Wistar’s Expedition against Richmond

Expedition into King and Queen County

Expedition into Matthews and Middlesex Counties

Butler’s operations on south side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond

Capture of City Point

Attack on Fort Converse

First Assault on Petersburg

Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond

Mine Explosion, Petersburg

The regiment was posted to provide supporting fire for attacking troops, but friendly artillery fire from the rear caused 14 casualties.

Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, New Market Heights

The regiment attacked Confederate defenses manned by the Texas Brigade consisting of a line of palisades protected by a double line of abatis. They advanced in column followed by the 36th and 38th U.S. Colored Troops. With all of its officers shot down in its first attempt, the regiment rallied and were led by four sergeants in a successful second assault. All were awarded th Medal of Honor.

Major General Benjamin Butler wrote in his report of the battle:

The column marched as steadily as if on parade. At once when it came in sight the enemy opened upon it, but at that distance there was not much effect. Crossing the brook their lines broke in a little disorder, but the men struggled through holding their guns above their heads to keep them dry. The enemy directed its fire upon them. The leading battalion broke, but its colonel (Colonel Shurtleff) maintained his position at its head. Words of command were useless, as in the melee they could not be heard; but calling his bugler to him the rally rang out, and at its call his men formed around him. The division reformed, and at double quick they dashed up to the first line of abatis. The axmen laid to, vigorously chopping out the obstructions. Many of them went down. Others seized the axes. The enemy concentrated their fire upon the head of the column. It looked in one moment as if it might melt away. The colors of the first battalion went down, but instantly they were up again with new color bearers. Wonderfully they managed to brush aside the abatis, and then at the double quick the reformed column charged the second line of abatis. Then with a cheer and a yell that I can almost hear now, they dashed upon the fort.”

Over half the division became casualties, but the attack succeeded in pushing back the Confederate line, which forced Lee to bring Confederate forces up from Petersburg, leading to a successful Union attack there.

Four Medals of Honor Awarded

Sergeant Major Milton Murray Holland “Took command of Company C, after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it.”

First Sergeant James H. Bronson of Company D “Took command of his company, all the officers having been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it.”

First Sergeant Powhatan Beatty of Company G “Took command of his company, all the officers having been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it.”

First Serveant Robert A. Pinn of Company I “Took command of his company after all the officers had been killed or wounded and gallantly led it in battle.”

Fort Harrison

Battle of Fair Oaks

1st Expedition to Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

The regiment was attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 25th Corps, then 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 25th Corps. When General Butler’s barge loaded with dynamite failed to even damage the Confederate works the attck was cancelled.

2nd Expedition to Fort Fisher, North Carolina

The regiment served in only a supporting role, and suffered no casualties.

Assault and capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Sugar Loaf Hill

Fort Anderson

Capture of Wilmington and Northeast Ferry

Campaign of the Carolinas

Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Corps, Dept. of North Carolina

Bennett’s House

Surrender of Johnston and his army.