History of the 6th U.S. Inf.

December 31 found the headquarters at St. Louis, Mo.; Company D at Jefferson Barracks; Companies A, E and K, at Fort Snelling; B and F at Fort Crawford; C at Fort Atkinson; G and I at Fort Leavenworth, and H at Fort Scott.

On Oct. 1, 1849, Lieut. Winfield S. Hancock was appointed adjutant of the regiment.

The headquarters in October were at Fort Snelling, but returned to St. Louis by Dec. 31, and on May 1, 1851, moved to Jefferson Barracks.

The companies, scattered over the frontier in garrison and in the field and changing from post to post, were stationed during the period from 1851 to 1858, from time to time, at Jefferson Barracks, Forts Gaines, Scott, Snelling, Kearney, Laramie, Atkinson, Dodge, Leavenworth, Riley, Ridgely and Pierre.

On Aug. 29, 1854, Brevet 2d Lieut. J. L. Grattan, 6^th Infantry, and thirty men of Company G were killed by Indians near Fort Laramie. The affair is known as the “Grattan Massacre.” A party of Mormons en route to Salt Lake City having officially reported to the commanding officer of Fort Laramie that the Sioux had stolen one of their cows and refused to give it up, Lieutenant Grattan was sent with thirty men of Company G and a mountain howitzer to demand restoration of the stolen property. This was the last seen of Grattan and his men alive, and the facts of the massacre as related have been gathered from statements of the Indians. Having reached his destination Lieutenant Grattan made his demand upon the Indians, and then despite their warning trained his howitzer upon them and prepared to fire. The Indians, watching the pulling of the lanyard, avoided the shot by falling to the ground as the piece was discharged, and rushing upon the troops overpowered them and killed every man.

On July 20, 1855, the headquarters were moved from Jefferson Barracks to St. Louis.

On Sept. 3 a battalion of the regiment composed of Companies A, E, H, I and K, under the command of Major Albemarle Cady, took part in the affair with the Sioux on the Blue Water, known as the battle of Ash Hollow.

Writing to the Adjutant-General from his camp on Blue Water Creek, N. T., under date of September, 1855, General Harney says:

“At half past four o’clock, A. M., I left my camp with Companies A, E, H, I and K, 6^th Infantry, under the immediate command of Major Cady of that regiment, and proceeded toward the principal village of the Brules with a view to attacking it openly, in concert with a surprise contemplated through the cavalry. * * *
”The results of the affair were eighty-six killed, five wounded, about seventy women and children captured, fifty mules and ponies taken, besides an indefinite number killed and disabled. The amount of provisions and camp equipage must have comprised nearly all the enemy possessed, for teams have been constantly engaged in bringing into camp everything of value to the troops, and much has been destroyed on the ground.
The casualties of the command amount to four killed, four severely wounded, and one missing, supposed to be killed or captured by the enemy. * * *
With regard to the officers and troops of my command I have never seen a finer military spirit displayed generally ; and if there has been any material difference in the services they have rendered, it must be measured chiefly by the opportunity they had for distinction.
”Lieutenant Colonel Cook and Major Cady, commanders of the mounted and foot forces, respectively, carried out my instructions to them with signal alacrity, zeal, and intelligence.
”The company commanders whose position, either in the engagement or in the pursuit, brought them in closest contact with the enemy, were Captain Todd of the 6^th Infantry, Captain Steele and Lieutenant Robertson of the 2d Dragoons, and Captain Heath, 10^th Infantry. * * *
”Brevet Major Woods, Captain Wharton, and Lieutenant Patterson, of the 6^th Infantry, with their companies, rendered effective service as reserves and supports, taking an active share in the combat when circumstances would permit.” * * *

Thus Grattan and his men were avenged by their comrades of the Sixth.

General Clarke was relieved from the command of the Department of the West July 1, 1856, and the headquarters of the regiment moved to Jefferson Barracks. They were at Fort Leavenworth Oct. 11^th, and on the 14^th were at Lecompton, K. T., but by Nov. 25 were again at Fort Leavenworth.

During July and August, 1857, Companies C, D and G, Captain William S. Ketchum commanding, took an active part in the expedition against the Cheyennes commanded by Colonel Sumner, 1^st Cavalry, experiencing unusual hardships. On July 6, with six companies of cavalry and four mountain howitzers, with pack mules for transportation, they crossed the Platte River, and proceeded in the direction of the Republican and South Fork. On the 29^th the cavalry in advance met a body of some four hundred Indians, and an engagement occurred in which the mounted troops had one killed and seven wounded.

After this affair Company C (Captain R. W. Foote and Lieut. John McCleary) remained with the wounded, sick and disabled, and threw up a. breast-work called Fort Floyd.

Companies D and G, Captain William S. Ketchum, 1^st Lieutenant William P. Carlin, and 2d Lieutenant Orlando H. Moore, marched with the command in pursuit of the Indians.

The duty required of the companies of the regiment on this campaign, in keeping up and coöperating with the cavalry, was especially trying in its forced marches and deprivations. Companies C and D in returning suffered particularly. The former left Fort Floyd on August 8, after having been constantly harassed by the Indians, and finally reached Fort Kearney about the 21^st, much wearied and broken down, having been out of rations some eighteen days. From August 2d to the 19^th Company D had nothing but fresh beef for food, the rations with this exception having become exhausted. The men suffered much, and many were bare-footed, and otherwise destitute of clothing.

In January, 1858, the headquarters, with Companies A, D, E, G, H and K, were at Camp Bateman near Fort Leavenworth, Companies B and C were at Fort Laramie, F at Fort Riley, and I at Fort Kearney.

The Sixth was now preparing for its grand march across the continent from Fort Leavenworth to the Pacific Ocean.

The movement began on March 18, when Companies E and H left Camp Bateman as part of the escort to the supply train for the army in Utah, and the headquarters with Companies A, D, F, G, I and K, arrived at Fort Bridger August 6, where they were joined on the 15^th by B and C from Fort Floyd. Companies E and H were relieved from garrison duty at Fort Bridger on the 16^th and encamped in the vicinity of the post.

The regiment left camp near Fort Bridger August 21, and arrived at camp near Benicia Barracks, Cal., on November 15, the total distance marched from Fort Bridger to Benicia Barracks having been 1017 miles.

The regiment during this march was under the command of Lieut. Col. George Andrews, with Major Wm. Hoffman, second in command.

From Benicia Barracks the Sixth was distributed among different posts and stations in the Department of the Pacific.

By January, 1859, the headquarters and Companies F and H were at the Presidio, A at Benicia Barracks, B at Fort Humboldt, C and I at Benicia Depot, D at Fort Weller, Cal., E and K at Camp Banning near San Bernardino, Cal., and G at New San Diego, Cal.

On August 5 Captain Lewis A. Armistead with a command consisting, of twenty-five men of his own company, F, and twenty-five men of Company I under 1^st Lieutenant Elisha G. Marshall, attacked and defeated the Mohave Indians in an engagement near a lagoon twelve miles below Fort Mohave. Over two hundred Indians are supposed to have taken part in the affair and twenty-three were found dead on the field. The only casualties among the troops were three privates of Company I slightly wounded.

In January, 1860, the headquarters and Companies A and H were at Benicia Barracks, B at Fort Humboldt, C, E and F, at Fort Yuma, D at Fort Bragg, and G, I and K, at New San Diego.

Company A, Captain Franklin F. Flint commanding, left Benicia Barracks May 14 and arrived at Truckee River, U. T., three hundred miles distant, on the 31^st, and on June 2 had an engagement with the Indians in which one private was severely wounded.

On October 17, 1860, the colonel of the regiment, Brevet Brig. Gen. Newman S. Clarke, died at San Francisco while in command of the department of California. He was succeeded by Colonel Washington Seawell, promoted from the 8^th Infantry, who joined the regiment at Benicia Barracks on March 8, 1861.

On April 2, a detachment of thirty enlisted men of Company B, 6^th Infantry, under the command of 1^st Lieut. Joseph B. Collins, 4^th Infantry, left Fort Humboldt, on a scout in the Bald Hills, Cal. They were engaged with the “hostiles” on the 14^th and 15^th near Mad River, about fifty miles from the post.

The Indians lost on the first day between fifteen and twenty killed, and on the second day five killed and three wounded. The only casualty among the troops was one man wounded.

The great War of the Rebellion was now in progress, and the summons had crossed the continent for the Sixth to hurry eastward. Several of its best and bravest officers, honest in a mistaken construction of the Constitution and true to their convictions as to duty under it, had tendered their resignations and given themselves to the fatal cause. But the rank and file with unhesitating fealty stood by the old flag, and remained to a man, on the side of the North.

The movement began October 31, 1861, and by January 31, 1862, the entire regiment was concentrated at Washington under the command of its colonel.

Colonel Seawell retired from active service February 20, 1862, and was succeeded by Colonel Electus Backus, promoted from the 3d Infantry, who died at Detroit, Mich., on June 7, 1862, and was in turn succeeded by Col. Hannibal Day, promoted from the 2d Infantry.

The regiment left Washington City on March 10, 1862, for service in the field, as part of Sykes’ Brigade of Regulars, and participated in the siege and the operations which preceded the evacuation of Yorktown by the enemy on May 4.

The regiment was mainly employed on picket duty along the Chickahominy until June 26, when it was sent to reinforce a portion of McCall’s Division of Fitz John Porter’s Corps which was engaged with the enemy at Mechanicsville. It arrived close to the scene of conflict late in the evening, but took no part in the action, and the next morning was ordered to fall back towards Gaines’ Mill and await the attack of the enemy, who was advancing in force. The battle commenced about noon on the 27^th.

During the earlier stages the 5^th New York and a South Carolina regiment had repeatedly attacked each other to no purpose. Colonel Warren about 3 o’clock in the afternoon asked the division commander for the Sixth Infantry, and formed it in front of and perpendicular to the line of the 5^th New York and 17^th Infantry, facing the open space over which the former and the South Carolina regiment had been charging and countercharging. The arrangement was that the 5^th New York should repeat its charge, and on being countercharged the Sixth was to take the Confederate regiment in flank. The Sixth Infantry had hardly taken position when those in command saw the uselessness of such work, which, according to Warren’s graphic words, was “only covering the ground with dead men,” and the regiment received orders simply to hold its position in the woods, which it did until about sunset, when the Federal lines, flanked at both extremities, gave way.

As the regiment’s position was in advance of the first line and in the woods, the status of affairs was not at once apparent, but a few moments under heavy canister fire sufficed to clear up matters, and, crossing a small bridge, the Sixth in disarray passed to the rear between two of the enemy’s skirmish lines, and reformed on the ridge occupied by Generals French and Meagher.

Later in the evening the regiment moved into the valley of the Chickahominy, and early on the morning of the 28^th crossed that stream. The bridge was destroyed after the passage of the Sixth Infantry, the last troops to leave the field.

In this action Captain R. W. Foote was killed, and Lieutenants H. A. F. Worth and D. D. Lynn were wounded. Captain Thomas Hendrickson, commanding the regiment, had his horse killed under him. Of the enlisted men five were killed and sixty-one wounded.

During the day 2d Lieutenant Jeremiah P. Schindel, while separated from the regiment with a few men, exhibited personal bravery and coolness under fire to a marked degree.

The regiment arrived at Manasses [i.e., Manassas] via Warrenton junction August 20^th, and participated in the second battle of Bull Run on the 30^th. It occupied a position about the centre of the line, near the Warrenton Turnpike, from early in the forenoon until near five o’clock, P. M., and falling back with the army bivouacked that night at Centerville.

Six enlisted men of the regiment were killed in this battle; and Lieutenants C. M. Pyne, A. W. Bickley, and J. P. Schindel, and twenty-five enlisted men, were wounded.

During the battle of Antietam, September 17, the Sixth was on picket duty, and on the 19^th the regiment proceeded to Nolan’s Ford on the Potomac near Sharpsburg, crossed into Virginia, and had a skirmish with the enemy on the 20^th, and, finding him in force, re-crossed in obedience to orders and encamped at Sharpsburg, Md.

The regiment took part in several reconnoissances in October, November and December, and on December 11 bivouacked on a ridge on the north bank of the Rappahannock, overlooking the valley and city of Fredericksburg.

Crossing with Hooker’s division on the 13^th, the regiment was moved forward to within a few hundred yards of the famous stone wall for the purpose of attacking on the morning of the 14^th. The plan being changed, the Sixth held its position in the line on the same ground during the whole of the 14^th, Sunday, under a most galling fire without having a chance to make an appreciable return. Between 11 and 12 o’clock P. M. the line was withdrawn into the town, and occupied the main street during the 15^th exposed to some artillery fire. About 9 o’clock P. M. the division of which the Sixth formed a part was moved nearer the outskirts of the town, where it remained till next morning, when in a fog and rain the regiment recrossed the Rappahannock, following the First Brigade. The ground in front of Company E was so flat that in the course of the day 1^st Sergeant Thetard—afterwards mortally wounded at Gettysburg—was struck, and Corporal Kelley and five other men were picked off in succession. Having re-crossed the river the regiment during the day and night reoccupied with its division the bivouac on the ridge north of and overlooking the city, and on the 17^th returned to camp near Potomac Creek.

At Fredericksburg five enlisted men were killed, and 2d Lieutenant James McKim and twenty enlisted men were wounded.

The regiment left camp near Potomac Creek April 27, 1863, and proceeded to Harwood Church, on the Fredericksburg-Warrenton road, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford on the 29^th, and after dark on the same day waded the Rapidan at Ely’s Ford and bivouacked on its right bank. On the 30^th the Sixth marched with its division to Chancellorsville, and after a short halt moved out on the Fredericksburg road for about three-quarters of a mile and bivouacked for the night.

In the forenoon of May 1 the Second Brigade was formed on the edge of the Wilderness, with the 2d and 6^th Infantry on the right of the road. The line, only part of the time covered by skirmishers, rapidly advanced, brushing away the Confederate force in front, which precipitately retreated, but re-formed while the Federals halted, and opened a fire from which the 2d and 6^th Infantry particularly suffered. Being finally outflanked, the line was withdrawn, and on reaching the ground where it had formed in the morning, the Sixth was detached to cover the exposed flank until relieved. General Hancock’s skirmishers soon coming up, the regiment rejoined the brigade, which had reached the ground of the previous night’s bivouac.

The casualties to the regiment in this action were confined to the enlisted men, one being killed and twenty-three wounded.

On the 3d, while on picket in the vicinity of Chancellorsville, the regiment captured four of the enemy, and while engaged in a skirmish two enlisted men were wounded.

On the morning of the 6^th the regiment retreated with the army towards the Rappahannock, re-crossed at the U. S. Ford, and arrived after a hard march of sixteen miles at the old camp on Potomac Creek, near Falmouth.

The regiment left camp on Potomac Creek, June 4, for Benson’s Mills where it remained until the 13^th, when it took up the march for Aldie, Va., arriving at that point on the 22d. It left Aldie on the 27^th, crossed the Potomac at Edwards’ Ferry on the same day, and marching with but little intermission until the 30^th, arrived at Unionville, Md.

At Frederick the Sixth Infantry was transferred from the Second to the First Regular Brigade of Sykes’ Division, under its colonel, Hannibal Day, as brigade commander.

Moving into Pennsylvania, the regiment by dawn of July 2 was in position on the extreme right of the Union line, not far from the Baltimore and Gettysburg Turnpike.

About the middle of the forenoon it was placed as reserve near the centre of the line, and during the afternoon was moved in haste to the left and down the rugged slopes with the regular brigades. The Second penetrated the woods and wheat field in front, while the First, to which the Sixth Infantry belonged, held the open ground immediately in its rear. The left being in the air and the troops on the right having given way the division was ordered to fall back.

The regular infantry, which included the Sixth, was then formed in the woods back of Little Round Top and remained there during the 3d, exposed to the fire of artillery and to that of sharpshooters who were hidden among the rocks in and around the “Devil’s Den.”

On the morning of the 4^th the First Regular Brigade was ordered towards the Emmetsburg Turnpike, to “ feel “ the enemy. It advanced with the 3d, 4^th and 6^th Infantry in line, the Sixth on the left, to the edge of Durfee’s peach orchard, which was entered by the skirmishers. The brigade then moved back to Little Round Top, but was immediately faced about with orders to picket the “Devil’s Den “ and outer edge of the woods in front of the line. The Confederate outposts were in close proximity, and the picket firing which soon began was continued until dark.

On the morning of the 5^th, part of the picket line, including Company I, 6^th Infantry, was advanced beyond the Emmetsburg road. In the afternoon the brigade returned to its position in the woods in front of Round Top, and by 5 o’clock was with the division in pursuit of the enemy, bivouacking that night about four miles from Emmetsburg.

The casualties to the regiment at Gettysburg were 1^st Sergeant I. Thetard, Company E, and seven privates killed ; 2d Lieutenant Thomas Britton, eight non-commissioned officers and thirty privates wounded.

Lieutenant Britton’s wound was received under circumstances which especially distinguished him for bravery.

The regiment was lying down exposed to a telling fire from Confederate sharpshooters, when, to steady the growing uneasiness of his men, he deliberately rose in the line of file closers, stretched and yawned as though waking from a nap, and coolly walked back and forth the length of the company.

On the 1^st of August 1863 Colonel Day was retired from active service and was succeeded by Col. E. A. King, promoted from the 19^th Infantry; but on the 20^th of September,—less than two months later,—Colonel King was killed at the battle of Chickamauga while in command of a brigade of Thomas’ Corps. He was succeeded by Colonel J. D. Greene, promoted from the 17^th Infantry.

On August 16, 1863, the regiment, under the command of Captain Montgomery Bryant, embarked for New York City, where it arrived on the 21^st and camped in Washington Park. It had been sent there on account of the draft riots, and remained doing provost duty until the 11^th, when it was transferred to Fort Hamilton, N. Y. H.

While at Fort Hamilton the regiment was consolidated into two companies,—H and L—and drilled as heavy artillery, to form part of the defenses of New York City. On May 17, 1865, the regiment embarked on the steamer Star of the South for Savannah, Ga., where it arrived on the 21^st and was assigned to duty as part of the forces of the District of Savannah with headquarters at Hilton Head.

The regiment,—with the exception of Companies B and I on detached service at Lawtonville, S. C., since September,—arrived at Charleston, S. C., from Hilton Head on December 9, 1865, and took quarters in the “Citadel.”

During February skeleton Companies A, C, E and F, were recruited from the depot, completing the original organization of the regiment.

While the headquarters remained at Charleston the companies were moved from place to place in South Carolina, being stationed from time to time at Charleston, Georgetown, Aiken, Beaufort, Darlington, Orangeburg, Lawtonville, Columbia, Strawberry Station, and other points.

On June 25, 1867, Col. Greene resigned from the Army, and was succeeded by Colonel De L. Floyd-Jones, promoted from the 19^th Infantry. In the same year regimental headquarters, with Companies C, D, E and F, were transferred to the Indian Territory.

In the reduction of the army under the act of Congress approved March 3, 1869, the Sixth was reorganized by consolidation with the 42d Regiment of Infantry, and on March 15, 1869, Colonel Floyd-Jones was transferred to the unassigned list and Bvt. Maj. Gen. Wm. B. Hazen became colonel of the regiment by transfer from the 38^th Infantry.