The 39th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
The 39th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry was organized at Camp Stanton in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, August 13 through September 2, 1862, and mustered for a three-year enlistment under the command of Colonel Phineas Stearns Davis.
The regiment was attached to Grover's Brigade, Defenses of Washington, until February 1863, then to Jewett's Independent Brigade, XXII Corps, Department of Washington, until May 1863, the District of Washington, XXII Corps, until July 1863, the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, I Corps, Army of the Potomac, until March 1864, the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, V Corps, until June 1864, the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, V Corps, until September 1864, and finally the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, V Corps, until June 1865.
The 39th Massachusetts Infantry mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. on June 1, 1865.
Left Massachusetts for Washington, D.C., on or about September 6, 1862. The regiment saw duty in the defenses of Washington from Fort Tillinghast to Fort Craig, until September 14, 1862, then guarded the Potomac River from Edward's Ferry to Conrad's Ferry and Seneca Creek until October 20, and the Muddy Branch until November 10. The Infantry again saw action at Offutt's Cross Roads, Md., until December 21, and at Poolesville, Md., until April 15, 1863. In mid-April, 1863, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., for guard and patrol duty until July 9. Moved to Harpers Ferry and Maryland Heights July 9âÂÂ10, then to Funkstown, Maryland, July 12âÂÂ13. Pursuit of Lee, July 14âÂÂ27. Duty along the Rapidan until October. Bristoe Campaign, October 9âÂÂ22. Advanced to line of the Rappahannock, November 7âÂÂ8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign, November 26 â December 2. Duty on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad until May 1864. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6âÂÂ7. Rapidan Campaign MayâÂÂJune. Battle of the Wilderness May 5âÂÂ7. Laurel Hill May 8. Spotsylvania May 8âÂÂ12. Spotsylvania Court House May 12âÂÂ21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23âÂÂ26. Jericho Ford May 23. On line of the Pamunkey May 26âÂÂ28. Totopotomoy May 28âÂÂ31. Cold Harbor June 1âÂÂ12. Bethesda Church June 1âÂÂ3. White Oak Swamp June 13. Before Petersburg June 16âÂÂ18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864 to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864 (reserve). Weldon Railroad, August 18âÂÂ21. Reconnaissance toward Dinwiddie Court House September 15. Warren's Raid on Weldon Railroad December 7âÂÂ12. Dabney's Mills February 5âÂÂ7, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28 â April 9. Davis Farm near Gravelly Run March 29. White Oak Road March 31. Five Forks April 1. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee, April 3âÂÂ9. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. At Black and White Station until May 1. Moved to Manchester, then marched to Washington, D.C., May 1âÂÂ15. Grand Review of the Armies, May 23.
The regiment lost a total of 279 men during service; 5 officers and 91 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and 183 enlisted men died of disease.