21st Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 21st Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry
regiment
that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
.
and mustered in October 14, 1862 for nine months' service under the command of Colonel
Elijah D. Johnson.
The regiment left Maine for Washington, D.C., October 21. Ordered upon reaching Trenton, N.J., to return to New York, and served duty at East New York until January 1863. Embarked for New Orleans, La., January 9. Companies A, C, E, F, H, and K, on the steamer Onward, reached New Orleans January 31, and moved to Baton Rouge, La., February 3. The balance of the regiment arrived at Baton Rouge February 11. Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, XIX Corps, Department of the Gulf, to July 1863. Participated in the operations against Port Hudson March 7-20, 1863. Served duty at Baton Rouge until May. Advance on Port Hudson May 20-24. Action at Plains Store May 21. Siege of Port Hudson May 24-July 8. Assaults on Port Hudson May 27 and June 14. Surrender of Port Hudson July 8. Ordered home July 24.
The 21st Maine Infantry mustered out of service August 25, 1863.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Service
The 21st Maine Infantry was organized in Augusta, MaineAugusta, Maine
Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
and mustered in October 14, 1862 for nine months' service under the command of Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
Elijah D. Johnson.
The regiment left Maine for Washington, D.C., October 21. Ordered upon reaching Trenton, N.J., to return to New York, and served duty at East New York until January 1863. Embarked for New Orleans, La., January 9. Companies A, C, E, F, H, and K, on the steamer Onward, reached New Orleans January 31, and moved to Baton Rouge, La., February 3. The balance of the regiment arrived at Baton Rouge February 11. Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, XIX Corps, Department of the Gulf, to July 1863. Participated in the operations against Port Hudson March 7-20, 1863. Served duty at Baton Rouge until May. Advance on Port Hudson May 20-24. Action at Plains Store May 21. Siege of Port Hudson May 24-July 8. Assaults on Port Hudson May 27 and June 14. Surrender of Port Hudson July 8. Ordered home July 24.
The 21st Maine Infantry mustered out of service August 25, 1863.
Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 172 men during service; 1 officer and 26 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 officer and 144 enlisted men died of disease.See also
- List of Maine Civil War units
- Maine in the American Civil WarMaine in the American Civil WarDuring the American Civil War, the state of Maine was a source of military manpower, supplies, ships, arms, and political support for the Union Army...