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37th
Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Thirty-seventh Infantry. — Cols., Oliver Edwards, Rufus P. Lincoln,
Mason W. Tyler; Lieut.-Cols., Alonzo E. Goodrich, George L. Montague, Rufus P. Lincoln,
Mason W. Tyler, Archibald Hopkins; Majs., Oliver Edwards, George L. Montague, Eugene J.
Allen, Marcus T. Moody, Rufus P. Lincoln, Mason W. Tyler, Archibald Hopkins, Charles L.
Edwards. This regiment, composed of men from the western part of the state, was mustered
in at Pittsfield, Aug. 30 to Sept. 4, 1862, for three years, and mustered out on June 21,
1865, at Washington. The recruits and reenlisted men were transferred to the 20th Mass.
infantry. The total number of members was 1,344, of whom 157 were killed or died of wounds
and 76 died from accident or disease. The regiment left the state for Washington, Sept. 7,
1862, and remained in that vicinity for about a month, when it was then assigned to the
Army of the Potomac. It was present at Fredericksburg; took part in the famous "Mud
March," spent the winter of 1862-63 in camp near White Oak Church; joined in the
Chancellorsville campaign, and lost heavily at the battle of Gettysburg, where its conduct
was complimented by its commander. It started south after Gettysburg and reached
Warrenton, Va., where it was ordered to New York on account of the draft riots. On Oct.
14, it returned to the Army of the Potomac; was present at the battle of Rappahannock
Station; joined in the Mine Run campaign, and went into winter quarters near Brandy
Station. In May, 1864, the 37th lost heavily at the Wilderness, fought desperately at the
Spottsylvania Court House, and moved on to the North Anna, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. At
Petersburg on June 18, 1864, it made a gallant charge and early in July was sent to the
defense of Washington. It was engaged at Charlestown, W. Va., and at the Opequan in the
Shenandoah Valley, and was then stationed at Winchester as provost guard. On Dec. 16 it
rejoined the Army of the Potomac at Petersburg, took part in the Hatcher's run movement,
the assault on Fort Stedman, and the final assault on Petersburg, April 2, 1865. Following
the foe in their retreat, it was in the fight at Sailor's creek which was the last
engagement in which the regiment participated. After guarding for a short time the
Southside railroad, the men were reviewed at Richmond, also at Washington, and were then
mustered out. The reenlisted men and recruits were transferred to the 20th Mass. June 21,
1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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