Battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania--the Campaign in the
Shenandoah Valley.
Leaving Providence at quarter past seven o'clock, on April 20th, 1864,
we took the steamboat train en route for Washington, where we arrived
at dark on the 23d, and went to the "Soldiers' Rest" barracks.
On the 24th we took in the Capitol and other sights about Washington,
and the next day went into camp about a mile east of the Capitol.
The 26th we drew two government wagons, ambulance, and horse equipments
for the officers. The men who did not re-enlist, and were left in
Knoxville, joined the battery at this camp.
On the 27th we drew horses, a battery of six Napoleon guns, ammunition,
etc., and were now ready for the field; and on the morning of the 30th
we were ordered to Alexandria, and arrived there in the afternoon, and
went into camp near the city.
May 2d, loaded the battery on cars and started for Warrenton Junction,
arriving there at three o'clock in the afternoon, and were assigned to
the artillery brigade of the Ninth Army Corps.
The whole Army of the Potomac was in our immediate vicinity, under
command of Gen. Meade; the Ninth Corps, under Gen. Burnside, reporting
direct to Gen. Grant, who was in command of the entire Army of the
United States, and was personally directing the movements of the
campaign against Richmond, and at this time, May 2d, had about
completed his plans to cross the Rapidan and attack Lee's army.
On May 4th, the Fifth and Sixth Corps crossed at Germania Ford, and the
Second Corps and Sheridan's cavalry crossed at Ely's Ford; Burnside's
Corps was at the crossing of the Rappahannock River and Alexandria
Railroad, to hold that position until our troops had crossed the
Rapidan.
On May 3d we got everything in shape for a forward movement, and on the
4th moved toward Brandy Station, and encamped near the railroad bridge
for the night.
May 5th, broke camp early in the morning, and moved with the corps
across the Rapidan, at Germania Ford, and continued our march until
late in the evening. Since early in the forenoon we had heard the
incessant roar of artillery and musketry in our front, and during the
last part of the march had passed large numbers of wounded men going to
the rear.
On the morning of the 6th we hitched up at three o'clock, and awaited
orders. At five o'clock we started with Benjamin's battery, and marched
about four miles and went into position near some woods. There had been
a constant roar of musketry since five o'clock. Our position was such
that we could see but a very small part of the field, and we wondered
why we were put in such a position, as the underbrush in the woods just
in our front was so thick that we could not see an enemy until they
were right on our guns.
We remained in this position until nine o'clock in the evening without
firing a shot. All day long the roar of battle had continued; large
numbers of wounded had been passing our position all day; occasionally
a stray shot would come our way, but nothing of any account.
At nine o'clock in the evening we had orders to limber up, and moved
about five miles out on the Chancellorsville road, and went into camp
at three o'clock in the morning.
On the 7th we hitched up at eight o'clock in the morning, but did not
move until dark; then we marched by the Chancellorsville House, and at
daylight went into camp. From this until the 15th, we remained near
this camp, going into position once or twice, but not firing a shot;
in the meantime the infantry and cavalry with some artillery, had been
having some very hard fighting, but the large amount of woods and the
contour of the ground was such that a small amount of artillery was
used in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, so that on the
15th a large number of batteries were sent back to the rear.
We hitched up at four o'clock on the morning of the 15th, and started
for Fredericksburg, where we arrived in the evening, and encamped;
remained in camp the 17th, crossed the Rappahannock on the 18th, and
next day marched to Belle's Landing, and remained there until the 24th,
when we started for Port Royal, where we arrived on the 26th.
On the morning of the 27th we received orders to send forty horses and
twenty men to the front.
On the 28th we turned over the balance of our horses, and loaded guns
and caissons on steamer and started for Washington, landing at the Navy
Yard on the night of the 31st, and turned in our battery, then marched
to Fort Lincoln, about four miles north of the city, and went into
barracks. We remained there doing garrison duty and having drills on
both light and heavy artillery until July 5th.
On the morning of the 5th we started for Fort Sumner, on the northwest
of the city near the Potomac, arriving there in the afternoon, and went
into barracks. In the fort was a battery of six thirty-two pound rifled
guns, and we were given charge of these. The infantry in the fort were
all one hundred day men.
On the 7th Gen. Augur visited the fort and ordered Capt. Buckley to
draw muskets for the men. We did not like this move, but had to "take
our medicine." We had to smile when we saw some of the hundred-day men
out on drill; but when we went out on our first drill with muskets I
guess it must have been rather amusing to the spectators.
We appeared on dress parade with the infantry the same night we
received our muskets, and it wasn't a success as far as we were
concerned. Quite a large number of our men had been in the service
long enough to get quite a good idea of infantry tactics, but on this
occasion they failed to remember "just a little bit" of them.
The next morning we sent a detail of thirteen men and a sergeant up
the Potomac on picket. That night at about one o'clock we heard firing
on our picket-line, and in a short time some of the infantry pickets
reached the fort and reported that the rebel cavalry were driving in
our whole line.
Everybody was turned out, and there was considerable excitement. We
waited for some of our men to show up, but they did not come, and we
came to the conclusion that it was a scare.
In the morning our relief went out, and when our men came in we found
that two farmers had come down the road with a wagon and some led
horses. Our men halted them, but some of the led horses got away and
started on. The infantry pickets opened on them, and our men tried
to stop their firing, but the more they halloed the faster came the
bullets. For self-protection, our men opened on the pickets, firing
high, and in a few minutes everything was quiet on the picket-line.
Perhaps a slight history of the situation of affairs at this time will
be of interest. The Army of the Potomac was before Richmond; Gen.
Hunter, commanding forces in the Shenandoah Valley, had moved up the
valley and had met with good success, destroying the Central Virginia
Railroad at Goshen Springs and at Staunton, also destroying at Staunton
the enemy's depot, woolen factory, government stables, and large
quantities of army material, and captured fifteen hundred prisoners and
three pieces of artillery.
Here Hunter was joined on June 8th by the troops of Crook and Averell,
who had marched from West Virginia by way of Warm Springs and Goshen,
making his available force about eighteen thousand men. On the 10th
Hunter started with his whole army for Lynchburg. Two days marching
brought him to Lexington, Va., where he remained until the 14th,
waiting for his expected wagon train, and then continued his march.
Averell reached Lynchburg on the afternoon of the 17th, and Hunter's
main force the same evening.
On the 18th Hunter attacked with all his available force, but was
repulsed. From some prisoners taken Hunter found that Breckenridge had
been re-enforced during the night by the corps of Gen. Early (Stonewall
Jackson's old corps).
Hunter was now in a tight place, and could not retreat up the
Shenandoah Valley, as the enemy had repaired the railroad and could
now send troops by rail and hold Rockfish Gap, so Hunter resolved to
retreat by way of Bulford's Gap to Charlestown, in the Kanawha Valley.
Early hurried him along for a time, but soon turned back. By this move
the Shenandoah Valley was left open, and Gen. Lee immediately started
Early and Breckenridge down the valley and into Maryland, and on the
11th of July Early was in front of Washington.
Things remained quiet in our front until the afternoon of the 11th,
when our pickets reported that our cavalry was falling back under quite
a brisk fire from the enemy's cavalry. We had our muskets piled up
and at once took our positions on the thirty-two pound rifle battery,
thinking we could do more execution with them than we would be apt to
with the muskets. At about five o'clock in the afternoon our men out on
picket were relieved by some cavalry.
We did not fire a shot from our battery, and only one shot was fired
from the fort, and that was at a squad of our own cavalry. The shot did
no harm, as it went wide of its mark. The major commanding our fort
wanted us to open on this same party, but Capt. Buckley refused to do
so until he was satisfied who we were going to fire on.
We felt rather blue over our situation, as all in our immediate
vicinity were new troops or clerks from the city, and we did not have
much confidence in them, but we soon heard that the Sixth Corps and a
part of the Nineteenth had arrived, and we felt that Washington was
safe.
The night of the 11th was quiet in our front, and on the 12th only
a little picket firing. Before dark Early had been driven back by
Wright's Sixth Corps, and things had quieted down.
About noon time we received orders to turn in our muskets and report
at Camp Barry. Nobody objected to this order, and soon we were on the
march. Capt. Buckley and Lieuts. Bonn and Gray started ahead, and when
the men under command of Lieut. Chase arrived at Camp Barry, they had
requisitions for a four-gun battery of three-inch rifles. We did not
get our complement of horses, baggage wagons, ambulance, etc., until
the next morning, but at five o'clock on the afternoon of the 13th we
marched in pursuit of Early.
We reached Tenallytown and went into camp, but the next morning we
found that many of our horses were lame, and we had to stay there two
days, working night and day to get them shod.
On the 16th we started for Snicker's Gap. Marched twenty miles, and
went into camp at Edwards' Ferry. Hitched up early in the morning,
crossed the Potomac, and marched to Leesburg, and joined the Nineteenth
Corps.
Early in the morning on the 18th, we were on the road; passed through
Snicker's Gap and went into camp near the Shenandoah River, but later
crossed the river and marched about four miles and went into position,
where we remained until about nine o'clock in the evening, when we
received orders to recross the river and report at Washington with the
Nineteenth and Sixth Corps.
This movement was by order of Gen. Grant, he supposing that Early
had started for Richmond, and wanting the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps
forwarded via Washington to join the Army of the Potomac, then in front
of Petersburg.
We marched nearly all night, stopping at Leesburg to feed, and then
continued on to Goose Creek, where we went into camp, having marched
about twenty-four miles. Our march was continued for three days,
starting early in the morning and making camp at dark.
The 23d we started at daylight and arrived at Chain Bridge in the
afternoon and went into camp, remaining there two days, which gave the
men and horses a rest. The weather had been very warm, and the dust on
the march was almost suffocating.
On the 26th we had orders to start back to Harper's Ferry, and we
broke camp early in the morning and hurried along, arriving at our
destination on the evening of the 29th and went into camp, the men and
horses being pretty well tired out. We omitted the evening roll-call so
as to allow the men to go to sleep early; but we were just a little
vexed to get orders in the evening to be ready to move at three o'clock
in the morning--where? Right back over the road we had just come!
"Boots and saddles" were blown at half-past two the next morning, and
we moved out of camp promptly at three o'clock. It was reported that
some one in the battery, on being woke up and told that we were to
retrace our steps over the same ground that we had covered twice since
the 16th, made a very profane remark, but on investigation the culprit
could not be found.
We marched that day until late in the evening, when we encamped in
a lot alongside of the pike. Starting early next morning we passed
through Frederick City and went into camp on the Gettysburg pike, where
we remained one day, and then started back, making twenty-four miles,
and again went into camp. We remained there until Aug. 6th, when we
stared at daylight and reached Knoxville, having marched twenty-three
miles.
On the 7th we crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and encamped at
Halltown.
There were various reasons for the marches and countermarches we had
been making for the past fifteen days. Early had not started up the
valley as was supposed, but was holding on to some of the fords, and
his whole force was in the lower part of the Shenandoah Valley. There
were a number of generals commanding certain sections of the country
in the vicinity of Washington, and each thought that Early was sure to
attack him, and if a small cavalry force showed up in his vicinity, he
immediately wired to Washington that Early's whole force was after him,
and then everything had to "hustle;" but at last Gen. Grant insisted
that one man should take command of the whole, and Gen. Philip H.
Sheridan was sent from his command of the Cavalry Corps of the Army
of the Potomac to take command of all troops on the Upper Potomac.
Gen. Grant, on the 6th of August, ran down to Monocacy Bridge, in
Maryland, and met Gen. Sheridan at that point, and gave him his final
instructions.
Gen. Hunter had just arrived from his long trip down the Kanawha
Valley, and his troops were at or near Harper's Ferry, having been
delayed by low water in the Ohio River, and also by various breaks on
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from reporting as soon as expected.
Gen. Halleck had sent one or two sharp telegraph orders to Hunter,
hurrying him up, so Hunter, as soon as he had his troops at the Ferry,
sent his resignation to Washington, and it was accepted, and the army
lost a good general.
Sheridan's army consisted of the Sixth Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen.
Wright, its three divisions by Gens. Russell, Getty and Rickets; one
division of the Nineteenth Corps, Maj. Gen. Emory commanding corps,
Gen. Dwight commanding division (the second division of the Nineteenth
Corps, Gen. Grover, arrived on the 18th of August); Army of West
Virginia (Eighth Corps), Gen. Crook commanding, Gens. Thoburn and
Duval as division commanders. The cavalry consisted of Gen. Torbert's
division and Averell's; Torbert was appointed as Chief of Cavalry, with
Merritt and Averell commanding divisions.
The rebel force in the valley consisted of "Stonewall" Jackson's old
corps, now commanded by Early, with Gens. Rodes, Ransom and Gordon
commanding divisions. Breckenridge's division, three battalions of
artillery and one corps of cavalry commanded by Gen. Lomax, with
Vaughn, Johnson, McCausland and Imboden as brigade commanders.
I quote from Sheridan's Memoirs the following description of the
Shenandoah Valley, that the reader may have a better idea of the
different movements of the army:
"The valley has its northern limit along the Potomac between McCoy's
ferry at the eastern base of the North Mountain, and Harper's Ferry
at the western base of the Blue Ridge. The southern limit is south of
Staunton, on the divide which separates the waters flowing into the
Potomac from those that run to the James. The western boundary is the
eastern slope of the Alleghany Mountains, the eastern, the Blue Ridge;
these two distinct mountain ranges trending about southwest inclose a
stretch of quite open, undulating country varying in width from the
northern to the southern extremity, and dotted at frequent intervals
with patches of heavy woods.
"At Martinsburg the valley is about sixty miles broad, and on an
east and west line drawn through Winchester about forty-five, while
at Strasburg it narrows down to about twenty-five. Just southeast of
Strasburg, which is nearly midway between the eastern and western
walls of the valley, rises an abrupt range of mountains called
Massanutten, consisting of several ridges which extend southward
between the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River until,
losing their identity, they merge into lower but broken ground between
New Market and Harrisonburg. The Massanutten ranges, with their spurs
and hills, divide the Shenandoah Valley into two valleys, the one
next the Blue Ridge being called the Luray, while that next the North
Mountain retains the name of Shenandoah.
"A broad macadamized road, leading south from Williamsport, Maryland,
to Lexington, Virginia, was built at an early day to connect the
interior of the latter State with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and
along this road are situated the principal towns and villages of the
Shenandoah Valley, with lateral lines of communication extending to
the mountain ranges on the east and west. The roads running toward the
Blue Ridge are nearly all macadamized, and the principal ones lead to
the railroad system of eastern Virginia through Snicker's, Ashby's,
Manassas, Chester, Thornton's, Swift Run, Brown's and Rockfish Gaps,
tending to an ultimate centre at Richmond. These gaps are low and
easy, offering little obstruction to the march of an army coming from
eastern Virginia, and thus the Union troops operating west of the
Blue Ridge were always subjected to the perils of a flank attack; for
the Confederates could readily be brought by rail to Gordonsville and
Charlottesville, from which point they could move with such celerity
through the Blue Ridge that, on more than one occasion, the Shenandoah
Valley has been the theatre of Confederate success, due greatly to the
advantage of possessing these interior lines."
As before stated, our battery arrived at Halltown on the 7th of August.
We put our guns in position and remained there three days.
On the 9th, Lieut. Gray was detailed as Ordnance Officer, Artillery
Brigade, Nineteenth Army Corps.
The 10th we moved with our corps to Berryville, and on the morning of
the 11th we made a forward movement, Sheridan intending to force Early
into a fight. Early was not willing to accept a battle, and moved his
army up the valley.
We followed as far as Cedar Creek, and on the afternoon of the 13th
had quite a lively brush with Early's rear guard, we only firing a few
shots. We remained there until the evening of the 15th, when we moved
out of camp at ten o'clock, and reached Winchester at daylight, and
went into position, where we remained until the morning of the 17th,
when we moved back to Berryville.
Next morning we retired about four miles and formed line-of-battle,
Crook on the left, Emory in the centre, and Wright on the right. This
retrograde movement was caused by Sheridan receiving notice that
Kershaw's division of infantry and two brigades of Fitzhugh Lee's
cavalry were on the way to re-enforce Early, and at that time, the
16th, had reached Front Royal, where Merritt, with his cavalry, was
disputing their advance.
Early, as soon as he found that Sheridan had fallen back, put his
force in motion, and lost no time in following us down the valley, and
from this until the 19th, our army was on the defensive. We were at or
near Halltown, where several skirmishes occurred, we firing only a few
shots, however.
On the 3d of September all the three-years men who had not re-enlisted
were mustered out at Charlestown, and went home under the charge of
Capt. Buckley.
Sheridan learned on the 16th that Kershaw's division of infantry and
Cutshaw's artillery had been returned to Richmond, and he immediately
made preparations for a forward movement; and on the morning of the
19th his cavalry forced the Berryville crossing of the Opequon,
followed by the Sixth, Eighth and Nineteenth Corps. The enemy was
posted in line-of-battle, and in a short time the engagement became
general. It was nearly dark before Early was fairly beaten and sent
"whirling through Winchester."
Our part in this important victory may be seen in part from the report
of Capt. E.D. Taft, Chief of Artillery, Nineteenth Army Corps:
"Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery, by my direction, took
position in a skirt of woods on the right of the Nineteenth Army
Corps, and immediately opened fire on one of the enemy's batteries,
then enfilading our lines on the right, when the enemy opened fire
from two guns in the wood with canister, about two hundred yards
distant and in rear of our line of infantry. The battery soon
silenced these two guns, and then renewed the fire on the battery
enfilading our line, silencing it for a short period, but the infantry
falling back for want of ammunition rendered the position unsafe for
artillery. The battery had whilst in this position, although under a
severe fire front and left oblique, been gallantly fought. The support
having retired, and the battery having lost four men and six horses
and one wheel broken, I ordered it to withdraw, which was done in good
order. This closed the operations of these batteries for the day."
Capt. Taft's report is wrong in one particular. When our infantry fell
back, Capt. Taft did ride up to our battery and tell the commanding
officer to hold his position as long as possible, but look out and not
lose his pieces, and then rode away. We soon had orders to limber up.
At this time some infantry in our front was showing up rather near our
position. As we were afraid they would get at us before we could get
through the woods, we thought that a few rounds of canister, rightly
distributed, would give them a check and allow us to retire.
Lieut. Bonn was in command of the right section, and Lieut. Gray of the
left. Lieut. Gray was still on detached duty, but came up while we were
halted in the woods and took his section into the fight. We promptly
commenced to distribute canister among the infantry in our front, and
they soon took shelter under the bank of Red Bud Run. Just at this time
Lieut. Gray's left piece was disabled by a shot, and he sent it to the
rear, but retained the cannoneers to help on the other pieces. It was
now decided that we could pull out.
The right section pulled out, and the right piece of the left section
was about to limber up, when a shot from a twenty-pound Parrott that
was across the Red Bud Run passed entirely through the swing horses. We
had to stay, then, and Sergt. Tucker and his men needed no orders to
commence firing again.
We soon expended all our canister, and had to use solid shot as our
shell had given out some time before. The infantry that was under the
bank to our right and front now commenced to give us some trouble, and
we began to think that we had staid too long; but we would shy a shot
along the bank and they would lay low; meantime we were hurrying to get
our dead horses on the limber clear, but it was a slow job.
About this time an officer rode out of the woods in our rear and gave
us the welcome news that a brigade of the Eighth Corps was close at
hand; and in a minute or two we saw them coming on the double-quick.
When they arrived we ceased firing and limbered up, and taking the
harnesses from our dead horses, we soon joined the rest of the battery.
When our lines advanced, we were ordered to move with them, and we had
quite a good view of the final rout of Early's army. We went into camp
for the night just outside of Winchester.
On the morning of the 20th we started early in pursuit of the enemy,
and on arrival at Strasburg went into camp. Gen. Early was found in
position just in our front at Fisher's Hill, strongly fortified. His
position was almost impregnable from an attack in front, so Sheridan
sent the Eighth Corps around his left to take the position by flanking
it. It took until the afternoon of the 23d to get the Eighth Corps
into position, as they had to make most of the movements through thick
woods, and keep out of sight of the rebels' signal stations. On the
afternoon of the 23d the Eighth Corps charged down on to Early's left
flank and routed it. The movements in our front were to help carry out
this project.
On the morning of the 23d our corps was advanced, and at three o'clock
in the afternoon Grover's division drove in the skirmish line in our
front and formed in line-of-battle. Some two hundred yards in our front
was a ridge, and the rebel sharpshooters took up their position on
this ridge, and made it very uncomfortable for us. The third brigade,
second division, Nineteenth Corps, soon made a charge and captured
this position, which was within three hundred yards of the enemy's
fortifications.
Gens. Sheridan and Grover were at the right of our battery when the
infantry carried the hill. Sheridan wanted a piece of artillery sent
out there, and Gen. Grover came and asked Lieut. Chase if he could put
a piece on that ridge. Lieut. Gray was sent to see if it was possible
to do so. Dismounting just before the top of the ridge was reached, he
left his horse in charge of an orderly and took to all fours to do the
rest of the distance.
There was quite a depression on the top of the ridge, and just on the
other edge was a slight rifle-pit that had been hastily thrown up
by the enemy. Our skirmishers were occupying this, and it was quite
necessary to keep well down, as the enemy's infantry and artillery were
within short range, and were giving this particular spot very close
attention.
Becoming convinced that if a piece could be put into this depression it
would do good execution, Lieut. Gray gave the signal, and Sergt. Tucker
with his piece started on the gallop and was soon there, the piece
being halted before the top of the ridge was reached. The pickets kept
up a sharp fire so as to have the smoke hide our movements, and we ran
the piece by hand into the depression and filled both haversacks with
ammunition and loaded. We had a sure mark, and when we sent that shell
into the earthwork in our front, it made things jingle. The enemy was
not slow in returning the compliment, and as they had eight or ten guns
in our immediate front, we laid low, but just as soon as we thought
they had fired everything, we repeated the experiment before they had
loaded.
We had been in this position about fifteen or twenty minutes when
Gens. Sheridan and Grover ran over the ridge and took shelter in the
depression just to our right. Sheridan was anxious to see the whole
situation, and crawled up to the skirmish line, some ten feet in
advance of us. Gen. Grover soon joined him, and just about this time
a shot from a twenty-pound Parrott ploughed through the slight ridge
within a foot of Sheridan's head, covering him with dirt. He rolled
over on his side, and we thought he was wounded, but he was only
getting the dirt out of his ear and neck; he came back, though, and
took his position by the side of our piece.
In a few minutes we heard cheers on our right and soon saw the
enemy breaking all along the line. We sent shot after shot in quick
succession, but were told to stop firing. Soon our corps came sweeping
over the ridge and down the other side.
Sheridan now wanted his horse, but could not see it, so Lieut. Gray let
him take his, but regretted it in a moment, as Sheridan went dashing
down the hill over stumps and fallen trees, and we expected to see
horse and rider take a tumble, but they were soon out of sight.
We limbered up and went back to where the remainder of the battery was,
and then started over to the pike and joined our division. We marched
nearly all night and then went into camp at Woodstock, to get a little
sleep and some rations.
At two o'clock in the afternoon we started again and reached Edenburg,
where toward night we fired a few shots and then encamped. In the
morning we were away early, and marched all day, going into position
two or three times and firing a few shots, but apparently doing the
enemy no great harm. The next day we marched to Mount Jackson, having
quite a skirmish in the afternoon.
On the morning of the 29th we started at nine o'clock, and on reaching
Harrisonburg, went into camp, remaining there until the 6th of October,
occupying the time in foraging for our horses.
On the morning of the 30th Lieut. Gray took nine mounted men from the
battery, armed with revolvers, and started out into the country to
secure some horses that he had seen the day before, but on arriving
where he had seen the horses he found the natives had run them off to
the mountains. Following the trail for about seven miles we ran across
a few straggling rebel cavalrymen, several of whom were captured, and
also a number of horses.
We continued on until we were about fifteen or sixteen miles from camp,
when we stopped at a farmhouse and had dinner and fed our horses. We
then started toward camp again, but by a different road than that
on which we came. We had two or three quite sharp skirmishes with
squads of rebel cavalry, and about dusk Billy Mills, who was in the
advance, rode back bringing the information that there was a company of
rebel cavalry drawn up on the side of the road with the intention of
obstructing our passage. We had at this time nine rebel cavalrymen as
prisoners and twenty-three horses.
The line was immediately halted, and Lieut. Gray rode ahead to
reconnoiter. When he arrived at the edge of the woods he found a
company of rebels drawn up in line in a large field adjoining the road.
On looking over the situation he found that the fence in the rear and
on the left had been taken down, to allow egress from the lot, which
gave him the impression that the force there had some doubt as to the
number of our men.
Riding back, the column was started forward, following the road
until close to the edge of the woods where we could be seen from the
lots. We filed by twos from the road into the woods and made a short
countermarch on to the road and into the woods again, which manoeuvre
made it look as if we had two companies. On moving into the woods the
second time, all the rebel cavalrymen were dismounted, their arms
strapped to each other and ordered to sit down, and one man left as
guard.
The darkies that had been confiscated to take care of the spare horses,
twelve in number, were mounted on them, and a line was formed at the
edge of the woods, consisting of twenty men, nine of us and eleven
darkies sandwiched in, the other darkey being left to look after the
horses. These arrangements were not quite satisfactory to some of the
darkies; but they were told that when we started out of the woods they
must keep well up in the line or get shot.
An order was given to charge, every man was told to halloo as loud as
he could yell, and ride straight for the line of the rebel cavalry.
The scheme worked like a charm. The rebel line soon broke and fled to
the woods, we in hot pursuit, capturing three, two seriously wounded,
while our loss was one darkey shot, and slight wounds on two horses. We
soon collected our men together and sent them back to the woods under
command of Sergt. Tucker.
Lieut. Gray and Mills rode down to the town to see if there were
any rebels there, we having seen a squad of men leaving there a
few minutes before we had our brush with the company of cavalry.
Both Lieut. Gray and Mills had on rebel uniforms, and they soon had
information that the body of men which had left the town a few minutes
before were Yankees, which information was pleasing to them.
Mills was immediately sent back to have the line moved forward, and we
soon entered the town. Lieut. Gray sat on his horse with a dozen people
around him, who were giving what information they could, and urging
him to hurry so as to capture some of the Yankees that had left a few
minutes before. The squad of men we saw leaving the town was Lieut.
Corthell and some men from Battery G. of our regiment. When our line
came up there was a look of astonishment on the faces of some of the
people when they found we were Yankees.
We arrived in camp about eight o'clock with twenty-eight horses and
thirteen rebel cavalrymen, which we considered a good day's work for
ten light artillerymen.
On the morning of the 6th Sheridan started his army down the valley,
having done all the damage with his cavalry that he could in this
neighborhood. We bivouacked at Mount Jackson, and started the next
morning and reached Woodstock late in the evening.
On the morning of the 8th we hitched up early, but did not move. We
soon learned that Sheridan had made up his mind to give the rebel
cavalry another lesson.
Gen. Rosser had just arrived in the valley with his brigade, and he was
put in command of all the cavalry. Since leaving Harrisonburg they had
been annoying our rear guard, so Sheridan sent word to Torbert on the
evening of the 7th to "give Rosser a drubbing in the morning, or get
whipped yourself, and the infantry will be halted until the affair is
over."
Torbert had the divisions of Merritt and Custer, and in the morning
he attacked Rosser. After a hard fight of about two hours Rosser had
received his "drubbing," losing eleven pieces of artillery, several
wagons, and three hundred prisoners.
We started on our march at ten o'clock, and encamped near Strasburg,
remaining there one day, and then moved to the north bank of Cedar
Creek, and went into position just off the pike on the extreme left of
the Nineteenth Corps. Crook (Eighth Corps) went into position on the
left of the pike joining the left of the Nineteenth Corps, his right
advanced some hundred and fifty yards beyond our position. The Sixth
Corps had started for Port Royal, to rejoin the Army of the Potomac,
while Merritt's cavalry was on the extreme right of our line.
Our cavalry destroyed all the mills and crops in the valley as we
fell back, and gathered in all the live stock, so that Early could
not subsist his army in the valley. Early was at Fisher's Hill on the
morning of the 13th, just the same, but probably brought his rations
with him. We occupied this position until the morning of the 19th. In
the meantime the Sixth Corps had come back and taken position in rear
of the Nineteenth Corps. Sheridan had been called to Washington, which
left Wright in command.
At break of day on the 19th, three of Early's divisions surprised
Crook's camp and stampeded his whole command. Our battery, being on the
extreme left of the Nineteenth Corps, were the first troops to receive
their attention after the Eighth Corps had been swept away.
We had orders to have our battery hitched up at daylight, and we had
just completed the task when we heard a volley of musketry on our left.
We fired four rounds, just to make a noise and wake up the camp, not
yet realizing just what had happened on our left.
Lieut. Gray hurriedly gave orders to have the tents struck and
everything in readiness to move. In a few minutes we saw a line coming
over the hill on our left, and making sure they were not our troops, we
opened on them, but after firing for a few minutes, Gen. Emory dashed
up and ordered us to stop firing, as they were some of our men, and
Lieut. Gray was told to always look out before he commenced firing. At
this moment Lieuts. Chase and Bonn came up, and Chase took command.
In the two or three minutes that had elapsed since we had stopped
firing, the line of infantry that we had driven behind the brow of the
hill, now opened on us, and in a few seconds we had orders to "give it
to them." We had just opened on them as Gen. Wright rode up. He asked
Emory "What is the matter?" and Emory replied, "Early has surprised
us--Crook's corps has gone." Wright quickly took in the situation, and
started off.
We had warm work before us, the enemy's line of infantry on our left
having a notion of charging us, but as they came over the ridge we
had very nearly a complete flank fire on them, and our left section
commenced using canister. The right of their line was driven back over
the ridge, but the left was swinging up parallel with the pike, which
gave them a flank fire on our battery. We were lucky in having three or
four loads of hay piled up just in rear of the limbers and on a line
with the caissons on the extreme left of the battery, this pile of hay
stopping many of the bullets from our left.
At this time the fourth brigade, second division, Nineteenth Corps,
swung into position on our left. The smoke and fog was quite thick, and
they did not open fire for some minutes thinking that the line in their
front was some of the Eighth Corps falling back. Their mistake was
discovered, and none too soon, for the enemy made a dash for our guns,
but the line on our left had their guns loaded, and poured a volley at
them which checked their onward rush.
We were firing very rapidly and doing good execution, as we kept the
line on our left (or in front of our left section, which had swung to
the left) back to the brow of the ridge; but it now became apparent
that we must fall back, as the right of our support had given way and
the troops on the left of the battery were only hanging on so as to
give us a chance to get out; and to add to our troubles, the line of
infantry on our left, which we had until now been able to keep back to
the ridge, was joined by Wharton's rebel division which had moved up
the pike, and they were pouring in a nasty fire.
When we received the order, "Limber to the rear," we were not long in
executing it, as the rebels were now very close to us. All the pieces
were taken off but the left piece of Lieut. Gray's section--three of
the limber horses being down, and in a minute every horse on the limber
was shot. It was impossible to take the piece by hand to the rear, and
the caisson had started some minutes before. The pike had been in the
hands of the rebels for the last fifteen minutes, so Lieut. Gray told
the three or four cannoneers who had been trying to get the limber
clear, to join the battery.
Maj. Hart, of Gen. Emory's staff, wanted to save this piece, and told
Lieut. Gray to fix the prolong and he would have the infantry haul
it off. It was simply sacrificing men to make the attempt under the
circumstances. Maj. Hart lost his life, also Capt. Watson and Lieut.
Quay, both of the Eighth Indiana, and Lieut. Col. Kenny, commanding the
Eighth Indiana, was severely wounded, and four others. Lieut. Gray was
the only one who escaped from the attempt to get the piece away.
The following is from Vol. XLIII. of the Official Records of the War:
Hdqrs. Fourth Brig., Second Div., 19th Army Corps,
Cedar Creek, Va., October 24, 1864.
Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations
of my command in the engagement on the 19th of October, instant:
* * * * the right regiment (Eighth Indiana) supporting Battery D,
First Rhode Island Artillery. In consequence of the dense fog, which
existed at the time, the enemy advanced on the battery and were within
a short distance of it before we could distinguish whether they were
friends or foes, the more so, as we supposed them to be a portion
of the Eighth Corps, and notwithstanding we received a very heavy
fire from that direction, we did not reply to it until they charged
directly on the battery. Five pieces were withdrawn successfully, and
while attempting to save the last one Major Hart (of General Grover's
staff), Capt. William D. Watson, and Lieut. George W. Quay (both of
Eighth Indiana) were killed, and Lieut. Col. A.J. Kenny (commanding
Eighth Indiana) severely wounded. * * * * *
I cannot close this report without referring to the bravery of the
lamented Major Hart (of General Grover's staff), who was killed while
cheering on the men in their attempt to save the last gun of Battery
D, First Rhode Island Artillery. In him we have lost a noble, brave,
efficient officer.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DAVID SHUNK,
_Colonel Eighth Indiana, Commanding_.
Capt. E.A. Fiske,
_Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen._,
_Second Div., Nineteenth Army Corps_.
Hdqrs. Third Brig., Second Div., 19th Army Corps,
Near Cedar Creek, Va., October 24, 1864.
Sir: In obedience to orders, I have the honor to make the following
report of the operations of this brigade in the action of the 19th
instant:
* * * * the left of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth New York reached
nearly to and supported Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery.
These dispositions had scarcely been made, and orders given to the
men to reserve their fire until the enemy was near enough to make the
fire effective, when we began to receive a heavy fire of musketry from
the advancing, but still hidden, enemy. The fire came from our front,
our right, and our left, with a heavy, but random fire of artillery
from the heights formerly occupied by General Crook's command. The
enemy's lines were not developed until they were within one hundred
and fifty yards of our lines, and then were but dimly visible
through the fog. At this time they opened a furious and destructive
fire upon us, still advancing, which was vigorously and effectively
returned, checking to some extent their advance. The enemy's lines,
as now developed, were nearly at right angles with the main brigade
line, and facing the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth New York and the
three companies of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth New York, which
had changed front. The left of their lines extended very nearly to
Cedar Creek, while their right extended as far as the eye could reach
through the fog and smoke. In a very few moments they were on us in
force, their left swinging to the right, while their right poured
heavy volleys in our rear. A desperate hand-to-hand fight ensued on
the left of the brigade line. The enemy had planted their colors on
our works and were fighting desperately across them, meeting with a
stubborn resistance, while they swarmed like bees round the battery on
our left and rear. * * * *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED NEAFIE,
_Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Brigade_.
Capt. E.A. Fiske,
_Acting Assistant Adjutant General_.
When the battery retired, we moved to the right and rear of our
position, crossed Meadow Brook, passing to the west of the Bell Grove
house (Sheridan's head-quarters) and joined some infantry about one
thousand yards to the rear, and went into position, firing at a line
of infantry on the pike, and then fell back just beyond Middletown,
and again went into position behind some light breastworks that had
been thrown up. We remained there until three or four in the afternoon,
firing occasionally when we could see anything to fire at.
Gen. Sheridan joined his command at about half-past ten in the
morning, from Winchester. At this time Getty's division, of the Sixth
Corps, was holding a position about one mile north of Middletown, his
left near the pike. Col. Lowell's cavalry extended from Getty's left
to near Middletown. The other two divisions of the Sixth Corps, the
Nineteenth, and part of the Eighth Corps, were just south of Newtown.
Our army had lost twenty-four pieces of artillery, a large amount of
camp equipage, ambulances, wagons, and thirteen hundred prisoners.
Sheridan's arrival gave our men confidence. He had the two divisions of
the Sixth Corps, also the Nineteenth, and part of the Eighth Corps put
in line on the right of Getty's division. The enemy tried to break this
line, but Emory handsomely repulsed the charge.
At about a quarter of four o'clock Sheridan advanced his whole line,
which was met by a stubborn resistance; but soon the enemy was obliged
to give way, and in a short time it was a complete rout.
Our infantry followed the enemy until their old camps were reached at
Cedar Creek, and then the cavalry took up the chase. All of our guns
were recaptured, and twenty-four of Early's (just the number we lost in
the morning), besides about all of the ambulances and wagons that were
lost in the morning were in our hands that night, with a large majority
of Early's.
Our battery followed the infantry when the advance was made, and on
arrival at Cedar Creek, went into our position of the morning. We
had lost one gun and one limber and all of our camp equipage (our
teams, having taken the pike when they fell back, were captured);
notwithstanding, we felt happy at the way things had turned out. We
also experienced just a little regret that we had no blankets, tents,
or anything else in fact, but what we had on.
Not a man of the battery had had a morsel to eat since the night
before, and no show for rations getting to the front that night. We
could get along without tents or blankets, but the day's excitement
had given us a good appetite. We built up two large camp fires and sat
around discussing the events of the day.
About nine o'clock Lieut. Gray (who had left the battery shortly after
we arrived in our old position) rode into camp escorting a four-mule
team which he had captured. The contents of the wagon were soon spread
out, disclosing three boxes of "hard-tack" as a part of the capture.
This was issued at once, and we had a good supper.
The following is Lieut. Gray's report of his two hours' absence: "When
we arrived in our old position just at dusk, there was a rebel battery
on the hill beyond the bridge, and quite a piece to the right. A few
shells came over our camp, and I knew they were from a three-inch
rifle; having lost one of that kind in the morning, I thought I would
ride over and see if I could find it.
I rode down toward our right, crossed a small stream in the woods, and
came out near a small plateau where some two or three hundred rebel
infantrymen were trying to hold our cavalry from coming up the hill. I
swung back and joined the head of our cavalry line, which proved to be
the First Vermont, Col. Bennett. He was waiting for his men to close up.
I crossed the stone wall and rode a few yards to the left, when Gen.
Custer, with the Fifth New York came up, and both regiments charged. I
was carried along with the crowd, but before we had gone fifty yards
the rebel infantry broke. I made friends with a sergeant, and suggested
that we shove ahead and get the guns of the battery that had been
firing but a minute or two before.
He fell into the scheme, and we gathered about a dozen of his command
and struck out for the battery, but they had limbered up, and were
quite a piece from where we expected to find them. We were riding at a
sharp trot, passing through quite a number of rebel infantry, who paid
not the least attention to us. I soon made out the battery, which was
bearing off to the right.
I rode to the head of the battery and ordered them to halt. The
officer in command told me that he had orders to go to the rear as
quick as possible. I explained to him who I was, and ordered him to
countermarch. As soon as the battery was halted three or four of
the mounted men rode up to see what the matter was, and heard the
conversation. I heard the click of two or three revolvers, and wished I
was at home, as my friend the sergeant and his men had stopped to take
some of the rebel infantry into camp, leaving me entirely alone.
I rode directly in front of the commanding officer of the battery,
holding my Colt's navy revolver very close to him, and told him it was
no use making a fuss, as our cavalry was some distance in our front,
and it was impossible for him to get away.
He finally gave the order to countermarch, and we were nearing the pike
when some of our cavalry came up, and they demanded our surrender. I
explained to them how things stood, and that they could have all the
pieces but one, but I wanted one at least. The officer in command
allowed I had no business out there anyway, and he would take charge of
the guns. We had quite an argument, but I had to let him have his own
way.
I now came to the conclusion that I didn't want any guns, so I rode up
the pike, where I soon got into their infantry, which was scattered
over the lots on each side of the pike. On the pike were three lines of
vehicles going at a slow trot, the lines being composed of pieces of
artillery, wagons, ambulances, and caissons, all mixed in together.
I rode alongside the pike until I came to a place where there was a
down grade, and I then took a whip from one of the drivers and his
"jerk-line" and swinging his lead mules over against the next team to
him, I put the whip to them, and it was fun to see those mules try
to climb over that team. In a few seconds there was a mix-up, mules,
horses, wagons and drivers, being piled up, completely blocking the
road.
I went back down the pike asking different drivers what they had in
their wagons. I soon struck one that said he had three boxes of Yankee
hard-tack, a wall tent, blankets, and the mess-kit of the surgeon of
the Fourth Georgia. I asked him to pull out out into the lot, but he
allowed that he would lose his place in line if he did; but as the line
was halted, I persuaded him to do as I suggested, telling him I would
answer all questions if anyone asked them.
I remained there some fifteen or twenty minutes, meanwhile there were
hundreds of men going along, but no organization to them. One small
squad of four or five came by and they had two flags. I started to
capture the flags, but saw a squad of mounted men coming, and waited
for them to pass. One of them asked what I had the team there for, and
I told him that the captain was wounded, and I was waiting to put him
in the wagon, as I could not find an ambulance. He advised me to hurry
up, as the Yankees were right near.
I followed up the flags for a minute or two, but finally weakened, and
gave it up. When our cavalry came up I was again ordered to surrender,
and I had quite a task to keep my wagon, but I soon led it down the
pike, and at about nine o'clock I arrived at our camp. The driver of
the team I had, as soon as he found I wasn't going to harm him, told me
he was glad to get away from the rebel service."
Major DeForrest, aid on Gen. Emory's staff, in his letter published in
_Harper's Monthly Magazine_, of February, 1865, gives the following:
"Lieut. Gray, Company D, First Rhode Island Artillery, galloped up
to a retreating battery and ordered it to face about. "I was told to
go to the rear as rapidly as possible," remonstrated the sergeant in
command. "You don't seem to know who I am," answered Gray. "I am one
of those d----d Yanks. Countermarch immediately!" The battery was
countermarched, and Gray was leading it off alone, when a squadron of
our cavalry came up and made the capture a certainty."
As soon as we had eaten our hard-tack, we made ourselves as comfortable
as possible, and tried to get some sleep; but the night was chilly, and
most of the men were up at daylight. We rather envied our officers,
who had wall-tents and plenty of blankets (part of the contents of the
captured wagon).
About nine o'clock in the morning we drew rations, and soon had hot
coffee, which put us all right again; but it was nearly noon before we
could obtain grain for our horses, by which time they were very hungry,
having had nothing to eat for about forty-two hours.
Capt. Buckley arrived in camp at about five o'clock in the afternoon on
the 18th, from his visit to Providence with the men that were mustered
out. He did not take part in the proceedings of the battery on the
19th, and was mustered out Oct. 23d.
Nov. 7th Elmer L. Corthell, who had established an excellent military
reputation by long service on various fields, joined the battery
and took command, having been promoted from First Lieutenant of
Battery G, to Captain of Battery D. We found him a very efficient and
conscientious officer.
We remained in camp in our old position at Cedar Creek until Nov. 9th,
when we moved to near Newtown, and went into winter quarters.
On the 9th Early, hearing that Sheridan had fallen back, immediately
advanced, and the 11th crossed Cedar Creek. On the morning of the 12th
Sheridan sent his cavalry out on both flanks and they had quite a sharp
brush with Early's cavalry, and with the usual result. Dudley's brigade
of the Nineteenth Corps, and a small force from the Sixth Corps, were
advanced up the pike to assist the cavalry. Early soon found that Gen.
Sheridan was still in the valley, and promptly retreated to his old
camp at New Market. This was Early's last advance in the Shenandoah
Valley.
We built shelter for our horses, and quite good quarters for the men;
but we had not more than completed our quarters before we had orders
to move nearer our base of supplies, so on Dec. 12th we broke camp and
marched through Winchester to within a short distance of Stephenson
Station.
This march was very hard on both men and horses, as it commenced to
snow soon after we started, and when we arrived at camp there was about
six inches of snow. It cleared up at night, and came out cold, the
ground freezing up, making it quite a job to pitch our tents. There was
very little sleep that night.
The next day we had time to log up our tents, and at once began to
build shelters for our horses. We soon had a very comfortable camp,
where we remained until the 10th of March, 1865, with no hard duty to
perform.
By the middle of December Gen. Sheridan had sent all of the Sixth Corps
to the Army of the Potomac, then in front of Petersburg. One division
of the Eighth Corps was sent to City Point, and the other to West
Virginia, the cavalry and the Nineteenth Corps remaining in the valley.
The cavalry made a raid through Luray Valley and destroyed all the
forage and wheat; they also drove off about three thousand sheep, one
thousand hogs, and hundreds of cattle and horses.
On the 19th of December Torbert started up the valley with eight
thousand cavalry, to strike the Virginia Central Railroad and destroy
the James River Canal. This enterprise was not a success, and on the
27th he returned to Winchester, many of his men frost-bitten by the
excessive cold.
This ended all movements until February 27th, when Gen. Sheridan
started with ten thousand cavalrymen and two sections of artillery
on his successful trip up the valley, through to Grant's army before
Petersburg. At Waynesboro he captured all of Early's command, and the
valley was clear of any large force of the enemy.
On the 10th of March we broke camp and moved near Winchester, remaining
in this camp a short time, and then moved to the east of Winchester
about a mile and went into camp. Our duties there were light. We fired
a salute of one hundred guns on Lee's surrender. Knowing that the war
was about over, we had very short drills, both mounted and the manual.
On the 4th of July we received orders to turn in our battery and other
government property, and proceed to Rhode Island. It is needless to
say that this order was received by the men with every conceivable
manifestation of joy; some hugged each other, while others shouted and
threw their hats in the air, and when "water call" was blown it took
fifteen minutes to form the line, but after that things quieted down,
and on the morning of the 10th we started for home, under command
of Capt. Corthell, taking the cars as far as New York, and then the
steamer John Brooks, which landed us at Fox Point wharf on the morning
of July 13th.
The officers accompanying Capt. Corthell and belonging to the battery
were First Lieuts. Frederick Chase and Charles E. Bonn, and Second
Lieut. Charles C. Gray. The men numbered ninety-five, and presented a
remarkably fine appearance, having nearly new uniforms.
We were received by the Mechanic Rifles and a detachment of the Marine
Artillery, and escorted to Washington Hall, where we found a bountiful
collation prepared for us by L.H. Humphreys. The collation was soon
over, and the men dismissed with orders to report at the Revenue
Office, on South Main Street, on the 17th for final pay and muster out.
On the 17th of July, 1865, the battery was mustered out by Capt. Joseph
S. York, of the Fifteenth United States Infantry, and Battery D, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, was no more; but we all felt that the
battery had made a record that was honorable alike to itself and the
State.
[Illustration]
ROSTER.
Aldrich, Halsey A., Corp., Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Originally served as private; Sept. 3,
1864, mustered out at Charlestown, Va.
Andrews, Robert H., 1st Sergt.; Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Originally served as Corp.; Nov. 12, 1861,
promoted Sergt.; Aug. 30, 1862, wounded in action and borne as absent
sick in hospital until April, 1863; Jan. 30, 1864, re-enlisted as Vet.
Vol. Borne on furlough of fifteen days from April 29, 1865; June 25,
1865, promoted 1st Sergt.; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Arnold, George E., Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; Aug. 29, 1862, captured at Bull Run, Va.; Sept.
1, 1862, released at Bull Run, Va., and reported at Camp Parole, Md.
Borne as absent on detached service at Knoxville, Tenn., from Dec. 8,
1863, until Jan., 1864; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at Charlestown, Va.
Arnold, Olney, Priv., Lonsdale, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in. Borne as absent sick in hospital, from May 21,
1863, until Oct. 8, 1863, when transferred to 74th Co. 2d Bat. V.R.
C.; Sept. 4, 1864, mustered out as of 74th Co. 2d Bat. V.R. C.
Austin, Allen, Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept. 4,
1861, mustered in; April, 1864, absent sick in hospital, and so borne
until Sept., 1864; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at Charlestown, Va.
Ballou, Stephen, Priv. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled at Providence,
R.I.; Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at
Charlestown, Va.
Barber, Robert F., Priv. Oct. 22, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Oct. 22, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Bates, Daniel J., Priv. Dec. 22, 1862, transferred from Battery H.
Borne as absent sick in hospital, from Feb. 7, 1863, until May, 1863.
Borne as absent sick in hospital, from Aug. 12, 1863, until Oct 15,
1863, when transferred to 83d Co. 2d Bat. V.R. C.; May 15, 1865,
mustered out as of 83d Co. 2d Bat. V.R. C.
Bennett, George, Priv. Dec. 4, 1862, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Dec. 4, 1862, mustered in. Probably recruited for Battery H.
Re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol.; Jan., 1864, granted furlough of forty-five
days; March 7, 1864, deserted at Providence, R.I.
Bennett, William R., Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Relieved from duty as Corporal, by
request; Sept. 17, 1862, missing in action; Dec. 22, 1862, joined from
missing in action; Aug. 10, 1863, deserted at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Bezely, John F., Priv., Coventry, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in. Borne on detached service at Knoxville, Tenn.,
from Dec. 8, 1863, until Jan., 1864. Borne as absent sick in hospital,
from Feb. 23, 1864, until March, 1864; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at
Charlestown, Va.
Biglan, John, Priv., Woonsocket, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at Charlestown, Va.
Mustered in as Biglow.
Billen, Michael, Priv. Oct. 26, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Oct. 26, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Bizburger, John, Artificer. Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Dec. 23, 1861, transferred to Battery G.
Blush, Curtis A., Priv. July 9, 1863, enrolled at Camp Nelson, Ky.;
July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Bonn, Charles E., 1st Lieut. April 26, 1864, commissioned. Mustered in
to date from May 4, 1864. Promoted from 1st Sergt. Battery H, to 2d
Lieut. Battery D. Borne on leave of absence from Oct. 24, 1864, until
Nov., 1864; Nov. 24, 1864, ordered on detached service as A.A. A.G.
at Hdqrs. Art. Brig. 19th Army Corps, and so borne until July, 1865;
April 3, 1865, commissioned 1st Lieut., and mustered in as such April
11, 1865; July 17, 1865, mustered out. Brevet Captain, for bravery and
good conduct in the field, to date from March 13, 1865.
Botter, Erich P., Priv., North Kingstown, R.I. Oct. 20, 1862,
enrolled; Oct. 20, 1862, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Bourn, Samuel D., Priv. Nov. 30, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
March 12, 1865, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, at Stephenson's
Station, Va.
Bowers, William R., Artificer, Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861,
enrolled; Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Dec. 23, 1861, transferred to
Battery G.
Boyle, John, Priv. Dec. 7, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.; Dec. 7,
1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Brady, Alexander, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. March 25, 1864, enrolled;
April 20, 1864, mustered in. Borne on furlough for fifteen days from
May 23, 1865; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Brand, William G., Priv., Coventry, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; March, 1862, in General Hospital; April
10, 1862, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, at camp near Bristoe,
Va.
Brod, John, Artificer, North Kingstown, R.I. Oct. 20, 1862, enrolled;
Oct. 20, 1862, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Brown, Herbert M., Priv., North Providence, R.I. Aug. 8, 1862,
enrolled; Aug. 8, 1862, mustered in; June 23, 1865, mustered out.
Brown, William W., Priv., Warwick, R.I. Aug. 14, 1862, enrolled; Aug.
14, 1862, mustered in; June 23, 1865, mustered out.
Buckley, Andrew, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. March 14, 1864, enrolled;
April 20, 1864, mustered in; Oct. 19, 1864, missing in action near
Cedar Creek, Va. Gained and borne as absent sick in hospital, from
Nov. 24, 1864, until Feb., 1865; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Buckley, William W., Capt. Oct. 30, 1862, commissioned. Mustered in
to date Nov. 1, 1862. Promoted from 1st Lieut. Battery C. Borne on
leave of absence sick, from Jan. 18, 1863, until Feb. 28, 1863. Absent
with leave from May 10, 1863, until June 8, 1863; March, 1864, absent
with leave; Sept. 3, 1864, granted leave of absence; Oct. 23, 1864,
mustered out; Brevet Major for faithful and meritorious services
during the war, to date from March 13, 1865.
Budlong, Moses, Priv., Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; Jan. 30, 1864, re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol.; July
17, 1865, mustered out.
Burdick, John C., Priv. Nov. 1, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Nov. 1, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Burkhardt, Charles J., Priv. Dec. 19, 1864, enrolled at Providence,
R.I.; Dec. 19, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Burns, Christopher, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. March 14. 1864, enrolled;
April 20, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Burt, Everett B., Priv., Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 17, 1862, severely wounded at the
battle of Antietam, and sent to hospital; borne as absent sick until
June 27, 1863, when dropped from rolls. No further record.
Busby, John J., Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; Jan. 30, 1864, re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol.; July
17, 1865, mustered out.
Caesar, Daniel, Priv., Smithfield, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; March 19, 1863, admitted to Chesapeake General
Hospital, Fort Monroe, Va.; March 26, 1863, died of disease.
Caesar, Royal W., Priv., Smithfield, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 17, 1862, injured by cannon shot at
Antietam, sent to hospital and borne as absent sick until Dec. 1862;
Sept. 6, 1864, mustered out at Providence, R.I.
Cahoone, Andrew J., Corp., Coventry, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Originally served as private. Borne as
absent on furlough for twenty days from June 14, 1863; borne on
detached service at Knoxville, Tenn., from Dec. 8, 1863, until Jan.,
1864; borne as absent sick in hospital, from Jan. 24, 1864, until
Feb., 1864; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at Charlestown, Va.
Carbier, Andrew, Priv. Dec. 12, 1862, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Feb. 10, 1863, deserted at Belle Plain Landing.
Card, Samuel A., Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in. Borne as absent sick in hospital, from March 24,
1863, until March 7, 1864, when he deserted from hospital.
Carpenter, Christopher H., Priv., Providence, R.I. Sept.4, 1861,
enrolled; Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at
Charlestown, Va.
Carrigan, Thomas, Priv., Warwick, R.I. April 15, 1864, enrolled; Dec.
16, 1864, deserted near Opequon Creek, Va.
Carroll, Edward, Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 17, 1862, killed in action at Antietam.
Carroll, James, Priv., Warwick, R.I. Feb. 21, 1862, enrolled; Sept.,
1862, in General Hospital, and borne as absent sick until Nov. 21,
1862, when discharged on Surgeon's certificate at Mount Pleasant
General Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Cary, Owen A., Priv., Providence, R.I. Oct. 28, 1864, enrolled; Oct.
28, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Chase, Frederick, 1st Lieut. Dec 4, 1862, commissioned. Promoted from
Sergt. Battery F, to 2d Lieut. Battery D. Borne on leave of absence
for thirty days from Dec. 17, 1863; March, 1864, absent with leave;
April 8, 1864, commissioned 1st Lieut., and mustered in as such to
date April 8, 1864; Sept. 1864, commanding Battery, and so borne until
Nov., 1864; borne on leave of absence from Nov. 20, 1864, until Dec,
1864; Jan., 1865, commanding Battery; June 12, 1865, commissioned
Captain (never mustered); July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Collins, Alexander, Priv. Dec. 12, 1862, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Feb. 10, 1863, deserted at Belle Plain Landing.
Corey, Augustus, Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; March 10, 1862, left in hospital at Upton's
Hill, Va., having been run over by a caisson while in line of duty;
April 24, 1862, discharged on Surgeon's certificate.
Corey, Joseph W., Priv., Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Jan. 30, 1864, re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol.;
July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Cornell, Charles W., Priv., Coventry, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Borne as absent sick in hospital from
March 19, 1863, until Aug. 1, 1863, when transferred to 30th Co., 2d
Bat. V.R. C; Nov. 28, 1865, mustered out as of 4th Co., 2d Bat. V.R.
C., to which transferred.
Cornell, Daniel B., Q.M. Sergt., Coventry, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861,
enrolled; Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Originally served as Corp.; June
13, 1862, promoted Sergt. Borne on detached service at Knoxville,
Tenn., from Dec. 8, 1863, until Jan., 1864; Jan. 30, 1864, re-enlisted
as a Vet. Vol.; April 13, 1865, promoted Q.M. Sergt.; July 17, 1865,
mustered out.
Cornell, Patrick, Priv., Smithfield, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Borne as absent sick in hospital from
Oct. 20, 1863, until March, 1864; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at
Charlestown, Va.
Corthell, Elmer L., Capt. Oct. 21, 1864, commissioned; Nov. 2, 1864,
mustered in. Promoted from 1st Lieut. Battery G. Borne on leave of
absence for fifteen days from Jan. 21, 1865; July 17, 1865, mustered
out.
Coyle, Olney, Priv., Providence, R.I. Nov. 19, 1864, enrolled; Nov.
19, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Crawford, William, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at
Charlestown, Va.
Cross, Benjamin, Corp. Dec. 22, 1862, transferred from private
Battery H; Jan. 5, 1864, re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol.; Jan., 1864,
granted furlough of forty-five days; Oct. 19, 1864, captured at Cedar
Creek, Va.; April 1, 1865, escaped from Salisbury, N.C.; May 2, 1865,
reported at Camp Chase, Ohio; June 27, 1865, mustered out at Camp
Chase, Ohio.
Cross, Henry C., Priv. Dec. 22, 1862, transferred from Battery H.
Borne as absent sick in hospital from June 15, 1863, until Oct. 8,
1863, when transferred to 74th Co., 2d Bat. V.R. C.; Sept. 5, 1864,
mustered out of the V. R.C. to accept commission as Capt. 115th U.S.
C. Inf; Feb. 10, 1866, mustered out as Capt. Co. D, 115th U.S. C.T.
Cullen, Patrick, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. March 12, 1864, enrolled;
April 20, 1864, mustered in. Borne as absent sick in hospital from
Sept. 4, 1864, until Dec, 1864; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Curigan, Thomas, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. March 21, 1864, enrolled;
April 20, 1864, mustered in. Borne on furlough for fifteen days from
April 29, 1865; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Currie, William, Priv., Westerly, R.I. Feb. 24, 1862, enrolled. Borne
as absent sick from Dec. 30, 1862, until Feb. 9, 1863, when discharged
on Surgeon's certificate, at Providence, R.I.
Daniels, William, Priv. Dec. 22, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Dec. 22, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Darcy, Thomas, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. March 16, 1864, enrolled; April
20, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Dearnley, James, Priv. Nov. 30, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.;
Nov. 30, 1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Deming, Richard H., 1st Sergt., Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861,
enrolled; Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Dec. 4, 1861, discharged for
disability, at Camp Dupont, Va.
DeSilvey, John W., Priv. July 30, 1863, enrolled; July 30, 1863,
mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Dixon, John, Priv., Apponaug, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept. 4,
1861, mustered in; Dec. 27, 1862, deserted at Falmouth, Va.
Dodge, Reuben D., Priv., Block Island, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 17, 1862, wounded at the battle of
Antietam, sent to hospital and borne as absent sick until Dec, 1862;
April 14, 1863, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, at Armory Square
Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Dolan, Joseph, Priv. Dec. 12, 1862, enrolled at Providence, R.I. No
further record.
Donnelly, James, Corp., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in. Originally served as private. Jan. 30, 1864,
re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol. Borne on furlough of fifteen days from May
23, 1865; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Doran, Hugh, Priv., Apponaug, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept. 4,
1861, mustered in; Aug. 30, 1862, killed in action at Bull Run.
Doyle, Patrick, Priv. Dec. 12, 1862, enrolled at Providence, R.I. No
further record.
Duddy, Thomas C., Priv., Westerly, R.I. Aug. 7, 1862, enrolled; April
20, 1864, deserted at Providence, R.I.
Edwards, Edwin, Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept
4, 1861, mustered in; July, 1862, absent sick, and so borne until
Oct., 1862; Dec. 13, 1862, discharged on Surgeon's certificate, at
Providence, R.I.
Egan, John, Priv. Dec. 1, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R.I.; Dec. 1,
1864, mustered in; July 17, 1865, mustered out.
Eldred, George A., Corp., Coventry, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Aug. 30, 1862, killed in action at Bull
Run.
Elliott, Daniel W., Priv., Smithfield, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Jan. 30, 1864, re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol.
Borne on furlough of fifteen days from Jan. 21, 1865; July 17, 1865,
mustered out.
Ellis, Leonard G., Priv. Transferred from Battery A; Nov. 16, 1863,
wounded at battle of Campbell's Station, Tenn.; June 23, 1865,
mustered out.
Esser, Philip, Priv., Pawtucket, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; Dec. 3, 1861, admitted to General Hospital,
Baltimore, Md.; Jan. 14, 1864, discharged at Providence, R.I., to date
Jan. 20, 1862.
Fairbrother, James H., Corp., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Originally served as private; Sept. 3,
1864, mustered out at Charlestown, Va.
Finley, Roger, Priv., Providence, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled; Sept.
4, 1861, mustered in; Oct., 1862, in General Hospital, and so borne
until Dec., 1862; Oct. 12, 1863, discharged on Surgeon's certificate
at Lovell General Hospital, Portsmouth Grove, R.I.
Fisk, Stephen W., 2d Lieut., Providence, R.I. Sept. 7, 1861,
commissioned; Sept. 9, 1861, mustered in; Dec. 4, 1862, promoted 1st
Lieut. Battery C.
Fisk, William H., Priv. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled at Providence,
R.I.; Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at
Charlestown, Va.
French, Joseph B., Priv., Providence, R.I. July 18, 1862, enrolled;
July 18, 1862, mustered in; June 23, 1865, discharged at Winchester,
Va.
French, Joseph S., Priv., Providence, R.I. July 21, 1862, enrolled;
July 21, 1862, mustered in; Oct. 24, 1862, died of disease at
hospital, Smoketown, Md.
Galindo, Peter, Priv. Jan. 2, 1863, enrolled at Providence, R.I.; Feb.
10, 1863, deserted at Belle Plain Landing.
Gallagher, Charles, Priv., Warwick, R.I. Sept. 4, 1861, enrolled;
Sept. 4, 1861, mustered in. Borne as absent sick in hospital from
July 15, 1863, until Aug., 1863; Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out at
Charlestown, Va.