[
196]
First regiment Massachusetts Infantry.
（1)
Col. Robert Cowdin,
Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols.
（2)
Napoleon B. Mclaughlen,
Bvt. Brig. Gen. U. S. Army.
| | | | companies. |
| Field and staff. | Line. | Band. | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | Unassigned Recruits. | Totals. |
| Number on regimental rolls,— |
| Officers, | 15 | 56 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 71 |
| Enlisted men,1 | 17 | – | 28 | 151 | 159 | 165 | 141 | 137 | 141 | 162 | 163 | 175 | 151 | 19 | 1,609 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,680 |
| Enlisted men (included above) commissioned in regiment.2 | 2 | – | – | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | – | 27 |
| Enlisted men (included above) serving elsewhere within regiment. | – | – | – | 2 | 1 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 8 |
| Totals, | 2 | – | – | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – | 35 |
| Actual total of members of regiment,— |
| Officers, | 15 | 56 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 71 |
| Enlisted men,3 | 15 | – | 28 | 147 | 154 | 164 | 136 | 135 | 139 | 157 | 159 | 172 | 149 | 19 | 1,574 |
| Totals, | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,645 |
The 1st Mass. Infantry was composed largely of the 1st Regiment Mass. Volunteer Militia, under command of
Col. Robert Cowdin, who became colonel of the 1st Infantry when the organization was completed.
It was mustered in May 23-27 and was the first three-years regiment to arrive at
Washington.
Having left
Massachusetts June 15, it encamped at
Georgetown until the battle of Blackburn's Ford, in which it took a most active part.
In August the regiment became part of
General Hooker's Brigade, and was encamped at
Bladensburg and afterwards at Budd's Ferry, Va., until the spring of 1862, when, as part of
General Grover's Brigade,
General Hooker's division 3d Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, the regiment moved to the
Peninsula and was engaged on April 26 in front of
Yorktown.
After the
battle of Williamsburg, May 5, the regiment marched to
White Oak Swamp and encamped until June 25, when it engaged in the
battle of Fair Oaks, just before the seven-days battles, in which the regiment took active part.
At the close of the campaign the regiment encamped at
Harrison's Landing, until with its division it joined
General Pope's army at
Warrenton, Va., and went into action at Bristoe Station August 27, and suffered loss at the
battle of Manassas August 29.
Returning with
General Pope's army after the
battle of Chantilly, the regiment encamped at
Fort Lyon near
Alexandria, and until October 31 was engaged in the defences of
Washington.
About this time
Gen. Joseph B. Carr took the place of
General Grover as brigade commander.
The regiment, detached from its division, was, during November, 1862, on provost duty at Fairfax Station, but took part with its division, December 13, in the
battle of Fredericksburg, encamping afterward for the winter at Acquin Creek, Va. On April 27, 1863, the regiment moved to participate in
General Hooker's Campaign of 1863, losing heavily at
Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg.
After the battle of Wapping Heights, July 23, the regiment was placed in charge of the draft rendezvous at New York city until October 15.
On that date the command was ordered to join its brigade at
Union Mills, and was in the actions of
Kelly's Ford and
Mine Run, encamping at
Brandy Station for the winter.
On May 3, 1864, the regiment moved to take part in the spring campaign, and was engaged in the battles of the
Wilderness and
Spotsylvania.
These battles terminated the service of the 1st Regiment, which returned to
Boston May 25, and was mustered out. Those whose terms of service had not yet expired were transferred to the 11th Mass. Infantry.
