USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 28
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After this unsuccessful assault, General Burnside tendered his resignation to General Grant, who refused to accept it, and gave him 20 days' leave of absence, which he improved in visiting his home and friends in the East, where he received from all quarters the most gratifying tokens of unabated confidence and estecm. In the course of the subsequent winter he repeatedly tendered his resignation to the president, who as repeatedly refused to accept it. He. however, did no further military duty, though his voice and influence were con- stantly employed in behalf of the army and the government: and April 15th, 1865, he again tendered his resignation, which was accepted.
The 2d Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers was organized under the first call for additional troops to serve three years or dur- ing the war. The work of enlisting was spiritedly prosecuted under an order from Governor Sprague, and Camp Burnside was established on the Dexter Training Ground in Providence. The command of the regiment was given to Colonel Slocum, who had been promoted from major of the 1st Rhode Island, an officer of great personal bravery, who had gained reputation in the Mexican war. Colonel William Goddard, of the governor's staff, was detailed temporarily to act as lieutenant colonel, who on being relieved was temporarily succeeded by General Charles T. Robbins. At the request of Colonel Slocum, Colonel Christopher Blanding assisted in drilling the regi- ment. To add to the comfort of the men, a thousand rubber blank- ets were presented to them by the firm of A. & W. Sprague. Many other tokens of interest and regard were also received by officers and men, and the citizens of Lonsdale made a liberal donation to the hos- pital department. An elegant stand of colors was presented to the regiment by the ladies of Providence, through Colonel Jabez C. Knight.
The regiment struck their tents at 2 o'clock P. M., June 19th, 1861, marched to Exchange place, where, in the presence of a large crowd of spectators, a short and spirited address was delivered by Bishop Thomas M. Clark, who also invoked the divine blessing. Resuming their march to Fox point, they embarked on board the steamer "State of Maine," under Captain William H. Reynolds, and on board the steamer " Kill von Kull."
On the morning of June 22d the regiment accompanied by Gov- ernor Sprague, Hon. John R. Bartlett, secretary of state, and Bishop
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Clark, arrived in Washington, was warmly welcomed, and encamped in Gales' woods, near Camp Sprague. On the 25th, the 1st and 2d regiments, with their respective batteries, paid their respects to President Lincoln, by whom they were reviewed. Commanded by Colonel Burnside, they marched to the battle of Bull Run, where it was the first, with Captain Reynolds' battery to engage, and fought the enemy 45 minutes without support, losing 28 men killed, 56 wounded, and 30 missing: among the former, Colonel Slocum, Major Sullivan Ballou, and Captains Levi A. Tower and Samuel J. Smith. The death of the brave Colonel Slocum left the regiment in the com- mand of Captain Frank Wheaton, of the United States Army, then acting lieutenant colonel to the colonelcy of which he was subse- quently promoted. Captain Viall, on the fall of Major Ballou, as- sumed the duty of a field officer, and was afterward promoted to major of the regiment. Captain William H. P. Steere received the commission of lieutenant colonel in the same.
On the 26th of March, the regiment moved with the Army of the Potomac, to enter upon the campaign of the Peninsula. During the siege of Yorktown, it was constantly employed in picket and other important duties. On the evacuation of that place by the rebels, it formed a part of Stoneman's advance in pursuit, and participated in the capture of Fort Magruder, at Williamsburg, saving a regiment that had been badly cut up by unwisely drawing upon it the fire of the fort at 800 yards distance. It continued with the advance of Stoneman during its operations on the Pemunky and Chickahominy rivers, was the first to take possession of White House, took part in the battles of Mechanicsville and Seven Pines, and at Turkey Bend was detached with the Seventh Massachusetts, to guard Turkey Bend bridge, and remained there until Porter's corps crossed. After the battle of Malvern Hill, when the army fell back to Harrison's Land- ing, the regiment was assigned to the rear as a cover. On the 5th of July, it was in position on the west side of James river, opposite City Point, occupied in throwing up breastworks.
When the Army of the Potomac withdrew from the Peninsula, the regiment proceeded to the vicinity of Yorktown, where it re- mained a week destroying earthworks, and August 29th it embarked for Alexandria, where it landed September 1st. It shared the for- tunes of Pope's Bull Run campaign, was in position at Elk Mountain on the 17th of September, during the battle of Antietam, and subse- quently, after performing a variety of fatiguing duties, marched with Franklin's corps, to a position in front of Fredericksburg. In the assault upon that city. December 14th, it acted with spirit and effi- ciency. In the preliminary movements of Franklin's corps, this regi- ment was the first to cross the river, in face of a heavy body of rebel infantry and artillery, and deploying as skirmishers, drove in their pickets-a movement executed with the coolness and precision of a
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regimental drill. Here, Colonel Wheaton was ordered to the com- mand of a brigade that had been under the command of General Howe, and the command of the regiment devolved on the gallant Colonel Nelson Viall, who received his commission on the field. This he subsequently resigned, and the temporary command of the regiment fell to Lieutenant Colonel Goff, an able and highly esteemed officer. He was succeeded by Colonel Horatio Rogers, Jr., trans- ferred from the 11th R. I. Volunteers.
In the " mud expedition," that followed this attack on Fredericks- burg, the 2d Rhode Island participated. It subsequently went into winter quarters, and was employed in picket dutty and the usual camp routine. On the 2d and 3d of May, 1863, the battle of Chan- cellorsville was fought. On the morning of the 3d, the regiment supported Gibbons' division in carrying Salem Heights, near Fred- ericksburg, having two men slightly wounded. In the storming of Marye's Heights, on the afternoon of the same day, the regiment led by Colonel Rogers, performed deeds of conspicuous valor. At a critical moment, it largely contributed toward checking the enemy when our forces were being driven on the right, and saved a New Jersey regiment, hotly pressed, from annihilation and probable capture.
The battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 2d and 3d, next followed. In reaching this field of Union triumph, so dearly purchased, the regiment made good time, and toward night of the second day, hav- ing marched about 30 miles, it took position on the field of battle on the extreme left, as a portion of Sedgwick's reserve. During the whole of the 3d, though not directly engaged, it was constantly mov- ing under a storm of shells, to different parts of the field, in support of points hardly pressed, losing one man killed and three wounded, and on the following day was on picket on the further edge of the battle field.
After a quiet winter at Brandy Station, on the 4th of May, 1864, the Army of the Potomac began the grand movement that ultimated in the capture of Richmond, and the overthrow of the rebel confed- eracy. The marching and fighting of the succeeding four or five weeks, to reach the Chickahominy, comprise a part of the history of the regiment. In the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania Court House, and all along the succession of flank movements, it bore an honorable and conspicuous part, and in the sanguinary battle of Cold Harbor, a few days before its term of service expired, added another to the laurels won on other fields. On the 11th of June, the three-years' men, under the command of Colonel S. B. M. Read, returned to Providence, and on the 17th were mustered out of service. By order of Governor Smith, they were received by the division of militia under the command of Major General Olney Arnold, and escorted to Howard Hall, where a bountiful collation had been provided, and a
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formal state reception took place. Colonel Read was wounded in the head and leg, May 12th, on the third day of the battle at Spottsyl- vania Court House, and was promoted from lieutenant colonel on the 1st of June following, for gallant conduct in the battles of the cam- paign in which he had participated up to that date.
At the date of the mustering out of the first three years' men, Companies A, B and C, comprising recruits enlisted from time to time, conscripts and re-enlisted veterans, remained in the field before Petersburg. Wishing to preserve to the close of the war the identity of a regiment that had served so faithfully and bravely, Governor Smith authorized a reorganization, dating from the muster out of the original regiment. Companies D, E, F, G and H were recruited and sent forward, and regimental relations were once more established, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Elisha T. Rhodes, bre- veted colonel April 2d, 1865, for gallant services before Petersburg.
On the 6th of July, 1864, General Early, with a portion of the rebel advance, crossed the Potomac near Antietam, into Maryland, and made a raid on Washington. The 6th Army Corps, including the 2d Rhode Island and Batteries C, D and G, were hurried to the defense of the capital, and reached there just in season to save the city, and to aid in driving the enemy, who had approached within shelling distance, back into the valley of the Shenandoah. In the battle of Winchester, September 19th, the regiment behaved with great gal- lantry, and had nine men wounded, one mortally. After this battle the regiment was detailed as part of the garrison of Winchester, to protect it against guerrillas, as well as to escort trains to the front. It was there when the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, was fought, and remained until December 1st, when it rejoined the Army of the Potomac, and passed the winter of 1864 and 1865 in doing siege duty in the trenches in front of Petersburg, Va.
In the attack on Petersburg, April 2d, 1865, the regiment took a prominent and important part. The night before, the 6th Corps was massed in front of Fort Fisher, ready for the assault. Just at day- break, Sunday morning, the lines advanced under a heavy fire, and carried the enemy's main lines by storm. The Second Rhode Island started in the second line, but were the first to reach the works, and planted its colors on the parapet. The enemy fled in great confusion after their lines were pierced. Lieutenant Frank S. Halliday, acting adjutant of the regiment, with a small party, carried a rebel fort mounting two guns, and turned them upon the enemy. The whole affair was a glorious success, and caused the evacuation of the city on Monday morning, April 3d.
In the battle of Sailor's Creek, Thursday following the above, April 6th, the regiment displayed great prowess. About 5 o'clock P.M., the division to which it was attached advanced on the enemy's lines, and the 2d Rhode Island attacked a part of the naval brigade,
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commanded by officers of the late rebel fleet. The regiment charged to within a few feet of their lines, when it met a severe flank fire, which forced it to retire. The action was so close that men were bayoneted and knocked down with the butts of muskets. In the con- fusion, the colors of the regiment were captured, but were quickly retaken. The place where it charged was swampy, with water at least three feet deep, but the men pushed gallantly forward, and re- gained all the ground lost, causing the enemy to flee in great confu- sion, who left a part of their wagons in federal hands. The loss was severe in officers and men, but there was a proud satisfaction in knowing that the efforts of the regiment hastened the surrender of Lee and his army. Captain Charles W. Gleason and Lieutenant Wil- liam H. Perry, both gallant officers, were killed.
After the fall of Richmond and the surrender of the rebel North- ern Army, under Lee, the regiment left that city for Washington, D. C., May 24th, was mustered out of the United States service at Hall's Hill, Va., July 13th, and left for Providence on the 15th. It reached its destination by the train from New York, at 12 o'clock midnight, July 17th, accompanied by the 11th and 58th Massachusetts regiments bound to Readville. The regiment was received with cheers of wait- ing friends, the salute of the Marine Artillery, and the presented arms of Company A, Pawtucket Light Guard, Captain M'Cloy. Under general orders from the war department, General Meade directed, March 7th, 1865, the names of the following battles in which the regi- ment had borne a meritorious part, to be inscribed upon its colors, viz .: First Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Stevens, Opequan.
The 4th Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers was organized by Colonel Justus I. McCarty, of the regular army, and at the time of his appointment holding a commission as major of an independent bat- talion. "Camp Greene " was established between Olneyville and Apponaug, west of the railroad, and September 5th, 1861, the first de- tachment enlisted under Captain Charles W. Topliff, pitched their tents there. Others followed in rapid succession, and before the close of the month the regiment was reported full. While in camp the regiment received two elegant stands of colors from ladies of Provi- dence. The first was presented through Mrs. R. M. Bates and E. A. Winn, and the second through Mrs. Philip Allen, Jr.
On the 2d of October, the regiment broke camp, and embarked at Providence on board the steamer "Commodore," for Washington, amid the thundering of cannon, and the mingled cheers and tears of kindred and friends. It proceeded to New York, and thence to its destination, where it arrived October 6th, and took temporary quar- ters at Camp Sprague. After two removes, its camp was established
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near Bladensburg, and received the name of "Camp Casey,"in honor of General Casey, a native of East Greenwich, R. I. Here for about two months the time was filled up with drills, parades and reviews. On the 28th the regiment. in connection with ten others, was reviewed by General Mcclellan. Soon after, Colonel McCarty's commission was revoked, and Captain Isaac P. Rodman was appointed to fill his place.
On the 30th of October the Fourth was mustered into the service of the United States, and was fairly launched upon the stormy sea of rebellion. Drills and the routine of camp duties filled up the time until November 28th, when the regiment passed into Virginia, and on the 29th pitched its tents at Camp California, near Fairfax Semi- nary.
Among the troops selected for the North Carolina campaign, under General Burnside, the 4th Rhode Island was included. The regiment proceeded to Annapolis, Md., where it was brigaded with the 5th Rhode Island Battalion and the 8th and 11th Connecticut, which together constituted the 3d Brigade of the Coast Division. January 7th, 1862, the regiment embarked on board the "Eastern Queen" for Fortress Monroe, and sailed thence with the fleet gathered there for Roanoke. In the violent gale which the fleet experienced when approaching Hatteras Light, the "Eastern Queen" was driven ashore. The steamer "Pocahontas," an unseaworthy vessel, was beached, with the loss of all but 19 of the horses belonging to the regiment. The men suffered severely for want of fresh water and food, but finally were safely landed, and participated in the success- ful battle of Roanoke Island, February 7th and Sth. This was the first experience of the regiment under fire, and it had the honor of first planting the Union colors on Fort Bartow, thus announcing to the fleet that victory had been achieved. The regiment bivouacked the night of the 8th, and soon after went into camp at "Camp Parke," where it remained for a month, recruiting its strength. The capture of Newbern, as a part of the operations of the campaign, was planned, and on the 14th of March was successfully accomplished by the combined land and naval forces, with a loss to the rebels of 46 siege guns, 3 field batteries, 3,000 stand of small arms, about 300 men taken prisoners. and 500 men killed and wounded. The federal losses were 91 killed and 466 wounded. In this battle the 4th Rhode Island was fiercely engaged, and by an impetuous bayonet charge decided the fate of the day. The regiment lost 8 killed and 22 wounded. Of the former were Captain Charles Tillinghast, of Providence, R. I., a brave and energetic officer, and Sergeant George H. Church, of Wickford, R. I .; of the latter were Captain William S. Chace and Lieutenant George E. Curtis, both of Providence.
May Ist Colonel Rodman was appointed military governor of Beaufort and Major Allen provost marshal for the entire district.
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Colonel Rodman having been commissioned brigadier general, the command of the regiment was assumed by Lieutenant Colonel George W. Tew. Lieutenant Joseph B. Curtis was placed on General Rodman's staff.
When the 9th Army Corps, under General Burnside, left North Carolina to co-operate with General Mcclellan on the Peninsula, the regiment followed his fortunes, and embarking on board the "Em- pire State" arrived at Fortress Monroe July 8th, and debarked at Newport News, where the command was taken by Colonel William H. P. Steere, promoted from lieutenant colonel of the 2d Regiment. R. I. Volunteers. Lieutenant Colonel Tew having resigned August 11th, Adjutant Curtis, of General Rodman's staff, was appointed to succeed him. The regiment was now in the 2d brigade, comprising itself and the 8th and 11th Connecticut, all under the command of Colonel Harland.
From Newport News the regiment proceeded with its corps to Fredericksburg, and after General Pope's failure at the second battle of Bull Run, joined General McClellan, and took part in the great struggle made on the soil of Maryland. It shared in the spontaneous ovation bestowed by the citizens of Frederick upon the Union forces as they entered that city, and in the battle of South Mountain, fought September 14th, sustained the honor already gained in North Caro- lina. In the battle of Antietam, on the 17th of September, the regi- ment engaged with a valor second to no other on the field, and closed the sanguinary day with a loss of 98 killed and wounded. Among the latter were Colonel Steere, who received a rifle bullet in his thigh; Captain Caleb T. Bowen, taken prisoner and paroled: Lieutenants George H. Watts, severely. George P. Clark, dangerously, and acting Lieutenant George R. Buffum, mortally. The color bearer, Corporal Thomas B. Tanner, having carried his flag within 20 feet of the enemy, was killed, but the flag was saved from capture by Lieutenant Curtis. Assistant Surgeon Smalley was laboriously employed in rendering service to the wounded, Surgeon Miller being detailed to the general hospital, where his duties were arduous. Colonel Steere attempted to lead on his men after being struck, but fainting from loss of blood, was carried to the division hospital, and the command devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Curtis. The regiment was here called to mourn the death of its former commander, General Isaac P. Rodman, who received a mortal wound in this bloody contest-a musket ball entering the left breast and passing completely through his body. He was removed from the field and conveyed to the house of Doctor Horner, near Hagerstown, Md., where he died September 29th. aged 44 years, in the presence of his father and his wife, who were with him to comfort his last hours. His remains were brought to Providence October 3d, where they lay in state in the representa- tives' hall in the state house until the afternoon of the next day.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
when, after an impressive service, held on a canopied and draped platform erected on the State House Parade, they were conveyed to South Kingstown, and buried October 5th, with military honors.
In November the regiment, with the Army of the Potomac, was in front of Fredericksburg, and in the battle of December 13th, took an active part. Lieutenant Colonel Curtis, a brave and promising officer, still in command, was killed by a ball from a shrapnell shell, while re-forming the regimental line. Lieutenant George E. Curtis, Corporal Hiram Freeborn and seven privates were wounded. The remains of Lieutenant Colonel Curtis were conveyed to Providence, where they were received with military honors, and after lying in state, were buried December 20th, in the North Burying Ground. Colonel Steere being still confined by his wound, the command of the regiment was assumed by Major Buffum, who soon after (Decem- ber 24th) was commissioned lieutenant colonel. Captain James T. Bucklin was promoted major. The regiment was now detached from Colonel Harland's brigade and with the 13th New Hampshire and 25th New Jersey, was formed into a new brigade, under Colonel Dutton. February 8th, 1863, it accompanied the 9th Army Corps to Fortress Monroe, and once more encamped at Newport News. Here it received, through Mrs. Sarah M. Hall, a handsome national flag and guidons, the gifts of a few friends in Providence. On the 13th of March the regiment made its camp near Suffolk, Va. From that time to April 16th, it was in active operations. May 3d it partici- pated in an engagement at Hill's point, across the Nansemond river. with the loss of one man (Corporal James Grimwood) killed, and four wounded. Of the latter were Lieutenant George F. Waterman and Corporal George W. Allen. June 22d, it moved on an expedition to King William Court House, which it reached July 6th, and returned to its encampment July 13th, greatly fatigued, but having suffered no loss. Previous to this, Colonel Steere returned to his command, after a detention, by his wound, of nearly nine months.
From July 15th, 1863, to March 1st, 1864, the regiment reported from near Portsmouth, Va. April 1st. it reported at Norfolk, Va. From thence it proceeded to Point Lookout, Maryland, where it re- ported May Ist, May 31st, and June 30th. It subsequently went to the front, and having rejoined the 9th Corps before Petersburg, Va., was, between the 18th and 25th of July, much of the time doing duty in the trenches, and constantly under fire. The headquarters of Lieutenant Colonel Buffum were within musket range, and the music of minie balls was a daily entertainment. During this period, Captain Frank A. Chase. Sergeant James Farley, Sergeant Cromwell P. Myrick, George Martin (musician), and Privates Thomas Lake and Christopher Plunkett, were wounded. In the assault upon the rebel forces, immediately upon the explosion of the mine, July 30th, the regiment led by Lieutenant Colonel Buffum, advanced upon the
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enemy's line, and under a gallant fire entered the crater of the fort, caused by the explosion, where a hand to hand fight ensued, with great slaughter on both sides. The attempt to hold the position was made in vain. The overwhelming force and deadly fire of the rebels, threatened speedy destruction to the regiment, and Licutenant Colonel Buffum, while obeying an order to withdraw his men, was fiercely charged upon by an overpowering fce, which resulted in the capture of himself, Captains Bowen, Shearman, Reynolds, Lieutenant Kibby, and 22 enlisted men. The total loss in killed, wounded and missing, was 83. Of the killed were Lieutenants George A. Field and John K. Knowles, acting adjutant, and Corporal George S. Thomas. The capture of Lieutenant Colonel Buffum left the com- mand of the regiment with Major James T. P. Bucklin, an efficient, brave and valuable officer. August 2d, the regiment was still before Petersburg, and September 1st reported in the field.
From the date of departure from Providence to September 9th, 1863, the regiment broke camp 85 times, made heavy marches in three rebel states, and went within eight miles of Richmond. In the same period, besides the part taken in the battles of Roanoke, New- bern, Fort Macon, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, it had two skirmishes on the Nansemond river, and two at Suffolk. It entered the field with 890 men. On the date referred to, it had 58], including 175 recruits. Up to the same time it had lost 295 in killed. wounded and by disease. Patriotism and fidelity are the sum of its honorable record. The last battle in which the regiment took part, was in the operations on the Weldon railroad, Friday, September 30th, on the eve of the termination of its time of service, losing two men killed and two wounded. On the Monday following, October 3d, it left scenes full of exciting interest for home, and reached Provi- dence on the morning of the 7th. It was received with a salute from the Marine Artillery, and escorted to the Marine Armory, where the men were warmly welcomed by Lieutenant Governor Padelford in behalf of the people of the state, and then partook of a generous breakfast, prepared by L. H. Humphreys. The regiment numbered 189 officers and enlisted men, and came on in command of Captain Walter A. Read, and was mustered out of service October 15th. Of the original three years' men 175 having re-enlisted as veterans, were with recruits, remaining in the field, consolidated October 21st, 1864. with the 7th Rhode Island Infantry, to be known as the 7th Rhode Island Volunteers. By order of General Meade, March 7th, 1865, in accordance with requirements of general orders from the war depart- ment, 1862, the names of the following battles in which the regiment had borne a meritorious part, were directed to be inscribed on its colors, viz .: Roanoke Island, Newbern, Fort Macon, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Hatcher's Run.
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