Patrick Welch Born in Ireland,___Son of John Welch,___by occupation, a Laborer,___Unmarried,___at the age of 20 enlisted for three years in the 18th. Regiment of Infantry, Mass. Vols. Company K. Mustered into service August 23, 1861, at the regimental camp of organisation at Readville, Mass. August 26, 1861, the regiment returned for Washington, D.C. __In that city, encamped two days. September 3rd., crossed the Potomac, were assigned to Gen. F. J. Porter's Division, encamped near Fort Corcoran, and engaged in drilling and working on entrenchments. September 26th., the regiment moved forward with the division, and took position at Hall's Hill, where through the fall and winter they performed outpost duty. In the latter part of the winter,the Government called for volunteers to man the gunboats on the Western rivers. Welch offered himself, and was accordingly transferred, February 17th., 1862. At Cairo, Ill. he was assigned to duty on one of the mortar boats, and in that service participated in several of the important expeditions down the Mississippi. Took part in the sieges of Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Memphis, and arrived before Vicksburg, June 30th. July 26th. came up the river to Helena, Arkansas, and thence back to Cairo, Ill. Discharged from the service, November 26, 1862, and soon after returned to Chicopee. On May 16th., 1863, he again enlisted for three years in the Unattached Heavy Artillery, Company D. for service at the forts in Boston Harbor.
