Identified Maine Soldier and Coin / SOLD

Identified Maine Soldier and Coin - Inventory Number: GRO 074 / SOLD

1/9th plate tintype of Private John H. Davis of the 19th Maine Infantry.  He is pictured wearing his four-button sack coat and infantry cartridge box strap with good detail to the eagle breast plate.  A paper label states: “J.H. Davis, Civil War Uniform.”  There is a large 1854 cent piece which was struck by something, causing an indentation, possibly a spent ball.  The impression of this coin can be seen on the original envelope which contained a 1947 letter of provenance attesting to the history of the Civil War image in uniform and “things” to put with the “other things” of the soldier.  A neat little grouping from a very hard-fought regiment that served with the Army of the Potomac.

John H. Davis

Residence Litchfield ME; 30 years old.

Enlisted on 8/25/1862 at Litchfield, ME as a Private.

On 8/25/1862 he mustered into "F" Co. ME 19th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 5/31/1865

He was listed as:

* Detailed (date and place not stated) (Detailed, 1863 in artillery brgd

MAINE NINETEENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

     Nineteenth Infantry.--Cols., Frederick D. Sewell, Francis E. Heath, Selden Connor, James W. Welch, Isaac W. Starbird; Lieut.-Cols., Francis E. Heath, Henry W. Cunningham, Isaac W. Starbird, Joseph W. Spaulding; Majs., Henry W. Cunningham, James W. Welch, Isaac W. Starbird, Joseph W. Spaulding, David E. Parsons.  A large portion of the men in the 19th came from Sagadohoc, Waldo, Knox and Kennebec counties and the regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at Bath, Aug. 25, 1862, to serve for three years.  On the 27th it left for Washington, numbering 39 officers and 969 enlisted men, having been raised, organized and equipped in less than four weeks.  It remained in garrison at Washington until the end of September, when it went to Harper's Ferry, and was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 2nd corps.  During a reconnaissance in force Oct. 16, to Charlestown, it was under fire for the first time, the men behaving with the coolness which ever afterwards characterized the regiment.  During its term of service, it saw an unusual amount of active duty, and, in addition to innumerable skirmishes, was engaged in the battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bristoe Station, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Mine run, Spottsylvania Court House, Po river, Totopotomy, North Anna river, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Reams' station, Strawberry Plains, Hatcher's run, Boydton plank road, Fort Powell, Amelia Springs and High bridge.  At Gettysburg it went into action with 440 officers and men and lost during two days 12 officers and 220 enlisted men.  Its losses were also very severe at the battle of the Wilderness, on the Jerusalem plank road, and in front of Petersburg.  It was exposed to the fire of artillery and sharpshooters in the immediate front of Petersburg both night and day, from Oct. 20 to 26, 1864.  Its casualties during the year 1864 were as follows: killed in action, 61; wounded, 16 officers, 283 men; captured, 1 officer, 133 men.  On June 18, 1864, 277 men were transferred to this regiment from the 4th Me. infantry, and on Oct. 22, 1864, the 5th unassigned Me. infantry, organized at Augusta, Oct. 4, 1864, to serve one, two and three years, joined this regiment.  On May 2, 1865, it left Burkesville, Va., for Washington, and was mustered out on May 31 at Bailey's cross-roads.  The officers and men whose term of service did not expire prior to Oct. 1, 1865, were transferred to the 1st Me. heavy artillery.

Comes housed in 8 inch x 14 inch riker display case with red velvet backing and descriptive card.

Inventory Number: GRO 074 / SOLD