United States Regiments & Batteries > Massachusetts > 59th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment


The 59th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment lost 7 officers and 83 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 1 officer and 93 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War. The regiment was one of four “Veteran Regiments” recruited in Massacusetts whose members were required to have at least nine years experience in another Civil War unit.

1863
December 3 The 59th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was organized at Reedville in Boston, under the command of Colonel Jacob P. Gould, former major of the 13th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
1864
January 14 – April 18 Eight companies were individually mustered in.
April 26-28 Moved to Washington, D.C. ubder the command of Colonel Jacob P. Gould
April 29-May 2 To Rappahannock Station, Virginia and attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac
May 3-June 15

Campaign from the Rapidan to the James

May 5-7

Battle of the Wilderness

The regiment lost 12 men killed, 27 men wounded and 5 men missing. Colonel Gould was forced to turn over command to Lieutenant Colonel Hodges due to serious illness.

May 8-21

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

The regiment lost 11 men killed, w5 wounded, and 3 men missing. First Lieutenant George J. Morse was killed.

May 10 Ny River
May 12

Assault on the Salient

May 24

North Anna River

The regiment fought at Ox Ford, losing 2 men killed, 20 wounded and 16 missing. Lieutenant George C. Burrill was killed.

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

Cold Harbor

June 1-3

Bethesda Church

The regiment lost two men killed, 15 wounded, and another 15 missing.

June 17

First Assault on Petersburg

The regiment lost 13 men killed, 49 wounded, and 8 missing. Captain Samuel A. Bean was mortally wounded.

June 16

Siege of Petersburg

July 30

Mine Explosion, Petersburg

The regiment lost eight men killed, 25 wounded, and 47 men prisoners in the disasterous attack. Lieutenant Colonel Hodges and First Lieutenant Dunlap were killed. Major Colburn was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took command of the regiment.

August 19

Weldon Railroad

Adjutant Warren was mortally wounded.

Late August Colonel Gould was mortally wounded by a gunshot wound to his right leg while in command of the brigade.
September Assigned to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Corps
September 29-
October 2

Poplar Springs Church or Peeble’s Farm

The regiment lost one man killed, eight wounded, and two missing

October 8 Reconnaissance on Vaughan and Squirrel Level Road
October 27-28

Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run

1865
February Lieutenant Colonel Colburn resigned, and Major Ezra P. Gould assumed command of the regiment.
March 25

Fort Stedman

The regiment was at Battery XI on the left flank of Fort Stedman and was almost captured. It would maintain its position in the trenches between the fort and the battery until the fall of Petersburf.

March 28-April 9

Appomattox Campaign

April 2

Fall of Petersburg

April 3 Occupation of Petersburg
April 3-9 Pursuit of Lee and guarding Southside Railroad.
April 20-28 Moved to City Point, thence to Alexandria
May 23 Grand Review
May 26 Consolidated with 57th Massachusetts Infantry. The officers and men were mustered out and paid off as part of the 57th.