6th Infantry Regiment New Hampshire

Organization: 27 Nov 1861            Muster Date: 17 Jul 1865               Strength: 2,455 men

Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 10 

Officers Died of Disease or Accident: 3

Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded: 177 

Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 228

The 6th was involved in 21 engagements.

The highest casualties came at Second Bull Run -66, Spottsylvania -14, Fredericksburg -13.

                              (Photo: 6th Infantry Regimental Color Guard)

Twenty-five Newmarket Soldiers

AVERILL, John  -(AKA  John Cleaves) enlisted 29 Oct 1861 at age 18 from Newmarket as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  He was born in Kennebunk.  Mustering in on 27 Nov 1861.  He reenlisted and mustered in on 3 Jan 1864; was appointed Sergeant on 10 Jun 1865, and mustered out 17 July 1865.

BARRETT, John enlisted 13 Nov 1861 at age 27 as a Private in Company C. Mustered in 27 Nov 1861.  Received a Disability Discharge on 24 Jun 1862 at New Berne, NC.

BASSETT, David enlisted 29 Oct 1861 at age 23 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Received a Disability Discharge 16 mar 1863 at Baltimore, MD.  He was born in Effingham, resided and credited to Newmarket, with a PO Address of York Beach, ME. The Town directory of 1872 lists him as a shoemaker, residing on Loversland Road. (A)

BATES, Isaac enlisted 9 Nov 1861 at age 25 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Received a Disability Discharge 3 Dec 1862 at Alexandria, VA.  He was born in Ireland, resided in and credited to Newmarket. (A)

BROOKS, James P.- enlisted 27 Nov 1861 at age 24 as a 2nd Lieutenant, Company C, 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant on 29 Apr 1862.  Wounded and Received a Disability Discharge on31 Oct 1862. He was born, resided in, and credited to Newmarket. He re-enlisted 10 Mar 1864 and mustered in 6 Apr 1864 at age 26 as a Private in Company K, 57th Massachussetts Infantry for 3 yrs (although born and residing in Newmarket, he was credited to Boston).  Wounded and died of wounds  14 Jul 1864 in Alexandria, VA.

 BRYANT, William H.  – (AKA Henry W.) enlisted 12 Oct 1861 at age 21 as a Private in Company I, 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 11 Dec 1861.  Drowned 13 Aug 1862  by foundering of steamer “West Point” in the Potomac River.  He was born in NH and resided in Newmarket.

BURK, Peter – Substitute . Unas’d 6th Infantry. b. Manchester, Eng.; age 20; cred. Newmarket; enl. May 17, ‘64; must. in May 17, ‘64, as Priv. N.f.r.A.G.O.

 CASWELL, John C. - enlisted 10 Oct 1861 at age 19 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861.  Died of Disease 4 Apr 1862 at Roanoke Island, NC. Born in Strafford, NH and resided and credited to Newmarket.Also involved State Service.

CASWELL, Timothy enlisted 10 Oct 1861 at age 35 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 37 Nov 1861. Wounded and Missing In Action 29 Aug 1862 at Battle of Bull Run, VA.  Gd from mis. And received a Disability Discharge 30 Dec 1863 at Portsmouth Grove, RI.  He was born in Northwood, resided in and credited to Newmarket Enlisted in Company I, 13th Regiment US Veteran Reserve Corps on 17 Nov 1865. (credited to Garder, MA)  Discharged 17 Nov 1865.

CASWELL, Willard W.  (aka William) —enlisted 19 Oct 1861 at age 32 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Wounded 20 Aug 1862 at Battle of Bull Run, VA, and again during a mine explosion 30 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.  Mustered out 28 Nov 1864 with a PO Address of Northwood. He was born in Northwood 31 Aug 1829, resided in and credited to Newmarket.  He died 12 Sep 1911.

COGSWELL, Francis – Substitute , born New Hampshire, enlisted  and mustered in 17 May 1864 as a Private at age 21 in Company I, 6th Infantry; credited to Newmarket.  Discharged to date July 17, ‘65

 ELLISON, George W. enlisted 12 Jul 1861 at age 19 as a Private in Company H, 6th Infantry. Mustered in 7 Dec 1861.  Killed In Action 29 Aug 1862 at 2nd Battle of Bull Run.  Born about1842 to Alexander and Abigail Ellison of Newmarket.  The 1860 census has him living with his sisters Eliza and Martha and his 8 yr old brother HUCKINS, William enlisted 21 Oct 1861 at age 27 as a Private in Company A. Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Died of Disease 19 Jan 1862 at Annapolis, MD.

HUCKINS, Warren  (HUCKINS, William H.) —enlisted 4 Nov 1861 at age 18 as a Private in Company C, 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861.   Re-enlisted and mustered in 1 Feb 1864.  Wounded 5 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA. Transferred to Company 168, 2nd Battn Regiment US Veteran Reserve Corps .  Discharged 9 Jun 1865 at Concord, NH. Born and resided Newmarket

KNOWLTON, Andrew enlisted 18 Oct 1861 at age 22 as a Private in Company C. Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Deserted 12 Aug 1862.

LEATHERS, Stephen — enlisted 28 Oct 1861 at age 38 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry. Mustered in 27 Nov 1861.  Received a Disability Discharge on 20 Sep 1862 at Washington,

DC.  Enlisted in Company A, 13th Regiment US Veterans Reserve Corp on 29 Dec 1863.  Discharged from Company A 17 Nov 1865 at Galloup’s Island, Boston, MA.  He was born in Madbury, and resided in Newmarket.

MILES, Robert enlisted 3 Oct 1861 at age 19 as a Private in Company C.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861.  Received a Disability Discharge on 4 Mar 1862 at Roanoke Island, NC.

MORRILL, William F — enlisted  3 Oct 1861 at age 29 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Received a Disability Discharge on 28 Apr 1862 at Portsmouth Grove, RI.. The Town directory of 1872 lists him as employed by NMCo. Living on Spring Street.

QUIMBY, Jacob H. —enlisted 8 Oct 1861 at age 24 as a Private in Company C, 6th Infantry. Mustered in 27 Nov 1861.  Killed In Action on 29 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run.  He was born in South York, Me, resided in Newmarket.

ROLLINS, George H. Co. C; 6th Infantry  b. Lee; age 43; res. Newmarket; enl. Oct. 22, ‘61; must. in Nov. 27, ‘61, as Priv.; entered Casparis Gen. Hosp., D.C., Aug. 15, ‘62; deserted  1 Oct 1862.

SANBORN, Benjamin F. —enlisted 21 Oct 1861 at age 35 as a Private in Company C., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Transferred to Company H, 17th Infantry Regiment US Veteran Reserve Corps 14 Jan 1864. Mustered out 26 Nov 1864 at Indianapolis, IN. He was born in New Salisbury, NH, resided in Newmarket; held PO Box address in Barrington.

SPEAD, Oliver enlisted 31 Oct 1861 at age 18 as a Private in Company I. Mustered 28 Nov 1861. Promoted to Full Coporal. Died of Disease on 20 Feb 1862 at Hatteras Inlet, NC.

STEVENS, Andrew  J – enlisted and mustered in 21 Oct 1861 at age 21 as a Private in Company I, 6th Infantry.  Promoted to Full Corporal, and to Full Sergeant.  Died of Disease 4 Feb 1865 at Anapolis.  He was a listed resident of Durham at his enlistment but had multiple Newmarket connections.

VALLEY, Franklin enlisted 7 Dec 1861 at age 19 as a Private in Company H., 6th Infantry.  Mustered in 7 Dec 1861. Wounded 29 Aug 1862 at Battle of Bull Run, VA.  Received a Disablity Discharge on 11 Nov 1863 at Louisville, KY.  He was born in Dover, and resided in Newmarket.

WENTWORTH, Jacob enlisted 27 Sep 1861 at age 22 as a Private in Company E, 2ndInfantry Regiment. Mustered in 27 Sep 1861.  Enlisted in Company C, 6thInfantry Regiment on 27 Nov 1861. Deserted from Company C on 13 Dec 1864.

WILEY, Charles enlisted 21 Oct 1861 at age 33 as  Corporal in Company C. Mustered in 27 Nov 1861. Promoted to Full Sergeant.  Died of Disease as a Prisoner of War 23 Dec 1864 at Salisbury, NC.

Regimental History  SIXTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

THE Sixth Regiment was organized at Keene, in November, 1861, the men coming from all parts of the State. On the 25th of December the regiment left Keene, and proceeded  to Washington, where it arrived at 4 P. M., on the 28th, and was assigned to Casey’s Provisional Brigade at Bladensburg, Md.

On the 6th of January the regiment started for Annapolis, Md., to join Burnside’s expedition to North Carolina.  On the 19th of April, General Reno, with four regiments and a battery, moved on Camden, N. C., and met the enemy about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and a sharp fight ensued.  The Sixth, by its handsome behavior here, won complimentary notice in orders.

(Photo: 1st Battle at Bull Run)

Battle at At Bull Run on the afternoon of the 28th the First Brigade was ordered to attack the enemy  who were posted in the woods. The Sixth with the Second Maryland on its right, made a gallant attack. However,  the Forty-Eighth Pennsylvania, on its left, fell behind, and the Sixth being exposed to a murderous fire on its left flank, was compelled to fall back. 

This battle was the most disastrous to the regiment of any in which it participated, two hundred and ten being killed, wounded, or missing out of four hundred and fifty officers and men who went into the fight.  On the next day the Sixth with its brigade acted as a support to the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the corps. The night of the 30th the Ninth Corps covered the retreat of Pope’s army. About 6 P. M., September 1, the enemy attacked the corps near Chantilly, Va., and the Sixth being brought into the fight, was engaged until dark, when the enemy withdrew.

The army then fell back to the defenses of Washington; and here the Sixth remained until the 7th of September, when, with its corps, it moved; and passing through Frederick. Md., was at South Mountain on the 14th, being used with its division as a support.  At Antietam on the 17th, the Sixth was again engaged, taking part in a charge made to take the “stone bridge” (afterwards known as “Burnside’s bridge”), on Antietam creek.

(Photo: The  Washington Elite —some showed up as early as 3 am outside Antientam to tailgate in their coach-and-fours, drink champagne, and grill cucumber sandwiches.

A few days later the regiment marched to Pleasant Valley, Md., remained until October 27, when the army left Pleasant Valley, crossed the Potomac by pontoon bridges at Berlin, and

took up a line of march along the valley east of the Blue Ridge, with Richmond for its objective point.  The regiment was now, with its division, in the advance of the army; and on the 14th of November, being a part of the advance picket line, skirmished at Amissville. At Warrenton (or White  Sulphur) Springs, November 15th, the regiment was lightly engaged.

On the 19th of November the regiment arrived at Falmouth in front of Fredericksburg, and camped north of the Phillips house until December 12, when it marched into Fredericksburg. At about 1 P. M., the next day, the Sixth, with its brigade, advanced to assault the enemy’s works on Marye’s Heights, and was engaged until dark. On the 15th it returned to its former camp-ground at Falmouth, and remained until it was sent to Newport News.

Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th, and the Sixth immediately started with the army in pursuit of the enemy under General Johnston. The rebels made a stand at Jackson, Miss., and here the Sixth was engaged from the 10th to the 17th, when it was discovered that Johnston had evacuated the city. On the 20th the army began its return march, and three days afterward the Sixth reached its old camp at Milldale.

On the 9th of September the Sixth was sent to Frankfort, Russellville, and Camp Nelson to do provost duty.  During this time, many of the men re-enlisted, and on January 16, 1864, the re-enlisted men left for New Hampshire to spend the furlough of thirty days granted by terms of re-enlistment.  They were afterwards re-furloughed, and did not leave the State until the 18th of March, when they proceeded to Annapolis, Md., to join the Ninth Corps, then re-assembling at that place. The remainder of the regiment joined, and -the Sixth was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, April 20.

On the 23d of April the regiment marched with its corps to join the Army of the Potomac, reaching it in time to take part in the battle of the Wilderness on the 6th of May, where, with the Second Brigade, it made an heroic charge, capturing a large number of prisoners.  From the 8th to the 20th, the Sixth was at Spottsylvania, being severely engaged on the 12th and 18th. The army moved on the night of the 26th, towards Totopotomoy creek, where the Sixth was engaged on the 30th and 31st.

June 2 and 3 the regiment was engaged near Bethesda Church, and from the 4th to the 12th, was under fire at Cold Harbor. On the night of the 12th the army withdrew, and at Noon of the 16th the Ninth Corps arrived in front of Petersburg. Here the regiment was constantly under fire until the 20th of August, taking part in the assault following the explosion of the “Mine” on the 30th of July. August 20 the corps withdrew and moved to the Weldon Railroad. Here on the 20th and 21st, the Sixth assisted in repelling two desperate attacks made by the rebels. A new line of intrenchments was thrown up, connecting with those formerly held, and the regiment remained here under fire until September 30.

(Photo: Seige of Petersburg)

On the 30th of September and the day following, the Sixth was engaged near Poplar Springs Church, about one hundred and twenty-five officers and men being killed, wounded, or captured. Works were thrown up, and the regiment remained here until early in December, participating without loss in the engagement at Hatcher’s Run, on the 27th of October.

(Photo: Federal troops entering the city after the Seige of Petersburg)

Early in December the corps returned to its original position in front of Petersburg, the Sixth lying in rear of Fort Alexander Hays until April 1, 1865. While here the regiment took part in a reconnoissance to Nottoway Court House, December 10,11, and 12,1864.  On the night of April 1, 1865, the Sixth, with its brigade, made a successful attack on the enemy’s works to the left of Fort Davis, and on the morning of the 2d participated in a second successful attack near Fort Sedgwick.

From Petersburg the regiment marched in pursuit of Lee’s army until mustering out on the 17th of July. On the 18th of July the regiment left Alexandria, and proceeded by rail to New York, thence by boat to Norwich, and arrived at Concord, July 23.  The regiment during its term of service served seventeen different states; meeting all the requisitions of duty, however onerous or perilous, with cheerful and ready efficiency. While it is not asserted that the Sixth was the best regiment sent out from New Hampshire, the claim may be made, and can be maintained, that it was equal to the best.

The Sixth New Hampshire Volunteers was attached to General Casey’s Provisional Brigade, near Washington, D. C., December 28, 1861; General Burnside’s Expedition to North Carolina, January 6, 1862; Fourth Brigade, Department of North Carolina, March 6, 1862; First Brigade, First Division, Department of North Carolina, June, 1862; First Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, July 22, 1862; District of Kentucky, Department of Ohio, September 9, 1863; on Veteran Furlough, January 16, 1864; in Ninth Army Corps, unassigned, March, 1864; Second Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, April 20, 1864.

 ENGAGEMENTS

Camden, N.C. Apr. 19, 1862

Bull Run, Va. Aug. 29, 30, 1862

Chantilly, Va. Sept. 1, 1862

South Mountain, Md. Sept. 14, 1862

Antietam, Md. Sept. 17, 1862

White Sulphur Springs, Va. Nov. 15, 1862

Fredericksburg, Va. Dec. 13, 1862

Siege of Vicksburg, Miss. June 14 to July 4, 1863

Jackson, Miss. July 10-16, 1863

Wilderness, Va. May 6, 1864

Spottsylvania, Va. May 8-20, 1864

North Anna River, Va. May 23-26, 1864

Totopotomoy, Va. May 30,31, 1864

Bethesda Church, Va. June 2,3, 1864

Cold Harbor, Va. June 4-12, 1864

Siege of Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864 to Apr 3, 1865

Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va.

(assault) July 30, 1864

Weldon Railroad, Va. Aug. 20-22, 1864

Poplar Springs Church, Va. Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 1864

Hatcher’s Run, Va. Oct. 27, 1864

Petersburg, Va. Apr. 1, 2, 1865

 (Source: New Hampshire Soldiers & Sailors War of the Rebellion, Ayling)

 Battles Fought

Fought on 15 Jan 1862.

Fought on 10 Apr 1862 at Roanoke Island, NC.

Fought on 19 Apr 1862 at Camden, NC.

Fought on 21 Jul 1862 at New Berne, NC.

Fought on 29 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.

Fought on 30 Aug 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.

Fought on 1 Sep 1862 at Chantilly, VA.

Fought on 15 Sep 1862.

Fought on 17 Sep 1862 at Antietam, MD.

Fought on 15 Nov 1862 at White Sulphur Springs, VA.

Fought on 13 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.

Fought on 12 Jan 1864 at Covington, KY.

Fought on 16 Jan 1864.

Fought on 8 Apr 1864.

Fought on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.

Fought on 9 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 10 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 11 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 13 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 15 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 16 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 18 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

Fought on 22 May 1864.

Fought on 24 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.

Fought on 26 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.

Fought on 28 May 1864 at Totopotomoy Creek, VA.

Fought on 29 May 1864.

Fought on 31 May 1864 at Totopotomoy Creek, VA.

Fought on 3 Jun 1864 at Bethesda Church, VA.

Fought on 5 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.

Fought on 7 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.

Fought on 8 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.

Fought on 9 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.

Fought on 16 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 17 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 18 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 19 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 20 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 21 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 22 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 23 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 24 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 25 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 26 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 26 Jun 1864.

Fought on 27 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 28 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 2 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 3 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 5 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 6 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 7 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 8 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 10 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 11 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 12 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 14 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 15 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 16 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 17 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 18 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 19 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 20 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 21 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 22 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 24 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 25 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 26 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 27 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 28 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 30 Jul 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 10 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 18 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.

Fought on 22 Aug 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA.

Fought on 30 Sep 1864 at Poplar Springs Church, VA.

Fought on 1 Oct 1864 at Poplar Springs Church, VA.

Fought on 6 Feb 1865.

Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Petersburg, VA.

SOURCE: exerpts taken from  Regiment historian LYMAN JACKMAN’s Sixth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry