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47th
Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Forty-seventh Infantry. — Col., Lucius B. Marsh ; Lieut.-Col.,
Albert Stickney; Maj., Austin S. Cushman. This organization, commonly known as the
"Merchants' Guard," rendezvoused at Camp Edwin M. Stanton, Boxford, and was
raised through the efforts of Lucius B. Marsh, a prominent Boston merchant, who became its
colonel. The several companies were gradually filled during the autumn of 1862 and were
all mustered in for nine months' service by Nov. 7. On the 11th the regiment moved to Camp
Meigs, Readville. It suffered much from desertions before leaving the state, the records
showing that it lost 225 men in this way. Its total enrolment was 897, consisting of 42
officers and 855 enlisted men. Its losses during service were 1 man killed and 1 officer
and 33 enlisted men who died by accident or disease. On Nov. 29 it was ordered to New York
to join the Banks expedition then being organized. After some delay at Long island, it
embarked for New Orleans and reached there on Dec. 31. It was first ordered to Carrollton,
where it remained until Jan. 11, 1863, when it returned to New Orleans and served until in
March at the U. S. barracks and Louisiana lower cotton press. Several companies were
detailed for special service, Co. B serving throughout its term as guard for commissary
and ordnance stores at New Orleans, and Co. E being detailed for provost duty at
Thibodeaux. The regiment was reunited on March 12 (with the exception of Co. B), when it
was ordered to the Metaire race-course and on May 19 to Camp Parapet. Here Col. Marsh
relieved Gen. Dorr in command of the post, made up of artillery detachments and other
troops and guarding a line of defenses extending some 30 miles. This post was occupied by
the regiment until the end of its term of service. While here. Col. Marsh recruited a
company of negroes for service in the swamps. This company was the nucleus of the 2nd La.
engineers, recruited from the contraband camp and its officers were largely furnished by
the 47th Mass. The regiment left Carrollton on Aug. 5, to return home, going by way of
Cairo, Ill., and reaching Boston on the 18th. It was mustered out at Readville, Sept. 1,
1863. It was not once in action, and had only 1 man killed (June 28, by guerrillas). |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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