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 17
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In July, came the fiercest battle of the war, that of Gettysburg. Bat- tery A was in the thickest of the action, and all fought with great bravery.
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They were stationed but thirty yards from the house, so celebrated in the annals of that battle-field, in which General Meade established his head-quar- ters. Out of that tempest rain of shot and shell Lieutenant Hunt escaped untouched. To a merciful Providence he ascribed the protection from death which he felt was almost miraculous. One shell burst directly on the right side of his head, singeing his hair and filling his neck and face with powder. The shock was a severe one to his system, but did not prevent his engaging actively during the rest of that bloody conflict. The following extract is from one of his letters, written after the battle : "The army of the Potomac never knew what war was before. Such fightings as Antietam and Chancel- lorsville are nothing but skirmishes compared with Gettysburg. In my paper I saw an account of General Meade's head-quarters, stating what a hot place it was, yet it did not speak of any batteries which were in front of that house. Every shot that struck around his head-quarters passed directly over or through our battery. The water which we used in our guns came from the yard of that house. Thirty-one out of our battery were killed and wounded, poor fellows,-the result of this terrible artillery battle-and thirty-four horses shot."
Towards the latter part of July, Lieutenant Hunt, worn out with the fatigues and hardships of his life, was taken siek, and remained at Frederick, Maryland, unable to obtain a leave of absence. His hardy constitution and vigorous frame triumphed, however, and he was soon able to rejoin his bat- tery. In August, he obtained the much coveted furlough, and spent several weeks in the enjoyment of home.
On returning to his battery, he found it, as usual, in the extreme front, and prepared to engage the enemy at any moment. Then followed the severe artillery duels at Bristoe's Station and Mine Run. We wish that space allowed us to give in full Lieutenant Hunt's descriptions of both these engagements, but we can only make the following extraet from one of his letters, showing the spirit of our men in the action at Mine Run: "The choice of ground was in favor of the enemy, and they showed a very large force, so much so, that General Warren decided not to attack them, saying he would not sacrifice his brave men by attacking such strong works. The men were perfectly willing to charge the works, and were eager for it. They took off their knapsacks, gave their money to the chaplains and surgeons, and, pinning their names to their caps, swore they would never come back if once allowed to advance." Such was the spirit that animated the Union forces.
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Early in 1864, Lieutenant Hunt obtained a leave of absence, returning to the front in time to take his part in the fight at Morton's ford, Virginia, February 6th.
On the 3d of May, battery A commenced the grand march with the entire army towards Richmond. Then followed the succession of heavy battles known as the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna, etc .; when, after six days of hard fighting, General Grant uttered the memo- rable words: "I propose to fight it out on this line, if it takes all summer."
May 11th, Lieutenant Hunt wrote to his mother from the Po river, as follows:
" MY DEAR MOTHER :
"I am all right. Have had six days' fighting. On the 9th instant, I received a little touch from a fragment of shell on the left leg. It went through my pants, and just brought the blood. I am a little sore, and dirty as I can be. The battery was in a very severe fight yesterday, and lost one gun."
Later. "Everything is all right. The enemy is falling back this very instant, and the battery is shelling them as I write. Up to knees in mud."
May 13th. "I survived yesterday's battle, and am well. Rebels badly whipped. Captured thirty-one guns and four thousand men. I drew off seven guns myself."
The three years for which he had enlisted had now nearly drawn to a close, and friends at home were counting the days which still remained ere he would be united again with them in the family circle. But an all-wise Providence had ruled otherwise.
On the 30th of May, the battery was engaged at Cold Harbor, where Lieutenant Hunt received a wound from a shell, which completely shattered his foot. He was removed to Washington, and, in a room in the Metropoli- tan Hotel, was found by a friend, who had him taken to the more comfortable quarters of a private house. Here, on the next day, his leg was amputated ; and, although he bore the operation well and appeared perfectly cahn under his suffering, it became evident that he was in a critical condition. His mother arrived during the next night, and found him asleep. Not wishing to disturb him, she placed her hand within his when he woke, and, although he had not expected her arrival and it was dark in the room at the time, yet
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he eagerly inquired : "Whose hand is this ? It seems like my mother's hand. I know it is. Light the gas, and let me see my mother." His affec- tion for his mother had always been very great, and his love for her had protected him like a shield from the corrupting influences of a soldier's life. He would often refuse to join his comrades in their social gatherings, when in camp, if he had failed to receive his usual letter from her. Alas! she had arrived only in time to soothe the few remaining hours of his life. Failing rapidly under the influences of his wound, Lieutenant Hunt sank peacefully to his rest on the 14th of June, in the comfort of a perfect hope in Jesus, in whom he said, as he passed away, he "had put all his trust."
An upright and true man and a brave and noble soldier, Lieutenant Hunt had proved himself to be a hero on the battle-field and patient on the bed of suffering. He fought not for the laurel-wreath of the victor, but simply to perform his duty to his country, in the honesty and straight-forwardness of his manly heart. Possessed of a constitution naturally strong and vigorous and excelling in all athletic exercises, he was eminently fitted, though but a youth, on his entrance into the army to meet all the requirements of its exposed life.
His remains were brought to Providence, where, on the 21st of June, the funeral ceremonies were solemnized in the Central Congregational Church, in the presence of the members of his battery. 23
GEORGE CARPENTER.
PIEUTENANT GEORGE CARPENTER was born in Seekonk, Massachusetts, in the year 1832. He was a comb-maker by occupation, but for several years before the war he had paid considerable attention to the study of the fine arts, in which he had shown decided manifestations of taste and skill.
He enlisted in the first regiment of Rhode Island volunteers (company D, Captain N. W. Brown) immediately on its formation, and throughout the campaign bore himself as a most exemplary man and a brave and high- spirited soldier. He was wounded in the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. but returned with the regiment, and afterwards to his home in Seekonk. Upon his recovery he was again induced to enter the service under Captain Nathaniel W. Brown, who had been appointed colonel of the third regiment. Mr. Carpenter was commissioned lieutenant October 3d, 1861, and received the appointment of quartermaster. He continued faithfully to perform the duties of this office until stricken by disease, which proved fatal. He died at Fort Seward, Bay Point, South Carolina, June 28th, 1862. He was a young man of the finest qualities of character, and his memory is cherished by his surviving comrades as that of an honorable man, a faithful friend, and a fearless soldier .*
* Woodbury's "Campaign of the First Rhode Island Regiment."
Nuno +. Gladdm.
MUNRO H. GLADDING.
UNRO II. GLADDING, son of George W. Gladding, was born in Providence, December 24th, 1828, and received his education in part at the public and private schools of his native city. At an early age he evinced an energetic and persevering spirit, which proved his most marked character- istic. Nothing daunted by peculiar difficulties and hardships through which he was compelled to struggle, after several years of indefatigable industry and close attention to the interests of his employers, Messrs. Phetteplace & Seagrave, merchants of Providence, he was associated with them in their business, which position he occupied when called by his country to take up arms in her defence. Though warmly attached to home and kindred, and with promising prospects of future success and enjoyment, he unflinchingly relinquished all, from a sterner sense of duty to his country.
He had been an active member of the First Light Infantry Company, of Providence, for more than six years, and was well schooled in all the tactics of a true soldier. Fully inspired with the patriotism which characterized that whole corps, he was prompt at the first summons to enroll his name as a private among those of the first regiment of Rhode Island volunteers. His first enlistment was for the term of three months, the close of which was marked by the memorable battle of Bull Run, in which he actively partici- pated. From this campaign he returned unharmed. He remained at home until the following January, when he again felt that his services were impera- tively required to sustain the great cause for which the north was contending, and again, with firm and manly determination, sacrificing every consideration of home and its endearments, he reenlisted as quartermaster of the fifth
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Rhode Island regiment, with the rank of first-lieutenant, under appointment of General Burnside. This regiment was assigned a position in the Burnside expedition to North Carolina, and embarked with it in January, 1862. The perils which that expedition encountered are still fresh in the minds of all who felt an interest in its success. After reaching its destination, the fifth Rhode Island regiment participated warmly in the battles of Roanoke Island and Newbern, and was afterwards stationed in defence of the latter place.
While engaged in the faithful discharge of the duties appertaining to his office, Lieutenant Gladding was prostrated by the fever incident to that climate. He was removed to the military hospital at Beaufort, where he died on the 4th of October, 1862, in the thirty-fourth year of his age.
ALFRED HENRY THURSTON.
URGEON ALFRED HENRY THURSTON was born in Newport, Rhode Island, October 2d, 1832, the youngest child of Charles M. and Rachel H. Thurston. He was a graduate from Columbia College, in the city of New York, in 1851, and afterwards from the medical department of the University of New York. He was appointed by the board of governors of the New York City Hospital, on the 6th of December, 1853, and served there in the several capacities of junior and senior walker and resident home surgeon for one year each successively.
He was married April 10, 1856, to Eliza S. Blunt, daughter of N. B. Blunt, Esquire, of New York.
At the commencement of the rebellion he was surgeon of the twefth regiment New York state militia, and served with the regiment in 1861, for three months, in the defence of Washington.
He was appointed brigade surgeon of volunteers, with the rank of major, October 5, 1861, and ordered to the army of the Cumberland. He was placed in charge of University Hospital, at Nashville, Tennessee, March 8, 1862; was medical inspector on Major-General Rosecrans's staff October 30, 1862 ; was assistant medical director of the department of the Cumberland in 1863; and was medical director of the twelfth army corps, Major-General Sloeun commanding, January 7, 1864.
Doctor Thurston was married a second time, in Nashville, Tennessee, April 25, 1864, to Mary S., daughter of James Bankhead, Esquire, of Nashville.
He was ordered to the army of the Potomac, and stationed at Belle Plain in May, 1864; afterwards medieal inspector in Washington, and finally,
T
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was placed in charge of Grant Hospital, Willett's Point, New York harbor, July 5, 1864. He remained in command until the hospital was closed, in June, 1865. He was appointed, June 15, 1865, "for faithful and meritorious service during the war," a lieutenant-colonel of volunteers by brevet, to rank as such from March 13, 1865.
He died in New York, August 2, 1865, of disease contracted while in the public service, aged thirty-two years and ten months, leaving a widow and three children.
Doctor Thurston was a direct descendant, in the fifth generation, from Edward Thurston, born in 1617, and his wife, Elizabeth Mott, who were among the earliest settlers at Newport, Rhode Island.
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WILLIAM L. PROUTY.
IEUTENANT WILLIAM L. PROUTY, the son of Captain John Prouty, was born in Scituate, Massachusetts, on the 8th of June, 1832, and with his father removed to Newport in 1842. He was educated at a private school in Newport, and, on the breaking out of the war, was one of the firm of Woolsey & Prouty, tobacconists in Providence. He was among the hundreds of young men, who, when the call was made for a force to defend the capital, joined the first regiment of Rhode Island volunteers, on the 19th of April, 1861, and, with his regiment, took part in the memorable battle of Bull Run. He returned with his regiment when its period of service had expired, sick with typhoid fever.
In September following, he again enlisted, in the fifth regiment of Rhode Island volunteers, for three years' service, and was made a quartermaster- sergeant. He was with his regiment in General Burnside's expedition to North Carolina, in which campaign that regiment rendered distinguished service .* In February, 1862, Mr. Prouty was promoted to a lieutenancy, and made regimental quartermaster of the same regiment. Lieutenant Prouty was in all the battles in which his regiment took part up to the time of his death, which took place at Newbern, North Carolina, on the 31st of December, 1863. His remains were brought to Newport, and interred with military honors.
* For the particulars of this service, see the memoirs of Colonel Goorgo W. Tew.
CHARLES D. HAMMETT, JR.
HARLES D. HAMMETT, JR., was born March 29th, 1843, at Jamestown, Rhode Island. He was appointed aeting master's mate in the United States navy in the summer of 1861, and, on board United States steamer Winona, was at the passage of forts Saint Philip and Jackson, at the capture of New Orleans. He was present, also, at the passage of Vieksburg, in the summer of 1862. Mr. Hammett left the navy in October of the same year. He was drafted in 1863, and joined the army of the Potomac. In April, 1864, he was commissioned as second-lieutenant in the third Rhode Island cavalry, and joined his regiment, near New Orleans, in May. Lieutenant Hammett continued with this regiment until his death, which took place at Saint James Hospital, September 13th, 1864.
JAMES SHAW, JR.
AMES SHAW, JR., was born in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, on the 25th of September, 1830. He received his education in the common schools of his native city. His trade early in life was that of a jeweller. though for several years prior to the rebellion, he was employed as an accountant.
At the breaking out of the war, Mr. Shaw was very anxious to enroll himself, as all of his intimate friends had done, in the first regiment Rhode Island volunteers, but found it impossible to do so. He was among the first to recognize the importance of a general knowledge of military matters in the community, and, soon after the departure of the first regiment, he sug- gested to the citizens of the sixth ward, the plan of forming a ward company for drill. The idea was carried out, and Mr. Shaw selected as captain of the company. This step led to the general organization of ward companies throughout the city, by means of which, in the spring of 1862, the state was enabled to offer a regiment of men for the defence of Washington, in less than thirty hours from the first call. In the fall of 1861, the several ward companies met together for battalion drill, and the first regiment of National Guards was formed, when Captain Shaw was elected colonel.
In May, 1862, an urgent call came from Washington, for men to defend the capital. The National Guards came forward immediately and offered their services for three months, most of its members leaving important posi- tions, and sacrificing personal comforts for the sake of their country. On the 26th day of May, Colonel Shaw reported six hundred and thirteen men ready for duty, and they were immediately organized as the tenth regiment Rhode
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Island volunteers. The officers were desirous that Colonel Shaw should accept the colonelcy of the regiment, but he felt himself, that never having seen active service, some one else should be chosen. Governor Sprague accordingly appointed Captain Zenas R. Bliss, of the United States army, to fill the position, and Colonel Shaw was elected lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. During the temporary absence of Colonel Bliss, all the duties connected with the command devolved upon Colonel Shaw.
On the 29th of May, the regiment arrived in Washington, and the next morning took up its line of march for Tennallytown, six miles distant from the city. A site for a camp was selected in a grove on a gentle slope, just beyond the village, and tents were pitched as well as the darkness and rain would allow. In honor of the quartermaster-general of Rhode Island, the camp was named "Camp Frieze."
On the 1st of June, the ninth regiment Rhode Island volunteers, together with further reinforcements for the tenth, arrived under command of Colonel Bliss. On the 9th, the regiment was mustered into the military service of the United States. Soon after, the tenth Rhode Island battery, Captain Gallup, arrived, and was attached to the tenth regiment.
The blanks in the staff were filled by the appointment of the Reverend A. H. Clapp as chaplain, and Lieutenant James H. Armington as quarter- master. Doctor Miller having declined the appointment as surgeon, Doctor George D. Wilcox was chosen in his place, and Doctor Sprague was appointed assistant-surgeon. Major Merriman and Adjutant Thurston both resigning, their places were filled by Jacob Babbitt as major, and John F. Tobey as adjutant .*
On the 25th of June, the regiment received orders to proceed to Washington, from which place they passed through Alexandria to Fairfax Seminary, encamping near Fort Ward, making a march of eighteen miles in six hours. All the forces south of the Potomac not garrisoning fortifications, were now formed into one division, consisting of two brigades; the first under command of General Cook, and the second under Colonel Bliss. The second comprised battery L, second New York, battery C, first New York, sixteenth Indiana battery, second Excelsior battery, ninth and tenth Rhode Island
* Among the volunteers who came forward in this emergency, was the IIonorablo Elisha Dyer, formerly governor of Rhode Island, and one of the principal manufacturers in the state. Governor Dyer was com- missioned as captain, and proved to be one of the most active and energetic officers in the regiment.
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regiments, thirty-second Massachusetts volunteers, and twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry. The camp was finely situated on a high plane, where they expected to be allowed to remain and perfect themselves in the drill of the battalion and evolutions of the line, a pleasure they had long looked for. They were doomed to disappointment however, for on the 29th, orders were issued for the tenth regiment to take possession of the fortifications then garrisoned by the fifty-ninth New York artillery. On the 1st of July, the companies of the regiment were assigned to the different forts and batteries.
This transfer, from camp to garrison, was anything but agreeable to the men, who were obliged to forego all hopes of perfecting themselves in infantry tactics and begin the study of artillery practice, with which they were wholly unacquainted. The duties were very severe, on account of the line of fortifications stretching over a distance of some six or eight miles, the garrison being so small that guard duty came every other day. In August, an epidemic fever broke out at Fort DeRussey, and twenty-two men from Company D were at one time on the sick list. It afterwards appeared also at Fort Pennsylvania, and increased steadily during the month of August. The men were really over-worked, laboring to complete Battery Vermont, when the thermometer was varying from one hundred to one hundred and thirty degrees in the sun; work which "contrabands" alone were fitted to perform in such extreme heat.
On the 6th of August, Colonel Bliss resigned his command of the tenth regiment, having received the appointment of colonel of the seventh Rhode Island regiment. From this time, Colonel Shaw assumed the command of the tenth, receiving a commission from Governor Sprague as colonel. On the 21st of August, a note was received from Lieutenant-Colonel Haskin, aide-de-camp, asking if the regiment would be willing to be sworn in for an extra term until relieved by another regiment, and they instructed in heavy artillery drill. To this request, Colonel Shaw responded as follows :
" HEAD-QUARTERS TENTHI RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS, FORT PENNSYLVANIA, August 22, 1862.
"COLONEL :- Yours of the 21st, requesting the regiment to remain two weeks or one month after the expiration of their terin of service, is received and has been laid before the regiment. I regret to say that it has not met their approbation, though, when all the circumstances are considered, I am not surprised at the result. You will remember that the regiment started
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from Rhode Island at twenty-four hours' notice, coming simply for the emer- geney, and expecting to be released within a month. Many of them left important business matters and permanent situations that they feel must be attended to. They will have staid, on the 26th instant, the longest time, as they understood it when they left home, that would possibly be required of them, and have made their arrangements expecting to be at home at that time. We have many amongst us who are expecting positions in the regi- ments to be sent from our state, and many that wish to obtain the large bounties that are now being offered by many of the towns. These all wish to go. The epidemie fever which now prevails at Fort Pennsylvania has a great influence ; siek men always wish to get home. Under these circum- stanees, I trust you will do the regiment the justice to believe that its disin- clination to stay is not from any lack of patriotism or desire to comply with every wish of the government. So much, we think, was manifested by the readiness with which they volunteered for what then appeared immediate active service, and the cheerfulness with which they have served through the longest time mentioned as the limit of our stay. I trust our reply, when thus explained, will meet the approbation of General Barnard.
"I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, "JAMES SHAW, JR., " Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding." "To Colonel J. A. HASKIN."
This reply proved perfectly satisfactory to General Barnard, who had but just assumed the command, and did not know the circumstances under which the regiment had been raised. On the 24th instant, the one hundred and thirteenth New York volunteers relieved the tenth regiment from further duty, and on the following day they departed for home, and were mustered out of the service on the 1st of September, 1862.
Thus ended the brief campaign of the tenth regiment. They were permitted to perform but a humble part in the great struggle, but the promptness with which they performed all the duties that devolved upon them, and their excellent discipline, combined with the character and morale of the regiment, showed that they would not have been found wanting had greater demands been made upon their courage and devotion to their coun- try. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Colonel Shaw for his efforts in behalf of the regiment while under his command. He won the respect and
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confidence of his officers and men by the uprightness of his conduct and character, and his ability as a commanding officer.
Feeling that the country still needed the services of every military man, Colonel Shaw offered himself again to Governor Sprague, soon after he was mustered out of the tenth regiment. On the 31st of December, 1862, his wishes were gratified by receiving a commission as lieutenant-colonel of the twelfth regiment Rhode Island volunteers, with orders to report for duty to Colonel Browne, whose regiment was stationed near Falmouth, Virginia, forming part of the ninth army corps. With the twelfth regiment Colonel Shaw went to Newport News, from thence to Kentucky, and in July returned home, and was mustered out of the service on the 29th of July, 1863.
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