Company H

Company H was recruited during the autumn of 1861, and most of its initial membership mustered into service on December 13, 1861. Many of the men of this company were originally recruited from Worcester, Haverhill, as well as Boston. The first commander was Captain John A. McDonell of Holden, Massachusetts, who was wounded leading this company into battle at Seccessionville (James Island), and again at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. McDonald was eventually discharged on account of his wounds on July 26, 1863. The 28th Massachusetts was consolidated into a battalion of five companies at the end of 1864, at which time the remaining members of Company H were transfered to Company D.

Among the more notable members of Company H are two who were commissioned as officers from the ranks. John Treanor was a 21-year old bootmaker from Worcester when he enlisted as a Sergeant in Company H at the time the regiment was formed. After recovering from a wound at Chantilly, he was commissioned 1st Lieuteant from the rank of 1st Sergeant in May 1863. On may 19, 1864, he earned a commission as Captain of Company A. Due to a severe wound suffered in the assault at Cold Harbor, he was eventually discharged in October, 1864. Michael Quilty, a 21-year old painter from Springfield enlisted as a Corporal in 1861. He was wounded at Antietam and again at Spottsylvania. He served the last year of the war as 1st Sergeant of Company H before finally receiving a much-deserved commission to 1st Lieutenant. Because he was never mustered as an officer, he was mustered out at the end of the war as as 1st Sergeant of Company D.

Altogether, a total of 99 men served in Company H between December 13, 1861 and the end of 1864, when this company was discontinued. Of these, 18 enlisted men were killed or died of battle wounds, 4 were missing in action and unaccounted for, 5 enlisted men died by accident or disease, and 3 enlisted men died as prisoners, for a total loss of 30 men or approximately 30%. While other companies lost more men in sheer numbers, Company H stands out as suffering the highest percentage loss of any of the other companies of the 28th Massachusetts.

Roster of Company H


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