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SCARCE 1814 NEWCASTLE, MAINE LOG OF THE GREEN LIGHT INFANTRY,
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SCARCE 1814 NEWCASTLE, MAINE LOG OF THE GREEN LIGHT INFANTRY,

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  • Sold Date: 12/06/2007
  • Channel: Auction House
  • Source: Cowan's Auctions
April 1814-September 1831, bound volume about 125pp (roughly half from War of 1812 period). Commanded by Capt. John Glidden, the Green Light Infantry was organized in April 1814 in New Castle, Maine (at that time Massachusetts), to provide support in defending the Maine Coast against British raiding. Assigned to the 2nd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, the Green Light Infantry were well-prepared and busy, but saw only limited action. The British Brig Boxer had harassed American shipping and threatened ports the previous year, and although it had been taken out of action by the U.S.S. Enterprise, the British threat remained. On June 30, the company`s orderly book includes a record of a brief brush with the enemy: `with express orders the said [company] turned out at eight o`clock in the morning the consequence was that the British made an attack at Pemaquid and from there to new harbor. We marched down Damariscotta river as far as Fitches point and there we until the first day of July….` That September, the company took part in a relatively uneventful sortie to Wiscasset to strengthen the defenses around the town, mills, and the river. The entries in the orderly book provide a nice sense of the logistics involved and even hint at the strategy; on September 9, the orders came through: `Lieut Col. Day will march the Brigade under his command to and station them at such place as in his opinion he can most anoy the enemy should he attempt a landing on that side the river and he will consult with the commander of the Fort upon the most propper steps to be taken for the safety of this and the Dameriscotta River. The quarter Master will be immediately directed to furnish boats to transport the troops across the River and to provide quarters on the other side of the River – Col. Day will immediately order two Companies from the interior of his Regiment to join him at Edgecomb completely armed and equiped for actual service with 24 rounds of cartridges and Balls and when they arrive he will dismiss the two companies from Bristol with orders to be ready to meet against the enemy in that quarter should they attempt an invasion. Col Day will have his men and officers on parade every morning by ______ for drilling by companies until 7 oclock this fore noons the men will be directed to the washing of cloathe and cleaning of guns At three o’clock the Regiment will parade for drilling in the manual and platoon and exercise regimental evolutions the commanders of companies should be vigilent and see that their men have their food at regular hours and that it is well cooked... He should likewise be sure to look at the amunition of his men and see that each has 24 rounds of catridges and balls and to cleanliness of men generaly. The inspector will attend to inspect the companies that were not inspected yesterday at 3 o’clock this afternoon. By order of Brig. Genl Payson. ` Later, the book adds: `Col. orders That no persons go into army is chosen for the purpose of plunder if any such thing is brought against him he shall be punished according to law.` The orderly book is an excellent example of the genre, with clear records of orders issued at the company and brigade level, a list of the men under arms and their ranks, morning (strength) reports and provision returns, and accounts of some of their maneuvers involving the company. A very few entries relate to the slackening of discipline as the war came to an end; in October 1815, several men were reported as not appearing for duty. The remainder of the volume (roughly half) contains post-war orders for the company, which remained in militia service. Good condition in quarter leather bound book over marbled paper boards.
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