THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE SEVENTEENTH MAINE. CHAPTER I. TRIP THE ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT AT CAMP KING, VAINE had responded nobly to every call of the General Government for troops to aid in suppressing the gigantic and wicked rebellion which threatened the life of the republic during the dark days of 1861 and 1862. Over fifteen thousand men had left the State, and recruiting had been commenced for another regiment, when on the second day of July, 1862, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, calling for three hundred thousand volunteers, "to serve for the period of three ycars, unless sooner discharged." Of this number the quota of Maine was nine thousand six hundred and nine. |