2nd Maine Infantry Regiment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 2nd Maine Infantry Regiment
2nd Maine Infantry at Camp Jameson, 1861
Active	May 28, 1861, to June 9, 1863
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Engagements	First Battle of Bull Run Peninsula Campaign Second Battle of Bull Run Battle of Antietam Battle of Chancellorsville
Commanders
Colonel	Charles D. Jameson
Lt. Col.	Charles W. Roberts

The 2nd Maine Infantry Regiment was a special group of soldiers from Maine who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. They were also known as the Second Maine Regiment or The Bangor Regiment. This group of soldiers officially joined the army in Bangor, Maine, on May 28, 1861. They served for two years and then returned home to Bangor on June 9, 1863.

Many of the soldiers in the 2nd Maine came from Bangor. Some of these companies had fun names like the "Gymnasium Company" and the "Grattan Guards." There was even a group called "Ex-Tigers," who were firemen before joining the army. Other soldiers came from towns like Castine, Milo, and Old Town.

The 2nd Maine was the very first group of soldiers from Maine to leave the state and head to war. People cheered for them as they traveled to Washington, D.C. This brave regiment fought in "eleven bloody and hard-fought battles." One of their first big fights was the First Battle of Bull Run, where they were the last group to leave the battlefield. They also faced their toughest battle at Fredericksburg, where they had the most soldiers hurt or lost.

When the regiment returned to Bangor, huge crowds gathered to welcome them home. A special ceremony was held to celebrate their bravery. Some soldiers had signed up for three years instead of two. These soldiers were then moved to the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

A Brave Start: The Regiment's Journey

Even though it was called the "Second" Maine Regiment, this group was actually the first to leave Maine for the war. The soldiers came together in Bangor. Some of the companies were already part of Colonel Jameson's old group, and they joined this new regiment. Other companies were brand new. The regiment was fully ready and left Maine on May 14, 1861.

At first, they signed up for three months. But on May 28, they officially joined the United States Army for two years. During their time serving, the 2nd Maine went through many tough challenges. They fought in eleven major battles and many smaller fights. They always did well and were known for their bravery.

Major Battles and Brave Leaders

The 2nd Maine fought in many important battles. These included the First and Second Battles of Bull Run, Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. The regiment's amazing fighting record was thanks to its skilled officers.

They showed how tough they were in their very first battle at Bull Run. Colonel Keyes, who was in charge of their group, said that the 2nd Maine's charge up a hill against the enemy was incredibly brave. Colonel Jameson, who was the first volunteer and first colonel from Maine, was promoted to a higher rank because of his courage in this battle.

After Colonel Jameson, Lieutenant Colonel Roberts took command. Later, Lieutenant Colonel Varney became the colonel. Some soldiers faced consequences for not following orders, but many returned to serve faithfully. In October 1861, one company, Company I, had very few soldiers left. A new company was formed in December to take its place.

By July 1862, the 2nd Maine had only 257 soldiers ready to fight. After the Second Battle of Bull Run, only 137 men could still carry their weapons. This shows how incredibly hard they fought. The regiment officially finished its service in June 1863. In total, 1,228 men joined the regiment. About 275 of them returned home when their service ended. Another 120 soldiers, who had signed up for three years, were moved to the 20th Maine Regiment.

Important People in the 2nd Maine

The first leader of the 2nd Maine was Colonel Charles Davis Jameson. He was a lumber merchant from Old Town. He later became a general, was hurt in battle, and sadly passed away from an illness.

First Commander of the 2nd Maine, Charles Davis Jameson.

Colonel Charles W. Roberts of Bangor took over after Jameson. His horse was shot from under him during the Second Battle of Bull Run. The last commander of the regiment was Colonel George Varney.

The "Ex-Tigers" group was led by Captain Daniel Sargent from Brewer, Maine. He was later promoted to lieutenant colonel, becoming second in command under Colonel Varney.

Augustus Choate Hamlin of Bangor was the regiment's Assistant Surgeon, meaning he helped care for the wounded soldiers. He was also the nephew of Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. After the war, he wrote books about important historical events.

Quartermaster Sergeant Luther H. Peirce became a very successful lumber merchant in Bangor. He used his money to help build a monument for the 2nd Maine at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Private J. Sumner Rogers later became an officer and went on to start the Michigan Military Academy.

What the Regiment Lost

The 2nd Maine Infantry Regiment faced many dangers.

• 69 soldiers were killed in battle or died from their wounds.
• 70 soldiers died from diseases.

During the First Battle of Bull Run, the regiment had 47 soldiers killed or wounded. More than 100 soldiers were also missing, which likely included those taken prisoner by the enemy.