[
302]
Fifty-sixth regiment Massachusetts Infantry.
（1)
Col. Charles E. Griswold.
（2)
Col. Stephen M. Weld,
Bvt. Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols.
| Field and Staff. | Line. | companies. | Unassigned Recruits. | Totals. |
| | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K |
| Number on regimental rolls,— |
| Officers, | 9 | 65 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 74 |
| Enlisted men,1 | 11 | – | 131 | 122 | 114 | 118 | 111 | 116 | 92 | 110 | 103 | 89 | 2 | 1,119 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,193 |
| Enlisted men (included above) commissioned in regiment.2 | 5 | – | – | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | 16 |
| Enlisted men (included above) serving elsewhere within regiment. | – | – | – | – | 5 | – | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 9 |
| Totals, | 5 | – | – | 1 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | – | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | 25 |
| Actual total of members of regiment,— |
| Officers, | 9 | 65 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 74 |
| Enlisted men,3 | 6 | – | 131 | 121 | 107 | 117 | 106 | 115 | 92 | 108 | 101 | 88 | 2 | 1,094 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,168 |
The 56th Mass. Infantry was the first of the four veteran regiments which were organized at Readville, Mass., in the
autumn and
winter of 1863-64, and was composed of men who had already served in some other organization for at least nine months. The regiment under
Col. Charles E. Griswold left camp for
Annapolis, Md., March 20, 1864, and became part of
Colonel Carruth's Brigade,
General Stevenson's Division, 9th Army Corps.
It left the camp at
Annapolis April 23 to take part in the spring campaign, and was closely engaged at the
Wilderness near the junction of Brock and Plank roads on the morning of May 6,
Colonel Griswold being killed in the action.
Taking part in the movements of the campaign, the regiment shared with the 9th Corps in support of
General Hancock's attack at Spotsylvania Court House May 12, taking part also in the assault on the 18th; and, crossing
North Anna River May 24, as part of
General Ledlie's Brigade, met the enemy near Ox Ford.
It was engaged at Bethesda Church May 31 and at Cold Harbor June 3; participated in the movements of the following days, and, crossing the
James with the army to the front of
Petersburg, took active part in the assault of June 17 and joined in the siege operations.
It shared with the 9th Corps in the action at the Crater July 30, forming part of the division selected to lead the advance immediately after the explosion of the mine, losing many as prisoners, in addition to those killed and wounded.
It took part in the movement against the Weldon Railroad in August, sharing in the engagement of August 19, and was present at the battle of Peebles' Farm, or Poplar Spring Church, September 30.
Participating in all the duties of the siege during the
autumn and
winter, it took active part in the assault of April 1, 1865, when, located near the
Jerusalem Plank Road, it held with the 5th Mass. Battery an important position throughout the day in the line of Confederate works.
Encamping at
Burkesville after the fall of
Petersburg, it moved after
Lee's surrender to
Alexandria and was stationed there during the remainder of its service.
It was mustered out July 12 and paid off and discharged at Readville, Mass., July 22, 1865.
