6th Massachusetts Regiment The 6th Massachusetts Regiment also known as the 4th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23 , 1775 under Colonel John Nixon outside of Boston , Massachusetts . The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill , New York Campaign , Battle of Trenton , Battle of Princeton and the Battle of Saratoga . The regiment was furloughed June 12 , 1783 at West Point , New York and disbanded on November 3 , 1783 . Bunker Hill . During the battle of Bunker Hill the 6th Massachusetts Regiment , under the command of Colonel John Nixon , was positioned in the redoubt on Breeds Hill near Captain Jonathan Brewer and Captain William Prescott regiments . During General William Howe ' s first attack on Breed ' s Hill , Nixon was wounded and was withdrawn from the battle . The remaining members of the regiment withdrew when the redoubt was overtaken by Howe ' s second attack . Later service . The 6th Massachusetts participated in the New York campaign by helping fortify Governors Island in New York Harbor in August 1776 . They later fought in the Battle of Harlem Heights and the Battle of Trenton under General Nathanael Greene . The regiment reinforced General Philip Schuyler at Stillwater , New York in July 1777 . The 6th Massachusetts composed part of the main body of General Horatio Gates at the Battles of Saratoga . Peter Salem , a freed African - American slave , served in the regiment from April 24 , 1775 to December 31 , 1779 . Commanding officers . Colonel John Nixon - Commanded the regiment from May 19 , 1775 until August 9 , 1776 when he was promoted to Brigidier General . Colonel Thomas Nixon - Brother of John Nixon . Served as Lieutenant Colonel of the 6th Massachusetts from May 19 , 1775 until he took command of the regiment on August 6 , 1776 and was promoted to Colonel . Retired January 1 , 1781 . Lieutenant Colonel Calvin Smith - Commanded the regiment as a Lieutenant Colonel from January 1 , 1781 to January 1 , 1783 . Colonel Benjamin Tupper - Commanding officer January 1 , 1783 until the unit was disbanded on June 12 , 1783 . Other officers . Thomas Barnes - Served as Captain from January 1777 to March 1779 when he was promoted to Major with the 12th Massachusetts . Richard Buckmaster - Served as Lieutenant , 2d Lieutenant and Captain from December 1775 until his death in November 1779 . William Buckmaster - Served as Lieutenant - Colonel from December 1776 until his death on November 1776 . Japhet Daniels - Served as Captain from January 1777 to June 1783 . Samuel Frost - Served as Sergeant - Major , Ensign , 1st Lieutenant , Captain Lieutenant and Captain from January 1776 to June 1783 . Peter Harwood - Served as Captain and Major from November 1776 until he resigned October 1780 . Benjamin Heywood - Served as Lieutenant , Captain from December 1775 until June 1783 . Abel Holden - Served as Lieutenant and Captain from December 1775 until he resigned May 1781 . John Holden - Served as Captain Lieutenant and Captain from January 1777 until he resigned April 1780 . Calvin Smith - Served as Lieutenant - Colonel from November 1776 to March 1779 and Lieutenant - Colonel Commandant from January 1781 to June 1783 . John Spur - Served as Captain and Major from January 1777 until he retired January 1781 . Joseph Thompson - Served as Captain and Major from January 1776 until he was promoted to Lieutenant - Colonel in the 10th Massachusetts in December 1777 . William Toogood - Served as 1st Liutenant and Captain from January 1776 until he resigned April 1779 . Joseph Butler - Served as a Captain from January 1776 until December 31 , 1776 . Jabez Lane - Served as a Captain in Col . Thomas Nixon ' s 6th MA Reg . , Nixon ' s Brigade at Saratoga