Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-21
THE Sd MAINE.
Evidence Shows PIucky Fight Made
by This Famous Regiment,
Letter Of kdiutant General Conner Regarding
Loss Of Flags by Maine Troops.


The following letter will be Of Interest
to veterans, and especially so to tb,
surviving members of the Sd Maine
Regiment:
State of Maine, Adjutant General,
Office, Augusta, Dec. 16, 1895. Deal
Sir: In answer to your inquiry o.
the 18th inst, l regret to say that youl
statement that Maine troops lost no flag
is not according to the record Col Moses
B. Lakeman, I'd Maine, in his report
of the battle of Gettysburg, which you
will find in the Official Records of the
Union and Confederate Armies Series
l. Vol. NXVII, Part l. page 507, has the
following:
9 | regret to report the loss of my ma
tional colors for no man ever fought
harder for it, that day, than did my regi
ment, but Capt. Keene of the color com
pany, and his first 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 We're killed,
and four others seriously wounded, and
as darkness was fast approaching, l did
not miss 1t, until the following morning.
If had they would have had me, and
my little squad, or l would have had my
flag
"' As soon as 1 could rally the remains
of my shattered regiment, l Joined the
brigade and the men lay ON their arms
during the night.
am nr0u6 tn cav the ronUurt af INV
officers and men throughout the entire
day is deserving the highest praise. Their
GOODNESS and courage in resisting force
which they could plainly see was four
times their number / cannot lightly
pass over, but feel somewhat recompensed
for my loss by the knowledge that the few
nave left are of the same material as the
gallant spirits that have fallen.
$50 entered he engagement of the morn
ing with ii officers, and 1876 rifles, and
lost, during the day, 113 killed, wounded,
and missing, including Major Lee,
wounded, Captain Keene, killed etc, "A
list of which had already been sent to
headquarters.
The letter further continues; Sec also
'Onicial Records, " Series ].
Vol XVN, page S92, report of Gen.
Heth, c. S. A, and page 9l5, report of
Gen. Jas H. Lane G. S. A. and page
900. report of Col Samuel ID. Lowe 2Sth
North Carolina, c. S. A, reporting the
capture of the flag colors, stan
dard, of the Sd Maine at Chanccllors-
vile,
Col. Lakeman, Sd Maine, in his re
port of Chanccllorsvillc makes no men
ton of the loss of flag or color. The
rebel reports do not show whether regi
mental or the national color was cap
turcd.
1T appears therefore that the Sd
Maine lost national color at Gettysburg,
and color of some sort at Chanccllors
Vile. The latter may have been only a
marker.
1.-The Sd Maine seems thus to have
bad eminence. The loss of color by a
regiment indicates, however, that it stuck
to its post to the last extremity, instead
of seeking safety for itself and colors,
while safety was to be found. Nobody
who knows anything about the Sd
| Maine at Gettysburg will for moment
| insinuate that there was any teaches
| on the part of that regiment. Its great
loss on that field proves that the color
was not easily captured
"Of the Third at Charlottesville, Gen
Ward, Brig commander. in his report,
| Official Records, Series |, Vol. NNV,
mage 42s. saws of the old regiments OF
this brigade, the Sd and Att
Maine, it would be almost useless to make
any additional remarks to the commander
of this division Their reputation is
well established in so many well fought
fields. as to preclude the possibility O
saving more in their praise
| j. B. Kershaw Col. 2d ;. q, Vols, Z
6. A.. in his report of Bull Run which
Won will find in Official Records, Series
H.. Vol. II, page 500 1.-THE extract is OF
mage 527l says, among the trophies taker
by my regiment was the flag of the Fins
Regiment. Second Brigade, fourth divi
sion. of the State OF Maine, with it
nroud motto "Dirigo. and a small fed
eral ensign The description indicates
that the regiment, brigade &c, were In
scribcd on the flag.
Discussing the matter with capt
Clark. my clerk he said, q, that re
minds me. and there upon produced al
old color about twenty inches square
which the late J. H. Cochrane brough
here once. IL has a shield, bearing I'M
nine tree and reclining 'moose-deer'
surmounted by star, aud scroll III
scribed .Dlrigo, aud underneath INT
word Maine and scroll at the bottom
| ..,,., -. words regiment brigade