The 8th New Hampshire Infantry was organized at Camp Currier,[1] in Manchester, New Hampshire, and mustered in for a three-year enlistment on December 23, 1861, under the command of Colonel Hawkes Fearing, Jr..
The regiment was attached to Butler's New Orleans Expedition to March 1862.
[3] It moved north to the District of Natchez, Department of Mississippi, to January, 1865.
That month it transferred to District of Vidalia, Department of Mississippi, where it served until March, when it returned to Natchez, remaining there until October 1865.
Ordered to Vicksburg, the regiment mustered out of FederaL service October 29, 1865.
The men left for Concord that day, embarking on a steamer for Cairo, IL.
At Cairo, the regiment began a 1,500 miles (2,400 km) railroad journey for home.
[4] Passing through Indianapolis, the men saw their first snowstorm since heir departure from home.
[5] After processing, pay, and equipment return, the regiment was discharged in the state capital, Thursday, November 9, 1865.
[6] Left New Hampshire for Boston, Massachusetts, January 24, 1862; then sailed for Ship Island, Mississippi, February 15, arriving there March 15.
Occupation of Forts Wood and Pike, Lake Pontchartrain, May 5.
Operations on Bayou Plaquemine and the Black and Atchafalaya rivers February 12–28.
Monett's Bluff and Cane River Crossing April 23.
Regiment ordered to Natchez, Miss., September, and duty there till January 9, 1865.
Non-Veterans ordered home December 23, 1864, and mustered out January 18, 1865.