Freeman McGilvery (1823-1864) of Stockton was 35 years old when he enlisted as a captain in the Maine 6th Light Artillery Battery on January 1, 1862.

He was later promoted to major, lieutenant colonel and full colonel.

McGilvery was commander of artillery in front of Pickett's charge at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

In August 1864, he was promoted to Chief of Artillery for the X Corps. At the Battle of Deep Bottom, he was slightly wounded, but the wound did not heal. He died from an overdose of chloroform at Petersburg, Virginia, in September 1864.

A fort, part of the Union earthworks at Petersburg, Virginia, was named after McGilvery, as was Post #30 of the Grand Army of the Republic in Maine.

The State of Maine designated the first Saturday of September Colonel Freeman McGilvery Day.