Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-20

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While one of it's companies lost over
one-half, or 10 out OF 1856, who went
into action. The number who were
killed and mortany wounded was 155.
while the wounded, who recovered.
numbered 312, total of 527
During the intervening period FROM
May 19 to the battle of Petersburg. the
regiment lost men at Milford Station.
North Anna river, Hanovertown, Toto
potomy and Cold Harbor, in all seven
killed and 43 wounded. a total of so.
Arriving in front of Petersburg on
the evening of June Is, the 1st Maine
was present at the opening of the battle
on the next day. Being in the second
or supporting line for the greater part
of the 18th and 18th, its losses those two
days We're small
AT $50 O'Clock on the morning of the
18th all We're awakened and a genera!
advance ordered The LIST Maine. moy-
ing out to the front. halted a minute at
the first line of the enemys works,
abandoned during the night. and then
pressed on till it reached the Hare field
and house. where it was met by sharp
fire from the enemy and stopped to
-
"Of this famous Hare field, afterward
the site of Fort Steadman and a second
famous battle, a Union officer said that
ne did not believe another place on
Gods green earth, of equal size, has
drunk up the blood of SO many men
slain in battle.
Late on the afternoon of that day.
Gen. Meade issued orders for assault in
strong column. This work was as
signed to the Sd division, Gen. Mott in
command, and the 1st Maine assigned
to lead for the alleged reason that they,
being new to battle, knew less than the
Others of the hopelessness of the task.
AT O'Clock the regiments Were, one by
one, drawn up in position, the rank and
file believing for the purpose of sleep
and rest. While the others Were filing
in the adjutant of the LIST Maine seemed
uneasy, and paced back and forth be-
fore his men, when one of the boys
called out:
Well. adjutant, we are going to be
relieved, eh?'
with a significant gesture and more
Significant tone. the adjutant replied.
How are you relieved?'
'One of the captains stepped out and
asked what it all meant.
p" 1t means replied the adjutant we
are all going to hi and. passing out his
cameen. said: Here. captain, take some
thing
No replied the captain; If must go
10 hi I'll go there sober
''rhe captain is till selling coal in Ban
gor, but the adjutant fought his last but
tie that day.
1.-The brigade was soon marched back
and massed in the rear of the road, near
the Hare house. The 1st Maine, being the
largest of the regiments in the brigade
was divided into three battalons, which
We're placed one behind the other. form
ing the first three lines at the head of the
column; in fact they We're the only troops
that went on to the field, as the other
regiments threw themselves fiat on the
ground behind the breastworks as the
column started.
THE command forward was relief to
the almost unbearable suspense. and the
ordtr 'double-0uick' sent thrill along
the line.
'"rhe assault was determined but the
lire which met them WAS most terrible.
Beside cannon and shell. us the regiment
cleared the shrubbery which had skirted
either flank. Il siX-gun battery with
double-shotted canister opened fire dag
onafy from the right, followed by a sim
liar fire from the left.
THE result may better be imagined
than described Out of 900 who went into
the charge more than two-thirds were
sent down. Many of the more seriously
wounded remained on The field and died
after hours and days of suffering for the
Union forces could not and the confeder-
ate forces would not. remove them. With
ga fearful "a loss and so sudden it seemed
ike horra dream.
During this three days battle the sec
ord army corps. composed of 81 regi-
ments and II batteries lost 50 commits
stoned officers killed and mortally wound
cd. II of whom or a per cent. nearly
We're of the LIST Maine heavy artillery.
THE exact loss to the regiment is diff
ficult to ascertain. The historian of the
second army corps places the number of
dead and wounded at 63S. The state re-
port gives it 1l5 killed, iS9 wounded and
. missing, a total of 632 II Will be no.
ticed that this account gives for killed
and wounded COZ. the number popularity
accepted as correct. but the IS missing
should have been accounted killed. as
they Were, for they all went on the field
ana none came off and none were made
prisoners. No complete list of the cas-
ualties were printed at the time.
This Is not to be wondered at for but
two company commanders were left UNI
hurt, and some of the companies came
out under a sergeant. while in others the
company roll and all records were lost
but | have well authenticated list of
6ll who were hit 2i1 of whom were killed
and mortally wounded, while 80 recoV-
cred.
"The summary of losses for the month
would be as follows: