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On 18 April the Rockland Gazette announced that Ft. Sumter had been fired upon and "THE WAR BEGUN". The US Secretary of War had requested 75,000 volunteers from the State of Maine, through Governor Washburn. Rockland Mayor Wiggin called for a citizen's meeting to be held on Wednesday, 24 April, at 7:00pm to discuss plans for the preservation of the Union.
On 23 April a meeting was called by A. H. Kimball, and other prominent citizens, to be held at the Court House. Mayor Wiggins announced that those wishing to volunteer could leave their names with him. At this time 23 men did so. Capt C. F. Hodgdon then threw a $20 gold piece onto the floor and declared that it was for the first man who would volunteer for the military. With the words, "I will!" Stephen H. Chapman picked up the gold coin and became the first man to enlist in the 4th Maine. Then Elijah Walker volunteered himself and the 25 firemen of the Dirigo Engine Company. Early in the morning of the 24th Walker opened up a recruiting office in Rockland, at No. 7 Kimball Block. Later that day the 1st Rockland Company elected its officers. Maj S. H. Allen acted as the Secretary for the election. The officers were:
Captain - Elijah Walker
1st Lieutenant - O. P. Mitchell
2nd Lieutenant - J. B. Litchfield
An article in the Rockland Gazette on the 25th of April called for the ladies of Rockland to answer the call and support those volunteers that were soon expected to answer the call to arms. Mrs. R. S. Myhew, Miss Orissa A. Packard and Miss Jennie Grafton, all of Rockland, volunteered to serve the Maine volunteers as nurses.
On the morning of 5 May the 3 Rockland Companies were mustered at the foot of Lime Rock Street for Church services.
On 8 May all Company officers met at the Atlantic Hall, in Rockland, at 2:00 in the afternoon, and elected Hiram G. Berry as the Regiment Commander. Lieutenant Adelbert Ames, a member of the just graduating class at West Point, was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, while Thomas H. Marshall, of Belfast, was appointed Major. Col Berry was one of the founders of the Rockland City Guard and already appointed by the State Governor as a Lieutenant Colonel and the inspector of the Fourth Division of Militia.
On 16 May the 4th Maine was mustered into the State Militia service. In the morning the Rockland Companies went into camp, at the top of Tillson's Hill, while the other Companies would follow in the coming days.
On 17 May, at 5:15pm, the Damariscotta Granite Rifles, under Capt Whithouse, arrived in Rockland. Soon the other companies followed; The Wiscassett Company, under Capt Smith, arrived in Rockland on 18 May. On 20 May the Belfast City Greys, under Capt Fuller, and the second Belfast Company, under Capt Cunningham, arrived aboard the DANIEL WEBSTER at Atlantic Wharf, on the south end of the city in the morning. In the afternoon the Winterport Company, under Capt Crowell, and the Searsport Company, under Capt Nickerson, arrived aboard the steamer SANFORD.
The camp was set up on Tillson's Hill, overlooking Rockland. The camp became known as Camp Knox, in honor of Major General Henry Knox. He was Washington's Chief of Artillery in the Revolution and the first Secretary of War of the United States. The regiment also has two nicknames, the "Limerock Regiment" and the "Fighting Tigers".
When Col Berry took command of the Regiment all its men had enlisted for 2-year periods. As it became evident that the war would last longer these 2-year enlistments were no longer wanted. Col Berry formed the Regiment in line and let them know of this change. He then asked that all those not willing to be enlisted for a 3 year period to step forward. Only 2 people in the entire Regiment stepped forward.
On 23 May the soldiers of the 4th Regiment were presented with New Testaments in the afternoon, at Camp Knox. (Capt Robinson now owns one of these small Bibles)
On 27 May, Company F, of Winterport, was disbanded when a large number of its men refused to enlist for a 3-year period. Many of the men from this Company remained with the Regiment, but were spread throughout the other Companies. To replace the Company from Winterport, one from Brooks arrived aboard the steamer SANFORD, with about 60 men. The new Company was about 100 strong but not all could be gathered when they received the orders to march.
By 13 June the Regimental Staff now looked as follows:
Hiram G. Berry, Colonel, Rockland
Thomas H. Marshal, Lieutenant Colonel, Belfast
F. S. Nickerson, Major, Searsport
J. B. Greenhalgh, Adjutant, Rockland
L. C. Abbot, Quartermaster, Rockland
W. A. Banks, Surgeon, Rockland
S. H. Chapman, Sergeant Major, Rockland
J. H. Crowell, Quartermaster Sergeant, Winterport
Henry Burkmar, Fife Major, Belfast
John H. Prince, Drum Major, Belfast
On the morning of 15 June the line was form and Capt Charles Hight, US Army, examined the men. Deeming them fit for duty, Hight accepted the Regiment into the service of the United States, with the signing of his name at the bottom of the roll.
On 17 June reveille was sounded at 4:00 am, by the Drum Major. The Adjutant began to form the Regimental Line a little after 8:00am. At a little after 9:00am the Regiment moved out preceded by throngs of civilians on foot and in carriages, moving down Middle Street. The soldiers of the Regiment followed this, bayonets fixed and gleaming in the early morning sun. Once on Main Street the Rockland Band joined the Regiment, in full uniform. The Regiment bore a large white banner, with the words, "FROM THE HOME OF KNOX. Once the Regiment arrived outside Kimball Block a halt was called. Here MG Titcomb presented Col Berry with a small silk banner, bearing the arms and motto of the State of Maine. The Regiment then took up the march again, to Atlantic Wharf. The Rockland Gazette reported that between 8,000 and 10,000 people crowded the Atlantic Wharf.
The troops were loaded onto the ship in good order, each Company moving to a position already assigned it by Col Berry. During the embarkation of the Regiment the ship, ALICE THORNDIKE, moored at the wharf, fired a salute from 2 or 3 small cannon mounted on her deck. As the WEBSTER moved away the strains of the Rockland Band could be heard over waters of the harbor, playing the "Girl I left Behind Me",
The WEBSTER arrived in Portland at a little past 4:00pm. Here city dignitaries and Col M. H. Dunnell greeted the Regiment with a battalion of the 5th Maine Regiment.
On 19 June the 4th Maine arrived in New York in the morning at 11:00am. A large crowd of people greeted the arriving Regiment. After disembarking, and forming on the dock, the 4th Maine marched up Broadway, to the Park Barracks. Upon arriving at the Park Barracks the Regiment was marched to the front of City Hall to be greeted by a committee from the Sons and Daughters of Maine. Col Berry then addressed the Regiment and then presented Reverend Issac S. Kalloch, who gave "...a brief but fervent prayer...."
After the prayer two flags were brought forward. One was a regulation size silk National Colors, heavily fringed in gold. The second flag was a blue silk flag bearing the arms of the State of Maine, with the name of the Regiment and the State motto, "Dirigo". (The Gazette article is confusing as it seems to say that the first flag, the Federal one, was embroidered with the Maine State arms and motto and the second flag was inscribed with the words "Presented to the Fourth Regiment of Maine Volunteers by the Daughters of Maine in Brooklyn, June 19, 1861."
Reverend Hitchcock presented the flag to Col Berry. Col Berry said that his men were foot sore and tired by the heavy weight on their backs. He thanked the people of New York and the speakers for their kindness and fine speeches. "Then, taking the flag, he ascended a small platform, and asked, 'Shall this flag ever trail in the dust?' Loud cries of 'No, no!' 'Will you defend it so long as you have a right arm?' 'We will - we will," chorused the men of the regiment, and a simultaneous shout of ap-proval broke from the assembled thousands...." At about 6:00pm, the Regiment was reformed and departed for a freight boat to Perth Amboy, in New Jersey.
On the night of 20 June the Regiment began to arrive in Philadelphia at 11:00pm the night before and finished arriving very early in the morn-ing. At 6:00am the Regiment boarded a train of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad, into Perryville, opposite Havre de Grace, Maryland. Sometime after leaving Havre de Grace Col Berry ordered that each man be issued with ammunition for their musket for the Regiments march through Baltimore. Company B took the lead in the march through the city, setting a pattern that was to be followed for as long as the 4th Maine was in the field. Soon the 4th Maine was again loaded onto the cars of the next railroad that would take them on to Washington itself, now only 39 miles away. At 9:00pm the 4th Maine arrived in Washington, D. C.
On the morning of 21 June the Regiment was drawn up into line and prepared to march the two miles to their assigned encampment area. The 4th Maine was now encamped at Meridian Hill, next to the 3rd Maine. Lieutenant Adelbert Ames, who had elected to go into the Regular Army and not accept his post with the 4th Maine, came to Camp Knox every day to lend his expertise to the daily drill of the Regiment.
On 8 July orders arrived for the 4th Maine to be prepared to leave camp at 5:00pm. At 3:55pm the order is giving to prepare to lower tent and precisely at 4:00pm the tents fell to the ground. At 5:00pm, the Regiment began to march towards Alexandria, to the ferryboats for the crossing of the Potomac. At 9:00pm the Regiment is boarded on two steamers and taken to Alexandria, on the south side of the Potomac. At 12:00am, the baggage is all unloaded and the men lay down where they could to find some sleep.
When the Regiment came to Washington it was dressed in the Maine militia gray uniform. When the Regiment was outfitted in regulation blue, the gray uniforms were packed in boxes for storage. It is not known what happened to the uniforms after this.
At 5:00am, on the morning of 9 July the Regiment began its march to its new encampment ground, at Bush Hill, 2 miles outside Alexandria, and 12 miles from Washington. The 3rd Maine camps to the Regiments left and the 5th Maine is on the right.
On 10 July Companies B and D were ordered out on a scouting detail, departing at 12:30pm. They went closer to the Rebel lines than any other Federal unit, to that point, but did not see anything of the enemy.
By 8:00am, on 11 July, the Regiment is busy preparing Camp Knox to be moved once again. The Regiment is placed on the right flank of the entire Army and the men were expecting the honor of being the first to strike the enemy and give the first blow to preserve the Union. "Col Berry will be in for both and his men will follow him to the bitter end." The Regiment arrived at its new camp about 2:00pm.
On the morning of 12 July, Company's B and C, under Maj Nickelson made a reconnaissance. Col Berry, Adjutant Greenhalgh and Capt Carver joined in the movement. During the recon three Rebel soldiers were captured with loaded muskets. This is the first capture of enemy forces by Maine troops. Company B actually made the capture.
On the morning of 15 July Col Berry called the Company officers together to inform that they were about to move and to take as little baggage as possible.
16 July
ORDER OF BATTLE
4th Maine commanded by Col. Hiram G. Berry
3rd Brigade commanded by Col Oliver O. Howard
3rd Division commanded by Col Samuel Heintzelman
At 3:00pm Col Berry gave the order to march and the Regiment began down the road towards Fairfax. The 4th Maine arrived at a position about 2 miles from Manassas Junction between 5:00 and 10:00pm, on 18 July.
At 1:00am,on 20 July, the Regiment was awakened and told to have breakfast and to get ready to march. At 2:30 am Howard was ordered to form his brigade at the rear of Col Wilcox's Brigade for marching. He then had to wait until the sun was up for an hour before moving out. The Brigade moved along the Warrenton Turnpike until it turned into a narrow road to the right. Here Howard found McDowell. As the last Regiment passed McDowell he ordered the Brigade to halt.
At noon Howard was ordered to rejoin the Division. The 4th Maine was posted on the right of the Brigade and Company B took the lead in the advance. At about 3:00 pm the brigade reached Young's Branch where they received orders to move to the right. Howard moved into a ravine along the branch, several hundred yards west of Henry Hill. Instead being ordered to cover the retreat Howard's men were ordered up Henry Hill. Col Howard formed his Regiments into two lines, the 4th Maine and 2nd Vermont in the first and the 3rd Maine and 5th Maine in the second.
Front
_______________________ _______________________
2nd Vermont 4th Maine
_______________________ _______________________
3rd Maine 5th Maine
Howard led the first line personally and as he reached the hill he met Lt Edmund Kirby, of Ricketts' battery. His face was covered with blood and he rode on a horse that had been shot in the nose. This was the only officer remaining from Ricketts' battery and he was bringing back a caisson, the only piece of equipment saved from the battery. This quickly told the men of the 4th Maine what awaited them, not inspiring confidence. At Griffin's Battery Lieut Adelbert Ames, back with the Regular army, was wounded while working his gun. Too weak from loss of blood, he remained on the field but was forced to sit on his caisson to give orders. It was reported that he was found like this from some of the Rockland boys, who recognized their comrade and bore him from the field, along with Capt Bean of Company F. Lieut Ames was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions and he rose to the rank of Major General during the war.
Howard's troops advanced up the hill to find Reb infantry facing them within 200 yards of the crest. The 2nd Vermont came under fire first and soon the 4th Maine was involved in the heavy fighting. The 4th Maine was ordered to a clear place in front of a wooded hill. As soon as this position was taken the front began to receive a murderous fire from the enemy. Rebel batteries on both sides of the line peppered the two leading regiments. For some reason the 4th Maine stood in front of this fire for about 15 minutes before the order to fire was passed down, enemy cannon firing into the Regiment from two sides.
The 4th Maine, along with the 2nd Vermont, made a desperate charge against the Rebel line. Both Regiments stood then stood in front of the line for at least 30 minutes, receiving all that the Rebs threw at them, before both Regiments were ordered back to regroup.
Col Howard then went to bring up the second line to strengthen the first to fight an unequal fight. The 3rd Maine was almost intact and went to the left of the 2nd Vermont, while the 5th Maine, depleted by a stray cannon shot and some retreating cavalry that panicked some members of the Regiment. All four Regiments were ordered to fire but could only see woods to their front. In the distance they could see the remains of the Ricketts' and Griffen's batteries.
During the battle, Sergt Maj S. H. Chapman became the first Rockland soldier killed in the Civil War, when his heart was pierced by a bullet. Other reports have him being cut nearly in two by a cannonball. Whichever the case, it was ironic that he was also the first to enlist into the Regiment. Before dying Chapman was heard to say, "Tell my wife I am shot - God bless her."
Col Berry showed great bravery and a remarkable coolness under fire. The color bearer of the 4th Maine went down and Col Berry urged his horse forward to recover the flag. His horse was killed and his uniform riddled with bullets, none finding their mark. He led a small bayonet charge that gave the Brigade a brief respite from the attack, still carrying the colors. Col Berry maintained possession of the colors into the retreat that was already a route when the 4th Maine took the field of battle. As the Regiment itself finally began to retreat Col Berry carried the colors out of harms way, across a hill and over a brook, until he was too exhausted to carry them farther. He then turned the colors over to Lieut Litchfield, who carried them to a house about a mile away. By this time he too was exhausted, as carrying colors in a full retreat is not an easy job, and Lieut Litchfield turned them over to an officer in another Company of the 4th Maine. From this officer the colors found their way back to Company E, the rightful Color Company. During the course of the battle Col Berry's frockcoat was pierced 32 times by bullets and shrapnel, not one finding their mark.
Then the Vermont Regiment was sent back down the hill, to become a reserve. Seeing this an officer from the 4th Maine, Major Nickerson, asked Col Howard, "Do you order us to retreat?" Howard said no but then Colonel Dunnel, of the 5th Maine, fell ill. He reported that he was exhausted and unable to hold out any longer. Hearing this, his men began to retreat. Officers tried to keep their men in line but Howard had lost control. He ordered the Brigade to fall back. A slow and orderly retreat at first, the Brigade soon broke into a near panic, with little organization, and hastened to get out of harms way. The Brigade retreated to Fairfax Court House and then to Clermont.
Private Samuel Rackliff, of Company D, wrote a letter home that found its way to the Rockland Gazette. The Rebs in fact captured Lieut T. B. Glover, reported missing. The two men were together and Lieut Glover was very fatigued. He was captured while Rackliff was taking a drink of water from a stream. Per the Adjutant generals Report of 1863, it appears that Rackliff deserted on 25 July, 1861.
(NOTE: While home on vacation Capt Robinson was given some old books by his mother, that had been handed down through the family. One of these was an 1854 New Testament and in it was the name of Samuel Rackliff, Born in 1836. A check of the birthdate and name with the Maine Adjutant Generals Report showed that both match with the soldier in Company D.)
The Regiment suffered 26 men killed, 46 wounded, and 121 missing. Few Federal regiments suffered more casualties and these were the most casualties in Heintzelman's Division. It was reported in the Rockland Gazette, on 1 August, that the 4th Maine performed gallantly and "...It was remarked by those who witnessed it that their lines were more steady than any regiment which had gone before them up the hill. Perhaps this fact might have been earlier known had this regiment chosen Washington for a stand rather than a point nearer the enemy's line."
Col Berry wrote that the men of the 4th Maine did not have any confidence in the smoothbore weapons that had been partially issued to them. He further stated that the results of the fight would have been better if their arms were better. This began a campaign by Col Berry that ended in the Regiment being issued Austrian .54 caliber muskets in February, 1862. Col Berry also reported that the men of the 4th Maine would have to have time to regain their confidence in the leaders of the Army.
On 12 August the Brigade that the 4th Maine was in was reorganized. The Brigade now comprised the 3rd Maine, 4th Maine, 38th New York and 40th New York. Col John Sedgwick was put in command of the Brigade. This was now called the 8th Brigade.
On 16 August the 4th Maine returned to camp at Bush Hill where it remained in camp until 17 March 1862. That morning the Company B orderly sergeant, Arthur Libby, approached Capt Walker to inform him that several men in the Company felt that they no longer were obligated to being in the military and refused to do their duties. Capt Walker reported this revolt to Col Berry, who was at a loss of words at the situation. Capt Walker recommended that he go to Col Howard, acting Brigade commander, who at once visited the Regiment. He met with those involved and let them know what the consequences were. All but three of the mutineers consented to return to duty. These three were sent, under cavalry escort, to Alexandria "slave pen". They remained here for about 2 weeks and were then ordered back to the Regiment for court-martial. At this time Capt Walker asked that the charges be dropped. This request was approved through the chain of command and the men returned to duty. One of these soldiers later died at Chantilly, while holding the State flag. With the exception of a few desertions, Capt Walker did not have any further trouble within his Company.
On 21 September a second "revolt" hit the Regiment. In the morning Company H was scheduled for detail when they informed the adjutant that they were not going to perform any more duty. They stated that their time of service had expired and that they were going home. Col Berry tried to convince the men that they were making a mistake but they would not listen to him. Disheartened by their refusal to do their duty, Col Berry called Capt Walker and asked him for his advice. Col Berry informed Capt Walker that he had done all that he could do and that "...the men were determined to bring disgrace upon themselves and the regiment..." Capt Walker advised the colonel to turn the men over to the brigade commander and said "Let him put them in the 38th New York. 'Old Ward' will cook them."
Col Berry said that he would break up the Company and get rid of the officers. Capt Walker said that he would take his Company, and part of Company C, to fulfill the picket duty that Company H was refusing to do. While performing this duty, Col Sedgwick arrived at the Regiment and had them formed in front of him. He then asked that all who were unwilling to do any further duty to step forward. About 80 men did so, forming a new front line. Col Sedgwick immediately had the men placed under arrest and placed under guard, in an open field, by men of the 38th New York. The next morning those arrested were escorted to the camp of the 38th New York, where they remained until the 38th time of service expired.
On 22 October Rockland Gazette reported that 4 Companies of the Regiment have been issued with muskets and their sabre bayonets and that the remaining Companies may be outfitted with the same musket sometime in the near future. This should be a Mississippi musket.
On the morning of 11 November, at 2:ooam the Regiment was awakened by an order for every man to form and to prepare to march with one day's rations. This was a surprise to all and for the next hour or so Camp Knox was the scene of much activity.
On 12 November BG Sedgwick ordered Berry to "Take the entire regiment, except those needed to guard the tents and recon to the Pohick. Reported that about 400 Rebel cavalry were seen at Accotink and 2 Regiments were seen to encamp at Pohick Church. Heintzelman will send out a force on the left. Take a days ration. Return in the evening and report to this headquarters." At 4:00am the 4th Maine departed Camp Knox to march to Pohick Church, VA. Following the Old Fairfax Road, the Regiment stopped at Accotink and then pushed a recon patrol as far as the Pohick. At 4:30am the Regiment was joined by Capt Todd and 40 cavalrymen of the Lincoln Cavalry. Once they passed through the Federal outer line the Regiment was given the order to load their weapons and a full company of skirmishers was posted to the front and flanks. As the regiment proceeded they checked each crossroads closely for a Rebel presence but none was found, and it looked as if there had not been any activity in the area for the last 4-5 weeks. Along the road to Accotink the Regiment did find large bush tent accommodations that indicated that up to 10 Regiments had been in the area but not in the last 4-5 weeks.
The 4th Maine arrived in Accotink about 9:00am and halted. From here Col Berry carefully reconned the hills and creek, ordering Companies A, B, and K forward to act as skirmishers, across the creek. Col Berry kept the main body "...on this side of the creek...." This group proceeded carefully 2-3 miles further and stretched out through a forest. Here they found signs that the road had been used heavily recently.
The skirmishers had captured 3 men, probably local farmers, and sent them back to Col Berry, who closely questioned them. He learned that a large force of infantry, about 5000 strong, were encamped just 2 miles ahead. Based on this Col Berry left a small force and proceeded 3/4 of a mile forward, with the prisoners in tow, where he halted again. Col Berry then instructed Capt Todd to send out a cavalry patrol to recon towards the Pohick Church.
Capt Todd did so and returned with news that there was a Rebel force of infantry and cavalry drilling about 3/4 of a mile ahead. Under the terms of the his orders, and feeling that a large Rebel force was in the area, Col Berry returned to Accotink and set about to feed his force.
Todd informed Col Berry that he still had men forward somewhere and that he wanted to go search for them. Col Berry agreed to this, placing the 4th Maine near the top of a hill that controlled the cross roads. Placing sentries Col Berry settled down to await Todd's return.
More than an hour later the reports of 3-4 guns were heard by the 4th Maine and in a few minutes 3 men raced into the 4th Maine position, two of them wounded. All carried plunder and Col Berry assumed that they had been shot at by the people they were robbing. Col Berry then ordered the 4th Maine back to camp, noting that Capt Todd and four men were missing.
It was later learned that Todd was captured and wrote a letter to Heintzelman from prison because he was held at fault for an incident at Pohick Church, as the Rebel forces turned out to be Federal troops and a brief firefight broke out between the two cavalry units. In his letter Todd asked Heintzelman to speak with Col Berry, who could confirm his story.
On 15 November the new Company arrived from Maine. It's officers were Capt William L. Pitcher, 1LT Albert S. Spenser, and 2LT George F. Bourne. The Company contained 75 privates, 1 musician and 1 wagonner.
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