The 58th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(aka Third Veteran Regiment)
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Unit History
The 58th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. the Third Veteran Regiment, was organized at Readville, Mass., the first eight companies being mustered into the service between Jan. 14 and April 18,1864. The conditions of enlistment were the same as those in the other veteran regiments. The regiment, consisting at this time of only eight companies, the organization of Companies "I" and "K" not having yet been completed, left the State April 28, 1864, under the core and of Lieut. Col. John C. Whiten, formerly lieutenant colonel of the 43d Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil., and reached Alexandria, Va., Saturday, April 30. Here it took train May 2 for Bristoe Station, arriving that evening. At Bristoe it was assigned to Bliss' (1st) Brigade, Potter's (2d) Division, Burnside's (9th) Corps, the 36th Massachusetts being in the same brigade.
On May 4 the forward movement of the Army of the Potomac and of the 9th Corps began. That night the 58th reached a position near the Rappahannock River and there bivouacked. The following day it crossed this river and marched to and crossed the Rapidan at Germanna Ford, the sounds of the battle which began that day continually increasing as they advanced. On the forenoon of May 6 the 2d and 3d Divisions of the 9th Corps went into action in the woods south of the Wilderness Tavern, attempting to close the gap between the right of the 2d and the left of the 5th Corps. In the afternoon, on the banks of a swampy ravine, the 58th was heavily engaged, losing seven killed, 23 wounded, and four missing.
Following the flank movement to Spottsylvania, on the 12th of May the regiment joined in an assault on Hill's Corps, meeting stubborn resistance, and losing 13 killed, go wounded, and two missing. Among the killed were Captain Harley and Adjutant Ogden. In further skirmishing near Spottsylvania the regiment lost three killed and six wounded.
At the North Anna River, May 24, the 58th was not heavily engaged, and in the fighting near the Totopotomoy about the last of the month but slight loss was suffered by the regiment. On the morning of June 3, 1864, the 9th Corps being on the right, near Bethesda Church, the 58th joined in the general assault, losing 18 killed and 67 wounded.
Among the dead were Maj. Barnabas Ewer, Capt. Charles M. Upham, and Capt. Thomas McFarland. From this time until the 12th the regiment lost two killed, 12 wounded, and 16 missing. While the Cold Harbor operations were in progress, the regiment was joined by its ninth company, " I ", the muster in of which was not completed until May 13. Crossing the James River, June 15, on the 17th the 58th joined in the assault on the lines east of Petersburg, losing two killed, 22 wounded, and one missing.
Between this time and July 30 it was engaged in trench duty, losing five killed and nine wounded.
On My 30 came the battle of the "Crater" near Petersburg. The tunnel under the salient had been made by soldiers of the 48th Pennsylvania which was in the same brigade with the 58th Massachusetts. The 58th was one of the regiments which charged into the "Crater" and beyond it, but was later driven back, losing Lieutenant Granet and four men killed, 30 wounded, and 84 prisoners. After this fight it remained in the trenches until the latter part of September.
At Poplar Grove Church, south of Petersburg, the regiment was engaged Sept. 30, losing a large number of prisoners, the entire loss being two killed, 10 wounded, and 99 captured. Only about a dozen members of the command escaped.
The winter of 1864-65 was spent by the 58th in Fort Meikle, and was without notable event. Its members were augmented by the return of convalescents, the arrival of recruits, and finally, on Feb. 20, 1865, by the arrival of Co. K, the organization and muster of which had not been completed until Jan. 26, 1865.
The 58th joined in the general assault on Petersburg, April 2, 1865, making a lodgment in the Confederate works just west of Fort Mahone, and losing five killed, 17 wounded, and 14 prisoners. After the fall of Petersburg, April 3, the regiment proceeded along the Southside Railroad as far as Burkeville Junction, being at this place at the time of the surrender of Lee. From here it moved to Farmville, where it remained ten days guarding the railroad.
On April 20 it began its return march to City Point, arriving on the 24th. Embarking on the 26th, it reached Washington two days later. Here it was occupied in guard and camp duty until July 15, participating meanwhile in the grand review of the Army of the Potomac, May 23. The regiment was mustered out July 14, and on the following day took transportation for home. Arriving at Readville, July 18, on the 26th its members were paid off and discharged.
Lost during service 10 Officers and 129 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 156 Enlisted men by disease. Total 295.
Assignments
Organized at Reedville April 25, 1864. Moved to Alexandria, Va., April 28-30. Attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1865.
SERVICE.--Moved to Bristoe Station, Va., and Join 9th Army Corps May 1-2, 1864. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James May 3-July 15. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Ny River May 10; Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. Stannard's Mills May 21. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864. Weldon Railroad August 18-21. Poplar Springs Church or Peeble's Farm September 29-October 2. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28. Fort Stedman March 25, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Occupation of Petersburg April 3. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. At Farmville until April 20. Moved to City Point, thence to Alexandria April 20-28. Duty there until July 15. Grand Review May 23. Mustered out July 14. Moved to Reedville July 15-18, and discharged July 26, 1865.
