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Historical Sketch of 3rd Maine Regt.

The "Third Regiment, Maine Volunteers" left the city of Augusta, on the morning of June 5th 1861 (having been mustered into the United States Service the day previous) under Command of Col. O.O. Howard and arrived in the city of Washington on the evening of the 7th. On the 8th inst, the Regiment was ordered to a Camp of Instruction, on Meridian Hill, where it remained till the 6th day of July, then crossed the Potomac, and encamped in front of Fort Ellsworth, being at that time the advance Regiment.

On the 10th of July the Regiment moved to Clermont, and encamped on the estate of the rebel, Commodore Forrest, 3 miles from the previous camp, and still in advance of all others. Here the Regiment was Brigaded with the 4th and 5th Maine, and the 2nd Vermont Vol's., Col. O.O. Howard, Acting Brig.Gen. Commanding. On the 11th July, we advanced our picket line to Springfield Station, and on the 14th began the march on Bull Run, arriving at Centerville on the 17th and at Bull Run on the 21st. Maj. Staples commanding the Regiment. In that disastrous battle, the Regiment sustained itself nobly, till the panic seized the troops, when it was found impossible to rally them, - our loss being 8 killed, 29 wounded, and 12 taken prisoners. The entire baggage of the Regiment, together with the knapsacks of the men, fell into the hands of the enemy.

On the 23rd July, we were again on our previous camp ground, (Clermont,) where we remained till Aug 10th when ordered