The 18th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(Three Years)
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Unit History
The 18th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was composed of companies raised in Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth counties in the spring and early summer of 1861. Five companies assembled at Camp Brigham, Readville, early in July, and three more had arrived by August 20. These eight companies were mustered in August 24, and two days later left for Washington, where they arrived August 30. The commander of the regiment, Col. James Barnes, was a graduate of West Point.
On Sept. 3 it crossed the Potomac and was assigned to Martindale's Brigade, Fitz John Porter's Division, and was encamped at Fort Corcoran directly opposite Washington, D. C. On the 26th it was moved to Hall's Hill, where it performed picket and outpost duty through the following winter and until March, 1862. Meanwhile the other two companies had joined the regiment, Co. A, which was mustered in Oct. 12, 1861, and Co. 0, which was mustered Jany. 14,1862.
On March 21, 1862, the regiment embarked for the Peninsula, arriving at Old Point Comfort two days later. It was present at the siege of Yorktown and during the entire Peninsular campaign, but suffered no loss in action. Belonging to Martindale's Brigade, Morell's Division, Porter's (5th) Corps, the regiment was detached most of the time with Gen. Stoneman's command.
The first real combat service of the 18th occurred at 2d Bull Run, August 30, when it participated in the attack of Porter's Corps on Jackson's position at the railroad embankment. Here it lost 169 officers and men, of whom 54 were killed or mortally wounded.
At Antietam, Sept, 17, the 18th was not engaged, but on the 20th it crossed the Potomac in pursuit of the retreating Confederates and was driven back with loss. At Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, Col. Barnes commanding the brigade, Gen. Griffin the division, and Gen. Butterfield the corps, the 18th took part in the assault on Marys's Heights, losing 134 officers and men, 27 being killed or fatally wounded.
After a winter spent in camp, in May, 1863, under the command of Col. Hayes, General Meade now commanding the 5th Corps, the regiment was engaged at Chancellorsville, May 3, losing Captain Hewins killed and 13 men wounded. Again at Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, the regiment was engaged without severe loss. After the autumn campaign of maneuvers on the Rappahannock, the 18th participated in the capture of Rappahannock, Sta., Nov. 7, and in the Mine Run expedition near the close of the same month. The winter was one of considerable activity for the regiment, but its headquarters were near Beverly Ford on the Rappahannock.
During the winter, though the regiment was much reduced in numbers, 139 of its members re-enlisted for three years. In the early spring of 1864, with the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, the 18th became a part of Bartlett's Brigade, Griffin's Division, Warren's (5th) Corps. On May 5, 1864, the 18th Mass. and 83d Pa., formed respectively on the right and left of the ,Orange pike, advanced to feel the enemy and opened the battle of the Wilderness. Here Charles Wilson of Wrentham, a soldier of Co. K, 18th Regt., was the first infantryman to fall in this engagement. The regiment here lost heavily, including Col. Hayes, who was severely wounded.
At Laurel Hill near Spottsylvania, May 8, the regiment was again engaged with loss. At North Anna, May 23, and Cold Harbor, June I to 3, small losses were suffered. After crossing the James and approaching the front of Petersburg the regiment was held in reserve. On the 20th of July the men whose time was about to expire were ordered to Massachusetts, where they were mustered out Sept. 2. The recruits and re-enlisted men were formed into a battalion under Major Weston, which was engaged before Petersburg during the late summer and fall of 1864. Early in October the remnant of this battalion was consolidated with the 32d Regt.
Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 114 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 127 Enlisted men by disease. Total 252.
Assignments
SERVICE.--Duty at Fort Corcoran, Defenses of Washington, D.C., until September 26, 1861, and at Hall's Hill, Va., until March 10, 1862. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-16, 1862. Moved to Alexandria, thence to Fortress Monroe March 16-23. Reconnaissance to Great Bethel March 27. Warwick Road April 5. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Battle of Hanover Court House May 27. Operations about Hanover Court House May 27-29. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Operations about White House Landing June 26-July 2. At Harrison's Landing until August 15. Retreat from the Peninsula and movement to Centreville August 15-28. Battle of Bull Run August 30. Battle of Antietam, Md., September 16-17. Shepherdstown Ford September 19. Shepherdstown, W. Va., September 20. At Sharpsburg until October 30. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. Expedition to Richards and Ellis Fords December 29-30. "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. Duty at Falmouth until April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa,) Campaign June 11-July 24. Ashby's Gap June 21. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Williamsport, Md., July 14. At Warrenton and Beverly Ford July 27 to September 17, and at Culpeper until October 11. Bristoe Campaign October 11-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. At and near Brandy Station and Stevensburg until May, 1864. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James May-June. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Jericho Ford May 23. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16 to October 21. Weldon Railroad June 21-23. Old members left front July 20 and mustered out September 2, 1864. Veterans and Recruits consolidated to a Battalion. Poplar Springs' Church, Peeble's Farm, September 30-October 2. Consolidated with 32nd Massachusetts Infantry October 21, 1864.
