Battery D, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, in the Civil War, 1861-1865.

Front matter

E ft

Light ARTiLLERy

BATTERY D,

Preface

At a meeting of Battery D Association, held at Roger Williams Park, Jnne 6tli, 1891, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That George C. Sumner is hereVjy appointed Historian of the Association, and earnestly requested to write and publish a History of Battery D, First Rhode Island Light Artillery.

Comrade Sumner accepted the position, and at once commenced to look up material for the work. He soon foinid that he had quite a ta.sk to perform. At the battle of Cedar Creek, late in the war, all the books and papers of the battery were captured by the eneni}', it thus became rather a tedious undertaking to hunt up facts and dates. Artificer Clark Walker and Corporal Knight had diaries of .some parts of their .service, which was about all the material on hand to start with.

The Adjutant General's Office furnished considerable information. The Roster of the Batter}- was taken entirely from that office. The ' ' War Records ' ' was another .source from which facts and dates were collected.

Comrade Sumner took a great deal of interest in this history and had a large part of it written when he was ' ' called away to join his comrades who had gone before." The death of our comrade made it necessary for some one to take up the work. It was impossible to fill his place, and when the writer agreed to take up the history and complete it, it was with a great deal of hesitation, knowing his inability to carry on the work, and not having time to devote to the proper carr^-ing out of Comrade Sumner's ideas.

Comrade Sumner had a great man}- marginal notes attached to his manuscript which he was familiar with, but to another person they were not very plain. Without doubt he intended to add considerable to his manuscript, but on taking up the work I found it almost impossible to follow out what he had evidently intended to do, and came to the conclusion that it was best to publish it as he left it. I hope the comrades of the Batter^-and whoever else that reads this work, will remember that the author was called away before he had time to even revise his original manuscript.

Ver}- respectfull}-,

Your obedient servant,

A Comrade of the Battery.

Chapter I

Orcamzation — Camp Si'rai;uk, Wasiiin(;ion, D. C. — Winter Quarters AT Mcnsun's Hilt, Va. ....... i

CHAPTER H.

0UGHF.\RE Gap — Rapidan River ....... 6

CH.\PTER HI.

CH.VPTER IV.

South Mountain and Anitkiam 28

CHAPTER V.

P'rkderickshurg — Bell's I,.\ni>ini: — Hampton — and Trip th the

CHAPTER VI.

The Campaign in East Tennessee 62

CHAPTER Vn.

The Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee 98

CHAPTER VHI.

Battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania — The Campaign in

THE Shenandoah Valley 125

Roster 157

Commissioned Officers

Enlisted Men Commissioned

Temporarily Attached Men 182

CHAPTER I,

AT the coniineiiceiiitnt of tht Civil War, in April, 1861, there was in the city of Providence, among other excellent military ors^anizations, one of light artillery, known as the Providence Marine Corps of Artiller>', which for years had been interesting and instructing the young men of the city and vicinity in the manoeuvres of this branch of niilitar\- service. A natural sequence of the presence of this company was to draw attention to this arm, and led Gov. Sprague to offer the government a fully equipped light battery, in addition to the First Regiment of lnfantr>'. The offer being accepted, a battery was speedily organized for three months .service, and on the 1 8th of April, six days after the firing upon Fort Sumter, it left Providence, fully equipped, for Washington. When it became evident that more troops and a longer term of ser- \'ice would be needed, CtOv. Sprague at once began the organization of a regiment of light artiller>-. The .second battery ( or A, in regimental orders) was nuistered into ser\-ice June 6th, 1861, for three \ears or the war, and left home for Wa.shington June 19th. After which, at intervals of less than a month, a battery left Providence for the seat of war, until eight had been sent, which completed the First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery.

Battery D was the fifth in number, but fourth in the regimental formation, that was recruited, its organization commencing immediately upon the nuistering of Battery C ( Aug. 25th). Its quota was filled perhaps the most rapidly of any of the batteries, for by the 2d of Sept. it had its complement of men, and was sent to Camp Ames, on the Warwick road, just be>'ond Pawtuxet, where, on the 4th of vSept., it was mustered into the .service of the United States.

On Sept. loth, the battery moved to Camp Greene, near the Stonington Railroad. While in this camp the men were uniformed, divided into gun detachments, and drilled in the manual of the piece, marching, etc.

On the 13th the battery left Camp Greene on the steamboat train for Stonington, under conuiiand of First Lieut. Geo. C. Harkness, the other officers being First Lieut. Henry R. Gladding, Second Lieuts. Stephen W. Fi.sk, and Fzra K. Parker. From Stonington it proceeded by boat to Elizabeth City, N. J., from which place it continued on by cars to M'a.shington via Harri.sburg, reaching its destination shortly after noon on the 15th, and marched immediately to Camp Sprague, where Capt. J. Albert Monroe, who had just been promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain, and transferred from Battery A to Battery D, took command.

The personnel of the compan>- was particularl>- well adapted for the especially acti\-e work appertaining to the successful manceuvering of light artillery. Its members were young ; .scarcely one in ten had reached his majorit>- ; most of them had left good homes, where they had received the advantages of a fair education, and except in rare instances their physiques were such that camp life and the exerci.se of the drill speedily developed endurance and suppleness. To no one was the possibilities of this conunand more apparent than to Captain Monroe. His experience in the home compan>-, and three months of practical service with Battery A, convinced him that liere was material from which, by persistent liard work, and by a proper and judicial!}- administered discipline, there could be evolved a battery of light artillery whicli would honor itself and the vState from which it came : and he immediatelv proceeded to work for the accomplishment of that idea. Requisitions were speedily ol)tained for horses and guns, and the battery was .soon fully equipped, the battery consisting of four ten pound Parrotts and two twelve poiuid howitzers. Drillingwas commenced inmiediately, both field and the manual of the piece, and continued without ce.s.sation from the iSth of vSept. to Oct. iith, and such was the progress made by the company that at a review held on the 9th of Oct. , on the grounds back of the Capitol, of all the artillery in the vicinity, at which Gen. vScott was reviewing officer, the battery was complimented for the excellence of its movements.

Oct. 12th Capt. Monroe received orders to report with his battery to Gen. Fit/. John Porter, near Hall's Hill, Va., and as soon as pos.sible the company commenced its first march, passing through Washington via Pennsylvania avenue, thence through Georgetown to the Potomac River, cro.ssing at Aqueduct Bridge. Hall's Hill was reached about 7 p. m., and the battery went into camp. Having no tents, the men were obliged to .spread their blankets on the groiuid, and had their first ta.ste of a field camp in \'irginia.

Oct. 14th orders were received to report to Gen. McDowell, and the battery moved about three miles, to Upton's Hill. While here they were given their first impre.s.sions of war. It was intimated that the enemy was in the immediate vicinity, and were liable to make an attack at any time. Each night one section of the battery was sent out on picket. At no time in their service did they feel the responsibihty of their situation more keenly than on these occasions, and not a rebel soldier within twenty miles. The two sections which were to remain in camp were obliged to work upon the earthworks with picks and shovels, an occupation they did not relish.

Oct. 29th camp was moved just over Munson's Hill, on the north slope, and a camp laid out. under the direction of Capt. John Gibbon, who had assumed command of the artillery in our divi.sion. His own, Battery B, Fourth U. vS., was placed upon the left (instead of the right, as it should have been according to strict military etiquette, presumably because the ground was higher and drier). Our battery came next, then the First New Hampshire, Capt. Gerri.sh, and the Pennsylvania battery, Capt. Durrell, on the right. Tents of the Sibley pattern were now issued in place of the small A tents. These were circular in form, and large enough to acconnnodate ten or twelve men comfortably. When the weather became cold enough to require them, stoves were i.ssued, and when the tents were properly ditched, the bunks built and filled a foot deep with straw, they became very comfortable homes, even in the coldest of weather. We .soon had orders to prepare this camp for a winter's .sojourn. Details were made each morning to work upon the stables for the hor.ses, and in the course of a few days the finest camp in the history of Battery D was completed, and named Camp Dupont.

■ The battery was parked in regular style, pieces in front, cais.sons in the rear ; on the right and left of them the stables were built. The tents for the men were pitched in the rear of the .stables. The officers' tents were in the rear of the battery, the Captain's being in a line with the centre of the guns, and two others, one on each .side of the Captain's, a little in advance, for the four Lieutenants. The cook-house was at the iipper end of tlie riglit tents, and the guardhouse was placed quite a distance in front of tlie ])attery.

In this camp the liattery remained from Oct. 29th, 1S61, to INIarcli lotli, 1S62, occupyino" its time in drill, inspections, sham fights, target practice, etc. K\'er\tliing calculated to increase its efficiency was indulged in. Da>s were spent in perfecting the men in horsemanship. Hen^ic measures were u.sed : no saddles or 1)ridles were allowed ; men were expected to learn to manage their hor.ses successfulh' bareback, and with only the halter, and they did it, but there were man\- laughable and .some .serious incidents occurred l)efore they thoroughly ma.stered the art.

The .sham-fights were particularh- exhilarating and entertaining to us, the whole corps, numbering fifteen or twenty thousand, participating in them, and l)lank cartridges were u.sed without .stint. A change of front would .sometimes necessitate a long run for the 1)attery, and if over open ground, was participated in with a relish ; but if. as it .sometimes happened, the route la>- through what had l)een woods, but had l)een fre.shl\- cut off b\' the soldiers, lea\-ing stum]is of irregular height, it sometimes became very annoying to the cainioniers, as the carriages struck first one stump and then another, throwing them about, making it very difficult to retain their places on the boxes.

CHAPTER

Campaign to Centrevule — Falmouth — Fredkkickshurg- Thoroi'Ohfare Gap — Rapidan River.

FOR sonie time rumors had prevailed of a forward movement, but nothing of a definite nature occurred until March 9th, when orders were issued that four days rations be cooked, and the battery prepared to march at an early hour the next morning ; the limbers of the pieces and the caissons were supplied with ammunition, and everything put in order for a campaign against the enemy.

At an early hour on the loth of March, " boots and saddles'" was blow^n, the battery was speedih- hitched up, and in a short time Capt. Monroe gave the order, " Right piece, forward," and we moved out of park, from Camp Dupont, where we had spent four months, for the last time. The line of march was toward the Centreville Pike, and when we reached Baily's Cross Roads, a halt was made near the road until our turn should come to join the column. The entire Arm\' of the Potomac was on the march for Centreville, where the enemy was reported to be in force. It was several hours before our turn came, but at last we were ordered to move into the road, and commenced our march in earnest. It was a mo.st disagreeable day, very cold, and a heavy mist prevailed, which soon wet our clothing ; the freezing temperature soon converted this moisture into a coating of ice, making it exceedingly uncomfortable for the men, particularly the drivers, who were obliged to sit their horses without any opportunit>' to warm themselves by exercise.

Our progress was slow and tedious. vSix (j'clock found us in the \-icinity of Fairfax Court House, where we made camp. lCarl\- next morning we hitched up and had barely time to prepare coffee for ourselves, when we were ordered to join the cohunn, and proceeded on our way towards Centreville, but after marchitig about a mile we were ordered to make camp.

It had lieen di.scovered b>' our advance that the enemy had retired upon our approach, and there was to be no opportunity to display- our \-alor. W'e remained in this camp until the 15th.

On the morning of the 15th, the army started on its return towards Washington. vSoon after starting it began to rain, and by noon the water was coming down in torrents, .soon wetting the men to their skins. The cohunn marched much more rapidly than they did when going out, they evidently hoping to find shelter at their old camps.

About 7 o'clock p. .M., Batter\- I) turned into the dooryard of Mr. Cloud, at Cloud's Mill. Both officers and men were in a mi.serable condition, and they immediately set about impnn-ing it to the best of their ability. The fence in front of the hou.se was soon demolished, and a fire .started, around which all hovered until morning. During the forenoon of the 1 6th we marched back to Camp Dupont, after an ab.sence of just one week. This .seemed like home to us, and we all felt that we would Hke to stay here for a while at least ; but that was not to be, for next morning we were ordered to proceed at once to Fairfax vSeminary, where we remained until April 4th. While in this camp, on March 29th, our first batch of recruits, nine in number, were received from Rhode Island.

At daylight on April 4th, the battery, with the First Division of the army, under Gen. McDowell, the rest of the Army of the Potomac having gone by tran.sports to Fortress Monroe, marched to Fairfax, and bivouacked for the night, early the next morning continued on to Mana.s.sas, remained over night, and at daylight next morning started on to Bristow Station.

The weather on this trip up to this time had been plea.sant and fairly comfortable ; but on the night of the 8th there came a change ; it grew rapidly cold, and about 10 p. m. began to snow. Those of the men who were not frozen out and obliged to hover around the camp-fires, found them.selves covered by a blanket of snow about four inches deep in the morning.

We remained at Bristow until the i6th, and then continued on the march to Catlett's Station, remaining one day, and on the 1 8th marched to within three miles of Fredericksburg, camping near the village of Falmouth. Some of our men started into the village and attempted to make small purcha.ses, but the people of the place were very loyal to the South, and at this early period of the war had great confidence in the Confederate money, and but very little in Uncle Sam's crisp greenbacks, and refused to take them in exchange for their goods.

Now it .so happened that an enterprising firm in Philadelphia had just issued a fac siiiiilf of the rebel money, of various denominations, and the men had purcha.sed .several thou.sand dollars worth, as curios. The.se were offered the rebellious tradesmen, and accepted with great glee, as an indication of the final success of their side, that the Yankees were already l)eing ol)liged to use their monew TheN' .soon discovered that the bills were not genuine, some one having pointed out to them the printer's name and location in the margin, and they refused to take any more, notwithstanding the Yankee customers assured them that the bills were worth just as much as the genuine. A complaint was made to head-quarters, but the general, after liearing both sides, decided that they were entitled to no redress.

On the 19th the battery marched to a po.sition directly opposite Fredericksburg, on the north branch of the Rappahannock River. The gtnis were placed in position, pointing directly at the city, but the next day the pieces were limbered and a regular camp laid out, tents were pitched, and preparations made which indicated that we were to tarry here for some time. Drill received our vnidivided attention ; from four to six hours a day being given to that work, excepting on Sinidays, which were given up to in.spections of the men and material of the battery. Cleanliness was important, and was carefully looked after.

On the loth of May the batter\- was ordered to move down to the bank of the river, near the railroad bridge, for the pttrpose of protecting it from an expected attack of the enemy ; but they did not come, and things .soon quieted down and asstmied their normal condition, and the battery resumed its u.sual occtipation of drilling.

The effect of such long-continued and constant work in this direction began to show itself in the accuracy with which the movements were executed. The efficiency of the battery began to attract attention, and almost every day when we reached the gromid where we were to have our field-drill there would be quite an audience awaiting us. Senators and Representatives from Washington, visiting officers, and distingui.shed people from all over the country, would be taken out to .see the show.

As an illustration of how it impressed one individual from our own State, I quote from an article which he sent to the Providence Journal :

"The proficiency attained by the .sturdy fellows of Battery D, is really surprising, and would do credit to a company of Cadets fresh from the rapid practice of West Point. I saw them yesterday, under command of Captain Monroe, performing the evolutions of field-drill with such accuracy as to connnand the admiration oi old army officers who were present."

On the 26th of May the batter\' cros.sed the Rappahannock River into Frederick.sburg, and made camp on a common in the centre of the town, remaining- until the 29th.

Ihiion soldiers were not welcome guests in that cit>- at that time, and the citizens took no pains to di.sguise the fact. Their manner towards us and treatment of us left no doubt in our minds that they wished we were anywhere but in their presence. We did not mind it, however, and made our.selves just as much at home as though we were welcome.

Early in the morning of the 29th the battery recro.ssed the river, and joining our division, commenced our journey for Thoroughfare Gap, for the purpo.se of aiding Gen. Banks, who was being badly pre.s.sed by the rebel Gen. Jack.son, in the Shenandoah \'alley. We made only a .short distance the first day, but did better next day, making nearly twenty-five miles, and reached Catlett's Station.

On the 31st we marched only fotir miles, but pushed on the next, and reached Haymarket, near the Gap.

June ist was a day of rest for us, but on June 2d the troops were early in motion, and after marching through the Gap were halted for an hour, then countermarched, passing tlirough the Gap, and encamped on almost the .same spot that they had left in the morning.

This was a moN'emeut which at the time was verN' confusing"

to us, but time developed tlie fact that the eniei'i^enc}- which demanded our presence in the vShenandoah \'alley had passed, Jackson lia\-in,i;' accompHslied wiiat he desired, and his troops beino^ wanted at Richmond by Oen. Lee, he had left the \'alle>-, and at the moment of our arrival at the Gap, was well on his way. Our sta\- at Haymarket continued for three days.

On the 6th we had orders to move. Our destination was Warrenton, where we arrived after an easy march, late in the afternoon. Here we remained until the Sth, mox^ing on that date to Warrenton Junction, bivouacking^ for the night, continuing on the next da>- towards Catlett's vStation, which we reached on the loth, and made a stay of four days. This trip was \'ery pleasant to us ; the weather was good, the roads were fair, our marches were not long, and the whole more of a pleasure trip through a rather interesting countr>-.

June 15th we marched to Cannon Creek, and after remaining for five da>s we continued our journey to vSpotted Tavern, and, after a stay of forty-eight hours, returned to PVedericksburg on the 23d, after nearly a month of marching, and made camp within a short distance of the old one, in which we remained until Aug. 5th, our time being occupied with the usual duties of camp life, drills, in.spections, etc.

July 2d we turned in our battery of Parrotts and howitzers and drew one of light twelves or Napoleons. The.se guns were of brass, .smooth bore, and had fixed ammunition. The}- were of short range, which would necessitate our coming in clo.se contact with the enemy ; but the fixed annnunition would enable them to be fired much more rapidly ; and as they had the reputation of being very destructive when used at short range, the exchange was on the whole \-er\- acceptable to the men .

July 4th was celebrated b>- a .salute in the morning, and repeating it in the afternoon.

Aug. 5th the batter}-, with a portion of our Division, started on a reconnoisance towards the Rapidan River. Towards noon on the .second day out, a portion of our troops had a sHght .skirmi.sh with the enemy, but it was of .short duration.

Early on the morning of the third day of the reconnoisance our cohmm countermarched, and marched rapidly towards Fredericksburg. Our cavalry were constantly .skirmishing wdth the eneni}-. When within fifteen miles of the town a regiment of infantry and our battery went into po.sition, but after firing a few shots the eneni}' fell back, and we rejoined the column. Continuing our march we reached our old can^^ on the Rappahannock Aug. 8, where we remained until Aug. 2 2d.

Chapter III

Rappahannock Station — Groveton — BuLi. Run (or Manassas).

AUGUvST 2 2d Kino^'s Division to which Battery D belonged, left camp opposite Fredericksburg, it having been ordered to report with all possible haste at Rappahannock Station. The battery pulled out of park at daylight, and after a hard da>-'s march, made camp within eight miles of the station, some time after dark. \'ery early next morning as we were aroused, the battery hitched up, and everything made ready to proceed, we heard heavy and continuous firing, which indicated to us that some one was having a hot time of it.

At 9 .\.. M. we were ordered to continue on to the station, which we reached about noon, remaining until dark. All the afternoon troops were continually recrossing the river and moving to the rear, and just before we left, the buildings around the station were fired. The light from this fire illuminated our way for some di.stance. At the station, and for a mile or so beyond it, as we pa.s.sed along the road, men were engaged in tearing up the railroad, lieating the rails and twi.sting them beyond an>- possibility of their being used again.

Everything indicated that we had conmienced a retrograde movement, and the constant picket firing, which would occasionally increase in \oluine, as tlionjj;^h a regiment or brigade had become engaged, with the added noise of cannon, told us plainly that the enemy were pressing our rear vigorously.

In order that our situation may be fully understood, it may be well to give a brief description of the general military events of a few weeks previous to our arrival at the station.

On the 27th of Jinie Maj. Gen. John Pope assumed command of the Army of Virginia, composed of Fremont's, Banks's and McDowell's Corps, in all about 38,000 men. The first two of the.se commands were at Middletown, in the Shenandoah Valley. Of the latter command, one division, under (rcn. Ricketts, was at or near Manas.sas Junction, and King's ( to which Battery D belonged ) at Fredericksburg. It was the first intention of Gen. Pope to unite these widely separated troops, and in concert with Gen. McClellan, who was occupying an advanced position on the Penin.sula, attempt the capture of Richmond ; but in the interim between the assumption of this command l)y Gen. Pope and the uniting of his forces, Gen. McClellan had decided to retire from his advanced position, to the James River, at Harrison's Landing, which was accomplished after seven days of continuous and .severe fighting.

The rebel commander. Gen. Lee, being relieved from any anxiety for the safety of Richmond, determined iipon a demon.stration towards Washington, and sent Gen. Jack.son with a large force to oppo.se Gen. Pope. The two armies met at Cedar Mountain, on the 9th of August. A severe battle was fought, resulting in the defeat of our army, which was driven from its po.sition at dark.

It was .soon discovered by Gen. Pope that Gen. Lee was moving nearly his whole force from Richmond, for the purpose of cru.shing his (Pope's) army, and it was now determined by the authorities at Washington to transfer Gen. McClellan's forces from the Peninsula to the Potomac, as a reinforcement for Gen. Pope.

On the 23d of August, the day the Ijattery arri\-ed at Rappahannock Station, Cicn. Longstreet had reached our front, and made an attack upon our troops at Beverly Ford. It was the firing from this engagement whicli had ))een .sounding in our ears all day.

W'e continued our march well into the night. Just after midnight the battery pulled into a lot and halted without unharnessing. The men were told to lay down near their pieces and get what rest tlie>' could. Ai)out daylight we were arou.sed and started on again, reaching W'arrenton about dark on the 24th. Earl>- next morning the batter\- was on the road, and after a .slow, tedious march of fi\-e or six hours bivouacked at Sulphur Springs for the night, without unhitching.

The evening of the 26th found us in the neighborhood of Waterloo Bridge. Twenty-four hours later we were on the Warrenton Pike, about half-way l)etween Warrenton and Groveton, wet through from a drenching rain which had prevailed for se\-eral hours.

After a \ery uncomfortable night we took the road again on the morning of the 2Sth, headed towards Cxroveton. About 5 p. .M. the batter\- m(^\ed off the road into a field upon the right, came into park, and, without unhitching, the men conunenced to prepare supper.

Ju.st as Capt. Monroe and the other (officers, with Gen. King as their guest, had seated them.sehes at the camp-table, a few picket shots were heard on our left, followed almost innnediateh' 1)\' a considerable vollew (jCu. King inunediately moiuUed his lujrse and started in the direction of the firing. Ca])t. Monroe ordered the dri\ers to mount, i)ut the Ijattery in motion down the pike, then gallo])cd on ahead ; soon i6

he returned, gave the order "Trot, march," and, after going a short distance, turned the head of the cohimn towards a hill upon the left of the road. We had almost reached the base of the hill when a staff officer was seen coming over the top towards lis, waving his sword in the wildest manner and calling upon us to go back as quick as possible. He hurriedly made the Captain understand, but before oui; direction could be changed, we saw the lead horses of a rebel battery appearing over the brow of the hill — we were both after the same position and they had beaten us. Our direction was soon changed and we made every possible effort to get under co\er before they could do us much damage, but they succeeded in getting in a few shots, which, however, did us no damage. vSoon we reached a .sunken place in the road which afforded us protection, and we were halted while Capt. Monroe .searched for a new position. After a stay of five minutes we were again ordered forward. About one hiuidred yards of our wa>- was fully exposed to the fire of the rebel battery. They took every advantage of it, and threw their .shells thick and fast at us. It did not .seem po.ssible that we could pass this exposed part of our journey without being .seriously damaged ; but notwithstanding the .shots flew around us, only one took effect, hitting the .stock of one of our cais.sons, breaking it and disabling the carriage and nece.ssitating its being blown up. Lieut. Parker was ordered to accompli.sh this, and although he was exposed to great per.sonal danger, both from the enemy's fire and the explo.sion, he .successfully accomplished it.

The battery soon turned from the road into the fields on the left, and with all possible .speed made for the top of a hill not far di.stant ; on reaching the top of which it came into battery and immediately commenced firing at the rebel battery which had taken the first position from us.