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Maine History Online

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Maine's 20th Regiment

Scouts and guides with the Army of the Potomac, ca. 1865

Scouts and guides with the Army of the Potomac, ca. 1865

Item 4288 info
Maine Historical Society

Being primarily farmers and lumbermen before they enlisted, most of the men had no military background, but many were used to hard work and surviving in an often unforgiving environment, were familiar with firearms and had the benefit of having volunteered for service.

Colonel Adelbert Ames of Rockland, commander of the regiment, knew the soldiers were an independent lot and would not always obey orders with questioning or commenting on them.