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 5
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The government of the people , by the people, for the people, shall not per- she from the earth .
Abraham Lincoln.
THE
NINTH AND TENTH R. I. VOLUNTEERS
AND THE
TENTH R. I. BATTERY.
95
The Capitol in 1862.
" Of all the true host that New England can boast, Far down by the sea, unto highland, No State is more true, or willing to do, Than dear little Yankee Rhode Island : Yes, you're loyal and true, little Rhody, Then all honor to you, little Rhody, Governor Sprague, was not very vague, When he said, ' Shoulder arms, Little Rhody !'"
- Old war song.
O N the 25th of May, 1862, at midnight, a dispatch was received by Governor Sprague, announcing that the enemy in great force were marching on Washington, and calling for every available man to rally to its defence. Just an hour later the governor issued an order for two regiments of infantry, and a battery of artillery for immediate service. The response was prompt and the ranks quickly filled ; marching orders were given, and the Ninth and Tenth Rhode Island Volun- teers and the Tenth Rhode Island Battery promptly reported for duty at the Capital.
THIN
64
NINTH AND TENTH R. I. VOLUNTEERS
In order to understand the military situation in Virginia, at this time it will be necessary to go back a little.
The whole campaign of 1861, beginning with Bull Run, had been discouraging, and the winter passed away without further active service except picket duty. But in March, 1862, the Con- federates having been defeated at Winchester, and, having fallen back from Manassas to a new line of defence on the Rappahannock, the Army of the Potomac was in motion. It was conveyed by water from Alexandria to Fortress Monroe, and marched up the Penin- sula to attack the rebel capital. Although resisted at Yorktown and Williamsburg, it pressed steadily forward, till on the 21st of May it was within a few miles of Richmond. Meanwhile, McClellan had sent repeated calls for reinforcements from Mc- Dowell's corps of 40,000 men,; which had been withheld for the defence of Washington, and, on the 17th of May, President Lincoln telegraphed, "At your urgent call for reinforcements McDowell is sent forward, but is not in any event to uncover Washington."
Unfortunately for the delay, a disturbing element now appeared, which not only prevented the junction of McDowell with McClel- lan, but totally disarranged all the well-laid Union plans in Vir- ginia. Early in May, Stonewall Jackson (whose daring activity was worth an army to the Confederates) left his position before Richmond with a force of twenty thousand men, and made one of his brilliant raids up the Valley of the Shenandoah. Falling like a hammer on General Banks's little army at Winchester, on the 24th. he sent it whirling before him across the Potomac, and threatened the city of Washington. Great was the alarm and consternation.
.
AND TENTH R. I. BATTERY. 65
McDowell was ordered back when within a day's march of Mc- Clellan. The President took military possession of the railroads, and, on the 25th, Secretary Stanton issued orders calling upon the militia of the loyal States to defend the Capital.
The following is the despatch sent to the Governor of Rhode Island :
WASHINGTON, May 25, 1862.
To the Governor of Rhode Island :
Intelligence from various quarters leaves no doubt that the enemy in great force are advancing on Washington. You will please organize and for- ward immediately all the militia and volunteer forces in your State.
Signed, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Edwin în. Stanton
Later a second despatch was received from Washington by Governor Sprague :
Send all the troops forward that you can immediately. Banks is completely routed. Enemy are in large force advancing upon Harper's Ferry.
Signed, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
Just an hour later the Governor issued the following order :
PROVIDENCE, May 25, IS62.
Citizens of the State capable of bearing arms will at once report themselves to the nearest military organization. The commandants of the chartered and volunteer military companies, will at once organize their companies and the men so reporting, into companies of eighty-three men, rank and file, and report to their headquarters, where they will be armed, equipped and moved
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NINTH AND TENTH R. I. VOLUNTEERS.
William Amaque
under the direction of the Commander-in-chief, to Washington, to protect the National Capital from the advance of the rebels, who are now rapidly approaching.
Gen. Robbins is directed to organize and com- mand the first regiment, and will order his brigade under arms, and form it into a regiment.
The second regiment will be under command of Capt. Bliss, of the United States Army.
The Providence Marine Corps of Artillery will be placed under the command of Lieut .- Col. E. C. Gallup, as Captain, and he is directed to organize the same.
Col. Shaw is ordered to assemble the National Guard for organization.
Rhode Island troops will move through Baltimore, and if their progress is impeded by the rebel mob of that city they will mete out to it the punishment which it has long merited.
Our regiments will move to Washington to defend the Capital in common with thousands of our patriotic countrymen who will rush to arms to ward off the danger which is imminent.
WM. SPRAGUE, Governor.
AUG, HOPPIN,
Ass't Adjt. General.
The alarm thus indicated aroused every loyal heart, and the excitement was almost as tumultuous as when Sumter was fired on a year before. The response was equally prompt and worthy of the State, and demonstrated that our citizens are fully impressed with the patriotic duties of American citizenship, and ready to dis- charge them in time of peril. Within an incredibly short space of time, the Ninth and Tenth Regiments of Volunteers, and the Tenth Light Battery were organized and started for Washington.
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THE NINTH REGIMENT
R. I. VOLUNTEERS.
Picket Duty near Tennallytown.
T HE Ninth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers was organized from the volunteer companies of the State National Guard, together with the chartered and other companies, not including the Providence National Guard, first reporting for duty under the following special order :
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
PROVIDENCE, R. I., May 23, 1862.
Commandants of the several military companies of the State will immediately assemble their respective commands at their usual places of rendezvous, and report one company minimum standard from each organization, to the office of the Adjutant-General, for three months' service in Washington.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief.
Signed, E. C. MAURAN, Adjutant-General.
This special call for troops was made to meet a threatened attack upon the National Capital.
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THE NINTH REGIMENT
During the same month of May, 1862, the rebel Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, familiarly known as "Stonewall," with a large body of men, made a sudden raid upon the Valley of the Shenandoah, routed the weakened army of General Banks, at Winchester, and threatened the safety of Washington. In view of actual and pos- sible needs, the Secretary of War sent, on the 25th of May, a telegram to the Governor of Rhode Island, calling for the imme- diate forwarding to the National Capital, of all the available troops in the State, to serve in the defences for a period of three months. This telegram was received by Governor Sprague at midnight, and before sunrise measures had been taken to comply with the call. The spirit of the people was well represented by this prompt action of the Executive. The excitement and enthu- siasm was as intense as when the integrity of the nation was first threatened, and affected alike all classes. The Rhode Island National Guard, then for some time organized, furnished an ample reserve from which to draw the State's proportion of the new levy. Volunteers came pouring in with great rapidity, and in two days the Lonsdale National Guard, the Natick National Guard, the Westerly National Guard, and Pawtucket Battalion (two full companies), Company A, Pawtucket Light Guard, and Company H, which was composed of the Slater Drill Corps and the Cudworth Zouaves, and companies from Newport and Woon- socket, were reported for duty, and left Providence May 27th, for Washington, as the Ninth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. The second detachment of the Ninth and Tenth Regiments, under command of Col. Zenas R. Bliss, of the Tenth, followed May 29th, thus in four days completing their organization, and commencing their journey to the field of duty.
1
T
69
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
The Ninth Regiment was organized by Col. Charles T. Robbins, who accompanied it to Washington. It was subsequently placed under the command of Col. John T. Pitman, whose commission bore date July 3, 1862. Colonel Pitman had previously served as captain of Company G, First Rhode Island Detached Militia, in 1861. He was appointed
Col. John T. Pitman.
major of the Ninth, May 26, 1862; lieuten- ant-colonel, June 9, 1862, and colonel, July 3, 1862, and was mus- tered out Sept. 1, 1862. He. afterwards served as lieutenant- colonel of the Eleventh Rhode Island Volunteers, Oct. 1, 1862, and was mustered out of service, July 13, 1863.
The Ninth Regiment left Providence Tuesday afternoon, May 27th, by rail for New York, amidst cheers and shouts and farewell waving of handkerchiefs. But the sad parting was apparently soon forgotten, for the boys shouted, and sang, and laughed at each other's jokes the greater part of the way. There was little sleep on the way that night. Some tried to rest as best they could in the crowded steamer, but this was well nigh impossible. About breakfast time the regiment arrived in New York where "rations " were served. After some delay the line of travel was resumed for Philadelphia, crowds cheering the volunteers at all the stopping places. It was late in the afternoon when the long train rolled into the passenger station of the Quaker City, and the men, tired and hungry, landed at the foot of Washington Square. A splendid reception was now tendered them with an invitation to a banquet at the rooms of the Cooper Volunteer
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THE NINTH REGIMENT
Refreshment Association, on Otsego street. This welcome news was received with a shout. The hospitable invitation was accepted with alacrity, and with a profusion of thanks that came from the innermost recesses of their drooping hearts, the companies fell into line, one of the men saying, "Hard tack may taste good some- times, but it must be when a feller's real hungry an' ain't got nothin' else to eat. I reckon some soft bread, and cake, and coffee, will taste better to us just now." The progress of the Ninth to the " Cooper Shop " was a perfect ovation. " We were welcomed all the way," wrote one of the men, "like conquering heroes return- ing from victory, rather than a weary band of raw recruits, moving to the assistance of our comrades at the Capital. On our arrival we were liberally supplied with towels, water and soap, and after washing our hands and faces we felt greatly refreshed. Then we filed into the long dining-room and partook of an excellent colla- tion, consisting of cold chicken and ham sandwiches, hot coffee, and other delicacies ; and didn't it all go good, served by the hands of the ladies of Philadelphia, who did everything in their power to make our stay pleasant and make us feel at home. We filled not only our stomachs but our haversacks also, and after conveying our grateful acknowledgments, for what seemed hardly less than a royal banquet and reception, some of us started out to get a view of the city. It was about this time that one of the captains of the Ninth met with an interesting experience. He had gone on ahead, a little way up the street, when pausing for a few moments, deeply absorbed in tender memories of home-a trifle homesick he afterwards admitted,-he heard the voice of a child behind him to which, at first, he gave no heed, till it appeared to come
7I
RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
nearer, ‘Soldier !' Turn- ing he beheld a charming little girl looking up into his face, and holding out a pretty flower, saying, 'Sol- dier, this is for you !' The captain gratefully accepted the sweet remembrance with many good wishes for the child, and returned to his company greatly com- forted by this little inter- view. To one who has never left kindred and friends, perhaps never to return, this little incident The Captain Surprised. may appear trivial, but to those on their way to the enemy's country, to face the stern realities of war, experiences like this told plainer than words the depth of that loyalty in the young as well as the old, which did much to cheer the heart of the soldier, and made an impression on his memory more lasting than the stirring words of the patriotic orator. Soon the order came to 'fall in' for the march to the Baltimore depot, and amidst mutual cheering and shouting the column moved off. After quite a long march came the welcome order, 'All aboard for Baltimore !' It was after dark when the eager men packed themselves into the cars. The engines whistled and puffed, the bells rang, the people hurrahed and waved hats and handkerchiefs, and the boys of the Ninth put their heads out of the windows and yelled, as the train moved off at last, with
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THE NINTH REGIMENT
Washington only a hundred and forty miles away. The regiment arrived at Baltimore on the morning of the 29th, pretty well fagged out, and the boys thought on the whole they had had a pretty rough night of it. There was no such reception as at Philadelphia. No opposition was made to the march of the regiment across the city to the Washington depot, as had been anticipated. But none of the men, women or children, came out to welcome them. No, the people maintained a perfect silence as the column moved on to the rooms of the Union Relief Association, 120 Eutaw Street, where a free collation had been provided ; some of the men also feasted on strawberries at fifteen cents per quart, nice ones, too.
"At two o'clock in the afternoon," wrote one of the men, " we left the Monumental City, with Washington only forty miles away. On the route we passed Annapolis Junction, rendered famous in song and story by the march of the First Rhode Island Regiment a year before, when "'twas only nine miles to the junction.' There was a good deal on the way to interest us, Perryville, Havre de Grace, and other places, but we were just beginning to tire of the long ride, standing up, sitting down, and lying around, when the great unfinished dome of the capitol loomed up into view, above the hills, and we knew that we were nearing our destina- tion." As the men alighted from the train at five o'clock P. M., they found themselves surrounded by many reminders of the war. During a long delay here, doubtless caused in waiting for orders, some of the men stole away into the city, and reported soldiers everywhere, and the streets full of wagons loaded with army sup- plies of all kinds. Everything was bustle and confusion such as the eyes of these new soldiers had never looked upon before. The regiment remained that night in Washington at the barracks, near
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
the depot, and subsisted on the "army rations " dealt out to them, but they had neither supper nor breakfast the next morning worthy of the name. How be it, there was no immediate danger of starva- tion, after the supply which they had stored away during their stay in Philadelphia and Baltimore, at the Union refreshment saloons.
Marching orders soon arrived, and on the morning of the 30th the regiment took its line of march up Pennsylvania avenue, mak- ing a halt near the White House. One of the men wrote home : " We were halted for a few minutes near the President's house- and I thought I would jot down a few lines,-but the thread of my narrative was rudely severed by the order ' Fall in!' and we re- sumed our march under a scorching sun, through dust ankle-deep, and of a degree of fineness and penetration which beggars descrip- tion. On we marched out of Washington, and through George- town, and towards night reached our present quarters near Ten- nallytown. Just as we arrived here after our six-mile tramp we were favored with a drenching rain, which converted the dust upon our persons and garments into a very fine paste, and has made us ornamental as well as useful members of society. Just after dark we pitched our tents and 'turned in' upon the ground, somewhat wet, but upon the whole very comfortable. Tennally- town appears to be a collection of two blacksmith shops, a hotel, a small church, a post-office, and a toll-gate about three miles beyond Georgetown. High street in Georgetown leads directly to it." The Ninth Encampment was located just beyond the toll -. gate, in a beautiful grove of oaks, which had been occupied for some time previous by Pennsylvania troops, and it was laid out with rows of white Sibley tents in straight lines, with streets of
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nel
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THE NINTH REGIMENT
equal width between. By General Or- ders Number One, it was named " Camp Frieze," in honor of the Quartermaster General of Rhode Island. Officers' quarters, in square tents, were at the head of the camp, nicely shaded by great oaks. Afterward the streets of the camp were finely graded, with their names printed on neat signs. Many of Gen. Samuel P. Sturgis. the tents were named also. One was called the " Miller House," corner of Rhode Island and Boston ave- nues, and next door was the " Foster House," then the " Pawtucket Hotel." On the 6th of June the regiment was sworn into the ser- vice of the United States. It formed a part of the brigade of General Sturgis, who had been recently called to Washington to assist General Wadsworth, the military governor, and who was given command of the fortifications around the city.
Several interesting official orders have been preserved :
GENERAL STURGIS'S ORDERS.
HEADQUARTERS COLLEGE VILLA, TENNALLYTOWN, D. C., June 4, 1862.
General Orders No. 9.
I. The commanders of camps will allow none of the men in their respective commands to pass beyond the lines of their camps without a special permit from said commanders.
II. The attention of commanding officers is called to Article +1 of the rules and articles of war which reads as follows :
3
一
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
"All non-commissioned officers and soldiers who shall be found one mile from the camp, without leave, in writing, from their commanding officer, shall suffer such punishment as shall be inflicted upon them by the sentence of a court martial."
By order of
Brigadier-General STURGIS, HENRY R. MIGHELS, Capt. and A. A. G.
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HEADQUARTERS COLLEGE VILLA, TENNALLYTOWN, D. C., June 4, 1862.
COLONEL ROBBINS,
.Com'dg 9th and roth R. I. Reg'ts.
SIR: You will please detail pickets for to-night, as on previous nights, and henceforth until further orders.
I have received no consolidated morning reports from your command for the last two mornings. Please have one made out for to-day and on each morn- ing hereafter.
By imperative orders from Headquarters, Washington. I am obliged to transmit at once, monthly returns of the strength of the Brigade. In view of this, you will please have prepared, to-day, if possible, a monthly return for the month of May, of the strength of your entire command.
By order of
Brigadier-General STURGIS,
HENRY R. MIGHELS, Capt. and A. A. G.
HEADQUARTERS COLLEGE VILLA, TENNALLYTOWN, D. C., June 6, 1862.
General Orders No. I.
Ist. The commanding officer of each Regiment, Battery, Battalion or De- tachment assigned to the command of Brig .- Gen. S. P. Sturgis will make con- solidated morning reports daily to the commanding General, at Headquarters, College Villa, Tennallytown, D. C.
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THE NINTH REGIMENT
2d. The Adjutant of each command assigned as above, shall report in person to the Commanding General, every day at eleven o'clock A. M.
By order of Brigadier-General STURGIS,
HENRY R. MIGHELS, Capt. and A. A. G.
Col. C. T. ROBBINS,
Com'dg.9th and 10th R. I. Regiments.
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HEADQUARTERS COLLEGE VILLA, TENNALLYTOWN, D. C., June 6, 1862.
Col. CHAS. T. ROBBINS, gth Rhode Island Reg't.
SIR : For to-night's picket duty you will please detail ten men of your com- mand, said men to be accompanied by a non-commissioned officer.
This arrangement to be observed until further orders.
By order of Brigadier-General STURGIS, HENRY R. MIGHELS, Capt. and A. A. G.
HEADQUARTERS STURGIS'S BRIGADE, WASHINGTON, June S, IS62.
General Orders No. 12.
I. The headquarters of the general commanding Sturgis's Brigade, are now and will be until further orders in building northeast corner of Nineteenth and I streets, Washington City.
II. Official communications will be addressed as heretofore, to Henry R Mighels, Capt. and A. A. G., College Villa, Tennallytown, D. C.
By order of Brigadier-General STURGIS, HENRY R. MIGHELS, Capt. and A. . I. G.
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., June 24, 1862.
ORDERED, That all applications for passes and permits for persons or property within the lines of the United States forces shall hereafter be made to Brigadier- General Wadsworth, Military Governor of the District of Columbia, and be subject to such terms and conditions as he may prescribe.
Signed, . EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
HEADQUARTERS 9TH AND IOTH REGIMENTS,
R. I. VOLUNTEERS, TENNALLYTOWN, D. C., June 9th, 1862.
General Orders No. I.
I. In compliment to Brig. General Lyman B. Frieze, Quartermaster-Gen. of the State of Rhode Island, this camp will hereafter be known as Camp Frieze.
2. The strictest discipline and good order will be observed, and all derelictions from duty, or failure to comply with these orders, will be promptly reported and summarily punished.
3. It is indispensable to health that the strictest neatness and cleanliness should prevail ; no nuisance therefore of any description in or about the quarters will be tolerated, and all slovenly and disorderly habits will be corrected.
4. The camp grounds and quarters will be thoroughly policed each morning immediately after reveille, when in pleasant weather the bed sacks and blankets should be aired and exposed for half an hour to the sun. The bed-sacks must then be put in order and the blankets neatly folded. Articles of clothing must not be left in disorder about the tents, but all furniture, clothing and equipments, must be arranged in their proper places ready for inspection.
5. A daily detail of two men will be made by each mess to serve meals and to keep the dislies and table furniture clean and in good order. All mess uten- sils, wash-basins, &c., must be neatly and orderly arranged when not in use. A barrel in which clean water must be kept, will be furnished to each mess, and also a barrel in which all slops or refuse must be thrown. No water or litter of any description must be thrown or permitted to remain about the quarters.
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THE NINTH REGIMENT
6. At all meal hours a commissioned officer will superintend the issue of food to the detail from the messes of their respective companies.
7. A daily police guard will be detailed from each regiment for general police duties, the officers of which will see that all slop barrels are removed and their contents emptied at suitable places to be designated. All company streets and grounds will be kept in order by the companies to which they belong.
8. There will be until further orders the following calls sounded each day :
I. Reveille at 43 o'clock A. M.
2. Police call immediately after first roll call.
3. Breakfast call at 63 A. M.
4. Sick call at 7 A. M., when the sick will report themselves to the first sergeants of their respective companies, who will take them to the surgeons for examination.
5. Adjutant's call at SE A. M., when the guard will assemble on the parade. Guard mounting at 9 A. M., after which the officers of the day will report to headquarters for orders.
6. Orderly call at 12 M. when the first sergeants of each company will report to the Adjutant for orders, and will receive from him a detail for guard, police and picket duty for the following day.
7. Roast beef will be sounded at I P. M.
8. Supper call at 6} P. M.
9. Retreat at sunset when companies will be formed on their com- pany parades under arms.
IO. Tattoo at 9 P. M.
II. Taps at 9} P. M. when all lights must be extinguished and all noise in quarters cease.
9. There will be each day until further orders the following roll calls :
The First at Reveille,
The Second when Roast beef is sounded,
The Third at Retreat,
The Fourth at Tattoo.
IO. The Routine for the day will be until further orders :
I. Squad drills from 54 to 64 A. M., under the direction of a sergeant and superintended by the company officers.
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RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
2. Peas on a trencher at 63 A. M.
3. Company drill from 10 to 114 A. M.
4. Roast Beef at I P. M.
5. Company drill from 3 to 5 P. M.
6. Supper at 6} P. M.
II. The morning reports of companies signed by the captains and first ser- geants must be handed to the Adjutant before S o'clock A. M., who will consoli- date them within the next hour for the information of the General commanding the brigade to which these regiments are attached, and make his report at head- quarters.
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