05/24/2026
In honor of Memorial Day tomorrow, we are going to take a moment to honor those Blue Hill citizens that served and died in American conflicts. Originally called Decoration Day, this holiday began during the American Civil War when citizens began to place flowers on the graves of those soldiers killed in battle. Although the holiday didn’t become a national holiday until 1971, it became somewhat traditional ever since the American Civil War. In today’s post we would like to honor those that served and died in service of our country by sharing a story from the time of the holiday’s inception and two stories from a more recent conflict.
The American Civil War (1861-1865) is remembered today as the single bloodiest conflict to ever occur on US soil. Over the course of the four year conflict, over 70,000 Mainers served in the Union Army and Navy-- more men per capita than any other northern state. Amongst these men were George Butler, James Morse, Rodney Osgood, Alfred Osgood, Thomas Scott Osgood, and Sewell Snowman of Company D, 31st Maine Regiment. Together, these six men fought in the battles of Spotsylvania Courthouse and Cold Harbor, and participated in the Siege of Petersburg. Sewell Snowman was part of a group of sailors that witnessed the beginnings of the war brewing in South Carolina’s harbor:
“a posse of men with horses dragged four pieces of cannon onto the Pier of the New York Mail Steamer and when she arrived abreast of her Pier the mob ordered the Captain to have down the Stars and Stripes or they would fire. This demand was complied with, and the Steamer was allowed to come into her Pier, which was, I think the first open, wanton insult to the flag. Although it was late in January, the atmosphere was already too hot for my comfort, being reeking with treason and I booked passage in the last Northern Vessel in the Port bound North and in three days time arrived in New York City.”
Sewell and many other sailors were called back from their various coasting engagements to be called to service to defend the Union, a call which they heeded. Although many Maine Regiments fought in the Civil War, sons of this Peninsula also served in Massachusett Regiments. One such individual was John Edward Horton, serving as a Corporal in Co. E. of the 39th Massachusetts Infantry.
John Edward Horton was born on November 30, 1829 in Blue Hill Maine to parents John Horton and Sarah “Sally” Stover. John the son worked as a milkman until 1853, when he struck out to seek his fortune in California as a miner. John made a tiny profit of fifteen hundred dollars in one year and returned from California to marry Laura Webber in April of 1860. The family was living in Somerville, MA when the Civil War broke out, but Laura came to Blue Hill with their small son named Orrin during the conflict. This might have been a means to be closer to John’s family while he was serving. John E. Horton was captured by Confederate soldiers and taken to C.S. Military Prison in Richmond, Virginia and from there to Salisbury, North Carolina. Many Civil War Prisoners of War were put into horrendous living conditions in these prisons, mainly as a result of lack of resources being funneled to them. John writes of regularly suffering from dehydration and selling his possessions to eat meager meals. Despite this, John’s health continued to decline while imprisoned and died from malnutrition in 1865. Disease was the main killer of these brave young men. Thomas Osgood, a Blue Hill Native and member of the 26th Maine, had lost 34 soldiers in combat, but 134 from disease. Thomas himself didn’t escape from the conflict unscathed, taking a gunshot wound to his right foot in the Battle of Petersburg.
Although soldiers like John Horton didn’t make it home, their “last full measure of devotion” was remembered by surviving comrades who would gather at Wilford Grindle Cottage on Water Street in Blue Hill. Many of these men were a part of a fraternal organization called the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which sought to link these men who had been through the experience of war. Brought together, these men became one of the first advocacy groups in American politics, supporting voting rights to black veterans and helping support comrades that had been disabled in battle. The GAR had fully dissolved by the time of World War 2, but it’s ideals of service carried onwards.
The December 7, 1941 bombing on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese pulled the United States out of the stagnation of the Great Depression (1929-1939), and thrust it into the international turmoil of World War Two (1939-1945). The United States deployed over 16 million servicemen and women to both fronts. Of these 16 million servicemen and women, over 80,000 were from Maine. In addition to manpower, Maine also provided the Navy with more than a quarter of the ships in the Pacific theatre. Many men and women served their country proudly during this conflict, serving right on the front lines in all aspects of the conflict.
Lawrence Sperling Grindle was born on January 23rd, 1918 to Lewis S. Grindle and Florence E. Grindle (nee Leach). Lewis was a caretaker of an estate, a jack of trades and Florence was a laundress and ran a laundry from their home. Lawrence was a painter, semi-skilled at construction and maintenance - most likely skills gained from his father. Lawrence served as a 2nd Lieutenant, Cannon Company, 378th Infantry, 95th Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II. His infantry was put right into the thick of it, participating in an offensive to Saarland,Germany. The area was rich in coal and coke, which supported the steel industry and factories there. These companies were essential for the production of munitions for the N**i Party, so after liberating Paris, Lawrence’s regiment were to assist the French in taking Saarland. Sadly, Lawrence was killed in action during this offensive, but was just one part of the final push to Berlin - eventually leading to the end of the War. He is buried in Seaside Cemetery and was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery in combat.
In the Pacific Theater against Japan, a grueling trek of Island Hopping required expert Seamen and Navigators - which the sons of Maine had in spades. Franklin Smith Wescott was the son of Charles F. Wescott Jr. and Belle Tapley Smith. Charles Wescott was the local blacksmith and plied his trade from the Forge, which is currently the home to Blaze in Blue Hill Maine. Franklin graduated from George Stevens Academy and then from the Coburn Classical Institute. He was employed by Norton Company in Worcester Massachusetts manufacturing abrasives or grinders to help support the growing needs of production. In 1943, Franklin entered the Army Air Forces and received basic training in Greensboro, North Carolina where he trained as a Flight Officer with a specificity in Navigation. When he graduated from the program, he was ordered to New Guinea on December 23, 1944 to the 529th Squadron, 380th Bomb Group Fifth Air Force. Sadly, Franklin was killed over the Mindoro Island of the Philippines in August 1945. He was awarded a Citation of Honor and Presidential Citation for his dedication to his country. Franklin is buried in Seaside Cemetery, Blue Hill as well.
Blue Hill has been the home for many brave men and women throughout the generations, some being able to come home and others giving their all for their home. While we have so many more stories of brave citizens that served and returned that we could share, we wanted to focus on the ones that didn’t come home as we observe Memorial Day this year. While walking in Seaside Cemetery, I found an epitaph that really spoke to this gentle remembrance of those that didn’t make it home, on the grave of a Civil War soldier, Charles T. Peters it reads:
“Rest comrade, rest and sleep/ Life’s onward march is done/ Our hearts thy memory will keep/ Till we thy rest have won”
So take a moment tomorrow to remember those that didn’t come home yet fought for the home we are able to have today. Thank you for following along with today’s post, we shall see you in the next one. Be well, dear readers.