List of Massachusetts Civil War units facts for kids

Massachusetts played a very important role during the American Civil War, which was fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. Many brave men from Massachusetts joined the Union Army to help preserve the country. These soldiers were organized into different groups called units. Massachusetts created 62 groups of infantry (foot soldiers), six groups of cavalry (soldiers on horseback), and 16 batteries of light artillery (mobile cannons). They also formed four groups of heavy artillery (larger cannons), two special companies of sharpshooters (expert shooters), and other smaller groups. This list shows some of the main military units from Massachusetts that fought in the Civil War.

Infantry Units: Soldiers on Foot

Infantry units were made up of soldiers who fought on foot. They were the largest part of the army and did most of the fighting. Massachusetts formed many infantry regiments, which are large groups of soldiers.

Sharpshooters: Expert Marksmen

Sharpshooters were soldiers specially trained to be very accurate with their rifles. They often aimed at specific targets from a distance.

• 1st Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters
• 2nd Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters

Cavalry Units: Soldiers on Horseback

Cavalry units were made up of soldiers who rode horses into battle. They were used for scouting, quick attacks, and chasing down enemies.

• 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry
• 2nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry
• 2nd Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry
• 3rd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry
• 4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry
• 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry - This was an African-American cavalry regiment.
• Devins' Battalion Mounted Infantry
• Independent Battalion of Cavalry

Artillery Units: Big Guns and Cannons

Artillery units operated cannons and other large weapons. They could fire shells over long distances to support infantry and cavalry.

Light Artillery: Mobile Cannons

Light artillery batteries used smaller, more mobile cannons that could be moved quickly on the battlefield.

• 1st Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 2nd Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 3rd Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 4th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 5th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 6th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 7th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 8th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 9th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 10th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 11th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 12th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 13th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 14th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 15th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery
• 16th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery

Heavy Artillery: Fort Defense Cannons

Heavy artillery units used very large cannons that were often placed in forts or used for sieges (long attacks on fortified places).

• 1st Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
• 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
• 2nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
• 3rd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
• 4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
• 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Unattached Companies (see: 1st Battalion Massachusetts Heavy Artillery)
• 3rd, 6th to 16th Unattached Companies (see: 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery)
• 17th to 28th Unattached Companies (see:4th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery)
• 29th Company, Unattached Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
• 30th Company, Unattached Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery

See also

• Lists of American Civil War Regiments by State