SIXTH BATTERY MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER LIGHTARTILLERY THREE YEARS (Re-enlisted)

The 6th Batty. Mass. Vol. Lt. Art. was recruited at Camp Chase, Lowell, in the fall of 1861 and the winter following. It was one of the Butler organizations, the others being the 30th and 31st Massachusetts Infantry, the 4th Massachusetts Battery, and three unattached companies of Massachusetts Cavalry. The 6th Battery went out under the command of Captain Charles Everett of Boston. The muster in of this unit was completed in January, 1862, and on February 8 it embarked on the transport IDAHO bound for Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico. It was armed with two rifled and four smooth bore 6 pounder guns. Arriving at Ship Island March 8, it remained there until April 15 when it embarked on the steamer MISSISSIPPI, and, after the capture of Forts Jackson and St. Philip by the Navy, accompanied General Butler to New Orleans. Here it was attached to the brigade of Gen. Thomas Williams. One section under Lieutenant Carruth crossed the river to Algiers where it operated for some time in the region west of that city along the line of the railroad leading to Brashear City. Early in June the entire battery was sent to Baton Rouge and about the middle of the month two sections under Captain Everett proceeded up the Mississippi with an expedition to the front of Vicksburg. After an active campaign of about five weeks, on July 26 the entire battery was again united at Baton Rouge. Here during the battle of the 5th of August it did heroic work in repulsing the enemy's attack, losing four killed, nine wounded, and one missing. Later in the month of August the battery was withdrawn to New Orleans where, on September 7, Lieutenant Carruth succeeded Captain Everett in command. It was now attached to Gen. Godfrey Weitzel's Reserve Brigade and was armed with two 12 pounder howitzers and four 6 pounder Sawyer guns. On October 24 the battery proceeded to Donaldsonville where it landed and marched up Bayou La Fourche to Thibodeaux where it went into winter quarters. With the exception of a four days expedition to the Teche in January, the battery remained at Thibodeaux until February 22, 1863, when it advanced to Brashear City. Here it remained until April 9, when it joined the well known Teche expedition. It was engaged at Ft. Bisland, April 12 and 13, reached Opelousas, April 20, and, pushing northward from this place, reached Alexandria, May 4. Returning thence, on the 17th it was ordered to proceed to Port Hudson via Bayou Sara. On reaching Bayou Sara one section was ordered to remain at Point Coupee on the west bank of the river, while the other two sections proceeded to the front of Port Hudson. Here they were engaged in supporting the assault of May 27 and during the siege which followed. After the surrender of the city, July 9, the 6th Battery again proceeded to Donaldsonville. In a reconnaissance made July 12 it had the misfortune to lose one gun. It remained in the vicinity of Donaldsonville until July 30, when it proceeded again to Thibodeaux. After nearly two months spent at this place, on Sept. 25 it was sent to Algiers for re-equipment. It was now reduced to a four gun battery and was transferred to Berwick Bay. From October 3 to December 9, 1863, it was commanded by 2d Lieutenant Edward K. Russell of the 2d Battery. On the latter date 1st Lieutenant John F. Phelps took command and was commissioned captain to date from October 3. About the middle of October the battery proceeded up the Teche again to Opelousas, returning to Vermillionville, November 1, and to New Iberia, November 16, where it went into winter quarters. On January 5, 1864, 56 of the members of the battery reenlisted, and after much delay they set out for home on veteran furlough April 13. They returned to New Orleans, June 8, and there remained for the remainder of the year. In January, 1865, enough recruits were received to increase the number of men to 169. Lieut. Edward K. Russell was now commissioned captain, and in February the battery was re-equipped with six guns. It remained at New Orleans during the remainder of its term of service. On July 21 it embarked on the steamer ASHLAND for New York. Proceeding thence to Readville, Mass., August 1, on the 7th of that month the men were formally mustered out of the United States service. Three days later they were paid off and the battery was disbanded.

Source: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War

Massachusetts 6th Volunteer Light Artillery (Union)

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