The 15th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was recruited in Worcester 
County, the Leominster and Fitchburg units being old militia 
companies, while the others were raised by voluntary assemble 
at Camp Scott, Worcester, and there, July 12, the regiment was 
mustered into the United States service with Charles Devens, 
Jr., major of the old 3d Battalion Rifles, as its colonel.

     The regiment left Camp Scott for Washington, D. C., 
August 8, and on the 27th arrived at Poolesville, Md. where it 
was attached to Gen. Charles P. Stone's command.  It was 
active in guarding the Potomac from Conrad's Ferry to 
Harrison's Island until October 21, 1861, when it led the 
advance to Ball's Bluff, losing in that action over 300 men of 
whom 44 were killed or mortally wounded.  The winter of 1861-
62 was spent near Poolesville, over 200 recruits being 
received before spring opened.

     In February Gen. John Sedgwick was given command of the 
division, while Gen. Willis A. Gorman was assigned to the 
brigade.  After a short time spent in the Shenandoah Valley 
the regiment was sent to the Peninsula, where Sedgwick's 
Division became a part of Sumner's (2d) Corps.  It 
participated in the siege of Yorktown, and in the battle of 
Fair Oaks May 31, and was under fire at Savage's Sta., 
Glendale, and Malvern Hill with slight loss.  The 1st Company 
of Sharpshooters became attached to the regiment at Yorktown 
and continued with it for over a year.

     After spending most of July and August at Harrison's 
Landing, on the 28th of August the regiment reached Alexandria 
and helped to cover Pope's retreat from Second Bull Run.  In 
early September it joined in the advance to Frederick and 
South Mountain.  At Antietam, September 17, the 15th was 
outflanked in the West Wood and in twenty-seven minutes lost a
total of 318 officers and men, or over 50% of the number 
engaged, 98 being killed or mortally wounded.  During the 
Peninsular campaign and at Antietam the regiment was 
commanded by Lieut. Col. John W. Kimball.

     At Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, Gen. Sully commanded 
the brigade and Gen. Howard the division, Gen. Couch 
commanding the 2d Corps.  Here the 15th was engaged but with 
small loss.  The winter of 1862-63 was spent in camp near 
Falmouth.

     During the Chancellorsville campaign in May, 1863, Gen. 
Gibbon being in command of the division, the 15th was in the 
reserve at Fredericksburg and suffered slight loss.  At 
Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, 1863, as a part of Harrow's Brigade, 
Gibbon's Division, Hancock's (2d) Corps, the regiment was 
heavily engaged on the Union left centre losing its colonel, 
George H. Ward, and 36 officers and men killed or mortally 
wounded.

     On October 14, 1863, the regiment was engaged at Bristoe 
Sta. covering the retirement of the army toward Centreville.  
It was engaged near Robertson's Tavern in the Mine Run
expedition Nov. 27, and on its return from Mine Run went into 
winter quarters near Stevensburg.

     At the Wilderness, May 5 and 6, 1864, Gen. Webb being in 
command of the brigade, the 15th was engaged on the Plank road 
with loss.  At Spottsylvania, May 12, it was in Hancock's 
assault on the Bloody Angle again losing heavily.  Its losses 
at North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor reduced the 
regiment to 5 officers and about 70 enlisted men.  On June 22 
when the 2d Corps was outflanked near the Jerusalem Plank road 
the entire regiment save one officer and five men were taken 
prisoners.  These with those who returned from hospitals or 
from detached service were attached to the 20th Mass. of the 
same brigade until July 12, when the remnant of the regiment 
was sent home, arriving in Worcester, Mass., July 21, where on 
the 26th nine companies were mustered out of the service.  Co. 
I, which had a little longer to serve, was mustered out August 
6, and the regiment ceased to exist.  Few Massachusetts units 
had as gallant a history as the 15th Infantry.