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 17
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The Magazines-Fort De Russy.
ported by Private Yerrington, of Company G. One day during artillery target practice at Fort Gaines, Lieut. James H. Allen had just sighted the piece, when Colonel Haskin, Inspector of Forts, stepped up, and said, "Lieutenant, your aim is too low, let me assist you." After the gun was fired, the shot went over the target, and made some contrabands scatter in the wheat-fields beyond. The colonel enjoyed the joke at his expense, and went on showing us how to do it, just as if nothing had happened. He was a veteran in the military service, having won distinction in the war with Mexico. He was a very obliging officer, and was much respected by our officers.
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266
THE TENTH REGIMENT
" July 20th. Yesterday Briggs and I were occupied most of the day in laying floors for Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw's and Cap- tain Smith's tents. Both officers expressed themselves well satis- fied with the work done. At dress-parade we marched in front of the new flag-staff (just raised by the boys) when the company having halted, Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw run up the 'Stars and
Raising the Flag at Fort De Russy.
Stripes.' I never heard more hearty cheering than was then given. Never before had the sight of the flag excited such feel- ings as then. We feit as though with that flag in sight, and with such comrades, we could march or fight in its defence. Colonel Shaw made a few appropriate remarks, to which the men responded with three cheers. He then drilled the company for about fifteen minutes, after which we were dismissed for rations.
267
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
" Yesterday another box arrived, from the Second Ward folks. It contained ginger snaps, soda powders, soap, writing paper, en- velopes, etc., sugar, sardines, lemons and other eatables and drink- ables. Briggs has dug a hole under the head of his bed, and when he wishes to keep things cool he puts them down-stairs. Another change in our cook department to-day. Corporal Kelley goes out, Levi Burdon is in. We enjoyed, yesterday, the luxury of some home made gingerbread. Have some ?
"July 20th. George Briggs had a box from home last evening. Some of the articles were nicely packed in a tin-pan, and a little coffee-pot. The sight of the pan caused visions of bread and rice puddings to pass before our minds. All we lack are the eggs.
"July 23d. At the afternoon drill Lieutenants Amos D. Smith, Jr., Samuel A. Pearce, Jr., Henry Pearce, and Sergt. Philip B. Stiness, of the Tenth Battery, were present. A detachment selected from our company was put on one of the thirty-two-pounders. They loaded and fired, running the gun from battery, out in full length, once in sixty, and once in fifty-seven seconds. A few days since we fired in fifty seconds. Mrs. General Burnside, Mrs. Richmond, and Miss Gardner were in camp this noon. Lieut .- Col. James Shaw has his wife and his little Ted with him. The mail just in has brought Sergt. Tom Tobey a commission as lieutenant in the Seventh Rhode Island Regiment. We heartily congratulate him ; he will make a good officer, and will treat his men like men. At 'retreat' this evening official orders from General Pope were read. One prohibits the soldiers of his army leaving their camps. Now we cannot go to Georgetown or Washington without a special pass from his headquarters."
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268
THE TENTH REGIMENT
"After sunset," wrote DeWolf, "on these - glorious July evenings, our own band assem- bles, two violins, guitar, banjo, tamborine, triangle and bones, accompanied by a dozen manly voices, and song follows song, with an occasional interlude, during which the negro field-hands from the neighboring farms, in- " Room Boys, Room, By the Light of, the Moon." dulge in a regular Virginia 'hoe down,' with 'walk round,' and 'double shuffle' embellish- ments. Our evening assemblies usually wind up with the strains of sacred or patriotic song." .What time so welcome in camp as the still evening hour, and what influence so potent as music, to cheer and refresh the drooping spirits of those whose roving tents were pitched far from home and kindred.
' Yes, music is the prophet's art ; Among the gifts that God hath sent, One of the most magnificent!'
"July 22d. Our battalion drills near headquarters, are con- ducted sometimes by Colonel Bliss, and sometimes by Lieutenant- Colonel Shaw. The latter has recently finished his labors at the general court martial, of which he was president. One of the boys said he ' thought a little battalion drill went a great way,' to which another replied : 'Yes, and we have to go a great way to get a little battalion drill !'
"July 23d. While going through 'inspection of arms,' two of the darkey boys joined in. It was too comical for a soldier's gravity to see them gravely bring their sticks to the 'right shoulder' and pass them to the man for 'inspection.'
269
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
"Thursday, July 24th. At the drill this afternoon, we used powder, shot and shell. A target was placed nearly a mile dis- tant at the edge of a piece of woods. The shots fell very near, and the shells exploded over it. We are much pleased with the success of the shell practice.
"I remarked to one of the boys, 'I believe your forte is exag- geration.' Cady immediately rejoined, 'My fort(e) is Fort De Russy !' Our relief on from two to four A. M., was not relieved until 4.30, for which error the sergeant of the guard will have to 'take it.' He was asleep. We are glad to hear that General Twiggs is dead. May many more of the Confederate leaders fol- low his example ; and the sooner, the better.
"July 27th. After 'retreat' last evening, we were entertained with drumming by Master James Shaw, 3d, and he certainly did exceedingly well for a boy of his age. Yesterday we had a report that the night before, fifty guerillas had attacked Fort Slocum, not far from us, and were driven off. It may only have been some men on a drunken frolic, but it has had the effect to keep us on the alert. Later : The party of guerillas proved to be a squad of Union cavalry, bearing dispatches to Secretary Stanton. Rev. Mr. Woodbury was in camp to-day.
"Just after taps, one night, Fred. Hedge said, 'Boys who will occupy this fort after we leave ?' We couldn't tell so he informed us. ' I suppose the bugs will be left tenants (lieutenants).' He was immediately told to go to sleep. Between our fort and Fort Pennsylvania, lives an old colored woman, who has invited some of the boys to stop at her 'humble fabrication,' when they go by. We are to have fish-balls to-night, William A. Harris, chief cook."
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270
THE TENTH REGIMENT.
"Fort Alexander, July 18th. Companies E, I, F and A, form the second battalion of the Tenth Rhode Island, under Major Babbitt. We are encamped upon the heights of the Potomac, about eight miles from Washington, under the walls of Forts Alexander, Ripley, and Franklin, which crown as many hills and form a triangle. The river, more than a hundred feet below us, makes a short bend before reaching this point, and the small sweep visible, being studded with islands, many of which resemble stacks of bullrushes, has more the appearance of a frog pond than of that Potomac of which we have heard so much. But it is magnificent at sunset, where, after a smoky, hot day, the sun goes down like a ball of fire ; and when we have retired to our tents and our blankets, the noise of its waters as they rush over the rocks which obstruct its channel, sounds not unpleasantly, We are pleased with our location and its duties-pure air, spring water, wood, cut and dried ; excellent drainage, good bathing facilities, little policing, hardly more guarding, and a drill which gives a pleasant change,-heavy artillery in the afternoon, rifle drill in the morning.
"A change has come over the spirit of this battalion. Perhaps I ought not to write it, but a week ago grumbling and indifference had begun to be too prevalent in camp. And for this reason : We had no muskets, save the same worthless ones which we brought from Providence; we, or at least not a man of Com- pany E, had a cap-box; our belts were old and rotten ; the ser- geants had no swords ; bed-ticks and rubber blankets few possessed ; and most of all, we had not, and for that matter still have not, an ensign of the Republic to revive our tired patriotism, and to
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THE TENTH REGIMENT
symbolize the land and the laws that we are helping to uphold. Last Saturday, however, we received our splendid, new Enfields, and the other 'fixings' wanting previously, and now we feel that we play the soldier no longer. Increased attention at the drills, stricter obedience, and, if I may so say, a revival of the whole regiment is the result. The health of the company is good.
"An order has been issued offering to muster all those who will enlist again in the Seventh Regiment for three years. That some will reënlist is certain. Major Babbitt will return, ere long, to take his position as major of the Seventh and expects to raise a company from this battalion alone. Saturday, we were under arms to receive His Excellency Governor Sprague."
Christopher A. Cady, of Company E, was detailed as "orderly" for Major Babbitt, at Fort Alexander, and carried the mails and other dispatches to headquarters at Fort Pennsylvania. Starting late one dark night, he lost his bearings at a point where a small stream was forded by a log, and fell into the water-mail and all, but succeeded in scrambling out without loss of correspondence. He was afterwards furnished with a horse, and continued to serve . as orderly till Major Babbitt left for home to take the position of major of the Seventh Regiment. One morning on his way for the mail, as Cady was riding through an apple orchard, he stopped to fill his saddle-bags with fruit for the boys, when the owner suddenly confronted him. Not desiring any complaint, he turned over the apples, and rode on. A few days after, as he was riding through the same locality, a musket shot whistled ciose to his ear. He turned but could see no one. The matter was investigated by the major, but nothing ever came of it.
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273
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
In his official report to Governor Sprague, Colonel Shaw says : "About the first of August, an epidemic or malarial fever broke out in Fort De Russy (Company D), and twenty men were on the sick list at one time. Subsequently the fever appeared at Fort Pennsylvania, and prevailed so generally in Companies B and K, that for some time after the daily details were made, not half a dozen men from both Dr. George D. Wilcox. (A recent picture.) could be mounted for cavalry drill." Dr. George D. Wilcox, our efficient surgeon, assisted by Dr. Albert G. Sprague, very faithfully attended to the needs of the sick, all of whom, save one in Company B, recovered.
"Fort Gaines, August 7th," Capt. A. Crawford Greene wrote : "The extreme heat under which we have been laboring for the past two weeks has prevented our doing any extra duties ; but to-day I have mustered courage, although the mercury on the thermometer stands at about 100° As I wrote you last, we are continuing the drill in heavy artillery, and consider ourselves pretty familiar with that arm of the service. We can load or discharge our forty-two pounders at the rate of forty-five seconds each round. Battery Vermont and Fort Gaines are engaged in mounting more guns. The boys are not quite so fond of the en- gineering department as we expected to be when first detailed for that business. Many of us have never been used to handling the pick and shovel, but considering it is our first attempt building forts I think we are making marked progress.
35
274
THIE TENTH REGIMENT
"One week ago next Monday morning, Company G raised the stars and stripes over Fort Gaines, when speeches were made by Chaplain Clapp, Adjutant Tobey, Captain Gallup, of the Battery ; Captain Duckworth, Lieut. J. H. Allen, Lieutenant Pierce, Dr. King, Sergt. A. J. Manchester, and others. Cheer after cheer was sent up for the old ensign and for the speakers. It was the first flag raised over Fort Gaines.
" Colonel Bliss left us yesterday, to return to Rhode Island, to take charge of the Seventh Regiment, now being mustered into the service."
The following order was read to the regiment :
HEADQUARTERS TENTH REGIMENT, R. I. VOLS., FORT PENNSYLVANIA, August 6, 1862.
General Orders No. 36.
The colonel commanding having been ordered to report immediately in Rhode Island to take command of the Seventh Regiment Rhode Island Volun- teers, is obliged to leave his present command this day. Being unable in the haste of departure to visit each post of his command, he takes this method of expressing his regret at parting with the Tenth.
He begs each of his officers and enlisted men, to accept his thanks for the cheerful faithfulness with which they have discharged all duties required of them, and to receive assurances of his entire satisfaction with their conduct, while under his command. To the Field and Staff especially, the Colonel command- ing tenders his thanks for the kindness which has made his intercourse with them uniformly agreeable. His regret at parting with them is tendered with the certainty of life-long memories, of this brief but most pleasant association.
It is a pleasure to the colonel commanding to feel that though personally separated from this command, he will be still united with them, in the service of our honored State, the defence of our common country, and the triumph which is speedily to crown our cause.
Signed, ZENAS R. BLISS,
Colonel Commanding.
.
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275
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH REGIMENT R. I. VOLS., FORT PENNSYLVANIA, August 6, 1862.
General Orders No. 37.
The undersigned hereby relinquishes command of the Tenth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers.
Signed, ZENAS R. BLISS, Colonel Commanding.
"August 6th. The following resolutions were read to our Battalion this afternoon at dress parade, when the companies composing it (E, A, I, and F) joined heartily on adopting them and in giving nine rousing cheers for Colonel Bliss. Many of us hope to see him once more, and join hands again in crushing the rebellion :
" WHEREAS, The exigencies of the service have required the recall of Col. Zenas R. Bliss from this command, to assume his post at the head of the Sev- enth Regiment, it is due to him as an officer and a man, that we tender to him some slight testimony of our respect; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That during our short intercourse with Colonel Bliss, we have learned to esteem him for the many high qualities which distinguish him, both in his official and private relations ; for the soldierly bearing that mark the former, and for the kindly heart and social disposition which have made the latter so pleasant to us.
"Resolved, That in parting with him, we are deprived of the services of an officer who has done all in his power to improve us in drill and discipline, and whose longer connection with us would have brought us to the highest state of efficiency.
"Resolved, That we congratulate the Seventh that they will be led to the field by so gallant and accomplished a commander, and that we tender to him the best wishes of each officer and soldier in this command for his future welfare, happiness and prosperity."
276
THE TENTH REGIMENT
" In Tennally- town, near Fort Pennsylvania, where we had 1 our first camp ( Camp Frieze ) there is a small, - meeting - house, which we used at first for quar- ter-master's stores. When the Anderson Tennallytown Church, 1862. Zouaves were there they used it for a guard-house, and tore out the pulpit, and destroyed the Sabbath School library. Quartermaster-Sergeant Lysander Flagg learning about it, sent to the Methodist Sabbath School in Pawtucket, and the Baptist Sabbath School in Central Falls, and informed them of the facts, and they immediately sent a large collection of their books to the little Sunday-school of Tennallytown. The books we presented last Sabbath. Both teachers and scholars were greatly pleased with this remembrance from the children of the New England schools."
Comrade R. W. Chappell, of the Ninth Rhode Island Volun- teers, says, "that the old meeting-house at Tennallytown, was the last building in which John Brown preached on his way to Harper's Ferry, in October, 1859, where in an effort to free the slaves he lost his life, 'but his soul is still marching on.'"
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277
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH REGIMENT R. I. VOLS., FORT PENNSYLVANIA, August 6, IS62.
General Orders No. 38.
The undersigned hereby assumes command of the Tenth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers.
Signed, JAMES SHAW, JR., Lieut .- Col. Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS NORTH OF THE POTOMAC, WASHINGTON, August 6, 1862.
To the Colonel of the Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers :
SIR : If you have not one hundred rounds of cartridges per man in addition to forty rounds in cartridge-box, please send in requisition, at once.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES H. HALE, Captain and A. D. C.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH REGIMENT R. I. VOLS., FORT PENNSYLVANIA, August 11, IS62.
GEN. S. P. STURGIS.
DEAR SIR: I would respectfully request, if possible and consistent with the interests of the public service, that this regiment may be released from the daily details of laborers for Battery Vermont.
I have thirty-three men on my sick report this morning, nearly all of them have a slow fever caused by hard work and exposure to the sun ; with the ther- mometer varying as it has done from 100° to 130° in the sun, during the past week, it is impossible for them to do the work effectually, and if attempted at all, it is daily adding to my sick list. I have placed the detachment under com- mand of a commissioned officer, and if they cannot be released, I will see that they do all that it is possible for them to do.
I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Signed, JAMES SHAW, JR., Lieut .- Col. Commanding.
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278
THE TENTH REGIMENT
"A verbal reply was received through Lieutenant-Colonel Has- kin, A. D. C., saying that a requisition had been made for 'con- trabands,' but they had not been obtained, so that the regiment would be expected to do all the work they were able. The details were therefore continued until the regiment was ordered home. It was a thankless task, which the men felt that idle hands in Washington might better have been employed to do. Still the orders were promptly obeyed, and a large amount of work was performed."
August IIth. Capt. William M. Hale, of Company I, was pro- moted to be Lieutenant-Colonel, and First Lieutenant Samuel H. Thomas, of Company B, was promoted to be Captain of Com- pany I. These were two of our most efficient officers.
"Fort Alexander, August 13th," Lieutenant-Colonel Hale wrote : "Thanks to our many friends, yesterday was a gala day with the ' What Cheer Guards,' Company I, Tenth Regiment. It is marked with a white stone in our calendar, for we received such a supply of good things from our friends at home, as will cheer our hearts, to say nothing of our bodies, for the remainder of our campaign. Such fat living, such unctuous hams, such bursting bolognas, such creamy cheese and pungent pickles, such golden lemons, such fragrant tobacco, such crispy crackers, and soothing sweet bread, my feeble pen in vain essays to describe. After the solids were duly distributed among the messes, the liquids, among which are included the lemons, were compounded into lemonade, which, for a short time, claimed the undivided atten- tion of the entire command. Resolutions were then passed, toasts were drank, speeches were made, and songs were sung."
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279
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
"The following were rescued from the wreck :
"Resolved, That Capt. Thomas W. Hart is a tall man, with a heart large enough to reach from Rhode Island to the banks of the Potomac.
"Resolved, That Lieut. Calvin Fuller is pure 'old government Java ' to the backbone.
"Resolved, That we tender our sincere thanks to all the friends who have con- tributed so bountifully to our comfort.
"Resolved, That when .we get home, we will defend the Third Ward to the last drop of our blood, against all foes, internal and external.
" Short and pithy speeches were made by Major Babbitt, Dr. Sprague, Lieutenant Thurber, and others, which would undoubt- edly have brought down the house, if we had occupied one, but as we were under the 'broad canopy of heaven,' they brought down 'all out-doors.'
" Corporal Stump, during the course of his remarks had frequent occasion to 'return to his subject,' which seemed to be contained in a pint cup, near by, of standard measurement."
August 11th. First Sergeant Charles F. Phillips, of Company B, was promoted to second lieutenant Company B, and William C. Chase, second lieutenant Company B, to first lieutenant Com- pany B, Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers.
"August 14th." Corp. O. S. Alers wrote : "A part of Company I went over to the quarters of Company F, Capt. Benjamin W. Harris, and gave them a serenade, which was greatly appreciated.
"August 17th. We had a grand review to-day, Capt. Hopkins B. Cady, of Company E, acting as colonel, and Lieut. Peter Read, of Company I, as adjutant. The battalion showed a great im- provement in discipline and drill."
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280
THE TENTH REGIMENT
Ex-Mayor Henry R. Barker, of Providence, was at this time one of the youthful sergeants of Company I, and was much es- teemed by his comrades. Since the war he has served in various positions of official trust. He was a member of the Common Council from the Ninth Ward, from June 1873 to January 1880, and president in 1879; alder- man, 1880 to 1883 ; president in 1882; mayor, from 1889 to Ex-Mayor Henry R. Barker. 1891. He has also been Com- mander of Slocum Post, No. 10, G. A. R., and Department Com- mander of Rhode Island.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hale resumes : " Having completed one term of service, we propose to return to the land of our nativity, and make such a display as has never greeted the eyes of the quiet dwellers at home. The regiment will be so formed as to represent an entire corps d'armée. First : The ambulance wagon, drawn by our reliable switch-tailed horse, will represent the cav- alry, with the sharpshooters about the wheels and shafts, deployed as skirmishers. Next, the mountain howitzer, borne in triumph by its captors, will form the light artillery, having the ' stars and stripes' floating gloriously from the vent, while the Confederate flag is dragged in disgrace from its depressed muzzle. After that the main body of the regiment will appear divided into light and
28I
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
heavy infantry, dismounted huzzars and chasseurs, and the heavy artillery, selected from the most ponderous men of the regiment, armed with as many thirty-two and sixty-four pounders as pos- sible. Captain Duckworth's Zouaves will close the column, acting as the rear-guard, with instructions to close upon the main body at the double-quick at the first instruction of danger.
" We shall bring home few trophies and less scars. We shall bear no tattered, shot-rent banners from the bloody. field, but shall not be entirely destitute of tatters, if we are of banners, and feeling that we have done what we have been ordered to do in our limited sphere of action, shall not be ashamed to expose our bared soles for public inspection."
August 20th. We have received the following order :
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HEADQUARTERS, DEFENCES OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, August 20, IS62.
General Orders No. I.
I. In virtue of Special Orders No. 196, from the headquarters of the army, dated Washington, August 19, 1862, Brig .- Gen. J. G. Barnard assumes the com- mand of the fortifications of Washington and troops assigned to the defences.
II. The fortifications and troops on the south side of the Potomac will re- main under the immediate command of Brig .- Gen. S. W. Whipple: those on the north side, under charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Haskin, A. D. C., through whom all orders will be transmitted. and to whom commanding officers will make their usual reports.
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