[
268]
Thirty-eighth regiment Massachusetts Infantry.
Col. Timothy Ingraham,
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 | 71 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 80 |
| Enlisted men,1 | 15 | – | 101 | 105 | 103 | 101 | 101 | 106 | 104 | 100 | 98 | 97 | 5 | 1,036 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,116 |
| Enlisted men (included above) commissioned in regiment.2 | 6 | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 14 |
| Enlisted men (included above) serving elsewhere within regiment. | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | – | 1 | – | 12 |
| Totals, | 6 | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | – | 1 | – | 26 |
| Actual total of members of regiment,— |
| Officers, | 9 | 71 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 80 |
| Enlisted, men,3 | 9 | – | 99 | 104 | 102 | 99 | 100 | 100 | 102 | 96 | 98 | 96 | 5 | 1,010 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,090 |
The 38th Mass. Infantry was organized in the summer of 1862, in response to the
President's call for troops in July. Seven companies recruited at
Lynnfield, and composed largely of men from
Plymouth County, were mustered into service August 21; and the remaining three, recruited from
Cambridge, were mustered in on the 22d at
Camp Day, North Cambridge.
The command left
Boston August 26, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Wardwell, and was stationed for a time in camp near
Baltimore.
Col. Timothy Ingraham, at the time of his appointment in the 38th holding a commission as lieutenant-colonel of the 18th Mass. Infantry, took command of the regiment September 3.
It moved in November to
Hampton Roads, and having remained on transport for a month, sailed for
Mississippi and reached
Carrollton Jan. 1, 1863, becoming part of the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 19th Army Corps.
Moving to
Baton Rouge in March, it took part in the advance to
Port Hudson on the 14th, and engaged in the
Teche expedition, meeting with loss at
Fort Bisland April 13.
Its commander,
Lieutenant-Colonel Rodman, was among the killed at the assault of
Port Hudson May 27, and the regiment met with loss also at the assault on June 14.
After sharing in the movement to
Donaldsonville in July, it occupied camp near
Baton Rouge until the spring of 1864.
As part of the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, it shared in the
Red River expedition, remaining with the brigade as garrison at
Alexandria until April 12; when detached it moved to
Grand Ecore, and served with the 2d Brigade in the return to
Alexandria, engaging at
Cane River April 23.
At the battle of Mansurn the regiment served under
Captain Wyman,
Lieutenant-Colonel Richardson being in command of the brigade.
It formed part of the forces sent to the defence of
Washington in July, 1864, and served during the
summer and
autumn under
General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley.
At the battle of the
Opequon,
Lieutenant-Colonel Richardson was wounded and the command was taken by
Major Allen.
The regiment took part at
Fisher's Hill and met with loss at
Cedar Creek.
With
Lieutenant-Colonel Richardson in command of the brigade, the regiment under
Major Allen left
Winchester Jan. 6, 1865, for
Baltimore, and was sent a week later to
Savannah, Ga., and served there until spring.
Moving in March to
Morehead City, it served at Goldsboroa during April, and returning to
Savannah in May, remained until its termination of service.
The recruits being transferred to the 26th Mass. Infantry, the regiment returned to Massashusetts, and reaching
Boston July 6, was mustered out at
Gallop's Island July 13, 1865.
