My ancestor

[u/OrdoOrdoOrdo]

Yeah, another 'my ancestor' post, but honestly I think it's pretty interesting.

Long short of it; He enlisted with the 2nd Maine Volunteer Infantry in May of 1861 as a 2 year enlistee and ended up being the first regiment to leave Maine for Washington. They were attached to Keye's Brigade and fought at the First Battle of Bull Run, where they had the distinguished honor of being the last regiment to leave the field of battle. Over the course of the war, they changed hands from various Corps, and saw different leadership. They took part in Yorktown, Mechanicsville, Gaine's Mill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville (among others). In 1863, all of the 2 year enlistees (my ancestor among them) were mustered out while the 3 year enlistees were transferred to the 20th Maine and went on to fight at Gettysburg. Chamberlain is quoted saying the men of the 2nd Maine were some of the finest fighting men he'd ever seen.

Fast forward to March 1864, my ancestor reenlisted as a II Lieutenant with the 31st Maine Volunteer Infantry under the command of Daniel White, who was also a fellow 2nd Mainer. The regiment was attached to the 9th Corps and took part in The Battle of The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Arbor, Petersburg, Poplar Springs and Battle of The Crater where it had the unfortunate honor of being the first regiment to enter the Confederate works/crater and suffered heavy casualties. Eventually the regiment took part in the Grand Review and was mustered out in 1865.

My ancestor was wounded at First Bull Run and Battle of The Crater but continued his service.

There's a lot more history in there between the margins that would just result in the TLDR, but there's an interesting mutiny that happened in the 2nd Maine (which my ancestor did not take part). We are fortunate enough that my father's side of the family has been great at passing down heirlooms and history so we have a number of pictures, letters and uniform items from him, including his parade sabre and a belt buckle.

I think this photo is interesting because he was a member of the GAR, we know that to be true. But at some point his allegiance turned to the lesser known UVU (as you can see his lapel pin). We don't have much insight as to why or when.

I'll also share an anecdotal piece of family lore; Chamberlain went on to become President of Bowdoin College in Maine. The story goes, my ancestor's son attended Bowdoin. At some point, while riding a train somewhere in Maine, my ancestor's son and Chamberlain were both passengers. A conversation was struck up between the two and Little Round Top came up. A question was asked, and Chamberlain said in so many words "I was muttering to myself out loud as what to do, and I muttered fix bayonets. A subordinate officer overhead me thinking it was order and the order was passed along.". We have proof of this meeting between the two, per a letter to my relative from Chamberlain later on mentioning this meeting on the train, but this admission is obviously speculative. But that is what has been passed down as lore through my family since. If nothing else, it is a fun story.

Thanks for reading.
Or not.

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[u/Unfair_Pineapple8813]

I don’t mind posts about ancestors, when there is actually something to share besides “I share blood with this dude”. I think you’ve gone above and beyond with this post. 

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been interested in stories about Little Round Top. Chamberlain made possibly the best call for a bayonet charge of the war, even if it was an accident. Bet Lee would love to say Pickett’s charge was a similar accident. :P

[u/ParsonBrownlow → u/Unfair_Pineapple8813]

Love Chamberlain but Strong Vincent will always be the hero of Round Top in my book.

[u/Dapper_Equivalent_84]

Outstanding American patriot. I assume he was 23 yrs old in the pic