Tucker counterattacked, smashing the 37th Massachusetts Infantry into fragments and tearing into the 2nd Rhode Island in hand to hand combat.
Elisha Hunt Rhodes was introduced to many by the PBS classic documentary “The Civil War” by Ken Burns. He advanced in rank from Corporal to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Rhode Island by war’s end. He wrote the following in his report of Sayler’s Creek, dated 4/15/1865.......
In the presence of the enemy nothing of particular interest occurred until
the afternoon of the 6th, when we met the enemy near Sailor's Creek.
My regiment was formed as a support to the brigade, but in the advance
were posted on the left of the Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers in
prolongation of their line. Arriving at the creek we
became exposed to the enemy's fire, but pushed on through the swamp,
which in many places was so deep as to destroy the ammunition of my
men. As soon as we were clear of the swamp I reformed my line and
sent out skirmishers to develop the enemy's position. When the brigade
advanced my left flank became exposed. I partly protected myself by
refusing the left wing. We pressed the enemy back too the woods in our
front, and when within a distance of about thirty yards received a charge
of the enemy, both in front and on my left, which caused my men,
after a time, to retire in some confusion. Every effort was made to rally
them without crossing the swamp. My U. S. flag was captured, but
quickly retaken. Capt. Gleason and Lieut. Perry were here killed
while gallantly urging their men on. At this point my regiment was
somewhat scattered, but joined the brigade in the new assault which
resulted so gloriously. At night we bivouacked on the field with the brigade.
For the first time under fire, I expected great difficulty with my new
troops, but I cannot speak too highly of their conduct. My officers,
without one exception, behaved splendidly.
Captain Archabald Hopkins of the 37th Mass wrote the following.........
At the battle of Sailor's Creek the regiment, after severe
double-quicking, which greatly exhausted the men, was put in position
in column of wings, right in front, in rear of the Second Rhode Island.
When the order to advance was given I deployed the regiment into line
of battle and moved to left, so that my right joined the left of the Second
Rhode Island. Just before reaching the swamp which protected the
enemy's position I ordered the right company (C) to deploy so as to
cover our precision considering the nature of the ground, crossed the
warp, moved up the hill, and were soon exchanging shots with the
enemy. The line was halted and reformed after crossing the swamp
under cover of the hill, and were soon exchanging shots with the enemy.
The line was halted and reformed after crossing the swamp under cover
of the hill, the crest of which was held by the enemy. Were then moved
a short distance by the right flank, when the order "forward" was given.
The men reserved their fire with noteworthy coolness until we were
within a few rods of the enemy, who were formed in two lines of battle
on the crest of the hill. They then opened with rapid volleys, advancing
all the while with a yell. The enemy, unable to withstand our fire, gave
back slowly at first, and soon disappeared from our front, leaving
several prisoners and a caisson in our hands. I now found that we were
entirely unsupported on either flank, and was about to take measures
to connect with the Second Brigade, which had been on our left, when
I noticed what seemed to be a heavy column of the enemy moving by
the flank around our left. I hastened to that part of the line and caused
it to be thrown back, after which a few well directed volleys drove them
out of sight again. At this juncture of affairs it was discovered that the
enemy had moved a column through a ravine, which served to partly
conceal the movement, around our right and about half the length of the
regiment in our rear. We had barely time to face about when they
charged us, and a desperate
hand-to-hand fight with swords, pistols, and bayonets ensued. Several
men were wounded with the bayonet. We did not give them an inch of
ground and they were finally forced back into the ravine, where we
swept the whole length of their line with such a terrible raking fire that
they were unable to reply, and soon gave token of surrender. We
accordingly ceased firing, when they, opened fire on us, wounding
Adjutant Bradley and some others. We immediately opened again with
redoubled energy, and in a few moments they surrendered in earnest.
More than 390 were taken and sent to the rear.
Gen. Custis Lee, who commanded their line, surrendered and gave
up his sword to Private David D. White, of Company E; and Private
Charles A. Taggart, of Company B, captured their battle-flag. Corpl.
Richard Welch, of Company E, was overpowered by numbers and taken
prisoner in a desperate attempt to capture a battle-flag in
advance of our line. He was afterward retaken.
Instances of personal gallantry were too numerous to mention. Capt.
George H. Hyde and Capt. George B. Chandley were particularly
conspicuous in repelling the enemy's assault, and Adjutant Bradley and
Lieut. Morrill again distinguished themselves by their determined
bravery and coolness. First Sergt. E. P. Cowles, Company D, cheered
on the men while lying under a tree with a severe wound through the body.
Over eighty rebel dead were afterward counted in the ravine I have mentioned.
HDQRS. THIRTY-SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,
March [April] 7, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to state that there were 3 officers and 28 men
wounded and 8 men killed in the engagement of yesterday. The officers
were Capt. Walter B. Smith, First Lieut. and Adjt. John S.
Bradley, and Second Lieut. Harrie A. Cushman. There were 360
officers and men, and Gen. C. Lee, captured by my command.
Gen. Lee was captured by Private D. D. White, Company E, of this
regiment, and he formally surrendered his sword to Lieut. W. C.
Morrill, of this regiment, who now wears it. At least one battle-flag was
captured by the Thirty-seventh Regiment, and one other is claimed,
although the capture of it is claimed by another command.
Very respectfully,
A. HOPKINS,
Capt., Cmdg. Regt.