_Organization of the Regiment.--Assigned to Hard Work.--Brought
under Fire.--Its Bravery.--Battle before Richmond.--Gallantry of the
Sixth.--Officers’ Testimony._
The following sketch of the Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops
was kindly furnished by a gentleman of Philadelphia, but came too late
to appear in its proper place.
The Sixth Regiment United-States colored troops was the second which was
organized at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia, by Lieut.-Col. Louis
Wagner, of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment left
Philadelphia on the 14th of October, 1863, with nearly eight hundred
men, and a full complement of officers, a large majority of whom had
been in active service in the field.
The regiment reported to Major-Gen. B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe,
and were assigned to duty at York-town, Va., and became part of the
brigade (afterwards so favorably known), under the command of Col. S. A.
Duncan, Fourth United-States colored troops. Here they labored upon the
fortifications, and became thoroughly disciplined under the tuition of
their colonel, John W. Ames, formerly captain of the Eleventh Infantry,
United-States Army, ably seconded by Lieut.-Col. Royce and Major Kiddoo.
During the winter, the regiment took a prominent part in the several
raids made in the direction of Richmond, and exhibited qualities that
elicited the praise of their officers, and showed that they could be
fully relied upon in more dangerous work.
The regiment was ordered to Camp Hamilton, Virginia, in May, 1864; where
a division of colored troops was formed, and placed under the command
of Brig.-Gen. Hinks. In the expedition made up the James River the same
month, under Gen. Butler, this division took part. The white troops were
landed at Bermuda Hundreds. Three regiments of colored men were posted
at various points along the river. Duncan’s brigade landed at City
Point, where they immediately commenced fortifications. The Sixth and
Fourth Regiments were soon after removed to Spring Hill, within
five miles of Petersburg. Here they labored night and day upon those
earthworks, which were soon to be the scene of action which was to
become historical. The Sixth was in a short time left alone, by the
removal of the Fourth Regiment to another point.
On the 29th of May, the rebel forces made an assault on the picket-line,
the enemy soon after attacking in strong force, but were unable to drive
back the picketline any considerable distance. The Fourth Regiment was
ordered to the assistance of the Sixth; but our forces were entirely too
weak to make it feasible or prudent to attack the enemy, who withdrew
during the night, having accomplished nothing.
This was the first experience of the men under actual fire, and they
behaved finely. When the outer works around Petersburg were attacked,
June 15, Duncan’s brigade met the rebels, and did good service, driving
the enemy before him. We had a number killed and wounded in this
engagement. The rebels sought shelter in their main works, which were
of the most formidable character. These defences had been erected by the
labor of slaves, detailed for the purpose. Our forces followed them to
their stronghold. The white troops occupied the right; and in order to
attract the attention of the enemy, while these troops were manoeuvring
for a favorable attacking position, the colored soldiers were subject to
a most galling fire for several hours, losing a number of officers and
men. Towards night, the fight commenced in earnest by the troops on the
right, who quickly cleared their portion of the line: this was followed
by the immediate advance of the colored troops, the Fourth, Fifth,
Sixth, and Twenty-second Regiments. In a very short time, the rebels
were driven from the whole line; these regiments capturing seven pieces
of artillery, and a number of prisoners. For their gallantry in this
action, the colored troops received a highly complimentary notice from
Gen. W. H. Smith, in General Orders.
A few hours after entering the rebel works, our soldiers were gladdened
by a sight of the veterans of the Army of the Potomac, who that night
relieved our men at the front. A glance at the strong works gave the
new-comers a better opinion of the fighting qualities of the negroes
than they had calculated upon; and a good feeling was at once
established, that rapidly dispelled most of the prejudices then existing
against the blacks; and from that time to the close of the war the negro
soldier stood high with the white troops.
After spending some time at the Bermuda Hundreds, the Sixth Regiment was
ordered to Dutch Gap, Va., where, on the 16th of August, they assisted
in driving the rebels from Signal Hill; Gen. Butler, in person, leading
our troops. The Sixth Regiment contributed its share towards completing
Butler’s famous canal, during which time they were often very much
annoyed by the rebel shells thrown amongst them. The conduct of the men
throughout these trying scenes reflected great credit upon them. On
the 29th of September, the regiment occupied the advance in the
demonstration made by Butler that day upon Richmond. The first line of
battle was formed by the Fourth and Sixth Regiments: the latter entered
the fight with three hundred and fifteen men, including nineteen
officers.
The enemy were driven back from within two miles of Deep Bottom, to
their works at New-Market Heights: the Sixth was compelled to cross a
small creek, and then an open field. They were met by a fearful fire
from the rebel works, men fell by scores: still the regiment went
forward. The color-bearers, one after another, were killed or wounded,
until the entire color-guard were swept from the field. Two hundred and
nine men, and fourteen officers, were killed and wounded. Few fields of
battle showed greater slaughter than this; and in no conflict did both
officers and men prove themselves more brave. Capts. York and Sheldon
and Lieut. Meyer were killed close to the rebel works. Leuts. Pratt,
Landon, and McEvoy subsequently died of the wounds received. Lieut.
Charles Fields, Company A, was killed on the skirmish line: this
left the company in charge of the first sergeant, Richard Carter, of
Philadelphia, who kept it in its advanced position throughout the day,
commanding with courage and great ability, attracting marked attention
for his officer-like bearing. During the battle many instances of
unsurpassed bravery were shown by the common soldier, which proved that
these heroic men were fighting for the freedom of their race, and the
restoration of a Union that should protect man in his liberty without
regard to color. No regiment did more towards extinguishing prejudice
against the negro than the patriotic Sixth.
“And thus are Afric’s injured sons
The oppressor’s scorn abating,
And to the world’s admiring gaze
Their manhood vindicating.”
The writer regrets that he cannot remember all those whose good conduct
in this our last battle deserves honorable mention. It may not, however,
be invidious to mention the names remembered. These are, Sergt.-Major
Hawkins, Sergt. Jackson, Company B (since deceased); Sergts. Ellesberry,
Kelley, Terry, and Carter All of these, as well as a number of others,
were capable of filling positions as commissioned officers.
Several of the enlisted men received medals for gallantry, and were
mentioned in General Orders by Major-Gen. Butler. The works which the
Sixth Regiment attempted to take at such fearful cost of life were in
a short time taken at the point of the bayonet by another brigade
of colored troops. Had these latter been present to aid in the first
attack, it would have saved many valuable lives; for the force was
entirely too weak for the object. When the Sixth Regiment was finally
paid off at Philadelphia, at the close of the Rebellion, the officers
held a farewell meeting at the Continental Hotel; and the following
resolutions were adopted as expressive of their appreciation of the
conduct of the troops under their command:--
“1. _Resolved_, That, in our intercourse with them during the past two
years, they have shown themselves to be brave, reliable, and efficient
as soldiers; patient to endure, and prompt to execute.
“2. That, being satisfied with their conduct in the high position of
soldiers of the United States, we see no reason why they should not be
fully recognized as equals, honorable and responsible citizens of the
same.”
From the commencement of the enlistment of colored troops, to the
close of the war, there were engaged in active service one hundred and
sixty-nine-thousand six hundred and twenty-four colored men.