Company D

Episode 01 – Show Notes

Sources, References, and Citations for “The Mystery of the Missing Captain”

OUR GOAL AT COMPANY D IS PROVIDE OUR LISTENERS WITH ACCURATE HISTORY

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO BARRY YORK AND HIS FAMILY

LISTEN TO EPISODE 01
A historical photograph featuring two men in Civil War military uniforms. The man on the left, identified as A.S. Merrill, stands confidently with one hand on a pedestal while holding a book in the other hand. The man on the right, dressed in similar attire, stands upright with a cane. Both images reflect the attire and style of the period.
The two known existing photographs of Alfred S. Merrill. The first taken circa 1864, the second date is unknown.

William E.S. Whitman and Charles H. True, Maine in the War for the Union: A History of the Part Borne by Maine Troops in the Suppression of the American Rebellion (Lewiston, Maine: Nelson Dingley Jr. & Co., 1865).

Third Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry: Timeline with Historical Information, Compiled by Craig Young, 2001, https://www.thirdmaine.org/PDF/3rdMEshort-hist.pdf

Amos G. Bean, Life of Amos G. Bean as a Soldier (Unpublished recollections kindly provided by Barry York and his family, descendants of Amos Gilbert Bean).

Historical photograph of a soldier in Civil War uniform, featuring a cap and buttoned coat, seated with a serious expression.
Private Amos Gilbert Bean of the Third Maine Infantry Regiment (photo courtesy of Barry York and his family).

“3rd Maine in The Wilderness,” uploaded by Maine at Gettysburg, YouTube, January 29, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chXteBOddCc.

Philip Katcher, The Civil War: Day By Day (New York, New York: Chartwell Books, 2007).

John Macdonald, Great Battles of the Civil War (New York, New York: Chartwell Books, 1988).

Maine Adjutant General’s Reports, 1862-1866.

Historic white church building with a steeple and grassy surroundings, accompanied by a dirt path and a barn in the background.
Pownal, Maine, Congregational Church where the Merrill worshipped circa 1905 (courtesy of the Maine Historical Society).

Third Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monthly Returns (courtesy of Maine State Archives).

U.S. Census Records, 1840 through 1920 (accessed through Ancestry.com).

California, U.S. State Census, 1852 (accessed through Ancestry.com).

Historical document featuring a record with names and details related to soldiers, including Alfred S. Merrill, from the Civil War era.
Alfred S. Merrill living in Sierra County, according to the 1852 California census.

Parker McCobb Reed, History of Bath and Environs, Sagadahoc County, Maine 1607-1894 (Lakeside Printers, Portland, Maine, 1894).

Henry Owen Wilson, The Edward Clarence Plummer History of Bath Maine (Bath, Maine: Bath Bicentennial Committee, 1976).

Historic photograph of a town square featuring a monument surrounded by a circular fence, with several buildings and trees in the background. A horse-drawn carriage is parked nearby, and a person stands beside it.
Bath Civil War Memorial in a photo taken in 1870. Merrill’s name among the soldiers names etched into the granite. (photo courtesy of Maine.gov).

Ettie J. Latham, History of the Town of Pownal: Written for its Centennial, Sept. 2, 1908 (Lewiston, Maine: Press of Lewiston Journal Co.)

Emily Burnham, “Other Pandemics That Have Hit Maine Over the Centuries,” The Bangor Daily News, April 1, 2020, https://www.mainepublic.org/health/2020-04-01/the-other-pandemics-that-have-hit-maine-over-the-centuries

James McPherson, Battle Cry Freedom: The Civil War Era (London: Oxford University Press, 2003).

Handwritten letter mentioning Alfred S. Merrill and his reported role as a commissioner officer.
William H. Watson discussing Alfred S. Merrill’s officer commission in a letter dated December 12, 1861

William H. Watson, Letter to General Hodson, December 12, 1861 (courtesy of Digital Maine Archives).

William H. Watson, Letter to Request New Lieutenants, January 2, 1862 (courtesy of Digital Maine Archives).

William H. Watson, Letter to Governor Washburn, January 17, 1862 (courtesy of Maine State Archives).

William H. Watson, Letter Reporting on Company D, February 5, 1862 (courtesy of Maine State Archives).

Alfred S. Merrill, Letter to Governor Washburn, February 6, 1862 (courtesy of Maine State Archives).

A handwritten letter dated February 6, 1863, from Camp Howard addressed to the Governor of Maine, discussing the author's situation and requesting assistance regarding his military appointment.
Alfred S. Merrill’s letter to Maine Governor asking about the status of his delayed lieutenant’s commission, February 6, 1862.

Alfred S. Merrill, Letter of Reccomendation, August 14, 1862 (courtesy of Digital Maine Archives).

Alfred S. Merrill, Letter About Photograph, April 22, 1864 (courtesy of Digital Maine Archives).

Moses Lakeman, A Historical Sketch of Third Maine Regiment Since Organization at Augusta, Maine, May 1861, 1864 (courtesy of the Maine State Archives).

Charles F. Snell, Unpublished Civil War Diary (courtesy of George F. Snell III).

“Wounded Soldiers,” The Times Record, Brunswick, Maine, June 9, 1862.

“Killed and Wounded Maine Soldiers,” The Daily Sentinel & Times, Bath, Maine, June 9, 1862.

“Abby N. Merrill Death Notice,” The Portland Press Herald, Portland, Maine, January 16, 1863.

A historical newspaper clipping announcing the death of Mrs. Abby N. Merrill, wife of Captain Alfred S. Merrill of the 31st Maine Regiment, along with details of the funeral service.
Obituary of Abigail Merrill from the Portland Press Herald, January 16, 1863.

Walter Clark, Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War, 1861-65, Vol. 1 (Raleigh, North Carolina: E.M. Uzzell Printer & Binder, 1901), 640.

Hannibal A. Johnson, The Sword of Honor: A Story of the Civil War by Lieutenant H. A. Johnson Third Maine Regiment N.V.M. (Worcester, Massachusetts: The Blanchard Press, 1906).

“Captain Merrill Dead,” The Portland Daily Press, Portland, Maine, August 6, 1864.

Newspaper clipping reporting on Captain A. S. Merrill being wounded and taken as a prisoner, with details from Colonel Lakeman and Lieutenant Henry H. Shaw.
Merrill listed as wounded and captured in June 2, 1864 edition of the Bath Sentinel & Enterprise.

“Co. D 3d Regiment,” The Times Record, Brunswick, Maine, December 16, 1862.

“Death of Capt. Merrill,” The Times Record, Brunswick, Maine, August 3, 1864.

U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861—1934. 

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