18th_Regiment_Massachusetts_Volunteer

18th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

18th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Massachusetts state flag

Active August 1861 – September 1864

Country United States

Allegiance Union

Branch Infantry

The 18th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was a Union regiment that fought in the American Civil War. It was formed, primarily, with men of the Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties of Massachusetts with a 3 year enlistment period. The regiment originally consisted of 10 companies, band and regimental staff.

The regiment was established in August 1861 and fought as part of the Army of the Potomac, taking part in most of the major battles of the Peninsula - until it disbanded in September 1864. Men, who reenlisted or still had time left on their enlistment, were transferred to the 32nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

1 History
2 Battles
3 Notable members and leaders
4 References
5 External links

History

1861

1862

1863

1864

After the war

An association of the 18th Massachusetts Veterans was formed and met yearly. Through the efforts of Lieutenant Amasa Guild, the group was able to retrieve the State Colors in 1905 from the Museum of the Confederacy. The Colors had been lost in the Second Battle of Bull Run in 1862 and presumed captured.

The association attempted to put together an official history of the regiment but was never able to agree on it and gave up.

Battles

Notable members and leaders

Frederick C. Anderson - Awarded the Medal of Honor for the Capture of battle flag of 27th South Carolina (C.S.A.) and the color bearer during the Battle of Weldon Railroad.
James Barnes (General) – Original Commanding officer of the regiment and Division Commander during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Benjamin Franklin DeCosta – Proficient writer and Chaplin to the regiment. Although an Episcopalian during the war, he would later convert to Roman Catholicism.

References

Bowne, James L. [Massachusetts in the War, 1861-1865]

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