the rest of the corps, to advance to Proctor’s Creek, near Drury’s Bluff, at which place we arrived after little skirmishing. We halted near the edge of a piece of woods, expecting to remain but a short time; but Gen. Butler ordered the Quartermasters to bring up all camp equipage and establish our camps there before commencing operations still farther in advance. We knew, however, that we could not advance very much farther except by bringing on a general engagement, as the enemy were strongly entrenched a short distance from us, as we could see them working on their batteries every day. The evening of the 15th the Sixth occupied the extreme front at the center of the line, on picket. The night passed with but little firing on either side. Just before daylight, while a thick fog prevailed, the rebels massed their forces and made a very determined dash in our front, charging upon us furiously, shouting with that peculiar yell so characteristic of the Johnnies. We knew they outnumbered us, and to stand alone as a picket line would be of no avail; yet we emptied our rifles at them several times and fell slowly back upon the reserve. They proved too strong for our corps and it gave way gradually. We did not “retreat,” but “changed front to the rear,” and contested every foot of ground; but the enemy knowing our strength, forced us back slowly but surely. The turnpike being the safest ground to pass over, was besieged by
the troops; ambulances carrying the wounded, negro men and women, rebel prisoners and Union soldiers filled the roadway, while heads of staff were busy issuing orders to the different regiments to form here and there to check the rebel advance. One regiment would file in a piece of woods; another made a stand in a ravine, while our batteries limbered up to get a better position and the whole force resisted bravely the attack. We were forced back about six miles, and, as night came on, the battle ended.
The loss on our side was much larger than that of the rebels. The Sixth suffered severely, considering the numbers engaged: seven killed and fifty-three wounded. Among the wounded were Lieut. Col. Meeker, Captains Charles H. Nichols and John N. Tracy, Lieutenants Bennett S. Lewis, Charles J. Buckbee and Norman Provost. Capt. Horatio D. Eaton, of Hartford, was killed while encouraging his men forward. He served through the three months campaign and afterwards went out as lieutenant of the Sixth. He was greatly beloved at home by a large circle of friends, and possessed the esteem of the regiment. Capt. Biebel and twenty others were captured by the enemy.
The day after this battle the men of the Sixth who had re-enlisted came back from their furlough and reported for duty, but found our position rather warmer than they anticipated,--quite unlike the
scenes they had just left at the North. We threw up entrenchments every night, working till morning dawned, and the Johnnies were unceasing in their efforts to dislodge us, many of the men being wounded while at work. The picket line was relieved always at night, and we were invariably shelled while going on that duty. After being posted on the lines things generally quieted down, as the distance between the rebel and Union pickets was often less than three rods. Conversation was kept up and exchanges of newspapers frequently took place, as well as the usual exchange of “terbacker” for coffee.
The old Sixth was again engaged on the 20th of May with the enemy; the Johnnies fought stubbornly and seemed determined on driving us back. We held our ground, but made no advance. After about four hours they were repulsed and fell back. Lieut. Bradley and two privates were mortally wounded, and died soon after being brought into camp. Thirty-two of the regiment were wounded and one missing. Thus the ranks of the Sixth were constantly reduced by these frequent skirmishes, and duty fell pretty severe upon those who were able to perform it. Scarcely an hour passed, day or night, without being shelled by the enemy, and rest seemed out of the question. The pale faces and haggard looks of the men told too plainly what they endured. Yet few reproached the cause in which they were engaged.
There is very little poetry and a good deal of hard work in an active campaign.
Col. Redfield Duryee resigned his commission on the 27th of May, as failing health, it is said, incapacitated him for active service in the field. The captain of the 1st Connecticut Battery, Alfred P. Rockwell, was chosen to fill the place. Col. Rockwell was brave and fearless, and held in esteem by the members of the Sixth.
The 2nd of June the enemy again tried to force our lines and did drive back some portion of the 3d New Hampshire, but they were repulsed and the line regained. The artillery duel on both sides waged hot for a few hours, and it was difficult to determine which would come out best in the end. One rebel colonel was killed and brought within our lines, and a lieutenant and twenty-six men deserted to us, being, as they said, tired of the war. The loss to the Sixth was only three wounded.
Part of the command, including the Sixth, were sent across the Appomatox River on the 9th of June, to engage the enemy at a certain point, while the cavalry destroyed a railroad. We came upon the outposts of the enemy, drove them in, were subjected to a severe shelling, but with slight loss on our side. The cavalry, it was said, accomplished its object, and the next day found us back to our old line of works. One morning the videttes reported that the