The 8th Maine Infantry was organized in Augusta and mustered in for a three-year enlistment on September 7, 1861. They were originally attached to General Sherman’s South Carolina Expeditionary Corps and remained in the Hilton Head and Beaufort area for most of their service.

The regiment lost a total of 381 men; 6 officers and 128 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 4 officers and 243 enlisted men died of disease. The 8th Maine Infantry mustered out of service January 18, 1866. Twenty men from Belfast enlisted with the 8th 1861-1864.

Recruitment Officer, Edward H. Reynolds had an office in Phoenix Row, High Street. He was originally a Lieutenant with the militia unit, the Belfast City Greys. At the onset of the war, he helped with the training of the new recruits entering the city to enlist.

At the time of his own enlistment with Company A, 8th ME Infantry on January 13, 1862, Reynolds was 30 years old, married and working as a tailor.