Company I, 20th Regiment of Maine Volunteers Historical Society was formed in the early 1990’s to honour the thousands of New Brunswickers and other Atlantic Canadians who participated in the American Civil War. Our society chose to recreate Company I of the regiment to honour Alexander Lester of Saint John of Company I, 20th Maine, who was Killed in Action, on July 2, 1863, at the Defense of Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg.
The American Civil War was fought between 1861 and 1865, before the Confederation of Canada. That war had a direct impact on our country’s formation. It was a pivotal time in North American history and the war and its events shaped the continent.
The society has been researching Atlantic Canadians’ participation in this American war for more than 30 years and has documented over 5,000 soldiers and civilians from Eastern British North America. Our members make presentations and participate in living history events, re-enactments, film productions, educational programs, and graveside services, with a marker, commemorating Civil War Veterans buried in the Atlantic Provinces. In 2005 Company I placed a monument to Sara Emma Edmonds on the site of her family home. Sara Emma Edmonds enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Infantry as Franklin Thompson.
4 Legend Lane, Quispamsis, New Brunswick
