REGIMENTAL JOURNAL

 

1861

 

Apr. 15Maj. George Henry Gordon of the New Englang Guards secures Gov. John A. Andrew's promise of support to raise a volunteer regiment for the war

​

Apr. 19Massachusetts Militia troops answering President Lincoln's call to defend Washington, DC, are attacked by a mob in the streets of Baltimore

​

Apr. 29Gordon's emmissaries, George L. Andrews and Wilder Dwight, obtain the authority from Secretary of War Cameron to raise a 3-year regiment

​

May 4President Lincoln calls for 39 regiments of Infantry and 1 of Cavalry to serve for three years

​

May 9Quartermaster R. Morris Copeland secures the use of the former Brook Farm in Roxbury from Re. James Freeman Clarke. It is christened "Camp Andrew"

​

May 11The first troops to arrive at Camp Andrew is a company raised and commanded by Edward Abbott

​

May 18Four companies of the 2nd MA are mustered in

.

May 24Gordon is commissioned Colonel of the 2nd MA Volunteer Infantry

​

May 276 companies are mustered into service

​

June 26The regiment receives the first of its battle flags

​

July 1The regiment's state flag is received

​

July 6Gordon receives orders to report to Gen. Robert Patterson in Virginia

​

July 8The 2nd Massachusetts Infantry breaks camp at Brook Farm and boards the train in Boston for New York City

​

July 12The regiment fords the Potomac River and treds upon the sacred soil of Virginia

​

July 14Gordon's regiment is assigned to the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, under Gen. John

Abercrombie

​

July 17The 2nd Massachusetts at Charlestown, VA

​

July 18The 2nd MA is detached and sent to garrison the town of Harper's Ferry

​

July 21The regiment hears the news about the battle of Bull Run

​

July 25Former Massachusetts Governor, Nathaniel P. Banks, replaces Patterson

​

July 28Most of the 2nd MA is moved to Maryland Heights

​

Aug. 19As the regiment makes preparations to move out, there is a truly minor skirmish with

some enemy cavalry

​

Aug. 24The 2nd MA moves to Darnestown, MD, where it remains until 21 October, much to the displeasure of both officers & men

​

Oct. 21Gordon receives orders to proceed to Edward's Ferry and arrives there in the aftermath of the Union debacle at Ball's Bluff.

​

Oct. 25The 2nd MA returns to Darnestown, then moves on to its new camp at Seneca Creek

​

Dec.5Winter quarters at Frederick, MD

​