The Battle of Tolopotomoy Creek

May 28, June 1, 1864

The month of May, 1864 saw a non-stop drive to destroy the Confederate Army under the command of General Robert E. Lee. The Union Army, under the leadership of Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, had continuously fought its old opponent during this furious month of action. This effort is further illustrated in the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek,* which would become yet another engagement in the long list of battles fought by the Union Army during the Overland Campaign.

The Totopotomoy Creek engagement resulted from the cavalry action that had occurred at Haw's Shop on May 28 th . Soon, both Confederate and Union infantry had arrived within the vicinity as support for the cavalry. The Confederates then2e1 entrenched behind Totopotomoy Creek on the 29 th . Lee's defensive posturing forced four Federal Corps to begin probing his position along the creek. Meantime, the Union II Corps succeeded in forcing a crossing of the creek in two places and had some initial success against the Rebels. The II Corps managed to capture the first line of Confederate trenches, but was stopped at the main line. The Union VI Corps tried to get into the action on the II's right flank. Yet, they became bogged down in a swamp and this would prevent the VI Corps from getting into position.

In the mean time, the Union IX Corps maneuvered into position on the left side of the II Corps. It succeeded in driving the Confederate pickets onto the Shady Grove Road. However, the Union Army would soon see a serious set back. As the Union V Corps was moving near Bethesda Church, it was attacked by General Jubal A. Early's corps. This resulted in some heavy fighting and the Federals were driven back to Shady Grove Road.

Over all, the causalities in this small but sharp fight were about 1,100 men for each side. However, the confederates would lose another important officer, Brig. General Robert Doles, who was killed by a sharpshooter near Bethesda Church.

Rhode Island Battery B First Light Artillery, part of the II Corps, would be actively engaged in this battle. As they passed Haws Shop they saw dead Rebel cavalry men and assisted in their burial. On the 29 th , they reached Shallow Run, a tributary of the Totopotomoy and took position on a ridge in rear of the infantry. Then they began throwing up breastworks in front of the pieces which took most of the night. Both armies were learning the importance of defensive works.

On the 30 th , they watched Major-General Francis Barlow's Division surge forward and capture the enemy rifle-pits. The infantry soon used this location to their advantage as they kept up a steady fire against the Confederates. However, Battery B did not simply stand by as spectators to these events. A Rebel battery was a work in its vicinity and Battery B, after receiving the order, promptly opened fire. All told, the battery returned their compliments of shot and shell with the firing of about forty rounds. They were soon joined by the other batteries of the brigade in this hour long artillery duel; which resulted in the silencing of the enemies' guns. Then Battery B was ordered forward about thousand yards to the captured Confederate lines and they began strengthen the earthworks of their new position. Fortunately for Battery B there were no causalities.

The events of June 1 st provide the reader with a glimpse of the ordinary problems faced by many of the Civil War soldiers. Furthermore, these episodes give insight to the daily life faced by these men. Battery B spent most of June 1 st under fire from enemy sharpshooters. In fact, one horse was wounded and taken to the rear. Besides enemy fire, the cannoneers were exposed to the extreme heat. Two of them were overcome by the heat and had to be taken to the rear. Nighttime brought no relief from the high temperatures as Battery B began its march towards Cold Harbor. The thousands of soldiers and hundreds of wagons made this march a nightmare. The roads were deep with dust which rose in suffocating clouds. This only added to the confusion of the darkness and this resulted in one of the artillery pieces becoming wedged between two trees. This gun was removed only after a tree was cut down; no doubt creating more frustration for the already tired men of Battery B.