Recruiting for this regiment commenced in September, 1863, but only eight companies were organized up to April, 1864. These companies left the State April 28, 1864. The ninth company joined the regiment in June, but the tenth did not arrive until January, 1865. Upon its arrival in Virginia it was assigned to Curtin's (1st) Brigade, Potter's (2d) Division, Ninth Corps. Within one week after its departure from Massachusetts the eight companies entered the bloody battle of the Wilderness, losing 6 killed, 32 wounded, and 7 missing. A week later it was engaged at Spotsylvania, and, in the actions of May 12th and 18th, lost 17 killed, 83 wounded, and 5 missing. The regiment moved against the works at Cold Harbor--June 3d--with a line whose steadiness and precision elicited praise from all who saw it, winning the compliments of both brigade and division commanders. In that fight it took an advanced position and held it until the close of the action; its casualties were 24 killed, 83 wounded, and 18 missing; Major Barnabas Ewer, Jr., a favorite officer, was among the killed. The Fifty-eighth was also conspicuous for its gallant action in the assault on Petersburg -- June 17th --in which the brigade carried a line of works, but with a comparative slight loss to the regiment. At Poplar Spring Church it lost 90 officers and men taken prisoners, after which the regiment was so reduced in numbers that it was relieved from active duty. It received some accessions which enabled it to resume its position, and it participated in the final assault on Petersburg.