MAJOR ARCHIBALD D. LEAVITT

Of the 16th Regiment, was wounded at the battle of Laurel Hill, Va., and died in Douglas Hospital, Washington, May 30, 1864.

He was born in Turner, July 15th, 1840, and consequently was not quite twenty-four years of age at the time of his death. Having fitted for college at his home, without the aid of seminary or academy, he entered Waterville College in 1858 and held first rank in his class. He was anxious to enter the army on the breaking out of the war, but his friends dissuaded him until he had finished his studies. In the Summer of 1862, those dark days wehn the cry went up for more men, he, with two of his classmates, raised a company, of which he was elected Captain, and was mustered into the U.S. servcie at Augusta, Me., Aug. 14th, 1862, as Captain Co. E, of the 16th Regt., which started immediately for Washington, whither it arrived on the 21st of the same month.

In the January following, he was promoted to be Major, and in that capacity particpated with his regiment in the following engagements: battle of Ritzhugh Crossing, April 30th, 1863; Chancellorsville, May 2d; Gettysburg, July 2d; skirmish of Funkstown, July 12th; Mine Run, Nov. 29th; battle of the Wilderness, May 5th to 7th, 1864; and battle of Laurel Hill, in which he was mortally wounded, May 24th.

At the commencement of the battle of Gettysburg, he was at Washington sick, but hearing of the battle and impatient for the fight, he applied for leave to join his regiment, and reached the field on the last day of the action, in season to take command of the small uncaptured remnant, numbering two officers and fifteen men.

At the skirmish at Funkstown, Major Leavitt was in command of the regiment, having been placed in that position on the 5th of July and retaining it until Nov. 1st.

On the 14th of August, 1863, he was detailed a member in the corps' court martial, to convene at the headquarters of 1st Div., 1st A.C., for the trial of deserters, &c.

On the 21st of Sept., he took charge of a school of instruction for commissioned officers and drilled the battalion.

Extracts from his diary show that Major Leavitt was a young man of strong sympathies, and that he desired the best welfare for his comrades; whilst the testimony of all associated with him in camp or on the battle-field proves that in the performance of duty, he was prompt, active and conscientious, giving his most sarnest thoughts, labors and prayers to advance the interests of his country. He died as he had lived, a pure patriot and a true Christian, leaving as his last message, "Tell my friends I have always tried to do my duty."

Of the estimation in which Major Leavitt was held by the regiment, Rev. Mr Balkam, its Chaplain, wrote:
"His excellent character and amiable disposition ahd won our respect and affections. You know his repuratoin as a scholar and his devotion to study; his studious habits did not forsake him in the camp. Especially did he strive to increase his military knowledge and capacity. He had a conscientious regard for every obligation and for every duty, nor was he unmindful of the higher relations which connect us with God and another world."

His remains were brought to Turner and buried with Masonic honors.

 

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This page was last on October 3, 2002.
Maine State Archives