The Third Massachusetts Regiment Volunteer Militia in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1863

A devoted chronicle of the Third Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, this volume brings the regiment’s first two years of the Civil War to life through the eyes of those who marched, fought, and kept the campfires. Drawing on letters, diaries, and the recollections of surviving veterans, it paints a vivid picture of enlistment, training, and the early engagements that shaped the unit’s character. The narrative captures the camaraderie of the “boys in blue,” their hardships, and the leadership that guided them through the opening campaigns of the conflict.

Compiled with painstaking care after the war’s end, the work honors Colonel Silas P. Richmond’s steady discipline and the chaplain’s dedication to preserving the regiment’s story. Illustrated with portraits of officers and sketches of actions such as the Goldsboro Expedition, the book offers both personal insight and a reliable record for descendants and history enthusiasts alike. It stands as a heartfelt tribute to the men who served from 1861 to 1863 and the community that ensured their legacy endured.