The 50th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(7th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia)
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Unit History
Nine Months
The 50th Regt. Mass. Vol., Mil. was raised in response to the call of Aug. 4,1862, for nine months troops. Its nucleus was the old 7th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil., composed of companies from Essex and Middlesex counties, and commanded by Col. Carlos P. Messer. As early as Aug. 9, 1862, at a meeting of the line officers of the 7th Regiment, held at South Reading, it was voted to proffer the services of the regiment for the nine months term, and a communication was sent by Colonel Messer to Governor Andrew to that effect. The offer was accepted, and during the latter part of August and the month of September the old companies were recruited up to war strength, and enough new ones were raised to make up a full ten company regiment. By a general order dated Sept. 11, 1862, the 7th was re-designated the 50th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil., and on the following day the members of the regiment and recruits began to assemble at Camp Stanton, Boxford. Here it was recruited up to the full regimental standard, and the companies were mustered in between Sept. 15 and Sept. 30.
The 50th left for New York, Nov. 19, arriving the following day, and being almost immediately ordered thence to Camp Banks, Long Island, the rendezvous of the Banks expedition to Louisiana. The different companies left New York, Company "I" on the first of December, and the rest of the companies on or about the 11th, some of them on condemned or unmanageable transports. The regiment was finally conveyed from Fort Monroe to Louisiana in fragments. Company "I", which had preceded the rest, passed New Orleans on its transport, the NEW BRUNSWICK, and arrived at Baton Rouge, La., Dec. 16. Here it Was attached to the 30th Mass. Inf. until the major part of the 50th arrived. Companies "A", "E", and "K" arrived at New Orleans on the JERSEY BLUE, Jany. 19, and reached Baton Rouge, Feb. 6. Companies "C", "G", and "H", on the JENNY LIND, arrived at New Orleans, Feb. 10, and on the 14th reached Baton Rouge. On the MONTEBELLO, which conveyed Companies "B", "D", and "F", the small pox broke out, and these companies did not join the rest until April 2, 1863.
At Baton Rouge the regiment was assigned to Dudley's (3d) Brigade, Augur's (1st) Division, 19th Corps, and before the arrival of the last three companies it had, on March 14, taken part in the demonstration against Port Hudson, made in cooperation with Farragut's fleet, two vessels of which, the HARTFORD and the ALBATROSS, succeeded in passing the Port Hudson batteries and securing a position on the river above the city. From this time until March 26, the regiment was at Winter's plantation on the west bank of the Mississippi about three miles below Port Hudson. On the latter date it returned to Baton Rouge.
On May 12 the regiment proceeded to White's Bayou about ten miles southeast from Port Hudson where it remained until the 26th when it moved up to the works in front of the city. It took part in the assault on Port Hudson, May 27, its losses, however, being slight. It did not participate in the second assault, June 14, but was engaged in supporting batteries and in trench duty until the surrender of the city, July 9.
From this time on for about twenty days it was in Port Hudson doing guard duty. On July 20 it boarded the steamer OMAHA bound for Cairo, Ill., en route for home. At Helena, Ark., the boat grounded on a sand bar, and the regiment was transferred to the steamer L. M. KENNETT, reaching Cairo, Aug. 5. Here it entrained for Massachusetts, reaching Boston, Aug. 11. After a collation at Beach Street Barracks the regiment was marched to the Common and there dismissed, to reassemble at Wenham, Mass., August 24, where it was formally mustered out of the United States service.
Regiment lost during service 2 Enlisted men killed and 1 Officer and 100 Enlisted men by disease. Total 103.
Assignments
Organized at Boxford. Moved to New York November 19-20, 1862, thence sailed for New Orleans, La. (Cos. "A," "E" and "K"), on Steamer "Jersey Blue," December 11. Transferred to "Guerrilla" at Hilton Head, S.C., and arrived at New Orleans January 20, 1863. Company "I" sailed on Steamer "New Brunswick" December 1, arriving at Baton Rouge, La., December 16, and temporarily attached to 30th Massachusetts. Companies "B," "C," "D," "F," "G" and "H" sailed on Steamer "Niagara" December 13, but returned to Philadelphia, Pa., December 16. Again sailed from Philadelphia January 9, 1863, on Ship "Jenny Lind," arriving at Fortress Monroe, Va., January 13, where Companies "B," "D" and "H" were transferred to Ship "Monticello," and arrived at New Orleans January 27, but were detained at Quarantine until April, Joining Regiment at Baton Rouge April 2. Companies "C," "F" and "G" arrived at New Orleans February 9 and at Baton Rouge February 14. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to July, 1863.
SERVICE.--Duty at Baton Rouge until March 14, 1863. Reconnoissance toward Port Hudson March 7-27. Expedition to Bayou Montecino April 19. At Baton Rouge until May 12, At White's Bayou May 12-26 (Cos. "A," "B," "C" and "I"). Siege of Port Hudson May 26-July 9. Assaults on Port Hudson May 27 and June 14. Surrender of Port Hudson July 9. Garrison duty at Port Hudson until July 29. Moved to Boston, Mass., via Cairo, Ill., July 29-August 11. Mustered out August 24, 1863.
