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Conference smurf::civil_war

Title:The American Civil War
Notice:Please read all replies 1.* before writing here.
Moderator:SMURF::BINDER
Created:Mon Jul 15 1991
Last Modified:Tue Apr 08 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:141
Total number of notes:2129

115.0. "20th Maine History" by USCTR1::WENGLER (JIM) Thu Jan 27 1994 22:36

    Just found out I had a relative who was discharged from
    2Oth maine at the end of the war. He transferred from
    16th Maine volunteers at some point. Where would one 
    find more history on the unit?
    
    Jim
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115.1SourcesNEMAIL::RASKOBMike Raskob at OFOFri Jan 28 1994 12:2434
    RE .0:
    
    	Where you find history on any specific unit depends a lot on where
    you are...
    
    	If you are anywhere near Maine, in this case, I'd suggest a call or
    trip to a big city library.  Ask if they have a copy of the regimental
    history for the 20th Maine.  (I suspect virtually all ACW regiments had
    a history written by _somebody_; sometimes more than one.)  You
    probably won't be able to take it out, since modern reprints of such
    histories are rare (the 54th Mass. is one exception, due to the movie
    "Glory" and the regiment's participation at Ft. Wagner), but they'd
    probably let you read it there.
    
    	Another source is the state historical society, who might be able
    to point you at a source.  If you live near Washington, D.C., you can
    try the National Archives or the Library of Congress.  I'm not sure
    about access, but they certainly have material.
    
    	For brief bits of history of the 20th, since it was present at at
    least one "turning point", you might look in "Battles and Leaders of
    the Civil War", a four-volume extract/compilation of official reports. 
    As I recall, there is a section on the defense of Little Round Top at
    Gettysburg - might even be Chamberlain's report, though it might be
    Warren's.  Also, if you can find a library with a copy of the "Official
    Records", you can search the index for references to the 20th - that
    will give you the official reports and correspondence which mention the
    regiment.  The O.R. is hard to find, and probably access is restricted,
    but it is the most comprehensive detailed source short of the Archives.
    
    	Happy hunting!
    
    MikeR
    
115.2CUPMK::AHERNDennis the MenaceTue Feb 01 1994 00:075
    See "The Twentieth Maine - A Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War" by
    John J. Pullen, published 1957.
    
    I looked in the index, but saw no mention of the 16th Maine.
    
115.320th MaineBSS::LAIDLAWFri Feb 04 1994 11:124
    I'd also suggest "In the Hands of Providence; Joshua Lawrence
    Chamberlain and the American Civil War."
    
    rml
115.4ThanksUSCTR1::WENGLERWed Feb 09 1994 20:223
    Thanks for everyone's help. I will look at them all
    
    Jim
115.5SECOP1::CLARKTue Aug 16 1994 21:2917
    Many of the books mentioned can be purchased at the Joshua Chamberlain
    house in Brunswick, Maine. It is under renovation but open for tour.
    There are various artifacts - saber, saddle, boots, gautlets, MG
    epaulets, a minie ball which almost killed him at Petersburg, and other
    items from his days as governor. Across the street is Bowdoin College.
    At the opposite end of the campus (about a 10 min. walk) is the
    library. Upstairs on the third floor, in the special collections room,
    is Chamberlain's Medal of Honor and an incredible bracelet which had
    made by Tiffany's for his wife. Not far from the campus, heading toward
    Cook's Corner in Brunswick, is Pinegrove Cemetery. If proceeding from
    the Chamberlain house, turn into the first entrance (there are only
    two) and Chamberlain's gravesite is on the right. The site is easily
    located as it is directly across from a family plot enclosed by an iron
    grillwork fence. I had a great time viewing all this. Never thought I
    would see Chamberlain's Medal of Honor. Surprisingly, none of this is
    too well publicized. The people working at the Chamberlain House did
    admit that attendance has picked up since the movie "Gettysburg".