Massachusetts Fourth Infantry

Colonels: Abner B. Packard; Henry Walker

Lieut.-Colonels: Hawkes Fearing, Jr., Eben T. Colby

Majors: Horace O. Whittemore , Charles F. Howard

The 4th regiment, Mass. militia, responded to the call for three months’ troops and reported at Fortress Monroe, Va., where it was mustered into the U. S. service, April 22, 1861. It was employed in fortifying a camp at Newport News for the most part, but took part in an expedition against Big Bethel, where it was in an encounter with the enemy.

On July 22, 1861, the 4th was mustered out, but in Aug., 1862, it again volunteered for duty and was mustered in for nine months at Lakeville, from September to December. The regiment embarked for Louisiana on Jan. 3, 1863, and landed at Carrollton on the 13th. After some skirmishing at Fort Bisland, it participated in the siege of Port Hudson and after the surrender garrisoned the place until Aug 4th, when it started for home. It was mustered out at Lakeville, Aug. 28, 1863 .

Source: The Union Army: States and Regiments