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11th Massachusetts Infantry

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Muster In: June 13, 18611
Muster Out: June 14, 18652

Commander(s):
Colonel William E. Blaisdell
Commander Image Needed

Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Rivers
CharlesCRivers11thMA3

Major Abram L. Lockwood (of the 120th New York?)
Commander Image

Captain Thomas H. Dunham
ThomasHDunham11thMA4

Commander 5
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army5,6

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

  • Commander:
    • Colonel William E. Blaisdell (June 23, 1864)(killed June 23, 1864 by a sharpshooter while visiting the skirmish line)13
    • Captain Charles C. Rivers (June 30, 1864)14
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: Smooth-bored Muskets, model 1842 (.69 caliber) (at least one company)(June 30, 1864)15
  • Note: The 11th Massachusetts was a battalion of five (5) companies at this point.16,17

Third Offensive Order of Battle:

Fourth Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (July 1-3, 1864)18

Third Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (July 3-31, 1864)19,20

  • Commander: Major Abram L. Lockwood (of the 120th New York?)(July 31, 1864)21
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The veterans and recruits of the 16th Massachusetts transferred to the 11th Massachusetts on July 11, 1864. 22

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

  • Commander: Major Charles C. Rivers (August 31, 1864)25
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 11th Massachusetts had only seven (7) companies at this time.26

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army27,28

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army33,34

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Rivers (October 31, 1864)35
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 11th Massachusetts consisted of seven (7) companies at this time.36,37

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army38,39

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Rivers (December 31, 1864)40
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This regiment participated in Warren’s Stony Creek, or “Apple Jack” Raid to Belfield and Hicksford, Virginia in mid-December 1864.41

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army42,43,44

  • Commander:
    • Captain Thomas H. Dunham (January 31, 1865)45
    • Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Rivers (February 28, 1865)46
  • 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.47

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army48,49

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Rivers (March 31, 1865)50
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles51:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23, 1864.
  • Demonstration on north side of the James July 27-29.
  • Deep Bottom July 27-28.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve).
  • Demonstration on north side of the James River August 13-20.
  • Strawberry Plains August 14-18.
  • Peeble’s Farm, Poplar Grove Church, September 29-October 2.
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
  • In front of Fort Morton November 5.
  • Expedition to Weldon Railroad December 7-11.
  • Watkin’s House March 25, 1865.
  • Appomattox C. H. 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.
  • Surrender of Lee and his army.

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. Charles C. Rivers image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 103, 5327L.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
  4. Thomas H. Dunham image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 103, 5326.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
  5. 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. 222 ↩
  6. 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. 544 ↩
  7. Annual Report of the Adjutant-General, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts…For the Year Ending December 31, 1864 (Boston: Wright & Potter, State Printers, No. 4 Spring Lane, 1865), p. 355: “June 12th. On this date the regiment, numbering fourteen commissioned officers and about two hundred and ninety enlisted men, whose term of service had expired, left the front for Boston. The remaining number, eight commissioned officers and three hundred and thirty-six enlisted men, composed of veterans and recruits, were organized into a battalion of five companies, in compliance with Special Orders from Headquarters Second Army Corps, of that date.” ↩
  8. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 11th Massachusetts Entry, Page 83; 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.: Only one of the four companies present at the front  (C0. A) had its weapons counted in the June 30 ordnance return.  Company G was in Washington, D.C. at the time.  Other companies are not listed.  The regiment was made into a battalion of five companies on June 12, 1864, when old members left the front.  More research is needed to see if the other remaining companies were also using Smoothbores. ↩
  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. 222 ↩
  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. 544 ↩
  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), p. 222 ↩
  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. 544 ↩
  13. “Associated Press Account.” The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA), June 27, 1864, p. 1, col. 3-4 ↩
  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), p. 544 ↩
  15. Volume 13 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 11th Massachusetts Entry, Page 83; 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.: Only one of the four companies present at the front  (C0. A) had its weapons counted in the June 30 ordnance return.  Company G was in Washington, D.C. at the time.  Other companies are not listed.  The regiment was made into a battalion of five companies on June 12, 1864, when old members left the front.  More research is needed to see if the other remaining companies were also using Smoothbores. ↩
  16. 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. 222 ↩
  17. 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. 544 ↩
  18. 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 254 ↩
  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 254 ↩
  20. 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 731 ↩
  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 731 ↩
  22. 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 254 ↩
  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 614: “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), page 119: “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 2 (Serial Number 88), page 614: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  26. 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 614: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
  27. 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. 1299. ↩
  28. 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 139: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)” ↩
  29. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 11th Massachusetts Entry, Page 78; 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. ↩
  30. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 11th Massachusetts Entry, Page 78; 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. ↩
  31. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 11th Massachusetts Entry, Page 78; 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. ↩
  32. 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 139: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 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 460: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
  34. 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 155: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864” ↩
  35. 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 460: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
  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 460: “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 155: “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 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1117: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
  39. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60). ↩
  40. 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 1117: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
  41. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60). ↩
  42. 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 327: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
  43. 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 740: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
  44. 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 65: “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)” ↩
  45. 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 327: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
  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 740: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
  47. 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 65: “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)” ↩
  48. 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 568: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
  49. 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 584: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
  50. 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 568: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
  51. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩

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{ 2 comments… add one }
  • Joseph Maghe June 17, 2021, 9:19 am

    Who was the 5th commander of the 11th Mass that you need his photo?

    ∞
  • Brett Schulte June 20, 2021, 7:12 pm

    Joe,

    It is just a placeholder. I should probably get rid of those until/unless I find another person who commanded a given regiment. Thanks though for being proactive. I definitely appreciate anyone who has potential info and love when all of you reach out.

    Brett

    ∞

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