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.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, May 12, 2014
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.
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.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Grant's Bold Plan
Wednesday, May 11, 1864
At 8:30 A.M. this morning, from his headquarters near Spotsylvania Court House, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant telegraphed Army Chief of Staff Major General Henry Halleck in Washington, D.C. this directive: "I purpose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." While the Army of the James was fighting near Petersburg Grant was directing the Army of the Potomac near Spotsylvania in severe fighting in the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5 and 6 and at Spottsylvania from May 8. Grant planned to attack the Confederate capital at Richmond in a two-pronged attack.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.
At 8:30 A.M. this morning, from his headquarters near Spotsylvania Court House, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant telegraphed Army Chief of Staff Major General Henry Halleck in Washington, D.C. this directive: "I purpose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." While the Army of the James was fighting near Petersburg Grant was directing the Army of the Potomac near Spotsylvania in severe fighting in the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5 and 6 and at Spottsylvania from May 8. Grant planned to attack the Confederate capital at Richmond in a two-pronged attack.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.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Battle of Swift Creek
Tuesday, May 10, 1864
The Thirteenth New Hampshire was deployed as skirmishers during the two-day battle of Swift Creek. Union General Benjamin Butler's Army of the James advanced upon Petersburg, tearing up the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad from Chester Station to Swift Creek, and was beaten back by the Confederates.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), 263-74.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire was deployed as skirmishers during the two-day battle of Swift Creek. Union General Benjamin Butler's Army of the James advanced upon Petersburg, tearing up the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad from Chester Station to Swift Creek, and was beaten back by the Confederates.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), 263-74.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Clash at Port Walthall
Sunday, May 8, 1864
The Thirteenth New Hampshire departed from their camp at Yorktown on Wednesday, May 4. At 4:00 PM the Thirteenth boarded the steamer "S. R. Spaulding" and sailed to Fortress Monroe. The next morning, at 7:00 A.M. on May 5, they entered the James River, arriving at Bermuda Hundred by early evening. After nightfall the Thirteenth New Hampshire disembarked and bivouacked at Bermuda Hundred. At 6:00 A.M. on May 6 the Thirteenth marched six miles to a spot near Petersburg, making evening camp three miles from Port Walthall and the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. The next morning the Thirteenth New Hampshire exchanged fire with a South Carolina brigade led by Confederate General Johnson Hagood near Port Walthall. The Thirteenth lost only one man during the encounter. Today the Thirteenth rested while the army remained on alert. At 4:00 P.M. the Thirteenth received orders to march in the morning with three 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), 255-62.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire departed from their camp at Yorktown on Wednesday, May 4. At 4:00 PM the Thirteenth boarded the steamer "S. R. Spaulding" and sailed to Fortress Monroe. The next morning, at 7:00 A.M. on May 5, they entered the James River, arriving at Bermuda Hundred by early evening. After nightfall the Thirteenth New Hampshire disembarked and bivouacked at Bermuda Hundred. At 6:00 A.M. on May 6 the Thirteenth marched six miles to a spot near Petersburg, making evening camp three miles from Port Walthall and the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. The next morning the Thirteenth New Hampshire exchanged fire with a South Carolina brigade led by Confederate General Johnson Hagood near Port Walthall. The Thirteenth lost only one man during the encounter. Today the Thirteenth rested while the army remained on alert. At 4:00 P.M. the Thirteenth received orders to march in the morning with three 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), 255-62.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Grant Organizes His Armies
Sunday, May 1, 1864
The Thirteenth New Hampshire remained in camp at Yorktown all week. Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant has reorganized the Union Army into three major wings: Grant's former command, the Army of the Southwest; the Army of the James, under Major General Benjamin Butler; and the Army of the Potomac, under Major General George Meade. The Thirteenth New Hampshire was in the Second Brigade of the First Division of the Eighteenth Corps of the Army of the James, under the command of Brigadier General Hiram Burnham. The Eighteenth Corps was commanded by Major General William Farrar Smith. The capture of Richmond was the objective of the Army of the James and the Army of the Potomac in Grant's Overland Campaign. Today the usual regimen of inspection and dress parade was suspended. At 5:00 P.M. the Thirteenth received orders for four days cooked rations and 100 rounds of ammunition per man, indicating an imminent departure for battle. Baggage for officers was reduced to one valise per two officers.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), 252-55.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire remained in camp at Yorktown all week. Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant has reorganized the Union Army into three major wings: Grant's former command, the Army of the Southwest; the Army of the James, under Major General Benjamin Butler; and the Army of the Potomac, under Major General George Meade. The Thirteenth New Hampshire was in the Second Brigade of the First Division of the Eighteenth Corps of the Army of the James, under the command of Brigadier General Hiram Burnham. The Eighteenth Corps was commanded by Major General William Farrar Smith. The capture of Richmond was the objective of the Army of the James and the Army of the Potomac in Grant's Overland Campaign. Today the usual regimen of inspection and dress parade was suspended. At 5:00 P.M. the Thirteenth received orders for four days cooked rations and 100 rounds of ammunition per man, indicating an imminent departure for battle. Baggage for officers was reduced to one valise per two officers.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), 252-55.
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