CIVIL WAR INDEX
Primary Source Material
on the Soldiers and the Battles
Home The Armies The Soldiers The Battles Civilians Articles
If this website has been useful to you, please consider making a Donation.

Your support will help keep this website free for everyone, and will allow us to do more research. Thank you for your support!

10th Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War

Regimental History
Tenth Infantry. — Cols., Henry S. Briggs, Henry L. Eustis; Lieut.- Cols., Jefford M. Decker, Joseph B. Parsons; Majs., William R. Marsh, Ozro Miller, Dexter F. Parker. The 10th was from the western part of the state and was mustered in for three years at Springfield, June 21, 1861. It was mainly composed of the 10th militia, reorganized. Co. A came from Great Harrington; Co. B, from Adams; Co. C, Northampton; Co. D, Pittsfield; Co. F, Springfield; Co. G, Greenfield; Co. H, Shelburne Falls, and Co. K, Westfield. At Springfield the women of the city presented it with beautiful flags, both state and national, a greatly appreciated honor. The regiment sailed from Boston, July 25, for Washington, and reached there on the 28th. The winter was spent at Camp Brightwood and in March, 1862, the 10th proceeded to Newport News, thence toward Yorktown, the latter march being one of great hardship. Fair Oaks was their first sharp battle and the severe test was gallantly met. The battles of Gaines' mill, New Market road and Malvern hill soon followed and the 10th became seasoned veterans. It was hurried to Antietam, but arrived too late for the battle. It then joined in the Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville campaigns and was held in reserve at Gettysburg. In Nov., 1863, it joined the Mine Run expedition and then went into winter quarters at Brandy Station, Va., where it remained till May 4, 1864. Its next pitched battle was that of the Wilderness and it also participated in the battle at Spottsylvania Court House, fighting for 24 hours at the "bloody angle" without rest. The losses in this campaign were terrible, yet undaunted it joined in the battle of Cold Harbor and was not relieved till June 19, when the recruits and reenlisted men were assigned to the 37th Mass. infantry and the original members were mustered out July 1-6, 1864, at Springfield.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1

Whats New
Bibliography
About Us


 

Copyright 2010 by CivilWarIndex.com
A Division of Pier-Pleasure.com