In May 1862, as three new divisions were formed, it became part of 1st Brigade (Amory's), 1st Division (Foster's).[2] During Summer and Fall of 1862 the regiment was stationed in the vicinity or in New Bern, North Carolina[1] and engaged in 3 skirmishes suffering little loss.[2] On 10 December it was attached to the Goldsborough Expedition engaging the enemy at Kinston on 14 December and White Hall on 16 December losing 16 killed and fatally wounded.[1][2] Though it ventured to Goldsborough it did not take part in the action at that place.[2]
Middle of January to middle of April 1863 the regiment took part in Charleston Expedition becoming part of Heckman's Brigade.[2] Upon returning in April it became part of the expedition to relieve Little Washington, Virginia; in July it was sent to Trenton.[2]
On 16 October 1863 the regiment left New Bern and embarked for Fort Monroe where it arrived 3 days later and camped near Newport News.[2] In the early Winter more than 200 men and officers enlisted for 3 years.[2] On 23 January the regiment boarded a steamer bound for Portsmouth where it occupied fortifications not 3 miles away from the city itself.[2] In April it made an expedition to Smithfield where on the 16th it fought and suffered losses.[2] Gen. Heckman's 1st Brigade, 2nd Division of the XVIII Corps, known as the "Star Brigade", was ordered to proceed up James River to Bermuda Hundred.[1][2] It was engaged at Port Walthall Junction on 6 and 7 May, then at Arrowfield Church on the 9th.[1][2] On 16 May at Proctor's Creek Star Brigade was outflanked in heavy fog resulting in Gen. Heckman being taken captive, 23rd Regiment losing 23 killed, 20 wounded and 51 taken prisoners.[2] Among the mortally wounded was Lt. Col. John G. Chambers.[2]
After that battle the XVIII Corps was transferred to the north bank of James where it joined the Army of the Potomac.[2] The command of Star Brigade was given to Gen.George J. Stannard.[2] During the assault on Cold Harbor on 3 June the 23rd lost 10 men killed, 39 wounded and 2 missing.[2] Upon recrossing the river it was engaged in Siege of Petersburg until 25 August losing men frequently due to sharpshooter fire.[1][2]
On 4 September the regiment crossed the Appomattox River and through Bermuda Hundred embarked for New Bern reaching it on the 10th and returning to the trenches on Trent.[2] In late September the men who did not re-enlisted were sent home. Autumn saw the arrival of yellow fever to New Bern resulting also in losses in 23rd.[2]
On 8 March 1865 the 23rd saw its last action at Wyse Fork losing 3 killed and 10 wounded.[1][2] Until May the men remained near Kinston and then were returned to New Bern to provide military police services until 25 June when the regiment was decommissioned.[2] Men received their pay and final discharge upon arriving to Readville, Massachusetts on 5 July.[1][2]
Casualties
Regiment during service lost 218 men – 4 officers and 80 enlisted men killed and fatally wounded and 2 officers and 132 enlisted men by disease.[1][2]
Regimental Association
Regimental association was established at an 1871 reunion electing president, vice presidents, adjutant, treasurer, chaplain and secretary.[3] Its History Committee was tasked with maintaining regimental history and appointing members of each company to gather information relating to each company's history.[3] A regimental history book was published in 1886. Especially the F Company was active in gathering and keeping records – in 1896 it published the history of the company.[3]
Charles F. Glover Papers (#750), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. Papers (1861–1862) of a soldier in Company G of the 23rd Massachusetts Infantry, including correspondence, tintype, a Bible, a comb, and two rings.
