Maine at War: March 2021
Here’s what our friend Brian Swartz was up to in March at his blog, Maine at War:
March 3, 2021: Super Horse meets his Gettysburg kryptonite
As James Longstreet’s attack pounds III Corps at Gettysburg, Union artillery commander Lt. Col. Freeman McGilvery and his horse race across the battlefield for hours to hustle artillery batteries into position and pull others away from destruction. A pincushion for Southern lead and shrapnel, McGilvery’s horse stays on its hooves … for only so long.
March 10, 2021: Lakeman loses larking lieutenants
With his 3rd Maine Infantry tramping toward Gettysburg, Col. Moses Lakeman needs every officer present for duty. One morning four officers sneak out for a home-cooked breakfast and female companionship, and it doesn’t end well.
March 17, 2021: Unofficial integration: Maine Indians and “white” regiments
Certain “white” Maine regiments make an exception to War Department regulations by enlisting Native Americans from Pine Tree State tribes.
March 24, 2021: Mainers go violent at the Devil’s Den, part 1
As J.H. Hobart Ward’s left flank collapses at the Devil’s Den, Mainers and Alabamians go head to toe in violent combat.
March 24, 2021: Mainers go violent at the Devil’s Den, part 2
In his memoirs, Col. Elijah Walker lets slip a glimpse of the violence swirling around him as his 4th Maine Infantry defends the terrain around the Devil’s Den.
Freeman McGivilrey(and his horse) performed heroically. In many ways, the fighting near the Trostle and Rose Farms was as nasty as any during the three day battle @ Gettysburg.
Agreed. Bigelow’s stand at Trostle Farm was incredible.
Following up on the February “Maine at War,” and in furthering this week’s emphasis “On the Eve of War,” a mystery: Senator Jefferson Davis and his 1858 visit to Maine. It is known that Senator Davis journeyed to Maine soon as his “Eye ailment” allowed him to travel; but while visits to health resorts or invigorating spas would be expected, the recovering senator seems to have invested his time in campaigning for Democrat candidates in Portland and Boston during his July holiday. One of the few non-campaign engagements was a side trip to Thomaston Maine, where a visit to the home of Major General Henry Knox (died 1806) was conducted. General Knox had enjoyed a special relationship with George Washington; and Knox was President Washington’s Secretary of War (an office later held by Jefferson Davis.) Could Senator Davis have sought any particular information at the Knox home, “Montpelier,” during his visit? Or was he just in search of inspiration? [Upon return south, it is said Senator Davis gave a fiery speech in favor of secession before the Mississippi Senate in November 1858.]