Id’d Civil War Officer’s Camp Trunk – Lt. David E. Parsons Co. A 19th Maine Infantry

Id’d Civil War Officer’s Camp Trunk – Lt. David E. Parsons Co. A 19^th Maine Infantry – This identified officer’s camp trunk exhibits the name of its wartime owner – Lieutenant David E. Parsons, who served with the 19th Maine Infantry. Parsons enlisted on 25 August 1862 as a second lieutenant in Company A and rose steadily through the ranks, being promoted to first lieutenant in 1863. On 7 July 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and subsequently transferred to Company B, continuing in service through the regiment’s major campaigns. Parsons would later be promoted to the rank of Major on 11 November 1864 and assigned to the Field and Staff; he would remain as a Field and Staff officer until he mustered out in May 1865.

 The trunk exhibits a combination of these Civil War period, construction elements: embossed leather and wood with black metal strapping and reinforcements; there is an intact, finely crafted brass lock, as well. On the top of the trunk is a period piece of paper tacked to the top – inked on this paper is: “D. E. Parsons”, below this, is more writing, but that is not discernible.  On the right side of the trunk is stenciled the following:

“Lieut. D. E. Parson(s)”

Co  A.  19^th ME.

REG^T”

The trunk remains in overall, very good condition; the interior, wallpaper lining is slightly soiled, but intact and in good shape; there is a larger, drop-down compartment in the interior of the top of the trunk, with a smaller, document holder affixed – these also remain in very good condition. The left leather handle, on the exterior is in place; the right handle is no longer present.

Measurements:  L – 30 1/8”; D – 15 ¾”; H -15 5/8 “

 The 19th Maine is well remembered for its actions at the Battle of Gettysburg, where the regiment was heavily engaged on July 2 in the brutal fighting around the Wheatfield; it was here that the regiment helped stop repeated Confederate assaults during one of the battle’s most chaotic and costly actions. The 19th Maine entered the fight with an effective strength of 405 officers and men and suffered severe losses, with 65 killed or mortally wounded, 137 wounded, and 4 missing; these appalling numbers belie the intensity of the regiment’s service there with the 19th Maine among other Federal units that took heavy losses while helping to hold the Union line during the battle’s critical second day. Regimental rolls are indicative of Lt. David E. Parsons being present during the battle.

David E. Parsons

Residence Norridgewock, ME; 25 years old.
Enlisted on 8/25/1862 as a 2nd Lieut.

On 8/25/1862, he was commissioned into “A” Co. Maine 19th Infantry.
He was Mustered Out on 5/31/1865

Promotions:

• 1st Lieut (1863)
• Capt 7/7/1863 (As of Co. B)
• Major 11/11/1864

Intra-regimental company transfers

• 7/7/1863 From company A to company B

• 11/11/1864 From company B to Field & Staff

 MAINE NINETEENTH INFANTRY (Three Years) Nineteenth Infantry.–Cols., Frederick D. Sewell, Francis E. Heath, Selden Connor, James W. Welch, Isaac W. Starbird; Lieut.-Cols., Francis E. Heath, Henry W. Cunningham, Isaac W. Starbird, Joseph W. Spaulding; Majs., Henry W. Cunningham, James W. Welch, Isaac W. Starbird, Joseph W. Spaulding, David E. Parsons. A large portion of the men in the 19th came from Sagadohoc, Waldo, Knox and Kennebec counties and the regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at Bath, Aug. 25, 1862, to serve for three years. On the 27th it left for Washington, numbering 39 officers and 969 enlisted men, having been raised, organized and equipped in less than four weeks. It remained in garrison at Washington until the end of September, when it went to Harper’s Ferry, and was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 2nd corps. During a reconnaissance in force Oct. 16, to Charlestown, it was under fire for the first time, the men behaving with the coolness which ever afterwards characterized the regiment. During its term of service, it saw an unusual amount of active duty, and, in addition to innumerable skirmishes, was engaged in the battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bristoe Station, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Mine run, Spottsylvania Court House, Po river, Totopotomy, North Anna river, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Reams’ station, Strawberry Plains, Hatcher’s run, Boydton plank road, Fort Powell, Amelia Springs and High bridge. At Gettysburg it went into action with 440 officers and men and lost during two days 12 officers and 220 enlisted men. Its losses were also very severe at the battle of the Wilderness, on the Jerusalem plank road, and in front of Petersburg. It was exposed to the fire of artillery and sharpshooters in the immediate front of Petersburg both night and day, from Oct. 20 to 26, 1864. Its casualties during the year 1864 were as follows: killed in action, 61; wounded, 16 officers, 283 men; captured, 1 officer, 133 men. On June 18, 1864, 277 men were transferred to this regiment from the 4th Me. infantry, and on Oct. 22, 1864, the 5th unassigned Me. infantry, organized at Augusta, Oct. 4, 1864, to serve one, two and three years, joined this regiment. On May 2, 1865, it left Burkesville, Va., for Washington, and was mustered out on May 31 at Bailey’s cross-roads. The officers and men whose term of service did not expire prior to Oct. 1, 1865, were transferred to the 1st Me. heavy artillery.

19th Maine Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg

The monument to the 19th Maine Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg on Hancock Avenue. It is near the monument to the United States Regulars.

About the monument to the 19th Maine

The monument is a granite square capped by a pyramid, with a total height of 12′ 7″. The front has incised text on a polished surface set into the rough cut finish. Both sides have the trefoil symbol of the Second Corps and the date, “1863.” The State of Maine  dedicated the monument on October 3rd, 1889.

The 19th Maine at Gettysburg

Colonel Francis E. Heath commanded the 19th Maine at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a clerk from Waterville. Colonel Heath was wounded on July 3. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Whitman then took over the regiment.

As Sickles’ Third Corps was overrun on the afternoon of July 2nd Hancock led the 19th Maine from their position on Cemetery Ridge and placed them in the field southeast of the Codori barn. Colonel Heath ordered the men to lay prone as knots of Third Corps refugees ran over them to the rear.

A Third Corps officer ordered Heath to have his men stand and stop the retreating men with the bayonet. Heath refused, not wanting his own line disordered. He waited until the Third Corps men had passed. When the Confederates – men of the Florida Brigade – loomed out of the smoke thirty yards away he ordered the men up. They traded several volleys, stopping the charge and capturing one set of colors.

Warned that they were being flanked on the right, Heath began to pull back. But after falling back some twenty yards out of the dense clouds of smoke he saw that the report was false and turned back. They hit the Floridians as they were beginning to retire and pushed them back to Emmitsburg Road, taking a number of prisoners.

As night fell the regiment returned to the knee-high stone wall on Cemetery Ridge just south of the Copse of Trees that would be the aiming point for Pickett’s Charge.

Pickett’s Charge

The charge itself was almost a relief after the artillery barrage that preceded it. After firing into the oncoming Virginians angling toward the Copse, the regiment rushed north and joined in the hand to hand fighting that overwhelmed the Confederate assault. Colonel Heath, who was wounded here, claimed the regiment captured two Confederate colors but lost them to men of other regiments who “tore them from the lances.”

Text from the monument

19th Maine Inf’y Reg’t.

1st Brigade, 2d Division, 2d Corps

In the Evening of July 2d this Regiment at a position on the left of Batt’y C, 5th U.S. helped to repel the enemy that had driven in Humphreys’ Division, taking one battle flag and re-capturing four guns.

On July 3, after engaging the enemy’s advance from this position, it moved to the right to the support of the 2d Brigade and joined in the final charge and repulse of Pickett’s Command.

Effective strength. July 2d. 405;
Killed & mortally wounded 65;
Wounded not fatally, 137; Missing 4.

Muster

• Muster In Date:Aug 25, 1862
• Muster Out Date:May 31, 1865

Other

• Leaders:
  • Brigadier GeneralAlfred Sully
  • Brigadier GeneralJohn Gibbon
  • Brigadier GeneralOliver O. Howard
  • Brigadier GeneralThomas W. Egan
  • Brigadier GeneralWilliam Harrow
  • ColonelByron Laflin
  • ColonelFrancis E. Heath
  • ColonelFrederick D. Sewall
  • ColonelHenry W. Hudson
  • Lieutenant ColonelFrancis E. Heath
  • Lieutenant ColonelHenry W. Cunningham
  • Lieutenant ColonelHorace P. Rugg

battles

MAINE NINETEENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Nineteenth Infantry.–Cols., Frederick D. Sewell, Francis E. Heath, Selden Connor, James W. Welch, Isaac W. Starbird; Lieut.-Cols., Francis E. Heath, Henry W. Cunningham, Isaac W. Starbird, Joseph W. Spaulding; Majs., Henry W. Cunningham, James W. Welch, Isaac W. Starbird, Joseph W. Spaulding, David E. Parsons. A large portion of the men in the 19th came from Sagadohoc, Waldo, Knox and Kennebec counties and the regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at Bath, Aug. 25, 1862, to serve for three years. On the 27th it left for Washington, numbering 39 officers and 969 enlisted men, having been raised, organized and equipped in less than four weeks. It remained in garrison at Washington until the end of September, when it went to Harper’s Ferry, and was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 2nd corps. During a reconnaissance in force Oct. 16, to Charlestown, it was under fire for the first time, the men behaving with the coolness which ever afterwards characterized the regiment. During its term of service, it saw an unusual amount of active duty, and, in addition to innumerable skirmishes, was engaged in the battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bristoe Station, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Mine run, Spottsylvania Court House, Po river, Totopotomy, North Anna river, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Reams’ station, Strawberry Plains, Hatcher’s run, Boydton plank road, Fort Powell, Amelia Springs and High bridge. At Gettysburg it went into action with 440 officers and men and lost during two days 12 officers and 220 enlisted men. Its losses were also very severe at the battle of the Wilderness, on the Jerusalem plank road, and in front of Petersburg. It was exposed to the fire of artillery and sharpshooters in the immediate front of Petersburg both night and day, from Oct. 20 to 26, 1864. Its casualties during the year 1864 were as follows: killed in action, 61; wounded, 16 officers, 283 men; captured, 1 officer, 133 men. On June 18, 1864, 277 men were transferred to this regiment from the 4th Me. infantry, and on Oct. 22, 1864, the 5th unassigned Me. infantry, organized at Augusta, Oct. 4, 1864, to serve one, two and three years, joined this regiment. On May 2, 1865, it left Burkesville, Va., for Washington, and was mustered out on May 31 at Bailey’s cross-roads. The officers and men whose term of service did not expire prior to Oct. 1, 1865, were transferred to the 1st Me. heavy artillery. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Col. Francis E. Heath, Nineteenth Maine Infantry. Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 4, 1863. I have the honor to make the following report of the share taken by my regiment in the late engagements: On the afternoon of the 2d, my regiment was placed in position, under the eye of the general commanding, to the left, and supporting Brown’s Rhode Island battery. At a little past 6 p. m. the enemy advanced and my regiment became engaged. After firing about 10 rounds, I ordered an advance, and took quite a number of prisoners. I also retook four Napoleon guns that had been abandoned by some of our forces that had been posted to my left and front. The guns were sent immediately to the rear, after which I fell back to our old position. On the following day my position was on the left of the Eighty-second New York Volunteers, and, when the enemy advanced, I was ordered with the rest of the brigade to the support of the Second Brigade. While there engaged, I lost very heavily, especially in non-commissioned officers. Two battle-flags of the enemy were taken by men of my regiment, but were torn from the lances by men of other regiments. Of the conduct of the officers and men of my regiment, I cannot speak too highly. I would gladly particularize, but any distinction would be invidious, for all did nobly. I have already forwarded a list of casualties.* Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. E. HEATH, Col., Comdg. Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., First Brigade. __________

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

19^th Maine Infantry at Petersburg:

First Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army⁶

• Commander: Captain Charles E. Nash?⁷
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons: Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber)(June 30, 1864)⁸
• Note: 75 men from the 4th Maine, which was leaving the front to muster out, were added to the 19th Maine on June 15, 1864.⁹

Second Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army¹⁰,¹¹

• Commander: Captain Joseph W. Spaulding¹²,¹³
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons: Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber)(June 30, 1864)¹⁴

Third Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army¹⁵,¹⁶

• Commander:
  • Captain Joseph W. Spaulding (at least July 27-31, 1864)(away on court martial duty July 9-11, 1864)¹⁷,¹⁸
  • ? (July 9-11, 1864)
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army¹⁹,²⁰

• Commander: Captain Joseph W. Spaulding (at least August 9 22-23 & 30-31, 1864)²¹,²²,²³,²⁴
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army²⁵

• Commander: Captain Joseph W. Spaulding (until Spetember 7, 1864)²⁶,²⁷
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons: Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber)(September 30, 1864)²⁸

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army²⁹,³⁰

• Commander: Major Isaac W. Starbird (at least October 24 & 31, 1864)³¹,³²,³³
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons:
• Note: The Fifth Independent Company, Maine Infantry was assigned to the 19th Maine on October 22, 1864.³⁴

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army³⁵

• Commander: Colonel Isaac W. Starbird (December 31, 1864)³⁶,³⁷
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons:

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army³⁸,³⁹,⁴⁰

• Commander:
  • Major David E. Parsons (January 31, 1865)⁴¹
  • Colonel Isaac W. Starbird (February 28, 1865)⁴²,⁴³
• Unit Strength:
• Weapons:
• Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle.⁴⁴

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army⁴⁵,⁴⁶

• Commander: Colonel Isaac W. Starbird (wounded April 7, 1865)(March 31-April 2, 1865)⁴⁷,⁴⁸
• Unit Strength: 350-375 officers and men (throughout early April 1865)⁴⁹
• Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles⁵⁰:

• Before Petersburg June 16-19.
• Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
• Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23, 1864.
• Deep Bottom, north of the James, July 27-28.
• Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve).
• Demonstration north of the James August 13-20.
• Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18.
• Ream’s Station August 25.
• Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
• Dabney’s Mills February 5-7, 1865.
• Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
• Boydton Road March 30-31.
• Fall of Petersburg April 2.
• Sailor’s Creek April 6.
• High Bridge April 6-7.
• Farmville April 7.
• Appomattox C. H. April 9.

Dr David E Parsons V Veteran

Birth

3 Dec 1836

Cornville, Somerset County, Maine, USA

Death

6 Dec 1907 (aged 71)

Oakland, Kennebec County, Maine, USA

Burial

Lakeview Cemetery

Oakland, Kennebec County, Maine,

Major in 19th Maine Infantry; wounded at the Wilderness
Physician In Oakland, Maine
Wife – Isabel F (1844-1912)
Daughter – Mary B (1874-1917)