The 44th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(Volunteer Militia)
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Unit History
Nine Months
The 44th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil., the second New England Guards Regiment, was one of the new militia units raised to fill the quota of Massachusetts under the call of Aug. 4, -1862, for nine months troops. Its nucleus was the 4th Battalion Infantry, M. V. M., which by Special Order No. 597, dated Aug. 7, 1862, was authorized to recruit to the full size of a regiment.
The recruiting proceeded rapidly, and on Aug. 29 the command went into camp at Readville, Mass. The field and staff and practically all the regiment were mustered into the service Sept. 12, Maj. Francis L. Lee of Newton, who had commanded the 4th Battalion, was commissioned colonel, while Capt. Edward C. Cabot of Co. "A", 4th Battalion was commissioned lieutenant colonel. This company was the New England Guards company in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
The regiment was reviewed by Governor Andrew, Oct. 15,1862, and on the 22d took passage by the steamer MERRIMAC for Beaufort, N. C. Landing at Morehead City, Oct. 26, the regiment immediately entrained for Newbern where it became a part of Stevenson's Brigade, later the 2d Brigade of Wessell's (4th) Division, Foster's (18th) Corps. The last of October the 44th proceeded on transports to Little Washington, arriving Nov. 1. The next day it marched about 20 miles into the interior to Rawle's Mill, where it encountered the enemy and lost two men killed and six wounded. Passing on through Williamston, N.C., on Nov. 5, the expedition arrived within a few miles of Tarboro. Here, finding that the enemy had been heavily reinforced, the Federal force began its retreat toward Plymouth, where steamer was taken for Newbern, this place being reached Nov. 14, after two weeks absence.
After four weeks spent in the regular routine of camp life, on Dec. 11 the regiment started out with the Goldsboro expedition. It reached Kinston Dec. 14, just after the engagement was over. At Whitehall, Dec. 16, it was engaged losing 8 killed and 10 wounded. On the day following at Goldsboro the regiment was in the reserve and suffered no loss. Returning with the expedition it arrived at Newbern Dec. 20. Here its service was without incident until Feb. 1, 186.3, when it went on a foraging expedition to and beyond Plymouth, being absent about ten days. About this time Companies "B" and 'F " were sent up the Goldsboro Railroad to Batcheller's Creek where they were on duty until May 1.
About the middle of March the eight remaining companies were sent to reinforce the garrison of Little Washington, remaining there through the siege which occupied the first two weeks in April, 1863. After the siege was raised three companies, "C", "D", and "I", under Major Dabney proceeded to Hill's Point, destroying the Confederate fortifications at this place. About the 23d of April the regiment returned to Newbern where it served as provost guard until its term of service had expired.
Entraining June 6 for Morehead City, a suburb of Beaufort, the regiment embarked on the steamers GUIDE and GEORGE PEABODY for Boston where it arrived June 10. Here the members of the regiment were furloughed until the 16th of June. Reassembling on this date at its old camp at Readville, on the 18th the regiment was mustered out of the United States service.
Regiment lost during service 11 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 29 Enlisted men by disease. Total 41.
Assignments
Organized at Readville and mustered in September 12, 1862. Moved to Newberne, N. C., October 22-27. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. North Carolina, to May, 1863. Lee's Brigade, Defences of Newberne, Dept. North Carolina, to June, 1863.
SERVICE.--Expedition from Newberne November 2-12, 1862. Action at Rawle's Mills November 2. Demonstration on Newberne November 11. Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro December 11-20. Kinston December 14. Whitehall December 16. Goldsboro December 17. At Newberne until February 10, 1863. Moved to Plymouth, N. C., February 10, and duty there until March 15. (Cos. "B" and "F" detached on outpost duty at Batchelor's Creek February 10 to May 1.) Skirmishes Deep Gully, Newberne, March 13-14 (2 Cos.). Regiment moved to Washington March 15. Siege of Washington March 30-April 20. Skirmish at Washington March 30 (Cos. "A" and "G"). Skirmishes at Washington April 3 and 15. Expedition from Newberne to relief of Little Washington April 7-10 (2 Cos.). Regiment moved to Newberne April 22-24, and duty there until June 6. Expedition toward Kinston April 27-May 1. Dover Road April 28. Moved to Boston, Mass., June 6-10. Mustered out June 18, 1863.
