7th Maine Regiment Infantry

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 7th Maine Infantry was organized and mustered into service on August 21, 1861, in Augusta, Maine. The regiment consisted of volunteers primarily from Kennebec County, with additional recruits from other parts of the state. Colonel Edwin C. Mason initially commanded the regiment.

In 1862, the 7th Maine Infantry took part in the Peninsula Campaign, including engagements at Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Fair Oaks. They also fought in the Battle of Antietam in September 1862, where they suffered significant casualties.

One of the most notable engagements for the 7th Maine Infantry occurred at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. They were heavily engaged in the assault on Marye's Heights, facing a formidable Confederate defensive position. The regiment fought courageously but sustained heavy losses.

In 1863, the 7th Maine Infantry participated in the Battle of Chancellorsville, where they were engaged in heavy fighting. They also fought at Gettysburg, playing a crucial role in the defense of Cemetery Hill on the second day of the battle.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment continued to serve in various campaigns, including the Wilderness Campaign, the Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. They were present during the final days of the war and participated in the pursuit of General Robert E. Lee's army, leading to Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

The regiment was mustered out on June 5, 1865. 1,505 men served in the 7th Maine Infantry Regiment at one point or another during its service. Of these. 152 were killed in action or died of their wounds; 403 men were wounded; another 212 died of various diseases while in the service, and 19 men perished in Confederate prisoner-of-war camps. OFFICERS:

Lt. Col. Seldon Connor - August 21, 1861, to May 5, 1864. (Promoted to colonel in January 1864; severely wounded in the Wilderness)

Col. Edwin Mason - May 6 to August 21, 1864 (mustered out with the regiment)

ASSIGNMENTS:
Attached to Dix's Division, August to October, 1861. Davidson's Brigade, W. F. Smith's Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to May, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, to August, 1864. SERVICE:
Duty at Baltimore, Md., until October 25, 1861. Moved to Washington, D.C. Duty at Georgetown Heights until November 7, and at Lewinsville, Va., until March, 1862. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15. Return to Alexandria, thence moved to Fortress Monroe, Va., March 23-24. Reconnaissance to Watt's Creek March 27-31. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Advance up the peninsula May 9-13. At White House until May 19. Mechanicsville May 23-24. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Garnett's and Golding's Farms June 27-28. Savage Station June 29. White Oak Swamp Bridge and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing until August 15. Movement to Fortress Monroe, thence to Centreville, August 15-27. In works at Centreville August 27-31. Assist in checking Pope's rout at Bull Run August 30, and cover retreat to Fairfax C. H. September 1. Maryland Campaign September-October. Crampton's Pass, South Mountain, September 14. Battle of Antietam September 16- 17. Ordered home to recruit October, and at Portland, Me., until January 21, 1863. Joined Brigade and Division at White Oak Church, Va., January 25. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin's Crossing April 29-May 2. Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Banks' Ford May 4. (Co. "F" Joined May 23.) Operations at Franklin's Crossing June 5-13. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-4. Fairfield July 5. Near Funkstown, Md., July 10-13. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannook Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River May 3-June 15, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Spotsylvania May 8-12; Spotsylvania C. H. May 12-21. "Bloody Angle," assault on the Salient, May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 17-July 9. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23. Moved to Washington, D.C., July 9-11. Repulse of Early's attack on Washington, D.C., July 1!-12, Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 7-21. Mustered out at Charlestown, Va., August 21, 1864. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 1st Maine Veteran Infantry. ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contain the names of 2977 men.
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