Holman Staples Melcher was an American military officer, businessman, and politician active during the Reconstruction Era.
25 Facts About Holman Melcher
2.
Holman Melcher first began his formal military career in the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which was mustered in and equipped in August 1862.
3.
Holman Melcher was in three different companies during the war, later served on the division staff and was mustered out on July 16,1865.
4.
Holman Melcher was born in the small town of Topsham, Maine, on June 30,1841.
5.
Holman Melcher's father, a farmer, was a native of Brunswick, Maine and his mother was the daughter of Captain Nehemiah Curtis of Harpswell, Maine, who traces his lineage to colonizing New Englanders.
6.
Holman Melcher initially began schooling in towns near Topsham, in a small school district.
7.
Holman Melcher was enrolled at the institution from 1858 to 1862, in Lewiston, Maine.
8.
Holman Melcher became engrossed with the patriotism involved with the war and upon concluding his studies he quit his teaching job, and enlisted formally on August 19,1862 as a private in Company B, 20th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry.
9.
Holman Melcher's brother became interested in following his footsteps but Holman advised him to avoid enlisting and pursue education at Bowdoin College, promising to write each other weekly.
10.
Holman Melcher was assigned to the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment which was organized in and equipped at Camp Mason near Portland, Maine, on August 29,1862 and with it was immediately assigned to the V Corps; serving in that organization for the duration of the war.
11.
On July 2,1863, Holman Melcher took part in the bayonet charge at Little Round Top that helped repulse the Confederate attack.
12.
Also, for Holman Melcher to have initiated the charge of the left wing of the regiment, he would have had to lead his men over a 15-foot drop from the rock formation directly in front of them without breaking the regimental line, a physical impossibility.
13.
Holman Melcher ordered his men to lay on the ground and start shooting, capturing thirty confederates while sustaining only minor injuries.
14.
Holman Melcher was rushed to a makeshift hospital in the Mary Washington house.
15.
Holman Melcher returned to active duty in the fall of 1864.
16.
Holman Melcher's commanding officers, impressed by him, promoted him to acting adjutant to Colonel Joshua Chamberlain.
17.
Holman Melcher ordered a clearing of the Brock Road for the infantry, but the troopers soon bogged down, and provided a weak defense against the confederates at that point.
18.
Holman Melcher was badly wounded in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia, but survived.
19.
Holman Melcher served in three different companies during the war and served as Inspector-General on the division staff under Griffin and Chamberlain.
20.
Holman Melcher was elected as a Republican and advocated for progressive values and the establishment of a central-city government.
21.
Holman Melcher was elected again and served for a second term ending in 1895.
22.
Holman Melcher published an article titled An Experience in the Battle of the Wilderness in the Maine MOLLUS's War Papers Vol.
23.
Holman Melcher suffered from poor health toward the end of his life due to the pain from his old war wounds.
24.
Holman Melcher eventually died after a long fight with Bright's Disease, and died on June 25,1905, at age 64.
25.
Holman Melcher is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine.