HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 6th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was a peacetime infantry regiment that was activated for federal service in the Union army for three separate terms during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The regiment gained notoriety as the first unit in the Union Army to suffer fatal casualties in action during the Civil War in the Baltimore Riot and the first militia unit to arrive in Washington D.C., in response to President Abraham Lincoln's initial call for 75,000 troops. Private Luther C. Ladd of the 6th Massachusetts is often referred to as the first Union soldier killed in action during the war.
In the years immediately preceding the war and during its first enlistment, the regiment consisted primarily of companies from Middlesex County. During its first term of service, four out of ten companies of the regiment were from Lowell, Massachusetts. Colonel Edward F. Jones commanded the regiment during its first term. He later commanded the 26th Massachusetts and was awarded the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general. During its second and third terms of service, the unit was commanded by Colonel Albert S. Follansbee.
The regiment first enlisted for a "90-day" term of service which lasted from April 16 to August 2, 1861. Following their engagement in the Baltimore Riot, the 6th Massachusetts proceeded to Washington and then returned to Baltimore to guard locations within the city as well as the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station at Elkridge, Maryland. Their second term of service lasted nine months from August 1862 to June 1863. During this time the 6th Massachusetts was attached to the VII Corps and participated in several expeditions and actions in the vicinity of Suffolk, Virginia, most notably the siege of Suffolk and the Battle of Carrsville in April and May 1863. Private Joseph S.G. Sweatt's bravery at Carrsville earned him the Medal of Honor. The 6th Massachusetts served a third term in response to the call for troops to defend fortifications around Washington. During this term, which lasted 100 days from July to October 1864, the 6th Massachusetts garrisoned Fort C. F. Smith in Arlington, Virginia and guarded Confederate prisoners of war at Fort Delaware near the mouth of the Delaware River.
The 6th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry (3 months, 1861) (Militia)tendered services to government January 21, 1861.
SERVICE:
Moved from Lowell to Boston in response to call of the President April 15, 1861. Left Boston for Washington, D. C., April 17 via New York and Philadelphia and to Baltimore April 19. Attacked in streets of Baltimore April 19. Reached Washington April 19 and camp in Capitol Buildings. Moved to Relay House May 5 and to Baltimore May 13, returning to Relay House May 16. Guard railroad till June 13. Duty at Baltimore and Relay House till July 29. Relieved from duty July 29, and mustered out August 2, 1861.
The regiment lost 4 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded. ROSTERS:
The composite roster of this regiment contains the names of 792 men.
HISTORICAL NOTES: