GENERAL S. G. GRIFFIN. 105
nessee, but Kentucky itself was threatened with raids, and Colonel Grififin and his troops were retained for the defense of that State. Camp Nelson was at that time one of the largest and most important depots of supplies in the country, and was the rendezvous for refugees and recruits from East Tennessee, who were there organized into regiments. Colonel Griffin was placed in com- mand of that post and the troops at that point, having about nine thousand men under his command. While there, his regiment reenlisted for three years or during the war, and by the terms of enlistment were entitled to a furlough of thirty days.
On the fourteenth of January, 1864, he received orders to proceed with his regiment to Covington, to be remustered into the service of the United States, and from there they proceeded to New Hampshire. While enjoying his fur- lough, he was ordered to report to the Governor of New Hampshire for duty, and was sent to Virginia and North Carolina to superintend the reenlistment of New Hampshire veterans in that department.
In the spring of 1864, the Ninth Corps reassembled at AnnapoHs, Maryland, and reorganized under its former commander. General Burnside ; and Colonel Griffin was assigned to the command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, consisting of the Sixth, Ninth, and Eleventh New Hampshire, Thirty-first and Thirty-second Maine, and Seventeenth Vermont Volunteers. On the twenty- third of April, the Corps broke camp, and marched through Washington, where it was reviewed by President Lincoln, to Alexandria, and thence via Fairfax Court- House, to join the Army of the Potomac on the Rapidan.
Crossing that river on the fifth of May, it bivouacked that night, and at two a. m., on the sixth, advanced to take its position for the battle of that day. Griffin's brigade was sent to attack in the direction of Parker's Store, but later was ordered to the left to assist in repelling an assault on Hancock's corps.
Arriving on the ground, he formed his brigade in rear of others which were already in line, one in rear of another, lying down to avoid the shot. General Burnside was present, and gave the command, " Let Griffin attack." Griffin gave the command " Forward," and his brigade advanced in line of battle, making a fine display. So inspiring was the sight, that, as they went over the other brigades, they sprang to their feet without orders and pressed forward in the most enthusiastic manner, shouting and cheering. Griffin's attack was suc- cessful all along his front, — the Sixth New Hampshire, Lieut. -Colonel Pearson commanding, fixing bayonets and dashing through the enemy's line, captured seven officers and one hundred and six men, — but our troops to the left of his brigade did not advance, and the rebels turned upon him from that direction and compelled him to retire a short distance ; but the original ground was held.
At the battle of Spottsylvania Court- House, May 12, General Hancock made the assault at four o'clock in the morning. Griffin occupied the right of the Ninth Corps on the left of Hancock, though some distance from him, with orders to support that officer. Promptly at four o'clock, Griffin advanced with his brigade in line of battle, and, soon hearing Hancock's guns, made directly for the sound. As day broke and he approached the point of attack, he galloped forward to see just where to connect with Hancock. As he came out of a wood into an open field, he found Hancock's troops wild with excite- ment over their success, but with organization completely broken up by the charge they had made.
Looking across a valley in front to a slope beyond, he saw a large force of rebels advancing rapidly to make a counter attack. Hastening back to his command, he brought it forward and swung it into position on the edge of the wood, forming nearly a right angle with Hancock's line, and just in time to
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