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 20
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the man was beseeching the Almighty to strike one of the horses dead, and relieve him of the responsibility. He declared, with an oath, that he couldn't ' hould' but one baste, any longer." A considerable loss of horseflesh occurred on that dismal night-but it was more than re- placed by foraging-so that a gain of one was reported at camp the following day.
The final halt was made at Clouds's Mills, near the camp of the Sixty-ninth New York, A Dismal Night. and the hospitalities extended to our men were very gratefully appreciated. The surgeon of that regiment drew very liberally for us from his hospital stores. It was real Irish hospitality given in full measure without stint or formality. The camp of the battery was located near Seminary Hill, commanding roads leading into Washington. Near by were the Sixty-ninth New York, the Thirty-second Massachusetts, and part of the Eleventh and Four- teenth United States Infantry, and three batteries of light artil- lery. The brigade was under the command of Colonel Bliss, of the Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers, acting-brigadier-general.
With such an environment, the Tenth Battery soon attained a most creditable degree of efficiency. An officer on the staff of Gen. Samuel P. Sturgis, commanding the division, paid it the compliment of saying that it had been selected by the General for a service, in which its efficiency would be thoroughly tested. The test of battle was not given but it is fair to say that the Tenth Battery was ready and willing to obey any call that could be made upon it. Immediately after the failure of the Peninsula
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Lieut. Samuel A. Pearce, Jr.
campaign, under McClellan, it returned to its old camp, near Fort Pennsylvania, the headquarters of the Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers, relieving veteran troops for active service. During the absence of Captain Gallup, who was detailed on court martial duty in Washington, Lieut. Samuel A. Pearce, Jr., commanded the battery.
Our surgeon, Edward Carrington Frank- lin, rendered excellent service and was much esteemed by officers and men. He graduated at Trinity College, and studied medi- cine with Dr. A. H. Okie, of Providence, and later at the New York Medical College.
One death only occurred, during our term of service, and that by accident. Corp. James Flate was struck by the pole yoke of a limber, during an exhibition drill, and so badly injured that he died in four hours. He enlisted in New York as a detachment was passing through that city. He was faithful in the discharge of his duty, and by his social qualities gained universal favor.
The officers and men of the battery maintained very agreeable relations with their brother soldiers of the Ninth and Tenth Regi- ments. Col. Zenas R. Bliss, of the "Tenth" often honored the battery with a visit, and was always warmly welcomed. These pleasant relations have been continued and kept alive by annual reunions of the survivors of the Tenth Regiment and Battery.
During its term of service it acquired a proficiency in drill and artillery movements that excited the admiration of military
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visitants from Washington. Though it did not receive its " bap- tism of fire " as was confidently expected when it was ordered to an advanced position, the battery formed an important arm of the defence of Washington at a time when it became necessary to withdraw experienced troops from the fortifications around the city to reënforce the armies in the field.
At the close of its term of service, the Battery returned home in company with the Tenth, and shared the welcome which greeted their arrival. It was mustered out of service August 30, 1862. Some of the officers and men again volunteered, and made an honorable record.
In closing this brief sketch of the Tenth Battery, it is due to the men who originated and organized the Rhode Island National Guard, in 1861, to say that the promptness with which the men responded to this sudden call, was the result of patient and arduous military preparations to provide for just such emergencies as occurred in May, 1862. The Rhode Island National Guard maintained the efficiency of the militia companies, and enabled them to respond promptly in the time of need. In this regard special honor is due Col. James Shaw, Jr., its commander.
LIEUT. SAMUEL A. PEARCE, JR., Tenth R. I. Battery.
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THE TENTH LIGHT BATTERY
THE PROVIDENCE MARINE CORPS OF ARTILLERY.
LIEUT. SAMUEL A. PEARCE, JR.
The Providence Marine Corps of Artillery was the mother of ten batteries of light artillery, and the officers of this company assisted in the recruiting and drilling of these batteries during the War. By sending recruits to fill the depleted ranks they per- formed an important duty ; and, it may be timely said, that the history of none of the Rhode Island Light Batteries would be complete without the history of the " Providence Marine Corps of Artillery."
It was organized in the year 1801, and is therefore one of the oldest military organizations in Rhode Island, and was the first militia light battery in the United States. It bears upon its roll of membership many of Rhode Island's distinguished citizens. Several of its former officers were chiefs of artillery, having reg. ular army officers under them. Gov. William Sprague, Governor of Rhode Island, at the outbreak of the war, was a former com- mandant of this organization, and while holding his position as colonel developed the soldierly qualities which made Rhode Isl- and's Governor conspicuous for his promptness in sending troops to Washington at the first call of the President of the United States.
In filling Rhode Island's quota, Governor Sprague conceived the idea of putting a regiment of light batteries into the field. These batteries were distributed in the armies of Virginia and the West, and made a proud record for themselves and in the great battles of the war.
اللو فرطة
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
Well may the old " Mother of Batteries" be proud of her chil- dren ; and long may her name be perpetuated by preserving the organization under its present charter.
An account of the visit of the " Marines" to Boston, in 1852, under the command of Col. Joseph P. Balch, taken from a Boston paper, may be of interest to the younger members of this com- pany, and will show to some extent the character of the organi- zation in which the war batteries were schooled.
" Boston, Saturday, September 18, 1852. Grand Review of the Marine Artillery of Providence, R. I., by His Excellency Governor Boutwell and staff, on Boston Common.
"Our artist has given us below a very correct view of this fine body of citizen soldiers, under command of Colonel Balch, as they appeared on Boston Common a few days since when reviewed by Governor Boutwell and suite. Did our space permit we should be pleased to give a detailed account of the review, but we must be concise. The artist has chosen the scene to depict the com- pany as they appeared à la Sherman's Flying Artillery at full speed passing in review. It is a fact that the Providence Corps, as represented below, fired one hundred guns (notwithstanding a rain storm), in a second over six minutes with four pieces, while Sherman's Battery took seven minutes. The drill and discipline of the Marine Artillery was most excellent, and has infused a spirit among our own military that may result in the formation of a similar corps in Boston.
"The company was instituted and organized and the charter granted by the legislature of Rhode Island, under the name of the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery, in the year ISO1. Upon
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the petition of the 'Marine Society,' ' praying for an act of incor- poration for the purpose of perfecting themselves in the art mili- tary, and for the attack and defense of ships and batteries; ' and one section of the charter provided that all the officers of the company should be chosen from the Marine Society ; this provi- sion has been modified from time to time and finally annulled. At the present time no connection with the Marine Society exists.
"From the time of their organization until the close of the war of 1812, the company was in a very efficient state of drill and dis- cipline; the forts and preparations for the defense of the harbor of Providence during the war, were constructed under their direc- tion. After this period, the interest in the company appeared to decline. New members, however, were admitted and the annual election held, that the charter might not be forfeited.
"In 1842, at the commencement of the 'Dorr Rebellion' a communication was addressed by the Executive to the several military companies of the State, requesting to be informed if in case of necessity, he could depend upon their services to aid in the preservation of law and order.
"Upon laying this executive communication before the com- pany they at once took measures to render themselves efficient.
"Numerous accessions were made to their ranks, and during the campaign of 1842, the active roll of the company numbered about one hundred men. During this season, they uniformed themselves, and the next year assisted by the State erected a commodious stone building, which is occupied jointly with the State as the armory of the company and the State Arsenal.
"At this time the company were drilled and equipped as in-
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fantry. In 1847-48 the State furnished the company with their present battery and since that time they have drilled as light or flying artillery."
POEM.
Dedicated to the Tenth Battery Rhode Island Volunteers, before leaving their camp for home. By Lieut. Samuel A. Pearce, Jr. :
Amid the joys that fill our every heart At happy greetings from the loved at home, 'T'is joy to feel that as true friends we part, That so few shadows o'er our path has come.
Days, weeks, and months we've shared each others lot, And each his portion of the burden borne,
And pleasant mem'ries linger round the spot, Where rapidly those days and weeks rolled on.
We leave this spot, -but not without a sigh, For here we've counted many a happy day,
Yet still we bid the moments swiftly fly And hail the hour which sees us on our way.
Safely returned we'll count our hardships sweet, And looked for dangers but a calm repose, And ever as such friends we'll always meet, And thus remain until our lives shall close.
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Homeward Bound.
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THE END-AT LAST.
FORT HILL, PAWTUNET NECK, R. I., July 4, 1893.
Comrades : Just a year ago the author wrote the introduction to this volume. To-day marks its completion. In the brief space during which it has been compiled there has been little oppor- tunity for elaboration. It has been prepared one form of sixteen pages at a time, and an edition of six hundred copies printed.
No revision of the completed work has thus been possible, nor any opportunity afforded to leave out some irrelevant matter ; but the writer has had the advantage of letting the plan of the book, so far as there is any, develop itself from month to month. It is made up of incidents furnished by a large number of comrades, who thus join the writer in bearing witness to the faithfulness 42
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THE END-AT LAST.
of his record. From collections of old diaries, old letters, old newspapers and orders, he has had to puzzle cut and piece to- gether his material, but has at last, got together the needed facts, so far as it is now possible to discover them. He has sought by the liberal introduction of the spice of army life, to make the book entertaining, especially to the children of " the boys who marched in 'Sixty-two.'" On this account the volume has far outgrown his original purpose.
He gratefully acknowledges the assistance rendered from many sources, and the manifestations of deep interest, as the work has slowly yet surely progressed to the end. Whatever the reception which the critic of to-day may give to this book, it may be one of that class which Abraham Lincoln said people will read with satisfaction two hundred years hence, if fortunately a copy should be preserved so long in the Public Library.
It closes with brief sketches of the reunions of the Ninth and Tenth Rhode Island Veteran Associations, and a corrected roster of the Ninth and Tenth Regiments, and Tenth Battery Rhode Island Volunteers.
If by the perusal of these pages the comrades shall experience any added satisfaction for duty well performed in scenes of trial and danger, if in coming years it shall delight the hearts of their children, and children's children, to read the story of the eventful days when they put on uniform and hurried to the defence of the capital,-above all, if any impetus shall thus be given to the sacred cause of loyalty to our reunited country, then the desire of the writer will be abundantly satisfied. .
WILLIAM ARNOLD SPICER,
Company B, Tenth R. I. Vols.
الدين
REUNIONS.
THE NINTH R. I. VETERAN ASSOCIATION.
N EARLY every year since the close of the War some of our comrades have held reunions to renew the old friend- ships of "Sixty-two."
The Ninth Rhode Island Veteran Asso- ciation was organized in 1873, and has held twenty annual reunions up to the present time. The Association badge was adopted in 1875.
One of the most enjoyable gatherings was that at Silver Spring, on Septem- ber 2, 1890, the twenty-eighth anniversary of the muster-out day. The following re- port has been preserved :
"Col. J. Talbot Pitman was reelected president, and Hon. Harrison H. Richard- son, of Nayatt, sergeant of Company H, secretary and treasurer. After the routine business was completed, the secretary, BADGE. in behalf of members of the Association, Ninth R. I. Veteran Association. presented to Colonel Pitman a gold badge, appropriately inscribed, embodying the State coat-of-arms, and military emblems, sug-
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gestive of the recipient's rank in the service. In presenting the badge, Sergeant Richardson said :
"Mr. President : A few days ago I submitted for your approval the 'notice,' since issued, for this reunion, and possibly you may remember asking me ' what other important business besides the election of officers was therein referred to.' Perhaps my answer was hardly satisfactory, for I tried to evade the question.
" In truth, sir, I had been drawn into a conspiracy. ' A plot had been devised which would fail of success if you should get knowl- edge of it before we were ready to spring the mine.
"For some time past, members have felt that there was due to you from them some recognition of your untiring efforts to pro- mote the success of this Association and to keep alive the spirit of comradeship among those who, twenty-eight years ago, shared with you the honors, as well as the toils and dangers of our hun- dred days' watch and ward over the city of Washington.
"Now, after the lapse of many years, as we recall the events of 'Sixty-two,' we can better understand the responsibility then weighing upon you as colonel, commanding the regiment, and there has come to us some appreciation of your patience with our imperfect, and sometimes none too earnest efforts to conform to military rule and discipline.
"We can now even remember with complacency that too pre- vious fife and drum, which were wont to make such sad havoc with our early morning dreams. For surely the dulcet strains of the 'Reveille' were to be preferred to the clamor of the 'Long Roll,' which, at some midnight hour, we might have heard in our camp, if through our lack of vigilance the enemy had found an unguarded opening through our lines.
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"So too, those daily drills, by squad, by company, and by battalion, sometimes irksome, especially to our cherished ' whangs' (army shoes), yet who shall say how much they may have had to do with our immunity from attack ?
"These thoughts tend to impress upon us the sense of obliga- tion to you sir, inasmuch as, in those days of our country's trials, your zeal in her service never abated, your vigilance never re- laxed ; and although ours was a bloodless campaign, yet to the Ninth Regiment belongs the honor of having faithfully performed all duties imposed upon it, and we can take pride in sharing that honor with our commander.
" Mr. President : Probably knowing how inadequate my words would be, to fittingly express their feelings towards you, the com- rades have placed in my hands as a tangible testimonial of their regard, this badge, which in their behalf, I now present for your acceptance, in the hope that it may be found worthy to be worn by you upon all suitable occasions, in remembrance of the cam- paign of the Ninth Regiment in 1862, for the defence of the national capital."
Colonel Pitman responded with fitting acknowledgments, but was so completely taken by surprise, as to find it impossible at the moment to find words to suitably express his feelings. He fully appreciated the gift, and was very proud of the honor con- ferred upon him by his comrades of the Ninth Rhode Island Vet- eran Association.
Sergt. Harrison H. Richardson, of Company H, has filled the position of secretary and treasurer, with untiring zeal and fidelity since the organization in 1873.
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The officers of the Ninth Rhode Island Veteran Association have been as follows :
Presidents.
Col. JOHN TALBOT PITMAN, Lt .- Col. JOHN HARE POWEL.
Vice-Presidents.
Lt .- Col. JOHN HARE POWEL, Capt. ROBERT MCCLOY, " JOHN A. BROWN,
Capt. HENRY C. CARD,
" HENRY F. JENKS,
Lieut. JOHN POLLARD,
J. CLARKE BARBER,
RICHARD W. HOWARD,
" GEORGE H. BURNHAM,
Adjt. HENRY C. BROWN,
Sergt. ROBERT S. BLAIR,
JAMES B. STREETER,
Corp. EDWARD P. LOWDEN,
SANFORD A. ROBBINS.
Lieut. FRANCELLO G. JILLSON,
NATHAN D. BENTON,
" WILLIAM MCCREADY,
H. J. WHITAKER,
" WILLIAM R. LANDERS,
Sergt. ENOS A. CLARKE,
JAMES F. MOWREY, Corp. JEREMIAH I. GREENE,
BENJAMIN B. MARTIN,
" HUGH O'DONNELL,
Priv. DARIUS COOK,
" JOHN S. DAVIS,
" GEORGE CARMICHAEL, JR.,
" JOSEPH BIGELOW,
" ANDREW CRUMLEY,
" HENRY C. SAYLES,
" CHARLES F. PIERCE,
" STEPHEN A. PECK,
. " ORLAND FREEBORN,
Priv. EDMUND BRAY,
WILLIAM MASSEY,
EDWARD H. BURDICK,
" JOHN McDEVITT,
" WILLIAM J. MILAN,
" LUKE A. WOOD,
" FRANK. D. FISKE,
" HENRY A. BOWEN,
" JOHN H. STACY.
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VETERAN ASSOCIATION.
THE SOLDIER'S WELCOME.
BY MARY E. KILBURN, LONSDALE, K. I.
WELCOME, thrice welcome, soldier friends, We give you hearty cheer, We've watched and waited for this hour With mingled hope and fear; We've missed you in our hearts and homes, Friends, brothers, sons and sires, And now we shout that " Welcome Home," Which trust and love inspires.
We lent you to " our holy cause," To guard the nation's dome, To keep the rebel hordes at bay, And save " fair freedom's " home ; And now your duty nobly done, We grasp with honest pride Your sun-browned hands, that tell of toil, Near the " Potomac's side."
But in our joy we'll humbly raise Our grateful hearts above, To Him whose guardian care has kept The objects of our love : In sun, and in light and shade, His strong, protecting arm Has been outstretched for your defence, To shield from every harm.
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And while with happy hearts we sing, Oh let us not forget The sorrowing and the suffering ones, Whose respite is not yet ; With loving hearts and ready hands, To cheer and to relieve, We'll stand beside the soldier-boys, And comfort those who grieve.
And shall we not stand by our arms, And heed again the call ;
Shall patriot blood forget to flow, And patriots fear to fall? Oh, what are we, if land, and home, And liberty, and law,
Are weighed against our little life ! (Prepare, then, for the war).
Our country ! all we are to-day, And all we hope to be, We gladly on thy altar lay, And consecrate to thee :
We ask not wealth, we ask not fame, This loan thy blessing be, --
United States may we remain, One land, one hope, one destiny.
Chorus :
Then while we shout a welcome, We'll sing in grateful lavs Of His kind love and tenderness, Who merits all our praise.
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VETERAN ASSOCIATION.
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THE STARRY STANDARD.
BY CAPT. J. MCKINLAY, COMPANY D, Written for a Flag-raising.
BEHOLD your starry standard, Aloft in ambient air ! What heart so cold but rapturous throbs To see it floating there ! Be scorned the man who views the flag Of Valley Forge renown, Who'd not resist the rebel arm Upraised to tear it down.
That flag :- beneath those streaming stripes, Your martyr'd fathers stood : That flag they raised on Bunker Hill, And baptized with their blood : We fling not forth defiantly, From towering spire and dome, But rally round its hallowed shrine To guard fair Freedom's home.
Why are these starry ensigns raised To flaunt and flutter free, Till towns appear like pennoned fleets, At anchor on the sea? They're all unfurled to indicate That rebellion we detest, And show the brave and loyal heart Within the nation's breast.
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We court not war, with all the ills That follow in its train ;
But order, law, and government, We surely dare maintain ; When mad, rebellious, wicked men, Would lawlessly break through The glorious Constitution Your father framed for you.
Is there a heart with not enough Of patriotic fires,
To rally to the rescue, ere Loved Freedom's home expires?
Is there an arm so enervate That would not wield a blade,
To guard the Constitution Our noble fathers made ?
Let Warren's gallant spirit now Inspire each sire and son ; Of every creed and nation, Let all unite in one !
Be party spleen and rancor drowned, In Union's swelling flood,
To save the glorious heritage Bought with our fathers' blood.
And may our patriot volunteers In triumph soon be seen, Returning to their native home Of Perry and of Greene ! And though their war-worn features be With blood and smoke begrimm'd
May their flag stream forth triumphantly With all the stars undimm'd.
THE TENTH R. I. VETERAN ASSOCIATION.
T HE first reunion of the Tenth Rhode Island Vet- eran Association was held at Silver Spring, R. I., July 24, 1877. Col. James Shaw, Jr., was chosen president, and Adjt. John F. Tobey, toastmaster.
It was at the time of the labor riots in Pennsylvania, and the Providence Journal, refer- ring to the Tenth reunion, said : "These are good times for vet- erans to be getting together. Possibly they may be wanted again, 'armed and equipped.'"
The Association Badge was adopted at the reunion in May, 1887, with the motto, "Volens et paratus," "ready and willing."
R.I.VOLS
ION BATTERY
MAY
HOPE 1862
VOLENS ET PARATUS
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BADGE-Tenth R. I. Veteran Association.
Its form, a spade, is suggestive of the shoveling done by the regiment on Battery Vermont, with the mercury at 100° in the shade. The badge also bears the date of enlistment, May, 1862, with the State anchor of hope. In the lower left hand corner is an infantry emblem, crossed muskets on a field of blue, and in the
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opposite corner an artillery emblem with crossed cannon on a field of red. The badge is supported by a gold bar with a military cap in the centre, marked 10, R. I. Vols. and Battery, the whole resting upon a ribbon of blue, with plain bar and pin at the top.
At the first reunion of the Tenth Rhode Island Veteran Asso- ciation, His Honor Mayor Thomas A. Doyle, in responding to a toast, "The City of Providence," said: "The city is proud of this regiment, and of the alacrity with which it responded to the call of duty. We should keep our militia organizations strong."
Lieut. Samuel A. Pearce, Jr., followed with an original poem, which was received with much enthusiasm :
As friends, as soldiers, aye, as brothers all, We here have met our camp-life to recall ; To pledge our friendship in a friendly drink Of something mild, would surely have you think ; To eat our rations in a Christian style, No fierce guerillas to molest the while, No signal lights far in the distance seen, No anxious watchings on the magazine. No Stonewall Jackson coming o'er the hills,
No " grand round " escorts, no battalion drills, No balky horses, and no kicking teams, No bugle calls to wake us from our dreams ; But here we are with hands and dishes clean, Plenty of napkins, -isn't it serene?
Though large our number there's an absent friend, Whose genial presence doth a sunshine lend : His name-you've guessed it; for I know you miss Our friend, companion, brother :- Colonel Bliss. Nine cheers for Bliss ; - come, join me now, And drink the Colonel's health :- so, here's how!
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On June 28, 1877, the Tenth regiment took part in the recep- tion of President Rutherford B. Hayes, and the line was reviewed by him at Rocky Point, the Tenth being commanded by Capt. William E. Taber, Jr., of Company A.
The second reunion was held in Providence, in May, 1882, and the third in May, 1883, when Col. Zenas R. Bliss was present, and expressed his satisfaction at meeting his old comrades. He is still in the United States regular service. Hon. William A. James (formerly sergeant of Company A), speaker of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, was also present.
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