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24th Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War

Regimental History
Twenty-fourth Infantry. — Cols., Thomas G. Stevenson, Francis A. Osborn, Charles H. Hooper, Albert Ordway; Lieut.-Cols., Francis A. Osborn, Robert H. Stevenson, Charles H. Hooper, Albert Ordway, Thomas F. Edmands; Majs., Robert H. Stevenson, Charles H. Hooper, Edward C. Richardson, Albert Ordway, Thomas F. Edmands, Davis Foster. The 24th, of which the nucleus was the 4th battalion, state militia, was mustered in at Readville for three years during the autumn of 1861, and was mustered out at Richmond, Va., Jan. 20, 1866, the reenlisted men and recruits being sufficient in number to keep up the regimental organization until that time. The total strength was 1,438. It left the state for Annapolis, Dec. 9, 1861, joined the "Burnside expedition," took part in the expedition to Roanoke island and the battles at New Berne, Kinston and Goldsboro, as well as some minor engagements. Late in Jan., 1863, it embarked for St. Helena island and remained there till March 27, when it proceeded to Seabrook's island, Edisto inlet, S. C, where it was stationed till July 6. At James island the enemy was encountered on the l0th and then followed the siege of Fort Wagner, where important duties were assigned to the regiment, one the capture of some rifle-pits in a very exposed position. Malaria and other diseases resulting from the enervating climate had by this time told so severely on the men that after the siege the medical inspector recommended they be sent to a better climate and in consequence the regiment was ordered to St. Augustine, Fla. From Feb. 18 to May 1, 1864, the 24th was stationed at Jacksonville. On May 6 it landed at Bermuda Hundred and soon after participated in engagements at Drewry's bluff, along the Richmond & Petersburg railroad and at Deep Bottom. From Dec. 16, 1864, to April 8, 1865, the regiment garrisoned Bermuda Hundred and was next ordered to Richmond, where it guarded the military prisons until the end of its term of service. It was the last save one of the Massachusetts regiments to be mustered out.

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

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