Theodore Shackford was the third son of Theodore, a farmer, and Elizabeth Shackford born March 22, 1842, in Gorham, Maine[i]. Theodore was working as a farmer at age 18.[ii] About a year he enlisted in Company A, 5th Maine Infantry for a three year commitment listing his occupation as carpenter[iii]. His unit served at the First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Spotslyvania, and Cold Harbor[iv]. On November 7, 1863, while at Rappahannock Station, Theodore Shackford captured a Confederate flag in a battle described by the National Park Service as "a complete and glorious victory" for the North and "humilitating for the South". Theodore continued his service in the military until July 27, 1864 when he mustered out with the rest of his unit.
Addenda
Headquarters Army of the Potomac
November 12, 1863
Adjutant-General of the Army:
Sir: I have the honor herewith to transmit, in charge of Brig. Gen. D. A. Russell, 7 battle-flags and 1 staff, the flag of which was
torn off by the standard bearer to prevent its being captured. These trophies were taken in the recent gallant assault on the enemy's
intrenched position at Rappahannock Station, and Brigadier-General Russell has been designated by Major-General Sedgwick to deliver them to you, because of his conspicuous conduct as the leader of the
storming party on the occasion.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding.
[Note:] One captured from the Eight Louisiana Infantry by
Sergt. Otis O. Roberts, Sixth Maine Volunteers, Third Brigade, First
Division, Sixth Corps, November 7, 1863.
One captured by Corpl. E. P. Blondell, Company D, Fifth Maine
Volunteers, November 7, 1863.
One captured by Private Silas Waterman, Company I, One hun-
dred and twenty-first New York Volunteers, November 7, 1863,
One captured by Lieut. A. S. Lyon, Company K, Fifth Maine
Volunteers, November 7, 1863.
One captured by Philip Smith, Company E, One hundred and
twenty-first New York, November 7, 1863.
One captured by James H. Littlefield, Company I, Fifth Maine
Volunteers, November 7, 1863.
One captured by Corpl. Theodore Shackford, Company A, Fifth
Maine Volunteers, November 7, 1863.
One staff, no label and no flag.
REFERENCES:
[i] Maine, Death Records, 1617-1922, , Theodore Shackford d., 30 November 1920; digital records, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 February 2014); Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; 1908-1922 Vital Records; Roll #: 10
[ii] 1860 United States Federal Census, Cumberland County, Maine, population schedule, The Town of gorham, Page No 52/53, dwelling 405, family 437, Theodore Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.comh (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 January 2014
[iii] Maine, Maine, State Archives Collections, 1718-1917, , Theodore Shackford, ; digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 7 November 2013).
[iv] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Maine_Volunteer_Infantry_Regiment
Copyright 2014 Joanne Shackford Parkes