2nd Maine Infantry.

[Robert Gray]

These photographs, show the 2nd Maine Infantry regiment at Camp Jameson on Christmas day, 1861. The encampment was at Hall's Hill across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

The 2nd Maine was mustered in Bangor, Maine, for two years' service on May 28, 1861, and mustered out in the same place on June 9, 1863.

The 2nd was the first regiment to march out of the state, and was greeted with accolades by civilians as it made its way to Washington, D.C. It engaged in "eleven bloody and hard-fought battles" including the First Battle of Bull Run, where it was the last regiment to leave the field, and Fredericksburg, where it took its greatest number of casualties.

When the regiment was mustered out in Bangor, huge crowds gathered to celebrate its return on Broadway, and a ceremony was held at Norumbega Hall downtown. Those soldiers who had enlisted for three years, rather than two, were transferred to the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment under protest.

The regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 65 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 70 Enlisted men by disease. Total 139.

Photo credits:
Library of Congress (pnp-ppmsca-32900-32945)
National Archives (NARA - 524896, NARA-524903)

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

The background of this photo appears to be a fine example of the way Union soldiers set up more permanent camps. Many wrote in their diaries and memoirs of transplanting evergreens to enhance the aesthetics of their surroundings.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

About 120 soldiers that enlisted for three years in the 2nd Maine were transferred (under protest) to the 20th. Maine - just prior to Gettysburg.

 

[Union_Buff]

@Nathan Stuart I have always wondered if the 120 soldiers from the 2nd Maine were a single company or 120 from the regiment overall?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

@Nathan Stuart I have always wondered if the 120 soldiers from the 2nd Maine were a single company or 120 from the regiment overall?

Union Buff, in the absence of any specific evidence found, think they were from the regiment overall. Apparently B-G James Barnes consolidated the 120 three-year volunteers from the 2nd Maine into one group. Describing them as being 'consolidated' suggests to me that they were likely drawn from different companies. These soldiers were on the verge of mutiny when they were transferred on May 23. Believe that all of them, except six, accepted Chamberlain's offer to serve in the 20th Maine.

 

[lupaglupa]

Great photo! The whole issue of incorporating these men into the 20th Maine is the basis for a key early scene in the movie "Gettysburg."

 

[John Hartwell]

@Nathan Stuart I have always wondered if the 120 soldiers from the 2nd Maine were a single company or 120 from the regiment overall?

For a full explanation of the situation:

Chamberlain - Joshua Chamberlain and "the Misfits of the 2nd Maine" | Famous People of the Late Unpleasantness

One of the memorable early scenes in the movie "Gettysburg" regards the arrival of "the misfits of the 2nd Maine" at the camp of Chamberlain's 20th Maine; and also the latter's long, preachy speech to them. That all actually happened back in May, several weeks earlier than the movie suggests...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I really, really, appreciate it when the longer term members can post a link to an older thread like this that covers the topic at hand. There is so much rich information in earlier threads but it is darned hard to uncover sometimes.

 

[Union_Buff]

For a full explanation of the situation:

Chamberlain - Joshua Chamberlain and "the Misfits of the 2nd Maine" | Famous People of the Late Unpleasantness

One of the memorable early scenes in the movie "Gettysburg" regards the arrival of "the misfits of the 2nd Maine" at the camp of Chamberlain's 20th Maine; and also the latter's long, preachy speech to them. That all actually happened back in May, several weeks earlier than the movie suggests...

civilwartalk.com

Thank you kindly for the link John - it is much appreciated