Aaron Westgate, a nailer by trade, enlisted as a Private serving the Union in Company E, Massachusetts, 32nd Infantry Regiment on 2 Dec 1861. The 32d Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was the outgrowth of the First Battalion, Massachusetts Infantry which was organized in November, 1861, to garrison Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. Major Francis J. Parker, commander of the battalion, became the first Colonel of the regiment. The members of the original battalion, Companies A, B, C, D, and E, were mustered in mostly in November and December, 1861, those of Company F in February, 1862,and those of the other companies during the following summer. The first six companies left for the seat of war May 26, 1862. They were encamped near Washington City until June 30, and were here given a regimental status. Taking boat for Fort Monroe on the above date, they arrived July 2. Proceeding at once to Harrison's Landing the regiment was assigned to Griffin's Brigade, Morell's Division, Porter's (5th) Corps, Army of the Potomac. During the six weeks of its stay here the regiment suffered much from malarial diseases. August 15 it started to join Pope's army near Culpepper, proceeding via Yorktown, Aquia Creek, and Stafford Court House to Barnett's Ford on the Rappahannock. Though within hearing of the second battle of Bull Run, August 29 and 30, it was not engaged. Retiring with the army to the outskirts of Washington, it was encamped at Miner's Hill where it received the remaining companies of the regiment. It participated in the Maryland campaign of September, 1862, but was not engaged either at South Mountain or Antietam. After the Confederate army had recrossed into Virginia and General Burnside had succeeded General McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac, the 32d regiment went into winter quarters at Stoneman's Switch near Potomac Creek. On Dec. 13, 1862, it participated in the assaults on Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg, losing 35 officers and men, of whom 6 were killed or mortally wounded. Aaron received a disability discharge from the regiment on 24 Dec 1862 in Washington, D.C.
Aaron Westgate, a nailer by trade, enlisted as a Private serving the Union in Company E, Massachusetts, 32nd Infantry Regiment on 2 Dec 1861. The 32d Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was the outgrowth of the First Battalion, Massachusetts Infantry which was organized in November, 1861, to garrison Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. Major Francis J. Parker, commander of the battalion, became the first Colonel of the regiment. The members of the original battalion, Companies A, B, C, D, and E, were mustered in mostly in November and December, 1861, those of Company F in February, 1862,and those of the other companies during the following summer. The first six companies left for the seat of war May 26, 1862. They were encamped near Washington City until June 30, and were here given a regimental status. Taking boat for Fort Monroe on the above date, they arrived July 2. Proceeding at once to Harrison's Landing the regiment was assigned to Griffin's Brigade, Morell's Division, Porter's (5th) Corps, Army of the Potomac. During the six weeks of its stay here the regiment suffered much from malarial diseases. August 15 it started to join Pope's army near Culpepper, proceeding via Yorktown, Aquia Creek, and Stafford Court House to Barnett's Ford on the Rappahannock. Though within hearing of the second battle of Bull Run, August 29 and 30, it was not engaged. Retiring with the army to the outskirts of Washington, it was encamped at Miner's Hill where it received the remaining companies of the regiment. It participated in the Maryland campaign of September, 1862, but was not engaged either at South Mountain or Antietam. After the Confederate army had recrossed into Virginia and General Burnside had succeeded General McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac, the 32d regiment went into winter quarters at Stoneman's Switch near Potomac Creek. On Dec. 13, 1862, it participated in the assaults on Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg, losing 35 officers and men, of whom 6 were killed or mortally wounded. Aaron received a disability discharge from the regiment on 24 Dec 1862 in Washington, D.C.
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