14th Mass Infantry The 14th Massachusetts Infantry began its recruitment in spring 1861, with most of its members coming from
Essex County. They were mustered in on 5 July 1861, and left the state on 7 August for
Washington, DC, where it would serve in its defenses until the end of the year. Colonel
William B. Greene, a
West Point graduate and a veteran of the
Florida Indian Wars, resigned in October, and was replaced as leader of the unit by Colonel Thomas R. Tannatt, who transferred over from the
16th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
Reorganization as artillery On 1 January 1862, the regiment was reorganized and became a
heavy artillery regiment. As artillery units required more men, fifty additional soldiers were added to each company and two additional ones were formed. They served in several military garrisons around Washington, including forts
Woodbury,
Tillinghast,
Craig,
Albany, and DeKalb.
Early skirmishes On 26 August 1862, the regiment was sent to the front, and was present at the
Second Battle of Bull Run, though it did not participate. During the Union retreat from the battlefield, Confederate cavalry overtook the 1st Massachusetts, capturing the surgical staff, the wagoners, and others. The doctors were quickly released, while the others were later paroled. A battalion of two companies were detached (two more joined a month or two later) on 27 September 1862 and sent to Maryland Heights, where they were to serve until December 1863. When the
Union army abandoned its position at
Winchester, VA in June 1863, Company I stayed behind to destroy the guns and ammunition, and 44 men were captured on 10 June. At this time, Company H was covering the army's retreat from
Harpers Ferry.
First engagement On 17 May 1864, many heavy artillery regiments filled in as infantry units and joined the
Army of the Potomac as part of
Grant's 1864 campaign. In their first real engagement as a regiment, they engaged Ewell's Division at
Harris Farm Engagement, on the Fredericksburg Road near
Spotsylvania, VA on 19 May 1864. In this battle, they lost 55 killed, 312 wounded, and 27 missing. In reserve during the
Battle of North Anna on 23–26 May 1864, losing only 1 killed, they moved on to
Cold Harbor, losing two members during the trench warfare there from 4–12 June.
Siege of Petersburg The regiment took part in the assault on
Petersburg on the 16 June 1864, and lost 25 killed and 132 wounded. They remained as part of the siege of the city until April 1865. During this time, they were also involved in the
Battle of Globe Tavern (or the 2nd Battle of Weldon Railroad), when 185 men were captured when a Confederate offensive flanked the division, and the
Battle of Hatcher's Run.
Lee's surrender Following Lee's surrender in April 1865, the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery returned to Washington, DC and stationed the forts until they were mustered out in August. They returned to
Boston on the 20th, and were encamped at
Gallop's Island until the 25th, when they were paid and discharged. ==Complement==