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20th Maine Regiment

The 20th Maine Regiment was mustered in at Augusta, Maine, for three years' service on August 29, 1862, and were mustered out on July 16, 1865. Of the 1,621 men enrolled in the regiment, 147 were killed or died of wounds, 146 died of disease, and 15 were in Confederate prisons.

They served in the following engagements:

Antietam, MD - September 17, 1862
Shepherdstown Ford, VA - September 19 - 20, 1862
Fredericksburg, VA - December 13, 1862
Chancellorsville, VA - May 1 - 4, 1863
Middleburg, VA - June 17, 1863
Gettysburg, PA - July 1 - 3, 1863
Sharpsburg Pike, MD - July 1863
Rappahannock Station, VA - November 7, 1863
Mine Run, VA - November 26 - December 1, 1863
Wilderness, VA - May 5 - 7, 1864
Spotsylvania, VA - May 7 - 20, 1864
North Anna, VA - May 23 - 27, 1864
Totopotomy, VA - May 26, - 30, 1864
Bethesda Church, VA - May 30 - June 1, 1864
Cold Harbor, VA - May 31 - June 12, 1864
Petersburg, VA - June 1864
Jerusalem Plank Road, VA - June 22 - 23, 1864
Weldon Railroad, VA - August 18 - 21, 1864
Peebles Farm, VA - September 30 - October 2, 1864
Hatchers Run, VA - December 8 - 9, 1864
Quaker Road, VA - March 29, 1865
Gravelly Run, VA - March 29, 1865
Five Forks, VA - March 30 - April 1, 1865
Appomattox, VA - March 29 - April 9, 1865

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (1828-1914), is best known for his heroic participation in the Battle of Gettysburg. Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlain led his 20th Maine Infantry in a desperate bayonet charge down Little Round Top on July 2, 1863. Fearing Chamberlain to be near death from wounds at Petersburg in 1864, General Ulysses Grant gave him a field promotion to Brigadier General. Surviving against all odds, Chamberlain received the Confederate surrender at Appomatox Court House, Virginia, in April 1865. Chamberlain served four terms as Maine's governor and later as president of Bowdoin College.

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1862-08-12 B.F. Hamilton asks what to do with the 119 men he enlisted

B. F. Hamilton
1862-08-12 Captain T.F. Andrews recommends Hosea Allen for appointment as 1st Lieutenant in Company F

Timothy F. Andrews
1862-08-12 C.L. Holden recommends Eben M. Mitchell for commission

C. L. Holden
1862-08-12 John E. Godfrey recommends William Bailey for lieutenant

John E. Godfrey
1862-08-12 Samuel Keene requests appointment in Captain Hill's company

Samuel Keene
1862-08-13 Bartlett Jackson requests position as Quartermaster or Adjutant

Bartlett Jackson
1862-08-13 David D. Stewart recommends Hosea Allen and Edwin Folsom for appointment as 1st and 2nd Lieutenants in Company F

David D. Stewart
1862-08-13 Edwin Eddy recommends William C. Bailey for lieutenant

Edwin Eddy
1862-08-13 E. Pierce recommends William Bailey of Milford

E. Pierce
1862-08-13 Grenville Baker requests return of his letters of recommendation

Grenville Baker
1862-08-13 H. Richson of Old Town recommends W.C. Brierly for lieutenant

H. Richson
1862-08-13 John D. Lindler recommends Henry Dunlap for appointment as Adjutant in the 20th Maine Regiment

John D. Lindler
1862-08-13 Lieutenant Adelbert Ames accepts position as Colonel

Adelbert Ames
1862-08-13 N.M. Hartwell recommends W. C. Bailey for lieutenant

N. M. Hartwell
1862-08-14 Letter recommending Mr. Andrews as lieutenant

Unknown
1862-08-14 Major Charles Gilmore requests official notification of his promotion to the 20th Maine be sent to his former regiment (7th Maine)

Charles D. Gilmore
1862-08-14 Special Order 190 (Extract) giving Adelbert Ames leave of absence to take command of 20th Maine Regiment

War Department
1862-08-14 Special Order 190 giving Adelbert Ames leave of absence to take command of 20th Maine Regiment

Adjutant General and War Department
1862-08-14 T.F. Andrews requests railroad passes to move men into camp

Timothy F. Andrews
1862-08-14 T.F. Andrews updates Adjutant General Hodsdon on status of recruits

Timothy F. Andrews
1862-08-15 A.H. Strickland requests a cookstove for the regiment

Augustus H. Strickland
1862-08-15 Chamberlain recommends A.N. Linscott for an appointment

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
1862-08-15 George A. Frost recommends B.F. Hamilton for Quartermaster

George A. Frost
1862-08-15 Letter from Chamberlain recommending A.L. Loring and others for commission

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
1862-08-15 Major Charles D. Gilmore sends enlistment papers to Adjutant General Hodsdon, inquires about lack of surgeon

Charles D. Gilmore

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