The 45th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(Volunteer Militia)
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Unit History
Nine Months
The 45th Regt. Mass. Vol. MO., or Cadet Regiment, was one of the new militia regiments raised in response to the call of Aug. 4, 1862, for nine months troops. It received the title by which it was commonly known because of the fact that over forty of the commissioned officers of the regiment were former members of the Boston Cadets. Its commander, Col. Charles R. Codman, had served as Captain and Adjutant of the Boston Cadets during their period of service at Fort Warren in the early summer of 1862. Organized at Camp Meigs, Readville, in the early fall of 1862, the first eight companies of the 45th were mustered in on the 26th day of September, and the other two, "I" and "K", on the 7th of October.
On Nov. 5, the regiment embarked on the steamer MISSISSIPPI for Beaufort, N. C., arriving at its destination on the 15th. Transported by rail to Newbern, it was here assigned to Amory's Brigade of Foster's Division. The regimental Camp was established on the banks of the Trent River near Fort Gaston. Here the 45th remained, following the regular routine of camp life, until Dec. 12, when it set out with Genl. Foster's expedition to Goldsboro. Only eight companies took part in this expedition, Co. "C" having been sent on special duty to Morehead City, and Co. " G " to Fort Macon.
At Kinston, Dec. 14, the regiment had its first taste of real wax, losing 15 men killed and 43 wounded. At Whitehall, Dec. 16, it was again engaged, losing 4 killed and 16 wounded. At Goldsboro on the 17th the 45th was not in action, and on the following day it began its return march to Newbern, arriving at its former camp Dec. 21.
On January 17, 1863, the 45th started on a reconnaissance to Trenton, returning on the 22d. From Jany. 26 to April 26 it served as provost guard in the city of Newbern. During this period, on March 14, occurred the Confederate attack on Newbern, of which the 45th was an interested spectator but was not called into action.
On April 27 it started with Amory's Brigade on an expedition to Core Creek on the railroad toward Goldsboro. On the following day it was sharply engaged, taking a Con federate work which crowed the railroad near its intersection with the Dover Road, and losing one man killed and four wounded.
This expedition being ended, the regiment returned to its last camp, near Fort Spinola, just below Newbern, on the Trent. Here it remained until June 24, when it proceeded to Morehead City, a suburb of Beaufort, N. C., and there took transports for Boston.
Arriving at its destination June 30, the regiment was formally welcomed, then proceeded to its old camp at Readville where it remained until its muster out of the service July 8.
Regiment lost during service 19 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 32 Enlisted men by disease. Total 51.
Assignments
Organized at Camp Meigs, Readville, September 26-October 28, 1862. Moved to Morehead City, N. C., on Steamer "Mississippi" November 5-14. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to May, 1863. Lee's Brigade, Defences of Newberne, N. C., to June, 1863.
SERVICE.--Camp on banks of the Trent near Newberne until December 12, 1862. Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro December 12-20. Kinston December 14. Whitehall December 16. Goldsboro December 17. Reconnoissance toward Trenton January 17-22, 1863. Duty as post guard at Newberne January 26 to April 25. Moved to mouth of the Trent, south side of the Neuse River, April 25. Expedition toward Kinston, up the Atlantic & N. C. Railroad, April 27-May 1. Dover Road and Wise's Cross Roads April 28. Camp near Fort Spinola, mouth of Trent, until June 24. Company "C" detached at Morehead City November 29, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Company "G" at Fort Macon until April 25. Company "I" at Morehead City January 3 to April 25, and at Fort Spinola until June 24. Regiment moved to Morehead City June 24 and embarked for Boston, Mass., arriving at Fortress Monroe June 26, and at Boston June 30. Mustered out July 8, 1863.
