What do you think?
Rate this book
Siege at the State House: The 1879 Coup that Nearly Plunged Maine into Civil War
Siege at the State House tells the true story of a coup that was attempted between Maine's governor and the leaders of a new political party, almost plunging the United States into its second Civil War. With the Maine State House under siege for several weeks by a confederate force, the occupation culminated in a showdown between armed rebels and Civil War hero General Joshua Chamberlain, with Chamberlain standing on the State House steps, exposing his chest, and daring any man present to settle the standoff with violence, if they dared. It was an event the war hero called "Another Roundtop."
In light of recent national events, this piece of Maine history is a timely and cautionary tale brought to life by historian Mac Smith. Elements of the story include a Christmas Day raid on Maine's weapons arsenal, missing election results, and seven jackasses.
In light of recent national events, this piece of Maine history is a timely and cautionary tale brought to life by historian Mac Smith. Elements of the story include a Christmas Day raid on Maine's weapons arsenal, missing election results, and seven jackasses.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
About the author
Mac Smith
7 booksI love documenting Maine history that is being lost to time, and presenting those stories in a way that is interesting, thought-provoking, and containing 100% first-hand information and quotes, all based on deep research. Please give one of my books a try!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 20, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up for an interesting moment of history I haven't heard from anywhere else.
I've been reading and listening to this book as it's being recorded for our Talking Books program, and considering I work within eyesight of the State House, I was excited to read it. I'd never heard about this event before and it's an interesting read considering today's politics. Not only is there a siege (though I think the title makes it a little more dramatic than it was), it's the reason for the siege that's interesting: a stolen election and voter count fraud.
I liked how the timeline is laid out and we learn about a ton of people involved in the siege and the count fraud, including the governor himself. Maine is such an interesting state and I really enjoyed getting peeks into how the State House was run back then.
My only complaint is that I would have liked the book to have.. more. I wanted more history, more background on major characters, and maybe something at the end to tell me what these major players went on to do with their lives. I think the writing could have flowed a little better so I didn't feel like I was reading a history textbook.
That aside, this was a really interesting read. I've lived in Maine for close to a decade and never heard about this event. If you like interesting moments in history or politics, this is for sure a book to check out.
I've been reading and listening to this book as it's being recorded for our Talking Books program, and considering I work within eyesight of the State House, I was excited to read it. I'd never heard about this event before and it's an interesting read considering today's politics. Not only is there a siege (though I think the title makes it a little more dramatic than it was), it's the reason for the siege that's interesting: a stolen election and voter count fraud.
I liked how the timeline is laid out and we learn about a ton of people involved in the siege and the count fraud, including the governor himself. Maine is such an interesting state and I really enjoyed getting peeks into how the State House was run back then.
My only complaint is that I would have liked the book to have.. more. I wanted more history, more background on major characters, and maybe something at the end to tell me what these major players went on to do with their lives. I think the writing could have flowed a little better so I didn't feel like I was reading a history textbook.
That aside, this was a really interesting read. I've lived in Maine for close to a decade and never heard about this event. If you like interesting moments in history or politics, this is for sure a book to check out.
July 26, 2026
Before my review begins my background is important to consider. I have been connected with the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum In Brunswick for over 27 years, serving currently as one of the two site managers.
Siege at the State House may be one of the hardest reviews, on Chamberlain book, that I have ever completed. The reason being under normal circumstances I might give it a four star rating, except for one thing…
There is absolutely no sourcing in the form of endnotes or a bibliography, there is no introduction or preface. There is only a brief statement on the back cover about this being a neglected piece of Maine history - one that deserves telling.
Siege at the State House is the account of event of Maine’s 1879 Count-out Crisis. Allegedly - Ballots changed, votes thrown out, the threat of a Civil War. Arguably speaking possibly Joshua Chamberlain’s finest hour - At least in the top five.
A large portion of the book cites various newspapers of tbe period, but only occasionally are dates given, seldom if ever titles of articles.
A hearing was conducted in 1880 by the state of Maine - it is available online - this combined with news articles make up a good portion of the sources with hints of private correspondence- but one has to guess, on any given page, where the information comes from, let alone conversations.
The feeling I get is this is deeply researched - but with no proof it might as well be historical fiction..?
Being familiar with the Chamberlain related events the framework is solid.
My final rating is based on the assumption it is meant to be historical - it might as well be Killer Angels - a solid work of historical fiction.
Be sure to check out my other reviews of Major Chamberlain works.
Siege at the State House may be one of the hardest reviews, on Chamberlain book, that I have ever completed. The reason being under normal circumstances I might give it a four star rating, except for one thing…
There is absolutely no sourcing in the form of endnotes or a bibliography, there is no introduction or preface. There is only a brief statement on the back cover about this being a neglected piece of Maine history - one that deserves telling.
Siege at the State House is the account of event of Maine’s 1879 Count-out Crisis. Allegedly - Ballots changed, votes thrown out, the threat of a Civil War. Arguably speaking possibly Joshua Chamberlain’s finest hour - At least in the top five.
A large portion of the book cites various newspapers of tbe period, but only occasionally are dates given, seldom if ever titles of articles.
A hearing was conducted in 1880 by the state of Maine - it is available online - this combined with news articles make up a good portion of the sources with hints of private correspondence- but one has to guess, on any given page, where the information comes from, let alone conversations.
The feeling I get is this is deeply researched - but with no proof it might as well be historical fiction..?
Being familiar with the Chamberlain related events the framework is solid.
My final rating is based on the assumption it is meant to be historical - it might as well be Killer Angels - a solid work of historical fiction.
Be sure to check out my other reviews of Major Chamberlain works.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews