Capitol Park & Augusta's Doughnut Brigade
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Le Parc du Capitole et la Manne de Beignets

Augusta, Maine – The Civil War

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The Museum in the Streets

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Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021

1. Capitol Park & Augusta's Doughnut Brigade / Le Parc du Capitole et la Manne de Beignets Marker

News of surrender at Fort Sumter and the onset of war reached Augusta on April 12, 1861. Governor Washburn quickly approved Horatio Staples' call for Augusta volunteers, who joined others at Capitol Park to form the 3rd Maine Regiment. The soldiers quickly found military life not to their liking, especially the food. Patriotic Augusta ladies heard of their complaints and decided to give the soldiers a culinary treat. With the Governor, the ladies visited Capitol Park to distribute cheese and 40 bushels of doughnuts to the soldiers. The men were dismissed to their quarters to partake of the "doughnation" and to visit the "doughners." On June 14, 1861, the 3rd Maine left for war. Several other Maine regiments encamped at the Capitol Park until Camp Keys was established in 1862.

La nouvelle de la reddition de Fort Sumter et du début de la guerre atteint Augusta le 12 avril 1861. Le gouverneur Washburn approuve immédiatement l'appel qu'Horatio Staples lance à des voluntaires locaux qui se joignent à d'autre au parc du Capitol pour former le 3ème régiment du Maine. Les soldats découvrent bien vite que la vie

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militaire et en particulier la nourriture ne sont pas vraiment à leur goût. Les dames patriotiques d'Augusta entendent leurs récriminations et décident de faire un geste. Ces dames visitent le parc du Capitole avec le Gouverneur pour distribuer du fromage et 40 boisseaux de beignet aux soldats. On autorise les soldats à rentrer dans leur baraquement pour y déguster cette manne de beignets et bavarder avec le bienfaitrices. Le 14 juin 1861, le 3ème régiment du Maine part pour la guerre. Plusieurs autre régiments du Maine campent dans le parc du Capitole jusqu'à l'établissement de Camp Keys en 1862.
 
Erected by The Museum in the Streets. (Marker Number 4.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Augusta, Maine – The Civil War series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1861.
 
Location. 44° 18.319′ N, 69° 46.679′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. It is on Union Street 0.1 miles east of Columbia Street, on the right when traveling

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021

2. Capitol Park & Augusta's Doughnut Brigade / Le Parc du Capitole et la Manne de Beignets Marker

east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 46 Union St, Augusta ME 04330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Kennebec Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Augusta, Maine – The Civil War (a few steps from this marker); Maine Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kennebec Arsenal / L'Arsenal du Kennebec (about 700 feet away); Lincoln's Request / L'Appel de Lincoln (approx. 0.2 miles away); Maine Mounted Light Artillery / Artillerie Légère à Cheval du Maine (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Car "America" / Le Char America (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Pine Grove (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samantha Reed Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 257 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.