Barns was commissioned the regiment's first colonel for his efforts; he maintained this post until voluntarily stepping down in favor of Henry L. Chipman.
Colonel Newcomb Clark was Chipman's deputy and each was brevetted for Distinguished and meritorious conduct in the field.
Some of these early volunteers were escaped slaves from the Underground Railroad; 72 had been living in Canada where their status as free men was assured.
In Manchester the regiment and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry succeeded in an attack on the flank of Confederate forces, putting them in disorder.
The Confederates came to a truce to be informed that Generals Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston had surrendered; the war was over.
1842 d. 1914, from Michigan "Citation Hazardous service in marching through the enemy's country to bring relief to his command"