John Martin (1823-1904), along with many other Bangor residents, awaited the arrival of returning Civil War soldiers in September 1865.

Martin, an accountant and shopkeeper who wrote and illustrated five volumes recalling his life and experiences and some current events, wrote that the crowds awaited several transport ships on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 15, 16, and 17, 1865.

His illustrations show the Charles Thomas and the John Rice, which had members of the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery aboard. They finally arrived at 2:30 p.m. on September 17.

Martin noted that residents had prepared a meal for the returning soldiers and that banners describing their battles were at the entrance to the high school. About 800 soldiers marched in formation to Abbot Square.

Martin's illustration and remarks begin on page 135 of the "Sketch & Scrap Book" he began writing in 1864.