This regiment was raised in obedience to a call for 300,000 additional troops for service during a period of none months. The original order of President Lincoln, dated August 4th 1862, required that this force should be raised by a draft; but by the patriotism and liberality of the people, the quota of the State of Massachusetts was filled without resorting to that expedient.
The town of Chicopee took early measures to obtain this required number of volunteers, and in public town meeting voted to pay a bounty of $100 to each man who should enlist to fill up the quota. Enlistments were promptly and rapidly made, and in a short time the town furnished one hundred and nineteen men for nine months service.
One hundred and five of these were enrolled in the 46th Regiment of Infantry’ their names are appended, together with the letters of their respective companies:_
David E. Grimes 312 Co. D
George H. Knapp 313 “ ”
David Bronson 314 “ ”
Charles B. Lang 355 “ ”
James A. Taylor 319 “ ”
Esra G. Heath 356 “ ”
Frank S. Lourtellotte 342 “ ”
Charels H. Livermore 346 “ ”
Frank F. Browne 352 “ ”
Albert A. Alden 365 “ ”
George S. Colton 349 “ ”
Charles W. Phipps --- “ ”
Robertus B. Stetson 363 “ ”
James W. Stackpole 353 “ ”
George S. Kilby 344 “ ”
Henry M. Dickinson 349 “ ”
Alpheus A. Dennett 341 “ ”
William A. Whitaker 325 “ ”
Thomas H. Prescott 335 “ ”
Warren L. Adams 365 “ ”
Martin R. Bartlett 353 “ ”
John P. Buffum 343 “ ”
Ansel W. Browning 354 “ ”
Albert F. Blodgett 359 Co. D.
Peter Baker 342 “ “
Charles E. Burwell 330 “ “
Alexander Burnett 331 “ “
James H. Belcher 328 “ “
William Belcher 329 “ “
George W. Ball 366 “ “
Sumner H. Bodfish 366 “ “
Henry H. Blanchard 337 “ “
George W. Bassett --- “ “
Warren L. Brigham 348 “ “
Marshall W. Charter 317 “ “
William M. Cooley 345 “ “
William H. Chamberlain 350 “ “
George L. Dane 336 “ “
James W. Delaney 339 “ “
Jerome H. Fiske 327 “ “
Arthur C. Goff 331 “ “
Rensells J. Gardner 329 “ “
John P. McGreely 346 “ “
John Grout 326 “ “
Charles H. Gaylord 347 “ “
Jonathan Humphreys 334 “ “
Bartholomew Hayes 318 Co. D
Henry H. Hinkley 344 “ “
Miles R. Huntly --- “ “
David F. Kale 322 “ “
George A. Hall 338 “ “
Wilmer H. Hilman 340 “ “
George W. Jones 332 “ “
Wilmer W. Johnson 362 “ “
George S. Knox 323 “ “
Monroe E. Kendall 356 “ “
Thomas Kennedy 322 “ “
Joseph P. King 336 “ “
James A. Kenyon 355 “ “
Charles Loveradge --- “ “
Charles C. Littlefield 363 “ “
Morris Matthews 345 “ “
Albert M. Moore 357 “ “
James McCann 350 “ “
Michael Meagher 338 “ “
Kiram C. McIntire 357 “ “
Nelson H. Mosman 364 “ “
Lucas I. Metcalf --- “ “
Andrew Miller 332 “ “
William D. Mosman 335 “ “
James Manning 351 “ “
Lewis Osborne 330 “ “
Marcus L. Arcutt 352 “ “
John J. Powers 327 “ “
Joseph W. Plimpton 364 “ “
Charles A. Pattrell 319 “ “
Leonard W. Peebles 323 Co. D
Darwin H. Pond 316 “ “
John B. Potter 326 “ “
Albion P. Soule X324 “ “
Harris L. Sherman 358 “ “
John c. Shay 315 “ “
Martin M. Smith 321 “ “
Albert B. Stearns 354 “ “
Dennis J. Sullivan 337 “ “
Sumner L. Smith 358 “ “
Henry L. Searle 317 “ “
Richard C. Sage 325 “ “
David O. Tilley 347 “ “
Dexter W. Frask 320 “ “
Oliver Taylor 333 “ “
Russell S. Underwood 361 “ “
John f. Wood 334 “ “
Benjamin Wheeler 367 “ “
Frederic Waite 360 “ “
Walter A. Welden 324 “ “
Velette W. Van Horn --- “ “
John A. Finnegan 339 “ “
Asa M. Scarlet 361 “ B
William S. Walker 348 “ G
Robert R. Gregory 362 “ H
Patrick Donelan 367 “ K
Francis O. Moody 341 “ “
William Crowninsfield 340 “ “
James G. Smith 311 Adjutant
Patrick Corey 368 “ I
The Chicopee company was called in the regiment company D._as is indicated above. An election of officers was made by the members with the following result: Captain_David E. Grimes,_1st Lieutenant,_George H. Knapp._2nd Lieutenant,_David Bronson._These officers were commissioned on the 2nd of September, 1862
The regiment rendezvoused at “Camp N.P. Banks”, in Springfield, Mass._Wednesday morning, September 24th 1862. Company D. left Chicopee and went into camp at the regimental rendezvous. On the following day they were mustered into the service of the United States for nine months.
Thursday afternoon and evening, October 23rd, Company D. received an ovation at the hands of the citizens of Chicopee. In the afternoon a beautiful silk standard was presented to them by the liberality of William Ball, Esq; in the evening a bountiful collation was provided for the soldiers, and every effort was made to render the occasion pleasant for recollection.
The non-commissioned officers of Company D. were the following named:_
1st. Sergenat_ Charles B. Lang
2nd “ “_ James A. Taylor
3rd “ “_ Ezra G. Heath
4th “ “_ Frank S. Lourtellotte
5th “ “_ Charles H. Livermore
1st. Corporal_ Frank F. Browns
2nd “ “_ Albert S. Alden
3rd Corporal_ George S. Colton
4th “ “_ Charles W. Phipps
5th “ “_ Robertus B. Stetson
6th “ “_ James W. Stackpole
7th “ “_ George S. Kilby
8th “ “_ Henry M. Dickinson
Subsequently, on the 20th of March, 1863, Corporals Phipps Stetson, and Kilby were reduced to the ranks; and on the 21st their places were filled by the appointment of Albert M. Moore,_James A. Kenyon, and_Bartholomew Hayes.
November 5th, 1862, the regiment broke camp at Springfield, and proceeded to Boston. Arriving there, they marched through the city, and embarked on the steamer Mississippi. At midnight moved out about 31/2 miles and anchored in President Roads. Waited there for U.S. armed convoy, as there wer fears of the pirate Alabama, then reported near Boston. On Friday, the 7th, the U.S. gunboat Huron anchored alongside. But a furious storm set in, and it was found necessary, on Sunday, the 9th, to return to the city and land the men. The regiment took up quarters in {Fanswil} Hall, and remained there till Monday afternoon. Then marched to the wharf, and went on board the steamer Saxon. The regiment was under orders to proceed to Newbern, N.C._Sailed on the 10th, had a prosperous voyage, and on the 14th made an anchorage at Morehead City, N.C. (Beaufort Harbor). The next day they landed, proceeded to Newbern, and encamped. December 1st, Companies A and K. Were ordered to Newport Barracks, where they remained two months.
The remaining eight companies, on the 11th of December, 1862, joined other forces in the expedition towards Godlsboro, N.C._On the 12th, continued the march._Next day, after an hour’s march, the regiment was detached from the brigade and ordered to support a battery placed to command the approach in front from Kinston. At sundown, moved forward four miles. Company D. was detached to march some fifty yards in advance, and ten men, under Lieut. Knapp, were thrown forward as an advance guard against surprise. The men lay upon their arms all night. On the following day, moved forward to Kinston and encamped._At {Write} Hall, on the 16th, the regiment supported a battery. About fifty men were here detached as sharpshooters, Company D. furnishing a good proportion._On the return march to Newbern, the enemy threatened the rear._The 46th was exposed to an annoying fire, but had no opportunity to engage any part of the enemy’s force._The regiment reached Newbern, no Chicopee man missing, on the 21st, and went to its old camp, where it remained till January 23, 1863, when the camp was changed to a position near the intersection of the Trent and Neuse roads, in Newbern. At this time, Company A. was relieved from outpost duty at Newport Barracks by Company F. and rejoined the regiment. From this time until March 13, the regiment was chiefly occupied in drill, and fatigue duty on the fortifications.
About the 1st of March Company D became the color company and remained on through the rest of the service.
Upon the 13th of March the enemy commenced what seemed a determined attempt to repossess Newbern, in resistance to which the 46th was assigned an honorable position, being ordered first at Sundown, with two other regiments and a battery, to hold in check a column of the enemy demonstrating upon the Front Road, about eight miles from Newbern. While upon this duty, heavy cannonading in the direction of Newbern announced that the enemy had commenced operations in other quarters, and orders came from General Foster, recalling the main portion of the forces to the city, the enemy having attacked an outpost on the northerly side of the Neuse. Marched back as speedily as possible, reaching camp about noon the 14th of March, and remained under arms till 5 P.M. when they were again sent out upon the same road to reinforce a part of a brigade which had been sent out to occupy the former position of the 46th, but the enemy had retreated.
March 23rd Company D and one other company were sent to Plymouth, N.C._The rest of te regiment, except Companies A. and G which were left at Newbern, proceeded to Plymouth on the 26th, in connection with other forces. The whole land force was immediately applied to the work of perfecting the fortifications of the post. Remained here in garrison duty till they were relieved May 7th. Arrived at Newbern May 8th, and went into barracks on the Neuse River, near the first camping ground. Were assigned to the construction fo earth works, and other means of defence.
Wednesday night, May 20th, the regiment received marching orders, and at twelve o’clock the line was formed. The whole force, one brigade o finfantry, with cavalry and artillery, was under command of Co. J.R. Jones of the 58th Penn. Vols_the object of the expedition was to dislodge a force of rebels, intrenched at Gum Swamp, eight miles from Kinston, N.C._The march was commenced early on the morning of the 21st and after reaching Cove Creek, 16 miles from Newbern, the force bivouacked. Here the 27th Mass and 58th Penn. Regiments struck off through the swamp to gain the enemy’s rear, starting about 9 P.M., while at rest, including the 46th, were to move up in front. At daylight of the 22nd the force in front began skirmishing with the rebels, who could be plainly seen behind their earthworks. About 9 A.M. (some three hours later than was expected) firing was heard in the rear of the enemy’s intrenchment. An advance was immediately made, when it was found that the 27th Mass. And 58th Penn. were already in possession, the majority of the rebels having escaped to the swamps. One hundred and seventy prisoners were taken._After resting till 5. P.M. a return was commenced. The rebels, having come up from Kinston, pressed on the rear, and attempted to cut off the whole brigade. But by turning off from the road and making a four hours march through a swamp, knee deep in mud and water, danger was avoided. The regiment arrived in Newbern about 3 P.M. on the 23rd, no Chicopee man missing.
June 23rd, at midnight, orders were received for the regiment to embark at four hours’ notice, with necessary equipage only for Fortress Monroe. The destination of the regiment was to join the forces of General Dix, engaged in a demonstration on Richmond. Embarked on the night of the 24th of June, leaving behind the sick and convalescents, and their camp and garrison equipage. When near the mouth of the river, the steamer became disabled and a delay of several hours occurred. Meantime Col. {Shurtteff} decided to put back to Newbern for a supply of provisions, and accordingly the boat turned its course up stream. But when within about five miles of the city, they were overtaken by a steamer with Gen. Foster on board. The General imperatively ordered the men to be transferred at once to the steamer Mystic, and to follow him to Hatters Inlet. This was done, and, after a stormy passage, they reached Fortress Monroe, June 28th._Reported to Gen. Foster and began to prepare for the campaign under Gen. Dix.; but their time had so nearly expired that they were refused by Gen. Dix, and ordered to assist in defending Baltimore, where they arrived July 1st.
They wree assigned to the exterior defences of the city and station at “Camp Bradford”. Here the regiment was employed in patrol and guard duty, escorting and guarding of prisoners, until July 6th, when they went to Frederick, and thence on to Maryland Height, opposite Harper’s Ferry. Reach the Heights on the night of the 7th_Here, they remained, occupied partly on picket duty on the Sharpsburg road, till July 11th; when they were ordered to join the Army of the Potomac. Starting at nine o’clock at night, and marching night and day, it reached and was joined to the 1st Corps near Frankstown, Md. Went on the 14th to Williamsport, and to Pleasant Valley, where they encamped two days. While about obeying an order to cross the Potomac they were surprised with one countermanding it, and returning them home.
Proceeding by the shortest route via Baltimore and New York, it reached Springfield on the morning of July 21st. An immense crowd greeted their arrival at the depot, with a hearty welcome. The regiment was escorted to the City Hall, where after an address by Mayor Alexander and a response from Col. {Shurteff}, they shared a bountiful collation. A week’s furlough was granted; and on the 29th of July, 1863, they were mustered out of the U.S. service by Capt. Gardner, U.S.A., at Hampden Park, Springfield.
The sick and convalescents left at Newbern had returned about a week before the arrival of the regiment; while about seventy five, who had been left at Baltimore for the same reason, arrived home, by steamer to Boston, on the 22nd and were mustered out with the rest.
During May and June 1863, about one hundred were discharged to re-enlist for three years it the 2nd Mass. Heavy Artillery, ten of these being from Chicopee.
The 46th regiment was always a favorite with the brigade commanders under whom it passed, and although it did not participate in any great battles, it came home with an untarnished record for promptness and fidelity to duty in every position to which it was ordered.
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