A marker showing the position of the 16th Maine Infantry Regiment on the
afternoon of the first day’s battle stands at the intersection of
Doubleday Avenue and the Mummasburg Road, and contains the following
inscription:
Position Held July 1, 1863, at 4 o’Clock P.M.
by the 16th Maine Infantry
1st Brig., 2nd Div., 1st Corps
WHILE THE REST OF THE DIVISION WAS RETIRING, THE REGIMENT HAVING MOVED
FROM THE POSITION AT THE LEFT WHERE ITS MONUMENT STANDS, UNDER ORDERS TO
HOLD THIS POSITION AT ANY COST.
It Lost on This Field
Killed 11, Wounded 62, Captured 159
Out of 275 Engaged.
When almost surrounded, the regiment withdrew to the left of the
railroad cut to help cover the withdrawal of Stewart’s battery, which
was also almost surrounded. The regiment had two flags, the Stars and
Stripes and the flag of Maine.
Finally, assaulted by the flank and rear, they determined not to
surrender their colors, but tore them from their staffs and into small
bits, each man taking a star or a bit of silk which he placed in his
pocket. Some of these fragments were carried through the southern
prisons and finally home to Maine, where they are still treasured as
precious relics by the relatives and friends of the brave men of the
regiment.