SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
One Year
The 61st Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was the last Massachusetts infantry regiment to be sent to the front. Recruiting began in August, 1864, the rendezvous being at Galloup's Island, Boston Harbor. By the last of September the first five companies had been mustered in, and on Oct. 7 they left the State under command of Lieut. Col. Charles F. Walcott, formerly a captain in the 2st Regiment, who had been severely wounded at Antietam. Five days later this battalion reached City Point, Va., after a stormy passage, and was there assigned to the Engineer Brigade commanded by General Benham. As a part of this brigade the 61st was stationed in the defenses of City Point most of the winter. Twice it was sent to the front, once in the middle of December, when for a short time it was employed on the lines just at the right of Fort Sedgwick, and again early in February, when it participated in the movement to Hatcher's Run. No loss was incurred in these activities.
The remaining five companies were forwarded to City Point as their organization was completed, the last, Companies "I" and "K", not arriving until the middle of March, 1865. Soon after their arrival the 61st was transferred from the Engineer Brigade to Collis' Independent Brigade, and on the 2d of April was moved up to the front lines near Fort Sedgwick. About 2 P.M. the regiment was ordered to advance and capture a line of breastworks on the left of the Jerusalem Plank road, a part of the outer works of Fort Mahone. This line was taken in a spirited charge and stubbornly held, the Confederate fire being kept up until midnight. About 2:30 A.M. on the 3d a reconnaissance made by Lieut. Henry W. Howard and twenty-five skirmishers revealed the fact that the enemy had abandoned the works in that vicinity. About daybreak the regiment entered the city of Petersburg. In this assault on April 2 the regiment lost 2d Lieut. Thomas B. Hart and four men killed, and 30 wounded, two of these mortally.
For gallant and meritorious service in this action nine officers were recommended for promotion by brevet, Colonel Walcott, Lieutenant Colonel Stone, Major Dodge, First Lieutenants Vaughan, Gragg, Howard, Johns, and Morrill, and Second Lieutenant Palmer.
The 61st on entering Petersburg applied itself to the work of extinguishing the fire which was consuming Campbell's Bridge over the Appomattox, but before noon was ordered to return to its station at City Point.
About the 12th of April the regiment was in temporary charge of several thousand prisoners who had been captured with General Ewell at Sailor's Creek on the 6th. On the 16th the 61st was sent to Burkeville on the Southside Railroad arriving on the 20th. Here the Independent Brigade was broken up, the 61st Regiment being assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps. On May 1 the regiment began its march to Washington, arriving May 12 and going into camp near Fort Barnard. On the 23d it took part in the grand review of the Army of the Potomac in Washington city. Companies "A", "B", "C", "D", and "E", which had been the first to enter the service, were mustered out June 4, and on the following day started for home. Arriving at Readville, Mass., June 8, on the 17th the men were paid off and discharged.
The other five companies were retained in the vicinity of the city of Washington until July 16, when they too were mustered out, and four days later entrained for Massachusetts, arriving at Readville, July 22. Here on the 1st day of August they too were paid off and discharged.
From the
"Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines
in the Civil War"
Compiled and Published by
The Adjutant General
Wright & Potter Printing Co.
Boston, MA
1937
Volume V Page 127
Transcribed by Debra A. Gilligan
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