31st Maine Infantry Regt
The 31st Maine Infantry Regt. mustered into Federal service in Augusta, Maine on April 17th 1864. Although this was rather late in the war it didnt prevent this unit from a distinguished and historically important engagements. Made up of men from all parts north and east of Augusta and Bangor they were hard working outdoorsmen that were well suited for the trials before them. After a short respite in Washington D.C. they were attached to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Corp of the Army of the Potomac. Under the leadership of Colonel Daniel White it began active campaigning on May 4th 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness when they suffered heavy casualties. Shortly after they engaged the Confederates at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House where this writers wife's 3rd great grandfather was wounded. They then were engaged at Totopotomoy Creek and before the confederate works at Cold Harbor.
The action that is most noteworthy of their service occurred during the Siege of Petersburg during what is called the Battle of the Crater. The 43rd Penn. Infantry Regt. was made up of a number of coal miners. 9th Corp Commander Major General Ambose Burnside devised a plan using the 43rd Penn. to dig a tunnel under the confederate works and ignite explosives to blow a hole in their lines and in so doing create a gap through which to infiltrate the works and break the confederate defenses. In the early morning hours of July 30th, 1864 as the fuse was lit, the 31st Maine lay on the open field before the works as the tip of the spear of the union forces. This part of the battle is depicted in the 2003 movie Cold Harbor. Soon there was a tremendous ground shaking explosion which threw the confederate line in a fit of confusion creating the exact effect intended.
The 31st Maine rose to their feet and began a full charge across an open field in lead of the Brigade and Division. This is about the last part of the plan that went well. The Union failed to predict the large crater the explosion would create and the 31st Maine with the rest of the division following became trapped and confused as they were unable to climb the steep side of the crater to reach the confederate line. To the credit of the confederate commanders they were able to rally their troops and fill the gaps in the lines much faster then had been anticipated. The 31st Maine fell victim to a tremendous enfilading fire from above. So many of their sister regiments had followed them into the crater they were unable to retreat and unable to climb the embankment before them they were trapped. They suffered a tremenous loss and were routed from the field. The day was lost.
Following the debacle Gen. Burnside was relieved from command for the final time. Gen. U S Grant after reviewing the scene said it was the saddest affair I have witness thus far in the war. As a footnote to the battle the Congressional Joint Commitee on the Conduct of the War determined that General Burnside's plan was to send Black troops in first because he felt they were better prepared and would offer the best chance of success. General Meade the Commanding general of the Army of the Potomac at the time changed the plan for political purposes. He felt if the plan failed the colored troops would be slaughtered and it would be said they were sent in first because their lives were less valued. Thus, the call came to the 31st. Maine.
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The regiment would go on to fight at Poplar Springs Church, Boydton Plank Rd, Hatchers Run, Fort Steadman, Assault on Ft Mahone, Fall of Petersburg and the Occupation of Petersburg.
They also participated in the Grand Review of the Army in Washington.