HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Maine 4th Infantry 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.
OFFICERS:
Colonel Hiram G. Berry
ASSIGNMENTS:
Attached to Howard's Brigade, Heintzelman's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeastern Virginia, to August, 1861. Heintzelman's Brigade, Division of the Potomac, to October, 1861. Sedgwick's Brigade, Heintzelman's Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army Potomac, to July, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps, to May, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, to June, 1864.
SERVICE:
First Bull Run, VA - July 21, 1861
Peninsular Campaign
Siege of Yorktown, VA - April 5-May 4, 1862
Williamsburg, VA - May 4, 1862
Seven Pines, VA - May 31, 1862
Gaines Mill, VA - June 27-29, 1862
White Oak Swamp, VA - June 30, 1862
Malvern Hill, VA - July 1, 1862
Northern Virginia Campaign
Second Bull Run, VA - August 29-30, 1862
Chantilly, VA - September 1, 1862
Fredericksburg, VA - December 13, 1862
Chancellorsville, VA - May 1-4, 1863
Gettysburg, PA - July 1-3, 1863
Bristoe Campaign
Wapping Heights, VA - July 21-23, 1863
Kelly's Ford, VA - November 7, 1863
Mine Run, VA - November 26-December 1, 1863
Wilderness, VA - May 5-7, 1864
Spotsylvania, VA - May 7-20, 1864
Po River, VA - May 11, 1864
North Anna, VA - May 23-27, 1864
Totopotomy, VA - May 26-30, 1864
Cold Harbor, VA - May 31-June 12, 1864
ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contain the names of 2051 men.
Company A - Belfast Artillery
Company F - Brooks Light Infantry
Company K - Belfast City Grays
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. Vol. 2. Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 1998. Ref. See p. 1222 (1 photocopied page) for a concise summary of the regiment's service.
Edwards, Abial H. "Dear Friend Anna": The Civil War Letters of a Common Soldier From Maine. Orono, ME: U ME, 1992. 161 p. E601E38.
Maine. AGO. Annual Report...for the Years 1864 and 1865. Augusta, ME: Stevens & Sayward, 1866. Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2010. UA43M2.1864-1865.AppD. See pp. 379-86 (5 photocopied pages) for a roster of the regiment. Although regimental rosters appear in earlier Annual Reports, that found in this edition is the most complete for the unit's wartime service.
Whitman, William W.S. Maine in the War for the Union: A History of the Part Borne by Maine Troops.... Lexington, ME: Nelson Dingley, 1865. Powder Springs, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2010. E511W61. See pp. 225-60 (19 photocopied pages) for a brief history of the regiment.
REFERENCES: Dyer, Frederick H. - A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
HISTORICAL NOTES: