Maine Memory Network

Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Description

Hiram G. Berry, a carpenter, navigator, banker, and politician in Rockland, was commander of the Rockland Guard, a militia unit before the Civil War.

He was asked to recruit a regiment for the war – the 4th Maine Regiment. Berry was colonel of the regiment from May 1861 to March 1862 when he was promoted to major general in the U.S. Volunteers General Staff Infantry Regiment. He was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, while leading a bayonet charge. He reportedly told his soldiers to "have hearts like oak and let the Stars and Stripes wave high."

A. W. (Abner Warren) Harmon, born in Bucksport and later was a blacksmith in Scarborough, wrote the memorial poem about Berry, which became popular during the war. Harmon wrote a number of other poems about the war and other memorials, including one about Abraham Lincoln. Some of the poems were set to music.

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Transcription

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About This Item

• Title: Hiram Berry memorial poem, ca. 1863
• Creator: Abner W. Harmon
• Creation Date: circa 1863
• Subject Date: circa 1863
• Location: Rockland, Knox County, ME
• Media: Ink on paper
• Dimensions: 23.5 cm x 14.6 cm
• Local Code: Broadside 333
• Object Type: Text

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Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Memorials--Maine
• Military service, Voluntary
• Military service--1860-1870
• United States--Civil War, 1861-1865
• United States. Army. Maine Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1864)

People

• Bery, Hiram
• Harmon, Abner W.

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For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website

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