The Sixteenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was one of a few Massachusetts regiments that did not have its history recorded. From 1861-1864, it was profoundly embroiled in the actions of the Army of the Potomac. The men of this regiment initially suffered from lack of skilled leadership and later from horrific living conditions. Over 1300 men were assigned to the Sixteenth Massachusetts. In total, there were 112 men killed in battle. An exorbitant number of men were wounded, 360, and 52 of them died from those wounds. Disease claimed the lives of 115 men. A total of 65 men were taken as prisoners of war. Thirty-two died in Confederate prisons, twenty-one in Andersonville, Georgia, ten in Richmond, Virginia and one in Florence, South Carolina. Disability discharges were allotted to 344 men who were afflicted from wounds or disease. A Comprehensive biographical sketch portrays the life of the vast majority of these patriots. It include their birth, residences, vocations, marriages, children’s names, military pensions, parent’s names including mother’s maiden names, cause and place of death and their final resting place. It contains numerous illustrations, endnotes, detailed index and bibliography.
It is an aide to those interested genealogical research.