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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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