[
244]
Twenty-sixth regiment Massachusetts Infantry.
（1)
Col. Edward F. Jones,
Bvt. Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols.
（2)
Col. Alpha B. Fabr.
| Field and Staff. | Line. | Band. | companies. | Unassigned Recruits. | Totals. |
| | | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K |
| Number on regimental rolls,— |
| Officers, | 16 | 64 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 80 |
| Enlisted men,1 | 15 | – | 24 | 150 | 139 | 146 | 146 | 166 | 122 | 118 | 109 | 126 | 124 | 11 | 1,396 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,476 |
| Enlisted men (included above) commissioned in regiment.2 | 8 | – | – | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 33 |
| Enlisted men (included above) serving elsewhere within regiment. | – | – | – | 2 | 3 | – | 3 | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 10 |
| Totals, | 8 | – | – | 5 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | – | – | 43 |
| Actual total of members of regiment,— |
| Officers, | 16 | 64 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 80 |
| Enlisted men,3 | 7 | – | 24 | 145 | 133 | 145 | 140 | 160 | 120 | 116 | 104 | 124 | 124 | 11 | 1,353 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,433 |
The 26th Mass. Infantry was recruited by
Col. Edward F. Jones, who had commanded the 6th Infantry M. V. M. during its eventful three months service.
Going into camp at
Cambridge, Mass., August 28, as the 6th Mass. Infantry, it moved September 23 to Camp Chase,
Lowell, where it completed its organization as the 26th Mass. Infantry, being mustered into service during September and October, 1861.
The regiment was sent to
Ship Island, Miss., and, arriving December 3, remained in camp until the spring of 1862.
In the operations against New Orleans it formed part of the force moving to Quarantine, occupied
Forts St. Philip and
Jackson after their evacuation by the enemy, and, stationed at New Orleans itself early in July, remained on provost duty until June, 1863.
A detachment of the regiment under
Captain Pickering formed part of an expedition across
Lake Pontchartrain in September, 1862.
On the formation of the 19th Army Corps, under
General Banks, the regiment became part of the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, with
Colonel Farr as brigade commander.
Still forming part of the force occupying New Orleans, seven companies of the regiment, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Sawtell, engaged at La Fourche Crossing, near
Thibodeaux, La., June 21, 1863, and, moving on the 30th, occupied Jefferson Station until relieved, July 15.
It took part in the expedition to
Sabine Pass in September; and, engaging a little later in the
Teche expedition, moved through Camp Bisland,
Franklin and New Iberia, to
Opelousas, encamping on the return at New Iberia, and moving in January, 1864, to
Franklin.
During the winter nearly two-thirds of the regiment re-enlisted for another term of service, passing the time from March 22 to May 4, 1864, on furlough, and, returning, went into camp at
Carrollton, La., May 21, moving in June to
Morganza.
Ordered to
Bermuda Hundred, the regiment, as part of the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 19th Corps, moved, August 14, toward the Shenandoah valley, encamping on the 16th at
Berryville, Va. It took part with
General Sheridan's army in the movements about
Charlestown,
Halltown and
Berryville, was engaged with loss at the battle of
Opequon, September 19, and was present at
Fisher's Hill.
On October 19 those serving under the original enlistment left for
Massachusetts, to be mustered out. The command, as a battalion of five companies, under
Captain Chapman, took part at the
battle of Cedar Creek October 19, and, being ordered to
Winchester, Va., December 14, remained on duty there until May 1, 1865.
Returning then to
Washington, it was sent to
Savannah, Ga., June 3, and served there on guard and provost duty until the expiration of its service.
It was mustered out Aug. 26, 1865, and left for
Massachusetts September 12, receiving its final discharge and payment at
Gallop's Island,
Boston harbor, Sept. 18, 1865.
