20th Maine Infantry Regiment

20th Maine Infantry Regiment
John McKean · Public domain · source
Unit name	20th Maine Infantry Regiment
Caption	Flag of the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment
Dates	August 29, 1862 - May 16, 1865
Country	United States
Branch	Union Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Regiment
Battles	American Civil War

20th Maine Infantry Regiment was a regiment of infantry in the Union Army during the American Civil War, led by Joshua Chamberlain, Ellis Spear, and Michael Bulger. The regiment was formed in Maine and played a significant role in several key battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Appomattox Court House. The regiment was known for its bravery and sacrifice, particularly during the Battle of Little Round Top, where they fought against the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment and the 47th Alabama Infantry Regiment. The regiment's actions were also influenced by the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.

● History

The 20th Maine Infantry Regiment was formed on August 29, 1862, in Bangor, Maine, and was composed of men from Hancock County, Maine, Penobscot County, Maine, and Washington County, Maine. The regiment was mustered into service on August 29, 1862, and was sent to Washington, D.C. to join the Army of the Potomac, led by George McClellan and later by Joseph Hooker and George Meade. The regiment was part of the V Corps and played a key role in several battles, including the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Chancellorsville, where they fought against the Confederate States Army and Robert E. Lee. The regiment's history is also closely tied to the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Cold Harbor, where they fought alongside the 14th Brooklyn Regiment and the 1st Michigan Infantry Regiment.

● Organization and Service

The 20th Maine Infantry Regiment was organized into ten companies, each with its own unique history and composition. The regiment was led by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, who played a key role in the regiment's actions during the war, including the Battle of Petersburg and the Battle of Fort Stedman. The regiment was also supported by the 3rd Maine Infantry Regiment and the 5th Maine Infantry Regiment, and was part of the First Division (V Corps), led by Charles Griffin and Romeyn Beck Ayers. The regiment's service was marked by several key events, including the Siege of Richmond and the Appomattox Campaign, where they fought against the Army of Northern Virginia and James Longstreet.

● Battles and Campaigns

The 20th Maine Infantry Regiment played a significant role in several key battles and campaigns during the American Civil War, including the Battle of Gettysburg, where they fought against the 20th Georgia Infantry Regiment and the 15th Georgia Infantry Regiment. The regiment was also involved in the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, and the Battle of North Anna, where they fought against the Confederate States Army and Jubal Early. The regiment's actions were also influenced by the Overland Campaign and the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns of 1864, where they fought alongside the 6th Corps and the 8th Corps. The regiment's bravery and sacrifice were recognized by Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, and were commemorated in the Gettysburg National Cemetery and the Arlington National Cemetery.

● Commanders

The 20th Maine Infantry Regiment was led by several key commanders during the war, including Joshua Chamberlain, Ellis Spear, and Michael Bulger. The regiment was also supported by Adelbert Ames and John Sedgwick, who played key roles in the regiment's actions during the war, including the Battle of Rappahannock Station and the Battle of Mine Run. The regiment's commanders were influenced by the West Point and the United States Military Academy, and were part of the Union Army's leadership, which included William Tecumseh Sherman and George Thomas. The regiment's commanders were also recognized for their bravery and leadership, and were awarded the Medal of Honor and the Brevet.

● Legacy

The 20th Maine Infantry Regiment's legacy is marked by its bravery and sacrifice during the American Civil War, and is commemorated in several key monuments and memorials, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Maine State Museum. The regiment's history is also closely tied to the Civil War Trust and the National Park Service, which work to preserve the regiment's history and legacy. The regiment's legacy is also recognized by the United States Army and the Maine Army National Guard, which continue to honor the regiment's bravery and sacrifice. The regiment's story has been told in several key works, including The Killer Angels and Gettysburg (film), which were written by Michael Shaara and directed by Ron Maxwell. The regiment's legacy is also commemorated in the Maine State Legislature and the United States Congress, which have recognized the regiment's bravery and sacrifice through several key resolutions and laws. Category:American Civil War