Location help?

[Bmurph29]

Hoping someone recognizes this location. It's from a reunion and it's labeled as Devil's Den. When I look at photos of Devil's Den it looks quite different. My family member us 3rd from the left, Samuel Austin originally of the 3rd Maine. Thanks!

 

[James N.]

I agree that it doesn't look like Devil's den to me either. Calling @pamc153PA and @rpkennedy !

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. Hopefully it can be named for you

 

[bankerpapaw]

Looks more like Lookout Mountain than Devil's Den. I don't believe the rocks at Devil's Den are that big.

 

[ErnieMac]

The 3rd Maine served in the Army of the Potomac for its entire existence. I think Lookout Mountain would be unlikely.

 

[Fairfield]

Welcome! Which Samuel Austin is yours? Both had service in other units.

I don't know--but as a rank amateur, it could be Devils Den:

 

[pamc153PA]

Hoping someone recognizes this location. It's from a reunion and it's labeled as Devil's Den. When I look at photos of Devil's Den it looks quite different. My family member us 3rd from the left, Samuel Austin originally of the 3rd Maine. Thanks!View attachment 432101

Yep, it's Devil's Den. Nice pic!

 

[Bmurph29]

View attachment 432164

Yep, it's Devil's Den. Nice pic!

Yes!! The tree was throwing me off. Thanks!

 

[Bmurph29]

Welcome! Which Samuel Austin is yours? Both had service in other units.

I don't know--but as a rank amateur, it could be Devils Den:
View attachment 432162

Samuel W Austin out of New Sharon. He was also in the Rhise Island Light Artillery Battery E

 

[Fairfield]

Samuel W Austin out of New Sharon. He was also in the Rhise Island Light Artillery Battery E

New Sharon is a few miles away; I've been thru it but never stopped there. It is a small town and--I believe--always has been. It is a farming area. There were 2 other Austins from New Sharon in the Union army. Orrin Austin was also in the 3rd. Perhaps a relative?

Pvt. Samuel W. was actually born in Belgrade which is one of my favorite places. IMO it is one of the loveliest places in Maine---but a harder place to farm.

You've roots in some pretty places!

 

[Bmurph29]

New Sharon is a few miles away; I've been thru it but never stopped there. It is a small town and--I believe--always has been. It is a farming area. There were 2 other Austins from New Sharon in the Union army. Orrin Austin was also in the 3rd. Perhaps a relative?

Pvt. Samuel W. was actually born in Belgrade which is one of my favorite places. IMO it is one of the loveliest places in Maine---but a harder place to farm.

You've roots in some pretty places!

I still have lots of family up that way. Blackstone. Only visited a couple times and you're right, it is very beautiful.

 

[MRB1863]

Yes!! The tree was throwing me off. Thanks!

There were a few large trees at Devil's Den. Some of them may show in early Tipton photos. The shape and stratification on the rocks says to me they have the location correct. Devil's Den was a very popular spot for photos of veterans visiting post-battle. Perhaps that is the reason for the nearby location to have been used by Mumper and later Tipton as a photographic studio. Then later by "Blind Davey" as a souvenir and ice cream stand.

 

[lupaglupa]

How awesome that you have this picture!

 

[Mike Serpa]

Samuel W Austin out of New Sharon. He was also in the Rhise Island Light Artillery Battery E

His name appears several times in "The History of Battery E, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery"

The history of Battery E, First regiment Rhode Island light artillery, in the war of 1861 and 1865, to preserve the Union : Lewis, George, 1881- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

xi,[1], 540 p. 26 cm

archive.org

 

[Bmurph29]

His name appears several times in "The History of Battery E, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery"

The history of Battery E, First regiment Rhode Island light artillery, in the war of 1861 and 1865, to preserve the Union : Lewis, George, 1881- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

xi,[1], 540 p. 26 cm

archive.org

This is fantastic! Thanks for posting this. There's a gap in his service from the 3rd Maine to Rhide Island, during which Gettysburg would've been. Yet he went to at least one reunion there. Any thoughts on where I can keep looking to fill in the gap?

 

[Mike Serpa]

This is fantastic! Thanks for posting this. There's a gap in his service from the 3rd Maine to Rhide Island, during which Gettysburg would've been. Yet he went to at least one reunion there. Any thoughts on where I can keep looking to fill in the gap?

Sorry, no.

 

[lupaglupa]

Have you requested his pension file? Those often have the most complete listing of service dates and locations. Another place to look is at GAR records. Some posts had their members write down the stories of their service. I'm seen those online from a few posts and they are fascinating.

 

[Bmurph29]

Pretty new to this. Where would I request his pension file?

 

[Fairfield]

This is fantastic! Thanks for posting this. There's a gap in his service from the 3rd Maine to Rhide Island, during which Gettysburg would've been. Yet he went to at least one reunion there. Any thoughts on where I can keep looking to fill in the gap?

You might check Rhode Island's military records--especially of the 1st Light Infantry. According to HDS, his enlistment into the Rhode Island forces came at Catlett's Station in Virginia--so it doesn't look like he went home to Maine inbetween time. Since he had been taken prisoner in June of '63, it may be that he was in hospital.

 

[lupaglupa]

Pretty new to this. Where would I request his pension file?

They are held by the National Archives. You can request them online. This usually takes a LONG time to get them sent to you, Because of covid there is a real backlog. You can go to the Archives in person - though they are currently closed (again due to covid) and that requires you to be in Washington, DC. You can also hire a service to get the records for you for a fee.