William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[194] of the war, was brigadier-general of the Second Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Militia, and succeeded General B. F. Butler, after his promotion to major-general of volunteers, to the command of the Massachusetts three months men at Fortress Monroe. General Peirce had command of the expedition against Big Bethel, in May, 1861. On the return of the three months men, he was mustered out of service, and remained without command until he was commissioned colonel of the Twenty-ninth by Governor Andrew, Dec. 13, 1861. He lost his right arm in the battle before Richmond at ‘White Oak Swamp,’ in 1862.

The seven original companies of this command were among the first three years volunteers raised in Massachusetts, that were mustered into the United-States service.

While these infantry regiments were being organized and forwarded to the front, a battalion of infantry for three years service was organized, and sent to Fort Warren for garrison duty. It was composed of five companies, of which Francis J. Parker, of Boston, was commissioned major. It was on duty at Fort Warren, at the close of the year 1861.

Two companies of sharpshooters, with telescopic rifles, were recruited at Lynnfield. The first company, under command of John Saunders, of Salem, was not attached to any regiment. It left the State for Washington on the 3d day of December, 1861, and was ordered to report to General Frederick W. Lander, who commanded a brigade near Maryland Heights, on the Upper Potomac. The second company was attached to the Twenty-second Regiment, and left the State with it. In these two companies were many of the best marksmen in the Commonwealth.

The first regiment of cavalry was ordered to be raised on the third day of September, 1861; and Colonel Robert Williams, of Virginia, one of the most accomplished cavalry officers in the regular army, was detailed to accept the command. Horace Binney Sargent, of West Roxbury, senior aide-de-camp to the Governor, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel; Greely S. Curtis, of Boston, and John H. Edson, of Boston, were commissioned majors. The regiment was recruited at ‘Camp Brigham,’