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4th Maine
Regiment Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Fourth Infantry Col., Hiram G., Berry ; Lieut.-Col., Thomas H. Marshall;
Maj., Frank S. Nickerson. This regiment was organized for active service May 8, 1861, and
was mustered into the United States service on June 15 at Rockland. Co. A (Belfast
Artillery), Co. K (Belfast City (Grays), and Co. F (Brooks Light Infantry), had formed
part of the state militia, but the other companies were without previous experience. The
regiment left Rockland for Washington on June 17, and was armed with the Springfield
smooth-bore musket. Passing through New York, it was presented with two beautiful flags.
It participated in all the important battles of the Army of the Potomac during its three
years' term of service. Gen. Kearney wrote as follows of the conduct of its gallant
colonel at Bull Run : "Col. Berry manifested such a genius for war, and such a
pertinacity in the fight, as proved him fit for high command." It is stated that the
4th Me. saved the day at Williamsburg, while at Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Gaines' Mill,
Glendale, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and on many other bloody fields it rendered
magnificent service. The heroic commander of the regiment, Hiram G. Berry, was killed amid
the awful carnage of the battle of Chancellorsville, having attained to the rank of
major-general and being esteemed one of the most brilliant officers in the service. On
June 25, 1864, the regiment arrived in Rockland, its term of service having expired on the
15th, and after being furloughed were mustered out on July 19. It returned under the
command of Elijah Walker, who had gone out as captain of Co. B. There were 46 officers in
the regiment, including 10 recruits ; privates of the original organization, 966;
recruits, 513; total, 1,525. Number of officers mustered out, 17; prisoners of war, 2;
privates mustered out, 224; prisoners, 37; officers discharged, 5; resigned, 41; privates
discharged for disability, 366; privates transferred to other commands, 435 ; officers
died of wounds, 14 ; of disease, 2 ; privates died of wounds, 139; of disease, 112;
privates deserted, 131. Total, 1,525. The number of officers lost by casualties during the
service of the regiment was 65; mustered out July 19, 1864, 17; prisoners of war, 2.
Total, 84. Thirty-eight officers were promoted from the ranks. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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