Civil War Encampment in Camden’s Harbor Park

Civil War Encampment in Camden’s Harbor Park August 21-22-23

20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Company B will be camped in Camden’s Harbor Park the weekend of August 21-22-23. Company B, 20th Maine, is a living history group dedicated to preserving the memory of Maine Civil War volunteers. The group participated in the “Maine and the Civil War” program at the Camden Public Library last summer, and they were such a hit and enjoyed themselves so much that they are delighted to be invited back this year! The company erects an authentic campground with tents and a firepit, and will offer vintage activities.

 The group will set up camp on Friday evening and begin hosting visitors on Saturday morning. “Our hours on Saturday will be opening camp at 9:00 and closing camp at 5:00 — that said, we welcome the public to come and visit after hours and to sit by the fire and talk, sing 60s songs (1860s!) or just chew the fat as long as they wish,” said Lieutenant Paul D. Dudley, 20th Maine Vol. Inf. Co.B., Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. “We don’t have a set full day schedule for Saturday — it’s usually flexible, and we have a couple of surprises to offer this summer. We will build an authentic ‘guardhouse’ in a tent and re-enact the punishment meted out to soldiers for drunkenness, gambling, and theft. We may also get a visit from irate Temperance Union ladies who will berate us for our intemperate habits. And we have a field artillery piece we are eager to fire from the top of Harbor Hill!

“Here is a rough schedule of what we expect to be doing: 9:00 –  camp opens; 9:15 — roll call; 9:30 — post colors; 9:30-10:00 — weapons safety check — manual of arms — stack arms; 10:00-11:00 — Living History — displays, music, mini-lectures by various re-enactors; 11:00-12:00 — Child recruitment — Join the Union Army!; 12:00-1:00 — dinner; 1:00-2:00 — Manual of Arms — Stacking of Arms — firing Drill; 2:00-3:00 — Child recruitment; 3:00-5:00 — Living History; 5:00 — supper — camp will remain open to the public into the evening. No set schedule. Sunset — furl the colors.”

The original Company B was mustered into the 20th Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, in August 1862, in time to march to Antietam with the Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. The re-enactors of Company B will present demonstrations, drills, and living history. The historical Company B, commanded by Walter G. Morrill, had been recruited in Piscataquis County, among the farmers of Dover, Milo, and Sebec. At Gettysburg, Company B was sent out as skirmishers by Colonel Chamberlain to protect the regiment’s exposed left flank. Posted behind a stone wall, the Company was too far away to participate in the initial fight, but was instrumental in routing the fleeing Confederates, its sudden appearance adding to the Rebel confusion. Company B was with the 20th in all its battles, from the Wilderness to Petersburg to Appomattox. Its Captain, Captain Walter Morrill, became the Regiment’s last commander in March, 1865.

 

The present-day re-enactment group is made up of men and women from eastern, central, and southern Maine, even Canada, and as far north as Aroostook county. “We are people from various walks of life. We have school teachers, an aircraft pilot, a lawyer, and self-employed contractors. We all share a fascination in the Civil War, and a great interest in ‘learning by doing’. While we strive to be as ‘authentic’ as possible in our Civil War impressions, our main goal is to provide our members and the public with activities that are enjoyable, educational, and above all, safe. Our base of operations is Fort Knox, a Civil War-era fort in Prospect. We hold annual encampments there the last weekends of July and August.” This visit by Company B to Camden is part of the “Maine and the Civil War” series hosted by the Camden Public Library.

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