The Portland daily press., 1889-10-09

orator OF the DAY was severely wounded
Sn the same day was fought the battle o
:he regiment lost more than one-third q
its number. Gu the evening of Nav 4tI
after some diminishing, we re-crossed IN
happahannock river at Banks Ford. ooinl
INTO camp, where we remained until w
Soano.a horIn on the campaign, which tel
was over routes which we had i'm part ira
Velleu during the Maryland campaign O
the preceding year. under Little Mac.
July LIST found the regiment resting
yu4euy IN camp near Manchester, Mary
land. None were aware that the enemy
ha1 az THIS time been met at Gettysburg
and that great battle had begun. During
our march through Maryland, most cor
dlal reception was given the boys in blue
by The loyal citizens, who could not do toe
much for the defenders OF their homes and
country. Intense enthusiasm prevailed
wherever the stars and stripes were seen
As we marched through the streets OF
Westminster and Manchester, thousands
of flags and handkerchiefs were waved by
the noble women and patriotic children.
No sacrifices were too great for them to
make.
While enjoying the rest afforded by the
brief delay near Manchester, though the
weather was hot and sultry, an order was
received commanding the corps to move
Immediately towards Gettysburg, thirty
six miles distant where our troops we're
hastily gathering behind the defences OF
Cemetery Ridge.
Sixth Corps sprang forward with alacrity
to obey. the Fifth Maine leading in that
famous march, which begin at $50 D. m. =
On the evening of July 1st, information
had been received that a great battle was
progress, and that upon its issue depended
the fate of the country. Every one cheer
fully obeyed orders. On, on, through the
night we marched, each hour bringing us
nearer this sacred field. No halt was
made for breakfast The services of the
needed at the front. The hot rays of q
July sun poured down upon us, but no one
faltered. This distant roar of cannon told
us that the battle was ION once more.
Eager for the fray the footsteps were quick
ened. Hour after hour tramped the Sixth
1orps. Inc noon OF July I'd found the
regiment twelve miles away. No time
was taken for dinner, but on we marched.
reaching Rock Creek at about four O'clock
p. m. Here the canteens were filled and
some preparations were made for satisfy
lug Ine munger that each one felt, no one
having taken food since the march began,
on the previous evening; but before cot
lee could be made, orders came for the
troops to advance. The news of the ar
rival OF the Sixth Corps was greeted with
cheer after cheer, as the word flew from
division to division alone the lines The
Fifth Maine, about five o'clock on the af-
ternoon of July I'd, moved to the front.
some thirty or forty rods in advance of the
position here indicated, in the direction of
Devils Den, though later in the evening
formed its line on the right of Little
Round Top. On the following morning
the stone wall-which still remains much
as we lett Twas thrown up A few pris-
oners were captured in yonder house-or
rather IN one which occupied the site of
the present buildings.
The morning of Jnly Sd found the Fifth
IN an Important position. though little
was required other than holding what had
been secured. Throughout July Sd, the
regiment remained in the position taken
Inc forenoon wore away. At one o'clock
the storm of battle broke. The air was
filled with bursting shells and solid shot.
For two hours the terrible cannonading
continued. The came the famous charge
OF PIckett, which was against the center of
the Union line, while we were ON the ex-
IRENE left On the evening of July Sd a
reconnaissance was made by three CON-
panies OF the regiment, and one gun, two
calssons, and limber-which the Ninth
Mass, battery had abandoned during the
night OF Sickles' Corps-were recovered.
Inc battle OF Gettysburg had been fought
and won. During July 4th the rain fell in
torrents, and under cover of the storm,
Lee began his movements toward yir.
ginia.
On July 9th, the regiment, while in pur-
sui OF Lees army, had engagements at
Bloomfield, and later at Funkstown and
Villa nsport The next battle of import
ance was at Rappahannock Station. Nov
y 1863. lt was here that the Fifth Maine,
ana the l2lst New York, the gallant "One-
sters, charged upon the works of the
enemy, capturing nearly three times as
many prisoners as there were men in the
Two REGIMENTS. The last of November '63
iound the regiment south of the Rapidan
az Locus Groye facing the enemy once
N Is
slight: Two days later found the Fifth
skirmlnishing across Mine Run with but
small loss. Part of December, January,
February, March. and April we spent plea
sanity in camp on the Major Plantation.
The regiment broke camp at Hazel
River, May 3, 1864, crossing at Germania
Ford, and on the 4th and 9Th, participated
IN the battle OF the Wilderness. During |
the four following days, it was under fire,
an ana on the 10th took part in the great bat
one OF the twelve picked regiments, select |
ed Tor the charge on the right of the center
OF the enemy's line. AS the twelve reei-
ments were formed in line of battle, Gen
eral Wright said to the commander of the
Colonel, L give you the place of honor
10 TINS charge. give you one of the best |
regiments in the whole service as a sun
port. Ii you get into their works, serve
them as you did at Rappahannock Station"
Inc regiment referred to by the General
as support was the noble Sixth Maine.
behind this was the Fifth Wisconsin. ON
the right of the Fifth Maine was the 12lst
New fork-as brave a regiment as was
ever mustered into the service In the
grand charge that was made, eleven of the
killed or wounded, and one-half of its men
were shot down while crossing field not
more then ten rods in width, and in less
IMAM Two minutes OF time. The defences of
the enemy were reached and passed A hand
to.hand conflict ensued. Two thousand
prisoners were captured. On the morning
OF May 18th, as Hancock's Corps stormed
the salient, or angle, the Fifth Maine
was ordered to join in the attack. Moving
to the right of the angle, it was the first
point. Throughout the day and late into
the night the battle ragged. 1t was here
that some officers of the regiment ran up
some guns that had been abandoned, and
made use of them during the contest
for injuries to his shoulder, caused by over
exertion while assisting in running up the
guns.
The morning of the 18th found the regi-
ment with less than sixty men ready for
duty, and only one line officer This num-
per was subsequently increased by the re-
turn OF men detailed in 81, '62, '63 and of
those who had been slightly wounded. The
regiment crossed the North Anna Nav 13d
and destroyed five miles of railroad, as far
as Hewlltts Station. There was consider
able skirmishing until June LIST, when
late IN the afternoon sharp fight occurred
at Cold Harbor. This was the first time
only In the history of the regiment that IL
acted as support to infantry. and the
hrst time that the regiment during some
portion OF an action was not on the front
line OF battle. Until June 18th the reoi-
ment was daily under fire. Crossing the
James River at Bermuda Hundreds. the
Fifth reached the vicinity of PeteTburg
June 18th, and on the following morning.
at 2.3O OF clock, was ordered out to make
charge. The order was, however, soon
countermanded, as it was ascertained that
Tue enemy was too strongly intrenched to
DE drlven from its position. A movement
was then made around Petersburg and
across the Appomattax, where The reoi-
ment had Its last fight with the enemy.
The order relieving the men from fnStber
service, the time of enlistment having ex.
pired, found them on the 23d of June in |
the ritle-pits, on the line of battle with |
loaded muskets, facing the enemy. On
the evening of the 23d, the regiment march
ed to City Point, and on the following
morning boarded the steamer John Brooks
Tor Washington. On reaching Washington
the Fifth was ordered into camp, in com
pasture, near the boat landing, a place
selected by the authorities; but not caring
20 obey TINS order, the regiment marched |
into the city and camped for the night on
the grounds of the Smithsonian Tnsf;t,,fe
remaining here until paid off on the even,
ing Of the 10th, when it started for the
Before leaving the army at Petersb,rr