Unit History – 5th Massachusetts Infantry

Cols., Samuel C. Lawrence, George H. Pierson; Lieut.-Cols., J. Durell Greene, John T. Boyd, William E. C. Worcester; Majs., Hamlin W. Keyes, William E. C. Worcester, William T. Grammer. The 5th regiment, Mass. militia, volunteered for three months, and with the addition of one company from the 1st and four from the 7th militia, it reported for duty at Washington, where it was mustered into the U. S. service, May 1, 1861. It fought nobly in the battle of Bull Run and on July 21, 1861, was mustered out at Boston. The regiment volunteered again for the nine months’ service and was reorganized at Wenham, in Sept. and Oct., 1862, with 984 officers and men. It left Boston Oct. 22 for New Berne, N. C., and from there moved to Washington, N. C., and Williamston. It took part in an expedition to Goldsboro and met the enemy in battles at Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro. On April 4, 1863, it went to the relief of Little Washington, but was obliged to return to New Berne. It was mustered out at Wenham, July 2, 1863. In July, 1864, the 5th again took the field in response to the call for troops for 100 days. It proceeded to Baltimore, garrisoned Fort Marshall, was detailed for duty at different places in Maryland during the elections, and was mustered out at Readville, Nov. 16, 1864.

From The Union Army, Vol. 1, pp. 169-170