What follows is a brief summary of the Civil War service of the Ninth Maine Infantry including an excerpt from Dyers Compendium. This page is a work in progress and will eventually contain names of soldiers, so please check back.
I am currently preparing a history of the 9th Maine and would love to hear about your ancestor.
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My ancestor was Gustavus H. Ryerson of Company F who was born in Sumner, Maine on May 30, 1843 & died in Sumner on March 20, 1902. He was injured on July 4, 1863 near Folly Island, S.C. and again on July 30, 1864 at the "explosion of the mine, after battle on the retreat," in Petersburg, Virginia. He lay on the battlefield for what seemed an eternity and believed that he had been left for dead. He was found by his comrades, Sgt. F.L. Wyman & Private John H. Gilman, who "carried him from the field insensible."
Please tell me about your ancestor!
heavsusan@aol.com
Susan Anne Heavner
The Ninth Maine Infantry
A cursory search for information on the civil war service record of the 9th Maine infantry yields little beyond what is found in Dyers Compendium. This lack of readily available information and the seeming abundance of information about other regiments might leave a soldier's eager descendant to believe that the history of the 9th was unworthy of record. But that is not the case. By one count, (William F. Fox, Foxes Regimental Losses), the 9th Maine participated in 18 battles.
Soon after the regiment was organized in September of 1861, it began drilling in preparation to join General Thomas West Sherman's Expeditionary Corps and within two months it had participated in the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard in South Carolina. The men of the 9th were among the first to bring back the United States flag to the state of South Carolina.
In February of the following year the regiment embarked on a secret expedition, which was later learned to have been an aborted plan to take Savannah. Fernandina, Florida, was substituted in its place and here the regiment stayed doing fatigue duty until the end of August 1862. While in Florida the principal enemy was disease, the ubiquitous heat and homesickness.
By 1863 the regiment was involved in the plan to take Charleston Harbor. In addition to bravery on the battlefield, many men of the 9th were forced to confront their prejudices as they watched the 54th Massachusetts Colored take the honorable lead position in the July 18 attack on Battery Wagner. The day proved to be a disaster for the Union with many casualties, including Brigadier General George C. Strong who was carried from the field by two men of the 9th. The regiment lost 189 men (killed, missing, and wounded) during the siege of Fort Wagner and for many of its soldiers this campaign marked the beginning of the war images that would forever change their lives.
By 1864, as the war intensified under General Grant's leadership, the 9th, then a part of the Army of the James commanded by General Benjamin F. Butler, began its march toward Petersburg where their many engagements included Drewery's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg. Losses during this campaign were severe and by the fall of 1864, the regiment was so small, (about 300), that there was talk of combining the 8th and 9th Maine, but one soldier, (Aaron H. Chase), later boasted that "the Genl. would not here [sic] of the 9th leaving its organisation [sic], the Regt was small but they done as much fighting as the larger Regts."
After the Petersburg and Richmond campaign, the 9th was sent to North Carolina where it participated in the pursuit of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and was present for General Johnston's surrender on April 26, 1865.
The regiment was mustered out in July of 1865.
I would love to hear from you
heavsusan@aol.com
Susan Anne Heavner
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From Dyers Compendium:
MAINE VOLUNTEERS. 9th REGIMENT INFANTRY:
Organized at Augusta and mustered in September 22, 1861.
Left State for Washington, D.C., September 24, and camp at Bladensburg, Defenses of Washington, September 26 -October 8.
Moved to Annapolis, Md., October 8, 1861.
Attached to Wright's 3rd Brigade, Sherman's South Carolina Expeditionary Corps, to February, 1862.
Fernandina, Fla., Dept. of the South, to January, 1863.
District of Hilton Head, S.C., 10th Corps, Dept. South, to June, 1863.
St. Helena Island, S.C., to July, 1863.
2nd Brigade, Folly Island, S.C., 10th Corps, July, 1863.
2nd Brigade. Morris Island, S.C., 10th Corps, to August, 1863.
1st Brigade, Morris Island, S.C., 10th Corps, to April, 1864.
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Army Corps, Army of the James, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to May, 1864.
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th Corps, to June, 1864.
3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Army Corps, to December, 1864.
3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 24th Army Corps, to March, 1865.
3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Army Corps, Army Ohio, to July, 1865.
SERVICE.--Expedition to Port Royal, S.C., October 21-November 7, 186l.
Capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard, Port Royal Harbor, November 7.
Hilton Head November 8. Duty at Hilton Head till January 29, 1862.
Expedition to Warsaw Sound January 29-March 1.
Expedition to Florida February 25-March 5.
Occupation of Fernandina, Fla., March 5, and duty there till January, 1863.
Near Fernandina April 10, 1862 (Co. "I").
Moved to Hilton Head, S.C., January, 1863, and duty there till June, and at St. Helena Island till July.
Moved to Folly Island, S.C., July 4.
Attack on Morris Island July 10.
Assaults; on Fort Wagner, Morris Island, July 11 and 18.
Siege operations against Forts Wagner and Gregg, -Morris Island, and Fort Sumter and Charleston July 11- September 7.
Capture of Forts Wagner and Gregg September 7.
Occupation of Black Island till January, 1864.
Veterans on furlough February and March. Non-Veterans duty on Morris Island till April, then moved to Gloucester Point, Va. Veterans rejoin April 28.
Butler's operations on south side of James River and against Petersburg and Richmond May 4-27.
Occupation of City Point and Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 5.
Port Walthal Junction. Chester Station, May 6-7.
Arrowfield Church May 9.
Operations against Fort Darling May 12-16.
Drury's Bluff May 14-16.
Bermuda Hundred May 16-27.
Moved to White House, thence to Cold Harbor May 27-June 1.
Cold Harbor June 1-12.
Before Petersburg June 15-19. Siege of Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to February, 1865.
Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864.
Demonstration north of James River August 13-26.
Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18,
Bermuda Hundred August 24-25.
In trenches before Petersburg till September 25.
Non-Veterans left front September 21 and mustered out September 27, 1864.
New Market Heights September 28-29.
Chaffin's Farm September 29-30.
Charles City Cross Roads October 1.
Fair Oaks October 27-28.
Duty on north side of James till February, 1865.
Rejoined Brigade at Fort Fisher, N. C.
Cape Fear Intrenchments February 11-12.
Fort Anderson February 18-20.
Capture of Wilmington February 22.
Advance on Goldsboro March 6-21.
Occupation of Goldsboro March 21.
Advance on Raleigh April 10-13.
Occupation of Raleigh April 14.
Bennett's House April 26.
Surrender of Johnson and his army.
Duty in North Carolina till July.
Mustered out July 13, 1865.
Outline
(Information found in the Papers of Melville W. Chase, Manuscript Collection, Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, Collection 1399)
Ninth Maine Infantry:
09/21/1861: Mustered into U.S. Service in Augusta, Maine.
09/24/61: Left Augusta for Washington D.C.
10/09/61: Left Washington for Annapolis
10/21/61: Left Annapolis for Fortress Monroe, VA where stayed until the 28th.
10/28/61: Left Fortress Monroe on the Steamer, Coatzacolcos.
11/04/61: Arrived off Port Royal Harbor, S.C.
11/07/61: Hilton Head Island, S.C. until Feb. 5.
02/05/62: Marched to Seabrook, distant some six miles.
02/07/62: Embarked on board the Star of the South and arrived on Warsaw Island on Feb. 9.
02/28/62: Moved out to sea.
03/01/62: Cumberland Island.
03/04/62: Arrived Fernandina, Florida
02/14/63: To Hilton Head, S.C. remained there until June 15th.
06/15/63: St. Helena Island, S.C. Remained until July 3rd.
07/05/63: Folly Island, S.C.
07/10/63: South end of Morris Island, S.C.
07/11/63: Stormed Fort Wagner. Heavy loss.
07/18/63: Stormed Fort Wagner again. Heavy loss.
09/08/63: Prepared to storm Fort Wagner again, but found it evacuated.
10/29/63: Moved to Black Island, S.C. While here 416 of the original members re-enlisted for three years or during the war.
02/10/64: Returned to Morris Island, S.C.
02/14/64: The veterans started for Maine on veteran furlough. The remainder of the men stayed on Morris Island, S.C.
04/28/64: Arrived at Gloucester Point, VA.
05/04/64: Sailed up the York River to Bermuda Landing, VA
05/07/64: Engaged the enemy at Walthal Junction. Captured a portion of the Richmond & Petersburg R.R.
05/15/64: Marched to Drurey's Bluff, VA.
05/17/64: Engaged the enemy.
05/18/64: Engaged the enemy.
05/20/64: Returned to Bermuda Hundred. Engaged the enemy.
05/27/64: Marched to Bermuda Landing & boarded Steamers.
05/28/64: Sailed to West Point
05/31/64: Marched to Cold Harbor, VA
06/01/64: Arrived at Cold Harbor and engaged the enemy.
06/12/64: Marched from Cold Harbor to White House Landing. Sailed to Point of Rocks, VA, there embarked and marched toward Petersburg.
06/16/64: Engaged the enemy on June 16 & 17. Remained at Petersburg until June 19.
06/19/64: Marched to Bermuda Hundred.
06/24/64: Returned to Petersburg
06/30/64: 100 of the men engaged the enemy. Only 49 returned.
07/30/64: Engaged the enemy after the blowing up of the mine at Petersburg.
07/31/64: Marched to Bermuda Hundred.
08/13/64: Marched to Deep Bottom, arrived Aug. 14.
08/16/64: Engaged the enemy.
08/18/64: Returned to Bermuda Hundred.
08/19/64: Marched to Petersburg, VA, remained there until Sept. 24.
09/28/64: Marched to Jones Landing. Crossed the James River & moved toward Richmond, VA.
09/29/64: Moved up to New Market Road and made an assault of Fort Gilmer.
09/30/64: On duty in the trenches before Richmond, VA until Oct. 27.
10/27/64: Marched to Derbytown Road and engaged the enemy.
10/29/64: Returned to camp and engaged in preparing winter quarters.
[His diary ends here, see Dyer's compendium above for later information]
The following is a letter from Charles LeForest Howe (a member of the 9th Maine Volunteers, Company F) written to the wife of Capt. William Barrows following the battle on August 16, 1864 at Deep Bottom. Found at the National Archives, Washington D.C. in the pension file of Capt. William Barrows.
Bermuda Hundreds, VA
August 24th 1864
Mrs. Barrows
and much respected Friend.
Tis with a sad heart that I write you this morning. Oh that I could write something to cheer your sad heart but such cannot be the case. Our Noble Commander was never in better spirits in the morning just before the battle he even expressed a desire to go in a battle he said he thought we could gain a good name if we were engaged. at last the order came for us to advance which we did in splended manner. Our gallant commander taking lead of our little company. we came nearer the enemy. They open a deadly fire on our thin ranks but still we press forward determed to drive the foe. at last the order comes for us to charge. cheer after cheer went up. Then the charge was made. Our Captin was in advance of the Regerment some five yards. Shouting and swinging his hat he looked noble. most all of the Officers were shot and the command fell to Him. he like a hero fought us till we were surounded and were obliged to retreat which we don in good order. we went of the field singing the good old song Rally round the Flag. The mesengers of death were thining our ranks fast and it pains me to say Our Beloved Captin fell not very far from the rebels works. the face of every man was sad the boys loved him as a father tears droped from those hardy cheeks. He was the pride of the Regerment. the Brigade thought very highly of him. but alas he has gon he fills an Soldiers grave. he fell and died like a Hero. Oh the Company mourn his loss. he was our Father. he could not do enough for his boys. twas his study to know how he could please the boys and make them happy. rest asured that Company mourn with you they feel your loss and it grives us very much. Oh when is this war going to come to a close. God speed the day. The Town of Sumner have great cause to weep. her best sons are falling and bleeding every day for their Country and flag. Captin was the Hero of Sumner. he willingly gave up his life for his Country. He possesed all the good qualities that man could have. he was kind gentle honest and true to his Flag. we was in hopes we could recover his Body but I believe the rebels buried him. they discribed his body to some of the boys. if I had see him fall I would gon and got his body but I was carring the Colors and did not miss him till twas to late. Oh tis sad times. Oh the company all mourn his loss and wish to let you know that they are mourners with you and his friends. I cannot but help thinking of those happy days we spent at home. little did I think so many of my comrads would fill a soldiers grave so soon. I have been hit twice. I often think of you and the time we sang at the Depot at Buckfield. Our Noble Captin was happy then. I ? he is in heaven with the Angels whare thare is no war all is peace. Please axcept the kind wishes of the Company,
I am your friend. Gustave Ryerson has got charge of the Comp.
Charles L.Ft. Howe
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