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 38
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J. ALBERT MONROE. WILLIAM W. BUCKLEY. BATTERY D.
OHN ALBERT MONROE, was commissioned lieutenant of battery A. first regi- ment Rhode Island light artillery, on the 6th of June, 1861; promoted to captain on the 7th of September, and transferred to battery D. The battery was enlisted in Providence, and was mustered into the service of the United States, on the 4th of September, 1861. It arrived in Washington, September 15th, when Captain Monroe assumed the command. October 8th, it marched to Hall's Hill, Virginia, and was attached to the division of General Fitz John Porter. October 12th, it reported to General McDowell, at Upton's Hill. It remained in quarters until March 9th, 1862, when it was attached to General Kirby's division of General MeDowell's corps. In June, it accom- panied the corps in pursuit of Stonewall Jackson, when on his famous raid up the Shenandoah valley. On the 5th of August, the battery left camp, crossed the Rappahannock, and proceeded out on the telegraph road, where it joined the brigade of General Gibbon, in order to take part in a reconnoissance in company with the second and seventh Wisconsin, and the nineteenth Indiana regiments of infantry, with the third Indiana cavalry.
In August, the battery was ordered to rejoin McDowell's corps at Rappa- hannock Station, and arrived in season to take part in the fights at Sulphur Springs and Groveton. In the latter battle, on the 28th of August, several men were severely wounded, and four were taken prisoners. A number of horses were killed, among which were Captain Monroe's. One caisson was so damaged by a shot from the enemy that it could not be removed, and was
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blown up to prevent it and its ammunition from falling into the hands of the enemy. In the second battle of Bull Run, on the 29th and 30th of August, the battery lost eighteen men in killed and wounded.
" After this disastrous battle, the battery returned with the army within the defences of Washington, and marched with the army of the Potomac into Maryland, attached to General Hooker's corps. It participated in the vieto- rious battle of South Mountain, September 14th, and, on the 17th, fought with great bravery at Antietam. In this battle, thirty-nine men were lost in killed, wounded and missing. From one piece all the horses but one were killed, and all the cannoneers but the gunner and one private were either killed or 'severely wounded. This piece was drawn to the rear by the prolonge. While the pro- longe was being attached to the piece, Lieutenant Fiske's horse was shot, and the horse upon which Captain Monroe was mounted, received six bullets. At this time Captain Monroe was chief of artillery in General Doubleday's division, and had command of thirty-six guns on the right, that did such terri- ble execution on the enemy's left on the night of September 17th. On the 20th of October, Captain Monroe was commissioned major, and, on the 4th of December, was promoted to a lieutenant-colonel. Shortly after he received his commission as major, he was assigned to the duty of establishing an artil- lery camp of instruction near Washington, which he accomplished with great success."
On the 5th of October, 1864, Colonel Monroe's term of service having expired, he was mustered out of the service.
On the 30th of October, 1862, Lieutenant WILLIAM W. BUCKLEY, of battery C, was promoted to the captainey of battery D, and reached his command just in season to participate in the battle of Fredericksburg, on the 13th of December. Being subsequently assigned to the ninth army corps, for service in the department of the Ohio, the battery proceeded to the Peninsula, and on the 19th of March following, left Newport News to join General Burnside, then at Lexington, Kentucky. From April 9th to May 8th, the battery marched, in various directions, two hundred and thirty-seven miles. On the 12th of July, it left Camp Nelson, Kentucky, for Cincinnati, where it was employed in picket and other duties during the alarm caused by Morgan's guerrillas, until August. Of its subsequent movements from August 15th to December 18th, a summary is given by Captain Buckley, in his report of the latter date, addressed to the adjutant-general of Rhode Island.
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JOHN A. MUNROE, WILLIAM W. BUCKLEY.
Crossing the Cumberland mountains, on his way to East Tennessee, Cap- tain Buckley marched upwards of seven hundred miles, and had frequent skirmishes with the enemy. He lost many horses and wagons from the bad- ness of the roads. At Fort Saunders, in November, he took part in a severe fight with Longstreet's corps, repelling a charge made by the latter against the fort, and taking many prisoners, together with five hundred stand of arms.
" In this campaign, one of the hardest of the war, the men suffered severely from want of clothing, shoes, and deficiency of rations. After com- pleting the service assigned to it in the department of the Ohio, the battery returned to the east to rejoin the army of the Potomac. It came to Provi- dence on a veteran furlough of thirty days, and had a handsome reception. On returning to Washington, it drew guns and equipments in preparation for further service. From April 5th to the 25th, 1864, it was successively at Stevenson's Station, Kearnstown, Middletown, Summit Point, and near Win- chester, Virginia. On the 4th of May, it marched from Warrenton Junction as a part of the ninth army corps in advance on Richmond." Subsequently, in consequence of an excess of artillery, it returned to Washington, turned in its guns and equipments to the arsenal, and went into garrison at Fort Lincoln.
" When General Early returned from his raid on Washington, battery D received a new armament and joined in the pursuit. On the 19th of Septem- ber, it marched to near Winchester, and went into action with the nineteenth corps, to which it was joined. In this battle four men were wounded and six horses killed. On the 20th, it marched to Strasburg; on the 21st, shelled the enemy, and on the 22d, engaged in the battle of Fisher's Hill, in which the rebels were put to rout with heavy loss. From this date to the 30th, the bat- tery was consecutively at Edinburgh, New Market, Harrisonburg, and Mount Crawford. On the 19th of October, it engaged in the battle of Cedar Creek, in which it had six men wounded and twenty-four horses killed. One gun and limber, one battery wagon, and two army wagons were taken by the enemy. On the the 24th of September, Captain Buckley resigned his com- mand, and was succeeded by Captain Elmer S. Corthell, who had established an excellent military reputation by long service on various fields."
The battery continued in the Shenandoah valley until the 10th of July, 1865, when it returned to Providence under Captain Corthell, where it was mustered out of service on the 17th of July.
GEORGE E. RANDOLPHI. BATTERY E.
EORGE ENGS RANDOLPH, son of John R. Randolph, was born in Quincy, Illinois, on the 29th of March, 1840, his father at that time being a resident of that state. He enlisted in May, 1861, as sergeant-major of the second Rhode Island battery, (afterwards known as battery A,) accom- panied it to Washington, and was attached to General Burnside's brigade at the battle of Bull Run, where he had charge of the first piece. He was wounded in both legs early in the engagement, but mounted his horse and remained with the battery until it was withdrawn late in the afternoon. On reaching Washington, Mr. Randolph received sick leave on account of his wounds, and remained at home several weeks, when he returned to battery A as first-lieutenant, his commission bearing date August 14th, 1861. After remaining a short time with this battery, he reported to Captain Weeden, battery C, as senior lieutenant, and, on the 28th of September, he was made captain of battery E.
Captain Randolph took command of his battery in Washington, and soon moved it across the Potomac, reporting to General Heintzelman. The fall and winter of 1861-62, were occupied in drilling his men till March, when, with the whole army of the Potomac, he moved to the Peninsula. At Yorktown, the battery was under fire on the first day of its arrival, but suffered no damage except to its horses, losing several, and having a gun carriage shat- tered. They reached Williamsburg while the battle was in progress, and were the first to enter the town the following day. At Glendale, Captain Randolph reported to General Franklin with four pieces, while Lieutenant Jastram, with two howitzers, remained. with Kearney's division, to which the battery belonged. All the pieces were hotly engaged, but more especially those under Lieutenant Jastram. The battery was under a very heavy fire
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at Malvern almost the entire day. Here it did good service, and gained from General Kearney especial praise for accuracy of practice. After the aban- donment of Harrison's Landing, Captain Randolph joined General Pope, at Bealton, being the only battery of the third corps that arrived from the Peninsula. He reported to General Hooker, and gained credit for the battery in the affair of the 27th of July, driving back the rebel cavalry after their raid upon our communications at Manassas. He was heavily engaged both days in the second action at Bull Run, after which, with the rest of the corps, he retreated to Centreville. Kearney's division being sent to reënforce Reno and Stevens at the battle of Chantilly, Randolph's battery took position a short distance from the infantry line, and did excellent execution in firing solid shot over our line into that of the enemy. General Kearney, before his death, and General Barry, were both enthusiastic at the effect of this firing.
Soon afterwards, Captain Randolph took command of three batteries, in which he continued until the spring of 1863, when he took command of the artillery of the third corps. In the battle of Fredericksburg, he commanded three batteries, holding the line directly in front of which, General Meade, with the Pennsylvania reserves attempted to carry the rebel position. General Stoneman acknowledged Captain Randolphi's services, by a very complimentary notice in his official report, ignoring the chief of artillery and crediting Captain Randolph with what was done. At Chancellorsville, he commanded the artil- lery brigade of the third corps, cight batteries with fifty guns, all of which were heavily engaged at various times in the course of the battle. On the third day, he commanded, under Captain (afterwards general) Weed, half of a fifty gun battery, formed to cover the retreat of our army in case of attack. General Sickles in consideration of Captain Randolph's services here, noticed him handsomely, and recommended him for appointment as brigadier-general, that he might have a rank equal to the importance of his command. He commanded the artillery of the third corps at Gettysburg, having charge on the 2d of July, of all the artillery on the left, from Round Top to Peach Orchard, and along the Emmettsburg road. Ile was wounded in the shoulder early in the battle, and, after remaining on the field till the close of the day, was compelled to leave in the morning of the 3d. A part of his command was engaged at Mine Run, in November. Captain Randolph resigned on the 5th of January, 1864. While in service, he was recommended for brevet rank of major, lieutenant-colonel, colonel and brigadier-general, but up to that time no brevets had been conferred. He has since received all, except that of brigadier-general.
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WILLIAM B. RHODES. BATTERY E.
HIS officer, who succeeded Colonel Randolph, in the command of battery E, is the son of Richard Rhodes, of Warwick, Rhode Island, in which village he was born on the 30th of August, 1834. He received his education at the public schools of his native town, and previous to the war was engaged in the manufacture of jewelry. He was commissioned first- lieutenant in Rhode Island light artillery, battery G, October 2d, 1861, and promoted to the captaincy of battery E, January 5th, 1864.
Early in May following, Captain Rhodes moved with his battery to take part with the army in the successive battles fought from the Wilderness to Petersburg. On the 10th, the battery was ordered into position by Colonel Tompkins, supported by the second Rhode Island regiment, and opened a vig- orous fire on the enemy with solid shot. The enemy brought a battery to enfilade the right flank of battery E, in which it was unsuccessful, and was driven from its position. While on the field, General Ricketts, of the regular army, complimented Captain Rhodes for driving the enemy from their rifle- pits, and on the manner in which the battery was handled. Later in the day, the battery covered a charge made by the sixth corps, which resulted in taking five hundred prisoners.
The battery reached Cold Harbor on the 1st of June; immediately took position and engaged the enemy until dark, expending five hundred rounds of ammunition. It remained in position until the 12th, when Captain Rhodes retired to a point near Old Tavern, to which our lines were withdrawn. The following day he crossed the Chickahominy, and, on the evening of the 17th, arrived in front of Petersburg. The next day the battery was placed in
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WILLIAM B. RHODES.
position within three hundred yards of the enemy's skirmish line, where it covered a charge made by the eighteenth corps. Then changing position to a point nearer the city, it covered a second charge of the same corps, under a sharp fire of musketry. Here it threw solid shot into Petersburg, being the first fired into the city. It was there assailed by a battery in front, and by an enfilading fire on its right. On the 19th of June, it opened fire on the city and railroad bridge. On the 20th, Captain Rhodes was assailed by two rebel batteries on his right, one in his rear, and by sharpshooters from a short distance in front. He maintained his position, however, with the loss of four horses. On the 29th, he accompanied the sixth corps to Reams's Station, to reenforce General Wilson, who was returning from his raid. On the 13th of July, he embarked his battery at City Point for Washington, to join its corps which had preceded it. The day after his arrival, he was ordered back to City Point, where he reported with his battery to General Hunt, chief of artillery of the army, and a few days later to Lieutenant-Colonel Monroe, chief of artillery, ninth corps. On the 30th, General Burnside exploded his mine before Petersburg, battery E remaining in position until late in the after- noon, when Captain Rhodes joined his brigade and remained in camp until the 15th of August.
On the 1st of August, Captain Rhodes was breveted major. On the 15th, he was ordered to report to General Potter, commanding the second division, ninth corps. On the 18th and 19th, the enemy shelled his battery. The following day, he reported to General Mott, second corps, and remained in the same position, within two hundred yards of the enemy. From this time the battery remained in or near the same fort, engaged more or less with the enemy almost every day, until the 27th of September, when Major Rhodes was ordered to take thirty-three men of his command, whose term of service would expire on the 30th, to Rhode Island, and have them mustered out. He returned on the 18th of October, resumed his command, and was constantly under the fire of the enemy until February, 1865, when he was ordered to take position in Fort Wadsworth.
The constant exposure of Major Rhodes had seriously affected his health, which nothing could restore except a complete retirement from the field. He was therefore honorably discharged the service on account of physical dis- ability, on the 8th of March, 1865, and Lieutenant Jacob H. Lamb appointed to the command. On the 1st of April, orders were received to open fire on the enemy's lines, and the wish of General Wright was gratified, in having
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the first gun fired from his line. Two days after, the battery was ordered to City Point.
On closing its career on the Peninsula, the battery proceeded to Wash- ington, and on the 3d of June, set out under Captain Jacob H. Lamb, for Providence, where it arrived on the 7th. It was received with a salute from the Marine Artillery, and escorted to Washington Hall, where an ample col- lation was in waiting. On the 14th, it was mustered out of the service. Through the entire war, battery E was distinguished for its efficiency. Under the general order of the War Department, General Meade directed that the names of the following battles in which the battery had borne a meritorious part, should be inscribed upon its colors or guidons, viz. : Yorktown, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg.
JAMES BELGER. THOMAS SIMPSON. BATTERY F.
APTAIN JAMES BELGER was mustered into service as commander of battery F, October 17th, 1861. Early in November, the battery went to Wash- ington, and soon after joined the North Carolina expedition under General Burnside. For some time while at Newbern, the company acted as cavalry, and performed picket duty on roads leading to that city. In October, Captain Belger marched to Little Washington, and soon after engaged the enemy on Little Creek, when he returned to Newbern. In December, he had engagements with the enemy at Whitehall Ferry and at Goldsboro' Rail- road Bridge. In April, 1863, the battery left for Little Washington under General Spinola, for the purpose of relieving General Foster. The enemy was engaged at Blount's creek, when Captain Belger was severely wounded
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JAMES BELGER, THOMAS SIMPSON.
in the leg, while his horse was killed under him. In this action, the battery expended three hundred rounds of ammunition. In consequence of his wound, Captain Belger was granted leave of absence for thirty days, which was subsequently extended. On the 19th of July, he was detached on recruiting service, and the command of the battery was temporarily assumed by Lieutenant THOMAS SIMPSON. After various marches from different points in North Carolina, in which it had frequent encounters with the enemy, with- out serious casualties, the battery was now called upon to take part in the great struggle on the Peninsula. On the 4th of November, it reached Ports- mouth, Virginia, and, after stopping at Fortress Monroe and Newport News, disembarked at Point Lookout, Maryland, on the 24th of December.
From January 21st, 1864, to May following, while battery F was on the Peninsula, it was engaged in frequent reconnoissances towards Richmond, and in several skirmishes with the enemy. On the 3d of May it left Yorktown, reached Bermuda Hundred three days later, and marched five miles towards Petersburg. It engaged the enemy on the 12th, on the Richmond and Peters- burg pike; again at Drury's Bluff on the 14th, and at the same place two days after, when Captain Belger was taken prisoner. The command now devolved on Lieutenant Simpson. The battery crossed the Appomattox and engaged the enemy before Petersburg on the 15th, 16th and 17th of June. On the 22d, it took position in the trenches, skirmishing continually with the enemy till the 28th of August, when it was relieved and proceeded to Copps's Hill. In September, Lieutenant Simpson crossed the James river and engaged the enemy at Chapin's Farm, where he had five men wounded and six horses killed. On the 26th of October, he was taken prisoner.
On the 3d of April, 1865, Captain Simpson having been released, rejoined his battery, which, on the 7th, broke camp and marched to Richmond, where it was stationed; and, on the 27th of June, was there mustered out of the service. At Richmond, it embarked direct for Providence, where it arrived on the 1st of July.
GEORGE W. ADAMS. BATTERY G.
CLO N the 17th of April, 1861, when the Massachusetts soldiers were fired upon in the streets of Baltimore, Mr. ADAMS was temporarily in that city upon business. Hastening home, he found, to his regret, that the first Rhode Island battery, a three months' company, had already left the city. He at once offered his services to the governor of the state, to act in any capacity where he could be made most useful to his country. Not find- ing a position which would require immediate and active service, he went to New York, and applied for a place on some one of the gun-boats then fitting out there. Becoming again impatient of delay, he left New York, and pro- ceeded to the camp of the Rhode Island battery, and was received as a private, June 10th, 1861. He remained with the battery until its return to Providence, July 31st. On the 13th of August, he was commissioned as first-lieutenant, and participated in the engagement of Balls' Bluff; was with MeClellan dur- ing the whole of the Peninsular campaign, suffering from the effects of the climate and from unnecessary exposure, and finally performing an important part in covering the retreat of the army, and also in the battles of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Antietam, and the first Fredericksburg.
On the 30th of January, 1863, Lieutenant Adams received a captain's commission, and was assigned to the command of battery G. On the 2d of May, the day after he took command of the battery, the second battle of Fredericksburg commenced, and he was ordered to an exposed position to silence a rebel battery, which he succeeded in doing, although subjected to a very hot cross-fire from a battery on the height. The shells of the rebels
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GEORGE W. ADAMS.
caused a heavy loss, more severe than had ever been experienced by a Rhode Island battery. After the heights were taken it recrossed the river at Fal- mouth. Captain Adams was reported to have handled his battery with great skill, and the officers and men were complimented for their bravery.
Battery G remained with the army of the Potomae during all its move- ments in driving General Lee from Pennsylvania, taking a gallant part in the decisive battle of Gettysburg, and continuing in pursuit of the enemy, it was called into action at Chantilly, Warrenton, Brandy Station and Mine Run. It went into winter quarters near Brandy Station, and, December 26th, the men went home for a veteran furlough of thirty-five days.
The next spring, the battery, still in connection with the army of the Potomac, marched with it in its final and successful campaign, and had its full share of the work that was then done, becoming conspicuous in the sixth corps to which it was attached for its many heroic and successful achievements. It was in active service and performed an important part in the battles of Rappahannock Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Peters- burg. The battery proceeded to Washington in the beginning of July, to protect that city against the approach of General Early, and joined in the pursuit when he retreated. The following account is taken from the Wash- ington Chronicle :
"The sixth corps left Fort Stevens on Wednesday, the 13th, and, steadily pursuing the march for twenty-four hours, overtook the rear guard of the enemy at Poolesville. A section of Captain Adams's battery, with cavalry under command of Colonel Lovell, pressed forward some six miles, when they vigorously shelled the enemy from several positions. Night coming on, the firing ceased. The corps crossed the Potomae on Saturday, and continued close to the rear of the enemy, passing through Leesburg. They overtook them at Snicker's Gap. The enemy held the other bank of the Shenandoah, one mile distant. A part of Hunter's command to the number of five thou- sand, were ordered to the river, which they crossed in face of the enemy's fire, though the water was up to their arm-pits. After this force had crossed, the enemy attempted a flank movement on their right and left. At this criti- cal moment, Adams's Rhode Island battery came into position on an eminence overlooking the valley below. They immediately opened upon the enemy with shot and shell from three inch rifled guns, creating great havoc among them. The range was very accurate, and each shell burst in their midst. The enemy finding the damage to their infantry so great, attempted to silence the battery by firing upon them with twenty pound Parrotts, which, however, lasted but a moment, as they in turn were fired upon and forced to cease. The scene was a most exciting one; generals, colonels and others were
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standing near, and high compliments were passed on this battery by General Russell and others. The writer of this met this command at Fort Stevens ; and, having some experience in military matters, could not fail to admire their soldierly appearance, and felt assured that if an opportunity occurred during this campaign, they would distinguish themselves."
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