The 28th Regiment Enters Camp Cameron Sept. 22, 1861

This regiment was composed of mostly Irish recruits. It was commanded by Col. william Monteith of NY. (1) This regiment was significant for having the longest stay in the camp, it was also the most contrversal and my great, great grandfather, Michael Driscoll was a member. More to come on this regiment.

(1) a History of Massachusetts in the Civil War, Schouler, William, E.P. Dutton, Boston, 1868, pg. 193

DAN SULLIVAN

First Light Battery Leaves Camp Cameron 10/3/1861

Capt. Porter's Battery left camp cameron on a Thursday afternoon. With him went 150 men, six pieces of artillery, six cassions, a wagon full of ammunition, a forge, three wagons full of baggage and 125 horses. (1) the artillery consisted of two rifled and two smooth bore six pounders and two twelve pound howitzers. On arrival at the capital the two sis pounders were switched for ten pounder Parrotts. (2)

(1) Massachusetts Register, Serial number 94, 1862, Adams, Sampson & CO., Boston, pg. 409
(2) Massachusetts in the War, 1861-1865, Bowen, James L., Clark W. Bryan & CO. 1889, pg. 786

Twenty Sixth Regiment Leaves Camp Cameron Sept, 23, 1861

After just under a month at Camp cameron the 26th was transfered to Camp Chase in Lowell MA. the Regiment remained there until the 19th of November. on the 19th it proceeded to Boston. Aboard the transport the "Constitution" they traveled to Ship Island in Miss, via Fortress Monroe. (1) Here they served under Gen. Butler. (2)

(1) Adjutant-Generals Annual Report 1862, Schouler, William, Wright & Potter, 1863, pg. 286
(2) Massachusetts Register, Serial Number 94, 1862, Adams, Sampson & CO. Boston,  pg 194

Creation of the 28th Massachusetts Regiment

In 1861, Thomas Francis Meagher of New York began to form an Irish Brigade. Along with local Irish leaders he began to lobby Gov. Andrew to supply a Massachusetts regiment for the Brigade. At this time the governor was under pressure from several fronts for troops. First he had Meagher who wanted an Massachusetts regiment for his Irish brigade. Being from NY he wanted NY men to lead it. Local Irish leaders, like Patrick Donahoe who owned the Pilot and B. S. Treanor the editor of the Irish Patriot, wanted an Irish regiment lead by local Irish men. General Butler who was raising troops in New England also wanted a regiment from the governor. In an attempt to please everybody Andrew decided to attempt to raise two Irish regiments at the same time. The 28th would be recruited at Camp Cameron in Cambridge and go to Gen. Butler. The 29th would be recruite in Framingham and go to the Irish Brigade. onr would have MA officers, the other NY officers. Things did not work out this way. (1)

(1) Thomas Francis Meagher and the Irish Brigade in the Civil War, Callaghan, Daniel M., McFarland & CO., Jefferson NC 2006, pg. 49-50