Fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
One Year

Acton men who served in the 4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery:

Herbert T. Clark, Co. C

George W. Edson, Co. K

John M. Edson, Co. K

John S. Manley, Co. K

Regimental history from Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Civil War, compiled and published by the Adjutant General:

In the late summer of 1864 twelve unattached companies of heavy artillery were raised at large in various parts of Massachusetts for coast defense. They were numbered from 17 to 28 inclusive and were mustered into the service during the latter part of August to serve for one year. Their original rendezvous was at Galloup's Island, Boston Harbor, and here they were organized and drilled. In September, they were sent to Washington to do garrison duty in the forts defending the capital.

By paragraph 6 of Special Order No. 395, War Department, dated Nov. 12, 1864, these companies were consolidated into a regiment known as the 4th Regt. Mass. Vol. Hy. Arty., and were lettered from" A" to "M" respectively. Lieut. Col. William S. King, formerly major of the 35th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf., a very gallant officer who had been wounded seven times at the battle of Antietam, and who had acted as superintendent of recruiting service in Massachusetts at the time the 17th to the 28th companies were being raised, was made colonel of the 4th Heavy Artillery.

The regiment performed the duties to which it was assigned in the defenses of Wash­ington until June 17, 1865, when its members were honorably mustered out of the United States service.

Regimental history from A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, by Frederick Dyer:

     Organized November 12, 1864, by consolidation of the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th Unattached Companies Heavy Artillery. Organized August, 1864, for one year's service. Consolidated to a Regiment November 12, 1864. Attached to 3rd Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps, Dept. of Washington. Garrison duty in the Defenses of Washington, south of the Potomac, until June, 1865. Mustered out June 17, 1865.

    Lost during service 2 Officers and 23 Enlisted men by disease. Total 25.

See also:

United States National Archives and Records Service. Compiled Records Showing Service of Military Units in Volunteer Union Organizations -  MASSACHUSETTS Third Heavy Artillery Fourth Heavy Artillery Twenty-ninth Co., Unattached, Heavy Artillery Thirtieth Co., Unattached, Heavy Artillery First Independent Battery, Light Artillery through Sixteenth Battery, light Artillery Maj. Cook's Co., Light Artillery First Sharp Shooters, Volunteers Second Sharp Shooters, Volunteers First Infantry Second Infantry.http://www.archive.org/details/compiledrecordss0076unit