The Portland daily press., 1889-10-09
Fifth Maine.

The Fifth Maine monument is not far
from the Sixth. Here Col. Clark >. Edwards
delivered an address, Rev. George w.
BIcknell an grafton, and Mrs, Helen S.
Packard poem. Colonel Edwards address
follows:
COL. EDWARDS ADDRESS.
Mr.. President and Comrades Of the FIFTH
Mdine:
1t has fallen to my lot on this memorable
occasion to give brief, descriptive account
of the part taken by the Fifth Maine Ia the
great battle of Gettysburg, which occurred
on this historic field twenty-six years ago.
Before speaking particularly of what the
regiment did on those early days of July
1863. l wish, in as brief manner as posi-
BILE, to outline the history of the regiment,
so far as the principal engagements are
concerned-in which 1t PAL ticipated-and
thus correct few errors which have gone
forth to the world as history. Lest may
be misunderstood by others, will say here
that do not claim that the Fifth was the
best regiment sent to the field from the old
Safe of Maine, but do assert that she seut
no better one. L make no unwarranted
claim In asserting that the services rem
dered and the results achieved by the
Fifth Justly entitle it to be classed among
the fighting regiments OF the war. notwith-
standing the fact that other regiments lost
more men. The claim of the historian that
only those regiments that met with the
heaviest losses were fighting regiments,
does an injustice to many Of the best regi-
ments IN the service.
In more instances than one, severe losses
have fallen upon regiments through the
stupidity OF the commanding officer, or by
some mistake in placing troops In an ex-
posed position where soldiers were shot
down by the enemy without shot being
fred in return. For IL the loss is the only
claim that entities regiment to be classsd
among fighting regiments, then the brave
Warren and his men at Bunker Hill have
been accorded praise that they did not de
serve. To base the fighting qualities of
regiment entirely upon its losses, without
regard to its accomplishments, is wrong, as
every soldier knows. The same may be
said of General jackson and his army at
New Orleans, where the loss was slight,
though the achievements were brilliant.
For the Fifth Maine we should claim for
all time full and complete recognition of its
services.
The regiment was organized in May, 1861.
though several of the companies were
formed and filled in April lt was mus
tered into the service June sd and 24th,
having one thousand men, and at once
started for Washington. In New York the
regiment was presented with a banner,
from the steps OF City Hall, by the resi-
dents of the city who were, formerly citi-
zens OF the Pine Tree State. The regi-
ment reached Washington on the evening
of June 9th, and went into camp on Merid-
ian Hill, where 1t remained until July 9th,
Wucu IL ClDNScu buC OtouldCf duO WCHb iAA-
TO camp near Fort Ellsworth, doing picket
duty until July 18th, when it advanced as
far as Claremont, a point about mile, or
a mile and half, in advance OF any troops
at this time. Here the regiment remained
until July 18th, when it was ordered to
move forward against the enemy at Bull
Run. In this, our first engagement, the
loss was slight. The next battle Of impor-
lance in which the Fifth was actively en-
gagged, was on the Peninsula, at West
Maxf IL har hat h.
regiment made its first bayonet charge.
driving the enemy from its intrenched po-
sition. The firing was hot and heavy and
the loss Of men was quite severe.
June 9th found the regiment in action
in the rear Of the McGee House, charging
up the hill aud across the open field, in the
battle of Gaines Hill. June 2Sth we we're
engaged with the enemy at Golding farm;
Glendale. or Prazser's farm, as 1t Is vari-
ously called. Here the regiment expert
enced terrific cannonade. The air was
full of solid shot and bursting shell. Such
fearful din of the cannon's roar was only
once again experienced by the Fifth, and
noon OF July Q. 1861
On the afternoon and evening OF July 1,
the regiment was at Malvern Hill. The
great assault of the enemy was repulsed
with fearful slaughter. though our loss was
comparatively slight. At Harrison's Land
| ing, we went into camp, remaining there
| until August is, when we were transferred
| to Alexandria. Arriving there August
/ 18th. we went into camp at Fort Lyon,
| where we remained until the 18th, when
/ orders were received to advance. The
regiment marched as far as Annondale,
where h camped for the night, In hearing
| of PoDs's cannon. The evening OF August
| 9oth found us on the south side OF Cub
| Rnn. lowering the retreat OF Pope's army.
Tile night was spent in picket duty, and
on the following morning. August 3lst, we
re-crossed Cub Run, destroying the bridge
| made BY Pope, as appeared In the War Ar
| ticles published year or two since in the
| "Century Magazine" where he says that
| the Sixth Army Corps did not advance be-
/ yopd Annoudale; a mistake, intentional,
/ or otherwise, though no uncommon thing
| with Pope when attempting to explain his
/ defeat. september 14th found the regi-
| ment, with the 10th New York on the
| right, charging the enemy at the point of
the bayonet, at CHAMPION Pass. Here a
/ victory was won of no small Importance to
/ the Union cause. In the batCle the Fifth
was given the post of honor. The loss Of
| the regiment was severe. On Sept. 17th.-
1.-THE bloodiest day America ever -
was fought the battle of Antietam, In
which the Fifth Maine took an active part.
In this battle the historian says that more
lives we're lost In the same length of time
War.
On Dec. 18th, the Fifth charged the enc.
my across the open plain near the Barnard
House, aud on the following day took an
active part in the first battle OF tredei :
icksburg. May 3, 1863, the second battle II
Fredericksburg was fought The F1fth
Maine assisted in driving the enemy from
the heights In the rear OF the city OF Fre"-