FOURTH REGIMENT INFANTRY, U. S. COLORED TROOPS,

MARYLAND VOLUNTEERS.

[E Fourth Regiment Infantry U. S. Colored Troops Maryland Volunteers
was organized at Baltimore, Maryland, from July 15th, to September 1,
1863, to serve three years.

Upon the completion of the regimental organization, the command
was sent by steamer from Baltimore to Yorktown, Virginia, in Septem-
ber 1863, where the command was thoroughly drilled and disciplined,
and utilized in building fortifications.
In February 1864, the command made a raid in the direction of Richmond, and the
inclement season of the year, and hardships incident to the marches through snow and sleet
was a serious experience.

In March 1864, the regiment was assigned to duty at Point Lookout, Md., in guarding
Confederate prisoners-of war.

On the 10th day of April 1864, the regiment was transferred to Fortress Monroe, Va.
In May 1864, the regiment was assigned to duty with Gen. Butler's army of the James,
and took part in the movement of that army leading up to the capture of City Point, Va., and
the demonstration against Petersburg, Va., prior to the arrival of the army of the Potomac.

The regiment was subsequently ordered for duty at Bermuda Hundred, and assigned to
the 18th army corps. With the 18th army corps the regiment took an active part in the
engagements at Spring Hill and Jordan's Farm in June 1864, and suffered severe losses in
killed and wounded.

The captures of cannon by the division of Colored troops of the 18th Army corps to
which the 4th regiment was assigned, were numerous, including one battery of six guns by the
regiment; in the capture of rifle pits and other fortifications during the Petersburg campaign,
the 4th regiment was always with the advance lines of battle.

In August 1864, the regiment was a part of the army of the James, engaged in digging
what was known as the Dutch Gap Canal, under a constant fire of the enemy's artillery.

In September 1864, the 4th regiment proceeded to Deep Bottom where it formed a part
of the army of the James who were directed to operate against Fort Harrison, which it
eventually captured by a gallant dash; this movement was regarded by Gen. Grant as of the
greatest importance and all of the troops participating in it, received the highest commenda-
tion from the General-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States.

In December 1864, the 4th regiment was assigned to duty with the army of Gen. B. F.
Butler in his ill-fated attack upon Fort Fisher, North Carolina, the rough ocean experience on