What Was Maine's Role In The Civil War?

Maine in the Civil War: A Steadfast Ally of the Union Cause

This article explores the diverse ways Maine impacted the Civil War and aided in preserving the United States.

1. Answering the Call to Arms: Maine's Military Contributions

When the Civil War erupted, Maine responded with remarkable commitment, providing a disproportionately large number of soldiers and sailors relative to its population.

• Workforce: Maine contributed more citizens to the Union Army and Navy than any other Northern state, showcasing its dedication to the cause.
• Organized Units: The state organized and equipped 32 infantry regiments, 2 cavalry regiments, several artillery batteries, and specialized sharpshooter units, which served across various theaters of the war.
• Key Battles: Maine soldiers fought bravely in major engagements from the war's beginning at First Bull Run to its conclusion at Appomattox. They played particularly notable and heroic roles at the Battle of Gettysburg (especially the famed defense of Little Round Top by the 20th Maine Regiment under Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain) and during the grueling Siege of Petersburg.
• Leadership: Maine produced influential military leaders, including Generals Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Oliver Otis Howard (who later headed the Freedmen's Bureau), and Adelbert Ames.

2. Support from the Home Front: Politics and Production

The war effort extended beyond the battlefields, with Maine's home front providing essential support.

• Political Leadership: Maine was a staunchly Republican state and a strong supporter of the Union. Prominent political figures like Vice President Hannibal Hamlin (Abraham Lincoln's first Vice President) and influential Congressman James G. Blaine actively championed the Union cause.
• Economic Contributions: Maine's factories and shipyards were vital to the war effort. Industries produced crucial materials, including ships for the Navy, naval stores (like timber and tar), army equipment, and textiles for uniforms.
• Women's Vital Roles: Women in Maine were critical on the home front. They organized numerous Women's Aid Societies, engaging in essential activities like knitting socks, making bandages, sewing clothing, and fundraising for supplies to support soldiers and their families. Many Maine women also volunteered as nurses, tending to the wounded in hospitals and closer to the front lines. With countless men away fighting, women stepped up to manage businesses, farms, and households, keeping the state functioning.

3. A Foundation of Freedom: Maine's Abolitionist Stance

Maine entered the Civil War with a strong anti-slavery tradition, which fueled its commitment to the Union.

• Pre-War Sentiment: Active abolitionist societies existed in Maine well before the war began, advocating for the end of slavery.
• Influence of "Uncle Tom's Cabin": The publication of Harriet Beecher Stowe's influential anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, resonated deeply in the North. Stowe lived in Brunswick, Maine, while writing significant parts of the book, further connecting the state to the abolitionist cause.
• Commitment to the Union: Maine's firm abolitionist beliefs contributed significantly to the state's unwavering dedication to preserving the Union and ending slavery.

  ---

Maine's contribution to the Union victory in the Civil War was profound and multifaceted. Through the immense sacrifice of its soldiers on the battlefield, the unwavering support of its political leaders, the vital production of its industries, the tireless efforts on the home front (particularly by women), and its deep-rooted commitment to the abolitionist cause, Maine played a significant and essential role in preserving the United States. The legacy of Maine's involvement in the Civil War remains a vital part of the state's identity and history.

Sources:

• Maine Historical Society
• Maine State Archives
• Civil War histories specific to Maine regiments (e.g., 20th Maine)
• Biographies of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Oliver Otis Howard, Adelbert Ames, Hannibal Hamlin, James G. Blaine
• Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
• Economic Histories of Maine
• Records of Women's Aid Societies during the Civil War