Fine Horn Handled Id’d Civil War Razor – 1st Maine Sharpshooters

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Fine Horn Handled Id’d Civil War Razor – 1st Maine Sharpshooters – This fine example of a Civil War period razor has the following name and regimental ID engraved on one side of the horn handles:  

“J. E. FOLLETT 

CO E 1ST  USSS” 

Engraved on the blade is: “MANUFACTURED BY WADE & BUTCHER SHEFFIELD”. The blade and handles remain in excellent condition. Accompanying the razor is its original pasteboard case, also in excellent condition. Private Follett enlisted in Company E of the 1rst Maine Sharpshooters in November of 1864; although this unit was a late war entry, they experienced considerable combat during the final days of the Siege of Petersburg, as well as during the pursuit of Lee’s army during the retreat to Appomattox. They have the distinction of being the first Union regiment to receive the surrender of Confederate troops at Appomattox.  

James E. Follett

Residence Woolwich ME; 18 years old.  Enlisted as a Private (date unknown).  On 11/28/1864 he mustered into “E” Co. ME 1st SharpShooters  He was transferred out on 6/21/1865 On 6/21/1865 he transferred into “E” Co. ME 20th Infantry  He was Mustered Out on 7/16/1865  

1st ME Sharpshooters Battalion
(3-years ) 

Organized: Augusta, ME on 10/27/64
Mustered Out: 6/21/65

Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 0
Officers Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 0
Enlisted Men Killed or Mortally Wounded: 7
Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 12
(Source: Fox, Regimental Losses) 

MAINE
1ST SHARPSHOOTERS
 

     First Sharpshooters.-Lieut.-Col., Jacob McClure.  This regiment was composed of six companies, and was organized at  Augusta, from Oct. 27 to Dec. 29, 1864, to serve one and three  years, and was consolidated with the 20th Me. infantry, June  21, 1865.  Cos. A and B left for the front Nov. 12, 1864, and  were assigned to the defenses at City Point, Va. Cos. C, D, E  and F left Augusta on Dec. 7 and Dec. 30 and proceeded to  Galloupe’s island in Boston harbor, where they remained until  Jan. 1, 1865, when they were ordered to City Point.  They joined the two companies already there on the 5th, and  remained until the 21st, when the war department decided there  was no authority for such a regiment.  The lieutenant-colonel commanding was mustered out of service, the command was ordered to report to the 5th army corps and joined the 20th  Me. Infantry on June 21. 

1st Battalion Maine Sharpshooters 

The 1st Battalion Maine Sharpshooters was a sharpshooter battalion in the Union Army during the American Civil War. 

 Service 

The 1st Battalion Maine Sharpshooters was organized in Augusta, Maine October 27 through December 29, 1864. 

Companies A and B left Maine for City Point, Virginia, November 12, 1864, and assigned to duty there until January 1865. 

Company C was organized November 29, 1864, and moved to Galloupe’s Island, Boston Harbor, then moved to City Point, Virginia, January 1–5, 1865. 

Company D was organized December 2, 1864. Company E was organized November 28, 1864. Company F was organized December 29, 1864, all three moved to City Point, Virginia, to join the other companies. All were ordered to the Petersburg front and attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps, Army of the Potomac, January to June 1865. 

The 1st Battalion Maine Sharpshooters ceased to exist on June 21, 1865, when its members were transferred to the 20th Maine Infantry. 

Detailed service  

The regiment was involved in the Siege of Petersburg from January 5 to April 2, 1865. Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5–7. Fort Fisher, Petersburg, March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. White Oak Road March 29. Quaker Road March 30. Boydton Road March 30–31. Five Forks April 1. Amelia Court House April 5. High Bridge April 6. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Moved to Washington, D.C., May 2–12 and participated in the Grand Review of the Armies May 23. 

Casualties 

The regiment lost a total of 19 enlisted men during service; 7 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 12 enlisted men due to disease. 

1st Battalion, Sharpshooters, Maine Infantry 

OVERVIEW: 

Organized at Augusta from October 27 to December 29, 1864. Companies “A” and “B” left State for City Point, Va., November 12, 1864. Assigned to duty at that point till January, 1865. Company “C” organized November 29, 1864. Moved to Galloupe’s Island, Boston Harbor, thence moved to City Point, Va., January 1-5, 1865. Company “D” organized December 2. Company “E” organized November 28, and Company “F” organized December 29, 1864, all moved to City Point, Va., and joined other Companies. Ordered to Petersburg front and attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac, January to June, 1865. 

SERVICE: 

Siege of Petersburg January 5 to April 2, 1865. Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7. Fort Fisher, Petersburg, March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. White Oak Road March 29. Quaker Road March 30. Boydton Road March 30-31. Five Forks April 1. Amelia C. H. April 5. High Bridge April 6. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Moved to Washington, D. C., May 2-12. Grand Review May 23 Transferred to 20th Maine Infantry June 21, 1865. 

Regiment lost during service 7 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 12 Enlisted men by disease. Total 19. 

History of the 1st Maine Sharpshooter Battalion 

The story of the 1st Battalion Maine Sharpshooters is an interesting but little known . This is due to the Battalion being raised so late compared to most units and being sent to the front as late as January 1865. However short this units story is it is still notable for its beginning and its end. After Action Reports show the Battalion operated as  line Infantry as well as skirmishers during battle.  The Maine Sharpshooters held the honor of being the first unit in line to receive the Confederate Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

The 1st Battalion, Sharpshooters, Maine Infantry was organized at Augusta, October 27 to December 29, 1864 by former Co. D 2nd USSS captain Jacob McClure who began petitioning the governor of Maine for a commission as Major so he could raise a Maine sharpshooter battalion. McClure did this while he was home recovering from a wound received at Gettysburg.

Both McClure and the governor of Maine essentially went above the heads of the War Department in Washington. McClure and company officers recruited almost 600 men, mustered them in, etc., and went to City Point (2 companies) and Boston (4 companies) while waiting for a field assignment. After he requested a field assignment for the battalion, the War Dept. investigated and learned that there was no Federal authority to raise the organization. They insisted that McClure be dismissed and that his commission in the battalion was invalid. The discharge also meant the war department determined that the battalion itself was unauthorized but they still held the men to their 18-month enlistments which no doubt contributed to over 150 desertions, or nearly 30-35% of men available for immediate duty. The Duties served at City Point were primarily drill and guard duty. The extreme desertion rate could likely also have contributed to this. Captain Geo Abbot took command of the battalion for the duration of the war.

On January 5th the battalion was ordered to Petersburg front and attached to 3rd Brigade,
1st Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac. Although a sovereign unit it is likely the battalion was attached to the 20th Maine Infantry.

No first hand accounts of the siege are given by members of   the battalion however much information about the conditions of the battalion and their posts can be found in histories of the 20th Maine for they were brigaded together. Generally the siege was considered unlivable by the combatants. Quotes describing men of the 20th Maine with “expressionless eyes sunk back into their heads” are rife and can be found in histories of nearly any unit who participated in the siege. After Lee’s breakout the battalion along with the rest of the 5th corps were attached to general Sheridan during the Appomattox Campaign. The Battalion appears to have had a tough fight at Five Forks  (AAR can be found below). Descriptions from the history of the 20th Maine describe the men of the corps being dirty, hungry and miserable during the campaign. On April 9th The ANV surrendered. On the surrender ceremony the Sharpshooters were the first battalion in line of the 3rd Brigade facing the Surrendering Army.

On May 2nd through the 12th the Battalion made way to Washington where on the 23rd They participated in the grand Review of the Armies. On June 21st the Battalion was transferred to the 20th Maine. The 20th Maine was mustered out on July 16, 1865.

 From the time of its formation to the time of its disbandment the battalion served in two campaigns and eight engagements over the span of 10 months and suffered 19 Killed. After action reports filed by the officers of the battalion give insight on how the battalion fought and their exploits in battle.