Maine Memory Network

Monuments to Civil War Soldiers

Maine supplied a huge number of soldiers to the Union Army during the Civil War -- some 70,000 -- and responded after the war by building monuments to soldiers who had served and soldiers who had died in the epic American struggle.

Civil War Soldiers Impact Pittsfield

Although not everyone in town supported the war effort, more than 200 Pittsfield men served in Civil War regiments. Several reminders of their service remain in the town.

Student Exhibit: A Civil War Soldier from Skowhegan

Alexander Crawford a soldier from Skowhegan, was born in 1839 on a farm on the Dudley Corner Road in Skowhegan. He served in the Civil War and returned to Skowhegan to run the family farm.

Memorializing Civil War Veterans: Portland & Westbrook

Three cemeteries -- all of which were in Westbrook during the Civil War -- contain headstones of Civil War soldiers. The inscriptions and embellishments on the stones offer insight into sentiments of the eras when the soldiers died.

Field & Homefront: Bethel during the Civil War

Like many towns, Bethel responded to the Civil War by sending many soldiers and those at the homefront sent aid and supported families. The town grew during the war, but suffered after its end.

Meshach P. Larry: Civil War Letters

Meshach P. Larry, a Windham blacksmith, joined Maine's 17th Regiment Company H on August 18, 1862. Larry and his sister, Phebe, wrote to each other frequently during the Civil War, and his letters paint a vivid picture of the life of a soldier.

Presque Isle and the Civil War

Presque Isle had fewer than 1,000 residents in 1860, but it still felt the impact of the Civil War. About half of the town's men went off to war. Of those, a third died. The effects of the war were widespread in the small community.

Home Ties: Sebago During the Civil War

Letters to and from Sebago soldiers who served in the Civil War show concern on both sides about farms and other issues at home as well as concern from the home front about soldiers' well-being.

This Rebellion: Maine and the Civil War

For Mainers like many other people in both the North and the South, the Civil War, which lasted from 1861-1865, had a profound effect on their lives. Letters, artifacts, relics, and other items saved by participants at home and on the battlefield help illuminate the nature of the Civil War experience for Mainers.

For the Union: Civil War Deaths

More than 9,000 Maine soldiers and sailors died during the Civil War while serving with Union forces. This exhibit tells the stories of a few of those men.

Rumford's Notable Citizens in the Civil War

A number of Rumford area residents played important roles during the Civil War -- and in the community afterwards. Among these are William King Kimball, who commanded the 12th Maine for much of the war.

Belfast During the Civil War: The Home Front

Belfast residents responded to the Civil War by enlisting in large numbers, providing relief from the home front to soldiers, defending Maine's shoreline, and closely following the news from soldiers and from various battles.

Maine and the Civil War - Communities and the War

"… from their historical collections relating to the Civil War era and residents of their area who participated in the war; held "One Book, One…"

Maine and the Civil War - Legendary Participation

"… Historical Society Maine's participation in the Civil War is legendary: heroes and heroines, a huge per capita participation rate, nurses, and…"

Maine and the Civil War - Headstone, unknown Confederate soldier, Gray, 1979

"The gravestone reads, "Stranger, A soldier of the late war died 1862, Erected by the ladies of Gray." This item is in copyright."

Maine and the Civil War - Togus Veterans' Hospital view, 1885

"The full title of this view is, "Eastern Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Togus, Me." View additional information about this…"

Northern Threads: Civil War-era clothing

An exhibit vignette within "Northern Threads, Part 1," featuring American Civil War civilian and military clothing, 1860 to 1869.

Maine and the Civil War - Regiments: Images, Documents

"… Images, Documents A few of Maine's more than 50 Civil War regiments and batteries are represented here."

Maine and the Civil War - Bluehill Academy Journal, 1863

"… Library Description Written during the Civil War by students at Bluehill Academy in Blue Hill, this student journal has a hand-drawn…"

Maine and the Civil War - Offer for war battle images, Houlton, ca. 1862

"… A poster advertises the Pierce Brothers' Civil War stereoscopticon images depicting scenes from the war."

The Sanitary Commission: Meeting Needs of Soldiers, Families

The Sanitary Commission, formed soon after the Civil War began in the spring of 1861, dealt with the health, relief needs, and morale of soldiers and their families. The Maine Agency helped families and soldiers with everything from furloughs to getting new socks.

Maine and the Civil War - Poster seeking cavalry horses, Aroostook County, 1861

"… Historical and Art Museum Description A Civil War poster announcing the desire of the army to purchase of horses for the Union cavalry in…"

Maine and the Civil War - The Homefront: Before, During, and After the War

"… The Homefront: Before, During, and After the War"

Prisoners of War

Mainers have been held prisoners in conflicts fought on Maine and American soil and in those fought overseas. In addition, enemy prisoners from several wars have been brought to Maine soil for the duration of the war.