The 46th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(Volunteer Militia)
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Unit History
Nine Months
The 46th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil. was raised largely in Hampden County in response to the President's call of August 4, 186.2, for nine months troops. It was recruited largely through the efforts of Rev. George Bowler of Westfield, who became its first colonel. It was organized at Camp Banks, Springfield, Mass. Here the different companies assembled during September and October, 1862, and were mustered in on various dates between Sept. 24 and Oct. 22.
The regiment left camp Nov. 5 and proceeded to Boston where it took transports for North Carolina. Newbern was reached Nov. 15, and here the regiment was assigned to Col. H. C. Lee's Brigade. The regimental camp was established on the banks of the Neuse River near the city. Companies "A" and "K" were soon assigned to the duty of guarding the railroad station at Newport Barracks on the railroad from Newbern to Beaufort.
The first active duty of the regiment was during the Goldsboro expedition. Starting Dec. 11, it was present at the battles of Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro, Dec. 14, 16, and 17, but was only slightly engaged and suffered little loss. Returning to Newbern, Dec. 20, the regiment was soon established in a new camp near the confluence of the Neuse and the Trent. Colonel Bowler who, though ill, had accompanied the regiment to Kinston, now resigned, and Lieut. Col. Shurtleff was promoted to colonel. Co. "A" now returned from detached duty, and Co. "F" under Capt. Russell H. Conwell took its place.
On March 13 and 14, 1863, the regiment took part in the defense of Newbern against a Confederate force under General Pettigrew who sought to recapture it on the first anniversary of its occupation by the Union forces. Ten days later the six companies which comprised the main part of the regiment were sent to Plymouth, where from March 26 to May 8 they formed apart of the garrison of that place. Companies "F" and "K" I it will be remembered, were absent on detached duty, and Companies "A" and "I" were left behind at Newbern. Soon after May 8 the six companies returned to Newbern, and the regiment was now quartered in barracks.
May 21 the regiment with the rest of Col. Lee's Brigade took part in an expedition to Gum Swamp, about eight miles from Kinston, where it was engaged May 22, returning to Newbern the following day without loss. Early in May Companies "A" and "I", which had been left behind when the regiment went to Plymouth, were sent to Batchelder's Creek to do outpost duty under Colonel Jones of the 58th Pa. Here, May 23, when their position was heavily assaulted by the enemy, Capt. Tifft with these two companies hold an advanced redoubt long after the rest of the command had retired. For exceptional bravery on this occasion Sergt. A. S. Bryant of Co. "A" was promoted to sergeant major and received a Congressional Medal of Honor. Early in June, as the term of the 46th was drawing to a close, over 100 members re-enlisted in the 2d Mass. Vol. Heavy Artillery which was then being organized. The remainder of the regiment embarked, June 24, for Fort Monroe.
On its way home the regiment volunteered for service with the Army of the Potomac during the emergency caused by Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. It served doing patrol and guard duty in or near Baltimore, Md., from July 1 to 6, and was stationed on Maryland Heights near Harper's Ferry from the 7th to the 12th. On the 12th as a part of the brigade of Genl. Henry S. Briggs it joined the 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, at Funkstown, Md., in front of the Confederate position at Falling Waters. After Lee's retreat into Virginia the regiment was ordered to Massachusetts, reaching Springfield, Mass., July 21. Here the men were furloughed for one week, re-assembling at Hampden Park, July 29, when they were mustered out of the service.
Regiment lost during service 1 Enlisted man killed and 35 by disease. Total 36.
Assignments
Organized at Springfield September 25-October 30, 1862. Moved to Boston November 5 and there embarked for Newberne. N. C., arriving November 15. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Army Corps. Dept. of North Carolina, to June, 1863. 8th Army Corps, Middle Dept., July, 1863. Temporarily to 1st Army Corps, Army Potomac.
SERVICE.--Duty at Newberne. N. C., until December 10, 1862. (Co. "A" detached at Newport Barracks November 18, 1862, to January 23, 1863.) Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro December 11-20. Kinston December 14. Whitehall December 16. Goldsboro December 17. Duty at Newberne until March 26, 1863. Skirmishes at Deep Gully, Newberne, March 13-14. Moved to Plymouth March 26, and duty there until May. (Cos. "A" and "I" remain at Newberne.) Expedition toward Kinston April 27-May 1. Dover Road April 28. Moved to Newberne May 7-8. Demonstration on Kinston May 20-23. Gum Swamp May 22. Batchelor's Creek May 23. Duty at Newberne until June 24. Moved to Fortress Monroe June 24-28, thence to Baltimore, Md., June 30-July 1. Moved to Monocacy Junction, thence to Frederick, Sandy Hook and Maryland Heights July 6-7. Occupation of Harper's Ferry July 8. March to Funkstown July 12-13, and Join 1st Army Corps. Pursuit of Lee July 14-15. Moved to Boston July 15-17, thence to Springfield and there mustered out July 29, 1863.
