Beginning in April 1864, companies
of infantry were needed for guard and garrison duty along the
coast of Massachusetts; to be stationed at the numerous military
posts located there for a ninety day period. With the
Independent Division of Militia, a home guard militia
organization, already established in the state in 1863, eight
companies were recruited from their ranks, and mustered into
United States service. Five other companies were detached
from existing regiments of the Massachusetts Militia to finish
the required roster. Their term of enlistment soon ending, a
call for 100-day companies was then ordered in July and August
1864 to fill the soon to be vacant positions at the coastal
forts. Again, the state militia regiments were used to fill most
of the quota, with a need to only recruit two new companies. In
late October 1864, the office of the Adjutant General released
orders to the commanding officers of the "Companies of One
Hundred Days Troops belonging to Massachusetts, now doing
garrison duty at the forts on the coast"[1],
to reenlist their commands for one year, and to fill with new
recruits any positions held by those men not choosing to rejoin.
Six of the 100-day companies were re-mustered, including the 2nd
Unattached Company now beginning its third term. None of the
one-year companies finished a full term, as the war had come to
an end, and all were mustered out by July 1865.
