The 61st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
(One Year)
If any information is missing, Incorrect or you want to add Information then Send us an
Unit History
The 61st Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was the last Massachusetts infantry regiment to be sent to the front. Recruiting began in August, 1864, the rendezvous being at Galloup's Island, Boston Harbor. By the last of September the first five companies had been mustered in, and on Oct. 7 they left the State under command of Lieut. Col. Charles F. Walcott, formerly a captain in the 21st Regiment, who had been severely wounded at Antietam. Five days later this battalion reached City Point, Va., after a stormy passage, and was there assigned to the Engineer Brigade commanded by General Benham. As a part of this brigade the 61st was stationed in the defenses of City Point most of the winter. Twice it was sent to the front, once in the middle of December, when for a short time it was employed on the lines just at the right of Fort Sedgwick, and again early in February, when it participated in the movement to Hatcher's Run. No loss was incurred in these activities.
The remaining five companies were forwarded to City Point as their organization was completed, the last, Companies I and K, not arriving until the middle of March 1865. Soon after their arrival the 61st was transferred from the Engineer Brigade to Collis' Independent Brigade, and on the 2d of April was moved up to the front lines near Fort Sedgwick. About 2 P.M. the regiment was ordered to advance and capture a line of breastworks on the left of the Jerusalem Plank road, a part of the outer works of Fort Mahone. This line was taken in a spirited charge and stubbornly held, the Confederate fire being kept up until midnight. About 2.80 A.m. on the 3d a reconnaissance made by Lieut. Henry W. Howard and twenty-five skirmishers revealed the fact that the enemy bad abandoned the works in that vicinity. About daybreak the regiment entered the city of Petersburg. In this assault on April 2 the regiment lost 2d Lieut. Thomas B. Hart and four men killed, and 30 wounded, two of these mortally.
For gallant and meritorious service in this action nine officers were recommended for promotion by brevet, Colonel Walcott, Lieutenant Colonel Stone, Major Dodge, First Lieutenants Vaughan, Gragg, Howard, Johns, and Morrill, and Second Lieutenant Palmer.
The 61st on entering Petersburg applied itself to the -work of extinguishing the fire which was consuming Campbell's Bridge over the Appomattox, but before noon was ordered to return to its station at City Point. About the 12th of April the regiment was in temporary charge of several thousand prisoners who had been captured with General Ewell at Sailor's Creek on the 6th. On the 16th the 61st was sent to Burkeville on the Southside Railroad arriving on the 20th. Here the Independent Brigade was broken up, the 61st Regiment being assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 6th Corps. On May 1 the regiment began its march to Washington, arriving May 12 and going into camp near Fort Barnard. On the 23d it took part in the grand review of the Army of the Potomac in Washington city. Companies "A", "B 11, " C", "D ", and "E ", which had been the first to enter the service, were mustered out June 4, and on the following day started for home. Arriving at Readville, Mass., June 8, on the 17th the men were paid off and discharged.
The other five companies were retained in the vicinity of the city of Washington until July 16, when they too were mustered out, and four days later entrained for Massachusetts, arriving at Readville, July 22. Here on the 1st day of August they too were paid off and discharged.
Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 5 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 20 Enlisted men by disease. Total 26.
Assignments
Organized at Gallop's Island, Boston Harbor, August to October, 1864. A Battalion of 5 Companies, "A," "B," "C," "D" and "E." Moved to City Point, Va., October 7-12, 1864. Attached to Benham's Engineer Brigade, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, and Army of the Potomac to March, 1865. Independent Brigade, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1865. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1865.
SERVICE.--Engaged in Engineer duty erecting fortifications at City Point, Va., and picket duty at that point until March, 1865. Company "F" reported to Regiment November 17, 1864; Company "G" January 5, 1865; Company "H" February 15, 1865; Companies "I" and "K" March 15, 1865. Ordered to Petersburg March 28, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Occupation of Petersburg April 3. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Moved to City Point April 12, thence march to Burkerville April 16-20. March to Washington, D.C., May 1-12. Grand Review May 23. Companies "A" to "E" moved to Reedville, Mass, June 6-8, and discharged June 17, 1865. Companies "F" to "K" organized as a Battalion and attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Provisional Corps. Duty at Washington, D.C., until July 20. Mustered out July 16. Moved to Reedville, Mass., July 20-22, and discharged August 1, 1865.
