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10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry |
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On May 15, 1861 Massachusetts Governor Andrew received permission from Secretary Seward to
raise six regiments to answer President Lincoln's call for a half million troops for three years service. The existing Mass.
10th Militia, supplanted with new recruits, answered the call. The existing companies were A, Shutesbury; B, Leverett; C,
Northampton; D, Belchertown; E, Colerain; F, Springfield; G, Greenfield; H, Shelburne, all under the command of Col. J. M.
Decker. Companies A, B, and D were disbanded, and their places taken by companies from Great Barrington, North Adams, and
Pittsfield. Company E was divided up between the other companies of the regiment. Captain Barton recruited a new Company E
in Springfield. West Springfield and Holyoke recruits combined to form Company I. A full company (Company K) was formed in
Westfield. The regiment served in several major engagements until it
was mustered out as a unit in July, 1864
 
Service Record of the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment Organized at Springfield June 21, 1861. Moved to Washington,
D.C., July 25-28. Attached to Couch's Brigade, Division of the Potomac, to October, 1861. Couch's Brigade, Buell's (Keyes') Division, Army of the Potomac,
to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st
Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 3rd
Division, 6th Army Corps, to January, 1864. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, to July, 1864. SERVICE. 1862 Duty at Kalorama Heights and Camp Brightwood, Defenses of Washington,
D.C., until March, 1862. March to Prospect Hill, Va., March 11-15. Embarked at
Alexandria for the Peninsula, Virginia, March 25. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May
4. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond
June 25-July 1. Oak Grove, near Seven Pines, June 25. White Oak Swamp June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing until August 16. Reconnaissance to Turkey
Island August 5-6, and to Haxall's Landing August 8-11. Movement to Alexandria August 16-September 1, thence march into Maryland
September 3-18. Battle of Antietam September 18.
At Downsville September 18-October 20. Movement to Stafford C. H. October
20-November 18, and to Belle Plains December 5. Battle of Fredericksburg,
Va., December 12-15. "Mud March" 1863 January 20-24, 1863. Chancellorsville
Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin's Crossing April 29-May 2. Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. Salem Heights
May 3-4. Banks' Ford May 4. Franklin's Crossing June 6-7. Battle of Gettysburg,
Pa., July 2-4. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Rappahannock Station November 7.
Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. 1864 At Brandy Station until May 1, 1864. Reconnaissance to Madison C. H. February
27-March 2. Rapidan Campaign May-June. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7. Spottsylvania May 8-12. Spottsylvania C. H. May
12-21. Assault on the Salient at Spottsylvania C. H. May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Line of the Pamunkey June 26-28.
Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 17-19. Ordered home for muster out June 19. Mustered
out July 6, 1864. Regiment lost during service
10 Officers and 124 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 55 Enlisted men by disease. Total 190. Ref.
Source: National Park Service, Soldiers and sailors system
“
Officers and soldiers of the Tenth Regiment ; whilst
you rally around and defend the standard of your country, never forget that you owe allegiance to a Higher Power. We must
all render an account of our conduct here to the Supreme Ruler and Judge of heaven and earth. The soldier, of all men, should
feel that he is in the presence of God and humbly implore his protection. He is a God of battles, and will be a shield and
buckler to those who put their trust in Him. Trust in his mercy and rely on his mighty arm for protection. May he preserve
and bless you all. When the army of an ancient republic were going forth to battle a mother of one of the soldiers said to
him, My son, return home with your shield or on your shield. Adopting the sentiment of that noble mother let me say to the
commander of this Regiment: “My
son ! and to the true and brave officers associated with you, and to the resolute, hardy and intelligent men under your command,
bring back those beautiful and rich colors presented you by the ladies of Springfield, the emblems of your country s power
and glory, waving over your heads, unstained, or return wrapped in their gory folds.” A portion of the speech made by Ex-Governor George N.
Briggs, father of Col Briggs as the Regiment prepared to leave for the war.
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