THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY,
U. S. COLORED TROOPS, MARYLAND VOLUNTEERS.

THE Thirty-ninth Regiment Infantry, United States Colored Troops,
Maryland Volunteers, was organized at Baltimore, Maryland, from
March 22 to 31, 1864, to serve three years, it was composed of colored
men from all parts of Maryland, but principally from Baltimore City.
I The 39th regiment was assigned to duty with Ferrero's Division of
the 9th army corps, and also performed duty with the 25th and 18th

army corps.

The 39th regiment whilst on duty with the 9th army corps, participated in the Wilder-
ness campaign and the battles in Virginia under Grant on the march to the James river.

Whilst the casualties in the 89th regiment, do not appear to be as serious as in other
colored regiments of Maryland Volunteers, nevertheless, the regiment experienced serious
hardships incident to active campaigning with the armies of the James and Potomac; its losses
in the battles in front of Petersburg and at Bermuda Hundred were severe.

After service with the army of the Potomac it formed a part of the first or Butler
expedition, as well as the second expedition under Gen. Terry, in the capture of Fort
Fisher, North Carolina.

The regiment took a conspicuous part in the battle of The Crater, Va., and mine
explosion, July 30, 1864, and their action in this eogagement in saving their regimental colors
received the commendation of the war department, and the color bearer Decatur Dorsey
received a gold medal.

After the capture of Fort Fisher, the 39th regiment remained in North Carolina with
Paine's Division of the 18th army corps, and marched with the troops that re-inforced Gen.
Sherman prior to the capture of Gen. Johnson's Confederate Army.

After the surrender of the Confederate Army of Gen. Joseph Johnson, at Greensborough,
North Carolina, April 1865, the 39th regiment performed garrison duty in the Southern States
until it was mustered out of the military service of the United States, December 4, 1865.

The casualties in the 39th regiment of infantry were as follows: Killed in battle thirty
enlisted men; died of wounds, disease, etc., commissioned officers three, enlisted men two
hundred and thirty-nine, or a total death list of two hundred and seventy-two.

In addition to the skirmishes, engagements, etc., in which the 29th regiment infantry,
U. S. colored troops, Maryland Volunteers were engaged, the following is the official batttle
list; viz: Petersburg, Federal point, Bermuda Hundred, Hatcher's Run, Fort Fisher, Sugar
Loaf, Cox Landing, N. C., Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Weldon Railroad.