MAINE SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Seventeenth Infantry.--Cols., Thomas A. Roberts, George W. West, Charles P. Mattocks; Lieut.-Cols., Charles B. Merrill, William Hobson; Majs., George W. West, Charles P. Mattocks. This regiment was recruited chiefly from the counties of York, Cumberland, Androscoggin and Oxford, and was mustered into the U. S. service at Camp King, Cape Elizabeth, Aug. 18, 1862, to serve for three years. On June 4, 1864, 129 of the recruits of the 3d Me., whose term of service had not expired on the date of the muster-out of that command, were transferred to the 17th. The war department also directed on Feb. 1, 1865, the transfer to this regiment of Co. D, 2nd U. S. sharpshooters. The members of the regiment whose term of service expired prior to Oct. 1, 1865, were mustered out at Bailey's cross-roads, June 4, 1865, and the remaining men were transferred to the 1st Me. heavy artillery. The 17th left the state for Washington Aug. 21, 1862, and occupied the line of forts on the east side of the Anacosta and north side of the Potomac rivers, until Oct. 7, engaged in both heavy artillery and infantry drill and garrison duty. It then joined the 3d brigade (Berry's), 1st division (Birney's), 3d corps, at Upton's hill, Va. On Dec. 13, 1862, it participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, losing 2 men killed and 19 wounded, and was complimented by Gen. Berry for the steadiness of the men, who were under fire for the first time. The regiment remained encamped at Falmouth, Va., until May 1, 1863, when it took part in the Chancellorsville campaign, being hotly engaged at Chancellorsville on May 2-3, losing 113 men in killed, wounded and missing out of about 625 men in the action. The regiment was next engaged at Gettysburg, during the last two days of the battle, where it lost 132 in killed, wounded and missing. On Nov. 27, it took a prominent part in the battle of Orange Grove, losing 52 men. It wintered at Brandy Station until March 25, 1864, during which time its ranks were filled by returned convalescents and recruits, and numbered about 500 men for the spring campaign. It was now assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3d division, 2nd army corps, and participated in the battle of the Wilderness, losing 24 men killed, 147 wounded and 12 missing. On the 12th, the corps made its famous charge upon the enemy's lines at the Po river, where the regiment lost 53 men, and on the 23d, in the charge which drove the enemy across the North Anna river, it lost 23 men. It was under fire at Cold Harbor, and in two assaults on the enemy's works at Petersburg it lost 84 men. Subsequently it encamped near Fort Sedgwick, where it remained until Feb. 5, 1865, having meanwhile taken part in the attack on the Weldon railroad under Gen. Warren. They subsequently participated in all the movements of the 2nd corps in the vicinity of Hatcher's run, until March 29, 1865. On May 1, it left Burkesville, Va., for Washington, where it was mustered out on June 4. Its aggregate losses during the years 1862, 1863 and 1864 were 745. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Charles B. Merrill, Seventeenth Maine Infantry. Battle-field of Gettysburg, Pa., July 5, 1863. Sir: In compliance with orders from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part sustained by the Seventeenth Regt. Maine Volunteers under my command in the battle of Gettysburg: On the morning of July 2, we broke camp at Emmitsburg at 4.30 o'clock, and marched toward Gettysburg, arriving upon the battlefield about 10 o'clock. Already the pickets of both armies were busily engaged, and with our brigade we were at once drawn up in line of battle, facing the pike leading to Gettysburg, where we rested under arms for an hour. Soon after this the line was changed, and we were moved forward and placed in a new position, supporting a line of skirmishers thrown toward the front by this brigade. About 4 p. m., the brigade of Gen. Ward having become actively engaged with the enemy on our left, I was ordered by Col. De Trobriand to march my regiment to connect with and support the line of Gen. Ward, on his right. The regiment at once moved by the left flank, and, crossing an interval between the two brigades, our line was formed behind a stone wall, which afforded a strong position. We opened fire upon the enemy, then within 100 yards of us. The contest became very severe, the enemy at times being driven back by our line, and then by superior numbers compelling us in turn to give way. The ground was hotly contested, but we held our position till, finding the right of my regiment outflanked and exposed to a murderous fire from the enemy's re-enforcements, I was obliged to form a new line, changing the right wing of the regiment into position at a right angle with the left. This movement was executed in good order, under a heavy fire from the advancing foe. In this position we continued the fight, checking the enemy till, receiving orders to retire, we fell back across a wheat-field in our rear to the edge of the woods. At this point, Maj.-Gen. Birney rode upon the field and directed our line to advance. With cheers for our gallant commander, the regiment moved quickly forward, and pouring into the enemy volley upon volley, their advance was checked. The contest was now of a most deadly character, almost hand to hand, and our loss was very severe. In the color guard of 10, but 3 escaped uninjured. Our ammunition being exhausted and fresh troops having arrived to take our places, we were ordered to withdraw from the field, which we did in good order. A new line was then formed but a short distance to the rear, where we bivouacked for the night. At early dawn (July 3) the regiment was drawn up in line of battle in the same position held by us on the previous forenoon. At 1 p. m., the enemy opening upon the whole line of our army a heavy artillery fire, and advancing to break through the position held by the right, we were ordered to proceed to re-enforce Gen. Doubleday. Proceeding at the double-quick, we were soon placed in line, supporting the Ninth Michigan Battery. Throughout the terrible attack of the enemy, we were exposed to a severe artillery fire, and suffered heavy loss of officers and men. After dark, the regiment was sent to the front on picket duty, where we remained during the night. Much attention was given by our men to the care of the wounded left upon the field. On July 4, the regiment was occupied nearly all day in throwing up earthworks, expecting a renewal of the attack by the enemy. On July 5, we moved into our present position. It is with sadness that I am compelled to report the loss of several valuable line officers: Lieut. Dyer, commanding Company G, was instantly killed in the engagement on the 2d, while Capt. Fogg, Company H, was carried from the field mortally wounded. Adjt. C. W. Roberts, a gallant soldier, was seriously wounded in the leg, requiring amputation. Throughout these engagements both officers and men of my command behaved with gallantry, and their conduct was worthy of the cause in which they were engaged and of the noble division to which they belong. Many of the men were without shoes; the whole command had been without rations for nearly twenty-four hours, and, after a long and tedious march from Camp Sickles, were poorly fitted for the labors which they were called upon to perform. Our gratitude is due to Almighty God for the success with which He has crowned our exertions. The list of casualties, herewith annexed, shows the severity of the contest in which the regiment participated: Officers and men. K. W. M. T. Officers........................................ 1 7 ... 8 Enlisted men.................................... 17 105 2 124 Total*.................................... 18 112 2 132 K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, CHARLES BENJAMIN MERRILL, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Seventeenth Regt. Maine Volunteers. Capt. Ben. M. Piatt, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

Maine 17th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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