Answering the "Long Roll" Call to Arms

Sunday, April 17, 1864

On Tuesday at 11:00 P.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire responded to the "Long Roll," a call to arms or to battle, by marching from Camp Gilmore to Suffolk and lying on their arms all night. On Wednesday the Thirteenth deployed pickets at Suffolk and on Thursday marched along the Nansemond River to their old camp of May 1863 at Jericho Creek. Early Friday morning the Thirteenth boarded railroad cars for the return to Camp Gilmore. The event was designated a reconnaissance for cavalry with support of the infantry. Today the true reason for the reconnaissance was revealed, as the Thirteenth received orders to march in the morning with three-days rations for the beginning of the Spring Campaign of 1864. 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), 247-49.

Skirmishes at Suffolk

Sunday, March 13, 1864

The men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire were rushed to Bowers Hill on Wednesday in response to skirmishes along the front near Suffolk, where nearly twenty cavalrymen were killed. The skirmishes were diversions to cover the Confederate retreat from Suffolk. After three days at Bowers Hill the Thirteenth New Hampshire returned to Camp Gilmore.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), 239-41.

Funeral of Captain Lewis Buzzell in Barrington

Sunday, May 17, 1863

Nearly one-thousand people attended the funeral of Captain Lewis Buzzell at 2:00 P.M. in Barrington, New Hampshire. Freewill Baptist Minister Enoch Hayes Place officiated at the funeral and recorded the sad event in his journal:

The procession led by the Strafford Guards was nearly one mile in extent. He was interred in his father’s cemetery, and three volleys discharged by the guards over the grave ... [Captain Buzzell's sword] lay on his coffin, with his bible and hymn book, coffin plate, and two miniatures of the deceased. The coffin was shrouded in a flag of the glorious Union. ¹

References:
¹William E. Wentworth, Journals of Enoch Hayes Place, 2 vols. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society and New Hampshire Society of Genealogists, 1998), 2:1615.

Farewell to Suffolk

Thursday, May 14, 1863

At 9:00 A.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire broke camp at Suffolk and marched nine miles east along the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad to Bowers Hill.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), 159.

Captain Buzzell Sent Home For Burial

Sunday, May 10, 1863

The body of Captain Lewis Buzzell of Company F was disinterred and embalmed for transport for burial in his home town of Barrington, New Hampshire. The regimental band played for the procession as it moved to the railroad station nearly three miles from camp.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), 157.

Nathaniel's Story - In Memorium

Tuesday, May 5, 1863

Nathaniel Caverly Jr. died from wounds received on May 3. He was originally interred at Suffolk but in 1866 was re-interred at Hampton National Cemetery.¹

References:
¹Compiled service record, Nathaniel Caverly, Pvt., Co. F, 13th New Hampshire Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Burial of Captain Lewis Buzzell

Tuesday, May 5, 1863

Captain Lewis Buzzell of Company F was buried by his men in the woods near camp in Suffolk. He was held in high esteem by his regiment and would be greatly missed.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), 153, 157.

Aftermath of Battle

Monday, May 4, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment rested in camp after their long day in battle on Sunday. Five soldiers of the Thirteenth who hid during the charge were publicly disciplined in camp. Praise for the bravery of the Thirteenth New Hampshire acclaimed by many officers in their division.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), 152-53.

Battle of Providence Church Road

Sunday, May 3, 1863

At 6:00 A.M .the Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment marches toward Suffolk with Colonel Aaron Stevens in command. At 9:00 A.M. the Thirteenth crosses the Nansemond River in support of the 89th New York, the 103rd New York, and the 25th New Jersey regiments. The Thirteenth New Hampshire takes position in a line of battle along a field near the ruins of Captain Nathaniel Pruden’s house. The Confederates formed a line in the woods nearly 500 yards across the field. At 1:00 P.M. the order to charge is given. The Thirteenth New Hampshire charges gallantly across the open fields into the woods. At about 1:15 P.M. the Confederates are in full retreat and the rifle pits are taken. The Thirteenth New Hampshire continued into the woods for nearly two hours. Rapid gunfire from sharpshooters exploded from the dense brush. Captain Lewis Buzzell of Company F and others were shot; Captain Buzzell was shot through the heart and died instantly. The Thirteenth New Hampshire retreated with their dead and wounded and reached camp at 10 P.M. The casualties for the Thirteenth New Hampshire were four killed and nineteen wounded, with the largest number of casualties occurring during the charge. Among the mortally wounded was Nathaniel Caverly Jr. The Thirteenth was wisely praised for their gallantry in their charge. General Longstreet withdrew from Suffolk later in the day and reached the main body of the Confederate Army on May 9.¹

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), 139-52.

Orders to March

Saturday, May 2, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire received orders to march at 3:00 A.M. on the following morning with two days rations.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), 138-39.

Camp along the Nansemond River

Friday, May 1, 1863

After spending most of their week reinforcing earthworks and rifle pits the Thirteenth New Hampshire formed a new camp along the Nansemond River. Upon forming camp the Thirteenth received badly-needed shelter tents and are ordered to send excess personal baggage home or to Fortress Monroe.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), 135-38.

Back to the Nansemond River

Sunday, April 26, 1863

In the morning the Thirteenth New Hampshire engaged in inspection and dress parade in camp. Later in the day the regiment attended religious services. At 9:00 P.M. General John Peck ordered the Thirteenth back to the Nansemond River, where they spent the entire evening digging rifle pits.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), 134-36.

Thirteenth Returns to Camp in Suffolk

Wednesday, April 22, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire returned to their former camp near Suffolk, ending thirteen days and twelve nights of constant picket duty in rifle pits along the Nansemond River. The strains of picket duty for nearly two weeks necessitated rest for the regiment. The Thirteenth New Hampshire received news of transfer to General Edward Harland's brigade.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), 131-34.

The Siege Continues

Sunday, April 19, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire spent a long and hard week of incessant picket duty in rifle pits, chopping wood for bridges and digging ditches for earthworks. The Thirteenth remained in position along their picket post in rifle pits along the Nansemond River near Jericho Point, two miles south of Suffolk.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), 127-32.

First Action at Suffolk

Sunday, April 12, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire was hard at work digging ditches and earthworks in preparation for a siege by Confederate forces under General James Longstreet. Today the Ninth Corps formed a line of battle along the Nansemond River, nearly three miles south of Suffolk. The Confederates were entrenched in a large force near the Petersburg Railroad to protect their supply lines. The Thirteenth New Hampshire spent the evening on picket duty and the regiment was at arms during the night.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), 123-27.

Severe Weather

Sunday, April 5, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire spent most of their week in shelter or in tents, as stormy weather brought rain, snow, and wind to their camp. On Friday a late-season snowstorm deposited nearly six inches of snow. Some men were needed for picket duty, and the extreme weather heightened the difficulty of their tasks. This evening the Thirteenth took part in a dress parade.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), 122-23.

Hard at Work

Sunday, March 29, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire was hard at work in Suffolk, helping to secure buildings and bridges around camp. Drills, guard duty, and picket duty were part of their daily routine. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire took part in a morning inspection and an afternoon dress parade. The men of the Thirteenth also attended religious services at an Episcopal church in Suffolk.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), 120-22.

First Week at Suffolk

Sunday, March 22, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire settled into their first week of camp at Suffolk, enduring cold and stormy weather under shelter tents. On Friday a snowstorm raged through Suffolk, depositing six inches of snow. Today the Thirteenth heard gunfire near their camp and several Confederate prisoners were brought into camp.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), 118-20.

Army of Suffolk

Sunday, March 15, 1863

On Friday The Thirteenth New Hampshire left camp at Newport News and embarked on the steamer "Croton" bound for Norfolk. A Confederate corps under the command of General James Longstreet threatened the Union lines near Suffolk. General Longstreet's mission was to guard the railway supply lines of the Confederate army. After disembarking the "Croton" the Thirteenth New Hampshire marched to Suffolk and set up a new camp. General Getty's Third Division of the Ninth Corps, of which the Thirteenth New Hampshire was a part, was now known as the "Army of Suffolk."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), 117-18.