The 25th Mass Volunteer Infantry was mustered into service in October 1861 for a period of three years. The regiment was principally from the Worcester County, Massachusetts region and formed at Camp Lincoln, Worcester, Massachusetts, during the period of 26th September to 12th October 1861. In December and January 1863/1864, 432 original members re-enlisted for a second tour of duty. The 25th Mass spent most of its service time in North Carolina, with the regiment participating in Grant's and Butler's campaign against Petersburg and Richmond in 1864.
The 25th Mass suffered the majority of their battle losses during a period from 4 May to 18 June 1864, during the Petersburg campaign when in the 18th Army Corp. During this period of less than four weeks, the regiment losses were over 460 officers and men, of whom 112 were killed or mortally wounded.
The following pages are dedicated to the history of one of the participating Northern regiments, the 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. John N. Ockerbloom has been active in the Civil War collection community for 27+ years, collecting Northern Infantry and Cavalry equipment, weapons, personal items, and uniforms, with a special interest in the history and items of several regiments, one being the 25th Massachusetts. Pieces of his full military collection have been featured in the Time'Life Echoes of Glory three'volume book set, the 26-volume Time Life Civil War series, Military Images magazine, and on television's Civil War Journal. John Ockerbloom is a member of the Company of Military Historians and a life member of the New England Antique Arms Society.