Battle of Drewry Bluff - Day 5

Monday, May 16, 1864

This morning at 5:00 A.M. the Confederates attacked the Union line in a dense, enveloping fog. Over the next four hours the Thirteenth New Hampshire drove back three Confederate charges and held their portion of the line. Around 9:00 A.M. the Thirteenth withdrew from their position to form a new line of battle with their brigade, where the Thirteenth New Hampshire repelled a Confederate charge. The major fighting for the day ceased by 2:30 P.M. Company E of the Thirteenth New Hampshire returned to their regiment encamped at Bermuda Hundred around 10:30 P.M. after a hard day of fighting on the skirmish line. Although the Thirteenth New Hampshire performed well this day, many other units suffered heavily by wounding or capture during the early morning attacks in the fog.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 292-322.

Battle of Drewry Bluff - Day 4

Sunday, May 15, 1864

Union and Confederate armies faced each other behind works all day, securing their defenses. The Thirteenth New Hampshire remained on the picket line, evading bullets and shells in an advanced position.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 291-92.

Battle of Drewry's Bluff - Day 3

Saturday, May 14, 1864

At dawn this morning the Thirteenth New Hampshire attacked the Confederate line, taking a large portion of the Confederate works by 9:00 A.M. In the early afternoon a battery of Union artillery deployed to support the advanced line of the Thirteenth, while the Thirteenth remained in an advanced position on picket duty. The Union artillery fired all afternoon on the remaining Confederate works. In the evening the Thirteenth New Hampshire bivouacked along the picket line.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 284-91.

Battle of Drewry Bluff - Day 2

Friday, May 13, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire skirmished all day in heavy rain along Proctor's Creek, with Companies A, C, and D advancing to the front at 4:00 P.M. The Thirteenth was attacked by the Confederates and lost ground, but soon held their position and pushed the Confederates back. The final result of the day's attack was an advance for the Union. Tonight the Thirteenth New Hampshire bivouacked on the battlefield with little cover from the rain, bullets, and shells.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 281-83.

Battle of Drewry Bluff - Day 1

Thursday, May 12, 1864

At 7:00 this morning the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment advanced along the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad under Confederate gunfire. Forming a line of battle they advanced through swampy terrain to a position overlooking Proctor's Creek by 3:00 P.M. During the night the Thirteenth bivouacked on high ground near the creek. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 278-81.