Sterns, Frank H., b. ca. 1841

Sterns, Frank H., b. ca. 1841

Rank : Private; Corporal; Sergeant

Regiment : 52nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Co. G (1862-1865)

Service : 1862 August 29-1863 August 14

The 52nd Massachusetts Infantry were a nine-months' regiment raised in Franklin and Hampshire Counties in August, 1862. Frank Sterns, a 21-year old clerk from Granby, Mass., enlisted as a private in Company G, rapidly earning promotions to Corporal and Sergeant. In December, the 52nd were included in Nathaniel P. Banks' expedition to Louisiana, arriving at Baton Rouge on December 17th and remaining there over winter.

In the early Spring, the 52nd Regiment became somewhat more active. On March 13th, they took part in the demonstration against Port Hudson, and although they drove to within a few hundred yards of the Confederate works and held an advance position for almost 48 hours, in the end they were forced back. On March 31st, the regiment joined Grover's Division in an expedition up Bayou Lafourche, and on April 9th, they were engaged at Indian Bend, but not in the assault on nearby Fort Bisland four days later. After this latter expedition, four companies of the 52nd were assigned to guard duty at New Iberia, and the remainder were sent to Barre's Landing on Bayou Cortableau.

The regiment reassembled late in May, and on the 30th, marched to Port Hudson. After a brief excursion to Clinton on June 5th-8th, the regiment returned to Port Hudson and took part in the general engagement on the 14th of June, losing three men, with another seven wounded. Six days later, they again came under attack while guarding a wagon train near Jackson's Cross Roads, but remained in the area until the surrender of Port Hudson on July 9th. Their enlistment elapsed, the 52nd Massachusetts were sent north and mustered out of the service at Greenfield, Mass., on August 14th.

From the guide to the Frank H. Sterns papers, Sterns, Frank, 1862-1863, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)