The 29th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(Three Years)
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Unit History
The 29th Regt. Maw. Vol. Inf. had for its nucleus seven companies of the 3d and 4th Regt's. M.V.M., "Minute Mon." These seven companies were sent to Fort Monroe in the middle of May, 1861, having enlisted for three years. Until July, when the 3d and 4th Regt's. were mustered out, they served with these regiments. From that time until December they constituted a battalion. Near the close of the year three new companies were added, and the organization of the 29th Regiment was completed, Ebenezer W. Pierce of Freetown being commissioned colonel.
Companies "A" and "K" "had been engaged with loss at Big Bethel, June 10, 1861, while attached to the 4th Regiment. The regiment spent the winter of 1861-62 at Newport News, Va., where March 8, it witnessed the destruction of the CUMBERLAND and CONGRESS, and on the following day saw the MONITOR and MERRIMAC fight.
May 9, 1862, the 29th proceeded to Fort Monroe and thence to Norfolk. Transferred to Fair Oaks on June 9, it was here attached to Meagher's Irish Brigade, Richardson's Division, Sumner's (2d) Corps. It was engaged near Fair Oaks, June 15, at Gaines' Mill, June 27, at Savage's Station, June 29, at Nelson's Farm, June 80, and at Malvern Hill, July 1, without heavy low. Withdrawn to the vicinity of Washington, Aug. 29, it assisted in covering the retreat of Pope's army from 2d Bull Run, then joined in the advance of the Army of the Potomac into Maryland. It arrived at South Mountain after the battle of Sept. 14, but at Antietam, Sept. 17, it was heavily engaged near the Bloody Lane with loss.
On Nov. 30, the 29th was transferred to Christ's Brigade, Burns' Division, Wilcox's (9th) Corps, and was present at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, with slight loss. The midwinter season was spent near Falmouth.
February 12, 1863, the 29th started for Newport News, arriving on the 14th. Gen. Parke now took command of the 9th Corps, and Gen. Wilcox resumed command of the 1st Division. The corps was now transferred by boat and rail to Cincinnati, Ohio, arriving March 26, After various expeditions after guerrillas the 29th moved in June to the front of Vicksburg and remained there until after the surrender, July 4. It then shared in the pursuit of Gen. Johnston to Jackson, Miss., and was present at the capture of that city. Returning to Cincinnati, Aug. 20, it proceeded over the mountains to Knoxville, Tenn., being present at the battle of Campbell's Station, Nov. 16, and participated in the defense of Fort Sanders, Nov. 29. After the raising of the siege by the Confederates the 29th spent the last days of December at Blain's Cross Roads where a larger percentage of the men of the regiment re-enlisted, and on Jany. 1, 1864, were re-mustered for three years. Those not re-enlisting were transferred to the 36th Regt. The re-enlisted men were given veteran furloughs, returning to Massachusetts April 9, and reporting again at Washington, D. C., May 18.
The regiment was now temporarily assigned to the 5th Corps, but was soon transferred to the 2d Brig., 1st Div., 9th Corps. Moving to the front of Petersburg it was in the assault of June 17, 1864, losing three color bearers and 26 other officers and men. Transferred to Bartlett's (1st) Brigade, on July 30 it participated in the Crater fight where it again lost heavily.
During the winter of 186445 the regiment was stationed near Fort Stedman, most of the time in Battery 11. Here on March 25, 1865, it was engaged in the defense of the lines at this point when Fort Stedman was attacked and temporarily in the hands of the enemy.
After the fail of Petersburg and Richmond and the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, the regiment was brought back to Tennallytown near Washington, arriving June 9. Here it received a large number of recruits and re-enlisted men from the 35th Mass. Regt., and on July 29, was mustered out of the service. Returning to Readville, Mass., on Aug. 11, 1865, the men were paid off and discharged.
Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 53 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 95 Enlisted men by disease. Total 156.
Assignments
SERVICE.--Duty at Newport News, Va., until May, 1862. Sinking of the "Cumberland" and "Congress" by the Merrimac March 8, 1862. Battle between "Monitor" and "Merrimac" March 9. Occupation of Norfolk and Portsmouth May 10. Duty there until June 2. Moved to Suffolk, thence to Portsmouth and White House Landing June 6-7. March to Fair Oaks June 8. Near Seven Pines June 15. Fair Oaks June 24. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Gaines' Mill June 27. Peach Orchard and Savage Station June 29. White Oak Swamp and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing until August 16. Movement to Fortress Monroe, thence to Alexandria and Centreville August 16-30. Cover retreat of Pope's army from Bull Run August 31-September l. Battle of Antietam, Md., September 16-17. At Harper's Ferry, W. Va., until October 29. Advance up Loudoun Valley and movement to Falmouth October 29-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. Moved to Newport News February 12-14, thence moved to Kentucky March 21-26. Duty at Paris, Ky., until April 26. Moved to Nicholasville, Lancaster and Stanford April 27-29. March to Somerset May 6-8. Movement through Kentucky to Cairo, Ill., June 4-10; thence to Vicksburg, Miss., June 14-17. Siege of Vicksburg June 17-July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. At Milldale until August 12. Moved to Covington, Ky., August 12-23. Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee August to October. Action at Blue Springs October 10. At Lenois until November 14. Knoxville Campaign November-December. Campbell's Station November 16. Siege of Knoxville November 17-December 4. Pursuit of Longstreet December 7-28. Operations in East Tennessee until March, 1864. Veterans march to Nicholasville. Ky., March 21-31; thence moved to Covington, Ky.; Cincinnati, Ohio, and to Boston, Mass., March 31-April 9. On furlough until May 16. Moved to Washington, D.C.; thence to Belle Plain, Va., March 16-20. Joined Army of the Potomac May 28. Non-Veterans attached to 36th Massachusetts Infantry February 1 to May 16. Rapidan Campaign May-June. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg, June 15-19. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864. Weldon Railroad August 18-21. Poplar Springs Church, Peeble's Farm, September 29-October 2. Reconnaissance on Vaughan and Squirrel Level Roads October 8. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28. Fort Stedman March 25, 1865. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Occupation of Petersburg April 3. Moved to Washington, D.C., April 21-28. Grand Review May 23. Provost duty at Washington and Alexandria until July. Mustered out July 29, 1865.
