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31st Maine
Regiment Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Thirty-first Infantry. — Cols., Thomas Hight, Daniel White; Lieut-
Cols., Thomas Hight, Stephen C. Talbot, Edward L. Getchell; Majs., Stephen C. Talbot,
Daniel White, George A. Bolton. This regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at
Augusta, from March 1 to April 29, 1864, to serve for three years. The 4th and 6th
companies of unassigned infantry, organized at Augusta in Oct., 1864, to serve for one
year, were assigned to this regiment as Companies L and M. The 32nd Me. was consolidated
with this regiment on Dec. 12, 1864, and the entire regiment was mustered out of service
near Alexandria, Va., July 15, 1865. The men returned to Bangor on the 19th of the same
month, where they were finally paid and discharged on the 27th. The 31st left the state
for Washington April 18, 1864, and upon its arrival at Alexandria, Va., was assigned to
the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 9th corps. It at once marched to Bristoe Station, whence it
was hastened to the front to aid in the concluding scenes of the conflict. The regiment
almost immediately took part in the battle of the Wilderness, where it lost heavily in
killed and wounded. From this time on it saw continuous hard service until the close of
the war. In addition to the Wilderness it participated in the battles of Spottsylvania
Court House, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon railroad, Poplar Spring Church and Hatcher's
run. For its gallantry at the furious engagement of Bethesda Church on June 3, Gen.
Griffin, commanding the brigade, issued the following congratulatory order : "It also
gives me pleasure to add my evidence to the well-known fact that the 31st Me. has made for
itself a most brilliant record, and won for itself imperishable renown." The
casualties of the regiment were enormous, as it was so constantly engaged. It lost at
Spottsylvania Court House 12 killed, 75 wounded and 108 missing. In the great battle of
July 30, when the mine was exploded at Petersburg, the regiment was assigned an important
position and was the first to enter the enemy's works. Its losses were 10 killed, 31
wounded and 47 captured. Again at the battle of Poplar Spring Church the regiment
distinguished itself, and was the last to fall back when the enemy turned the right of the
brigade and compelled a retreat. It lost here 5 killed, 15 wounded and 16 captured. During
the winter of 1864-65 it garrisoned Forts Fisher and Davis until Feb. 11, when it was
ordered to a point near Parke Station on the Army Line & City Point railroad, where it
remained until April 2, when it assaulted the enemy's works and suffered severely. On the
next day it participated in the pursuit of the enemy and on the 8th conducted a detachment
of prisoners to Ford's station. On the 20th it embarked for Alexandria, Va., and was
mustered out the following July. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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