The column was commanded by Major General Foster and Colonel Follansbee was promoted to command of the. To which the 6th Massachusetts belonged. A considerable Confederate force attacked the Union expedition in a sharp engagement on May 1415, 1863, known as the.
Or the Battle of Holland House. During this fight, the 6th Massachusetts supported the 7th Massachusetts Battery and exchanged in heavy, prolonged firing with the Confederates. The 6th Massachusetts made an advance, driving the enemy into the woods, then were driven back and made a second counter-attack, reclaiming their position at the start of the battle. The regiment suffered casualties of five killed or mortally wounded, twelve wounded and five prisoners. In the middle of the battle, when the 6th Massachusetts was driven back, Private Joseph S. Sweatt of Company C perceived that several of his comrades had been hit and were left in the woods. In an effort to pull them out, he rushed forward, towards the Confederate position. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. According to his citation, When ordered to retreat, this soldier turned and rushed back to the front, in the face of heavy fire from the enemy, in an endeavor to rescue his wounded comrades, remaining by them until overpowered and taken prisoner. Sweatt was eventually released; the three men he endeavored to rescue did not survive. On May 18, the 6th Massachusetts and other regiments fell back to Deserted House outside of Suffolk. On May 20 they were posted in support of artillery at. Finally, on May 23, the 6th Massachusetts received orders to return to Massachusetts. The regiment reached Boston by steamship on May 26 to be welcomed and addressed in front of the State House by Governor Andrew. The 6th Massachusetts then proceeded to Lowell, where they were received with enthusiastic festivities. The regiment reassembled on June 3, 1863, at Camp Wilson and were mustered out. In all during their second enlistment, the regiment lost 13 men killed or mortally wounded in combat and 18 by disease. The item "RARE 6TH MASS KILLED IN ACTION CIVIL WAR CDV WITH ENFIELD BOX & SNAKE BUCKLE" is in sale since Saturday, August 26, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Photographs". The seller is "karlansarmsandantiques" and is located in Matthews, North Carolina.This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, Mexico.