The 3rd Massachusetts Rifles Battalion
(Volunteer Militia)
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Unit History
The 3d Battalion of Rifles, Mass. Vol. Mil., was a unit of three companies commanded by Major Charles Devens, Jr., with headquarters at Worcester, Mass. Companies" A" and "C" were from Worcester, while Company "B" was from Holden. They Enlisted for Three Months
On July 30 the companies entrained for home, arriving at Worcester on the morning of August 2. That same afternoon Companies" A", "B", and "C" escorted Company "D" to the Foster Street Depot where it entrained for Boston. On the following day all four of the companies were mustered out of the United States service, Companies" A", "B", and "C" in Worcester and Company "D" at Boston.
By Special Order No. 31, dated April 18, 1861, these three companies were ordered to muster forthwith at Worcester, and Major Devens was directed to take them by the most practicable route to Washington, D. C. Obedient to instructions, at 5 P.M., April 20, Major Devens' command was paraded before the City Hall, Worcester, and that night at 10.30 entrained for New York, arriving on Sunday morning, April 21. Sunday night it embarked on the transport ARIEL for Annapolis, Md., arriving on the 24th. Here it remained until May 2, when its destination was changed, and it embarked for Fort McHenry near Baltimore.
Meanwhile another company, which had been recently raised in Boston, under the command of Captain Albert Dodd, was ordered to join the battalion at Washington, its original destination. Embarking on the steamer CAMBRIDGE this company left Boston, May 2, and reached Washington without event. After ten or twelve days in the capital city it was sent to Fort McHenry to join the battalion, arriving at its destination May 15. Here on the 19th of May the entire battalion was mustered into the United States service, Captain Dodd's command becoming Company "D".
The battalion spent its entire term of service at or in the vicinity of Fort McHenry, doing guard and garrison duty, dismounting and remounting heavy guns, etc. About the 11th of July Major Devens left the battalion to return to Massachusetts, he having been promoted to the colonelcy of the 15th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. Captain A. B. R. Sprague of Co. "A" was now promoted to major and under his command the battalion completed its term of service.
