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HISTORY
OF THE
FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT
INFANTRY,
Massachusetts Volunteers,
1862, 1863, 1864.
BY
SERGEANT-MAJOR CHARLES P. BOSSON.

BOSTON:
MILLS, KNIGHT & CO., PRINTERS, 115 CONGRESS STREET.
1886.
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Copyrighted by
CHARLES P. BOSSON.
1886.

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PREFACE.

This history of the regiment was undertaken by meat the special request of several officers who knewI had written, soon after the term of service expired,considerable matter relating thereto, for my own amusementand instruction. Without this foundation to workon, written when memory was fresh, it is doubtful if ahistory of the regiment could be written, for referencesto many soldiers’ diaries disclosed the fact that nearlyall did not contain detailed accounts of events occurringat the time entries were made. Few soldiers thoughtany memorandum of theirs would ever become usefulfor a purpose of this kind. Access to the regimentalbooks and files of papers has greatly facilitated thishistory.

I have not been able to write a satisfactory accountof Companies C and H on detached service, or ofCompany K on detached service, in charge of pontoons.I found it impossible to obtain information in a wayto be of service.iv

I proposed to publish Descriptive Lists of each companyof the regiment. Upon investigation, and a comparisonof lists in possession of the War Department, the regimentaldescriptive books, and orders of detail, I foundsuch a marked difference in Christian names and surnamesthe idea was abandoned; besides, such lists wouldprove misleading, as many men enlisted under a falseage; those who were too young gave in their age severalyears older than they were, others, too old, made theirage to meet the requirements of law. The original DescriptiveLists were made up in a hurried, loose manner,few officers realizing their importance in after years.

It is probable certain facts in these pages will appearto some readers at this day far different than they wouldhad the history been published within a few years afterthe war closed. We have grown older and wiser thanwe were in 1862 and 1863.

If any of my old comrades in arms shall have passed apleasant hour in reading this history, I shall feel amplyrepaid for time and trouble in its preparation.

Charles P. Bosson.v

CONTENTS.