Introduction
The 20th Maine Volunteers was raised in the Summer of 1862 as a three-year
regiment. The 20th formed the extreme left of the line at Gettysburg on the second day of that sanguinary contest and
was hotly engaged for many hours. Its total loss was 3 officers and 134 enlisted men killed and wounded. At the opening of
the spring campaign of 1864, recruits and returning convalescents augmented the numbers of the regiment to 347 muskets.
It was still attached to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 5th corps. On June 6, 1864, Col. Chamberlain was assigned to the command
of the 1st brigade of the division and Maj. Spear assumed command of the regiment. In the gallant charge on the enemy's works
at Peebles' farm on Sept. 30, 1864, it suffered a loss of 57 men killed and wounded, out of 167 men taken into action, but
the unit captured 6 commissioned officers, 70 men and a piece of artillery. Its total number of casualties during the year
1864 was 298; and it received 200 recruits. In Jan., 1865, it mustered 275 muskets for duty. The regiment served with distinction
and valor before mustering out.
