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2nd
Massachusetts Infantry
in the Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Second Infantry. — Cols., George H. Gordon, George L. Andrews,
Samuel M. Quincy, William Cogswell ; Lieut.-Cols., George L. Andrews, Wilder Dwight,
Charles R. Mudge, Charles F. Morse; Majs., Wilder Dwight, James Savage, Jr., James
Francis. The 2nd regiment, from the state at large, was mustered in for three years at
Boston, the organization being completed May 25, 1861. It was mustered out at the same
place, May 24, 1864, and the reenlisted men and recruits at Washington, July 11, 1865. The
Abbott Grays of Lowell formed Co. A, and the Andrew Light Guard of Salem, Co. C. Before
leaving the state, a battle-flag was presented to the regiment by the women of Boston and
it also received its state flag. It joined Gen. Patterson's army at Martinsburg, W. Va.,
July 12, and moved to Harper's Ferry, which place it garrisoned till Aug. 2. Here it was
honored with another flag by the women of Harper's Ferry. Two months were spent in camp at
Hyattstown and marches followed to Edwards' ferry, by way of Conrad's ferry, back to
Edwards' ferry and on to Darnestown. After camping near Frederick from Dec. 4, 1861, to
Feb. 27, 1862, it was ordered to Harper's Ferry, then to Charlestown and to Berryville. On
March 22, it moved to Snicker's ferry, then back to Winchester; pursued the enemy to
Strasburg and Mount Jackson, where it was engaged; then proceeded to near Harrisonburg and
back to Newmarket and Strasburg. It formed the rear-guard on the retreat to Newtown and
repelled several attacks. As part of the Army of Virginia the 2nd took part in the battle
of Cedar mountain, where it suffered heavy loss. It was present at the second battle of
Bull Run, but was held in reserve. In the battles of Chantilly, Antietam and
Chancellorsville its part was an honorable one, and at Gettysburg its charge was notable
and its loss heavy. Advancing close up to the enemy's works, the regiment held its ground
until cut off by a force in the rear, when it turned and charged through the line in the
rear, thus escaping capture. It then moved into Virginia, but was sent to New York during
the draft riots and remained two weeks, or until Sept. 5, 1863. It was next ordered to the
Army of the Cumberland and guarded the railroad from Nashville for Gens. Rosecrans and
Thomas. In the spring of 1864, the Army of the Cumberland joined Gen. Sherman, and from
that time the 2nd formed a part of that army on the march to Atlanta and until it reached
Washington, where the men were mustered out after over four years' service. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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Whats New
Bibliography
About Us
A Legacy of Valor: The Memoirs and Letters of Captain Henry Newton Comey, 2nd
Massachusetts Infantry by Henry Newt Newton Comey, Lyman Rich Comey
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