Maine in the Civil War
Ebay Maine Civil War First Maine Heavy Artillery Site
|
[ Back to the listing ]
[ Post Reply ]
[ Help ]
[ Search ]
[ List All Forums ] |
 Posted By: Gerald Thompson on: 06/28/2002 10:15:17 CDTSubject: 12th. and 14th. Maine regiments |
Message Detail:
|
To all who are interested in the 12th. and 14th. Maine regiments; This article appeared in the Lewiston Evening Journal dated October 4th, 1864. 12TH.AND 14TH. MAINE REGIMENTS AT WINCHESTER: The 12th. and 14th. Maine regiments as well as the other Maine troops engaged, did a noble service at the battle of Winchester. Details under date of 22d ult:- Monday morning at 1 o'clock we started on the Winchester Pike. It was a splendid moonlight morning, and we made good marching. We arrived within a mile of Winchester at about 11 o'clock A.M., and formed line of battle. Our brigade-the 1st., 2nd. division,- formed a portion of the first line and consquently got the hottest of it. We advanced at about 12; drove the Rebels through one piece of woods, through an open field, and into another piece of woods. It was the intention of our Brigade commander to halt the line at he edge of this second piece of woods and adjust the formation, as it had become somewhat irregular in advancing so far, but when the men arrived at the woods they gave a yell and started forward upon the double quick with such impetuosity that it was impossable for a command to be heard. They drove the rebals completely out of the woods, killing and wounding many, but being so much in advance of the line on the right, found themselves under a terrible cross fire from a battery of six pieces, which made it necessasry to fall back. The charge would habe been a complete success, and would have been the only charge of the day had all advanced as rapidly and fiercely as did our Brigade. It was a grand charge. Not only our Brigade but the whole first line fell back. Our loss was heavy-the entire loss being in this charge. It will be seen that Capt. S.F. Thompson of Co. I, from Bangor, and Capt. D.M. Phillips of Co. H, from Gorham, are killed. The former was struck by a canister shot in the breast and instantly killed. The latter was in command of the skirmish line of the Regiment, and was advancing on the double quick, swinging his sword over his head and cheering on his men, when a ball struck him in the leg above the knee, severing an artery. It was impossable to bring him from the field, he was so near the front, and when we again advanced over the ground he was dead. He was a young man of talents and education. The 14th. Maine was on our left, and the State of Maine has reason to be proud of it's brave conduct. Sergt. Morse of Co.I, from Carmel, with another man from another regiment, captured four Johnnies and took them to the Provost Marshal. The rebs ordered them to surrender, but they suddenly betook themselves to a revine, and when the Johnnies came up with unloaded guns, the sergeant brought one down with one charge the other three threw up their hats in token of surrender. The 12th. and 14th. Maine regiments advanced shoulder to shoulder in the charge, losing about equally, in proportion to their numbers. Maine regiments never did better. Two officers in each now lie buried side by side near our Division hospital. Our regiment went into action with about 265 officers and men. Our loss is consequently one to every four, and will be seen by the enclosed list which I will send, and this is about the proportion through the whole Brigade-the entire loss of the 1st. Brigade, 2nd. Division being between 500 and 600. Of the entire loss in our army we cannot, of course, yet form an estimate. Our Corps, the 19th, evidently lost heavily in wounded. We left nearly 600, from our division, at the hospital on Tuesday morning. The 1st.Division did not probasbly lose so heavily, while the 6th. corps and Crook's command of the 8th. must have suffered severly. Our wounded are being removed to Winchester, where they will be well cared for. We are sorry to learn that Capt. Goodwin of Co. H has died of his wounds. Staples of Co E, has also died.-Capt. Gardner, of Co.I, is doing well, with his right arm amputated. We keenly feel the loss of these officers and men. We should be glad to see our supplies coming up, as the last of our four days rations in haversacks were eaten today noon. All are in good spirits, however, and make the best of everything; one man in Co. C, who has eaten nothing but green corn and apples today. tells Col. Ilsley that he is going to have a supper of faith, sweetened with love of country, and stired up with a big bounty-he's a veteran. Note! I have the list of casualities for the 14th. Maine Regiment mentioned in this article. |
|
