4th Massachusetts Militia Regiment

This article is about a regiment in the American Civil War. For the regiment in the American Revolutionary War, see 4th Massachusetts Regiment.
4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
ActiveApril 16, 1861–July 22, 1861

and September 23, 1862–August 28, 1863
Country United States of America
AllegianceUnion
BranchUnion Army
TypeInfantry
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Col. Abner B. Packard
Col. Henry Walker
Massachusetts U.S. Volunteer Militia Regiments 1861-1865
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The 4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, sometimes known as the 4th Massachusetts Infantry, was a peacetime regiment of infantry that was activated for federal service in the Union Army for two separate tours during the American Civil War. Most of the companies were from Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The regiment had its headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts.[1]

During their first "90 days" term, the regiment was deployed to reinforce Fortress Monroe on the Virginia Peninsula and earned the distinction of being the first volunteer Union Army regiment to set foot on seceded territory.[2] After serving months of garrison duty, five of the regiment's nine companies took part in the Battle of Big Bethel on June 10, 1861. After serving additional garrison duty in Hampton, Virginia, the regiment returned to Boston and was mustered out on July 22, 1861.[3]

The regiment was again activated in September 1862 for a term of nine months. The 4th Massachusetts served in Louisiana during the Siege of Port Hudson.[4]

  1. ^ Bowen (1889), p. 143; Dyer (1908), p. 1248; Federal Publishing Company (1908), p. 169.
  2. ^ Bowen (1889), p. 143.
  3. ^ Bowen (1889), p. 144.
  4. ^ Bowen (1889), p. 146.