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 3
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and his boyhood was necessarily devoted to manual toil, for the support of himself and of his aged mother. . In the year 1842, his family removed to Slatersville, R. I., where Matthew was employed in a mill. After some years he united with the Congregational Church in that place. At length, in 1854, he entered Phillips' Academy at Andover, Mass. His letters home always evince persevering effort, filial affection and religious zeal.
* Written by James W. Colwell, B. U., 1864.
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"I am often discouraged," he says "when I see how much is to be done. I try, however, to look at the bright side, and am de- termined to struggle on. I have advantages beyond many others, and my trust is in God. I have been thinking of mother to-night. I hope she is not lonely. It often makes me feel sad to think that I have to leave her alone while I am here endeavoring to get an education." He entered Brown University in the fall of 1858. His limited means caused him much anxiety, and to increase them he gave instruction in the public evening schools of Provi- dence during the first winter. But these supplies did not prove adequate to his wants, so that he remained in college hardly a year at this time. Two years were then passed in teaching, mostly in Woonsocket, R. I. In the autumn of 1861 he resumed his studies at Brown, entering now the class of 1864. As at school, so in college, whatever he did was accomplished by perse- verance and industry.
From the first breaking out of the Rebellion Meggett felt it his duty to enlist in the army, and at length, near the close of his Sophomore year, when there came from the President another call for men, he decided to go. Saturday, May 24, 1862, he wrote in his journal : "I have been thinking a great deal to-day about entering the service with those who enlist for three months. Ex-Governor Dyer goes on with a fine company from Providence, and I should like to go with him. He will have none but moral men in his company, it is said. I look upon my going as a duty. I shall be ashamed to say that I contributed nothing by way of personal sacrifice toward restoring my country." A day or two later, having gained the consent of his mother, he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers.
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On May 27th, the regiment left Providence, and was assigned to garrison duty in the defences of Washington. Meg- gett writes to his brother : "Our 'mess' is mostly made up of college boys. We had a prayer-meeting Sunday afternoon, at which Captain Dyer and Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw were present and made remarks. It was an impressive meeting." In his last letter to his mother, written before he was taken sick, he speaks of his return home with pleasure, and lovingly plans what he will then do for her comfort and delight.
On Sunday, August 10th, he went into the hospital a sick man. In a few days the disease assumed a graver form, and was pro- nounced by Dr. Wilcox typhoid fever, and he grew rapidly worse till the 18th, when he died, and a telegram was sent to his mother at Pawtucket, R. I. His bereaved friends could hardly credit the startling intelligence that he who had left them strong and vigorous had been cut down by death just on the eve of his return to the loved ones at home. The sad news was soon verified by a letter from the chaplain, Rev. Dr. Clapp. The body of the dead soldier was embalmed and forwarded to his friends. In accordance with the request of his company, the funeral services in Paw- tucket were delayed until their return home.
The regiment arrived in Providence on the morning of Aug. 28, 1862, and on the day following his funeral was solemnized in the Congregational Church, Pawtucket. His comrades in arms were present to take part in those last sad offices of respect and affection. His pastor, Dr. Blodgett, President Sears, and the beloved chaplain of the Tenth Regiment, Dr. Clapp, all bore cheerful testimony to his faithful, earnest, devoted Christian life.
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And yet one more we mourn on our regimental roll of honor, LEVI CAREY WALKER,* class of 1865. He was born in Hartford, Conn., Oct. 30, 1840. He was the son of Rev. William Carey and Almer L. Walker. His boyhood gave promise of a well moulded life. At seventeen he entered the Connecticut Literary Institution at Suffield, from which he graduated with the highest honors of his class. In the ensuing fall he entered Brown Uni- versity with the class of "sixty-five." He at once advanced to a high rank in scholarship, and engaged as heartily in the sports of the campus as in the duties of the class-room ; he also identified himself with the religious interests of the college.
Thus the months of the Freshman year rolled away till May, '62, came, bringing with it the sickening news of disaster to the Union army. On the 25th, at midnight, came the pressing sum- mons for troops, and before the sun had set the Tenth Rhode Island was under marching orders.
Here was the long-sought opportunity for Walker. For him the call had no uncertain sound. We quote from his diary :
" Monday, May 26. A great struggle in my mind this morning. The country has called for men. I want to go. Cannot consult my parents. Have at length enlisted, with a prayer that God will help me. While busy packing my knapsack father came. He made no objection to my going, but felt rather bad."
"Tuesday, 27. I have taken an important step, and am a sol- dier of the United States. Wrote mother. Started for Washing- ton."
* Written by James McWhinnie, Jr., class of '67.
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" MY DEAR MOTHER : There is no thought connected with my enlistment that gives me so much pain, as that I shall by thus doing increase your burden of anxiety and solicitude on my account. I have studied to make myself worthy of your affection and your sacrifices. I know I have often erred, but as often have I repented. I do not wish to go to Washington with- out your full, free hearty consent. Never would I stir one foot against your wishes. But mother, many parents have given up their dear ones to bleed, yes, die in their country's cause. Many have gone forth from the paternal roof as dear and better fitted for life or death than I; and can you hesitate? I should think your bosom would swell with pride at the thought that you were represented in your country's struggle for liberty."
On the morning of May 30th the regiment marched to Tenally- town, the sun pouring down its hottest rays. In his journal Walker writes: "Am somewhat lame after the long march. Spent the day hard at work pitching tents and throwing up em- bankments. Have been transferred with others to Company K, Capt. G. Frank Low."
We find the first record of illness on Thursday, June 5th, in which he speaks of having had a serious hemorrhage.
June 27th the regiment marched to Cloud's Mills, eighteen miles distant. Twelve miles Walker marched with the rest, but was then compelled to seek the ambulance. The regiment remained there for a short time, when it returned to the neighborhood of the forts on the northwest of Washington, marching nearly all night.
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The fatigue of this weary march broke down Walker completely. The dreaded hemorrhages again commenced, and he began to fear for his life. We read in his journal :
" Monday, July 28. Reported at the hospital."
"Thursday, August 4th. I feel very sad! The doctor gives me no encouragement. Life with its bright prospects to be given up! I can hardly curb my feelings. To be cut down so young ! O, God, I look to Thee !"
In a few days the Tenth was on its way to Providence, bearing the sick, discouraged soldier to his yearning friends.
The last entry in his journal was on Thursday, August 28th :
" Arrived this morning at Providence, both glad and sad. Sad that I was not able to march with my company-a deep disap- pointment."
Such is the brief military career of Levi Carey Walker. He went to the field with as lofty a patriotism as ever inspired a Union soldier. He returned a mere wreck of his former self. Still he lived on, battling with a fatal disease, till Feb. 23, 1865, when the end came. The last words in his journal are : "How have my hopes been blasted ! Yet I thank God my trust is still firm in Him." His remains were borne to the cemetery by his classmates, and tenderly committed to their last resting-place. He had not been permitted to go down in the bloody strife, but he gave to the country a youth and life full of all noble promise as truly as the slumbering hero of Stone River or of the Wilderness.
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"T T HE people of Rhode Island are showing themselves to be eminently a military people. They have promptly done all that the government has asked of them for carrying on the war, and they have besides a large and efficient army organized for home service known as 'The National Guard of Rhode Island.' The martial spirit of the state is wisely encouraged and sys- tematically directed by men of practical military ability, and, as the result, the State of Rhode Island is better able to furnish her quota of troops for service abroad, and altogether better prepared to meet possible emergencies at home than are any of her neighbors."
Nov. 21, 1S61.
New London Chronicle.
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" For we will guard it with our lives, And keep our armor handy, And sing the song our fathers sang Of Yankee Doodle Dandy!" -Ex-Mayor Wm. M. Rodman, 1861.
T HERE was a sad lack of military education and organi- zation in 1861, when the President called for 75,000 men to serve for three months in the overthrow of the Re- bellion. Yet the noble response showed that the heart of the na- tion was loyal and true. Rhode Island was the first to offer the services of her citizens, and, after furnishing her full quota, she was the first to organize her National Guard.
It is not surprising that with such a history as Rhode Island has, the idea should have early suggested itself of thoroughly or- ganizing and arming the entire able-bodied population, and put- ting the State on a war footing, so that if, in crushing the Rebel- lion, disaster should come, the State could do what no other State has done, have every man capable of bearing arms, a soldier, ready for the emergency.
Standing in the armory of the First Light Infantry, the night before the departure of the First Regiment, James Shaw, Jr., a young officer who afterward distinguished himself both in the State and national volunteer service, said to William S. Hayward,
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of the Sixth Ward, and since mayor of the city, " We don't know how soon the rest of us may have to go ; why not form ward com- panies, as they did in 1842, and learn to drill ? Call a meeting in our ward and I will do what I can to help you." This suggestion, thus early made, was heartily approved, and acted upon, and a meeting of the citizens for organization, was held on Thursday evening, May 9th, who voted to form a company for military drill, appointed a committee to nominate officers, and adjourned to Tues- day evening, May 14, 1861. At that meeting Hon. Henry T. Grant, alderman of the ward, was elected captain ; James Shaw, Jr., first lieutenant ; James A. Winsor, second lieutenant ; Thomas M. Brown, third lieutenant, and Hopkins B. Cady, first sergeant. Eighty men enrolled their names and a drill followed.
Meanwhile the following notice had been posted in the First Ward: "We, the undersigned, of the First Ward, feeling that the present state of the country demands that every man of suit- able age should be prepared for any emergency, agree to meet two evenings in the week for the purpose of being thoroughly drilled by a competent military man, to be hereafter selected. All who wish to sign the above paper can do so by calling at Sweet & An- gell's."
Wednesday, May 1, 1861, the First Ward Drill Corps organ- ized with A. Crawford Greene as captain. Seventy men were in line who commenced drilling that night in "the school of the soldier."
April 23d. The Old Guard, Providence Artillery, was organ- ized, 100 strong.
April 25th. The Old Guard, First Light Infantry, was formed.
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April 26th. The "Cadets " invite all citizens who choose, to meet with them and become acquainted with "the school of the soldier."
The towns of the State also were prompt to move in the matter.
April 23d. The Narragansett Guards, of South Kingstown, were organized with 130 men. Colonel, Isaac P. Rodman; Lieutenant- Colonel, John N. Hazard.
April 27th. The Pawtucket Home Guard Company was started, followed May Ist by the Natick Home Company, and May 9th by the Smithfield Company.
May 10th the following Fifth Ward notice appeared in the Jour- nal : " Fifth Ward .- Citizens desiring to organize a company for drill will meet in the Ward Room on Richmond street, on Mon- day evening next. Capt. James C. Hidden has consented to serve as drill-master. Mr. Stephen Horton desires to be the first 'high private.' All patriots between the ages of 14 and 65 are requested to come forward." The company was afterward organized with Stephen H. Hall as captain.
The same day the employés of the Corliss Steam Engine Works formed a company.
May 16th. The Home Light Guard, Capt. Jacob Dunnell, of Pawtucket, organized with one hundred solid men, consisting of citizens of middle age. Arms and uniforms have been supplied.
May 16th. The Slater Drill Corps, Capt. Henry F. Smith, Paw- tucket, was formed with seventy-five members, mainly young men.
June 24th. Cudworth's Zouaves were organized in Pawtucket by a company of young men, who will exercise in the Zouave drill. Jesse Cudworth, Jr., captain.
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June 1Ith. The Burnside Zouaves were organized in Providence. Colonel, S. Smith Wells; Lieutenant-Colonel, H. Herbert Shel- don ; Major, George T. Paine; Captain, William W. Paine ; Lieu- tenant, Nicholas B. Bolles ; Adjutant, Thomas W. Chace ; Quar- termaster, George H. Potter; Clerk and Treasurer, Asa Lyman. Among the corporals appear the names of George A. Winchester and Charles F. Anthony. A uniform was adopted consisting of a blue jacket, trimmed with orange, full red pants, gathered at the ankle, with a drab gaiter, a blue mixed undershirt, faced with red, and a white forage cap, trimmed with red.
July 4th was celebrated with a spirit worthy of Independence Day. In Providence Col. A. Crawford Greene was chief mar- shal of the procession, which comprised, among other organiza- tions the First Ward Home Guards, Major Burlingame ; Uni- versity Cadets, Captain Mason (Brown University) ; Ellsworth Phalanx, Captain Lyman ( High School). In Warren, R. I., George Lewis Cooke, afterwards the genial quartermaster of the Ninth and Tenth regiments, and major of the Ninth, delivered an interesting address at the raising of "the Stars and Stripes" on the High School building.
Sunday, July 28th, marked the brilliant reception of the First Regiment returning with Colonel Burnside from the seat of war. Among the receiving companies were the Burnside Zouaves, Col. S. Smith Wells ; Mechanics Rifles, Col. Jonathan M. Wheeler ; First Ward Home Guards, Major Burlingame; Old Guard Light Infantry, Gen. James Shaw ; Pawtucket Light Guard, Col. Olney Arnold ; Pawtucket Home Guard, Capt. Jacob Dunnell. The reg- iment was received with great enthusiasm by our citizens.
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August 6th, the Burnside Zouaves made an excursion to Smith's Palace, escorting Col. Ambrose E. Burnside from his residence to the steamer. They numbered about eighty, rank and file. Gov- ernor Sprague was also one of the guests of the day, and, in a brief address, congratulated the corps for the soldierly bearing of its members. It gave him great pleasure, he said, to see so many young men striving to perfect themselves in military science. There was a sad lack of that education which was demanded by the present crisis, and he trusted the country would never be found so lamentably deficient again. The people had come to realize that an efficient militia must be maintained. Our precious and dearest rights are in jeopardy; let us prepare to defend them.
August 7th. Lieut. John P. Shaw (a brother of James Shaw, Jr.,) left Providence for the front, with recruits for the Second Rhode Island Volunteers. This gallant officer lost his life in the battle of the Wilderness, May 12, 1864.
September 6th. Meetings were held this evening in four of the wards of the city, and in Cranston, to promote the organization of drill corps.
At the First Ward meeting patriotic addresses were made by the chairman, Alexander Duncan, Esq., Judge Thomas Durfee, Hon. Cæsar A. Updike, Hon. Benjamin F. Thurston, Noble W. De Munn, and others. The meeting adjourned to Monday evening, September 9th, when the military organization was effected and the drill commenced.
An interesting meeting was held the same evening in the Second Ward of citizens in favor of one or more companies for
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military drill. Stirring addresses were made by Senator Anthony, Samuel Currey, Hon. Thomas A. Jenckes, John F. Tobey, and others. The subject was referred to a committee to report on the Ioth instant, when the organization was effected with Col. Stephen T. Olney for captain, and Sergeant Dunham, of the Infantry, for drill master, meetings to be held in Franklin Hall. In this company the venerable teacher, John Kingsbury, carried his musket as lightly as a boy, and was not alone in the patriotic example thus set.
A spirited meeting was also held in the Third Ward the same evening. Addresses were made by Speaker Cæsar A. Updike, Benjamin N. Lapham and Abraham Payne. A committee was appointed to procure hall, muskets, etc. The company organized on the 13th instant after addresses by Hon. Benjamin F. Thurston, Rev. Augustus Woodbury and Col. Nicholas Van Slyck.
Another meeting was held at this time in the Fifth Ward with Hon. Thomas A. Doyle, chairman. He stated that the object of the meeting was the formation of a new military organization in the ward, the previous one having failed through the refusal of the authorities to provide arms. The war spirit must be revived and kept up. The Rev. Mr. Clapp expressed his sympathy with the object of the meeting, and placed his name upon the rolls. "We have allowed ourselves to be taken unawares," he said, "but it is now the duty of every citizen to acquire that skill in the use of arms which we have forgotten by disuse." The venerable Dea- con Greene also joined the company. Stephen H. Hall was again chosen captain.
In the Sixth Ward Company, Captain H. T. Grant resigned and First Lieut. James Shaw, Jr., was elected captain.
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A meeting of the citizens of the Seventh Ward was very fully attended the same evening. Hon. Amos C. Barstow was chosen chairman. Stirring addresses were made by John Eddy, Rev. Mr. White, and Hon. Benjamin F. Thurston. It was voted to form a military company. At an adjourned meeting George B. Thomas was elected captain ; Henry W. Gardner and Jeremiah M. Vose, lieutenants. Drill meetings, Monday and Friday evenings.
September 11th, the Home Battery was formed. About sixty men were drilled by Capt. William H. Parkhurst. First lieuten- ant, Samuel A. Pearce, Jr. ; second lieutenant, J. Henry Wil- bur; clerk, E. S. Cheney.
September 13th, the Washington Continentals were organized at the armory of the Providence Artillery, Captain, Westcott Handy.
September 16th. At the First Ward adjourned meeting a home guard company was organized, to meet Monday and Wednesday evenings for drill at the armory of the First Ward Light Guards.
September 19th, a meeting of the State Military Committee was held in Providence to devise some feasible mode of organiz- ing drill corps in the various towns and cities of the State. Gov- ernor Sprague was chairman of the meeting. Able addresses were made by Colonels Henry Howard and N. Van Slyck, and by Rev. A. H. Clapp, urging the thorough organization of the entire population capable of bearing arms, and the cultivation of a proper military spirit. A committee of five was appointed, to report at a future meeting, as follows : His Excellency Governor Sprague, Colonels Olney Arnold, H. Howard, W. W. Browne, and Nicholas Van Slyck. An adjourned meeting was held on Saturday morning, 21st instant, at Franklin Hall, with Alexander Duncan chairman.
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The committee of five made the following report which was adopted in full :
" The committee respectfully report the following recommendations :
" That it is desirable that the formation of volunteer associations or compa- nies for military instruction be hastened in all the cities and towns of the State, and all able-bodied citizens, without distinction of age, or regardless of business engagements, urged to enroll themselves in some one of the companies.
" That men of wealth throughout the State contribute liberally toward defraying the expenses attending the organization and maintenance of these associations, and that men of influence should give every possible encouragement to the work.
" That the subject of a uniform be left entirely to each company to decide for itself, your committee earnestly recommending a cheap uniform.
" That said companies be enrolled, placed, and governed, and their officers ap- pointed and commissioned, according to the provisions of sections 8, 9, and 10, of chapter 232, of the Revised Statutes.
" That a military committee be appointed, with power to fill vacancies, whose duties it shall be to take measures for the formation of volunteer drill companies throughout the State; to provide such regulations for them as they may deem suitable, and to exercise a general supervision over them. That said committee have power to appoint a secretary or clerk, and to select a corresponding mem- ber from each town of the State and from each ward in the City of Providence. " That the following gentlemen constitute the said Military Central Commit- tee : William Sprague, Providence; William T. Barton, Warren ; George W. Hallett, Providence; Peleg W. Lippitt, Cumberland; William Goddard, War- wick; Joseph P. Balch, Providence; Henry Staples, Barrington; Walter S. Burges, Cranston; T. W. Wood, Newport; Horace Babcock, Westerly; Thomas A. Doyle, Providence; Henry Howard, Coventry; Olney Arnold, North Providence."
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Rev. Frederick Denison, of Central Falls, spoke of the influ- ence such organizations exerted. In Pawtucket and the adjoining
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villages the companies which had been formed had prepared many for the active regiments of the State, and deeply stirred the patri- otic feelings of the entire community. He hoped the subject -.
would be pressed till every village should have its drill corps, and every citizen capable of bearing arms should be practiced in their use. Bishop Clark said : "We need an immense reserve force. The entire physical force of the State should be trained to back up its moral force. Our own State has been exalted, very much so, throughout the land. Wherever you go you hear the praises of Rhode Island. Our honor and prestige must be maintained. Let us organize ourselves and hold our State in readiness for any emergency. If reverses come, if, unfortunately, our arms should be beaten back, let us have a reserve force to fall back upon."
September 24th, an important military meeting was held in the Fourth Ward in Unity Hall, for the purpose of organizing a drill corps. Hon. Elisha Dyer was elected chairman. Charles F. Phillips and George W. Prentice were chosen secretaries. The following resolution was adopted :
" WHEREAS, The gigantic efforts put forth by the misguided and rebellious South in its attempt to overthrow and destroy the just and beneficent Union of the United States, renders it imperative upon every citizen able to shoulder a musket to familiarize himself at once with the manual of arms, thus forming, as it were, a school of instruction and a power of reserve, it is, therefore,
"Resolved, That the citizens of the Fourth ward, animated with but one senti- ment and one impulse in the perpetuation and unity of the States, and believ- ing ' the gods help only those who help themselves,' do hereby resolve to aid, encourage and unite in the formation of the Fourth Ward Home Guards, thus assuring our sister wards that " the Fourth " gallantly and cheerfully closes up the column.
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Hon. Nicholas Van Slyck, in an eloquent address, showing the advantage and utility of these home organizations, said : "If disaster should fall, as possibly it may, upon our army, and the enemy should pass the Potomac, then will these drill corps become the stay of the government and the hope of the nation." Hon. William W. Hoppin and Rev. Augustus Woodbury followed, both urging the importance of ward organization. Sixty-three names were enrolled. The entire third story of the Calender building was offered for a drill-room. Lieut. Charles F. Phillips wrote : " Ex-Gov. Elisha Dyer was elected captain, and at the following meeting more than a hundred men were in line, including two ex- governors, a prominent clergyman, besides merchants, bankers, and citizens, generally. Captain Dyer was a painstaking drill-master, fond of quoting Colonel Brown, of the Infantry, as supreme mili- tary authority, was exceedingly popular with his men, and the per- sonification of the soldier and gentleman. Settees were provided for the ladies, who rallied in large numbers, regardless of the weather. After the severe drill of an hour and a half, the order to 'Break ranks' was obeyed with alacrity, and our caterer, 'Gil Rawson,' was made doubly happy by the grand rush for his hot coffee and the 'fixins,' of which there was always an abundance. Refreshments over, 'John Brown' and other patriotic songs were sung, the ladies heartily joining."
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