Readville, and merged with the remaining six companies from Wenham, which completed the organization of this regiment, thus disposing of all expectation of an Essex County regiment.
All the officers of the Wenham companies petitioned the Governor to allow the Lawrence companies to remain as formerly connected. They were a fine body of men and officers, and, being in the same camp together so long, a strong attachment had sprung up between the different companies; but the request was denied. The men and officers in the Irish regiment were also much dissatisfied, and there were a great many desertions, which (it was said) were encouraged by their officers; a large number of the latter resigned and others were summarily discharged. They had volunteered with the understanding that they were to form an Irish regiment, and they were very indignant that that arrangement was not carried out.
The accession of these new men having given the regiment the necessary number of men, on December 6 an election for field officers was held, and the regiment became the 48th Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry.
Capt. Eben F. Stone of Newburyport was elected Colonel, Mr. James O'Brien of Charlestown was elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and Capt. George Wheatland of Salem was elected Major.
The companies were designated as follows:—Co. A, from Newburyport and vicinity; Co. B, from West Newbury and vicinity; Co. C, from Salisbury and vicinity; Co. D, from Newbury and vicinity; Co. E, from Salem and vicinity; Co. F, at large; Co. G, at
