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36th Massachusetts Infantry

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Muster In: Organized at Worcester and mustered in August 30, 1862.1
Muster Out: Mustered out June 8, 1865, and discharged from service June 21, 1865.2

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel William F. Draper
WilliamFDraper36thMAv104p53793

Lieutenant Colonel Thaddeus L. Barker
ThaddeusLBarker36thMAv104p53804

Captain Joseph A. Marshall
JosephAMarshall36thMAv104p53815

Commander 4
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army6,7

Second Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army9,10

Third Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army14,15

  • Commander: Captain Thaddeus L. Barker (July 31, 1864)16
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army17,18

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel William F. Draper (returned August 9, 1864) (August 9-10 & 31, 1864)19,20
  • Unit Strength: ~115 officers and men PFD (August 13, 1864)21
  • Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army22,23

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel William F. Draper (October 12, 1864) (mustered out and left for home around October 13, 1864) “Camp of 36th Regt Mass Vols Oct 12/64…Here is a pretty little watch that I will send home by way of Capt Morse he is going home tomorrow and will cary it for me…Lt Col Draper is also going home…there are two the best of the officers in the Regt…Some of our officers went out in the 25th Mass and were commissioned in this two of them are now going Col Draper + Capt Morse…We are going to fall in at 5 o’clock tonight and hear a few words from Lt Col Draper. we all hate to have him go but dont blame at all I should go if I were in his place I think.”24
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber) (September 30, 1864)25

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army26,27

  • Commander: Major Thaddeus L. Barker (October 31, 1864)28
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Notes: The men of the 21st Massachusetts whose time had not yet expired were moved to the 36th Massachusetts on October 21, 1864 and formed 3 companies.  The old 36th formed the remaining 7 companies in the reorganization.29,30,31

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army32

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Thaddeus L. Barker (December 31, 1864)33
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army34,35

  • Commander:
    • Captain Joseph A. Marshall (January 31, 1865)36
    • Lieutenant Colonel Thaddeus L. Barker (February 28, 1865)37
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army38,39

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Thaddeus L. Barker (March 31, 1865)40
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles41:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.42
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864.43
  • Weldon Railroad August 18-21.44
  • Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2.45
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.46
  • Fort Rice until April, 1865.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • March to Farmville April 3-9.

Bibliography:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

Sources:

  1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
  2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
  3. William F. Draper image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 104, Page 5379.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
  4. Thaddeus L. Barker image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 104, Page 5380.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
  5. Joseph A. Marshall image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 104, Page 5381.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
  6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 229 ↩
  7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 549 ↩
  8. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 36th Massachusetts Entry, Page 87; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
  9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 229 ↩
  10. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 549 ↩
  11. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, pp. 220-221: “Near Petersburg Va June 19th 1864…Capt. (James B.) Smith is in Command of the Regt.” “(June 21, 1864: “In the afternoon Gen Potter an Div Genl reviewed our Brigad we went back into an open field out of the way of bullets. he reviewed us first in line of battle then we passed in review by Division front that is 2 Cos front Capt Smith told me to take command of the Div. and of course I did so long as there was no Commissioned officers to do so.” ↩
  12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 549 ↩
  13. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 36th Massachusetts Entry, Page 87; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
  14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 259 ↩
  15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 734 ↩
  16. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 734 ↩
  17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 617: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 126: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)” ↩
  19. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, pp. 244-245: “Aug 10 ‘64…Lieut Col Draper arrived here last night he is looking pretty well concidering what he has gone through this warm weather…” ↩
  20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 617: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  21. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, p. 248: “…our Regt is pretty small now not more than 100 Guns I think…” If we assume “guns” to mean men carrying rifled weapons, we have the number of what the Confederates would call “effectives.” Using Steven Newton’s method for converting effectives to Present for Duty strength, we take (100/.93) x 1.065=~115 officers and men present for duty. I suspect this may slightly overstate the PFD strength given the dearth of officers in the 36th Massachusetts at this time, but it should be fairly close. ↩
  22. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1301. ↩
  23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 142: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)” ↩
  24. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, pp. 271-273. ↩
  25. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 36th Massachusetts Entry, Page 81; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
  26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 463: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
  27. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 158: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864” ↩
  28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 463: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
  29. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, pp. 280-282: “Camp of 36th Regt Mass Vols near Poplar Grove Church Va Oct 30/64…The 36th + 21st have been consolidated and are now known as the 36th the old 36th has been consolidated into 7 Cos the 21 into 3 Cos. my company that is the Company I command Co I is about to be broken up. I expect to go back to Co E. I am about to turn over my ordnance + ordnance Stores, Clothing, Camp + Garrison Equipage. I am very busy making my returns + Muster rolls. We are to be mustered tomorrow forenoon.” ↩
  30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 158: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864” ↩
  31. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
  32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1121: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
  33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1121: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
  34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 332: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
  35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 745: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
  36. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 332: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
  37. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 745: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
  38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 573: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
  39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 589: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
  40. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 573: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
  41. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
  42. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, pp. 218-222. ↩
  43. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, p. 241: “Before Petersburg Va July 31 ’64…as you will see by the papers, that a Fort about 100 rods on our left, that this Corps has been undermining for more than a month was blown up yesterday morning soon after daylight all the regts in our brigade were in the charge and we were ordered but the troops send to relieve us lost their way they intended to relieve us with Darkeys. they relieved our right + left and supposed that we were but were not, if we had been we would have been in the charge.” ↩
  44. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, pp. 252-254: “Near Petersburg Va Aug 23rd ‘64…we left our old position last Friday (sic, Thursday August 18, 1864) and marched down on the left a few miles towards the Weldon rail road. the 5th Corps have taken a portion of it. last Saturday (sic, Friday, August 19, 1864) the rebs charged on them to retake it if possible but did not succeed our men killed or wounded a lot of them and took many more prisoners 1000 in one squad 900 in another. we expected to be attacked any moment and as we advanced we were deployed as skirmishers and marched in line for some ways then we halted and went to throwing up breast works sent out pickets &c the enemy came down to feel of us a little and drove in our pickets wounded 1 man in Co E.” ↩
  45. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, p. 269: “Near Weldon R R Va Oct 3 ‘64…I am all right as yet we advanced on the 30th Sept. but were badly repulsed and fell back in confusion. we have lost between 30 or 40 all killed wounded + missing…yesterday we made another advance…we were in the warmest place that day I ever saw men fell thick and fast. yesterday the rebs threw a shell in to us + killed or wounded 12 at once in our pits. it is sad to be here but so it is we have not seen all yet…I feel that I have great reason to be thankful that I have been spared thus far let us pray for life + victory.” ↩
  46. Drake, Janet M. Remember me to all the friends: Civil War Letters from George W. Harwood Massachusetts 36th Regiment. Damianos Publishing, pp. 280-282: “Camp of 36th Regt Mass Vols near Poplar Grove Church Va Oct 30/64…I wrote you about the middle of last week that we were about to make another move and so we did. we moved to the left, I should think 2 miles the 2nd a part of the 5th + 9th Corps. I suppose that it will be called a reconnoscence in force. I dont see as we accomplished much. I dont think we were oblidged to fall back our loss was small. the negroes went in bravely. We came back Friday night to our old camp and pitched our tents again in good order. ↩

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