USA > Rhode Island > History of the Ninth and Tenth Regiments Rhode Island Volunteers, and the Tenth Rhode Island Battery, in the Union Army in 1862 > Part 15
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.232
THE TENTH REGIMENT
Gen. John Pope in 1862.
General Pope had just arrived in Washington, from the west, and as- sumed command of the Army of Vir- ginia. A fortnight was spent in organ- izing his personal staff, and two men were detached from the Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers for special service at headquarters, the author from Com- pany B, and Charles H. Wildman from Company D, and the following orders were issued :
Special Orders No. 16.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH REGIMENT R. I. VOLS., FORT PENNSYLVANIA, July 2, 1862.
Privates William A. Spicer, of Company B, and Charles H. Wildman, of Company D, are hereby detailed for service in Washington as clerks to Col. George D. Ruggles, Chief of Staff, at the headquarters of General Pope, and will report at the War Department for duty forthwith.
By order of
ZENAS R. BLISS, Colonel Commanding,
JOHN F. TOBEY, Adjutant.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH REGIMENT R. I. VOLS., FORT PENNSYLVANIA, July 2, 1862.
COLONEL RUGGLES,
A. A. G. and Chief of Staff.
I have the honor to report that in accordance with orders yesterday received, the bearers, Privates William A. Spicer and Charles H. Wildman are detailed for service as clerks in your department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Signed,
JOHN F. TOBEY, Adjt. Tenth R. I. Vols.
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
Letter from the author : "Head- quarters Army of Virginia, 232 G Street, Washington, July 3, 1862. · Don't be startled because I've turned - up in another new locality. Sunday night, June 30th, was our last at Camp Misery, in Virginia. Monday night, July Ist, I slept on board a Our Ambulance Ride. transport at the Washington Navy Yard, and Tuesday afternoon reported at Fort Pennsylvania. Things were in a tipsy-topsy, hurly-burly state on my arrival." " Unfortunately," says Captain Dyer, "that curse of the army, whiskey, found its way among our men and confusion reigned." One of the men always got drunk on pay-day, in order, as he said, that he could see double, and thus, in imagination, get double pay. Another man was wiser, who kept sober, but always put on his spectacles when eating cherries, so that the fruit might look larger and more tempting.
"Tuesday afternoon, June 2d, I had spent but an hour or two in camp, at Fort Pennsylvania, when I was officially informed (see orders inclosed), that two of us, had been detailed for special ser- vice at the War Department, with orders to report at once. Hurriedly packing our knapsacks, and loading all our personal effects into an army ambulance, we bade our comrades good-bye, and started for Washington about half past two P. M. The rain was descending in sheets, as we halted at the War Department, and we got our feet thoroughly soaked in transferring our bag- gage from the ambulance to the corridor of the War Office.
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234
THE TENTH REGIMENT
" We found, on inquiring, that it was past office hours, so we walked twice in the pouring rain to Colonel Ruggles' residence. He received us kindly, and gave us a note to General Wadsworth, the military governor of the district. After scanning us pretty sharply he gave us an order on the superintendent of the Soldiers' Retreat, the place where Julian Melles we stopped when we first arrived in Washington, and from which we were Secretary of Navy. glad to retreat. As it was fully two miles away, in a drenching storm, and no umbrellas even hinted at, we determined to beat a retreat to the War Department, and see what would turn up. We told our story to the night janitor, a kind hearted Irishman, and he at once became interested in our behalf, and obtained permission for us to occupy Adjutant-General Thomas's office for the night. Mr. Welles, with long, white beard, the efficient secretary of the navy, was pointed out to us. We then stepped across the street to a restaurant and enjoyed the first square meal we have had since leaving home. On re- turning to the War Department we had the great pleasure of seeing President Lincoln walk down the corridor. He carried an old fashioned umbrella big enough for two, and appeared anxious and depressed. It was the day after the battle of Malvern Hill, and the campaign against Richmond had ended in failure." During these disheartening days Mr. Lincoln spent much of his time at the war office.
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
"I am glad to report that we slept soundly last night in the office of Uncle Sam's Adjutant-General, which we think is quite an honor for boys of seventeen ! I am now writing at General Pope's Headquarters, No. 232 G Street, near the War Department. It is a good place to see the leading officers. Generals Sturgis and Banks called this morning. General Pope is in citizen's dress. We think we shall like our duties first-rate. Our rations have been commuted at seventy-five cents per day, with forty At Headquarters. cents additional for our services at headquarters. We are to sleep here to receive night dispatches, and take our meals close by the office. Wildman and I propose to make our beds on the carpet in the general's office. To-morrow is the glorious Fourth of July ! How I would enjoy spending it at home! There will be no public celebration here, but we are to have a holiday, with passes from General Pope giving us permission to go about the city independent of the provost guards. My pass reads as follows :
Pass Number 1.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, July 3, 1862.
The bearer, William A. Spicer, is employed as clerk at these headquarters, and will be permitted to pass to any part of the city, at all times.
By command of Major-General POPE,
GEORGE D. RUGGLES,
Colonel, A. A. G., and Chief of Staf.
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236
THE TENTH REGIMENT
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Say, oh Dutchy, will ye fight mit Si - gel?
Zwel glass o' la - ger. Yaw! You !! Yaw !!!
A.
Will ye fight to help de bul - ly ea - gle?
Schweitzer-kase und pret-zels, Hurraw !- raw! RAW!
Hurraw! We Fights Mit Sigel !
I read in the Provi- dence Journal of June 27 : "The appointment of General Pope to the command of the Army of Virginia will be re- garded as news almost . as welcome as that of a victory." "It does look as if he meant to 'push things.' He has kept us busy sending military dispatches in all direc-
tions. What we don't know about what is going on, isn't worth knowing. When the general arrived, a few days ago, he found the forces under Fremont, Banks, and McDowell, widely scattered. Then Fremont resigned, and General Sigel was appointed in his place. His two division commanders are Generals Schenck and Schurz. All this is very gratifying to the German soldiers. Sigel is ordered to cross the Shenandoah Valley at Front Royal, and take post at Sperryville. Banks is ordered to take up his position at Little Washington, a few miles northeast of that place. One of the divisions of McDowell's Corps has been ordered forward to Waterloo Bridge, on the line of the Rappahannock, a few miles southwest of Warrenton, while his other division is held at Fred- ericksburg, by direction of the government. The total effective force, including cavalry, is about fifty thousand. The whole plan of the campaign is changed by the movement of the Army of the
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
Potomac to Harrison's Landing, which leaves the entire army of General Lee interposed between that of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Virginia."
"July 6th. General McDowell called at headquarters, this morning. I spent nearly all the forenoon carefully copying a long personal letter from General Pope to General McClellan, at Harrison's Landing, James River, headquarters Army of the Potomac, fully stating his plans and position, and the disposition of the troops under his command. He requests General McClellan in all good faith and earnestness to write him freely and fully his views, and to suggest any measures which he thinks desirable to enable him to cooperate with him and promises on his part to render all assistance in his power. He writes, ' I am very anxious to assist you in your operations, and I will run any risk for that pur- pose.' In conclusion, he says, 'I therefore request you to feel no hesitation in fully stating your plans, and, so far as in my power, I will carry out your wishes with all the energy, and with all the means at my command.'" The only reply to this cordial commu- nication was a very formal note from General McClellan, very general in its tenor, and proposing nothing whatever toward the accomplishment of the purposes suggested by General Pope. It became apparent, therefore, that there was to be no harmonious cooperation between the Union commanders in Northern and Southern Virginia, so necessary for the success of the campaign. "Later in the day I forwarded a military telegram to General Banks, stating that the critical condition of affairs near Richmond, renders it highly probable that the enemy will advance upon Washington, in force."
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238
THE TENTH REGIMENT
"July 15th. By direction of General Pope, I copied yesterday, an important address to the Army of Virginia, for the government printer. A copy will be forwarded to the Ninth and Tenth Rhode Island Regiments and Battery."
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, D. C., July 14, 1862. To the Officers and Soldiers of the Army of Virginia :
By special assignment of the President of the United States, I have assumed the command of this army. I have spent two weeks in learning your where- abouts, your condition, and your wants ; in preparing you for active operations, and in placing you in positions from which you can act promptly and to the pur- pose. These labors are nearly completed, and I am about io join you in the field.
Let us understand each other. I have come to you from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies ; from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when he was found; whose policy has been attack and not defence. In but one instance has the enemy been able to place our western armies in defensive attitude. I presume that I have been called here to pursue the same system, and to lead you against the enemy. It is my purpose to do so, and that speedily. I am sure you long for an oppor- tunity to win the distinction you are capable of achieving. That opportunity I shall. endeavor to give you. Meantime I desire you to dismiss from your minds certain phrases which I am sorry to find much in vogue amongst you. I hear constantly of taking " strong positions and holding them," of " lines of retreat," and of " bases of supply." Let us discard such ideas. The strongest position a soldier should desire to occupy is one from which he can most easily advance against the enemy. Let us study the probable lines of retreat of our opponents, and leave our own to take care of themselves. Let us look before us. and not 'behind. Success and glory are in the advance: disaster and shame lurk in the rear. Let us act on this understanding, and it is safe to predict that your ban- ners shall be inscribed with many a glorious deed, and that your names will be dear to your countrymen forever.
JOHN POPE, Major-General Commanding.
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DEFENCES, NORTH OF THE POTOMAC, WASHINGTON, July 15, 1862.
To COL. ZENAS R. BLISS,
Tenth Reg't R. I. Vols.
By direction of General Sturgis, command- ing, the firing of blank cartridges at the forts garrisoned by the companies of your regi- inent will be discontinued.
Signed, J. A. HASKIN, Licut .- Col. A. D. C.,
In charge of defences north of the Potomac.
Lieut .- Col. J. A. Haskin.
The firing of the big guns on the forts had been done for artil- lery practice, but it disturbed certain nervous people in Wash- ington, and was discontinued for military reasons. One of the men wrote : "Colonel Haskin is a brave and accomplished officer, who left his arm at Chapultepec, but who still preserves a certain cheerful manliness which wins the admiration of all who meet him."
Colonel Shaw's report says : "The transfer from camp to gar- rison was anything but agreeable to the regiment. It compelled us to forego all hope of perfecting ourselves in infantry tactics, and to commence with the rudiments of artillery, with which we were entirely unacquainted. Commendable progress was soon made with our new arms ; but extended as we were over so long a line of fortifications, the garrison at each post was necessarily small, and the duties severe. In addition to other duties, a detail of forty men was required to report daily at Battery Vermont, to complete the extension of that work."
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240
THE TENTH REGIMENT
"Building forts is one of those heroic but unobstrusive occupa- D tions for which our soldiers got little credit. I took an orderly's horse in front of headquarters, and rode out to Tennallytown, to see the boys at Fort Pennsylvania. They appeared glad to see me back again. They say that be- tween heavy artillery drill, gar- risoning old forts, and building Outfit for Battery Vermont. new ones, their time is pretty well used up. You should see them, hand-spike in hand, heaving at the wheels of those forty-two-pounders. The latest conundrum is, ' Why are the boys of the Tenth in such good company now, at the forts ?' 'Because they are closely associated with so many big guns !' But they say they would rather heave at those heavy guns, or make another long tramp into Virginia, and even fight a little than to wear their lives away these hot days, shovelling sand. There doesn't appear to be anything very exciting or in- spiring about it, and the patriotism of the boys is at a low ebb. Some of them wear a badge made of lead, consisting of a pick-axe, spade, and broom in combination, to represent their new employ- ment at Battery Vermont. It has been very warm at the fort. In one of the tents the thermometer registered 102 degrees, so that you can imagine how nice and cool it is here. The boys are all pretty well browned, and a good many, I noticed, will go home adorned with a beard which they did not support when they left home."
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
Company A, Corp. Albert C. Winsor, furnishes the following interesting article on "The Fourth," at Fort Franklin : "The anniversary of National Independence was made a marked occa- sion at Fort Franklin by a presentation of colors to Company A, Capt. William E. Taber, the gift of the ladies of the Fifth Ward in Providence. Comrade Wendell P. Hood presented the flag, in a neat and patriotic speech, Captain Taber gracefully acknowl- edging the gift in behalf of the company. Patriotic speeches were also made by First Lieut. Joseph L. Bennett, Jr., Company A; Captains H. B. Cady, Company E; William M. Hale, Company I, and others, and at eleven o'clock the flag was hoisted to the head of the staff greeted by nine rousing cheers and the singing of the 'Star Spangled Banner.' This will be a memorable day to the members of Company A, also, from the fact that a large sized box arrived at the fort last night, well filled with lemons, sugar, tonics, cigars, and tobacco, the gift of the store-keepers and friends in the vicinity of South and Point streets, to enable the ' Blue Pointers' to celebrate, and remind them that they were not forgotten by the friends at home. The boys had remembered their part, and after dinner the camp was visited by a party of the Seventy-first New York Regiment, who were encamped about two miles from Fort Franklin ; the comrades were welcomed, and generously entertained, toasts were given, and the camp re- sounded with patriotic songs ; fun and sociability were then in order and greatly enjoyed, as many of the boys will testify by . the mementos that were exchanged in caps, buttons, and figures. As the guests left the camp nine cheers were given for New York and Rhode Island."
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242
THE TENTH REGIMENT
The following letter of acknowledgment from the chaplain, to the ladies of the Fifth Ward, will be interesting :
FORT PENNSYLVANIA, D. C., July 17, 1862. REV. C. H. FAY, Providence.
MY DEAR BROTHER : Please excuse the long delay in answering yours, which accompanied the beautiful standard presented to Company A (Captain William E. Taber), by the ladies of our Fifth Ward.
The delay has arisen from a little misapprehension, the captain supposing that I had answered it, while I thought he had done so.
As the ladies have heard, a debilitating illness made it impossible for me to go to Fort Franklin on the 4th of July, and present the standard, as desired by you, in their behalf.
It was a grievous disappointment not to have that privilege; although, as far as the company and the donors were concerned, nothing was lost; Mr. Hood, a member of Company A, having made the presentation in terms which the ladies would have regarded as eminently befitting the occasion.
They may rely on it, that nothing since we left home has given Company A so much pleasure as this token of remembrance and of confidence from their lady friends of the Fifth Ward.
I will guarantee, moreover, that the Stars and Stripes will never be dis- honored at the hands of that noble company.
I knew them at home. I have known them far more intimately here; and I assure you that both officers and men are, as a body, of the right stamp to be entrusted with the beautiful emblem of our country's liberty and greatness.
Please express to the lady donors the thanks of the company; assure them that their gift is appreciated, and will be sacredly preserved as an honored trust; and if borne into battle, will be defended to the last-upborne by no coward's hands.
Please, also, to thank the ladies for the honor they conferred on myself, in selecting me to make the presentation ; and, believe me,
Ever, sincerely, yours,
A. HUNTINGDON CLAPP,
Chaplain Tenth R. I. Vols.
Imei
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
Company B, Fort Pennsylvania, July 4th : " Perhaps you would like to know," wrote comrade James F. Field, "how we cele- brated the day. The first thing was breakfast, consisting of beef- steak, white bread, and coffee. At half past nine, Companies B and K were formed in line and marched to the colonel's head- quarters to listen to a literary feast. An oration was delivered by Joshua M. Addeman, and a poem was read by Henry S. Latham, both of Company B. After the exercises we had a very spirited speech from Mr. Sheffield, one of our representatives in Congress. Soon after we were dismissed, a large box of good things arrived from the Ellsworth Phalanx (High School com- pany). It was quickly opened and the contents were very much appreciated. Your box was also very welcome, especially the cookies. After a few minutes not a vestige of them remained. They tasted tip-top, much better than the first lot, which got mixed up with the catsup from the broken bottle. At half past two dinner was served. Roast beef, potatoes with gravy, beets, onions, peas, and, to crown all, lemonade-and the best of all was, there was enough to 'go around, and around.'
" It was intended that the Declaration of Independence should be read as a part of the exercises, but it had to be omitted, as one of our company, Nathan H. Baker, rode all over the neighboring country in vain, to procure a copy. He did at last succeed in find- ing one framed, but it was in such fine print that he gave it up as a bad job. At twelve o'clock a salute was fired by the Tenth Rhode Island Battery. During the day and night previous there was firing from the forts on the other side of the Potomac, but we have had orders not to fire any more, for military reasons."
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THE TENTH REGIMENT
"Toward night, yesterday, July 3d, we had one of the most terrific thunder-storms I ever saw. I happened to be out in it for a few minutes, so I know, and got completely soaked through. The wind blew almost a hurricane. You probably are aware that in a fort the magazine is in the centre, and that the top is some- what higher than the surrounding embankment. A guard or picket is stationed on this magazine all the time. In order to hold the fort, during the terrific storm of wind and rain, he had to stick his bayonet in the ground the whole length, and then brace himself against it. As it was, he came near being blown off the magazine. But he held on all through the pelting storm, which continued at least half an hour."
Mrs. Partington says, she pities the poor soldiers who have to stay out on pickets in the scorching rain, especially when the pickets are driven in !
"Companies B and K," wrote Private Edwin B. Fiske, " are still in a flourishing condition, and we can say in the language of a distinguished statesman, 'We still live!' Others have written and told you of the glories of camp-life and its romantic associa- tions, which are welded in a soldier's mind, never to be erased ; and he who is permitted to return to his home after the conflict is over, will have as many stories to tell, and stirring incidents to relate to fire the hearts of the young, as fired our hearts when listening to the tales of the old Revolutionary patriots, when our fathers waded through blood and fire to rescue our country from the tyrannical heel of Great Britain. And more, we labor to secure the establishment of our government upon a broader and freer system than has heretofore existed."
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
Com .- Sergt. James O. Swan was a capable and hard working official. His constant care and vigilance helped bring about a much needed reform in the quality of our rations. He had then, the same quiet, con- vincing way, to make things move right along -that distinguish him now in his official duties at the City Hall. Some of the boys thought on Com .- Sergt. James O. Swan. account of his stern and dignified air that he must have a hard heart. They were mistaken ; he always had the interests of the regiment in mind, and demanded the fullest consideration for the men from others, to the extent of his authority.
Private Fiske continues : " Allow me to say a few things about ourselves in and around Fort Pennsylvania. The fort is built upon a hill, in a commanding position, and if properly manned could not easily be taken. General McCall's division was en- camped in this vicinity last winter. These troops were badly cut up in the late battles before Richmond. Fort Pennsylvania is now garrisoned by Companies B and K, of our regiment, and the Tenth Light Battery. The avenue of Company B is called Dyer Avenue, and that of Company K, Low's Avenue, in honor of the company captains. Here you find ' University Hall' with the students from 'Brown ;' the 'Martin Box,' named after the chief of the mess ; 'Tiger's Retreat, &c. As you pass down Dyer Avenue, the first tent is that of Orderly Phillips, called by the boys the ‘ Dio- ciesian Tower.' It appears that the 'orderly' used to advertise
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THE TENTH REGIMENT.
his store near Grace Church, Providence,' 'as the great skate and floral depot directly opposite the Dioclesian Tower.' He is a very lively and efficient officer ( just the same), and has a prompt way of calling the men into line with the order, 'Fall in B's !' 'Lively B's !' On the opposite side of Dyer Avenue you see the sign, 'Whang Hotel,' the quarters of the High School mess, Charles L. Stafford, sergeant. The ages range from sixteen to twenty. At dress parade last night, General Pope's stirring ad- dress was read, and the resignation of our quartermaster, Lieut. James H. Armington, with a general order from Colonel Bliss complimenting him for the efficient management of his depart- ment. Lieut. William C. Chace, of Company B, is now acting- quartermaster, and is a model one. We live much better than we did at Camp Frieze; there it was tough enough! Some of the tents look more like express offices than anything else, by the number of boxes piled up in them, showing that our boys are not forgotten by the friends at home."
Occasionally the opening of a box revealed an unwise selection, or careless packing. A case was opened one morning, smooth and polished without, and neatly jointed, when an overpowering odor filled the air, and drove everybody from the neighborhood. The intolerable stench proceeded from "concentrated chicken," which had been badly prepared. The box had been for some time on the journey, and the nicely cooked " concentrated chicken," had become a mass of corruption. "Be Jabbers !" said Irish Jimmy, the drayman, as he wheeled the box away, "I hope the leddies-God bless 'em ! won't send enny more of their 'conse- crated chicken ' this way, for it smells too loud intirely !"
FORT PENNSYLVANIA and ENCAMPMENT at TENNALLYTOWN, ncar WASHINGTON. D.C
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