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28th
Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Twenty-eighth Infantry. — Cols., William Monteith, Richard Byrnes,
George W. Cartwright; Lieut.-Cols., Maclelland Moore, George W. Cartwright, Jeremiah W.
Coveney, James Fleming; Majs., George W. Cartwright, Andrew P. Caraher, Andrew J. Lawler,
Jeremiah W. Coveney, James Fleming. The 28th was the second Irish regiment organized in
Massachusetts and was mustered in for three years at Camp Cameron, Cambridge, from Oct. 8,
1861, to the end of the year. The original members, not reenlisted, were mustered out at
Boston, Dec. 13, 1864, when the recruits and reenlisted men were formed into a battalion
of five companies, which remained in service under the same name until mustered out at
Washington on June 30, 1865. The regiment numbered 1,834 men, of whom 214 were killed or
died of wounds, 86 died from disease and 47 from imprisonment. It left the state, Jan. 11,
1862, and was stationed at Fort Columbus, New York harbor, until Feb. 14, when it embarked
for Hilton Head, S. C. It was assigned to Gen. T. W. Sherman's expeditionary corps and
details performed varied services until June 1, when the whole command arrived at James
Island and made an attack on Fort Johnson near Secessionville. Early in July it was
transferred to the Army of the Potomac and set out for Fortress Monroe on the 12th. The
battles of the second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam followed in rapid
succession, after which the 28th enjoyed a short rest near Harper's Ferry. Nov. 19, 1862,
found it at Fredericksburg, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 2nd
corps, known as the Irish brigade, commanded by Gen. Meagher. At the battle of
Fredericksburg, during a gallant advance, the regiment was nearly cut in two by the
enemy's fire. From Dec. 15, 1862, to April 27, 1863, it was on picket duty along the
Rappahannock and then moved to Chancellorsville, which was its next battle. After heavy
losses at Gettysburg the 28th followed the fortunes of the Army of the Potomac southward,
being engaged at Bristoe Station, in the Mine Run campaign and went into winter quarters
at Stevensburg. On May 3, 1864, the regiment broke camp and marched through
Chancellorsville to the Wilderness, where it took part in the battle. It was subsequently
engaged at the Po river, Spottsylvania, where its loss was heavy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Deep Bottom and Reams' station. On the last occasion it was publicly commended by Brig.-
Gen. Nelson A. Miles. The remainder of the year was spent in routine duties and at its
close the regiment was mustered out. The 28th battalion, Mass. infantry, after an
uneventful winter, was engaged at Fort Stedman, and on the Southside railroad near
Sutherland Station. Following the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomattox the
battalion moved to Alexandria, participated in the grand review of the Union army at
Washington and returned to Massachusetts to receive an enthusiastic welcome. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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