145th Anniversary of the Third Maine Muster - Part I
In celebration and remembrance of the 1861 mustering of the Third Maine Regiment Volunteer Infantry into federal service, a living history encampment was held in Capital Park in Augusta on June 3rd and 4th, 2006. We camped on the very same ground used by the original Third Maine for the gathering of the regiment's men and preparation by the regiment for leaving the state to join Union forces south of Washington. Unfortunately, the event coincided with two days of virtually unrelenting heavy rain. While the weather limited some of our planned activities and inhibited camp visits by the public, our spirits remained high and we enjoyed fellowship with each other. There was even a wedding.
The camp looked great. We even had a Sibley tent. In 1861 the Third Maine used 80 such tents.
The Fife and Drum played out in the open and under cover, as the precipitation allowed.
The condition of the drill field did not allow the Infantry many opportunities for drill...
...but Sgt. Burk, from the Regular Army, was able                      to introduce the boys to drill and discipline.
photos by Dick Cylik and Carolyn Lawson

                      Go to Part II