William Googins
Encyclopedia
William Hayes Googins is a Union veteran of the American Civil War
. He was a soldier in the 27th Maine Regiment
known for its controversial, and later revoked, Medals of Honor
.
. He was the seventh child and fourth son of Nathaniel Littlefield Googins (1798–1879) and Lucy Thurston (1803–1870). He spent most of his early life in Old Orchard.
Googins enlisted in the volunteer
27th Maine Infantry Regiment
as a private in Company A, and was mustered into service on September 30, 1862. He was one of 300 or so people to remain in service after their term expired.
After the war, William Googins married Priscilla Libby Prescott (1848–1886)- a descendant of many royal families. Their union produced six children;
. The lack of an agreeable list of those who stayed behind in Washington resulted in all members of the Regiment controversially receiving the Medal of Honor
. In 1917 the U.S. Congress purged these medals.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was a soldier in the 27th Maine Regiment
27th Maine Regiment
The 27th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was a nine-month regiment raised for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
known for its controversial, and later revoked, Medals of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Biography
William Googins was born on August 20, 1838 in Old Orchard now Old Orchard Beach, MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. He was the seventh child and fourth son of Nathaniel Littlefield Googins (1798–1879) and Lucy Thurston (1803–1870). He spent most of his early life in Old Orchard.
Googins enlisted in the volunteer
Military volunteer
A military volunteer is a person who enlists in military service by free will, and is not a mercenary or a foreign legionaire. Volunteers often enlist to fight in the armed forces of a foreign country. Military volunteers are essential for the operation of volunteer militaries.Many armies,...
27th Maine Infantry Regiment
27th Maine Regiment
The 27th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was a nine-month regiment raised for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
as a private in Company A, and was mustered into service on September 30, 1862. He was one of 300 or so people to remain in service after their term expired.
After the war, William Googins married Priscilla Libby Prescott (1848–1886)- a descendant of many royal families. Their union produced six children;
- Maude Lucy (December 13, 1869-?) Maude modelled for some of Winslow HomerWinslow HomerWinslow Homer was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th century America and a preeminent figure in American art....
's paintings. - Roswell Sumner (April 9, 1871–1966)
- Charlotte Hannah (August 29, 1873-?)
- Lawrence Melville (March 31, 1877-August 6, 1900) Died in the Boxer RebellionBoxer RebellionThe Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
- Helen Mildred (November 11, 1878-?)
- Priscilla May (May 24, 1886-August 13, 1887)
Medal of Honor
After being ordered to the rear for muster out, over 300 men of the 27th Maine Regiment agreed to remain beyond their service time in the defenses of Washington DC during the Gettysburg CampaignGettysburg Campaign
The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of battles fought in June and July 1863, during the American Civil War. After his victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia moved north for offensive operations in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The...
. The lack of an agreeable list of those who stayed behind in Washington resulted in all members of the Regiment controversially receiving the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. In 1917 the U.S. Congress purged these medals.