The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-08-27
News Snapshots
Of the Week
The 10Th Maine Regiment.

The 10Th Maine Regiment.
The reunion of the 10th Maine Regi-
mental association was held in Clinton
Yesterday and in this connection we print
the following sketch of the regiment,
written by Capt. Silas Adams of Water
vile for the Kennebec Journal:
THE 18TH MAINE REGIMENT.
As time in it's rapid flight, measuring
its increasing distance between the date
of the Civil War and the present, we
find the masses of our people are for
getting about that great event that
Stirred this country from center to cir
conference and brought millions of men
into the field, armed and equipped, and
during the four years of conflict the
world saw the most severe fighting and
the seyerest losses ever known in the
worlds history. AS a people we are
drifting away from those eventful times
as only a remarkable chapter in our his
tory. In a retrospective view, in turn
ing back the pages of history, let us re-
view the history of the 10th Maine Regi-
ment. one which was raised in Knox,
Lincoln, Waldo, Sagadahoc, Kennebec
and Somerset counties. The organlza-
ton consisted of 80 officers and 1853 men
and rendezvoused at Bath the first days
in August, 1862 The coming together
of this homogeneous company of young
men from all walks and trades of life
had to be moulded into a regiment, or a
fighting machine, that could quickly be
put to the battle front in a few days.
They were young men. Yes, the aver
age age was twenty and one-half years;
the younger being II and the older IS
wears. very few above 80. Every day a
new company would be formed, and the
boys who came to camp In their latest
style of garment, and others in working
clothes, were obliged to exchange them
for the army blue of the most unique
pattern and sublime fit. AS soon as they
had learned some CT the rudlments OF
Casey's tactics they made ready to go to
front. On August Is, 1862, the regl-
ment was formally mustered into the u.
S. service. Two days later the egiment
left the old campground early IN the
morning and marched to the depot at
Bath and boarded the train for Washing
ton. d. C. Thousands of people from
the city and surrounding towns met
them thus early to shake hands and give
the parting blessing to their relatives and
friends. Many blessings were bestowed
upon them for the last time. Many were
left buried and unburied on many battle
fields. Many died in rebel prisons, While
others suffered by wounds and died IN
hospitals. The regiment arrived in Wash
ington, D c., August 20, and marched
over the long bridge to Arlington and
there they plainly heard the battle rag
ing at Bull Run and Chantily, the mighty
explosions from the artillery and voleys
of musketry and it did not carry much
ioy to their patriotic hearts. The regl-
ment marched up the hill and then it
marched down again, across Long bridge
over to the east branch into the forts,
remaining there until Sept. 20, drilling on
heavy artillery. Our next move, Sept.
80, was to Boliver Heights at Harper's
Ferry and was assigned to the LIST Brig
AIDE, I'd Division, I'd A. c. On Oct. 3Oth
the Corps started from here and march
ed down the Loudon Valley, reaching
Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, Nov
18th. Dec. II the regiment crossed the
river on pontoon bridge, taking part IN
the battle of Dec. ID, 1862. After that
defeat the regiment camped on the east
side of the river near Falmouth. During
the battle of Charlottesville the regi-
ment was guarding the telegraph wire
uniting the two wings of the army. The
regiment moved from Falmouth June
Nth and marched to Gettysburg, Pa, and
was engaged in that contest July the "a
and Sd. and was in the center of Pickett s
charge, losing during the two days 22O
out of 44O men. At Bristow station, Oct.
l4th, the regiment was heavily engaged
and helped to defeat the enemy. At the
opening of the campaign under General
Grant, May 4, 1864, the regiment went
into that battle with 576 men and were
engaged in the battles of the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, No. Anna River, Totopot-
omy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Jerusa-
lem. Plank Road, Deep Bottom, Bailey's
Creek. Ream's Station and Hatch's Run,
576 men killed. wounded and missing,
the exact number they started IN with
six months before, and in November hav-
ing $50 muskets from men returned from
shopitals and recruits.
During the winter of 1864-65 the regi-
ment camped near Hatcher's Run. The
campaign OF 1865 opened with Col. l. W..
Starbird in command and the regiment
had the honor of saving the bridge over
the Appomattox river, known as high
bridge. enabling the Army to cross.
|
capture, The regiment was soon muster
ed out returning to Augusta and paid off
June 6, 1865. During the two wears and and
10 month s service, they hal received 27S
men by transfer from 4th, Me. Reg.
only rs reported, So from guard company,
and recruits enough to make up 1850 men,
their s snve d9r tn ns 5ns tS:
following named battles upon her flag:
FIJI fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Hay
market, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station,
Mine Run, Morton's Ford, Wilderness Wilderness
Spotsylvania, North Anna, Iotopotomy'
Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Jerusalem,
Plank Road. Deep Bottom, Strawberry
Plains, Ream's Station, Boydlon Road,
Hatcher's Run, Crow House and High
Bridge, And of the 1893 men and officers
who made up the 10Th Maine Regiment
only about $50 are alive today. OF the u
officers who went out with the regiment
only one is alive today-Col. j. W.
Spaulding of Boston.