2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Autograph Document, 6-1/2p. quarto, July 1, 1864, Head Quarters, 3rd Brig. 1st Div. 10th A.C. Deep Bottom, near Aikens Landing, Va. being an official manuscript copy of the original order by Colonel H. M. Plaisted of the 11th Maine Volunteers, in small part “In taking leave of the 3rd Brigade the Colonel commanding would remind the Officers and Soldiers of the honorable part, they have borne in teh present campaign. You landed at Bermuda Hundred on the morning of May 6th, that day, with the Army of Genl. Butler you advanced to the vicinity of War Bottom Church. May 7th you were selected from your own Corps to report to Genl. Smith, commanding the 18th Corps for Special duty. With four other Brigades under Genl. Brooks, you advanced against the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. While other Brigades made demonstrations in the enemy’s front, you was selected to destroy the Railroad, the object of the expedition. Descending into the valley you found the enemies flank, pushed him from the Railroad and for two hours and a half fighting constantly you worked at its destruction, its track, its bridges and four lines of Telegraph; nor did you cease the work of destruction until orders by the General to retire, the enemy being upon your front and flanks. And when you retired, you showed the General you were able not only to take care of yourself, but to extricate the very troops sent to your relief. On that occasion, the first time Union troops had ever reached that great thoroughfare, every rail torn up, and bridge destroyed, were torn up and destroyed by you. You received upon the field, the special thanks and hearty congratulations of the General commanding...” Much more in this same vein. Fine. Harris Plaisted made a significant and overlooked contribution to the war effort. At a time when State Governors tended to authorize formation of new regiments in order to profit from making politically motivated appointments of the field officers, Plaisted used the weapon he was most skilled at wielding - his own political influence - to recruit new volunteers for the 11th Maine throughout the war, ensuring a high percentage of veteran line officers and soldiers on the rolls, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of his regiment.
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