HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was a peacetime infantry regiment that was activated for federal service in the Union army for three separate tours during the American Civil War. In the years immediately preceding the war and during its first term of service, the regiment consisted primarily of companies from Essex County as well as Boston and Charlestown.
The regiment first served a 90-day term of service from April to July 1861. Near the end of this first enlistment, the 5th Massachusetts was heavily engaged in the First Battle of Bull Run. Their second term of service lasted 9 months from September 1862 to July 1863 during which they were stationed in New Bern, North Carolina, participated in several expeditions and saw minor combat including the Battle of Goldsboro Bridge. Their third enlistment in response to the emergency call for troops to defend Washington, D.C. lasted 100 days from July to November 1864 during which they were stationed in various fortifications around Baltimore, Maryland, primarily in Fort McHenry.
This enlistment tendered services to the government for 100 days July, 1864. Left State for Baltimore, Md., July 28, 1864. Camp at Mankln's Woods and garrison duty at Forts McHenry, Marshall, Carroll and other points in and about the Defences of Baltimore till November. Ordered home November 6. Mustered out November 16, 1864.
OFFICERS:
Colonel Samuel C. Lawrence
Colonel George H. Peirson
ASSIGNMENTS:
Attached to 8th Army Corps, Middle Department.
SERVICE:
Stationed in various fortifications around Baltimore, Maryland, primarily in Fort McHenry.
ROSTERS:
The composite roster of this regiment contains the names of 1059 men.
HISTORICAL NOTES: