The Sixth Maine Infantry is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Oct. 3, 1889.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: red and white granite; Base: granite.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 21 ft. 6 in.; Base: approx. 2 ft. 9 in. x 5 ft. 2 in. x 5 ft. 2 in.
Who made it? Hallowell Granite Company, fabricator.
What does it depict? Columnic shaft stands on a rough-hewn base. The second course of the shaft is fluted. At the top is a four-sided Greek cross, the 6th Corps insignia. Monument is a three-course granite shaft topped with a Greek Cross on four sides and set on a 5.2 foot square rough hewn base. The second course of the shaft is fluted. It has incised inscriptions on the east and south sides. Overall height is 21.6 feet.
What does it honor? Monument indicates the position held by the 6th Maine Infantry on July 3, 1863, after marching 32 miles and reaching the field on July 2. Ordered to “resist a threatened attack,” the regiment rushed from this place to the Union center to assist in the repulse of Longstreet’s Assault, but was not engaged.
How is it inscribed? HELD THIS POSITION/JULY 3, 1863./IN AFTERNOON MOVED/TO SUPPORT OF CENTRE./THEN TO BIG ROUND TOP
When was this photograph taken? February 8, 2009.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Howe Avenue, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on the north side of Howe Avenue, near the center.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered. Along with a number of other Gettysburg monuments in the area, this piece was vandalized on March 4, 1913.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
The 6th Maine Infantry served as a member of Russell’s Brigade in Wright’s Division of the Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac. A Fighting 300 Regiment.
Commander: Col. Hiram Burnham (1813-1864)
Number Engaged: 439
Casualties: no losses
General Information
Raised: Hancock, Penobscot, Piscatquis, and Washington counties.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Organized at Portland and mustered in July 15, 1861. Left State for Washington, D.C., July 17. Attached to W. F. Smith’s Brigade, Division of the Potomac, to October, 1861. 2nd Brigade, Smith’s Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to May, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, to February, 1863. Light Division, 6th Army Corps, to May, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps, to August, 1864.
SERVICE.–Duty in the defenses of Washington, D. C., until March, 1862. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15, 1862. Ordered to the Peninsula March 16. Advance toward Yorktown April 4-5. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Reconnaissance toward Yorktown April 6. Reconnaissance toward Lee’s Mills April 28. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Duty at White House until May 18. Duty near Richmond until June 6 and picket on the Chickahominy until June 25. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Gaines’ Mill June 26. Gold-Inn’s Farm June 27. Savage Station June 29. White Oak Swamp Bridge June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. Duty at Harrison’s Landing until August 15. Retreat from the Peninsula and movement to Centreville August 15-27. In works at Centreville August 27-31. Assist in checking Pope’s rout at Bull Run August 30, and cover retreat to Fairfax C. H. September 1. Maryland Campaign September-October. Sugar Loaf Mountain, Md., September 11-12. Crampton’s Pass, South Mountain, September 14. Battle of Antietam September 16-17. Duty in Maryland until October 29. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 29-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin’s Crossing April 29-May 2. Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Banks’ Ford May 4. Operations about Franklin’s Crossing or Deep Run Ravine June 5-13. Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-4. Near Funkstown, Md., July 10-13. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Mine Run November 28-30. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River May 3 to June 15, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Spotsylvania May 8-12; Spotsylvania C. H. May 12-21. “Bloody Angle,” assault on the Salient, May 12. North Anna May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 17-July 10. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23..Destruction of Weldon Railroad June 30. Ordered to rear for muster out July 10. Volunteered for 30 days’ service in defense of Washington. Repulse of Early’s attack on Washington July 12-13. Mustered out August 15, 1864, expiration of term. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 7th Maine. Regiment lost during service 12 Officers and 141 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 100 Enlisted men by disease. Total 255.
Maine at Gettysburg
3rd Infantry :: 4th Infantry :: 5th Infantry :: 6th Infantry :: 7th Infantry :: 10th Infantry :: 16th Infantry :: 17th Infantry :: 19th Infantry :: 20th Infantry :: 1st Cavalry :: 2nd Artillery B :: 5th Artillery E :: 6th Artillery F
