The 7th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(Three Years)
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Unit History
The 7th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was recruited largely through the efforts of Darius N. Couch, a West Point graduate, who became its first colonel, and later rose to the rank of major general, commanding the 2d Army Corps.
It was made up largely of men from Bristol County, and had its rendezvous at Camp Old Colony, Taunton, Mass, It was mustered into the service June 15, 1861.
Leaving Massachusetts July 12, it reached Washington on the 15th and was encamped at Kalorama Heights, Georgetown. August 6, it was brigaded with the 10th Mass., the 2d R. I., and the 36th N. Y. Inf., and soon removed to its permanent camp at Brightwood. Colonel Couch was soon promoted to brigadier general and was given the command of the brigade.
After a winter spent at Brightwood about the last of March the regiment was transferred to Fort Monroe from which point it joined the advance of the Army of the Potomac toward Yorktown. During the late spring and early summer it participated in the Peninsular campaign, being present at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and Oak Grove as a part of Devens' Brigade, Couch's Division, Keyes' (4th) Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Recalled from the front of Richmond, on September 1, 1862, it debarked at Alexandria. During the middle of this month it - took part in the advance to South Mountain and Antietam, but was not engaged. Late in the fall Devens' command became the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 6th Corps. It was present with slight loss at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862, then spent the winter in camp between Falmouth and White Oak Church.
On May 3, 1863, in cooperation with Hooker's flank movement to Chancellorsville, the 7th, as a part of the 6th Corps, participated in the capture of Marye's Heights and later in the battle at Salem Heights, suffering heavy casualties. It was with the 6th Corps in its march to Gettysburg, but suffered no loss in that engagement. After participating in the capture of Rappahannock Station and in the Mine Run campaign, in December, 1863, the regiment went into winter quarters near Brandy Station. In the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac during the succeeding winter the brigade to which the 7th belonged became Eustis' (4th) Brigade, Getty's (2d) Division, 6th Corps.
On the first day of the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, Getty's division, detached from its corps, opened the infantry fighting on the Plank road, on this and the succeeding day losing 120 men, 15 being killed and 13 mortally wounded. On May 8, the opening day at Spottsylvania, the 7th captured the colors and 32 men of a Georgia regiment. Ten days later it participated in the final attack at Spottsylvania, then joined in the flank movement to the North Anna and Cold Harbor. At the latter place it was engaged June 1 to 12, with some loss. On June 15, its term of service having expired, the regiment withdrew from the front and returned to Washington. Sent northward, it reached Taunton, Mass., June 20, and on the 27th day of June it was mustered out of the service.
Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 76 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 72 Enlisted men by disease. Total 154.
Assignments
SERVICE.--At Camp Brightwood, Defences of Washington, D.C., until March 11, 1862. March to Prospect Hills, Va., March 11-15. Embarked at Alexandria for the Peninsula March 25. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Bottom's Bridge May 19-21. Reconnoissance toward Richmond May 23. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Oak Grove, near Seven Pines, June 25. James River Road, near Fair Oaks, June 29. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing until August 16. Reconnoissance to Turkey Island August 5-6, and to Haxall's Station August 8-11. Movement to Alexandria August 16-September 1; thence march into Maryland September 3-18. Battle of Antietam September 18. At Downsville September 23-October 20. Movement to Stafford C. H. October 20-November 19, and to Belle Plains December 5. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin's Crossing April 29-May 2. Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Banks' Ford May 4. Deep Run Ravine June 5-13. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-4. Pursuit of Lee July 5-23. At Warrenton, Va., until September 15. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2, Duty at Brandy Station until May, 1864. Rapidan Campaign May-June. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7. Spottsylvania May 8-12. Spottsylvania C. H. May 12-21. "Bloody Angle" May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. March to James River June 12-14. Moved to Taunton, Mass., June 16-20, and there mustered out July, 1864, expiration of term.
