General Cornelius Attwood-- Part 2: With the 25th Massachusetts

On September 1861, along with some other officers, Cornelius Attwood  raised the 25th Massachusetts and he received a commission as captain of Company C.  The 25th was attached to Burnside's Coast Defense Division, 1st Brigade.  This brigade was commanded by General John G. Foster, a hero of Fort Sumter.

In the assault on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, February 7, 1862, Captain Attwood was the second man to land and the first to raise the Stars and Stripes.  On the next day, the 25th Massachusetts opened the fight and had high casualties.

The unit received the thanks of superior officers for their fighting at Roanoke Island.   The 25th then became a part of the famed Heckman's Star Brigade.

Cornelius Attwood was promoted to major October 29, 1862.

--Old Secesh