| THIRD BATTALION OF RIFLES, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA (3-month unit)
The 3d Battalion of Rifles, Mass. Vol. Mill, was a unit of three companies commanded by Major Charles Devens, Jr., with headquarters at Worcester, Mass. Companies "A" and " C " were from Worcester, while Company " B " was from Holden. By Special Order No. 31, dated April 18, 1861, these three companies were ordered to muster forthwith at Worcester, and Major Devens was directed to take them by the most practicable route to Washington, D. C. Obedient to instructions, at 5 P.M., April 20, Major Devens' command was paraded before the City Hall, Worcester, and that night at 10.30 entrained for New York, arriving on Sunday morning, April 21. Sunday night it embarked on the transport ARIEL for Annapolis, Md., arriving on the 24th. Here it remained until May 2, when its destination was changed, and it embarked for Fort McHenry near Baltimore. The battalion spent its entire term of service at or in the vicinity of Fort McHenry, doing guard and garrison duty, dismounting and remounting heavy guns, etc. About the 11th of July Major Devens left the battalion to return to Massachusetts, he having been promoted to the colonelcy of the 15th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. Captain A. B. R. Sprague of Co. "A" was now promoted to major and under his command the battalion completed its term of service. On July 30 the companies entrained for home, arriving at Worcester on the morning of August 2. On the following day all four of the companies were mustered out of the United States service, Companies "A", "B", and " C " in Worcester and Company " D " at Boston. |