Created by North Yarmouth Historical Society
Members of the Lawrence family resided in Gray, Pownal and North Yarmouth. James Lawrence (1842-1939) of Pownal married Ellen Marston (1843-1937) of North Yarmouth in 1869, and they, along with their five children, resided at Riverside Farm (on North Road).
As a young man, James, along with his older brother Luther, served in the Civil War. They enlisted in the 11th Maine Volunteer Infantry, Company H. James was wounded in the battle of Deep Bottom on August 16, 1864; his brother Luther was killed in the same battle.
This is a photograph of James Lawrence in his Civil War uniform, at the approximate age of 20.
A young man from North Yarmouth goes off to war.
How many men from Maine served in the Civil War? How many died?
As a young man, James served in the Civil War along with his brother Luther. Both men served in the 11th Maine Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered in on November 12, 1861. The 11th Maine saw service in Washington, DC, on the Potomac, in
Ferdinando, FLA, Beaufort, SC, and back to Richmond. Luther went with them from the beginning through all their assignments until he died in the battle of Deep Bottom, Virginia on August 16, 1864 (specifically at Fussell's Mill, VA. The battle was part of the attack on Richmond, VA). James was wounded in the battle.
Luther was the eldest son of Nathaniel Sawtelle Lawrence and Mary Ann Harris Lawrence. Brother James was four years younger.
This undated photograph of Luther shows him in full dress uniform, complete with sword.
Maine men served in many areas during the Civil War. Use a map to
locate:
- Washington D.C.
- Ferdinando FL
- Beaufort SC
- Richmond VA
How far is it from Washington to Richmond? Richmond to Ferdinando?
Letter from Luther Lawrence to his father, June 2, 1861
Item Contributed by
North Yarmouth Historical Society
Letter from Luther Lawrence, a Civil War soldier serving in the 11th Maine Infantry Regiment, to his father, June 2, 1861, about travel from Portland to New York.
How did Luther travel from Portland to Boston and New York? What was his mood? What was the mood of the civilians?
What did they load their guns before going through Baltimore?
Transcription
Letter from Luther Lawrence to his brother, May 25, 1862
Item Contributed by
North Yarmouth Historical Society
Letter from Luther Lawrence, a Civil War soldier, to his brother, May 25, 1862, about military life.
This letter was probably written to Luther's brother Frank back on the farm in Pownal, Maine. He mentions the "boys from Gray", probably friends from Gray, Maine, where the Lawrence family had farmed before establishing a farm on the Lawrence Road in Pownal. The letter is written in pencil, and tersely notes in the first paragraph that Luther wants Frank to know that he is "still in the land of the living." He died in battle two years later.
What does Luther mean when he write, "I am still in the land of the living"?
Why will it be difficult to eat "south of Richmond"?
What does the following mean: "the enemy will not stand at Richmond"?
Transcription
This is a letter from Luther Lawrence, a Civil War soldier from Maine to his brother in Maine, written June 2, 1863. In this letter, Luther discusses orders for his regiment to move to Fernandina, Florida and the reputation of the 11th Maine volunteers as a well-disciplined regiment.
What is Luther proud of?
Transcription
Letter from Luther Lawrence to Frank, August 9, 1864
Item Contributed by
North Yarmouth Historical Society
Letter from Luther Lawrence, a Civil War soldier from Pownal, Maine to Frank, dated August 9, 1864, written from Deep Bottom, Virginia and describing military life, deserters from both sides and requesting items to be sent on to him.
Perhaps this was one of the last letters written by Luther, since on August 16, 1864, a battle was fought at Deep Bottom (specifically at Fussell's Mill, VA). The battle was part of the attack on Richmond, VA. Luther, as part of the 11th Maine Volunteer Infantry, Company H, was killed, and his brother James was wounded.
Luther was writing to his younger brother Frank back home in Pownal, on the family farm on Lawrence Road.
What is the average temperature in Richmond, Virginia in August?
What does Luther hope to receive from home?
Transcription
Farewell address from General H.M. Plaisted, 1865
Item Contributed by
North Yarmouth Historical Society
Farewell address to the officers and soldiers of the Third Brigade from General H. M. (Harris M.) Plaisted, March 25, 1865.
This document makes mention of the August 16, 1864 battle at Deep Bottom, specifically at Fussell's Mill, VA. This battle was part of the attack on Richmond, VA. The 11th Maine Volunteer Infantry took part in the battle, in which Luther Lawrence of Pownal, Maine was killed and his brother James wounded.
Why do you think Col Plaisted is saying farewell?
What is his opinion of the soldiers from Maine?
Transcription
This document shows James Lawrence's appointment to serve with the United States Colored Troops, 6th, issued June 10, 1865. The regiment's years of service were 1863-1865.
At the end of his service in the US Army, then 2nd Lieutenant James Lawrence was appointed to serve in the "6th AFC Troops" -- The U.S. Colored Troops.
This document, dated June 11, 1865, is his official notification of his new assignment.
What new job does James have? Where does he report for work?
Transcription
Special Order #297 for James Lawrence's discharge from Company H 11th Maine Veteran Volunteers and reassignment to the United States Colored Troops. He served in the Colored Infantry Regiment, 6th.
Discharge paper for James Lawrence from the 6th infantry regiment of the United States Colored Troops, Sept. 20, 1865.
At the end of the Civil War, James Lawrence was appointed to the United States Colored Troops, 6th, serving out of Raleigh, North Carolina.
What new job does he have now? Why might he be surprised by his new job?
Transcription
James Lawrence transportation pass, June 29, 1865
Item Contributed by
North Yarmouth Historical Society
Transportation pass for James Lawrence, veteran of the 11th Maine Vol. Regiment allowing him free transport from Fort Monroe, Va. to City Point, Va. where he would join up with his new regiment, the 6th United States Colored Troops.
What is this document? Why did James need it?
Transcription
Letter from Nathaniel Lawrence to his son, James, July 16, 1865
Item Contributed by
North Yarmouth Historical Society
Letter from Nathaniel S. Lawrence to his son, James Lawrence, a Civil War soldier who, after the end of the Civil War, was appointed to the United States Colored Troops, 6th, serving out of Raleigh, North Carolina. The letter discusses family members, farm prices and the feelings of the African American troops.
At this point, James Lawrence had been serving as a soldier for probably three years.
Transcription
Discharge paper for James Lawrence from the 6th infantry regiment of the United States Colored Troops, Sept. 20, 1865.
This was obviously a cherished document. The discoloration shows that it had been framed and probably hung in James Lawrence's home at Riverside Farm, North Yarmouth.
Why would James be relieved to get this document? Why would he want to keep it?
Transcription
Why would this be an important piece of equipment?
What is this piece of equipment for?
