Description
Outstanding grouping which got separated over two decades ago that just resurfaced a few weeks back! This fine grouping consists of the regulation Union Army Infantry frock coat of Benjamin Foster Harris of Machias, Maine. It includes his field worn deep blue broadcloth wool frock coat with eagle “I” infantry buttons, Major of Staff rank bars, crimson silk sword sash (which appears to have some combat or field damage present) and his cased dress epaulettes. The frock has minor scattered insect damage, nothing serious, and retains all original buttons. The lining is a deep green polished sateen with moderately quilted chest area and his initials are inside. His name and rank is present on the epaulettes.
At 29 years old, he enlisted on 7/15/1861 as a Captain and was commissioned into "C" Company of the 6th Maine Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 7/19/1864 and on 9/15/1864, he was commissioned into the Veteran Reserve Corps. He was mustered out on 7/3/1866 He was listed as wounded 11/7/1863 at Rappahannock Station, Virginia (severe wound in left leg; amputated) Promotions: Major 3/10/1862 Lt Colonel 10/1/1863 (Estimated date) Major 9/15/1864 (As of Veteran Reserve Corps) Lt Colonel 3/13/1865 by Brevet Colonel 3/13/1865 by Brevet Brig-General 3/13/1865 by Brevet
Intra Regimental Company Transfers: 3/10/1862 from company C to Field & Staff Other Information: Born 6/24/1831 in Dennysville, ME Member of GAR Post # 13 (Seth Williams) in Augusta, ME. Died 12/30/1895 in Augusta, Maine --
The 6th Maine Infantry was composed principally of the hardy lumbermen of the Penobscot valley and the eastern portion of the state, who were quick to respond to the first call to arms. Before its organization it was made up of two battalions of five companies each, rendezvousing respectively at the state arsenal, Bangor, and Fort Sullivan, Eastport. Under a general order from Adjt.Gen. Hodsdon, June 28, 1861, both battalions were removed to Portland and organized into a regiment for active service. On July 12-15, 1861, it was mustered into the service of the United States and on the 17th left for Washington. En route through New York city, the regiment was presented with a handsome standard by the sons of Maine in that city. It arrived in Washington on the 19th and was stationed at Chain Bridge on the Potomac, where it remained until Sept. 3. Through the fall and winter of 1861-62 it occupied Fort Griffin, and in March, 1862, was put into Hancock's brigade, Smith's division, and joined in the advance on Manassas. A little later it was attached to the 4th corps under Gen. E. D. Keyes, and advanced with the rest of the army on Yorktown on April 4, 1862. For the remainder of its three years the regiment saw the most arduous and active service. It participated in ten general engagements and in a great many skirmishes. On April 5-7, 1862, it was engaged in skirmishing and reconnaissances at the siege of Yorktown, and subsequently took part in the engagements at Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Garnett's Farm, White Oak Bridge, Antietam and Fredericksburg. From Feb. 2 to May 11, 1863, it was with the "Light Division", and during this period took an honorable part in the battle of Chancellorsville, where it lost 128 officers and men killed and wounded. Other important battles in which the 6th was engaged were Rappahannock Station, where it lost 16 officers and 123 men; Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, where it lost a few men, and two days later in an attack on the enemy's works on the right, it lost 125 in killed, wounded and missing. On June 12, 1864, the regiment only numbered 70 men and was under fire for eight hours, supporting Gen. Hancock's corps, losing 16 officers and men. The original members of the regiment were mustered out on Aug. 15, 1864 and the veterans and recruits (238 men) were transferred to the 7th Maine and afterwards organized as the 1st Regiment Veteran Volunteers.
