Head Quarters 6^th Regt. N.H.V.

Roanoke Island April 21^st 1862

Sir: On the morning of the 18^th inst. agreeable to order, the 6^th Regt. N.H.V. left camp with 600 men & embarked on board the steam transports Pilot Boy and Phoenix, & proceeded to the rendezvous below Elizabeth City. On the morning of the 19^th upon landing the regt. was formed on the left of the N.Y. 9^th and 89^th and marched in the rear of those regiments, by a circuitous route a distance of twenty miles or more, to a point one and one half miles below South Mills, N.C., where the column was met by the enemy.

By order of Gen. Reno I formed the 6^th N.H. on the left of the main road leading direct to the enemy’s position, having the artillery to our right, & forming the extreme left of our line. At the order to advance the regt. moved forward in line steadily & in good order, receiving the fire of grape from the enemy’s gun without flinching, and when within range, poured in a volley with coolness and precision, and with telling effect – literally cutting to pieces (as was afterward ascertained) a Battalion, posted in the wood in front of us, which formed the right of the rebel line. The enemy retreated without returning the fire, & left us masters of that part of the field. Our loss one private killed, two slightly wounded, & one missing.

We bivouacked on the ground until 10 p.m. when we marched with the other regiments, in the same order as before, to the landing, - embarked on board the same transport, on the morning of the 20^th & returned to camp.

Both officers & men are entitled to great praise for the perseverance & cheerfulness with which they endured the fatigue & hardships of the march, and for the steadiness & bravery with which they advanced upon the enemy on the field.

With great respect I have the honor to remain your obt. Servt.

S. G. Griffin

Lt. Col. 6^th Regt. N.H. Vols.

Col. R. C. Hawkins

Comdg. Brgd.