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61st Massachusetts Infantry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’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 at Gallop’s Island, Boston Harbor, August to October, 1864.1

Muster Out: July 16, 18652

Commander(s):
Colonel Charles F. Walcott
CharlesFWalcott61stMAv95p4877L3

Commander 2
Commander Image

Commander 3
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet in existence.4

Second Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet in existence.5

Third Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet in existence.6

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not yet in existence.7

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Engineer Brigade and Defenses of City Point | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (October 7-13, 1864)

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: A battalion of 5 Companies, “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” and “E.” of the 61st Massachusetts arrived at City Point on October 7-12, 1864. It was attached to Benham’s Engineer Brigade, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, and Army of the Potomac to March, 1865.8

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: Engineer Brigade and Defenses of City Point | Army of the Potomac | Union Army9

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. Walcott (October 31, 1864)10
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 61st Massachusetts consisted of five companies at City Point.11

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Defenses of City Point | Army of the Potomac | Union Army12

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. Walcott (December 31, 1864)13
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Company “F” reported to the 61st Massachusetts on November 17, 1864.14
  • Note: The 61st Massachusetts had six (6) companies at this time.15

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Defenses of City Point | Army of the Potomac | Union Army16,17

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. Walcott (January 31 & February 28, 1865)18,19
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 61st Massachusetts had six (6) companies during January 1865, but seems to have increased to eight (8) companies by February 28, 1865. See the note below for the dates of arrival of Companies G and H.20,21
  • Note: Company “G” reported to the 61st Massachusetts on January 5, 1865; Company “H” reported to the 61st Massachusetts on February 15, 186522

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle:

Defenses of City Point | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (March 1-28(?), 1865)

Independent Brigade | Ninth Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (March 28(?) on, 1865)23,24

  • Commander: Colonel Charles F. Walcott (March 31, 1865)25
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies “I” and “K” reported to the 61st Massachusetts on March 15, 1865.26
  • Note: The 61st Massachusetts transferred from the Defenses of City Point to the newly formed Independent Brigade, Ninth Corps, AotP on or near March 28, 1865.

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles27:

  • A Battalion of 5 Companies, “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” and “E.” Moved to City Point, Va., October 7-12, 1864.
  • Engaged in Engineer duty erecting fortifications at City Point, Va., and picket duty at that point until March, 1865.
  • Ordered to Petersburg March 28, 1865.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Occupation of Petersburg April 3.

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 F. Walcott image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 95, Page 4877L.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA.
    4. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    5. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    6. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    7. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    8. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    9. 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 458: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    10. 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 458: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    11. 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 458: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    12. 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 1114: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    13. 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 1114: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    14. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    15. 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 1114: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    16. 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 324: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    17. 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 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    18. 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 324: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    19. 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 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    20. 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 324: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    21. 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 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    22. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    23. 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 574: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    24. 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 590: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865”
    25. 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 574: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    26. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    27. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
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