58th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment

United States Regiments & Batteries > Massachusetts > 58th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment

The 58th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment lost 10 Officers and 129 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 156 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War. It was a “Veteran Regiment,” one of four that the State of Massachusetts required a recruit to have at least nine months experience in a previous Civil War unit.

1864
April 25 Organized at Reedville under Colonel Silas P. Richmond and Lieutenant Colonel John C. Whiton. The regiment never acheived the required numbers to qualify to have a colonel, so Colonel Richmond steppped down, leaving Lieutenant Colonel John C. Whiton in command. Whilton had formerly been colonel of the 43rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
April 28-30 Eight companies moved to Alexandria, Va., by rail to Groton, then by steamer to New York and Amboy, and by train to Washigton
May 1-2 Moved by train to Bristoe Station, Va., and attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac
May 3-July 15

Campaign from the Rapidan to the James
May 5-7

Battle of the Wilderness

The regiment lost 6 men killed, 32 wounded and 7 missing
May 8-21

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

The regiment lost 17 killed, 83 wounded and 5 missing, including Adjutant F. Gilbert Ogden and Captain William H. Harley, both killed.
May 10 Ny River
May 12

Assault on the Salient
May 21 Stannard’s Mills
May 23-26

North Anna River
May 26-28 On line of the Pamunkey
May 28-31 Totopotomoy
June 1-12

Cold Harbor

The regiment lost 24 killed, 83 wounded and 18 missing. Major Barnabas Ewer, Jr. and Captains Charles M. Upham of Company A and Thomas McFarland of Company F were killed. Lieutenant Colonel Whiton and Captain E.S. Horton were wounded. Captain Horton returned to the field and took command of the regiment.
June 1-3 Bethesda Church
June 16-18

First Assault on Petersburg

The regiment lost 2 men killed, 22 wounded and 1 missing
June 16

Siege of Petersburg

The regiment lost Second Lieutenant Frank Hammond and 4 enisted men killed and 9 men wounded in 11 days
July 20 Captain Horton went on sick leave, leaving Captain Charles E. Chrchill in command of the regiment.
July 30

Mine Explosion, Petersburg

The regiment lost 1st Lieutenant Clement Granet and 4 enlisted men killed, 29 men wounded, and 3 officers and 81 men taken prisoner, along with the regimental colors. It had gone into action with 8 officers and 192 men, leaving 3 officers and 25 men afterwards. An investigation by General Meade showed no cowardice of negligence on the part of the regiment, and new colors were issued.
August 18-21

Weldon Railroad

Captain Churchill gave up command due to sickness, and 1st Lieutenant Charled Johnson took command. Major Horton, promoted and returned from sick leave, then resumed command of the regiment.
September 29-
October 2

Poplar Springs Church or Peeble’s Farm

After two successful charges the regiment was surrounded and lost 2nd Lieutenant John Fisk and an enlisted man killed, 8 men wounded and 8 officers and and 90 men taken prisoner, including Major Horton. Only Lieutenant Allen Almy and 10 men escaped of those engaged. Including detailed men, the regiment consisted of 2 officers and 75 men.
October Captain Samuel Hinckley returned from sick leave to take command of the regiment, followed ten days later by Lieutenant Colonel Whiton, who in turn took command.
October 27-28

Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run
1865
March 25

Battle of Fort Stedman
March 28-April 9

Appomattox Campaign
April 2

Fall of Petersburg
April 3 Occupation of Petersburg
April 3-9 Pursuit of Lee
April 10 – 20 At Farmville
April 20-28 Moved to City Point via steamer, then to Alexandria and duty there
May 23 Grand Review
July 14 The 58th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment mustered out
July 15-18 Moved to Reedville
July 26 The men were discharged