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34th Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War

Regimental History
Thirty-fourth Infantry.— Cols., George D. Wells, William S. Lincoln; Lieut.-Cols., William S. Lincoln, Andrew Potter; Majs., Henry Bowman, Harrison W. Pratt, Andrew Potter, Alonzo D. Pratt, Wells Willard. The 34th, composed of men from the western part of the state, was mustered in at Worcester, during July and Aug., 1862, for three years, and was mustered out at Richmond, June 16, 1865. The total number of members was 1,309, of whom 125 were killed or died of wounds and 76 died from accident or disease. The regiment started for Washington on Aug. 15, 1862, and remained on duty in that vicinity until May 2, 1863, when it was sent to Upton hill. Here it remained until June 2, when it returned to Washington; was on duty there for over a month; was ordered to Fort Duncan, July 9; crossed the river and fought the battle of Berryville, Va., on Oct. 18, 1863. In December an expedition was made to Harrisonburg which almost resulted disastrously, the Union troops being pursued all the way back. The regiment was then in camp near Bolivar until Feb. 1, 1864, when it was ordered to Cumberland, Md. Several difficult marches and the battles of New Market, Piedmont, and Lynchburg followed, and then the hurried march in retreat to the Union lines. Without rest it was again on the march and took part in the battles at Snicker's gap, Winchester, and Martinsburg. It was in the engagements at Halltown, Berryville, Fisher's hill and Cedar creek and in December received orders to join the Army of the James before Richmond. In Jan., 1865, the regiment joined Gen. Sheridan at the Chickahominy and moved toward Petersburg. It engaged the enemy at Hatcher's run, captured Battery Gregg at Petersburg, joined in the pursuit of Lee's army until the surrender and entered Richmond, April 25, 1865. Two members of the regiment received Congressional medals for bravery and throughout its term of service the 34th was noted for its discipline and steadiness. At the battle of Cedar creek, in resisting the enemy's charge, the regiment was the only one of the entire Army of West Virginia to preserve its formation entire.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1

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