USA > Rhode Island > Memoirs of Rhode Island officers who were engaged in the service of their country during the great rebellion of the South. Illustrated with thirty-four portraits > Part 15
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The village of Pocotaligo lies on the main land of South Carolina, distant about thirty-five miles from Hilton Head, and sixty miles from Charleston, in a southwesterly direction from the former place. The Charleston and Savannah Railroad passes near the spot. General Mitchell organized an expedition to proceed up the Broad river, for the purpose of reconnoitering
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the position of the rebel foree, and, after landing, to march into the interior and destroy such portion of the railroad as could be done in the course of a single day's work. The expedition consisted of about four thousand five hundred men, with several eannon, under General Terry, with Colonel Brown as chief of artillery. The troops left Hilton Head on the night of October 21st, landed at Mackay's Point early on the next morning, and marched thence for the railroad, distant twelve miles. They had proceeded little more than half the distance, when a fierce attack was made upon the advance by the rebel forces, which occupied the wood, with a battery of twelve guns. The column was immediately deployed, and a brisk charge was made upon the enemy, forcing him back a considerable distance. A second charge drove him across the river Pocotaligo, about half a mile from the village of the same name. The rebels crossed the river by means of a bridge, which they immediately destroyed. Our troops had no means of proceeding further, and they were reluctantly compelled to give up the pursuit, and retire to their transports. The return march was accomplished in perfect order, and with comparatively small loss. During the battle, Colonel Brown was espe- cially conspicuous for his gallant and noble bearing. His own account simply was: " I think I did my duty." It was certainly an opinion in which all present who witnessed his bravery would coïncide in the heartiest terms. "I never saw any one," writes a friend and officer who accompanied the expedition, " look more thoroughly the soldier than he did on the morning of the 22d, when for the last time I saw him mounted and eager for the advance." Through the action, and on the retreat, here or elsewhere, he showed that he possessed all the traits of a daring and accomplished soldier. He was one of those men in whom was exhibited " the rapture of battle."
But this conflict was destined to be his last. On his return to Hilton Head, he was attacked by a virulent fever, which had already prostrated several officers and men. The fatigue and reaction from the excitement of the expedition, may have predisposed him to the disease; for he rapidly sank under it, and on the 30th day of October, he quietly breathed his last, far from home and kindred indeed, but in the presence of those who had learned to love him well, and supported by a true faith in that Divine mercy, which makes the bed of death the scene of triumph. His remains were interred at Hilton Head, amid the grief and lamentations of the entire com- mand, which mourned him with sincere and heart-felt sorrow. They were afterwards brought to Providence, and, on the 30th of January, his funeral
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was solemnized in the presence of the state anthorities, and a large number of his former comrades in arms, both of the third and first regiments. A brave and true man had passed from the conflicts of earth to the peace of Heaven.
Colonel Brown was a man of striking and prominent character. He seemed to intensify life. His love for his family and friends, was of a warm and even passionate nature. In his home he was free, generous and hospita- ble. He inspired and rejoiced in the confidence which his friends bestowed. In his business he was thorough and methodical, ruling his affairs with a firm and just hand. He was earnest and enthusiastic in every enterprise which he undertook. Yet with such an ardent temperament as he possessed, there was a remarkable quietness of character when forced to yield to necessity. He accepted the inevitable, with a composure that was almost stoical in its firm- ness and patience. When he had a clear conviction of his duty, he was particularly persistent in its performance. He never turned aside from difficulty and danger. In the hour of trial, the noblest part of his nature came into play, and those who knew his worth were surprised to see the high and brave and manly character which he exhibited. They hoped for much. He accomplished more.
With the fervency of feeling which he possessed, it was natural that he should sometimes manifest considerable haste and impetuosity of temper. No one regretted more than himself this fault of his disposition. No one strug- gled more faithfully to overcome it. He believed at last that he had con- quered in the strife. Towards the close of his life, in his retirement at Dighton, in the quiet of camp-life, both at Washington and Hilton Head, he had thought long and deeply upon the subject of religion and religious cul- ture. If memory sometimes had for him a painful retrospect, hope opened to him brighter views. In his day of life, the light had not been "clear nor dark, not day nor night." But at evening "all was light." He found his peace at last in a clear and undisturbed faith in the love of God, through Jesus Christ. He was always especially mindful of the religious welfare of his regiment, and he felt for himself a conscious need of the Divine aid and love. He became assured that that need was finally furnished with a 'full supply. He died at peace with God and all mankind, and, after faithful service done, he entered into rest.
WALTER B. MANTON.
IEUTENANT WALTER B. MANTON, son of Joseph and Mary Whipple Manton, was born in Providence August 10th, 1832. His early school-days were spent in Providence, but later years were passed under teachers in Massachusetts. Soon after the completion of his education he went to New Orleans, intending to make his permanent residence in that city, but ill-health forced him to return in a few months, and the succeeding year he went to Europe and South America. He married soon after his return, and was employed as an accountant in Providence.
When the first eall was made for a three months' volunteer regiment, he was among the first to offer his services, and enlisted as a private soldier. In June, a company of carbineers was formed from the regiment, in which he received the commission of first lieutenant, under Captain F. W. Goddard. He was engaged in the first Bull Run battle, and returned home with the regiment in August. Remaining but a few months, he was again impelled to enter the service of his country, and after urgent application, received from Governor Sprague the commission of second lieutenant February 11th, 1862, in the third Rhode Island heavy artillery, stationed at Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he remained until his death, which oceurred October 25th, 1862.
Borrowing from letters received from a superior officer and others, we may give some idea of the esteem with which he was regarded ; also some of the particulars of his illness and death: "With our hearts oppressed with sadness, we have just returned from the funeral of Lieutenant Walter B. Manton, the acting quartermaster of our regiment. The beloved lieutenant
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was at his place of business last Wednesday, and we need not say his sudden death has shrouded in gloom the entire regiment. Although he had been somewhat indisposed for a few days previous, yet he and his friends thought he would soon be well again. But last Thursday he became very ill, and was carried by invitation to the quarters of our excellent physician and surgeon, Doctor Stickney, with whom he was on terms of intimacy. The doctor gave him a very cordial welcome to his premises, and was unwearying in his efforts to do all that could be done for the suffering man, calling to his aid the best medical advice that Hilton Head afforded. But human skill proved unavail- ing; his symptoms became more and more alarming. Saturday morning he was taken delirious, and lingered until Saturday evening, about eight o'clock, when he ceased to be among the living, leaving a wife and one child to mourn the loss of a beloved husband and father. His disease was pronounced by his physicians to be the yellow fever. Lieutenant Manton possessed a well-balanced mind, a good education, striet integrity, and performed every business trans- action with promptness and honesty,-qualities rendering him a valuable acquisition to the regiment. He acted as our quartermaster without a com- mission until a few days since, when the governor appointed him permanently to that office, with the rank of first lieutenant, and his commission was expected to arrive in the next steamer from the north. Always neat in his personal appearance, chaste in language, of quiet, unassuming, gentlemanly bearing, and exemplary in his habits, he won the esteem and respect of all with whom he became acquainted. Although the post he filled was a perplexing one, it being difficult to please all, yet he was so well liked, that it has often been said, both by officers and privates, since he was taken sick, that he had not an enemy in the regiment."
The funeral services were held Sunday, P. M., at four o'clock, conducted by the Reverend H. L. Wayland, chaplain of the seventh Connecticut regi- ment, and son of Reverend Doctor Wayland. Most of the regiment at head- quarters, especially the officers, also members of other regiments, manifested their respeet to the departed, by being present on the occasion.
Ilis remains were brought home to Providence, as soon as it was deemed advisable, and after funeral services at his father's residence, conducted by Reverend A. II. Clapp, were followed by his family and friends to that beau- tiful city of the dead, Swan Point, there to mingle with kindred dust.
JOHN P. SHAW.
APTAIN JOHN P. SHAW, third son of General James Shaw, was born in Providence January 3d, 1834. He was educated at the common schools of Providence, and was a jeweller by trade. He entered the service April 18th, 1861, as sergeant-major in the first Rhode Island regiment. June 6th, he was promoted to a second lieutenantcy, and assigned to the second regiment Rhode Island volunteers, then forming. With this regiment his fortunes were identified. He served with the lamented Captain Tower in the battle of Bull Run. In the Peninsular campaign he shared with his regiment in the work and perils of besieging Yorktown, and, on the evacua- tion of that stronghold, was with the pursuing advance under General Stone- man. At Williamsburg, the regiment was distinguished for important service, and here, as in subsequent situations, Lieutenant Shaw was made familiar with the severer experiences of a soldier's life, which were cheerfully endured. Hle was eye-witness, too, of the barbarities practiced by the rebels on the Union dead. Captain Sherman being detained in the hospital at Warwick Court House, the command of the company temporarily devolved on Lieuten- ant Shaw. His services in this position were highly appreciated by Colonel Wheaton, who concluded a special order in the following words: "The colonel commanding desires on this occasion to congratulate Lieutenant Shaw upon the entire success with which he has performed the duties of a higher grade. 'K' company is much indebted to Lieutenant Shaw for its present efficient condition." His success and efficiency as a drill officer was marked, and very generally conceded, and he was frequently detailed for that duty. Early in August, 1861, he was ordered to Rhode Island on recruiting
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service, and, in the short space of ten days, recruited eighty-three men for the second regiment. On the 22d of July, 1861, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and on the 24th of July, 1862, was commissioned captain of company K.
From first entering the field until the 27th of November, 1863, Captain Shaw was present with his regiment in all its encounters with the rebels, and showed promptness and energy in the performance of all his duties. At the first attack on Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, Colonel Wheaton, before crossing the river, selected the companies of Captains Read, Young, and Shaw, to take the lead as skirmishers, and the spirited manner in which they performed the service was warmly complimented by Generals Newton and Devens. At Gettysburg, Captain Shaw's exposures were imminent, but he providentially escaped injury from the showers of bullets that fell around him. The campaign of 1864 against Richmond was entered upon with all the ardor of his nature, but it was not permitted him to see the Union army establish its lines before the works defending the rebel capital. The sanguin- ary battle near Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, closed his mortal life. In the hottest of the fight he was shot through the heart and instantly expired. He fell as a patriot would wish, with his face to the foe.
Colonel Oliver Edwards, of the third brigade, first division, sixth corps, who had witnessed his gallant conduct, spoke of him with strong commenda- tion in his farewell order to the second regiment at Cold Harbor. In a private letter he said: "Captain Shaw died fighting so bravely, was so conspicuous among the bravest, that I could not help noticing him particularly. He was a loss, and a great one, to his country's cause, and should have ranked much higher. .. 1, and all that knew him, are fellow-mourners, . ... for we learn to love the brave and fearless, our comrades in battle, as brothers."*
Captain Shaw married Arnand O., daughter of William P. Brightman, September 13th, 1854, and left no surviving children.
* Stone's " Rhode Island in the Rebellion."
A. RICHMOND RAWSON.
APTAIN A. RICHMOND RAWSON, son of the late Samuel Rawson, was born in Providence, February 20th, 1836. He was educated in the public schools in his native city, but on the death of his father, which occurred when Richmond was sixteen, he left the school and went to Messrs. Hunt & Owen, jewellers, in whose employ he remained until the breaking out of the rebellion.
At the first call for troops he joined the first regiment, and, as a sergeant in company D, Captain Nathaniel W. Brown, he served during the three months for which that regiment enlisted, participating in the disastrous battle of Bull Run.
On the 2d of October, two months after his return, at the recommenda- tion of his former captain, who had been made colonel of the third Rhode Island volunteers, he received a commission as second lieutenant, and joined that regiment prior to its starting on the expedition to South Carolina, under General Sherman. On the 11th of March, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant. On the first of July, 1863, he was detached from his regiment, and ordered to report to Lieutenant Guy V. Henry, battery B, first United States artillery. He remained with this battery during the summer and fall, joining in the attack on Fort Wagner and siege of Charleston.
On the 26th of October, 1863, Lieutenant Rawson was appointed captain in his regiment; but before his commission reached him, he had received and accepted an appointment in the regiment of colored troops, (the fourteenth Rhode Island,) and in December came north to be examined. He passed his examination before the examining board of which General Casey was
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president, and on the 16th of January, 1864, was ordered to report to Colonel Nelson Viall, at Dutch Island, where the regiment was in camp. Captain Rawson embarked for the south on the following day, but an unin- terrupted service of twenty-seven months in a southern climate, without leave of absence, and the exposure in the trenches before Wagner, had seriously impaired his constitution, and rendered him unfit to endure the severity of a northern winter. After having performed but three days' service, he returned home, sick, and lingering through an intensely painful illness of nearly four months, he died on the 5th of May, 1864.
Captain Rawson married, November, 1860, a daughter of General James Shaw, (who lost another son, Captain John P. Shaw, a week later, at Spottsyl- vania,) and left a widow and two little daughters.
CHARLES TILLINGHAST.
HARLES TILLINGHAST, captain of company H, fourth regiment Rhode Island volunteers, killed at the capture of Newbern, March 14th, 1862, was the eldest son of the late Doctor George II. and Louisa Lyman Tillinghast, and was born in Providence, June 16th, 1828. On the paternal side, Captain Tillinghast was descended from Stephen Hopkins, one of the signers of the immortal Declaration of Independence. His grandfather on the maternal side, was Colonel Daniel Lyman, a revolutionary officer of distinction, and subsequently chief justice of Rhode Island. Colonel Lyman, then holding a captain's commission, took an active part under the command of Benedict Arnold, in the campaign of 1775, which resulted in the capture of Ticon- deroga, Crown Point and Saint Johns, on the west side of Lake Champlain.
Captain Tillinghast was for several years engaged in business pursuits in Providence, where his pleasing manners and genial disposition endeared him to troops of friends, and where he would have remained, had duties permitted; but a preferable situation being tendered in New York, he accepted it, and, for several years, held a responsible post in the office of Harnden & Company, of that city, to the entire satisfaction of his employers. Thus was he engaged in peaceful labors, seeking the rewards of honorable and worthy enterprise, when he heard the summons of his country. More men were demanded from Rhode Island, and, with patriotic zeal, he resigned his situation, forsook the endearments of family and friends, hastened to Providence, and tendered his services to Governor Sprague. He was appoint- ed first lieutenant in the fourth regiment, and assigned to the command of company H. Shortly after, he was promoted to the captaincy. He girded on his armor and went to the scene of duty and danger, and, as a portion of
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General Burnside's command in the expedition to North Carolina, took part in the battle of Roanoke Island. Subsequently, at the attack on Newbern, his regiment was hotly engaged, under command of the lamented Rodman. Captain Tillinghast was killed in the charge made in support of General Reno's brigade, which was in a perilous position. Brave as a lion, he led his company to the very face of those terrible rifle-pits. Only a moment before he fell, he said to his lieutenant : " If I fall, press on with the men." A fatal volley, fired at that instant, struck him down, even in the arms of victory.
A correspondent from Newbern writes: "One of the saddest cases is that of Captain Tillinghast, who was killed. Only the day before the landing at Slocum's Creek, he received news of the death of his brother, (Henry Lyman Tillinghast, who died from disease contracted during his services with the first Rhode Island regiment,) and he seemed sad and abstracted, as if a presentiment of his own death were weighing upon him. In the excitement of the advance upon the enemy, his cheerfulness returned, and all through the fight he kept at the head of his company, cheering his men, and setting them the example of unflinching courage. He was a man beloved. Clear as crystal in whatever he did, he sought by no mean personal ambition to rise on the ruin of other men. Frank and manly in his conversation, uniformly kind and courteous in his conduct, he was a man not only to trust, but to love. Rarely has a captain succeeded better in gaining the confidence and affection of his men, and many a tear was seen to fall from eyes that seldom weep as we lowered his body to its narrow bed. He was a fine officer, and is deeply regretted by all."
Captain Tillinghast is buried in Swan Point Cemetery, by the side of that brother he loved so well. They have laid down their lives for their country, and are now resting in eternal peace. They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst any more. No more din of battle, nor pain, nor dying for them. We think how young they died; but that life is not too short which admits of the accomplishment of a glorious destiny, and that death is never inopportune which finds its victim at the post of duty, ready to live, and not afraid to die.
Another hero gone ! Closed is the dark brown eye, Which flashed like falchion bright when danger, death was nigh ; Stilled is the dauntless heart that ever elung to right, Nerveless the sinewy arm which forced a path in fight ; Our gentle Mother Earth has elasped him to her breast,- There let him slumber till he rises with the blest.
Vares 2 Smily (
JAMES Y. SMITH.
OVERNOR SMITH was born in the town of Groton, in the state of Connecti- cut, on the 15th of September, 1809, and, like many of our successful merchants and business men, acquired at a village store those habits of industry and devotion to business, which have been attended with such good results, not only to himself, but to the community in which a greater portion of his life has been spent.
In the year 1826, at the age of seventeen, Mr. Smith became a resident of Providence, where he entered the counting-room of Mr. James Aborn, then carrying on the most extensive lumber business in the state, in which establishment he was assistant for fourteen years, or until the year 1840, when he became an active partner in the house; and, by untiring efforts, greatly extended its business during his connection with Mr Aborn, which continued until the year 1843. Five years before this time, Mr. Smith had also become engaged in the cotton manufacture; a business which has absorbed so large a share of the capital and enterprise of his adopted city, as well as of the state.
On the 13th of August, 1835, Mr. Smith was married to Emily, third daughter of the late Thomas Brown, of Providence.
From his earliest entrance into mercantile pursuits, Governor Smith has been most thoroughly devoted to the great interests of the state in general, and to the city of Providence in particular. After leaving the lumber trade, he greatly enlarged his business by embarking in our different manufactures, though chiefly of cotton, and has realized abundant fruits of his business sagacity. For a long period his name has been, and is still associated with
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the improvements of the city of Providence and with its public institutions; while his benefactions have been alike numerous and liberal, whether for literary, religious, or charitable objects.
Governor Smith's political principles were acquired in the Jackson school, and believing that governments should be changed only through the established laws, he joined the National Cadets, one of the military organiza- tions of the state, and at the time of the Dorr war took an active part in the suppression of that rebellion. Early in life he was chosen by his fellow- citizens to fill places of trust and responsibility. In 1848, he was elected one of the representatives from the city of Providence to the General Assembly, and filled this position during several subsequent years.
In 1855, he was nominated for the office of mayor, as the nominee of the citizens, in opposition to both the regular party nominations, Whig and Democrat, and was elected over both by a large majority, and was reelected in 1856. He declined a nomination for another term. During his mayor- ality many important improvements were completed, and others suggested, which have since been carried out. In 1861, he received, with great unanimity, the nomination of the Republican party for the office of governor, but his party failed to carry the election.
In 1863, he again received a nomination, and was elected by the largest majority given in Rhode Island in a fully contested election. In 1864, he was again elected to the same office over two candidates in opposition, and a third time in 1865, when he received a majority in every town and ward in the state. As governor, he has employed his business talent in meeting successfully the drafts in men and money required of the state by the exigencies of the war. These calls were not only met but anticipated, so that the gallant state was always found ready for any emergency. One of the regiments, the corps d'Afrique, usually called the fourteenth, enlisted during his first term of office, numbered over eighteen hundred colored troops.
On the 16th of March, 1864, Governor Smith, in order to relieve the anxiety which existed in the minds of the people of Rhode Island regarding the draft ordered on February 24th, for five hundred thousand men, issued his proclamation announcing that the quota of the state had been filled by voluntary enlistments. On the 18th of July, of the same year, another call was made upon the states for five hundred thousand men ; and, in September, just as the draft was expected to commence, the Governor again officially
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