The Richardson Civil War Round Table will offer a program on the Civil War letters of Hezekiah Long of South Thomaston, Maine, which is the subject of a soon to be released book written by the Round Table. Long was a soldier of the renowned 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, who faithfully penned many letters to his wife Sarah. This collection of 128 letters, dated from September, 1862 to May, 1865, reveals many important aspects of soldier life and confirms in detail what the regiment’s veterans and present-day historians have written.

The Civil War service of Hezekiah Long of the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment spanned the entire active service of the regiment. Enlisting in September 1862 on the mustering-in of the regiment, Long served as a sergeant in Company I until January 1863, when he became the first sergeant of Company F.  He saw action in most of the regiment’s battles including the defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg. As flag company, Company F held the center of the rock-strewn line under the guidance of Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain.

In an often raw and occasionally biting manner, Long revealed the very human side of the war. He complained persistently and rightfully so, for living conditions were pitiable. But Long, in his late thirties, is ever a true patriot, suffering increasingly from the debilitating effects of rheumatism yet serving until the end of the war. Of particular interest is his role as company first sergeant. He displayed the tough yet caring posture of a father-like figure toward his younger soldiers. Throughout his letters to his dear wife Sarah, he retained a healthy ire as well as a sense of humor that strikes the reader subtly but deeply. Amid the hardships of the soldier’s existence, his love of life, country, and family shined through.

The Richardson Civil War Round Table will meet on Wednesday December 5th at 7:00 PM at the American Legion Post on Route 1 in Sandy Point, Maine.