The 5th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(Volunteer Militia)
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Unit History
Three Months
The 5th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil., "Minute Men," was ordered to report for active duty and to proceed to the city of Washington by Special Order No. 35, issued by the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, April 19,1861. To the five companies of the 5th Regt. were added four from the 7th Regt. and one from the 1st Regt., thus making up a full regiment of ten companies. On Sunday, April 21, the 5th entrained for Washington, where on May 1, its members were mustered into the service of the United States. For nearly four weeks it remained in the city of Washington, then on May 25 it was transferred to the Virginia shore, where it remained in camp near Alexandria until it marched toward Bull Run, forming a part of Franklin's brigade, Heintzelman's division, of McDowell's army. It was one of the three Massachusetts regiments engaged in the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, where it lost nine killed, two wounded, and twenty-three prisoners. After this engagement the regiment remained in Washington until the latter part of the month when it was sent back to Boston where it was mustered out of the service July 31.
Lost during service 9 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Enlisted men by disease. Total 11.
Nine Months
Under the call of August 4, 1862, for 300,000 militia to serve nine months, 19,080 of whom were assigned to the quota of Massachusetts, the 5th Regt. again volunteered for duty, thereby helping to avoid the employment of the draft. Its rendezvous was at Camp Lander, Wenham, Mass., where it was recruited to war strength, and where its companies were mustered into the service between September 16 and 29, 1862. Its field and staff officers were mustered in October 8. Ordered to the department of North Carolina, it reached Beaufort October 26, the same day as the 3d Regt., and there entrained for Newbern. Between November 2 and 13 it took part in the expedition toward Williamstown, N. C. On December 10 it joined the Goldsboro expedition, and during the succeeding eleven days marched 180 miles and participated in the battles of Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro. It took part in two expeditions for the relief of Washington, N. C., which was besieged by the Confederates, also in the so called Gum Swamp expedition in May, 1863. On June 22 it proceeded to Morehead City, where it embarked on the steamer "Guide" for Boston. Arriving at Boston on the afternoon of the 25th, on July 2 it was mustered out of the service at Camp Lander, Wenham.
Lost during service by disease 16 Enlisted men.
One Hundred Days
During the latter part of July, 1864, the 5th Regt. was again mustered into the service, this time for one hundred days, and was sent to Baltimore, Md., where it did guard duty at Fort McHenry, Fort Marshall, Federal Hill, and other places. Companies and detachments were stationed at various points in eastern Maryland where they were needed, especially during the autumn elections. On November 7 the regiment returned to Boston, and was mustered out at Readville, Mass., November 16.
Lost during service by disease 9 Enlisted men.
Assignments
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