Soldiers Military Escutcheon, Captain James McDavitt / SOLD

Soldiers Military Escutcheon - Inventory Number: PRI 134 / SOLD

Detailing the service of:

Captain James McDavitt

8th Mass. Volunteer Militia & 4th Mass. Heavy Artillery

Colorful example housed in an impressive carved period frame.  The shield depicts his various rank insignia, corps badges and branch insignia.  A CDV photograph of McDavitt is mounted on the bottom with his name in gold lettering.  Marked: Forbes & Co Lith. Boston. Embossed seal atop eagle states: Patented March 11th 1868. J. P. Reynolds.  Frame measures 23 inches x 27 5/8 inches.  

James McDavitt:

Residence Lynn MA; a 20 year-old Heeler.

Enlisted on 8/20/1862 at Lynn, MA as a 2nd Lieutenant.

On 9/15/1862 he was commissioned into "I" Co. MA 8th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 8/7/1863 at Boston, MA

On 5/16/1864 he was commissioned into "11th" Co. MA Unattached Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 8/15/1864

On 8/23/1864 he was commissioned into "L" Co. MA 4th Heavy Artillery

He was Mustered Out on 6/17/1865 at Washington, DC

Promotions:

* 2nd Lieut 5/30/1863

* 2nd Lieut 5/16/1864 (As of 11th Co. Unattached MA Infantry)

* Capt 8/16/1864 (As of Co. L 4th MA Heavy Artillery)

Other Information: born in 1843

EIGHTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA(INFANTRY) NINE MONTHS

     Under the call of August 4, 1862, for 300,000 militia to serve nine months, 19,080 being assigned to the quota of Massachusetts, the 8th Regt. again volunteered for duty, thus helping to obviate the necessity of resorting to the draft.  Its rendezvous was Camp Lander, Wenham, Mass., where it was recruited up to war strength.  Most of its companies were mustered in between September 15 and October 1, but Company H was not ready for muster until October 30.  On November 25, 1862, the regiment left the State for North Carolina, where it was assigned to the 2d Brigade of General Foster's Division, encamping on the Fair Grounds at Newbern.  On the 9th of December the regiment was detached to do guard duty at Newbern while the rest of the brigade went on the Goldsboro expedition.  Early in December two companies were detached from the regiment to do guard duty at Roanoke Island, and two months later two more companies were sent to the same place.

Meanwhile two companies were assigned to duty at Fort Totten, one of the defenses of Newbern.  The four remaining companies were in the expedition to relieve Washington, N. C., proceeding as far as Blount's Creek, where they were engaged with slight loss April 9.

     On June 28 the regiment was ordered to Boston for muster out, but on reaching Baltimore, Md., July 1, it was detained, and on the 6th was sent to Maryland Heights near Harper's Ferry, arriving July 7, and occupying Fort Duncan.  On July 13 it joined the Army of the Potomac in front of Williamsport, making a forced march of 25 miles in 16 hours.  On the 26th, after Lee's army had retired across the Potomac into Virginia, the regiment was ordered to Massachusetts, reaching Boston July 29, and being mustered out of the service August 7.

MASSACHUSETTS 11TH UNATTACHED INFANTRY 90 Days

     Unattached Companies, Infantry.-In addition to the various organizations previously described, Massachusetts furnished during the war thirty companies of infantry, the enlistments generally being for short terms of service.  These companies served either in the coast forts of the state or at interior points where needed and were known as unattached companies unless otherwise designated.  Occasionally a company served for more than one term.

     Eleventh Company.-Capt., Jeremiah C. Bacheler, numbered 3 officers and 92 men and served without loss.  It was from Lynn, was organized and mustered into service at Readville for 90 days, May 16, 1864, was stationed at Forts Sewall and Eastern Point, Gloucester, and at Marblehead, until it was mustered out on Aug. 15, 1864.

MASSACHUSETTS 4TH HEAVY ARTILLERY One Year

     Fourth Regiment, Heavy Artillery.-Col., William S. King; Lieut.Col., Samuel C. Hart; Majs., Francis E. Boyd, William N. Meserve, Joseph W. Gelray.  The number on the regimental rolls of the 4th was 72 officers, 1,769 enlisted men.  One officer and 20 enlisted men died by accident or disease during its service.  The regiment was recruited for one year's service, and was composed of the 17th to 28th unattached companies of heavy artillery, which were mustered into service in Aug., 1864.  They were consolidated into a regiment by Special Order of the war department, dated Nov. 12, 1864.  The several companies left the state in three detachments about the middle of Sept., 1864, and were stationed on garrison duty in the defenses of Washington during their entire term of service. The regiment was mustered out of service June 17, 1865

Inventory Number: PRI 134  / Sold