Third Maine Volunteer Infantry History

3rd Maine Gerrysburg Monument

REGIMENT:
3rd Infantry Regiment Maine

Date of Organization:
4 Jun 1861

Muster Date:
28 Jun 1864

Regiment State:
Maine

Regiment Type:
Infantry

Regiment Number:
3rd

Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident:
10

Officers Died of Disease or Accident:
1

Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded:
124

Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident:
148

Regimental Soldiers and History:
Regimental History
MAINE THIRD INFANTRY(Three Years)Third Infantry--
Col., Oliver O. Howard; Lieut.-Col., Isaac N. Tucker; Maj., Henry G. Staples.

This regiment responded to the first call for troops with promptness and alacrity. It was rendezvoused on the state house grounds at Augusta and was composed mainly of Kennebec lumbermen. The regiment was most fortunate in having for its colonel Oliver O. Howard, who rose rapidly to the rank of major-general and gained for himself a name distinguished among the nation's heroes. During the long three years' service the regiment was successively commanded by Maj. Staples and Capt. Moses B. Lakeman of Co. I, Lieut.-Col. Tucker having resigned to become brigade quartermaster. On the resignation of Lieut.-Col. Tucker, Capt. Sampson of Co. D, Capt. Lakeman and Adjt. Burt served as lieutenant-colonel in the order named. Succeeding Henry G. Staples as major were Adjt. Burt and Capt. William C. Morgan.

Of the original companies of the regiment Co. A (Bath City Greys) had existed under former militia laws and the others were new organizations. The regiment was mustered into the United States service on June 4, 1861, and left the state for the front the next day. Perhaps no regiment from the state saw more fighting or rendered more distinguished service.

From the first battle of Bull Run, until the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, the regiment participated in most of the important battles and movements of the Army of the Potomac. The operations of the so-called "Stove-Pipe Artillery" commenced with this regiment. While encamped at Flag Hill, Va., they employed the ruse of mounting a stove-pipe on wheels, and drew 12 shots from the enemy at their cannon.

The loss of the 3d in killed and wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks was nearly one-third of the men engaged. It was in this engagement that Sergt.-Maj. F. W. Haskell of Waterville so gre

atly distinguished himself as to win the commendation of his colonel and of the entire regiment. The 3d gave an excellent account of itself in the battle of Gettysburg. At the close of the second day's fighting Gen. Sickles declared that, "The little 3d Me. saved the army today." Its loss at Gettysburg was 113 killed, wounded and missing.

On the return of the regiment to Augusta, June 11, 1864, only 17 officers and 176 enlisted men were left to be mustered out. Sixty-four of these men reenlisted, and together with the recruits were transferred to the 17th Me. Not one of the original field and staff officers returned with the regiment and only one of the original captains--the veteran Moses B. Lakeman--who returned in command of the regiment.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Gettysburg after battle report:

Reports of Col. Moses B. Lakeman, Third Maine Infantry.
Near Warrenton, Va.,
July 27, 1863.

Capt.: I have the honor to submit the following report of thepart taken by my regiment at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., on the2d instant: By order, I formed my regiment in line of battle parallel to andfacing the Emmitsburg road, on the right of the brigade, at earlymorn. Soon after, by order of Gen. Ward, I moved my regimentas a support for a body of sharpshooters, under command of Col.Berdan, to whom I was ordered to report, by Capt. Briscoe, ofGen. Birney's staff.

Advancing to and for some distance on the Emmitsburg road, I approached a dense wood on the west side of the road, and on enteringit formed my regiment (as ordered) to support the advancingline of skirmishers, and followed at supporting distance. They soon, however, became hotly engaged, and, by order of Col. Berdan, I advanced double-quick to the line they occupied, and instantly formed my regiment under a heavy fire from the enemy, which wereturned with a good will. Here I labored under a decided disadvantage, which will account for my heavy loss. The skirmishers were well secured behind trees, while my battalion filled the intervals. The enemy showed himself in overwhelming force, but so well did we hold our position that his advance was much checked and very disastrous, and not until ordered by Col. Berdan to fallback did a single man leave the ranks, with the exception of thoses lightly wounded, when I retired, giving an occasional volley to check his advance, which now became quicker.

I was obliged to leave my dead and seriously wounded on the field, and on arriving at the road formed my regiment, which had gottensomewhat confused from loss of men and obstructions in our retreat. This engagement was short but very severe, and serves to give me a renewal of confidence in the men I command. I sustained a loss of 48 in killed, wounded, and missing. While on the move to join my brigade, I received an order from Gen. Birney to take position in a peach orchard on the right of my previous one, and accordingly moved my regiment there and occupiedit. Here I was enabled several times during the day to repulse the enemy's skirmishers (who seemed very anxious to drive usfrom it), and also to seriously harass the left flank of their advancing columns to the position which the other regiments of the brigade were holding, changing my front as circumstances required. In this position my regiment lay about midway between our own and the enemy's batteries, and a few of my command were more or less seriously injured from the frequent explosion of shells immediately over us.I was heavily pressed in front and on my right flank about 4 p.m., but succeeded in repulsing, with considerable loss, the force, which was much greater than mine, and sent them flying back to their covers. An hour later they came forward again with a force much greater than before, but I engaged them and held them for som efifteen minutes, when I received a severe flank fire on my left.

I then saw a large force marching round to cut me off, and ordered my regiment to retire, and while doing so we received a most distressing fire, which threw my command into much confusion, and mixing them up with a portion of the First Brigade, which was also fallingback.I regret to report the loss of my national colors, for no men fought harder under it that day than did my regiment, but Capt. Keene, of the color company, 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; 2 of the guardwere killed, and 4 others seriously wounded; and, as darkness was fast approaching, I did not miss it till the following morning. If I had, they would have had me and my little squad or I would have had my flag. As soon as I could rally the remains of my shattered regiment, I joined the brigade, and the men lay on their arms during the night. I am proud to say the conduct of my officers and men through out the entire day is deserving the highest praise. Their coolness and courage in resisting a force which they could plainly see was four times their number I cannot pass over lightly, but feel somewhat recompensed for my loss by the knowledge that the few I have left are of the same material as the gallant spirits that have fallen. I entered the engagement of the morning with 14 officers and 196 rifles, and lost during the day 113 killed, wounded, and missing, including Maj. Lee wounded, Capt. Keene killed, &c., a list of which has already been sent to headquarters. I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

MOSES B. LAKEMAN,Col., Comdg. Third Maine Regt.
Capt. John M. Cooney,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., First Div., Third Corps.
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Hdqrs. Third Maine Regt., July 27, 1863.

Col.:
I herewith respectfully report the movements of myregiment under your command at the battle of Gettysburg, on the 3d, 4th, and 5th instant. On or about noon of the 3d instant, I was, by order from Gen.Ward, sent as support to the Second Division of the Second Corps, which was being heavily pressed by the enemy, but who had succeeded in repulsing them before my arrival. I reported to Gen.Webb, and placed my regiment, as ordered by him, in support of abattery in our front, but our services were not required throughoutthe p. m. or night. Early on the morning of the 4th instant, I, with the Fourth Maine, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania, and Twentieth Indiana Regt.'s, advanced to the front, sending forward the skirmishers of the Second Corps, and, taking position on the Emmitsburg road, previously the skirmish line, relieved the skirmishers in my front, thereby being supported by, instead of supporting, the Second Corps. Quite brisk skirmishing took place during the day, but without loss, I am happy to state, to my regiment. I remained on this line until about 12 m. on the 5th, when I retired to the position occupied the previous morning, leaving my skirmishers still to the front, when, finding the enemy had gone, my skirmishers were relieved, and I, with the other regiments, joined thebrigade. Respectfully submitted.

MOSES B. LAKEMAN,Col., Comdg. Third Maine Regt.
P. S.--Permit me to add that the conduct of my officers and men throughout the whole of the trying engagement was admirable in the extreme, and they are highly deserving of special mention.S ource: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

Battles Fought
Fought on 21 Jul 1861 at Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1861.
Fought on 2 Apr 1862.
Fought on 2 May 1862.
Fought on 31 May 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1862.
Fought on 29 Jun 1862 at Richmond, VA.
Fought on 30 Jun 1862.
Fought on 1 Jul 1862 at Malvern Hill, VA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1862 at Malvern Hill, VA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1862 at MS River.
Fought on 29 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 30 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 31 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 1 Sep 1862 at Chantilly, VA.
Fought on 30 Sep 1862.
Fought on 4 Nov 1862.
Fought on 13 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 14 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 1 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 2 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1863 at Richmond, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1863.
Fought on 20 Jun 1863 at Gum Springs.
Fought on 20 Jun 1863.
Fought on 1 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1863.
Fought on 27 Sep 1863.
Fought on 9 Nov 1863 at Kelly's Ford, VA.
Fought on 1 May 1864.
Fought on 5 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 8 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 10 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 23 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 25 May 1864.
Fought on 30 May 1864.
Fought on 31 May 1864.
Fought on 1 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 4 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 16 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 17 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

All Quiet Along the Potomac

Potomac Bridge ca 1861 All Quiet Along the Potomac
By Ethel Lynn Beets

A poem that has been recited at thousands of Grand Army Campfires
and one of the immortal Favorites with the boys in Blue


All quiet along the Potomac, they say,
Except now and then a stray picket
Is shot as he walks on his beat to and fro,
By a rifleman hid in the thicket.'
Tis nothing, a private or two now and then
Will not count in the news of the battle;
Not an officer lost, only one of the men,
Moaning out all alone the death rattle.

All quiet along the Potomac tonight,
Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming,
Their tents in the rays of the clear autumn moon,
O'er the light of the watch fires, are gleaming;
A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night wind,
Through the forest leaves softly is creeping,
While stars up above, with their glittering eyes,
Keep guard for the army is sleeping.

There's only the sound of the lone sentry's tread,
As he tramps from the rock to the fountain,
And thinks of the two in the low trundle bed,
Far away in the cot on the mountain.
His musket falls slack, and his face, dark and grim,
Grows gentle with memories tender,
As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep,
For their mother, may Heaven defend her!

The moon seems to shine just as brightly as then,
That night when the love yet unspoken
Leaped up to his lips when low-murmured vows,
Were pledged to be ever unbroken.
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eye
He dashes off tears that are welling,
And gathers his gun closer up to its place
As if to keep down the heart-swelling.

He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree
The footstep is lagging and weary;
Yet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light,
Toward the shades of the forest so dreary.
Hark! Was it the night wind that rustled the leaves,
Was it moonlight so wondrously flashing?
It looks like a rifle -- "Ah! Mary, good-bye!"
And the lifeblood is ebbing and splashing.

All quiet along the Potomac tonight,
No sound save the rush of the river;
While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead --
The picket's off duty forever!

Reenactor Slang

I though it would be entertaining to list terms we use in our hobby. We all know people that fall into some of these categories!

Anachronism:
An item that doesn’t fit into the time period portrayed...Like a cell phone ringing in a tent.

Approximator; Period Close Enough
Someone whose clothing, equipment and activity only outwardly reflects the time period. Like a Ball gown with a Zipper up the back.

Awkward Squad
Used when drilling new recruits who are still Awkward. Seasoned soldiers will join the squad as "ballast" so the new revruits can follow the actions of the more experienced.

Authentic, Period Correct
People who take great care in their uniform and gear to be accurate.

BFH
A term used when marching to warn soldiers behind you that there is a Big Fricken Hole in the road.

BOB
Better off Bowling-refers to someone who is clueless about authenticity.

Cowboy
Definition 1-A farb or non authentic reenactor
Definition 2- one who does not follow rules concerning safety and acts silly or dangerous

Death March
An overly active and physically exhausting reenactment.

Death Marcher
A disparaging term for an officer who gets the troops lost.

Farb,Variations include Farbette, Farble, Farb-fest, Farb-a-thon, farb wannbee, Farbie Barbie
Non period, non authentic equipment or person who uses them.. Believed to be derived from "Far be it from me...." or "Fast and Researchless Buying" or an acronym for Barf.

Fresh Fish, Hayfoot, straw foot, sugarfoot, tenderfoot
New Recruits

Five Yard Rule
A rule for Authenticity in which an object must be indistinguishable from an original object at a distance of five yards

Frag, fragging, skagging
Modern term for the deliberate assassination of unpopular and dangerous officers or noncoms by shooting them in the back.

gods, stitch counters, authenticity police
The inspectors who pass through the ranks of men before a reenactment and check authenticity. Stitch counters look for hand sewn items.

Hardcores, progressives, fanatics
The ultra-authentics, who take authenticity to extremes trying to attain as close to 100% accuracy as possible.

Hotdog, Glory Hound
A reenactor who becomes too active during an event and does something foolish and dangerous, such as engaging in impromptu hand to hand fighting.

Iron Underwear
A unit who won’t take hits or suffer casualties

Kentucky Windage
Originally, in black powder shooting, to aim slightly away or above the target to allow for crosscurrents of wind and distance. Now used by reenactors to describe a gross exaggeration.

Mannequin
A reenactor who is dressed correctly but does not behave with historically accuracy. For example, discussing current news events or sports.

Powder Burner

An event that has a great deal of shooting. Also, a dangerous person who shoots wildly

Resurrection
The time at the end of an event when the troops who have taken hits stand up and fall back in line.

Scarlet O’Hara, Scarlet Fever, Magnolia, Farbie Barbie
A woman who overacts or over dresses as a "grande dame".

TBG
"Tubby bearded guy". Disparaging term used by female soldier reenactors to refer to their male counterparts, who criticize them for being unauthentic.

Virginia Private
Disparaging term for a person of self appointed high rank. For example a unit that is brass heavy.

Zebra Convention
A disparaging term for any event where there are more non-commissioned officers than was typical of the period.