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[228]

Eighteenth regiment Massachusetts Infantry.

(1) Col. James Barnes, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols.

(2) Col. Joseph Hayes, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols.

Field and Staff.Line.Band.companies.Unassigned Recruits.Totals.
ABCDEFGHIK
Number on regimental rolls,—
Officers,175168
Enlisted men,11223134127129127133136131113140118101,333
Totals,1,401
Enlisted men (included above) commissioned in regiment.27113133120
Enlisted men (included above) serving elsewhere within regiment.111216
Totals,71114253226
Actual total of members of regiment,—
Officers,175168
Enlisted men,3523133127129126132132129108137116101,307
Totals,1,375

The 18th Mass. Infantry was recruited in July and August, 1861, and on August 26 left the State as a battalion of eight companies, in command of Col. (afterwards brigadier general) James Barnes, a graduate of West Point. The two additional companies necessary to complete the regiment joined the command in September and November, 1861. The regiment, forming part of Martindale's Brigade, Porter's Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, was stationed for a time near Fort Corcoran, and September 26 was ordered to Hall's Hill, where it remained until the spring of 1862. In March, 1862, it moved to the Peninsula, and April 5 took part in the assault at Yorktown and was active during the siege; after the surrender the regiment moved by the way of West Point and White House to Gaines's Mill, and, arriving May 26, went into camp. June 26, detached from the brigade and forming part of the force under General Stoneman, it was ordered to White House, and moved later by the way of Fortress Monroe and the James River to Harrison's Landing, where it arrived July 2. Under command of Capt. Stephen Thomas, the regiment took part in the battle of Manassas August 30, with great loss. It was engaged at Antietam September 17, and in the action at Shepherdstown September 20. At the battle of Fredericksburg, as part of Griffin's Division, 5th Corps, the regiment was closely engaged on the afternoon of December 13 in a charge upon Marye's Heights, and occupied an advanced position December 14.

The regiment moved to Chancellorsville April 30, 1863, taking part in the battle on May 2 and 3. It was engaged July 2 and 3 at Gettysburg, and took part in the engagement at Rappahannock Station November 7. It was active later in the Mine Run campaign, and encamped for the winter at Beverly Ford. As part of the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, the regiment went into action at the Wilderness on the morning of May 5, 1864, was engaged at Laurel Hill May 8, was active in the movements and engagements at Spotsylvania and North Anna, and was closely engaged at Cold Harbor June 1, taking part in the movements of the following days. It crossed the James River June 16 and served at Petersburg during the assault of June 18-21, and engaged in the siege during the remainder of its service. The regiment left the front July 20, 1864, and those whose term of service had expired returned to Massachusetts and were mustered out September 2. The re-enlisted men and recruits, forming a battalion under command of Capt. Luther S. Bent, remained in service before Petersburg. On October 26, the officers' term of service having expired, the command was consolidated with the 32d Mass. Infantry.

1 Including non-commissioned staff.

2 Including non-commissioned staff.

3 Including non-commissioned staff.

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James Barnes (2)
Stephen Thomas (1)
Stoneman (1)
Burr Porter (1)
Martindale (1)
Joseph Hayes (1)
Griffin (1)
Luther S. Bent (1)
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