39th United States Colored Troops
Alternate Designations
History
The regiment was assigned to General Ferreros' Division, 9th Corps, and immediately after inital training marched with the Army of the Potomac into the Wilderness of Virginia and during it's limited action distinguished itself. As per the course for that time, this unit was not initially used for combat duty, and dring much of the siege of Petersburg it was used primarily to dig rifle pits and build bomb proofs. However; on July 30th, when the Union army set off a massive explosion under the line of the Confederates, the 39th distinguished itself in what became known as the Battle of the Crater. Decatur Dorsey, the regimental color bear received the Medal of Honor for his actions during this battle.
During the siege of Petersburg the regiment also participated in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Fort Fisher and the capture of the Weldon Railroad.
In December of 1864 the 30th participated in General Butler's bungled attempt to capture Fort Fisher, on the coast of North Carolinia, and General Terry's succesful campaign against the same fort in January 1865, and his subsequent campaign along the North Carolina coast, participating in the actions at Sugar Loaf Hill, Cox Bridge and the capture of Wilmington.
The 30th was among the Federal troops of the Army of the Potomac in North Carolina who participated in General Sherman's manuvers against and subsequent capture of General Joseph Johnson's Army.
The regiment suffered 30 enlisted men killed, and 3 officers and 239 enlisted men died of disease or from their wounds.Unit history provided by Gary Baker of the Association of Carroll's Sacred Trust.
Published Sources
See the General Sources page for items containing information on all Maryland Units.
Major William Powell, "The Battle of the Petersburg Crater," Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, New York: The Century Co., 1888.
Noah Andre Trudeau, Like Men of War: Black Troops in the Civil War 1862-1865 Boston:Little, Brown and Company, 1998.
James H. Whyte, "Maryland's Negro Regiments - How, Where they Served," Civil War Times Illustrated, (July 1962).
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