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19th Massachusetts Infantry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this regiment’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Organized August 28, 18611
Muster Out: June 30, 18652

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Rice
Edmund Rice3

Major Moncena Dunn
Moncena Dunn4

Captain Isaac H. Boyd
Commander Image

Captain Charles S. Palmer
CharlesSPalmer19thMA5

Lieutenant William F. Rice
William F. Rice6

First Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army7

Second Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army11,12

  • Commander:
    • Major Moncena Dunn13
    • Lieutenant William F. Rice (at least June 30, 1864)14
  • Unit Strength: ~206 officers and men PFD? (June 22, 1864)15
  • Weapons: Enfield Rifles (.577 caliber) (June 30, 1864)16
  • Note: Captured almost in its entirety at the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road on June 22, 1864.17,18

Third Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army19

  • Commander: Lieutenant William F. Rice20
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The remaining detachment of the 19th Massachusetts which was not captured at Jerusalem Plank Road was attached to the 20th Massachusetts for a period of time in June and July 1864.21
  • Note: First Company Andrew (Massachusetts) Sharpshooters attached to the 15th MA until around July 12, 1864 and appear to have then become attached to the 19th Massachusetts, an arrangement which lasted until their muster out on September 6, 1864.22

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army23,24

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Rice (at least August 23, 28, and 31, 1864)25,26,27
  • Unit Strength:
    • 100 officers and men PFD (August 16, 1864)28
    • 77 officers and men PFD (August 31, 1864)29
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The remaining detachment of the 19th Massachusetts which was not captured at Jerusalem Plank Road was attached to the 20th Massachusetts in at least late June, July, and August 1864.30
  • Note: The First Company Andrew (Massachusetts) Sharpshooters under Captain Isaac N. Mudgett was attached until around  September 6, 1864.31

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

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: Enfield Rifles (.577 caliber) (September 30, 1864)33
  • Note: The First Company Andrew (Massachusetts) Sharpshooters under Captain Isaac N. Mudgett was attached until around  September 6, 1864, when the sharpshooters were mustered out.  Men with time left to serve continued on with the 19th Massachusetts.34,35

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army36,37

  • Commander: Captain Isaac H. Boyd (October 31, 1864)38,39
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: In late October 1864, at least, the 19th and 20th Massachusetts regiments were temporarily consolidated for field purposes.40
  • Note: First Company Andrew (Massachusetts) Sharpshooters was consolidated with the 19th Massachusetts on October 21, 1864 and became Company K.41

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army42

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Rice (December 31, 1864)43
  • Unit Strength: 135 officers and men PFD (December 31, 1864)44
  • Weapons: Spencer Rifles? (not by September 30, later?)45

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army46,47,48

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Rice (January 31 & February 28, 1865)49,50,51
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle.52

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army53,54

  • Commander: Captain Charles S. Palmer (March 31, 1865)55
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles56:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864. to April 2, 1865.
  • Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23, 1864.57
  • Demonstration north of the James July 27-29.
  • Deep Bottom July 27-28.
  • Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18.
  • Ream’s Station August 25.
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865.
  • Watkin’s House March 25.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Crow’s House March 31.
  • Fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Sailor’s Creek April 6.
  • High Bridge and Farmville April 7.
  • Appomattox C. H. April 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. MOLLUS – Masschusetts Photograph Collection:  Volume: 108; Page: 5565; Document ID: 258593.  This photograph is available online at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) site under the Digitized Material section.  I would link directly to the photograph but the site’s coding makes direct linking difficult if not impossible. ↩
  4. MOLLUS – Masschusetts Photograph Collection:  Volume: 108; Page: 5565; Document ID: 258593.  This photograph is available online at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) site under the Digitized Material section.  I would link directly to the photograph but the site’s coding makes direct linking difficult if not impossible. ↩
  5. Charles S. Palmer image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 131, Page 6717.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
  6. MOLLUS – Masschusetts Photograph Collection:  Volume: 108; Page: 5569; Document ID: 258597.  This photograph is available online at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) site under the Digitized Material section.  I would link directly to the photograph but the site’s coding makes direct linking difficult if not impossible. ↩
  7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), pages 219-221 ↩
  8. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 327.: Major Dunn is listed in command on June 22, 1864.  In the absence of any specific mention to the contrary, it is assumed but not known for certain that he commanded the regiment from June 15-18, 1864. ↩
  9. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 326.: “major, adjutant, and four line officers…the number of men had been reduced to 140…” 6 officers plus 140 men equals 146 officers and men.  This is presumed to be present for duty strength. ↩
  10. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 19th Massachusetts Entry, Page 84; 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. ↩
  11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), pages 219-221 ↩
  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. 543 ↩
  13. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 327. ↩
  14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), page 543 ↩
  15. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 326,328,330.: Take the 146 PFD of June 18, 1864 and subtract the 7 casualties mentioned from June 18 to the morning of June 22, 1864 and add the 67 recrutis added to the regiment on June 21 to get this estimate.  On page 328 of the same book it states “the roll was called and 153 of the Nineteenth had been captured…” ↩
  16. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 19th Massachusetts Entry, Page 84; 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. ↩
  17. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 332–333.: The remaining 40 men were consolidated into a company and combined with a like remnant of the 15th Massachusetts at that time under First Sergeant William A. Stone of the 15th. ↩
  18. “Yankee Correspondence Never Reached Its Destination.” The Daily Express (Petersburg, VA). June 30, 1864, p. 1 col. 6 ↩
  19. 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 252 ↩
  20. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 343. ↩
  21. 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 730: More research is needed to determine why, when, and for how long this temporary field consolidation occurred.  The August 1864 casualty returns show the two regiments as consolidated.  The October 1864 casualty return again shows the two regiments operating as separate commands.  Sometime between August 31 and October 31, the regiments were separated.  Perhaps regimental histories for the brigade will shed some light on this situation. ↩
  22. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3): 15th Ma and 19th MA Entries ↩
  23. 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 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), pages 117, 130: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)” ↩
  25. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), pages 307-309: Rice wrote reports on August 23 and 28, 1864 and signed them as commanding the 19th Massachusetts. ↩
  26. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 344. ↩
  27. 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 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  28. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 344–345.: “The command in the field numbers 100.” ↩
  29. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 348–349.: The August 31, 1864 monthly report showed 5 officers and 72 enlisted men PFD for a total of 77. ↩
  30. 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 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  31. 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 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  32. 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. 1298. ↩
  33. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 19th Massachusetts Entry, Page 79; 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. ↩
  34.  A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
  35. 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. 1298. ↩
  36. 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 459: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
  37. 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 153: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864” ↩
  38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), pages 309-310 ↩
  39. 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 459: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
  40. 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 309 ↩
  41. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 353. ↩
  42. 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 1116: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
  43. 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 1116: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
  44. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 355.: The December 31, 1864 monthly return showed 7 officers and 128 enlisted men present for duty for a total of 135. ↩
  45. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 349–350.: A September 20, 1864 circular designated the 1st Delaware and 19th Massachusetts to receive Spencer Rifles as a reward for good service.  Did they receive these rifles?  They had not received Spencers by the time the September 30, 1864 Ordnance Returns were collected. Revisit this when the December 31, 1864 ordnance returns are transcribed. ↩
  46. 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 326: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
  47. 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 739: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
  48. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 63: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
  49. 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 326: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
  50. 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 739: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
  51. Waitt, E.L. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (The Salem Press Company, 1906). p. 356,357. ↩
  52. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 63: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
  53. 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 567: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
  54. 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 583: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
  55. 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 567: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
  56. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
  57. “Yankee Correspondence Never Reached Its Destination.” The Daily Express (Petersburg, VA). June 30, 1864, p. 1 col. 6 ↩

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