Submitted by mjohnson on

I'm curious as to what others think about the following questions:

When should we start celebrating the Civil War Sesquicentennial?

What do you think the State of Maine should commemorate during the sesquicentennial?

I have some thoughts but am curious as to what some of you are thinking about the big dates coming up in the next five years. What are you thinking about?

Forums: 

Sesquicentennial

I too have thought about this and have a couple of ideas. I was thinking having an event in Capitol Park where all the Maine Federal Units could have a "Grand Review" before going off to War. And another idea I have is, bringing the defence of Little Round Top to Maine and recreate that battle for the folks up here. I'm not sure where it could be held, though. It would be nice to have atleast one big event every year for the celebration.

Sesquicentennial

My Dear Travis,

These are excellent suggestions. One of the activities I am looking into is having as many "troops" muster in near the anniversay and location of their actual mustering in. Then a Grand Review post war as it was done. Have you seen some of the photos the in the State Archives?

Once the Battle At Fort Knox is done, LRT is on the agenda. I am working with the Bureau of Parks and Lands for BaFK,  and mentioned needing a spot to do LRT.

If you are interested in helping plan any of this, pelase email me.

 

~Miss Rose

Not focus solely on 2013

I am feeling the state has too much focus on 2013 to coincide with Gettysburg. There was much more involved than just July 1863. While I realize Chamberlain was "Maine's hero", I feel there were many others who deserve recognition as well. Just my opinion.

~Miss Rose 

Are any units planning anything big?

Hasn't been much discussion on the Civil War Sesquicentennial here. So I thought I would try this again.

Are any of the units thinking about anything big for the next 5 years of the sesquicentennial?

If you could pick one event a year, what would it be?

What does the state of Maine need to commemorate?

Personal dreaming, with "seeing the elephant" excitement, I'd like to see a grand muster of the militia in 1861, I mean 2011. Not that any of us have militia uniforms. But it would be fun to have all the reenactors in the state in one place and drill as one battalion for the weekend. I'm not sure how to involve the Confederates. I don't think they should be excluded.

The 3rd Maine tried a muster in Capital Park a few years ago. But the rain came and the park flooded.

I'm not sure what we should try to commemorate for the other years. But we have some great sites to talk with. Norlands and Fort Knox are obvious ideas on alternating years for a big event.

For 2015 though, I would like to see a Grand Review. A big parade before the Governor on Memorial Day. Not just of Civil War reenactors but with National Guard units, marching bands, fire departments and police departments marching, not riding, boy scouts, girl scouts, all marching. As few vehicles as possible! Vehicles at the head of the parade and the end for safety. Vehicles for the veterans who can not march. But an old fashion parade of people marching.

Anyway, what are your ideas? What have you been talking about within your units?

And more importantly, are you willing to join a discussion in trying to plan something like this?

-- Michael Johnson

I am very willing to be on

I am very willing to be on the planning board for any event for the 150th and the state of Maine. Other places to consider holding an event, possibly, Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth, Fort Preble in South Portland and Capitol Park in Augusta. Some years ago I remember going to a good sized event at Togus when they were dedicating a new building. And if I remember correctly there is alot of room to hold a large event. As for the parade in 2015 I think it's  a great idea! I would like to see as the 1st Maine cavalry up here mtd! I agree that 2013 will be a crazy year, and that other Mainers should be honored aswell. As for the Norlands, how can we attract more units and reenactors to this event? Is there a way we can have the event on both sides of the road and still have enough room for parking? Another a place just came to mind as I'm typing this. Pineland. There are alot of old restored buildings there, I'm not sure if they date back to the war, but it's another place to keep in mind. I hope more people chime in on this topic, the 150th only happens once!

Travis Gibson

 

1st Maine mounted in Maine

I dragged the horse up to Lincoln Rhode Island last year and found it would have been cheaper to rent a horse from Sam Grant than transport him up from Maryland. Since Sam's in Connecticut and has traveled to Maryland and Virginia, I think we could get him to come up to Maine. I would love to turn us out on horseback in some significant numbers in Maine, and the 150th is a perfect time for that, but the guys won't rent horses at $250 a pop to sit on some courthouse lawn for two days. If someone can organize a cross-country march you'll have a deal - we'll bring out as many men as Sam can bring horses! There's got to be some place in the Pine Tree State that we can march a column of troops some 5-10 miles over two days. Some route that's mostly away from development, malls, highways, etc. It doesn't have to be an opposed march - it could be a big circle so we wind up back where we started - around some lake for instance?

Gerald Todd
1st Maine Cavalry
Potomac Legion