Lt. George B. Stevens


Co. E, 25th Maine memorial, ca. 1880

Co. E, 25th Maine memorial, ca. 1880
Item 100046   info
Westbrook Historical Society

Raised in Westbrook, Co. E of the 25th Maine was primarily made up of Westbrook residents.

With only a nine-month enlistment period, many from the 25th went on to serve in the 29th and 30th Maine regiments.

Lt. George B. Stevens letter to wife, Long Island, 1862

Lt. George B. Stevens letter to wife, Long Island, 1862
Item 99454   info
Westbrook Historical Society

George B. Stevens (1839-1926), who lived on Stevens Plains, was a teacher when he enlisted in Co. E of the 25th Maine Infantry on September 29, 1862. He was soon promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

He married Jean S. "Jennie" Graham on Dec. 1, 1861. Stevens wrote to his wife when he was aboard the steamer State of Maine in Long Island Sound on October 17, 1862.

In the letter, he uses the word "soger" -- in quotations. It was slang for "soldier," referring to the popular pronunciation of the word.

Lt. George B. Stevens to wife, Chantilly, VA, 1863

Lt. George B. Stevens to wife, Chantilly, VA, 1863
Item 99456   info
Westbrook Historical Society

In a letter to Jennie on April 10, 1863, he wrote of his appointment as Acting Adjutant of the 25th Maine Regiment.

He reminds Jennie of their wedding day, "I think of it always and its associations are strongly impressed upon my mind."

He also refers to their son Willie who died in infancy.

Lt. George B. Stevens letter to wife, Chantilly, VA, 1863

Lt. George B. Stevens letter to wife, Chantilly, VA, 1863
Item 99459   info
Westbrook Historical Society

Stevens also wrote home about day-to-day life in camp and his longing for home.

In February 1865, he re-enlisted as a private, joining Co. H of the 30th Maine infantry. He mustered out the following August.

Marker of George B. and Jean Stevens, Pine Grove Cemetery, Portland, 2014

Marker of George B. and Jean Stevens, Pine Grove Cemetery, Portland, 2014
Item 100044   info
Walker Memorial Library

After the war, Stevens returned to farming on Stevens Plains and later worked in the tinsmith trade.

When Stevens died in 1926 at age 87 he was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery alongside his wife and children in the family plot.

Marker of George B. Stevens' children, Evergreen Cemetery, 2014

Marker of George B. Stevens' children, Evergreen Cemetery, 2014
Item 100043   info
Walker Memorial Library

The names of the Stevens' sons who died as infants are listed on a separate stone. They are William A., 1862-1862; Charles M, 1864-1864; and Graham, 1867-1867.

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