MAINE THIRD INFANTRY (Three Years)

Third Infantry--Col., Oliver O. Howard; Lieut.-Col., Isaac N. Tucker; Maj., Henry G. Staples. This regiment responded to the first call for troops with promptness and alacrity. It was rendezvoused on the state house grounds at Augusta and was composed mainly of Kennebec lumbermen. The regiment was most fortunate in having for its colonel Oliver O. Howard, who rose rapidly to the rank of major-general and gained for himself a name distinguished among the nation's heroes. During the long three years' service the regiment was successively commanded by Maj. Staples and Capt. Moses B. Lakeman of Co. I, Lieut.-Col. Tucker having resigned to become brigade quartermaster. On the resignation of Lieut.-Col. Tucker, Capt. Sampson of Co. D, Capt. Lakeman and Adjt. Burt served as lieutenant-colonel in the order named. Succeeding Henry G. Staples as major were Adjt. Burt and Capt. William C. Morgan. Of the original companies of the regiment Co. A (Bath City Greys) had existed under former militia laws and the others were new organizations. The regiment was mustered into the United States service on June 4, 1861, and left the state for the front the next day. Perhaps no regiment from the state saw more fighting or rendered more distinguished service. From the first battle of Bull Run, until the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, the regiment participated in most of the important battles and movements of the Army of the Potomac. The operations of the so-called "Stove-Pipe Artillery" commenced with this regiment. While encamped at Flag Hill, Va., they employed the ruse of mounting a stove-pipe on wheels, and drew 12 shots from the enemy at their cannon. The loss of the 3d in killed and wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks was nearly onethird of the men engaged. It was in this engagement that Sergt.-Maj. F. W. Haskell of Waterville so greatly distinguished himself as to win the commendation of his colonel and of the entire regiment. The 3d gave an excellent account of itself in the battle of Gettysburg. At the close of the second day's fighting Gen. Sickles declared that, "The little 3d Me. saved the army today." Its loss at Gettysburg was 113 killed, wounded and missing. On the return of the regiment to Augusta, June 11, 1864, only 17 officers and 176 enlisted men were left to be mustered out. Sixty-four of these men reenlisted, and together with the recruits were transferred to the 17th Me. Not one of the original field and staff officers returned with the regiment and only one of the original captains--the veteran Moses B. Lakeman--who returned in command of the regiment. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Reports of Col. Moses B. Lakeman, Third Maine Infantry. Near Warrenton, Va., July 27, 1863. Capt.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., on the 2d instant: By order, I formed my regiment in line of battle parallel to and facing the Emmitsburg road, on the right of the brigade, at early morn. Soon after, by order of Gen. Ward, I moved my regiment as a support for a body of sharpshooters, under command of Col. Berdan, to whom I was ordered to report, by Capt. Briscoe, of Gen. Birney's staff. Advancing to and for some distance on the Emmitsburg road, I approached a dense wood on the west side of the road, and on entering it formed my regiment (as ordered) to support the advancing line of skirmishers, and followed at supporting distance. They soon, however, became hotly engaged, and, by order of Col. Berdan, I advanced double-quick to the line they occupied, and instantly formed my regiment under a heavy fire from the enemy, which we returned with a good will. Here I labored under a decided disadvantage, which will account for my heavy loss. The skirmishers were well secured behind trees, while my battalion filled the intervals. The enemy showed himself in overwhelming force, but so well did we hold our position that his advance was much checked and very disastrous, and not until ordered by Col. Berdan to fall back did a single man leave the ranks, with the exception of those slightly wounded, when I retired, giving an occasional volley to check his advance, which now became quicker. I was obliged to leave my dead and seriously wounded on the field, and on arriving at the road formed my regiment, which had gotten somewhat confused from loss of men and obstructions in our retreat. This engagement was short but very severe, and serves to give me a renewal of confidence in the men I command. I sustained a loss of 48 in killed, wounded, and missing. While on the move to join my brigade, I received an order from Gen. Birney to take position in a peach orchard on the right of my previous one, and accordingly moved my regiment there and occupied it. Here I was enabled several times during the day to repulse the enemy's skirmishers (who seemed very anxious to drive us from it), and also to seriously harass the left flank of their advancing columns to the position which the other regiments of the brigade were holding, changing my front as circumstances required. In this position my regiment lay about midway between our own and the enemy's batteries, and a few of my command were more or less seriously injured from the frequent explosion of shells immediately over us. I was heavily pressed in front and on my right flank about 4 p. m., but succeeded in repulsing, with considerable loss, the force, which was much greater than mine, and sent them flying back to their covers. An hour later they came forward again with a force much greater than before, but I engaged them and held them for some fifteen minutes, when I received a severe flank fire on my left. I then saw a large force marching round to cut me off, and ordered my regiment to retire, and while doing so we received a most distressing fire, which threw my command into much confusion, and mixing them up with a portion of the First Brigade, which was also falling back. I regret to report the loss of my national colors, for no men fought harder under it that day than did my regiment, but Capt. Keene, of the color company, and his first and only lieutenant, Henry Penniman, fell, the former pierced by four bullets, the latter severely wounded in the leg. The color-bearer fell, wounded; 2 of the guard were killed, and 4 others seriously wounded; and, as darkness was fast approaching, I did not miss it till the following morning. If I had, they would have had me and my little squad or I would have had my flag. As soon as I could rally the remains of my shattered regiment, I joined the brigade, and the men lay on their arms during the night. I am proud to say the conduct of my officers and men throughout the entire day is deserving the highest praise. Their coolness and courage in resisting a force which they could plainly see was four times their number I cannot pass over lightly, but feel somewhat recompensed for my loss by the knowledge that the few I have left are of the same material as the gallant spirits that have fallen. I entered the engagement of the morning with 14 officers and 196 rifles, and lost during the day 113 killed, wounded, and missing, including Maj. Lee wounded, Capt. Keene killed, &c., a list of which has already been sent to headquarters. I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, MOSES B. LAKEMAN, Col., Comdg. Third Maine Regt. Capt. John M. Cooney, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., First Div., Third Corps. ----Hdqrs. Third Maine Regt., July 27, 1863. Col.: I herewith respectfully report the movements of my regiment under your command at the battle of Gettysburg, on the 3d, 4th, and 5th instant. On or about noon of the 3d instant, I was, by order from Gen. Ward, sent as support to the Second Division of the Second Corps, which was being heavily pressed by the enemy, but who had succeeded in repulsing them before my arrival. I reported to Gen. Webb, and placed my regiment, as ordered by him, in support of a battery in our front, but our services were not required throughout the p. m. or night. Early on the morning of the 4th instant, I, with the Fourth Maine, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania, and Twentieth Indiana Regt.'s, advanced to the front, sending forward the skirmishers of the Second Corps, and, taking position on the Emmitsburg road, previously the skirmish line, relieved the skirmishers in my front, thereby being supported by, instead of supporting, the Second Corps. Quite brisk skirmishing took place during the day, but without loss, I am happy to state, to my regiment. I remained on this line until about 12 m. on the 5th, when I retired to the position occupied the previous morning, leaving my skirmishers still to the front, when, finding the enemy had gone, my skirmishers were relieved, and I, with the other regiments, joined the brigade. Respectfully submitted. MOSES B. LAKEMAN, Col., Comdg. Third Maine Regt. P. S.--Permit me to add that the conduct of my officers and men throughout the whole of the trying engagement was admirable in the extreme, and they are highly deserving of special mention.

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

Maine 3rd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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