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 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
The regiment was brigaded in General Casey's division of the army of the defences of Washington. After a few days, they moved to Fairfax Semi- nary, where they were daily engaged in drill or in onerous and somewhat perilous pieket duty. Here and thus early, commenced under the especial orders and supervision of the colonel, a rigid system of camp police, which secured to the regiment a habit and character for cleanliness, that they retained during their entire term of service. From this time, the men kept their camps with such serupulous neatness and order, that Generals Casey, Carter and others, deemed it worthy of especial mention and imitation.
427
GEORGE H. BROWNE.
But the regiment was not permitted to enjoy these comfortable quarters long. On the Ist of December, 1862, it was put in motion for Fredericks- burg, and after a march of great hardship, arrived near Falmonth late in the afternoon, when it was attached to the first brigade, General Nagle, second division, General Sturgis, ninth army corps, General Willcox. The seventh Rhode Island volunteers belonged to the same brigade, and the two regiments for many months pitched their camps side by side.
Immediately upon the arrival of the regiment, orders were received to move at daylight the next morning, thus indicating that it was to take part in the impending battle. To men weary, lame, and foot-sore from a long march, this seemed a severe service, but they set earnestly at work, and when the roar of artillery and shrieking of shells announced that the struggle had commenced, were in line ready for duty. From their arrival till after the battle, they bivouacked, though for some of the time the ground was covered with snow. The attempt to force the passage of the Rappahannock on the 11th, was successful, and on the next day, the twelfth crossed with the corps.
To describe the battle of Fredericksburg would be to repeat a thrice-told tale, and in so brief a sketch as this must necessarily be, it is perhaps suffi- cient to say of the part which the twelfth bore in that engagement that, from morning till evening of the memorable 13th of December, 1862, the regi- ment occupied one of the hottest positions on the field. Placed near the centre of the Union line, they were, during most of the day, within seventy yards of the enemy's intrenehments, and exposed to the fire of their rifle-pits and batteries. Shell and shot fell around and among them like hail, but they held their ground till into the evening. They fired away all their ammunition, and had to rely on their bayonets to maintain their position. When, how- ever, the other forees, covered by the darkness, fell back, the twelfth filed into the rear of the retiring column and returned to the position it had occu- pied on the previous night. Roll-call disclosed the sad tale of one hundred and nine killed and wounded, and ninety-five missing. Among the former were the brave and manly lieutenants, Briggs and Hopkins. The former died on the field while leading his men to the charge, the latter a few days after the battle. No lieutenant-colonel for this regiment had at this time been appoint- ed, and Major Dyer having early in the engagement been taken by the adju- tant's orders to the rear, in consequence of a contusion, Colonel Browne was left during the battle without the aid of a single field officer. He was, how-
-
428
RHODE ISLAND OFFICERS.
ever, nobly seconded by Captains Cheney and Hubbard, and Lieutenants Pendleton, Bucklin and Tabor, while Lieutenants Roberts, Lawton, Alexander, and Abbott, Sergeant-Major Potter, and Sergeants Cole, Ballou and Pollard behaved like veterans. General Nagle, in his report, commended the regi- ment for behaving well, adding that "Colonel Browne was entitled to much praise for his personal conduet."
For several weeks after the battle, the regiment suffered severely for want of suitable shelter, clothing and fuel. It was mid-winter, the weather was uncommonly inclement for that latitude, wood was not to be had except at great labor, and sickness of a severe type ensued. The situation was hardly endurable for men in health,-to the sick it was almost surely fatal. It gave rise, however, to some exhibitions of sympathy and generosity that are pleasing to recall. At this time our large-hearted fellow-citizen, Mr. Nathaniel F. Potter, came to the army on important business, but when the condition of things and the needs and sufferings of the soldiers came to his notice, he hastened home, chartered a vessel, and loading her with the needed supplies, despatched her forthwith to their relief. Owing to contrary winds and rough seas, the vessel did not reach its destination till the corps arrived at Newport News, where its wants were fully supplied. But the well-meant efforts and disinterested generosity of Mr. Potter were none the less appreciated. It cheered the soldier's heart, as it showed him that he was not forgotten.
On the 8th day of January, 1863, James Shaw, Jr., reported to Colonel Browne for duty as lieutenant-colonel of the twelfth. He had seen service in command of the ninth Rhode Island volunteers, and his thorough knowledge of tactics and many soldierly qualities, added much to the efficieney of the regiment.
On the 9th of February, 1863, the twelfth, with the rest of the ninth army corps, moved to Newport News, where it soon regained its wonted health, and made marked improvement in drill and discipline. From thence, it accompanied General Burnside to the department of the Ohio, and, on the Ist of April of that year, encamped at Lexington, Kentucky. From the 1st to the 23d, it was stationed successively at Winchester, Boonsboro', Richmond Paint Lick, Lancaster, and Crab Orchard, Here preparations were made for a march across the mountains into Tennessee; but on the very morning when the march was to take place, the order was countermanded, and the whole command ordered by forced marches to Vicksburg. At the end of the second day's march, however, the twelfth was detached from the corps, and ordered
429
GEORGE H. BROWNE.
to report to General Carter, at Somerset, one hundred miles distant. It made the march in the next six days. Here a part of a Kentucky regiment was added to Colonel Browne's command ; and was despatched to Jamestown, fifty-five miles distant, to watch and hold in check Morgan's force. The march was over almost impassible roads, and was made with great difficulty. At Jamestown, the greatest activity and caution were required to guard against surprise, for it turned out that Morgan's force were thirty-five hundred strong, and mounted. A scouting party of the enemy attacked a wagon-train at this place, but was beaten off with a loss by the enemy of two killed, several wounded, and fourteen captured.
On the 4th of July, the enemy made a feint as though they intended an attack, but finding Colonel Browne's force in readiness to receive them at all points, they suddenly sheered off, and, sweeping through Columbia and Leba- non, and into Indiana, made for Cincinnati. At a. later hour in the day, orders were received directing Colonel Browne to move forthwith for the same place. They were promptly obeyed, and the twelfth pitched their camp on Mount Auburn, the same night that Morgan arrived within nine miles of the city. In the morning, however, he moved off in another direction, and was subse- quently, with all his force, captured. After remaining here a few days, during which it received a most hospitable reception from the citizens, General Burn- side ordered the regiment to return to Providence, to be mustered out, adding to his order the following address :
"On the departure of the twelfth Rhode Island volunteers, at the expi- ration of their term of enlistment, the commanding general wishes to express his regret at taking leave of soldiers who, in their brief term of service, have become veterans. After passing through experiences of great hardship and danger, they will return with the proud satisfaction that, in the ranks of their country's defenders, the reputation of their state has not suffered at their hands."
On arriving at Providence, the regiment was received by the fourth and sixth regiments Rhode Island militia, and escorted to Howard Hall, where it was met by Governor Smith, and other prominent citizens. Here they par- took of a bountiful collation. In response to the thanks tendered the regi- ment by the governor in behalf of the state, Colonel Browne stated that during the two previous months the regiment had travelled thirty-five him- dred miles, more than five hundred of which it marched on foot. Though it lost heavily at Fredericksburg, he now returned to their homes seven hun- dred and seventy-eight of the one thousand and seventy-three men on the rolls at his departure.
WELCOME B. SAYLES.
ELCOME B. SAYLES was born in Bellingham, Massachusetts, in August, 1813. Ile came to Rhode Island upwards of thirty years ago, and first settled in the village of Woonsocket, where he became a promi- nent citizen. In 1845, while still residing there, he was appointed postmaster of Providence, by President Polk. He held the office until June, 1849, and again, after a respite of four years, was reappointed to the office by President Pierce, in 1853, and remained in it until 1857. Subsequently, he was appointed by President Buchanan to transact important business connected with the war, post office and interior department in Arizona and other western districts; and, still later, and near the close of his administration, to visit the principal cities of the south and effect such settlements and arrangements with postmasters there, as would secure the government from losses and other embarrassments which threatened to result from the secession movement then beginning. This last appointment extended some months into the term of President Lincoln, and, indeed, the service it involved was rendered to some extent, under the advice and direction of gentlemen who expected to be connected with his administration. It is but justice, to say that when this mission had been completed and Colonel Sayles returned to Washington, his work received the unqualified approbation of the postmaster general. And this is true also, of his other labors as a public officer. As postmaster of Providence, his snc- cess was not surpassed by that of any other postmaster in New England; and his promptness and accuracy were as highly commended by the government,
NOTE .- A sketch of Colonel Sayles was confidently expected from an intimate friend of that officer by whom it was promised. But after waiting till the elosing sheets of this volume had been sent to the printer, it has been found necessary to gather the leading facts of his life from an obituary notice in the Providenco Daily Post, of December 16, 1862.
431
WELCOME B. SAYLES.
as were his other qualities and characteristics of service by the public. Mr. Sayles was, however, best known to the people of this and other states, as a consistent defender and supporter of the democratic faith. His first appear- ance upon the stage of political strife, was at the time of the free suffrage movement in 1841 and 1842. Mr. Sayles several times represented the democracy of the state in the democratic national convention, and was a leading and influential member of the state assemblages. He was once the democratic candidate for congress in the eastern district, and received a sup- port far beyond the expectations of his party. The political sentiment of his district was overwhelmingly against him; but the majority against him at this election was so small, as to make his opponents fearful of his popularity. Mr. Sayles was the originator and one of the first publishers of the Providence Daily Post, and retained his connection with the paper during the first ten or twelve years of its existence. During a portion of the time, he was its sole editor, and at all other times rendered important service as a counsellor and contributor. He was a good writer, but was not so pleasing with the pen as upon the platform. His thoughts were too swift for the pen, and exhibited far more brilliancy before a public assemblage, than in the editorial chair. Yet he was by no means unguarded and reckless in his expressions, no matter in what circumstances he might be placed. His quick perceptions saved him from many difficulties, into which far less excitable temperaments frequently fall.
When Governor Sprague determined to raise the seventh regiment, Mr. Sayles tendered his services to him. They were at once accepted, and on the 5th of June, 1862, a commission was given him as lieutenant-colonel. He set to work immediately, and by his personal efforts raised one of the finest regi- ments which the state sent to the field. Both officers and men state that Colonel Sayles soon became the idol of his regiment, and was kindly spoken of as a man and highly praised as an officer by all with whom he came in contact. He accompanied his regiment to Washington, and took part with it in the battle at Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13th, 1862, when he was killed at the head of his men by a shell, which exploded at the moment of reaching him. His remains were brought to Providence, where they were interred with military honors.
" But it was in social life-as a husband, a father, a neighbor, and a friend, Colonel Sayles was most highly prized. His qualities of heart were such as could not fail to establish between him and congenial souls the warmest and
432
RHODE ISLAND OFFICERS.
most enduring friendships and the most devoted affection. His whole nature was noble, and all his acts in private walks were kindly. His heart and hand were always open to pity and aid for the unfortunate, and he had no enemy with whom he would not have shared his last meal, had he found him in dis- tress, or whom he did not forgive nightly as he laid his head upon his pillow. Such was Welcome B. Sayles, as we have known and loved him for nearly twenty years."
HENRY REUBEN PIERCE.
IEUTENANT HENRY REUBEN PIERCE, son of Warren Pierce, was born in Cov- entry, Vermont, January 2d, 1828. From early life, he was passionately fond of books, and spent a great part of his time in reading. He pur- chased the last three years of his minority, in order to concentrate his efforts and secure a good education. He found employment in Northampton, Massa- chusetts, devoting his leisure hours to study; and entered Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, New Hampshire, in 1846. In 1849, he left that insti- tution, and immediately entered Amherst College, where he graduated in 1853. He soon commenced teaching school, but after two years entered the law office of Honorable Charles R. Train, of Framingham, Massachusetts. But he seemed to have been fitted by nature for the office of the teacher, and he soon took charge of a high school in Uxbridge. While fulfilling his engagement there, he was married, August, 1856, to Miss Ann Frances Tilling- hast, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Two children were the fruit of this mar- riage, one passing away in infancy, the other still surviving.
In 1857, a more Incrative situation was offered him and he became prin- cipal of the high school at Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Here he was winning golden opinions in his profession, and by his genial spirit in social life. But when the war-cloud burst upon the country, his heart was stirred to its utmost depths, and he soon began to feel that he must offer his life upon its altar. He said he could not bear to think that, in his old age, his son should ask what his father did when the liberty of his country was imperilled, and that he must be obliged to confess he shunned the path of danger. Patriotic to the core, he enlisted and received his commission in November, 1861, in the fifth Rhode Island heavy artillery, and on the 14th of the following March, he fell, in his first and only battle, at Newbern. His remains were brought to Woonsocket and interred in Oak Hill Cemetery, where a beautiful and appropriate marble monument, erected by his late pupils, marks the place of his rest. He was a true man, a Christian and a patriot, giving all he was and all he possessed, not only for his country, but for his race.
FRANK WHEATON.
RANK WHEATON, son of Doctor Francis L. and Amelia S. (Burrill) Wheaton, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on the 8th of May, 1833. He received his education at the public schools in his native city ; and, on graduating from the high school, entered on a partial course of study in Brown University, preparatory to his destined pursuit in life, that of civil engineering.
Desiring a more extensive field for the study and practice of his profes- sion, a favorable opportunity soon presented itself. In 1850, the United States commission for the survey of the boundary line between the United States and Mexico, was organized by his townsman, Mr. John R. Bartlett. Mr. Wheaton, then seventeen years of age, applied for and received from Mr. Bartlett, a place in the engineer corps. He was also with the commission three years ; and, by his strict attention to his duties, rose to be one of the first assistant- engineers. In 1854, he went again on a survey as chief of a party of recon- noissance, under Major Emory, for El Paso, to meet the Mexican commissioner, Senor Salazar.
In June, 1855, two weeks after the survey had been completed, Mr. Whea- ton received from President Pierce the appointment of first-lieutenant of cav- alry, to date from April, 1855. His first post of duty was fort Leavenworth, where he served under the veterans-Sumner as colonel, and Sedgwick as major of his regiment. Both of these brave men were his true friends to the close of their heroic lives. After more than two years of arduous service on the plains, Lieutenant Wheaton was ordered to the states on recruiting service.
The campaign of 1857 was one of the most remarkable on record. Colonel Sumner's command, consisting of cavalry and infantry, marched longer and farther (twenty-five hundred miles) than any mounted troops had ever done
55
434
RHODE ISLAND OFFICERS.
in one season since the organization of the United States army, and fought with and cleared the plains of all hostile Indians. While returning from "Bent's Fort," where they had been to protect the Indian agent and traders, they were met by an express rider with orders for four of the six companies of cavalry of the command to go to Utah. In less than five minutes the detail was made, and Wheaton's company was on it. They started, got three hun- dred miles on their way, and were ordered in to Leavenworth.
In the spring of 1858, he was appointed junior aide to General Persifer F. Smith, on whose staff he continued till the death of that gallant and accom- plished officer, in May, 1858. He was then appointed aide to General Har- ney, his successor, but was allowed to join his regiment when it was ordered into the field for another summer campaign, on condition that he should return to his position on the general's staff when it should be ended, General Harney in the meantime going to Oregon. In 1859 he was in the Choctaw country, successively at forts Arbuckle, Washita, and Cobb, which latter fort he built. His cavalry life on the frontier was now drawing to a close, after five years of severe duty, varied by Indian fights, surveys and reconnoissances, with occasional visits to his home in Washington. On the first of March, 1861, he was promoted to a captaincy, and on the breaking out of the war was detailed by the War Department, with Captain Sitgreaves, Topographical Engineers, to muster into service the United States troops in Albany.
When our army was preparing in Washington for an advance towards Richmond, in June, 1861, Lieutenant Wheaton, at the earnest request of Gov- ernor Sprague, was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the second Rhode Island volunteers. At the battle of Bull Run, he showed such skill and bravery in the management of his regiment, the command of which had devolved upon him by the death of Colonel Slocum, who fell early in the engagement, that Governor Sprague, who was present, at once 'promoted him to the coloneley of the regiment.
In November, 1862, Colonel Wheaton was appointed a brigadier-general of volunteers, and received his commission during the battle of Fredericks- burg. Ile commanded a brigade of the sixth corps, and was with it in its various campaigns and battles, until the battle of Winchester, Virginia. Sep- tember 19th, 1864, when, by order of General Sheridan, he was assigned to the command of the first division, sixth corps. One month later, after the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, on the 19th of October, 1864, he was recom- mended for promotion .. There were no vacancies at this time, and on General
435
FRANK WHEATON.
Sheridan's recommendation he was breveted major-general of volunteers for services rendered in that battle.
General Wheaton distinguished himself by the part he took with his com- mand in the battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1864 ; and, for his services on this occasion, received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel in the regular army. He also received the brevet of colonel in the United States army, for distinguished services at the battle of Cold Harbor, on the 3d of June, 1864. On the 2d of April, 1865, the rebel lines before Petersburg, Virginia, were successfully assaulted by the sixth corps, the first division of which was commanded by General Wheaton. For his services on this occasion, he received the brevet of brigadier-general in the United States army. But the crowning honor of his military career was the brevet of major-general, in the United States army. This was conferred upon him for the masterly manner in which he defeated and drove back the rebel General Early, at Fort Stevens, within the city of Washington, on the night of the 12th of July, 1864. General Wheaton was the immediate commander, on this occasion, of the United States forces, consisting of twelve regiments.
On the termination of the war, and until the army of the Potomac was mustered out of service, he continued in command of the first division, sixth corps. When that organization ceased, he was ordered to the frontier; and, as brevet major-general of volunteers, commanded a district including the territories of Nebraska, Dacotah and Montana. In November, 1865, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel in the thirty-ninth United States infantry.
During the war of the rebellion, few officers were so continually in the field as General Wheaton. He commanded either a regiment, brigade or division, in every battle in which the army of the Potomac was engaged after its organization, from the first battle of Bull Run in 1861, to the surrender of Lee's rebel army in 1865; besides participating in all of General Sheridan's campaigns in the valley of the Shenandoah, during the fall of 1864. Alto- gether he has been in command in no less than forty-one battles and engage- ments, and during this long and active period he spent but seven days at his home in Rhode Island .*
* The above sketch fails to do justico to ono of the bravest and most accomplished officers which Rhode Island furnished in the war. The sketch promised not being received, we were obliged, at the last moment, to avail ourselves of the kindness of a friend for what we have given.
JABEZ B. BLANDING.
ABEZ B. BLANDING, son of William and Mary Blanding, was born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, August 5th, 1841. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and, previously to the breaking out of the rebellion, was employed as a clerk. On the commencement of hostilities, he enlisted as a private in the first regiment of detached militia, and participated in the battle of Bull Run. Returning home with the regiment at the expiration of his term of service, he was appointed August 26th, 1861, second-lieutenant in the third regiment Rhode Island heavy artillery, which accompanied the expe- dition under General Sherman to Port Royal. In February, his company was ordered to take charge of a siege-train, and proceeded by a circuitous route through ereeks and small rivers in flat-boats, to a point on the Savannah river between Fort Pulaski and Savannah, the fort then being held by the rebels. He remained here for nearly three months, effectually cutting off the supplies for the fort. On the 13th of February, a " mosquito fleet," (so called,) under Commodore Tatnall, attacked the battery, but was repulsed without loss to us. On the surrender of Fort Pulaski, Lieutenant Blanding moved with his com- pany to that post, and formed a part of its garrison. He remained there until October 20th, 1862, taking part in many reconnoissances up the river and elsewhere. October 22d, 1862, while serving a battery of heavy guns from the deck of the steamer Planter, at the battle of Pocotaligo, he was severely wounded by a rifle ball, which entered the left arm near the shoulder, causing a compound fracture, and, passing into the left side and lodging near the spine, remained there eighteen months before it was extracted. After lying in the hospital at Fort Pulaski for a time, he received a leave of absence, and returned home, remaining there until March. He then returned
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.