USA > Rhode Island > History of the Fifth Regiment of Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, during three years and a half of service in North Carolina. January 1862-June 1865 > Part 11
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HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, NEW BERNE, Jan. 15, 1863. General Orders, No. 18.
In consideration of and as a reward for their brave deeds at Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro, the commanding general direets that the regiments and batteries which accompanied the expedition to Golds- boro inscribe on their banners these three victories :
Kinston, Dec. 14, 1802. Whitehall, Dee. 16, 1862. Goldsboro, Dec. 17, 1502.
The commanding general hopes that all fields in future will be so fought that the record of them may be kept by inscription on the ban- ners of the regiments engaged.
By command of Maj .- Gen. J. G. FOSTER. SOUTHARD HOFFMAN, Asst. Adjt .- Gen.
The official reports state that the aggregate losses of the various organizations engaged in this expedition were as follows : Officers killed, 4; wounded, 19; enlisted men killed, 88; wounded, 468; missing, 12; total. 591.
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CHAPTER IX.
REGIMENTAL CHANGES AND FIRST REBEL ATTACK ON NEW BERNE.
T' HE routine of camp life was at once resumed. Major Tew had arrived during the absence of the battalion on the Goldsboro Expedition, and had assumed command.
The following sketch of Major Tew is from Bartlett's Memoirs of Rhode Island Officers :
"GEORGE W. TEw was born in Newport, R. I., on the 13th of Novem- ber, 1820. He had from his youth manifested an inclination for military exercises. In 1846, at the age of seventeen, he joined the Rhode Island Horse Guards, a cavalry company composed of volunteers from Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth. The following year Mr. Tew joined the Newport Artillery Company, and soon became its commander, a position which he held in 1961.
"On the 15th of April, 1861, a telegram from Governor Sprague in- quiring how many men could be raised, reached Captain Tew while he was quietly at work at his trade. Laying his trowel on the wall, he re- turned an answer to the governor that he would raise a hundred men. Two days after he reported in Providence with one hundred and eight men, rank and file. The company was mustered into the First Regiment Detached Militia, and was assigned the honorable position of color com- pany of the regiment. : . . Captain Tew returned with his company to Newport, on Sunday, the 28th of July, where they were welcomed by the entire city.
"Captain Tew was promoted to major in the Fourth Rhode Island In- fantry, Oet. 11, 1961. On the 20th of the same month he was further promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Colonel Tew participated with his regiment in the battles of Roanoke Island and New Berne.
"At the commencement of the siege of Fort Macon, Lieutenant-Colonel Tew was ordered by General Parke to take possession of a certain posi- tion near the fort. With four companies from his own regiment and four from the Eighth Connecticut, detailed to his command for that purpose,
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he took the coveted position and drove in the enemy's pickets. On the 20th of April, 1862, Colonel Rodman received his commission as briga- dier-general, and the command of the Fourth fell upon Lieutenant-Colo- nel Tew.
"On the 5th of July, he received orders to embark his regiment, and open his dispatches at sea. On opening his dispatches the destination of the regiment was found to be Fortress Monroe, where it had been or- dered with a view of joining the Ninth Army corps for the campaign. on the Peninsula. On reaching that place the regiment debarked at New- port News, where the command was taken by Col. W. I. P. Steere, pro- moted from the lientenant-colonelcy of the Second Regiment. The Fourth was now ordered to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where thirteen of its officers, feeling the unjust manner in which Lieutenant-Colonel Tew had been slighted, resigned their commissions; and he, seeing how the other officers were affected, felt it his duty, also. to resign, which he ac- cordingly did on the 12th of August, 1802, and returned to Newport, where he remained until again called into the service.
". He was not long at home. for, on the first of October following. he was commissioned as major in the Fifth regiment, then at New Berne, N. C., at which place he reported promptly for duty. Major Tew as- sumed the command of the Fifth until January, 1863, when Colonel Sisson, who had been promoted from major of the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, arrived and took command of the regiment."
Major Tew was afterwards promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and again to the position of colonel of the Fifth, as will be seen by the subsequent pages of this history.
It will be remembered that by special orders number 180, of the date of Oct. 11, 1862, Adjutant-General's office, State of Rhode Island, that Major Tew and Capt. J. M. Wheeler had been directed. among other duties, to unite in recommending to that department the names of persons in the battalion deserving commissions. Immedi- ately upon the return of the battalion to camp these officers set about the preparation of the several reports called for in that order, and also to comply with that section relating to the recommendations for promotions. One of these officers had been assigned to the Fifth from another Rhode Island regiment: both had already won well- earned reputations as good soldiers ; and both were known to be free from any personal jealousies and entanglements with camp misunder- standings. Of course all who deserved promotion could not be men- tioned in their report. which naturally would not name more than
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enough to fill existing vacancies. It is to the great credit of the older companies that from their ranks had come so many men well quali- field to hold commissions, while it was just as certain that many yet remained who only wanted the opportunity to "' show the stuff that was in them." And, one of the real sorrows experienced by those who have spent many weary hours in compiling these pages is, that
Col. George W. Tew.
not only hundreds of incidents deserving of mention, but the names of the brave men whose coolness and valor should have honorable mention here. are lost to us. In this light. then, the report of Major Tew and Captain Wheeler, made at the time it was, is of interest, in so far as it shows that devotion to duty, fitness for command and bravery in battle did not always dictate the final selection of those who received commissions from the authorities at home. This report is of interest enough to present in full :
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HEADQUARTERS FIFTH RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT,
NEW BERNE, Dec. 26, 1862.
DEAR SIR : We have at present but thirteen commissioned officers for duty with the regiment. The remainder of those filling the places of captains and lieutenants are worthy sergeants, who have served their country faithfully since the first organization of the regiment, and are an honor to their State and country. Their appointment at this time would greatly increase the efficiency of our regiment, aud do justice to those who have proved themselves brave and true in more than one hard-fought battle.
These sergeants have been filling the places and doing the duties of commissioned officers since the 15th of August last, without pay, except the seventeen dollars per month they receive as sergeants. Some of them are getting discouraged. but I have assured them that your Excellency would not allow their services to go unrewarded.
The regiment is now in a state of good discipline and drill, and all feel determined that, being the only Rhode Island regiment in this depart- ment, it shall be second to none.
Should you think proper to appoint these officers at once. it would greatly increase our strength, and add much to our effectiveness in the field.
Doctor Potter, who has filled the position of assistant-surgeon since the regiment left Rhode Island, has ably and faithfully discharged the duties of his office. Besides attending to our regiment, he visits Battery F daily, and has performed other duties in this department. According to our present organization, we are entitled to a surgeon and two assist- ant-surgeons. Doctor Potter is well qualified to fill the office of surgeon, and I hereby recommend him to your notice for promotion.
Quartermaster-sergeant William W. Prouty has been acting as quarter- master since the death of Lieutenant Gladdling. and has performed the duties of the office in an able and satisfactory mamer, evincing his abil- ity to fill well the position he has acted in. I would therefore recommend him to your notice for promotion to the position of quartermaster.
I would not fail to mention also the name of Capt. Job Arnold. by whose indefatigable efforts this regiment has been brought up to its present high standing of discipline and drill. Should a vacancy occur, his promotion would be an aet of justice and a benefit to the service.
We are much pleased with the chaplain you have selected for us, and we hope to see him with us soon, as we have no one here whose duty it is to visit the sick and wounded and give them Christian consolation in their dying hours.
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Should you think proper to order him to join the regiment, you will receive the thanks of every officer and soldier in the command.
I have the honor to be, governor,
With much respect, your oh't. serv't., GEORGE W. TEW, Major Comd'y Fifth Reg't. R. I. Vols. J. M. WHEELER, Copt. Co. G., Fifth Reg't R. I. Vols. To His Excellency WILLIAM SPRAGUE.
Governor of the State of Rhode Island.
By order of the commander-in-chief, dated Providence. Dec. 30, 1862. Colonel Sisson was " directed to embark at once with Company H and a detachment of recruits. and proceed with the same to join his regiment." The schooner A. E. Perry was char- tered, and Colonel Sisson and the detachment designated by the order embarked on the 31st and sailed for New Berne January 7th. The Rev. Henry S. White, pastor of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church, having been appointed chaplain of the Fifth Regiment. the quartermaster-general of the State was directed to provide him transportation to his regiment. At length the governor of Rhode Island did honor to himself and the State he represented by appoint- ing Capt. Job Arnold lieutenant-colonel of our regiment This ap- pointment was first published in Providence Jan. 8. 1863. and on that day the last obsequies of our late quartermaster. Munro H. Gladding were solemnized by a public funeral, the remains having been brought from Beaufort for final interment at home.
The next notable event that occurred in the regiment was the arri- val of Colonel Sisson in New Berne. January 9th. with one hundred and three men for the regiment. The next day he was escorted from the Gaston House to Camp Anthony. Capt. Job Arnold commanded the escort. Colonel Sisson had been major of the Third Rhode Isl- and. serving in the department of South Carolina, and he came to us with a good record. On the same day he reported his arrival and assumption of command as follows to Governor Sprague :
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH REG'T. R. I. VOLUNTEERS, NEW BERNE, Jan. 10. 1963. To His Excellency WILLIAM SPRAGUE.
MY DEAR SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival here last evening with recruits. I brought one hundred and three enlisted men. As I an-
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ticipated, I put on board every man who received his State bounty. Captain Silvey mustered one company of eighty-three men, and sent the balance in as a detachment. I was to have had them formed into two companies, in order to hasten our regimental organization. Icalled on General Stevenson, who is now in command during the temporary ab- sence of General Foster, and succeeded in getting them mustered in as I desired. As we lacked one company to complete our organization, I feared I could not be mustered in as colonel, General Stevenson, how- ever, thought proper to do so.
I am examining into the condition of the regiment, and shall as speed- ily as possible report thereon, and also in regard to appointments of officers from among the old companies.
When I left home Captain Potter had at the armory some fifteen men. With the arrangements that were made for getting in recruits, I trust he will have added considerably to that number ere the receipt of this.
Allow me to suggest in order to guard against desertion the propriety of having recruits formed in squads of about twenty meu each. I have made arrangements in such an event to have them held here until a suf- ficient number is forwarded to entitle a company formation.
I am, sir, with respect. HENRY T. SISSON, Colone' County Fifth Reg't R. I. Vols.
We append the following sketch of Colonel Sisson :
HENRY T. SIssox was born Ang. 20, 1821. He received his education at the Gorham Academy, Maine, and at the University Grammar School, Providence. Prior to the Rebellion he had been prominently identified with the militia of Rhode Island. Bartlett in his Memoirs of Rhode Island Officers says:
" He commenced his military career in the late war by joining the First Rhode Island Detached Militia, and was commissioned as paymaster with the rank of lieutenant. He was subsequently appointed captain of the First Rhode Island Artillery, Dec. 20, 1861, and major of the Third Heavy Artillery. Feb. 5, 1862, which position he resigned on the 6th of August following. On the 5th of November he was appointed colonel of the Fifth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, This regiment was originally en- listed as a battalion. under authority received by General Burnside from the War Department, as a part of his ' coast division,' with the un- derstanding that it should be enlarged to a full regiment. In about seven weeks five companies were filled, and, on the 27th of December, 1861, they left Annapolis, Md., to join the North Carolina expedition, Others followed, and, on the 9th of January. Colonel Sisson arrived at New Berne and took command of the regiment. Among the military adventures of the Fifth, the raising of the siege of Little Washington,
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North Carolina, must ever occupy the most prominent place as a hazard- ous and brilliant achievement."
The conspicuous part taken by Colonel Sisson in relation to this affair is so well related in the following pages of this work that it is not deemed expedient to dwell on it here.
Busy times followed the arrival of Colonel Sisson with the re- cruits for the regiment. The older men, in point of service, justly regarded themselves as veterans. With them good discipline and good, soldierly conduct had become a habit. With the recruits came an element before unknown in the history of the regiment. It is with a hearty concurrence in his views on this subject. temperately expressed withal, that we quote from one of the oldest and best officers of the regiment :
" Experience has proved at all times that it is impossible to asso- ciate a large number of men together, especially as a military or- ganization, without including more or less of a vicious element. We could not expect to be exempt from that general rule. A firm disci- pline worked its sure results in time, and when any of this element exhibited its characteristics in too marked a manner, it was soon sup- pressed. The introduction of this undesirable element was entirely owing to the system of recruiting adopted at home - the worst sys- tem that ever could have been devised. It was the system that pro- duced and developed the ' bounty jumper,' a something never before known or heard of in a civilized country. It is to be hoped that if the time should ever come to again form an army or recruit for one, no such system will again be tried. If men are to be drafted, make those serve who are drawn. If men volunteer, instead of giving a bounty, make the monthly pay larger. By such means the longer a man serves the larger will be his reward. There will be no merce- mary motive for a man to desert his colors and get away with a large bounty, with the chance of getting two or three more besides."
The demerits of the professional " bounty jumper" was long a sore subject of discussion in the camp of our regiment. With the arrival of the new recruits began a series of changes in positions af- feeting commissioned and non-commissioned officers all the way from the rank of lieutenant-colonel down to the grade of corporal. The
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first promotions to be mentioned will be those that were, with one or two exceptions, made upon other than regimental recommendations :
Capt. Job Arnold. to be lieutenant-colonel, with rank to date from Jan. 7. 1863.
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Lieut. Charles E. Beers.
Ephraim L. Warren, surgeon, with the rank of major, Dec. 10, 1862.
J. B. Greene, assistant surgeon. Jan. 17, 1863. Doctor Greene had served previously.
Henry S. White, chaplain, Jan. 7, 1863. Lieut. Benjamin L. Hall, captain. Dec. 13, 1862.
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Isaac M. Potter, captain, Nov. 20, 1862. He came to us from the Third Rhode Island, having been wounded at James Islaud. While at home on sick leave he was appointed to our regiment.
Emelius DeMeulen, first lieutenant, Nov. 28, 1862. He had seen service as an officer under General Garibaldi, in Italy.
George H. Pierce, of Providence, second lieutenant, Nov. 22, 1862.
William Sisson, Jr., second lieutenant. Dec. 25, 1862.
During the period covered by these appointments, the following resignations occurred in the regiment :
Capt. Allen G. Wright, Company B, Jan. 14, 1863.
First Lieut. John E. Snow, Company C, Jan: 14, 1863.
Capt. Jonathan M. Wheeler, for the second time, Jan. 26, 1863.
At the time when the thoughts of both officers and men were dwelling on the daily changes going on among them, we received on the afternoon of January 13th orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at twelve hours' notice. .. We are to go to Beaufort by cars and there embark, leaving our camp and garrison equipage at that place : so it really looks as if we should not come back." At this time our brigade remained the same as on the Goldsboro march, but was now known as the Second brigade, Fourth division, Eighteenth army corps. General Wessels commanded our division, and General Foster the corps. We were now hourly expecting or- ders to move, and rumors of coming movements, campaigns and battles were on every tongue. Day after day passed and still we re- mained in New Berne. On the 24th General Foster left his head- quarters for some destination unknown, and again talk of a coming great campaign revived. A private letter of the date of January 27th says :
" The expedition has gone, and, alas! the Fifth and Belger's don't go. Night before last we got word to start for Beaufort at midnight. We packed everything. and then came an order to remain behind. Our ra- tions, etc., had been on the transport for some ten days, so we felt pretty sure of going, as also did Belger, whose battery and horses had been on board for a fortnight and had gone around to Beaufort. He received or- ders to remain at the same time we did, and also to turn over his horses to the Third New York Artillery, and get his guns ashore and bring them back here. The Twenty-fourth Massachusetts and the Tenth Con-
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necticut were all that went from our brigade or from our division. We do not know how many troops have gone, or how many remain. There is no doubt but that the enemy are in strong force at Kinston and Golds- boro, and if this place was left insufficiently guarded, they might come down and take it. but with the force we have here now they would have ' a gay old time ' if they attempted it."
Two days later Colonel Sisson wrote a letter to Governor Sprague so full of detail that it is of itself a part of the history of the regi- ment at this time. With the exception of an immaterial paragraph, it is presented in full :
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH REGT. R. I. VOLUNTEERS, NEW BERNE, Jan. 20, 1863. To His Excellency Gor. WILLIAM SPRAGUE:
The regiment, as I advised you in my former communication, I found in excellent condition, showing great proficiency in drill, particularly in battalion movements. while the discipline and efficiency of the men re- fleet much credit upon Major Tew and Captain Arnold, who, by their constant and earnest devotedness to the interests of the regiment, have brought it to a position which will vie with that of any other which you have sent into the field.
Together with the list of those I have recommended for appointment, I hand you a report upon each individual named, and all the information I can gain in regard to them. You will notice that my recommendations are made very nearly in accordance with the position which the parties are assuming at the present time.
I will say that I have taken every means to arrive at the real merits and qualifications of those whose names I submit for your consideration, both by personal observations and by making inquiries of those who have been placed in positions to judge of their capabilities. I feel as- sured that the best interests of the regiment will be subserved by the appointment of those I have named. In my reports I have not made mention of the newly appointed officers now at home, as they have never reported here. There are vacancies enough, however, in the companies here and the last company which is being recruited, to accommodate them all.
I regret to inform you that my regiment was ordered to stop back, with others, for the protection of New Berne. I had been furnished with ammunition, had sent along my horses, had a vessel assigned me with orders to leave for Beaufort last Thursday night at twelve o'clock. At ten o'clock the order was countermanded, and we were ordered to re- main here. Belger's battery was all shipped, and he received orders to disembark and return. Rifle-pits have been traced and fortifications con-
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structed in anticipation of an attack. We consider ourselves well pre- pared, and are in readiness to receive callers.
I am looking anxiously for the arrival of Captain Potter with Company K. We consider ourselves about a mateh for any of the regiments here now, and if we had that other company, should consider that we had a little the advantage.
I am, sir, with respect, HENRY T. SISSON, Colonel Comd'g Fifth Reg't R. I. Vols.
The enclosure. forwarded with this letter, containing the remarks regarding the capabilities of some of those recommended for pro- motion, was as follows :
James Gregg, for captain Company 1; was in Carbineers First Rhode Island Detached Militia : came out as first sergeant Company B; was promoted to second lieutenant in June, and is an efficient officer.
Dutee Jolinson, for first lieutenant; one of the best officers in the regi- ment.
Charles E. Beers, for second lieutenant Company A; was one of the first to join the regiment at Camp Greene; was out with the First Regi- ment: has acted as commissary sergeant ; has performed his duties faithfully and sati-factorily in every respect.
Thomas Allen, for first lieutenant Company B; came out with the regiment as corporal Company E ; was promoted to sergeant; is now act- ing as first lieutenant, and is very intelligent and well drilled.
Christopher T. Pierce. for second lieutenant Company B ; is now a pri- vate in this regiment on recruiting service in Rhode Island, and has done as much for the regiment in way of recruiting as any other man: he is well educated, a young man of fine abilities and good habits; should like for you to see him before appointing.
William W. Douglas, for captain Company C, now in Rhode Island on recruiting service: came out as second lieutenant Company B, and was promoted in June to first lieutenant. He is well posted, and has shown excellent fighting qualities. The writer thinks the governor is opposed to putting this officer forward, but being favorably impressed by what he has seen, and hearing a good report of him, he recommends him ac- cordingly without any disposition to crowd him upon his excellency.
James Moran, for captain Company D: was transferred from Third Regiment, and acted as captain of the company during the sickness of Captain Grant, and also during the absence of Lieutenant Douglas. Is a fine officer, of good judgment. and very brave.
Walter H. Luther. for first lieutenant Company D; came froui War- ren, R. I .: isa nephew of Governor Turner: was in Company G, First Regiment Rhode Island Detached Militia; is well qualified for a lieu- teuaney.
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George G. Hopkins, for captain Company E ; a Newport man; came out second lieutenant Company C; was promoted to first lieutenant in June; has acted as adjutant about three months during sickness of the adjutant; well qualified to take command of a company.
Josiah D. Hunt, for second lieutenant Company E; came out in June last with first squad of Company F as sergeant; a man of great spirit and energy, excellent morals, and a good soldier.
William R. Landers, for captain Company F; has had command of the company for some time, and has filled the position with great credit to himself.
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