MAINE 32ND INFANTRY

Thirty-second Infantry.-Col., Mark F. Wentworth; Lieut.Cols. John M. Brown, James L. Hunt, Maj., Arthur Deering. This regiment was raised in the counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc and York, and was mustered in at Augusta, from March 3 to May 6, 1864, to serve for three years. Such was the urgent demand for troops in the field, that six companies which had completed their organization left the state on April 20 for Washington, under the command of Maj. Deering. A few days later they were assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 9th corps, and at once hurried to the front. They overtook their corps, which had preceded them by three days, on May 6, and were continuously under fire during the battle of the Wilderness, while engaged in building fortifications and changing position. At Spottsylvania Court House, they were under fire for eight days and rendered most effective service throughout the whole action, holding an exposed part of the line and making numerous charges, losing heavily in men and officers. On the 25th they crossed the North Anna river under fire, and on the 26th were joined by the remaining four companies of the regiment, which had completed their organization on May 6th, and left for the: front on the 11th. The following is a list of battles in which this regiment, or a portion of it bore an honorable part: Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, June 17 to July 30; Weldon railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Pegram farm and Hatcher's run. The regiment charged most gallantly on July 30, when the Confederate works in their immediate front were blown up by Burnside's mine, and was one of the first to enter the works. It came out of this sanguinary fight with but 27 men under Adjt. Hayes, the only officer left, the loss in this engagement being 11 officers and about 100 men killed, wounded and captured. It again met with fearful loss when it sharply engaged the enemy near the Pegram house on Sept. 30. The regiment remained at the Pegram house from Oct. 28 to Nov. 30, and then moved to near Fort Hayes, where it remained until Dec. 12, where, under orders from the war department, 15 of its officers and 470 enlisted men were consolidated with the 31st Me., on account of the reduced state of both regiments and all surplus officers of the 32nd were mustered out.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Maine 32nd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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