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18th
Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Eighteenth Infantry. — Cols., James Barnes, Joseph Hayes ; Lieut.-
Cols., Timothy Ingraham, Joseph Hayes, Stephen Thomas, William B. White, Fisher A. Baker;
Majs., Joseph Hayes, Stephen Thomas, William B. White, Thomas Weston, Luther S. Bent. The
18th, composed mainly of men from Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties, was mustered
into the U. S. service from Aug., 1861, to Jan., 1862, and was mustered out on Sept. 2,
1864, when the recruits and reenlisted men were transferred to the 32d infantry. The
original regiment numbered 1,152 men, of whom 247 were killed or died from wounds, disease
or in prison. The regiment arrived in Washington on Sept. 1, 1861, and spent the winter in
camp near Hall's hill. It took part in the siege of Yorktown, the second battle of Bull
Run, and the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. At the last engagement it made a
gallant charge and left its dead lying close to the enemy's works. The winter was
uneventful, except for the famous "Mud March," and the next spring found the
18th at the battle of Chancellorsville, where its most important duty was after the action
in forming a rear-guard for the retreating army. On June 14, 1863, it started north,
arrived at Gettysburg on the second day of the battle, and was assigned to a position near
Little Round Top. From Gettysburg it moved south again with the Army of the Potomac, was
engaged at Rappahannock Station and in the Mine Run movement, and went into camp on Dec.
3, 1863, at Beverly ford. Early in May, 1864, the regiment broke camp and marched to
Wilderness tavern, where it took part in the battle which followed and in the rest of the
engagements of the Army of the Potomac until mustered out. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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