HISTORICAL NOTES:
Under the call of August 4, 1862, for 300,000 militia to serve nine months, 19,080 of whom were assigned to the quota of Massachusetts, the 5th Regt. again volunteered for duty, thereby helping to avoid the employment of the draft. Its rendezvous was at Camp Lander, Wenham, Mass., where it was recruited to war strength, and where its companies were mustered into the service between September 16 and 29, 1862. Its field and staff officers were mustered in October 8. Ordered to the department of North Carolina, it reached Beaufort October 26, the same day as the 3d Regt., and there entrained for Newbern. Between November 2 and 13 it took part in the expedition toward Williamstown, N. C. On December 10 it joined the Goldsboro expedition, and during the succeeding eleven days marched 180 miles and participated in the battles of Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro. It took part in two expeditions for the relief of Washington, N. C., which was besieged by the Confederates, also in the so called Gum Swamp expedition in May, 1863. On June 22 it proceeded to Morehead City, where it embarked on the steamer "Guide" for Boston. Arriving at Boston on the afternoon of the 25th, on July 2 it was mustered out of the service at Camp Lander, Wenham.
The 5th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry (9 months, 1862-63) tendered services to government for nine months August 14, 1862. Organized at Camp Lander, Wenham, and mustered in by Company. Company "A" October 8; Companies "B," "D" and "K" September 19; Companies "C," "E," "G," "H" and "I" September 16, and Company "F" September 23, 1862. Moved to Boston October 22, thence on Steamer "Mississippi" to New Berne, N. C., October 22-27, and to Washington, N. C., October 30-31.
The regiment lost 16 men by disease.
OFFICERS: ASSIGNMENTS:
Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of North Carolina, to December, 1862. Lee's Brigade, Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to June, 1863.
SERVICE:
Foster's Expedition to Williamston November 2-12, 1862. Duty at New Berne till December 10. Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro December 11-20. Action at Kinston December 14. Whitehall December 16. Goldsboro December 17. Duty at New Berne till June, 1863. Deep Gully, New Berne, March 13-14. (Co. "G" detached at Forts Hatteras and Clark, Hatteras Inlet, February 21 to June 22, 1863.) (Co. "D" at Plymouth February 21 to May 4.) Operations on the Pamlico April 4-6. Expedition to the relief of Washington April 7-10. Expedition toward Kinston April 27-May 1. Wise's Cross Roads April 28. Demonstration on Kinston May 20-23. Gum Swamp May 22. Moved to Boston June 22-25, and there mustered out July 2, 1863.
ROSTERS:
The composite roster of this regiment contains the names of 1107 men.
HISTORICAL NOTES: