The Fifth Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry

A Civil War reenactment unit dedicated to promoting understanding of the American Civil War.

The Fifth Maine Regiment Volunteer Infantry is composed of a group of dedicated individuals who are committed to reenacting events which occurred at the time of the American Civil War by portraying members of the original Fifth Maine Infantry. It is based in the southern Maine area, just as the original regiment was.

Our mission is to portray as accurately and authentically as possible events and activities the original members and associates of the 5^th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry either participated in or theoretically could have participated in during the American Civil War. We will use this portrayal to educate the general public of the historical importance of the war. Furthermore, it is the aim of the Regiment to work cooperatively with and support the Fifth Maine Regiment Community Association on Peaks Island.

                    Date                                Event                             Place

On June 24, 1861 the men of the 5^th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry were mustered into three years service in Portland, Maine. By the time they were mustered out on July 27, 1864, they were involved in most of the major battles engaged in by the Army of the Potomac. One hundred seven were killed or died of wounds; seventy-seven died of disease. Many re-enlisted into the 1^st Maine Veteran Infantry.

The Fifth Maine consisted of 10 companies recruited from the Southern Maine area. The roster of the companies were predominantly from the following towns:
 

During the course of the 3 years, the 5^th Maine were involved in 22 major battles and captured more flags than all the other Maine units combined. Alonzo Stinson of Company H, 5^th Maine Regiment, was the first Portland man killed in the war. A large monument was erected in Portland’s Eastern Cemetery to honor him.

The Fifth Maine Regiment fought with the 6^th Corps, 1^st Division, 2^nd Brigade of the Army of the Potomac throughout most of their service.

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Reenactors: Take Note of This...!

Many years after the Civil War, Sergeant Berry Benson, a South Carolina veteran from McGowan's brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, who had enlisted at age 18, three months before Fort Sumter was fired upon, and served through Appomattox, made an interesting statement.  He said that when he got around to composing his reminiscences, he found that reliving the war in words made him wish he could relive it in fact, and he came to believe that he and his fellow soldiers, gray and blue, might one day be able to to do just that; if not here on earth, then afterwards in Valhalla. "Who knows, " he asked, "but it may be given to us, after this life, to meet again in the old quarters, to play chess and draughts, to get up soon to answer the morning roll call, to fall in at the tap of the drum for drill and dress parade, and again to hastily don our war gear while the monotonous patter of the long roll summons to battle? Who knows but again the old flags, ragged and torn, snapping in the wind, may face each other and flutter, pursuing and pursued, while the cries of victory fill a summer day?  And after the batrtle, then the slain and wounded will arise, and all will be talking and laughter and cheers, and all will say: Did it not seem real? Was it not as in the old days?"  (from The Civil War: a Narrative: Volume III.  Red River to Appomattox by Shelby Foote. New York: Vintage Books, 1986.  p. 1048).

After the war, veterans felt the need to meet and share stories and camaraderie. In 1888 former members of the 5^th Maine Infantry began construction of a large Victorian cottage on the south shore of Peaks Island in Casco Bay, just out of Portland Harbor. It was designed to be a reunion hall and a memorial to the soldiers of the 5^th Maine. With its wonderful stained glass windows etched with the names of veterans, exhibits of war relics, cool ocean breezes, and wide covered porches, the hall was a favorite vacation spot, as well. The last reunion was held in 1940. The last year descendents stayed as guests in the building was in 1947. The building, after suffering from vandalism and neglect for several years, was turned over to the Peaks Island community in 1955.

The building is now operated as a Civil War Museum and community center, governed by a board of directors. Thanks to volunteer docents, the building is open most days during the summer. It also hosts pancake breakfasts, various lectures, concerts, and other special events.

The Board actively collects items and documents related to the history of the 5^th Maine and Peaks Island. The recent acquisition of the Captain Nathan Walker collection was an important and valuable addition.

In 1978 the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. In 1998, the Association was recognized by Greater Portland Landmarks for its stewardship of the Fifth Maine Regiment Building.

Members of the 3rd Maine Fife and Drum Corps demonstrate their technique on the back porch of the 5th Maine Building.

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Last updated: 08/19/2002