32nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment

United States Regiments & Batteries > Massachusetts > 32nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment

The 32nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment lost 5 officers and 139 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 2 officers and 143 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War. The regiment is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.

1861
November 25 Organized as a Battalion of 6 Companies under Major Francis J. Parker for garrison duty at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor
1862
May 26-28 The battalion was expanded to a regiment and designated the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Major Parker was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

The regiment moved to Washington, D.C. Stationed at Capital Hill in the Defenses of Washington, attached to the Military District of Washington
June 25-July 3 Moved to Harrison’s Landing, Va
July Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac
July 23 1 company joined at Harrison’s Landing
August 6 Lieutenant Colonel Francis Parker was promoted to colonel.
August 15-28 Movement to Fortress Monroe, then to Centreville
August 28 –
September 2

Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia
August 30

Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas)
September Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps
September 4 3 Companies joined at Minor’s Hill, Virginia
September 16-17

Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg)

The regiment was commanded by Colonel Francis Parker. It was in reserve and suffered no casualties.
September 19 Blackford’s Ford, then at Sharpsburg, Maryland.
October 16-17 Reconnaissance to Smithfield, W. Va.
October 30 –
November 19		 Movement to Falmouth
December 12-15

Battle of Fredericksburg
December 27 Colonel Parker resigned. Lieutenant Colonel George L. Prescott was promoted to colonel.
December 29-30 Expedition to Richards’ and Ellis Fords
1863
January 20-24 “Mud March”, then return to Falmouth
April 27-May 6

Chancellorsville Campaign
May 1-5

Battle of Chancellorsville
June 11-July 24

Gettysburg Campaign
July 1-4

Battle of Gettysburg

The regiment was commanded by Colonel George Lincoln Prescott.

From the monument in the Rose Woods: 

Here the 32nd Massachusetts Infy. 2nd Brig. 1st. Div. 5th A.C. withstood an attack of the enemy about 5 o’clock p.m. July 2, 1863. Withdrawn from here, it fought again in the Wheatfield. Lost in both actions killed and wounded 79 out of 227 officers and men.
July 5-24 Pursuit of Lee
July 25 At Warrenton and Beverly Ford
September 17 At Culpeper
October 11-22

Bristoe Campaign
November 7-8 Advance to line of the Rappahannock
November 26-
December 2

Mine Run Campaign
December 3 At Bealeton, Virginia.
1864
May-June

Campaign from the Rapidan to the James
May 5-7

Battle of the Wilderness
May 8-21

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

May 8

Laurel Hill
May 12

Assault on the Salient
May 23-26

North Anna River
May 23

Jericho Mills
May 26-28 On line of the Pamunkey
May 28-31

Totopotomoy
June 1-12

Cold Harbor
June 1-3

Bethesda Church
June 16-18

First Assault on Petersburg

Colonel Prescott was mortally wounded.
June 18

Siege of Petersburg begins
June 30 J. Cushing Edmands was promoted to colonel.
July 30

Mine Explosion, Petersburg (Reserve)
August 18-21

Six-Mile House, Weldon Railroad
September 29 –
October 2

Poplar Springs Church
October 3 Recruites and reenlisted men were transferred from the Second Massachusetts Sharpshooter Company, which was returning to Massachusetts to muster out.
October 27-28

Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run
December 7-12

Expedition to Weldon Railroad
1865
February 5-7

Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run
March 28-
April 9

Appomattox Campaign
March 29 Lewis Farm, near Gravelly Run
March 31

White Oak Road
April 1

Battle of Five Forks
April 9

Appomattox Court House

Surrender of Lee and his army.
May 1-12 March to Washington, D.C.
May 23 Grand Review, then duty at Washington
June 29 the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was mustered out
July 11 The men were discharged.