CDV- 1st Lt. Francis Gilbert Ogden- 58th Massachusetts Infantry KIA – SOLD

Description

This is a different view from another offered with Ogden’s album elsewhere, taken by the same photographer, WHIPPLE, Boston.  Probably taken prior to the departure of the 48th Mass Infantry in the Fall of 1862 from Boston to the Department of the Gulf.

The condition is very good, with ink pen marks on the image surface.

Frances Gilbert Ogden, was a clerk by trade, living in Boston. He enlisted on September 9, 1861 as a corporal and was mustered in December 3rd of that year into Co. “F” of the 24th Mass Infantry. On December 29, 1862 Ogden was commissioned 1st Lt. in the 48th Mass. Infantry, and shortly after appointed adjutant of the regiment. The 48th arrived in February of 1863, joining the 19th Army Corps at Baton Rouge, and soon after saw field duty performing reconnaissance toward Port Hudson.  The 22nd of May, an engagement at Plain Store, Miss. was most likely Ogden’s first combat experience, but for the 48th Mass, it was a day of confusion as the regiment was poorly placed against the enemy’s front without artillery support, and the Lt. Col., James O’Brien called a retreat in an attempt to reorganize his regiment.

Five days later, the 48th Mass provided 93 men of 200 in an assault of the heavily defended lines at Port Hudson, “a Forlorn Hope” apply describing the debacle.   Lt.Col O’Brien and and 6 men were killed with another 41 wounded. Ogden was not in this assault but was the regiment on June 14th, when Port Hudson was assaulted again. Ogden received a slight wound in the engagement. With its term of service completed, the 48th returned to Massachusetts in August of 1863, where Lt. Ogden was mustered out on September 3, of that year.

In less than three months, Ogden was commissioned in the 58th Massachusetts Infantry in his previous rank of 1st Lt. and again appointed as regimental adjutant. This regiment saw hard service in the Army of the Potomac right to the end of the war, however, Lt. Ogden was killed on May 12, 1864, while the 58th was making a flanking movement toward Spottsylvania, attacking Confederate General A.P. Hill’s Corps.

A good history in three regiments during the war.