#489 Stencil
George H. Davis 4th & 26th Mass. Infantry – PRISONER of
WAR
Stencil 3 ¼ x 1 ½ inches used to mark clothing/belongings and for identification purposes.
Prisoner of War September 19, 1864
Exchanged March 14, 1865
Died of disease 19 March 1865 in Annapolis, MD
Residence Easton, Mas, 19 year-old mechanic
Enlisted April 16, 1861
Mustered in 4th Mass Co. B April 22,
1861
Mustered out July 22, 1861
Mustered in 26th Mass Co. C October 25,1861
Re-enlisted January 1, 1864
Promotions Sergt, and Corpl. November 1, 1861
$695 shipped
The
26th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was recruited largely by Col. Edward F. Jones,
formerly commander of the 6th Regt. 3 Months. The nucleus of the 26th first
assembled at Camp Cameron in North Cambridge, and was known as the 6th
Regiment, many of its officers and men having served in the old 6th above
mentioned. On Sept. 23, 1861, the regiment was transferred to Camp Chase,
Lowell, where it completed its organization as the 26th Regiment. The men
were mustered in on various dates during September and October. Ordered to
report to Gen, Butter, the regiment embarked at Boston, Nov. 19, and on Dec.
3 reached Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico, where Gen. Butler's form were
being assembled for a movement on New Orleans. Here the regiment remained
until the middle of April, 1862, being assigned to Williams' (2d) Division. |
During
the last of April, after Farragut's fleet had opened the lower Mississippi,
the 26th occupied Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Early in July the regiment
moved up to the city of New Orleans, where it remained doing guard and
provost duty until the beginning of the following summer. During the winter
of 1862-63 the 19th Corps was formed, the 26th Regt. becoming a part of the
2d Brigade, 2d Division. |
The
first combat service of the 26th Regt. was at La Fourche Crossing, sixty
miles west of New Orleans, where the Confederates were making a movement
toward Brashear City. Here five companies of the 26th were attacked, June 21,
1863, by a force under Gen. Taylor. The assailants were repulsed with severe
loss. The 26th lost 5 killed and mortally wounded and 8 wounded, not
mortally. Returning to New Orleans on July 15, it remained there until August
28, when it moved to Baton Rouge to join an expedition against Sabine Pass. |
The
expedition was not a success, and by the middle of September the 26th was
back at New Orleans. Later in the fall it proceeded again up past La Fourche
Crossing, through Brashear City and on to Fort Bisland, at which latter place
it rested until Oct. 3. Thence it marched to Opelousas, where it remained
until Nov. 1, when it started back, arriving at New Iberia, Nov. 17, where it
remained until the close of the year. Early in January, 1864, the regiment
moved to Franklin, where, during January and February, 546 men, nearly two
thirds of the regiment, reenlisted for three years. These men were sent home
on the 22d of March and were furloughed until the 4th of May, returning to
Now Orleans, May 20. After several unimportant transfers, on July 10 it
embarked for Bermuda Hundred, Va., arriving July 21. Transferred to
Tennallytown near Washington, it became a part of Birge's (1st) Brigade,
Grover's (2d) Division, Emory's (19th) Corps. |
About
the middle of August the regiment moved into the Shenandoah Valley, advanced
to Berryville the 16th, then retired to Charlestown and to Halltown.
Advancing again, on September 19 it was heavily engaged at Winchester, Va.,
losing 46 in killed and mortally wounded, including Captain Thayer and Major
Clark. This was the regiment's heaviest loss in any one action. |
After
pursuing the enemy to Mount Jackson beyond Harrisonburg, Va., the 26th
returned to Cedar Creek. Here just prior to the battle of October 10, the
members who had not re-enlisted were sent home for muster out. On the 19th of
October the 26th, now reduced to a battalion of five companies, shared in the
battle of Cedar Creek, losing 30 officers and men, of whom 4 were killed or
mortally wounded. |
On
October 26, while on duty guarding a forage train, Lieut. McQuestion and 45
men were surprised and captured by Confederate cavalry near Newtown, Va. The
regiment remained in or near Winchester, Va., until May, 1865, when it was
sent to Washington and thence to Savannah, Ga., where it arrived June 8. It
remained at Savannah until August 26, 1865, when it was mustered out of the
service. On September 12 it took transport for Boston, and at Galloup's
Island, Boston Harbor, Sept. 18, 1865, it received its final payment and
discharge. |