This data originates from: Maine at Gettysburg, Report of Maine Commissioners, prepared by The Executive Committee, 1898, for and in behalf of the State of Maine, by Charles Hamlin, Greenlief T. Stevens and George W. Verrill, of the Maine Gettysburg Commissioners' Executive Committee.

3rd Maine
THIRD MAINE REGIMENT, SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, THIRD ARMY CORPS, AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

IN the battle of July 1st the three Maine organizations in the First corps, the Sixteenth regiment, Colonel Tilden, and Hall's and Stevens' batteries, were the only Maine troops engaged. But when General Sickles with part of his command arrived on the field on the evening of July 1st, after the first day's battle, he brought two more Maine regiments, the Third and Fourth, of Gen. J. H. Hobart Ward's brigade, of Gen. David B. Birney's division. There was in this division another Maine regiment, the Seventeenth, which was attached to Col. P Eegis de Trobriand's brigade, that had been left at Emmitsburg to guard the pass of the mountains, so the Seventeenth did not arrive until the forenoon of July 2d. The Third Maine, as it marched onto the field of Gettysburg on the evening of July 1st, was in every respect, except that of numbers, as fine a veteran regiment as there was in the army of the Potomac. Two years before it had left the Kennebec Valley, a thousand strong, under its Colonel, Oliver O. Howard, who, as Major-General commanding the Eleventh corps and the field, bore a prominent part in the first day's battle. During the two years of its service two hundred fresh recruits had been sent from Maine, yet at the roll-call on the morning of July 2d, only a little upwards of two hundred men and officers answered, a striking testimonial of the arduous services of the regiment in the campaigns of Virginia. At the battle of Chancelloi'sville, a few weeks before, its loss had been heavy The regiment was under command of Colonel Moses B. Lakeman. Early on the morning of July 2d, Colonel Lakeman formed his regiment in line of battle parallel to and facing the Emmitsburg road and on the right of the brigade. This was on the

line which General Sickles was establishing with the Third corps before he had determined to advance his line to the angle of the Peach Orchard. But as the forenoon advanced General Ward ordered Colonel Lakeman to move forward as support to one hundred of the 1st U S. Sharpshooters, under Colonel Berdan, who were to cross the Emmitsburg road and penetrate the woods beyond with the intention of ascertaining what force of the enemy might be there. It was well known that the Confederate forces had been arriving during the night, a fact very evident already to the Fourth Maine which had been on picket duty all night beyond the Emmitsburg road. The Third Maine, preceded by the Sharpshooters, advanced to and moved southward along the Emmitsburg road for some distance, then left it and advanced toward a dense wood on the west side. In approaching this wood, believed by both officers and men to be concealing the foe, the command was forced to move three-quarters of a mile through an open field. But they were unmolested as they made this movement, so trying to the soldier ; and entering the wood, formed to support the Sharpshooters, who were advancing as skirmishers. It was between 11 and 12 o'clock when the regiment advanced into the thick coverts of oak and chestnut. They had proceeded about fifteen rods when they espied men in butternut gray dodging among the trees. These men were from Alabama,—the 8th, 10th and 11th,—and belonged to Wilcox's brigade of five Alabama regiments, of Anderson's division of A. P, Hill's corps (a) . With the skirmishers of these Confederates the Sharpshooters were already engaged when the Third Maine came up in support. The regiment advanced on the double-quick, and drove in the opposing skirmishers. Then, through the trees and the smoke, suddenly loomed three distinct lines of the enemy, one behind another in close column, and stretching a distance of one hundred and fifty yards in front (b ) . The advance of this overwhelming force the Third (a) Statement of Lieut. Hannibal A. Johnson (1889) a First Sergeant that day, and wounded and captured by these Alabamians in the wood. See also Wilcox's Report, Rebellion Records, Vol. 27, part 2, page 617. (b) Statement of Lieutenant Johnson (1889). Colonel Lakeman states that the Third had little protection, as the Sharpshooters, who had been advancing as skirmishers, had secured nearly all the trees.



Maine met with an audacity and firmness in keeping with its reputation as one of the hardest fighting regiments of the army of the Potomac. " We felt," one of the survivors of that day has said, " that the life of the Nation was at stake, and every man in the ranks was conscious of personal responsibility " The combatants were in plain sight of each other, probably not over three hundred yards apart, and for twenty-five minutes, —the Confederates say twenty minutes, —this unequal contest was maintained. At the end of the twenty-five minutes the bugle sounded the retreat. In this short time the regiment sustained a loss of forty-eight men, killed, wounded and missing, over thirty of whom were captured. The presence of the enemy was disclosed, and his movement to attack the Union left uncovered. Leaving its dead and some of the disabled wounded, who could not be taken on account of the rapidity and force of the Confederate advance, the regiment retired, followed vigorously by the yelling foe, upon whom the audacious skirmishers did not cease to keep up a constant fire as they retired (a) The marker of the Third Maine Regiment to indicate the position of the regiment during this action near the noon of the second day stands in the grove west of the Emmitsburg road on the west slope of Pitzer's Run, a tributary of Willoughby Run, and bears the following inscription on its face:

3rd Maine Infantry engaged here forenoon of July 2nd 1863. The Confederates ceased their fire on the edge of the woods, and the Third, going back over the open field unmolested, took position in the Peach Orchard, where it was to be stationed in conformity with the new plan of battle which General Sickles was about to adopt. For General Birney had no sooner communicated to his corps commander the information secured by the (a) Fox, the author of " Regimental Losses in the Civil War," considers worthy of especial note " the tenacity with which the Third Maine held that skirmish line at Gettysburg." 130 MAINE AT GETTYSBURG. Third Maine and the Sharpshooters than he was ordered to advance his division of three brigades, and swing to the left so that its right should be at the Peach Orchard while its left should be at Devil's Den (a) Ward's brigade, to which the Third and Fourth Maine belonged, but from which the Third Maine was to be detached during this battle, was on the left near Devil's Den ; in the centre was de Trobriand's, among whose soldiers was the Seventeenth Maine ; on the right was Graham's brigade ; and connecting to the left of the latter it was to be the fortune of the Third Maine to fight on this afternoon. After returning from the reconnaisance, Colonel Lakeman was moving his regiment to join its brigade when he received an order from General Birney to take position in the Peach Orchard. There to the left of Graham the regiment went into line of battle without any greater delay than was necessary for the soldiers to take a hasty luncheon from their haversacks. The regiment was posted behind the fence that bounded the Peach Orchard on the southwest side, its right resting along the east side of the Emmitsburg road. The regiment waited in line until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon before there were any signs of an attack in force by the enemy, who, with an unaccountable sluggishness, was letting the long July day slip away. There was more or less firing, however, and the Third Maine being midway between batteries of the two armies suffered somewhat from exploding shells. Several times during the afternoon the enemy's skirmishers also advanced on the position of the Third. At one time the regiment was quite hard pressed by a force of them coming up on the front and right flank. These however were repulsed, and there was no other advance for a time. But as Colonel Lakeman scanned the country across the Emmitsburg road and to the westward, he soon saw the glistening bayonets of long and continuous columns of infantry passing toward Kound Top and the Union left, where the battle was about to burst with fury at Devil's Den and in the Wheatfield, around the positions of the Fourth and the Seventeenth Maine regiments. Those marching columns were of Hood's division of Longstreet's (a) Report of Gen. David B. Birney (1863).



THIRD REGIMENT ENGAGED

corps ; and behind the walls and fences by the left flank of these columns were Kershaw's and Barksdale's brigades of LaFayette McLaws' division of the same corps, ready to advance upon the Peach Orchard and the defenses near it so soon as Hood should develop his attack farther to the Union left (a) . Colonel Lakeman at once sent notice of his discovery to Captain Randolph, chief of artillery of the Third corps, who sent up a battery. This battery took a position near the regiment and threw shell into the distant Confederate columns. These shots were among the very first in the opening of the battle of the second day (b). The columns of the enemy continued their movements ; but the fire of the battery was very annoying to them and caused a detour in their line of march to avoid discovery of their plan. Soon detachments of the enemy were seen advancing towards the Orchard in force against the position occupied by the Third Maine. Towards the front of the regiment came the left wing of Kershaw's South Carolina brigade (c) , while from across the Emmitsburg road the Mississippi regiments of the fiery Barksdale were soon to sweep in upon the rear and right flank of the Third. While meeting the attack of Kershaw in his front Lakeman learned that Barksdale had broken through Graham's line, which, posted on the Emmitsburg road to the right of the Peach Orchard, formed the extreme right of Birney's division. This disaster left the rear of the Third Maine exposed, so Colonel Lakeman at once changed the line of his regiment to face the Emmitsburg road. This angle of the Peach Orchard, the very apex of Sickles' line, was at this instant menaced on its two sides by overwhelming forces. As the Third Maine turned from Kershaw to meet Barksdale it received a withering fire. The color company (K) was just forming on the prolongation of the line, when, struck by an enfilading volley, it literally melted away Every man of the color-guard was either killed or wounded. In a short time, measured by minutes, a third at least of the one hundred and fifty men left from the morning's (a) Report of Gen. J. B. Kershaw, 1863. (b) Statement of Colonel Lakeman, 1889. The battery would appear to be Ames' battery G, 1st N. Y., subsequently relieved by battery I, 5th U. S. (c) Eighth South Carolina and James' South Carolina battalion. 132 MAINE AT GETTYSBURG. fight were killed or wounded ; and the regiment, "wrapped in a vortex of fire," as the Comte de Paris has said, was hurled out of the Orchard by overwhelming numbers (a) To Graham's brigade, which was nearest on Birney's line, the remnant of the Third Maine gravitated ; but as evening came on the entire line which Sickles had established gave ground. In the general movement the Third Maine retired behind the second Union line that Hancock had established and which checked the Confederate onsets. That night the regiment rejoined Ward's brigade, which had retired from the ridge of Devil's Den. The official report of General Ward (1863) calls particular attention to the gallantry of Colonel Lakeman and his regiment on this day. Of the fourteen officers and one hundred and ninety-six men who entered the battle in the morning only ninety-seven reported at night. One-half of the others were lying on the field, dead or wounded. The survivors slept upon their arms that night. After noon the next day they were sent to support the Second division of the Second corps ; but the attack had been repulsed before their arrival. On July 4th the Third was on skirmish duty, but sustained no losses. A MARKER to designate the position of the Third Maine when in support of the Second corps, afternoon of July 3d, at the close of the enemy's assault, stands upon the east side of Hancock Avenue in a northeasterly direction from "High Water Mark" monument. It is cut from Maine granite, adorned with a red granite diamond, and has the following inscriptions

3rd Maine Regiment Colonel M. B. Lakeman In Support July 3rd 1863. Engaged July 2nd In Peach Orchard.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL. MOSES B. LAKEMAN.

Near Warrenton, Va., July 27, 1863. Captain:—I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., on the 2d instant: — By order, I formed my regiment in line of battle parallel to and facing (a) The regiment of Barksdale's brigade advancing nearest the Third Maine at the time was probably the 21st Mississippi. the Emmitsburg road, on the right of the brigade, at early morn. Soon after, by order of General Ward, I moved my regiment as a support for a body of sharp-shooters, under command of Colonel Berdan, to whom I was ordered to report, by Captain Briscoe of General Birney's staff. Advancing to and for some distance on the Emmitsburg road, I approached a dense wood on the west side of the road, and on entering it formed my regiment (as ordered) to support the advancing line of skirmishers, and followed at supporting distance. They soon, however, became hotly engaged, * * * and I advanced double-quick to the line they occupied, and instantly formed my regiment under a heavy fire from the enemy, which we returned with a good will. Here I labored under a decided disadvantage, which will account for my heavy loss. The skirmishers were well secured behind trees, while my battalion filled the intervals. The enemy showed himself in overwhelming force, but so well did we hold our position that his advance was much checked and very disastrous, and not until ordered * * * to fall back did a single man leave the ranks, with the exception of those slightly wounded, when I retired, giving an occasional volley to check his advance, which now became quicker. I was obliged to leave my dead and seriously wounded on the field, and on arriving at the road formed my regiment, which had gotten somewhat confused from loss of men and obstructions in our retreat. This engagement was short but very severe, and serves to give me a renewal of confidence in the men I command. I sustained a loss of fortyeight in killed, wounded and missing. While on the move to join my brigade, I received an order from General Birney to take position in a peach orchard on the right of my previous one, and accordingly moved my regiment there and occupied it. Here I was enabled several times during the day to repulse the enemy's skirmishers (who seemed very anxious to drive us from it) and also to seriously harass the left flank of their advancing columns to the position which the other regiments of the brigade were holding, changing my front as circumstances required. In this position my regiment lay about midway between our own and the enemy's batteries, and a few of my command were more or less seriously injured from the frequent explosion of shells immediately over us. I was heavily pressed in front and on my right flank about 4 p. m., but succeeded in repulsing, with considerable loss, the force, which was much greater than mine, and sent them flying back to their covers. An hour later they came forward again with a force much greater than before, but I engaged them and held them for some fifteen minutes, when I received a severe flank fire on my left. I then saw a large force marching round to cut me off, and ordered my regiment to retire, and while doing so we received a most distressing fire, which threw my command into much confusion, and mixing them up with a portion of the First brigade, which was also falling back. I regret to report the loss of my national colors, or no men fought harder under it that day than did my regiment, but Captain Keene of the color company and his 1st—and only—lieutenant, Henry Penniman, fell, the former pierced by four bullets, the latter severely wounded in the leg. The color-bearer fell, wounded; two of the guard were killed and four 134 MAINE AT GETTYSBURG. others seriously wounded; and, as darkness was fast approaching, I did not miss it till the following morning. If I had, they would have had me and my little squad or I would have had my flag. As soon as I could rally the remainder of my shattered regiment, I joined the brigade, and the men lay on their arms during the night. I am proud to say the conduct of my officers and men throughout the entire day is deserving the highest praise. Their coolness and courage in resisting a force which they could plainly see was four times their number I cannot pass over lightly, but feel somewhat recompensed for my loss by the knowledge that the few I have left are of the same material as the gallant spirits that have fallen. I entered the engagement of the morning with 14 officers and 196 rifles, and lost during the day 113 killed, wounded and missing, including Major Lee wounded, Captain Keene killed, etc., a list of which has already been sent to headquarters. I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Moses B. Lakeman, Colonel, Commanding Third Maine Regiment. Capt. John M. Cooney, Asst. Adjt.-Gen., Second Brig., First Div., Third Corps. —Rebellion Records, Series I, Vol. xxvii, p. 507. Headquarters Third Maine Regiment, July 27, 1863. Colonel:— I herewith respectfully report the movements of my regiment under your command at the battle of Gettysburg, on the 3d, 4th and 5th instants. On or about noon of the 3d instant, I was, by order of General Ward, sent as support to the Second division of the Second corps, which was being heavily pressed by the enemy, but who had succeeded in repulsing them before my arrival. I reported to General Webb, and placed my regiment, as ordered by him, in support of a battery in our front, but our services were not required throughout the afternoon or night. Early on the morning of the 4th instant, I, with the Fourth Maine, 99th Penn. and 20th Indiana regiments, advanced to the front, sending forward the skirmishers of the Second corps, and taking position on the Emmitsburg road, previously the skirmish line, relieved the skirmishers in my front, thereby being supported by, instead of supporting, the Second corps. Quite brisk skirmishing took place during the day, but without loss, I am happy to state, to my regiment. I remained on this line until about 12 m. on the -5th, when I retired to the position occupied the previous morning, leaving my skirmishers still to the front, when, finding the enemy had gone, my skirmishers were relieved, and I, with the other regiments, joined the brigade. Respectfully submitted. Moses B. Lakeman, Colonel, Commanding Third Maine Regiment. P S. Permit me to add that the conduct of my officers and men throughout the whole of the trying engagement was admirable in the extreme, and they are highly deserving of special mention.

THIRD REGIMENT ITINERARY 135

The following itinerary of the Third regiment during the Gettysburg campaign is taken from the diary of Col. Moses B. Lakeman, commanding the regiment

Thursday, June ii, 1863. Fair. Relieved from picket; arrived in camp at 1 o'clock p. m.; started on march at 2 p. m. — Rappahannock Station. Marched about ten miles, bivouacked for night at 11 o'clock p. m. June 12th. Fair. Started on march at 9 o'clock A. M. ; marched about twelve miles; arrived at bivouac one mile from Bealeton at 5.30 p. m. June 13th. Fair. Moved bivouac one and a half miles to Bealeton. Division officer of day. June 14th. Fair. Struck bivouac at 4.30 p. m. ; arrived near Catlett's Station, eight miles, at 10 o'clock. June 15th. Fair. Started at 5 o'clock a. m. on march; arrived near Centreville at 6 o'clock p. m.; distance marched ten miles; very warm and dusty. June 16th. Fair. Started at 5.30 o'clock a. m., and marched about three miles to rifle pits. June 17th. Fair. Started at 3.30 o'clock p m., and marched about three miles in rear of Centreville. June 18th. Rain. Remained in bivouac. Smart rain in afternoon and evening. Lt.-Col. Burt left on fifteen days' sick leave. June 19th. Rain. Started at 3 o'clock p. m. ; marched to Gum Spring; distance marched ten miles; a very severe march on account of rain, mud and darkness; arrived at 10.30 p. m. June 20th. Rainy. Remained in bivouac. Lts. Day, Anderson, Gilman and Blake missing, supposed to be captured by guerillas. June 21st. Rainy. Remained in bivouac until 3.30 o'clock p. m., when we changed position to front. Heavy firing in direction of Aldie. June 22d. Fair. Remained in bivouac until 5 p. m. Part of regiment went on picket, rest moved to rear on reserve. Sat on court martial on case of Major D of N. Y. Vols, at Col. Berdan's headquarters. June 23d. Fair. Remained in bivouac. June 24th. Fair. Remained in bivouac. June 25th. Rainy. Regiment relieved from picket; struck bivouac at 6 o'clock a. m., and marched to Monocacy, where we arrived at 10 p. m. ; distance marched about twenty-four miles. June 26th. Rainy. Started at 6 o'clock a. m. ; marched to near Point of Rocks; distance six miles. Division officer of day. June 27th. Rainy. Started at 10 o'clock a. m.; passed through Jefferson and bivouacked near Middletown; distance about twelve miles. June 28th. Fair. Started at 8 o'clock a. m. ; passed through Middletown and Frederick to Walkerville, distance about sixteen miles, and bivouacked for the night. June 29th. Rainy. Started at 6 o'clock a. m.; passed through Walkerville, Woodsborough, Middleburg and Taneytown, distance marched about eighteen miles, and bivouacked for night. 136 MAINE AT GETTYSBURG. June 30th. Rain. Started at 2.30 o'clock p. m. and marched to near Emmitsburg; distance eight miles. July 1st. Rain. Started at 2.30 o'clock; bivouacked near Gettysburg, Pa.; distance nine miles. Enemy in our front. Severe march; distance marched fourteen miles. July 2d. Fair. Took position early; went to the front in woods with one hundred sharp-shooters; met enemy in force; lost in the charge fortyeight men killed, wounded and missing; remained in advance until evening when we retired with First brigade, losing great many men, reported seventy-four. Maj. Lee, Capt. Keene, Lt. Penniman, Sergt.-maj. Small, killed or wounded. July 3d. Fair. Took position on left in movement. Went to support of Second corps; no casualties. Rained at night. Enemy completely repulsed in our front entire day. Commanding brigade. July 4th. Rain. No casualties. Moved to first line and relieved skirmishers of 15th Mass. Occupied the line until midnight, when we retired in rear of second line. Very heavy rain all night; skirmishers to front all night; enemy left at night. July 5th. Fair. Relieved from support of Second corps; rejoined brigade and occupied line of 2d instant. Found and buried our dead. July 6th. Stormy. Remained in same position; visited hospital. Lieut.- Col. Burt joined regiment. 16 K., 59 W., 10 P., 22 M. [These figures evidently refer to the losses at Gettysburg in killed, wounded, prisoners and missing. July 7th. Rain. Started from bivouac at 4 o'clock a. M.; passed through Emmitsburg and Mechanicstown and bivouacked there for the night; distance marched fourteen miles. July 8th. Rain. Started 6.45 AM.; passed through Katoctin Furnace and Pass, on pike; three hours' rest at noon on account of extreme bad road; passed through Frederick; bivouacked on road to Middletown; distance marched sixteen miles. July 9th. Fair. Started at 5 o'clock; passed through Middletown and bivouacked at South Mountain Pass; distance marched five miles. July 10th. Fair. Started at 5 o'clock; moved towards the front, very short marches to change position; distance marched ten miles. Passed through Cadysville; bivouacked near Antietam Creek. July nth. Fair. Started at 4 o'clock; passed through Rocks Mills; crossed Antietam Creek; bivouacked for night; distance six miles. Presented with set spurs by Co. E. July 12th. Rain. Moved to front in reserve; formed line in afternoon and bivouacked for night; advanced about one mile. July 13th. Fair. No charge; remained on same line. July 14th. Rain. Struck bivouac at 12 o'clock; passed Jones' Cross Roads and bivouacked for night in field near and in rear of reb's works — (two miles). Division officer of the day. July 15th. Fair. Started at 4 o'clock en route for Harper's Ferry; passed through Fairplay and Sharpsburg and bivouacked three miles beyond; —eight miles. THIRD REGIMENT PARTICIPANTS. 137 July 16th. Rain. Started at 6.30 o'clock A. M. and bivouacked near Maryland Heights; marched about six miles. July 17th. Rain. Started at 6 o'clock p. m. and crossed Potomac at Sandy Hook to Harper's Ferry; crossed Shenandoah River and bivouacked for night; marched eight miles.



HISTORICAL SKETCH. COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL AND OTHER SOURCES BY THE EDITORS.

The Third Maine regiment of infantry was organized for active service May 28, 1861, and mustered into the IT. S. service at Augusta, June 4th. It was raised in the central portion of the state, and went into camp at Augusta on the State grounds fronting the Capitol. Company A was the only company which existed under former militia laws, and was known as the Bath City Greys. While in camp at Augusta it was 146 MAINE AT GETTYSBURG. under constant drill of Sergeant Burt, TJ S. A., assisted by Mr. Frank Pierce, a native of Augusta and a graduate of the Vermont Military School. The regiment was armed with the Springfield smooth-bore musket. The original organization of the regiment was as follows

FIELD AND STAFF.

Colonel, Oliver Otis Howard, Leeds, a graduate of West Point.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac N. Tucker, Gardiner.
Major, Henry G. Staples, Augusta.
Chaplain, Andrew J. Church, Augusta.
Surgeon, Gideon S. Palmer, Gardiner.
Assistant Surgeon, George E. Brickett, China.
Adjutant, First Lieut. Edwin Burt, Augusta.
Quartermaster, William D. Haley, Bath.
Sergeant-Major, James H. Plaisted, Waterville.
Quartermaster-Sergeant, Joseph S. Smith, Bath.
Commissary-Sergeant, Lorenzo D. Grafton, Augusta.
Hospital Steward, Frank H. Getchell, Waterville.
Drum-major, Charles H. Howard, Leeds.
Fife-major, Moses M. Wadsworth, Gardiner.

COMPANY OFFICERS.

Co. A. Captain, William O. Rogers, Bath.
First Lieutenant, Reuben Sawyer, Bath.
Second Lieutenant, John S. Wiggin, Bath.
Co. B. Captain, Edwin A. Bachelder, Augusta.
First Lieutenant, Albert B. Hall, Augusta.
Second Lieutenant, Edwin Burt, Augusta.
Co. C. Captain, William E. Jarvis, Gardiner.
First Lieutenant, James M. Colson, Gardiner.
Second Lieutenant, George S. Andrews, Gardiner.
Co. D. Captain, Charles A. L. Sampson, Bath.
First Lieutenant, William H. Watson, Bath.
Second Lieutenant, Warren R. Mattson, Bath.
Co. E. Captain, James M. Nash, Hallowell.
First Lieutenant, John W. Sanborn, Hallowell.
Second Lieutenant, Gorham S. Johnson, Hallowell.
Co. F. Captain, Elbridge G. Savage, Solon.
First Lieutenant, Royal B. Stearns, Skowhegan.
Second Lieutenant, Henry A. Boyce, Skowhegan.
Co. G. Captain, Frank S. Hesseltine, Waterville.
First Lieutenant, Nathaniel Hanscom, Benton.
Second Lieutenant, William A. Hatch, Waterville.
Co. H. Captain, William S. Heath, Waterville.
First Lieutenant, Francis E. Heath, Waterville.
Second Lieutenant, John R. Day, Waterville.
Co. I. Captain, Moses B. Lakeman, Augusta.
First Lieutenant, A. R. Quimby, Augusta.
Second Lieutenant, H. M. Rines, Augusta.
Co. K. Captain, Newell Strout, Durham.
First Lieutenant, Binsley S. Kelley, Winthrop.
Second Lieutenant, William Elder, Winthrop.



The Third regiment, with Col. O. O. Howard, left Augusta June 5, 1861, and arrived at Washington on the evening of the 7th. On their passage through New York city a beautiful regimental flag was presented to them by Hon. Stewart L. Woodford, U S. District Attorney, in behalf of the sons of Maine. The next day after their arrival in Washington they were ordered to a camp of instruction on Meridian Hill, where they remained until July 6th, when they crossed the Potomac and encamped in front of Fort Ellsworth, being at that time the advance regiment. On the 10th they moved their camp to Clermont, where they were brigaded, Colonel Howard, acting Brigadier-General, commanding. July 14th they commenced the march for Bull Kun, under the command of Major Staples, arriving at Centreville on the 17th, and at Bull Run on the 21st. In the disastrous battle at the latter place, the Third sustained itself nobly. Its loss was eight killed, twenty-nine wounded and twelve taken prisoners. On the 23d, returning to its previous camp at Clermont, it remained there until August 10th, when it moved to the right of Fort Ellsworth, and was put into Sedgwick's brigade, formed of Third and Fourth Maine, 38th and 40th N. Y regts. On the 27th and 28th of August, a portion of the regiment under the command of Major Staples had a brilliant skirmish with the enemy at Bailey's Cross Roads, but met with no loss. The Third remained near Fort Ellsworth, doing picket duty, working on fortifications and drilling, until September 27th, when the brigade was ordered forward to the Fowle's estate, on the old Fairfax road, and was posted in Heintzelman's division. During this time Colonel Howard was promoted to Brigadier- General, and Major Staples succeeded him as colonel. On the 17th of March, 1862, broke camp, marched to Alexandria and then proceeded to Hampton, where they remained until April 3d, when they moved with the army of the Potomac to Yorktown, at the siege of which they bore an honorable part, and when the enemy evacuated they were among the first in pursuit. At the battle of Williamsburg, May 5th, the regiment was detached by General Heintzelman to guard the left flank, which position they held until sunset, when they marched to the relief of the regiments then engaged. Gen. Phil. Kearny, who commanded the division, says that the Third and Fourth Maine " by their steady and imposing attitude contributed to the success of those more immediately engaged." The Third lost but two men, wounded. May 15th they arrived at Cumberland Landing on the Pamunkey river, where they remained a few days, when they marched to within a few miles of Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy. On the 23d they crossed this bridge and marched within half a mile of Fair Oaks. The battle of Seven Pines took place on the 31st and June 1st. On the former date, during the attack on the enemy's left, the Third was ordered to the front by General Birney It 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 it was ordered into the field on the left of the railroad, where it formed a line of battle under the edge of the woods. The presence of the enemy in force in their front was revealed by his terrific fire, opened upon the skirmishers under the command of Major Burt, who checked them until the main body came up. A charge was then ordered, and the movement was gallantly executed. The enemy was pursued a half mile when the Third encountered his reserve, who returned our fire with terrible effect, but which was soon silenced. During this battle the regiment did its duty nobly and bravely General Kearny told Colonel Ward, commanding the brigade at the time of the action, that " The brigade have done nobly, sir, and the Third and Fourth Maine can't be beat ! " The loss in killed and wounded was nearly onethird of the regiment. The Third remained in the advance line of the army until June 25th, when they were engaged in the battle of White Oak Swamp, in which the regiment by having a good position was enabled to do excellent service with very slight loss. On the 29th they were withdrawn from the advance line of fortifications before Richmond at an early hour in the morning, and under command of Major Burt crossed White Oak Swamp at Jordan's ford in the evening, covered by the left flank company as skirmishers, under command of Lieutenant Cox, who, after an advance of nearly two miles in the direction of Charles City Cross Roads, came upon the rebels in considerable force, when a brisk skirmish took place ; but in consequence of the disparity of force, Lieutenant Cox was forced to retire after a loss of one man killed and one taken prisoner. By order of General Birney the regiment then recrossed the swamp, followed its bank about six miles, and again crossing, gained the highlands and bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 30th they went forward on the Charles City Road and took an active part in the battle of Charles City Cross Roads. Before daybreak on the morning of July 1st they marched to Malvern Hill, where during the battle at that place they assisted in supporting Randolph's 6th R. I. battery. For eight hours they were exposed to a severe fire from the enemy's batteries, during which time the conduct of the men was admirable in the extreme. Their loss was very light. At an early hour the next morning they removed to Dr. Mung's plantation near Berkley's Station, where they bivouacked that night, and on the following morning, after having their camp shelled by the enemy, advanced three miles in the direction of Harrison's Landing, where they encamped. From this time until August 15th, the Third remained in front, when they joined in the retrograde movement towards Yorktown, where they arrived on the 19th, and on the 21st embarked on transports for Alexandria, at which place they arrived the following day From thence they proceeded on the 23d by rail to within four miles of the Rappahannock river, thence to Greenwich, Bristoe's Station, Manassas and Centreville, and finally on the 29th of August they marched for Bull Run, arriving on the battlefield at about 9 a.m., and participating in the engagement of that day The next day they supported Randolph's battery 150 MAINE AT GETTYSBURG. until 3 o'clock p. m., when they retired to the rear. The regiment shortly returned to the attack with the lamented General Kearny at their head, but meeting a rebel brigade they were forced to retire under a murderous fire. A portion of the Third also encountered another heavy fire, while supporting a section of a battery, when with the rest of the forces they fell back to Centreville. The next day the regiment took up the line of march for Fairfax, when took place the battle of Chantilly, during which it sustained unflinchingly a murderous fire from a superior force, losing four killed, thirty-eight wounded and eight missing. On the 2d of September they marched to Alexandria and encamped in the vicinity of Fort Lyon. On the 8th they moved to Fort Worth, and from thence to Fort Barnard, where they remained until the 15th, when they proceeded to Poolesville, Md., and thence to White's Ford, on the upper Potomac. The several fords from the Monocacy to Conrad's Ferry were guarded by the regiment. At the last named place Colonel Staples had temporary command of the brigade. On the 11th of October the regiment, together with the Fourth Maine, proceeded to the mouth of the Monocacy, to intercept the return of Stuart's cavalry into Virginia. A brisk engagement ensued, which resulted in the enemy's making his escape. Keturning to Poolesville, they marched to White's Ford, thence to Leesburg, Warrenton, on the Rappahannock (Nov 7th) , where they remained at Waterloo bridge until the 16th, when they were ordered to Falmouth, arriving there November 22d. In the meantime Col. Staples resigned, and Lieut. -Col. Lakeman was promoted to the colonelcy Remained at Falmouth until Dec. 11th, when they joined in the forward move on Fredericksburg. Late in the afternoon of the following day they marched six miles down the river in order to cross the Rappahannock and reinforce General 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 10 o'clock they THIRD REGIMENT HISTORICAL SKETCH. 151 crossed the Rappahannock, when General Birney, commanding division, immediately formed his brigades and pushed forward to the left of the ground occupied by General Whipple, and prepared for action. Colonel Lakeman marched to the rear some one hundred and seventy-five yards, and took position 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. The position was a post of honor and danger. The battery having been ordered to change position, an attempt was made by the enemy to capture it, but the unerring aim of a well-sustained fire from the Third sent him back to the cover of his intrenchments. 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,—three killed, twenty-five wounded and four missing. On being withdrawn from the lines, they marched to the camp they previously occupied, on the north bank of the Rappahannock. The regiment broke camp on the 20th of January, 1863, and with the army participated in General Burnside's movement, afterwards known as the " mud march " ; the movement being abandoned, it returned to its former camp on the 23d, where it remained until March 4th, when with the division it moved to Potomac Creek, four miles, and remained there until April 28th, during which time the regiment was almost constantly employed, under Captain Morgan, building military roads. During the winter of 1863, after General Hooker had succeeded General Burnside in the command of the army, the system of badges to be worn upon the cap was invented. The Third corps badge thus adopted was the diamond, evidently carrying out the idea of General Kearny, in whose division the Third Maine regiment belonged. Accordingly, those of the First division, including the Third, Fourth and Seventeenth Maine regiments, and company D, 2d U S. Sharpshooters, 152 MAINE AT GETTYSBURG. retained the red diamond patch of Kearny, the white diamond designating the Second and the blue diamond the Third division. April 28th, with the army, the Third regiment crossed the Rappahannock river, proceeded to and participated in the battle of the Cedars and Chancellorsville, May 2d and 3d, in which engagements it lost Lieutenants Cox and Witham, killed, Lieutenant Emery wounded, Lieutenants Fuller and Nye, prisoners ; also fifty-six men wounded and prisoners, four of whom afterwards died of wounds. The movements of the regiment at the battle of Chancellorsville were as follows : The regiment bivouacked near United States Ford on the night of April 30th. At daybreak, on the morning of May 1st, the brigade crossed the Rappahannock and marched to the Plank road, where it took position in line of battle and there remained until the morning of the 2d. On the 2d the regiment moved farther up the Plank road, awaiting an attack until two o'clock in the afternoon, when the whole division advanced out beyond our lines several miles, striking the enemy's train-guard and capturing many prisoners. This action was called the Cedars. Shortly after sunset returned towards the previous position, but halted at Hazel Grove, remaining there, in line of battle, until nearly midnight, when the brigade was ordered to charge upon a force which had gained possession of the Plank road, and the road leading to it, by defeating the Eleventh corps. The regiment advanced and engaged in a severe fight which lasted nearly an hour ; the first and second lines of earthworks were carried and held until daylight, notwithstanding the stubborn resistance of the enemy who outnumbered our forces very largely. This movement and its success resulted in keeping open the communication with the Twelfth corps, from which we had been substantially cut off by Jackson's movement around our right flank, and by which he had driven back the Eleventh corps in disorder. At daylight, May 3d, the enemy occupied the woods on two sides and opened a sharp fire on the brigade, which was briskly returned, until our troops were re-arranged nearer the Chancellor house. Around this as a centre the battle on May 3d was fought, in which Major-General Berry was killed. The brigade supported such batteries as was ordered and otherwise participated in the action that took, place. The regiment after several changes of position, at times under severe fire, finally took up a position with its brigade in the new line of works, occupying the first line of defense. In this position it was subjected to a heavy artillery fire from the enemy, and several men were more or less wounded. The brigade was highly complimented by General Ward, its commander, for the gallantry of its officers and men. They occupied the front line of earthworks until daybreak of the 6th, being the last to leave the front, recrossing the Rappahannock in the forenoon and returning to their former camp. Here it remained until June 11th, when it took its line of march with the army that terminated in the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. In this engagement at Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, 1863, the Third Maine regiment took a most conspicuous part, being the first to attack the enemy on the morning of the 2d, a long distance in advance of the line, where it sustained a loss of fortyeight killed, wounded and missing. The regiment during the remainder of the day held an advanced position in the ever memorable Peach Orchard until evening, when it was attacked by an overwhelming force and compelled to fall back, sustaining the loss of Captain Keen, killed, Major Lee and Lieut. Penniman, severely wounded, and fifty-eight men killed, wounded and prisoners. In this attack the regiment was not connected with its brigade. On the morning of the 3d the regiment, under command of Captain Morgan, with three others, were detached under the command of Colonel Lakeman to support the Second division, Second corps, where it remained until the morning of the 4th, when the four regiments formed an advance line of battle on the Emmitsburg road and, relieving the advanced skirmishers, remained there until the morning of the 5th, when it rejoined the brigade, the enemy having left its front. The regiment then rested in position until the morning of the 7th, when, with the rest of the army, it started in pursuit of the enemy July 23d the regiment, with the Fourth Maine, under command of Colonel Lakeman, engaged and routed the enemy at Wapping Heights ; the regiment, deployed as skirmishers, charged and cleared the heights. At night the enemy retreated. Next morning the regiment moved towards Warrenton, where it arrived the 26th, and on the 31st moved to Warrenton Sulphur Springs, where it remained in camp until September 16th, when it marched to Culpeper, arriving on the 18th, and remained there until October 11th, when, with the army, it commenced a retrograde movement, and with the division engaged the enemy at Auburn Mills, on the 12th, routing them. The Third arrived at Fairfax Station on the 14th and remained there until the 19th, when it advanced with the army to Catlett's Station, arriving there the 2 2d and remaining there until November 7th, during which time it was engaged repairing the railroads. On November 7th the regiment was engaged in the skirmish at Kelly's Ford, with slight loss, and the following day advanced towards Brandy Station, arriving there the 9th. On the 26th, with the army, it crossed the Rapidan river at Jacob's Ford, and took part in the engagements of Orange Grove on the 27th and Mine Run on the 30th, with loss of one killed, eight wounded and twenty-three missing. The regiment remained in position until December 1st, when it recrossed the Rapidan and returned to camp near Brandy Station. On the 1st of January, 1864, the regiment was encamped near Brandy Station, Va., where it remained until May 4th, when it moved, under General Grant, across the Rapidan towards Richmond, and encamped the same night on the battlefield of Chancellorsville. The Third corps had been consolidated with the Second, and the regiment still remained in the First (Ward's) brigade, Third (Birney's) division, the corps being commanded by Hancock. It participated the next day in the battle of the Wilderness, being in position near where the Brock road crosses the Plank road. Here it fought on the afternoon of the 5th and the forenoon of the 6th, with heavy loss. The regiment made and repelled several charges during this memorable battle, and its men won fresh laurels by their courage and steadiness under the furious attacks of the enemy. Among the killed was Lieut.-Col. Burt, and of the wounded was Captain THIRD REGIMENT HISTORICAL SKETCH. 155 Getchell, who afterwards died of his wounds. After remaining one day in their rifle-pits, they on the 8th joined in the movement towards Spotsylvania Court House, doing but little fighting however. On the 10th the regiment was held in reserve until sunset, when they joined their brigade in a charge in which they were repulsed. In the assault at Spotsylvania by the Second corps, on the 12th, it took part. The assaulting column succeeded in carrying the works of the enemy at the celebrated " salient," capturing Johnson's division and many cannon, and the repeated counter-assaults of the enemy failed to dislodge the Union troops ; the ground was thickly covered by the dead and wounded of both sides. The loss of the regiment in these engagements was severe, Captain Nye being mortally wounded, acting-Adjutant Bursley killed, and Captain Merrill missing. On the evening of the 19th the division to which the Third belonged relieved those of our forces who had been engaged, including the heavy artillery regiments, in repelling the furious assaults of the enemy at the Frederickburg road. On the morning of the 23d the regiment moved towards the North Anna, where it arrived during the afternoon, and where it participated in the assault upon the enemy's works commanding the bridge, losing severely ; among others were Major Morgan killed and Colonel Lakeman wounded. On the 28th the regiment reached and crossed the Pamunkey, pushing along until the morning of the 30th, when it was engaged in throwing up intrenchments, losing during the change of position by the army sixteen men on picket, most of whom were taken prisoners. On the 3d of June the regiment with its division supported General Barlow's division in the engagement at Cold Harbor. On the 4th the regiment, after being highly complimented by General Birney, in general orders, left for Maine, its term of service of three years having expired, arriving in Augusta on the 11th, where the veterans were greeted with a public reception and partook of a handsome collation prepared by the city authorities. The regiment, numbering about 112 men, was mustered out of the US. service on June 28, 1864. The re-enlisted men and recruits were transferred to the Seventeenth Maine regiment before their departure from the front. The Third Maine was one of the best regiments in the service from Maine and was held in high esteem by those in whose commands it served. In Fox's work, Regimental Losses of the Civil War, the Third Maine is classed among the three hundred fighting regiments of the Union armies, so distinguished on account of their losses in battle.