3rd Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry (Militia)


Historical Notes HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Militia Regiment was a peacetime regiment of infantry that was activated for federal service in the Union Army for two separate tours during the American Civil War. The regiment consisted of companies from Plymouth and Bristol Counties.

During their first "90 days" term, the regiment mainly served garrison duty in the vicinity of Fortress Monroe on the Virginia Peninsula. Shortly after arriving in Virginia, they took part in the destruction of the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia on April 20, 1861. The regiment was again activated in September 1862 for a term of nine months, training at Camp Joe Hooker in Lakeville, Massachusetts. The 3rd Massachusetts was stationed in New Bern, North Carolina, participated in several expeditions and saw minor combat including the Battle of Goldsboro Bridge and the Siege of Little Washington.

The Regiment lost 1 Enlisted man killed and 17 Enlisted men by disease. Total 18.
Officers OFFICERS:
Assignments ASSIGNMENTS:
9 Months Service:
Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of North Carolina, to December, 1862. Heckman's Brigade, Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to April, 1863. Jourdan's Independent Brigade, Defences of Newberne, Dept. of North Carolina, to June, 1863.
Service SERVICE:
3 Months Service:
Left Boston on Steamer "S. R. Spaulding" for Fortress Monroe, Va., April 17, 1861. Arrived April 20, and ordered on board United States Sloop of War "Pawnee" April 20. Moved to Norfolk April 20, and destruction of navy yard April 20. Expedition to Hampton May 13. Fatigue and garrison duty at Fortress Monroe until July 1, and at Hampton until July 16. Ordered home July 16, and mustered out July 22, 1861. Expiration of term.

9 Months Service:
Duty at New Berne. N. C., until December, 1862. (Co. "I" detached at Plymouth and Elizabeth City November 30, 1862, to April, 1863.) Action at Plymouth December 10, 1862 (Co. "I"). Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro December 11-22. Action at Kinston December 14. Whitehall December 16. Goldsboro December 17. Duty at New Berne until June, 1863. Expedition to Trenton, Pollocksville, Young's Cross Roads and Swansborough March 6-10. Reconnoissance to Pollocksville March 15-16. Expedition to relief of Little Washington April 7-10. Expedition toward Kinston April 16-21 and to Batchelor's Creek May 23-24. Moved to Boston June 11-16. Mustered out June 26, 1863.

ROSTERS:
The composite roster of this unit contains the names of 485 men.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:


REFERENCES:

Dyer, Frederick H. - A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion




For Additional Research