5th Maine Regiment Infantry


HISTORICAL NOTES:

The Maine 5th Infantry Regiment was mustered into service on June 24, 1861, in Portland, Maine, in response to President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops. The men of the 5th Maine were primarily recruited from the counties of Cumberland, York, and Oxford in Maine.

Initially commanded by Colonel Nathaniel J. Jackson, the regiment was soon assigned to the Army of the Potomac. It saw its first major action in the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) in July 1861. The regiment fought bravely but suffered heavy casualties.

In subsequent years, the 5th Maine Infantry participated in several significant battles and campaigns. Some of the notable engagements include the Peninsula Campaign in 1862, where they fought in battles like Fair Oaks and Malvern Hill. They also took part in the Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas), Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness Campaign.

At the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the 5th Maine Infantry played a prominent role. On the second day of the battle, July 2, they were positioned on the extreme left of the Union line at Little Round Top, a vital position that they helped defend against repeated Confederate attacks. Their steadfast resistance and desperate bayonet charge became legendary, and they played a crucial part in securing the Union victory at Gettysburg.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment continued to serve in various campaigns, including the Overland Campaign, Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. They were present at General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively marking the end of the Civil War.

Throughout its service, the Maine 5th Infantry Regiment earned a reputation as a reliable and disciplined unit, known for its courage and determination on the battlefield. However, like many regiments of the Civil War, they suffered significant casualties. By the time of their mustering out on July 27, 1864, Dyer states that 107 men were killed in action or died of wounds, while another 77 died of disease. Whitman, William E S; True, Charles H. in "Maine in the War for the Union" states they had 137 men dying or being killed in battle (though the same volume, in appendix, also claims 143 for casualty count). OFFICERS:

  • Mark H. Dunnell
  • Nathaniel J. Jackson
  • Edward Scamman
  • Clark S. Edwards
    • ASSIGNMENTS:

    Attached to Howard's Brigade, Heintzelman's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeastern Virginia, to August, 1861. Heintzelman's Brigade, Division of the Potomac, to October, 1862. Slocum's Brigade, Franklin's Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, Army Potomac and Dept. of the Rappahannock, to May, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to June, 1864. BATTLES:

  • First Bull Run
  • Peninsular Campaign
  • West Point
  • Gaines Mill
  • Goldings Farm
  • Malvern Hill
  • Crampton's Gap (Antietam Campaign)
  • Antietam
  • Fredericksburg
  • Chancellorsville
  • Gettysburg
  • Funkstown, MD [3]
  • Rappahannock Station (Bristoe Campaign)
  • Locust Grove (Mine Run Campaign)
  • Wilderness
  • Spotsylvania
  • North Anna
  • Cold Harbor
  • Petersburg
    • ROSTERS:

    The composite rosters of this unit contain the names of 1870 men.
  • Company A - Graham Company
  • Company B - Biddeford Company
  • Company C - Saco Company
  • Company D - Brunswick Company
  • Company E - Lewiston Company
  • Company F - Portland Company
  • Company G - Portland Company
  • Company H - Portland Company
  • Company I - Bethel Company
  • Company K - Minot Company
    • BIBLIOGRAPHY:
    Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. Vol. 2. Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 1998. Ref. See p. 1222 (1 photocopied page) for a concise summary of the regiment's service.

    Edwards, Abial H. "Dear Friend Anna": The Civil War Letters of a Common Soldier From Maine. Orono, ME: U ME, 1992. 161 p. E601E38.

    Maine. AGO. Annual Report...for the Years 1864 and 1865. Augusta, ME: Stevens & Sayward, 1866. Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2010. UA43M2.1864-1865.AppD. See pp. 379-86 (5 photocopied pages) for a roster of the regiment. Although regimental rosters appear in earlier Annual Reports, that found in this edition is the most complete for the unit's wartime service.

    Whitman, William W.S. Maine in the War for the Union: A History of the Part Borne by Maine Troops.... Lexington, ME: Nelson Dingley, 1865. Powder Springs, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2010. E511W61. See pp. 225-60 (19 photocopied pages) for a brief history of the regiment.
    REFERENCES:
    Dyer, Frederick H. - A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
    The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1






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