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31st
Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Thirty-first Infantry. — Cols., Oliver P. Gooding, Edward P.
Nettleton ; Lieut.-Cols., William S. B. Hopkins, Edward P. Nettleton, W. Irving Allen;
Majs., Robert Bache, Elbert H. Fordham, W. Irving Allen, L. Frederick Rice. This regiment,
originally known as the Western Bay State regiment, was mustered in during the latter part
of 1861 and the beginning of 1862 for three years. It was mustered out in Dec, 1864, when
the reenlisted men and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of five companies,
which was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., Sept. 9, 1865. The total strength of the regiment
was 1,365, of whom 50 were killed or died of wounds and 130 from disease or accident. The
31st embarked for Fortress Monroe, Feb. 21, 1862, reembarked for the south and arrived at
Ship island, Miss., March 20. It was ordered to New Orleans and was the first Union
regiment to occupy the city. It was engaged in all the important battles of the Department
of the Gulf during 1862 and 1863 and joined in the Red River expedition, leaving
Carrollton, Dec. 19, 1863. At this time the regiment was converted into a cavalry regiment
and moved to New Orleans, but was not in active service until March. As the 6th Mass.
cavalry, it took part in the marches of the Red River expedition, leading up to the
battles of Sabine cross roads, Pleasant Hill, Cane river, Alexandria and Yellow bayou. On
May 3, 1864, in a repulse of the enemy at Gov. Moore's plantation, the conduct of the
regiment was complimented by Gen. Mower, who said, "I have seldom seen cavalry do as
well, never better." Guard duty along the Mississippi river occupied the greater part
of the winter and in Feb., 1865, the regiment was ordered to Carrollton to prepare for the
Mobile expedition. After the fall of Mobile the regiment remained there until mustered
out. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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