Posted inUS Civil War

September 8, 1862 – From the 5th Maine Battery—Death of Lieut. Twitchell

We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter written by a private in the 5th Maine Battery. The letter is dated, Fort Ellsworth, Alexandria, Va., Sept. 2.

“After fighting daily and nightly, changing our position, followed up by Jackson’s immense force—our Division always bringing up the rear, under Gen. Ricktt of McDowell’s corps, we arrived near Manassas, where, last Saturday, a terrible battle took place, mostly fought upon the left where our Division was placed, and where the enemy had concentrated his strongest force. The battle raged furiously. Our Battery was ordered into a very dangerous position by McDowell in person, and the boys fought like tigers. We got between two fires, and our horses were all shot at the guns, and our men fell fast, Lieut. W. F. Twitchell was killed, also two sergeants and from 16 to 20 privates. The infantry fell back and did not sustain us. Gen. Towers was wounded severely while trying to rally them to assist us. Lieut Twitchell behaved nobly during the engagement, and A. B. Twitchell fought like a hero, cool and self possessed all the time.—Our Captain (Leppien) was sick and not in action, but he has proved himself “true blue” during the last fortnight and full of courage.

Posted inDaily News

Freaky Storms Hit Many Points In New England

Two to 3-Inch Rainfall Within Few Hours—Strong Wind in Some Localities

Waterville Sewer Overloaded, Damage to Stocks in Basements—Old Orchard Amusement Booth Carried Away by Wind—Man Badly Hurt at Manchester, N. H.—Houses, Barns and Factories Hit by Lightning in Granite State

Waterville, Me., July 22—(AP)—Following several hours of heavy rain, the most severe thunderstorm of the season occurred here tonight, causing such a flood of water that the city sewers were overloaded and some of the store basements filled to a depth of several feet, damaging considerable stocks. Several hens were drowned in the western part of the city. Rainfall of 2.13 inches in three hours broke all local records.

Big Booth Carried Off

Old Orchard, Me., July 22— (AP)—A ten by forty foot amusement booth on the ocean pier here was picked up and hurled bodily into the water by the high wind during a severe thunderstorm today. Jack Bennett, the owner, was not in the booth at the time. His stock of curios, valued at several hundred dollars, was destroyed.

Posted inDaily News Local Histories Railroads

Mercury Hangs Low Throughout Wild Snowstorm

Following the record low temperature of Monday morning, the mercury dropped rapidly again Monday evening until at midnight the thermometer registered 10 degrees below zero. In the early morning hours of Tuesday however, there was some moderation of the temperature and at 6 o’clock yesterday morning the average reported in Augusta was 6 to 8 degrees below zero.

Snow began falling about 10 o’clock Tuesday morning and continued throughout the day with increasing intensity in the afternoon and evening. With the low temperature, the storm, which was driven by a bitter wind from the northeast, made it particularly disagreeable for all who had occasion to venture forth.

Posted inDaily News Local Histories

Dedicate Maine’s War Memorial at Kittery Today

Maine’s tribute to her soldiers and sailors, the memorial at Kittery will be dedicated with appropriate ceremonies today. Armistice day, and the occasion will bring crowds from all sections of the state as well as a large number of visitors from her neighbor state, New Hampshire. Former governors, representatives in congress and persons distinguished in civilian and military life will be the guests of honor at the exercises.

The memorial park at the end of the new inter-state bridge, the gateway into Maine, is about 200 feet wide and 600 feet long. The beautiful design for the memorial tablet, which will be erected in the park, is being prepared by Miss Baska Paeff, the young Boston sculptress, whose drawing won in competition with prominent sculptors from Washington, New York and other cities.