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