Frederic C. Prince, Scarborough, 1863

Contributed by Maine State Archives

Frederic C. Prince, 1863

Second Lt. Frederic C. Prince was born on June 15, 1842, in Cumberland to Paul (1785-1868) and Abigail Wells Prince (1804-1871).

On December 3, 1863, at the age of twenty-one, Prince enlisted in Company C of the 2nd Maine Cavalry to fight in the Civil War. By enlisting in Scarborough, he added his name to the town’s quota requirement. His enlistment documents indicate that he was 5-feet 7-1/2 inches tall, with blue eyes and brown hair.

Prince was the quartermaster sergeant of the regiment, earning a promotion to 1st sergeant on August 1, 1864. Though the carte de visit identifies him as a 2nd Lieutenant, there is no information as to when this promotion might have occurred.

Frederic Prince and the 2nd Maine Cavalry fought in one of the last battles of the war at Fort Blakely, Alabama, on April 9, 1865, just two hours after General Robert E Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. He was last stationed in Barrancas, Florida prior to being mustered out on December 6, 1865.