THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY THREE YEARS (Re-enlisted)

The 32d Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was the outgrowth of the First Battalion, Massachusetts Infantry which was organized in November, 1861, to garrison Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. Major Francis J. Parker, commander of the battalion, became the first colonel of the regiment. The members of the original battalion, Col's A, B, C, D, and E, were mustered in mostly in November and December, 1861, those of Co. F in February, 1862, and those of the other companies during the following summer. The first six companies left for the seat of war May 26, 1862. They were encamped near Washington City until June 30, and were here given a regimental status. Taking boat for Fort Monroe on the above date, they arrived July 2. Proceeding at once to Harrison's Landing the regiment was assigned to Griffin's Brigade, Morell's Division, Porter's (5th) Corps, Army of the Potomac. During the six weeks of its stay here the regiment suffered much from malarial diseases. Aug. 15 it started to join Pope's army near Culpepper, proceeding via Yorktown, Aquia Creek, and Stafford Court House to Barnett's Ford on the Rappahannock. Though within hearing of the second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 29 and 30, it was not engaged. Retiring with the army to the outskirts of Washington, it was encamped at Miner's Hill where it received the remaining companies of the regiment. It participated in the Maryland campaign of September, 1862, but was not engaged either at South Mountain or Antietam. After the Confederate army had recrossed into Virginia and Gen. Burnside had succeeded Gen. McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac, the 32d regiment went into winter quarters at Stoneman's Switch near Potomac Creek. On Dec. 13, 1862, it participated in the assaults on Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg, losing 35 officers and men, of whom 6 were killed or mortally wounded. It then returned to its old camp at Stoneman's Switch. At Chancelloreville early in May, 1863, the 32d was present but little engaged. At Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, the regiment was heavily engaged while supporting the 3d Corps in the Devil's Den region. Here out of 227 men taken into action the 32d lost 81, of whom 22 were killed or mortally wounded. The regiment was engaged in the autumn campaign in the region of the Rappahannock, in the latter part of September receiving 180 recruits, mostly drafted men. After the Mine Run campaign the regiment went into winter quarters at the hamlet of Liberty near Bealton on the Orange and Alexandria railroad. Here during the early part of the winter most of the members of the regiment re-enlisted and were sent to Massachusetts on veteran furlough remaining from Jan. 17 to Feb. 17. With the opening of the spring campaign of 1864, Gen. Sweitzer commanding the brigade and Gen. Griffin the division, the 5th Corps under Gen .Warren opened the battle of the Wilderness on the Orange pike, May 5. Here the 32d suffered slight loss. Moving to Spottsylvania May 8, on the 12th the regiment was heavily engaged near Laurel Hill, losing 103 men including five color bearers, 46 being killed or mortally wounded. It was present at North Anna River, May 23, at Shady Grove Road, May 30, and at Bethesda Church near Cold Harbor, June 3, losing in the last two engagements named 52 men, of whom 23 were killed or mortally wounded. On June 10 it received 170 re-enlisted men and recruits from the 9th Mass. Regt., and at other times detachments from the 12th, 13th, 18th, 22d, and 39th Mass. Regts. These were largely consolidated into two extra companies, L and M. of the 32d. Before Petersburg it was in the assault of June 18, meeting with severe loss including Colonel Prescott, mortally wounded. At Jerusalem Road, June 22, Weldon R. R., Aug. 21, and Poplar Spring Church, Sept. 30, it was engaged with loss. The winter was spent in the trenches before Petersburg. On Feb. 5 it was engaged with loss at Hatcher's Run, on March 31 at Dinwiddie Court House, and on April 1 at Five Forks. It was among the troops that overtook Lee at Appomattox, and was one of the regiments detailed to accept the arms and colors at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, April 9, 1865. Transferred to Washington, it was mustered out June 28, the men receiving their final discharges and payment at Galloup's Island, Boston Harbor, July 11.

Source: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War

Massachusetts 32nd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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