were willing that their boys should serve under Neal Dow. Many regiments, however, were being raised, the Thirteenth filled slowly, and it was not mustered in until De- cember 31.
The regiment was sent to Louisiana, and the ship which carried Colonel Dow and four companies, and also had General Butler on board, was caught in a storm off Cape Hatteras and might have been lost but for the assistance rendered by soldiers who had been sailors before they enlisted. The regi- ment took part in an expedition to Texas and in the Red River expedition. rendering good service both at Sabine Cross Roads and at Pleasant Hill.
"The Twelfth might also have been called the Democratic regiment. General But- ler took special pains to select Democrats for officers, as he believed that they had been discriminated against by a Republican administration.
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In July it was sent to the Shenandoah Valley, where it did much marching but little fighting, and was discharged on January 6, 1865. A large major- ity of the men, however, re-enlisted as veterans, and with the recruits whose time had not expired were formed into three companies and incorporated with the Thirtieth Maine.
Fourteenth Maine Infantry .- The Fourteenth Maine was mustered in on the same day as the Thirteenth, December 31, 1861, and was at once sent to Louisiana. Its good work at Baton Rouge has already been men- tioned. It also took part in the siege of Port Hudson, and seven officers and forty-nine men volunteered for service in the storming column for the third assault which did not take place owing to the surrender of the town. On January 1, 1864, "All but forty of the men who were eligible re-enlisted for an additional three years' service." In July they were transferred to the Shenandoah Valley. "The invigorating influences of mountain scenery, pure air and good water, with the lightness of duties in comparison with that which the regiment had previously performed, made their few months campaigning in the Shenandoah Valley the most agreeable mili- tary experience of the regiment."
The Fourteenth, however, had more serious duties than resting and admiring the view. It fought gallantly at Winchester and Cedar Creek, where it lost about a third of its number in killed, wounded and prisoners. At Cedar Creek the losses were even heavier, being forty per cent. of those engaged. On December 25 the regiment was sent home for muster out, the re-enlisted men and recruits being formed into a battalion and retaining the regimental colors. The battalion was sent to Georgia and became a regi- ment once more by the addition of unorganized companies. The regiment was finally mustered out in August, 1866.
Fifteenth Maine Infantry .- The Fifteenth Maine was mustered in on January 23, 1862. It was ordered south, served in Louisiana, Florida and Texas and suffered much from disease. In the Red River expedition it helped save the army at Sabine Cross Roads, and was engaged in the battle of Pleasant Hill and in the minor actions of Cane Crossing and Mansourah. It was later transferred to the Shenandoah Valley, but did no serious fight- ing there. After the close of the war it served in South Carolina, and was not mustered out until July 5, 1866. It served the longest of any Maine regiment, and lost the most from disease. This great mortality was due to the unhealthy climate of the districts where it was stationed.
Sixteenth Maine Infantry .*- The Sixteenth Maine was mustered in on August 14, 1862. The regiment was particularly unfortunate. They were first stationed at Washington, then sent in haste to Maryland without their knapsacks or overcoats. The regiment left Washington on September 7 and received their clothing on November 27. The suffering of the men both
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physical and mental was intense, the mental being perhaps the worse. Hos- pital Steward Eaton says:
"Clothes help make history, hence the name the Sixteenth won at Sharpsburgh. Through the inefficiency and neglect of the quartermaster's department at Washington, (and the corps, division, and brigade quarter- masters were not blameless), the men were made to feel mean and despic- able, and felt as does a poor boy at school, when the well-dressed student resents the contact of blue jean with broadcloth. How those men suffered! Hunger, daily felt, was nothing compared with it. Men of education, of refinement, and wealth, who willingly and cheerfully gave up home, with all its love and comfort, for country, made to feel degraded for want of proper clothing !
"September, October, and then the long march in November to the Rappahannock, through storms of sleet and snow; without shelter, without overcoats, shoeless, hatless, and hundreds with not so much as a flannel blouse, many without blankets; and through all that long, sad and weary tramp, we were jeered at, insulted, and called the 'Blanket Brigade!'
"All the applications of the colonel and quartermaster for a return of clothing and shelter, left at Tillinghast; all the requisitions for something in substitute; all the earnest appeals, and letters of explanation are on file. many of them bearing the endorsement, 'disapproved.' Requisitions for shelter and clothing l'ay in pigeon-holes for weeks, but requisitions for whis- key were signed forthwith. Perhaps to the latter can be charged our non- recognition, as well as three-fourths the disasters which befell the Army of the Potomac.
"Out of all this suffering grew a grand resolve which nothing ever after caused to waver. Out of it came a lasting patriotism and courage that no privation, no danger, could abate. The few short months developed a new set of men, and what kind of men let Fredericksburg tell. All that time God was busy making heroes."
On December 13 the regiment took part in the battle of Fredericks- burg. Although in action for the first time it charged with magnificent courage and obtained a footing in the enemy's works. Lack of support. however, compelled the Sixteenth to withdraw. Captain Waldron wrote a week later that in the retreat over ground commanded by the enemy, the regiment lost 30 to 40 per cent. of those taken into action. The total loss in killed and wounded was 54 per cent. The regiment had one comfort, it had cleared its reputation. Adjutant Small says : "The past was redeemed, the voice of insult and reproach was forever silenced. The regiments which had hitherto ignored our claim to an honorable name, joined heartily in three cheers and a tiger for the Sixteenth, whose casualties were half the loss of the First Brigade."
The members of the Sixteenth were not all of the masculine persuasion. Company I boasted of the presence of one of the gentler sex in the ranks, who did good service at Fredericksburg. She is thus spoken of by the Richmond Whig:
"Yesterday a rather prepossessing lass was discovered on Belle Isle, disguised, among the prisoners of war held there. She gave her real name
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as Mary Jane Johnson, belonging to the Sixteenth Maine regiment. She gave as an excuse for adopting her soldier's toggery, that she was following her lover to shield and protect him when in danger. He had been killed, and now she had no objection to return to the more peaceful sphere for which nature, by her sex, had better fitted her. Upon the discovery of her sex Miss Johnson was removed from Belle Isle to Castle Thunder. She will probably go north by the next flag of truce. She is about sixteen years of age."
At Gettysburg the regiment did magnificent service and was almost annihilated. In the following year the Sixteenth took an active part in the marching and fighting, and also ran great danger and suffered considerable loss in holding the advanced lines. During the attack on the Weldon rail- road the regiment was assailed in the rear on two succeeding days and suffered heavy loss. On the first day 35 men were captured, and on the second, 87. The total loss was 152 out of about 240 engaged. In February the regiment took part in the battle of Hatcher's Run, losing in two days 74 killed and wounded. The regiment also suffered considerably at the battles of Gravelly Run and South Side Railroad, and was present at Appomattox Court House at the time of the surrender. It took part in the Grand Review in Washington City, and was then sent to Augusta, paid off and disbanded.
Seventeenth Maine Infantry .*- The Seventeenth Maine was recruited chiefly from the counties of Cumberland, Oxford, Franklin, York and Androscoggin, and was mustered into service on Augusta 18, 1862. The regiment took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At Gettysburg it greatly distinguished itself, losing 18 killed, 112 wounded and 3 missing. It also took an active part in the Wilderness to Petersburg campaign. It was one of the regiments which stormed the Bloody Angle, and Sergeant Haskell and Private Totman captured the Confederate division-commander, Major-General Johnson. During the siege of Petersburg it was heavily engaged and suffered severe loss at the Weldon Railroad and Hatcher's Run. The regiment shared in the pursuit of Lee, and took an honorable part in the battle of Deatonville and the capture of an important wagon-train.
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