rS- ■vV^ ♦ fC(\ S» A "<^r. v^n^ -^^ #• •>- V .5.^'V ., ^0* o»-'^^ *© ^^^° ^*"* °^ o . '* ^■lef^A'Sy'^^' <•. ■fe-^ - ' ^ ' ^ j^ b v^ v^. ■<^^ .(y r. " " " ♦ *o ^r' '^ ' ". . 5 ^ L^cnyi^cl^ Q^A cXiyy! Jy, ys OU^ / PilSTORY FIFTH REGIMENT Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, THREE YEARS AND A HALF OF SERVICE IN NORTH CAROLINA. January 1862— June 1S65. COMPILED UXDER, THE SUPERVISION OF r John Iv. Burlingaivie:. PROVIDENCE : SNOW & FARNHAM, Printers and Publishers, 1892. COPYRIGHTED, 1S92, BY SNOW & FARNHAM, Providen'ce, R. I. fy'i^ Zo ©uv Scab. Wlfiettjer filling uriKrio^r] graves -wlriere tlr^eir orily reqilieiri is t]\e solerqri dirge of SoLltl)erri piries, or perriqitted to lie v^l^ere livirig con\rades n\ay rqaKe rqen\orial offerings to t]:\eir rqerit ar\d valor, t]:\is ^orK is rr\ost affec- tioriately iriscribed. PREFACE SOON after the close of the war, an association of the survivors of the Fifth Regiment was formed for the purpose of maintaining, by reunions and other social means, that feeling of comradeship and friendship, which nat- urally arose in the regiment during three years and a half of service in the field. Not long after this association was formed, the suggestion was made that the history of the regi- ment should be written. The proposition met with such gen- eral favor, that a historian was appointed. The difficulty of collecting the requisite data from such sources of information as were accessible, and the exigencies of an active business life, caused successive delays. It soon became apparent, that as time passed, the difficul- ties attending the preparation of such a history multipHed in a rapidly increasing ratio. Finally a Historical Commit- tee was proposed and appointed, and the members of the Regimental Association were appealed to for aid in collecting accounts of notable incidents and operations connected with the regiment, and also for substantial aid to have this infor- mation suitably compiled and published. From one cause or another this enterprise languished. A portion of a history VI FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. was prepared and submitted to the Committee, but the neces- sities of business soon compelled the writer to change his residence to a distant city, and he returned to the Committee the records and manuscripts in his possession. The commit- tee thereupon dissolved by mutual consent, and thus this plan came to an untimely end. Feeling that there would never be any more available sources of information than existed now, the custodian of the records, comrade John K.Burlingame, at considerable personal expense determined to assume the responsibility and make the best possible use of them that was in his power to do. To this end he secured suitable assistance and commenced work. From day to day as the compilation progressed it was criti- cized and corrected. Comrades who were available, and even some living quite remote, were called in from time to time and their opinions asked, criticisms heeded and suggestions made use of. In this manner this work has been prepared. A strong feeling that it was best to preserve such records as were now in existence; a sincere desire to see this much of our history placed at an early period and in accessible form before our comrades, whose number will never be greater than now ; and an honest purpose in every instance, to impartially tell the story that was to be told, has actuated all who have been interested in this labor. One of the greatest misfortunes attending the preparation of this work has been the fact that so many of the members of the regiment have been so engrossed with other cares that they could not spare the time to write out sketches of the incidents that occurred within their personal knowledge, for use in this narrative. In this connection it is but simple jus- PREFACE. VU tice to state here, that the history now offered could not have been written but for the unselfish and gratuitous labor and continued assistance of our comrade, James Moran. We are also under great obligation to our comrades, Sylvester B. Hiscox, John Wright, Albert Potter, Christopher W. How- land, William H. Chenery, Dutee Johnson, Jr., William W. Douglas, James M. Wheaton, Benjamin L. Hall and others. Realizing its many shortcomings, and claiming only the merit of good intentions, this work is cheerfully submitted with the most fraternal feeling to the surviving members and friends of the Fifth Regiment of Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. j. k. b. At the twentieth Annual Reunion of the Fifth Rhode Island and Battery F Veteran Association, held at Silver Spring, on Friday, July 25, 1890, a Committee consisting of Comrades Colonel James Moran, Dr. Albert Potter, Joshua C. Drown, Jr., William H. Chenery, and Christopher W. Howland, was appointed to petition the General Assembly for an appropriation to assist the Committee to publish a history of the Fifth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. The resolution appointing them was unanimously adopted by the Association. In compliance with the vote of the Asso- ciation, the Committee presented their petition to the Gen- eral Assembly. Accompanying this petition was a resolution requesting that the sum of $600 be appropriated to purchase 200 copies of the history for the use of the State. VIU FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. The Committee desire that the pubhcation of this history shall stand as a monument to the memory of Comrade Bur- lingame, whose perseverance under all difBculties in its prep- aration alone made it a success, and if living he would rejoice with us in the full fruition of his arduous labors. The Committee. ^v-tr^ CONTENTS CHAPTER I. OrGAXIZATIOX.— To AXXAPOLIS, Md. General Burnside's Coast Division to be formed— Organization of tlie First Battalion, Fiftli Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers— Camp Greene— Major John Wright assumes command — From Camp Greene to the Dexter Training Ground— Mustered into service — Roster of officers — Parade in Providence —Marching orders— Incidents in Jersey City — March through Baltimore- Arrival at Annapolis, Md., ...... 1-7 CHAPTER II. From Axxapolis, Md., to Hatteras Ixlet. Camp Harris— Scenes at Annapolis— The first pay day— Embark on the "Kitty Simpson" — Fortress Monroe— Under sealed orders- Exciting encounter with a Union gunboat off Cape Hatteras in the night— Hatteras Inlet— Nature of the North Carolina coast— The Nortii Carolina Sounds— Nature of the Inlet-Glance at the sit- uation—The. "Kitty Simpson" hard aground— Danger threatens the battalion— Exciting scenes — Over the Bar— Captain Hepliurn refuses assistance and sails his ship into the Sound— Safe at anchor, .- . . . . . . . ■ 9-17 CHAPTER III. Capture axd Occupatiox of Roaxoke Islaxd. General plan of operations— Off for Roanoke Island— Waiting to land — The slave boy "Tom," and his information— "Tom" guides a reconnoitering party of the Fifth to Ashby's Land- ing — The party fired upon by the rebels — Corporal Yiall wounded — The army lands— Battle of Roanoke Island — The rebel forces compelled to surrender— The Fiftli guards the hos- pital— Incidents— Expedition up Currituck Sound— Adventures of the Rhode Island boys on the mainland— Roanoke Island made secure— Kindness of General Burnside, . . , . 19-29 X FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. CHAPTER IV. The Battle and Capture of Xew Berne. Up Pamlico Sound— Signal fires— The defences of New Berne— Plan of attack— Foster and Reno fought to a standstill— Charge of the Fourth and Fifth Rhode Island — Guns captured — Lieutenant Pierce killed— The army advances and the rebels run— The Fifth occupy a rebel camp— Rebel report of their defeat— Our losses- Camp Pierce— Results of the battle— Governor Sprague thanks the battalion— The Fifth to have a banner 30-49 CHAPTER V. From New Berne to Fort Macon.— Siege and Capture of that Fort. General Parke's brigade sent to reduce Fort Macon— Repairing the abandoned grist-mill— What makes a North Carolina city— How the Fiftli rebuilt the railway bridge— On the march to Fort Macon— The Fifth on "The Banks"— The batteries open fire- White flag hung out— The surrender—" Joe " Greene and his bugle— Camp life at Fort Macon, ..... 50-68 CHAPTER VI. From Fort Macon to New Berne. Resting at Fort Macon— Changes in General Burnside's army— Pro- motions— General Burnside ordered to halt his victorious troops- Rhode Island presents a sword to General Burnside— The Fifth at the ceremony and review— General Burnside leaves the De- partment—The Fifth at Beaufort and Morehead City— Fourth of .July at Beaufort— The Fifth ordered to New Berne— Resignation of Major Wright and others— Promotions recommended by Gen- eral Foster — Captain George W. Tew appointed major — The Battalion to be a Regimeut, and Colonel H. T. Sisson to com- mand it, ........ . 69-84 CHAPTER VII. The Tarboro Expedition. Recruiting for the regiment — Marching orders— The Fifth at Wash- ington, N. C. — The Second Brigade — Tiie march to Rawle's Mill — Battle of Rawle's Mill — Incidents — March through Willianiston to Hamilton — Hamilton Burned— " Applejack " — The halt near Tarboro— Sufferings of the shelterless men in a snow-storm— Moccasins made from raw hide— From Plymouth to New Berne— Rebels had attacked the outposts at New Berne — The Fifth ordered out to assist the picket reserves— Death of Quartermaster Gladding— Recruits arrive — The Fifth sent to quell a rumored mutiny on Roanoke Island, .... 85-98 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER YIII. Thk Goldsboko Campaign. The army assembles at New Berne— How the sick men of the Fifth evaded tiie surgeon— The march to Kinston— Battle of Kinston— Saving the burning bridge— Scenes at the bridge and in Kinston— The rebel general violates his own flag of truce— Results of the battle— March to Whiteiiall— Battle of Whitehall— Incidents- March to Goldsboro— Battle of Goldsboro— Rebel attack on the rear guard— The Fifth guards the flank— The return march— Exciting scenes of a bivouac at night — At Xew Berne again— General Foster's congratulatory order, ...... 99-116 CHAPTER IX. Regimfxtal Changes and First Rebel Attack on Xew Bekne. Major Tew in command— His recommendations for promotions- Colonel Sisson arrives with recruits— The battalion becomes a regiment — His recommendations for promotions— Captain Arnold promoted Lieutenant-Colonel— Chaplain White reports for duty- Sunday in Camp Anthony— Promotions— Rebels preparing to re- capture New Berne— Rebel attack on Fort Anderson — Courag- eous action of a negro boat's crew— The gunboats on the scene- Retreat of the rebels— The Fifth again sent out to help tlie pickets— Colonel Arnold's ruse to deceive the enemy— Scouting to the front— Back Again in New Berne— Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold leaves the Fifth — Colonel Tew presents a sword to Captain Belger, ........ 117-U3 CHAPTER X. The Fifth Ru?fs the Rebel Batteries and Carries Relief to General Foster and the Garrison of Washington, N. C. ' The rebels attack Washington, N. C— General Fo>ter and tiie small garrison blockaded and besieged— Fruitless attempts to relieve Washington— Marching orders for the Fifth— Off the mouth of Pamlico River— Colonel Sisson offers to relieve Washington- Delays and incidents— Reconnoisance by Captain Douglas and a detachment of the Fifth— Amuumition and stores taken aboard— The Fifth at last permitted to make the attempt— Every man in the regiment volunteers to go— The brave pilot— The batteries brilliantly and successfully run— The Fifth in Washington— Joy of the garrison— Skirmish at Rodman's Point— The rebels raise the siege — Incidents— Congratulations for the Fifth from all sides—" The most brilliant feat of the war "— " How it appeared from the inside," ....•••• l-l-i-167 Xii FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. CHAPTER XL The Fifth becomes a Regiment of Heavy Artillery —A Summer AND Autumn in New Berne. End of active operations in North Carolina— The Fifth garrisons the forts— Colonel Sisson in Boston— The Fifth becomes a regi- ment of heavy artillery— How tlie change was regarded in the regiment— Effects of the change— Chaplain White returns with a cargo of good things for the regiment— Reception of the elegant flag presented by the Forty-fourth Massachusetts— The "bounty jumper" appears in the Fifth— Assignments of the companies in the forts— Camp life in New Berne— Fort Totten— General Butler inspects the defences of New Berne— Surgeon Warren resigns— Assistant Surgeon Potter promoted to be surgeon— Thanksgiving at the Regimental Hospital— Death of Quartermaster Prouty— Letter to Colonel Sisson from one of the men, . . . 168-186 CHAPTER XII. The Second Attack of the Rebels on New Berne. The rebels again attack New Berne— Heavy losses at the outposts— But few men to defend the forts and breastworks— Fire com- panies and all able-bodied civilians armed— Where the Fifth was stationed— Fears for the safety of Company A— It marches in all right — A day of suspense — The rebels capture the gunboat "Underwriter" — Captain Landers shells them out— Rebel report of this enterprise— Incidents of the third day— How the rebel band played for us— The rebels retire from in front of New Berne— Major Jameson to raise a regiment of colored troops- Commissions in colored regiments — Marriage of Colonel Sisson-- The rebels capture Plymouth, N. C — Alarm throughout the department— Companies D and I sent to garrison the forts at Hatteras Inlet— Companies C and E at Washington, . . 187-204 CHAPTER XIII. Capture of Company A at Croatan. — Andersonville and Florence. Colonel Sisson's official report of the capture of Company A— Chaplain White's narrative of the fight at Croatan, the surrender of the company, and the march to Kinston— Private Sylvester B. Hiscox's narrative of life in Andersonville, Ga., Florence, S. C, and Captain 'Aigan's escape — Captain John Aigan's olYicial report, showing the death list in Southern prison pens, . . 205-229 CONTENTS. xiil CHAPTER XIV. Yellow Feveii in New Beune. — Companies D and I at Roanoke Island. Condition of the Fiftli in tlie Summer of 1864— Colonel Sisson goes home— Changes of stations for the companies— Shot for deser- tion—The veterans off for home— The Yellow Fever— Heroism of Lieutenant Turner— His death— How the yellow fever origin- ated—Mortality among surgeons— Companies D and I at Roanoke Island— Thanksgiving celebrated in New England style— Com- pany D at Plymouth, N. C, . . . . . . 2;>0-242 CHAPTER XV. Closing Operations of the War Around New Berne. The outlook — Return of the veterans — Backing across the "Swash " — Tiie Fifth makes its hardest march— Muster out of the three-year men— Kinston and Goldsboro occupied— Guarding supply trains- Promotions, ........ 243-254 CHAPTER XVI. The End. The regiment asseuibles at Fort Spinola— How time was passed— Roster of officers— Promotions— En route for Providence— Recep- tion in Providence — General Burnside greets the returning veterans— Mustered out, ...... 255-259 Roster, . . . . . • . 261-338 Appendix A, , . 341-.343 Appendix B, ....... 344-345 Appendix C, ....... 346-351 Appendix D, ....... 351-364 Appendix E, ....... 365-377 Index, ,......• 379-382 MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. Col. Henry T. Sisson, Gen. Ambrose E. Biirnside, Major John Wright, Surgeon Albert Potter, . In the Gale off Hatteras, Gen. Jesse L. Reno, Gen. John G. Parke, Capt. Jonathan M. Wheeler, Attack on the Confederate Forts by the Union Fleet at Map of Roanoke Island, Lieut.-Col. Job Arnold, . Capt. George H. Grant, . Map of New Berne and viciaitj-, Capt. William W. Douglas, Capt. James Morau, Capt. Charles H. Chapman, Fort Macon, N. C, Lieut. James M. Wheaton, Capt. Charles Taft, Capt. James Gregg, General Burnside's Headquarters, New Berne, Gen. John G. Foster, Camp Anthony, New Berne, N. C, Lieut. Edward F. Angell, Lieut. Henry P. Williams, Lieut. Charles E. Douglass, The Drown Group: Joshua C. Drown, Sr., Joshua C. Drown, Jr., Benjamin F. Drown, PAGE. Front spiece. opposite page 1 3 5 8 10 11 15 oanoke Isla id, 18 . opposite 1 )age 20 23 27 opposite 1 )age 30 33 40 53 58 61 65 71 73 opposite page 76 78 87 91 101 . 108 . 108 . 108 MAPS AND ILLUSTHATIOX; Col. George W. Tew, Lieut. Charles E. Beers, . Hospital Steward John K. Biirlinguiiie, Lieut. Christopher W. Howlaiul. The Steamer "Escort," . Plan of Washington, X. C, Lieut. Herbert D. Leavitt, Lieut. William H. Chenery, First Sergt. Daniel Dove, Map of the Department of Xorth Carolina, Musician George W. Hoxie, Commissary Sergt. Joseph P. Sisson, Col. Isaac M. Potter, Major John Aigan, Chaplain Kev. Henry S. White, Sylvester B. Hiscox, Lieut. John B. Landers, . Lieut. George F. Turner, Sergt. James B. Horton, . Lieut. Charles E. Lawton, Corporal Francis Eaton, . PAGE. no 124 1.37 145 155 opposite page 158 1G9 . 177 . 185 opposite page 186 . 191 . 197 . 206 . 211 . 215 . 221 . 233 . 237 . 245 , 251 . 257 CHAPTER I, ORGANIZATION— TO ANNAPOLIS, MD. THE first great battle of the War of the Rebellion in 1861 had ended in disaster to the army of the Union. The lesson was needed, for we had been over confident, and had entered the struggle without that practical knowledge which is absolutely essential in successfully moving and using large masses of men in the field and in great battles. The lesson was needed, in that a call for 500,000 more men from the loyal north was made. With what noble patriotism this call was responded to is a matter of common history and need not be dwelt upon here. Rhode Island had nearly filled her quota at the time this narrative commences. In the early au- tumn of this year it was urged upon the National executive that a strong sentiment of loyalty still existed in the State of North Caro- lina, and that it only needed the presence of a powerful Union force within her borders to cause a large portion of her people to return to their allegiance. In pursuance of this opinion Brig. -Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside was empowered to raise a division of troops in the northern coast states. This force was to operate in North Carolina for the purpose of developing this, supposed latent, loyal feeling. Rhode Island was called upon to furnish her proportion of this force. After a number of tentative efforts the State executive decided to raise a battalion in tlie manner prescribed in the following order: State of Rhode Island, Adjutant-General' s Office, Providence, Oct. 5, ISGl. General Order, J\"o. 73. General Order No. 05 is hereby countermanded and the following substituted : Gen. A. E. Burnside having received authority from the Secretary of War to raise a division for Coast Service, to be commanded by him, and 2 HISTORY OF THE denominated the Coast Division, attached to the Army of the Potomac, under command of General McClellan, it is the wish of the Commander- in-Chief to have one or more battalions of three or more companies raised from this State to be attached to the said division. Captains who have served in the First Eegiment and commanders of all military organizations in this State who are desirous of having com- panies in said battalions, may at once open their armories and places of rendezvous for the enlistment of men to serve for three years unless sooner discharged. The organization of the companies will be as follows : One captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one first sergeant, four sergeants, eight corporals, two musicians, one wagoner, and sixty-four privates. As soon as the number enlisted amounts to eighty-three men, they will report to this department, when officers will be appointed and com- missioned by the Commander-in-Chief. A bounty of fifteen dollars will be paid by the State to every non- commissioned officer, musician and private enlisting under this order. Maj. Joseph P. Balcli is detailed to superintend the organization, and will arrange all matters connected with the recruiting of the same. It is the hoi^e of the Commander-in-Chief that said battalions will be raised with that spirit and promptness which will redound to the credit and reputation of our gallant State. By order of the Commander-in-Chief, Edward C. Mauhan, Adjutant-General. This is the official beginning of what was known as tlie First Bat- talion, Fifth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, and later in the war, as the Fifth Regiment Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. It is the history of this organization which will be related in the followinfy pages as fully and as impartially as imperfect records and the lapse of more than a score of years will permit. With the publication of this order began the labor attending the recruiting of so large a number of men by voluntary enlistment. The tide of wild enthusiasm which had swept over the whole north in the early spring of this year was now near its ebb. A war, the magnitude and duration of w^hich no man could forecast confronted the loyal people of the Union, and thoughtful men everywhere beo-an to realize the vast sacrifices of life and treasure that must be made FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 3 to insure final success.- At this time the efforts of the State execu- tive were largely directed to the filling up of the ranks of the Fourth Regiment, in order that it might march to the fi-ont at the earliest possible moment. It was natural, therefore, that for a time recruit- ing for the proposed new battalion should seem to languish. Major John Wright. (From a recent picture.) Camp Greene, a few miles out from Providence, on the Stonington Railroad, was designated as the State rendezvous, and as fast as men were enlisted they were sent there. On the 28th of October, Major Balch, at his own request, was relieved from his duties with the battalion and Col. Christopher Blanding assigned to the snjter- 4 HISTORY OF THE vision of the rendezvous. Here the first day of November found four companies in camp. OfScers, themselves largely self-taught, were striving to teach tactics and enforce military discipline, often with but indifferent results, as none of them had yet been commis- sioned by the State. On the 7th of November, however, the new battalion was given a commander in the person of Maj. Jolm Wright. He had been a captain in the Second Regiment, and came on from the Army of the Potomac to assume the duties of his new command. On the same day Rev. McWalter B. Noyes was appointed chaplain. Under the zealous efforts of Major Wright the former doubt and un- certainty was soon succeeded by more thorough military order and discipline. About this time a full company from Woonsocket joined the battalion and its successful organization was assured. The battalion was transferred from Camp Greene to the Dexter Training Ground, in Providence, on the 22d of November, and here, through the kindness and munificence of the citizens of that city, Thanksgiving Day was observed in real New England fashion. "All had a right merry time," and enjoyed themselves on that day as only soldiers could who had so long been subject to the discipline of a camp of instruction. Up to this time the uncertainty attending the absence of commissions for the oflftcers of the several companies, and which had been a source of great vexation to both officers and men, was removed by the appointment of officers for all the companies then organized. The general order making these appointments bore the date of Nov. 30, 1861. December 3d, Albert Potter was commis- sioned assistant-surgeon, with rank and pay to date from October 10th. The change of quarters and the official appointment of the officers inspired new zeal in all connected with the battalion. The ranks filled up rapidly, and men and officers began to present that soldierly appearance which only time and good discipline can give. As the companies now contained the required number of men, on the 16th of December, 1861, they were formally mustered into the service of the United States by Captain Cutts, of the regular army. The roster was as follows : John Wright, major, commanding; Charles H. Chapman, adju- tant ; Munro H. Gladding, quartermaster ; Albert Potter, assistant- surgeon ; McWalter B. Noyes, chaplain ; Joseph J. Hatlinger, ser- FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 5 geant-iQiijor ; William M. Prouty, quartermaster-sergeant ; Charles E. Beers, commissary sergeant ; C. Frank Gladding, hospital steward. Company A — Captain, Jonathan M. Wheeler; first lieutenant, Daniel S. Remington ; second lieutenant, Levi P. Goodwin. Surgeon Albert Potter. Company B — Captain, Allen G. Wright ; first lieutenant, William W. Hall ; second lieutenant. William W. Douglas. Company C — Captain, James M. Eddy ; first lieutenant, John E. Snow ; second lieutenant, George G. Hopkins. Company D — Captain, George H. Grant : first lieutenant, Henry R. Pierce ; second lieutenant, James Moran. HISTORY OF THK Company E — Captain, Job Arnold ; first lieutenant, ; second lieutenant, James M. Wheaton. A few days after the formal muster the battalion made a parade through the city, and received warm commendation from both citi- zens and the press, for the soldierly appearance and fine marching of the several companies. The days of their life at the rendezvous of organization now rapidly drew to an end, for every available man Avas needed at the front. Events followed each other rapidly. De- cember 26th, Major Wright I'eceived marching orders. " The men received the order joyfully, having become weary of their camp life and the monotonous routine of daily duty. They appeared remark- ably well on drill and at dress-parade, and were in the best condition for active service." On the 27th, they were reviewed by the gov- ernor as commander-in-chief of the State forces, who was accom- panied by his full statF. Tents had been struck and baggage packed. After the review the line wheeled into column and marched to the depot where a train was waiting to carry them over the first stage in their route to Annapolis, Md., where they were to join the assembled forces of General Burnside, who had received orders to move on his expedition south. The battalion arrived in Jersey City, opposite New York, on the morning of the 28th. Here a delay of some hours occurred. The major, commanding, found that the railroad officials had provided a train composed of cattle cars which had not been cleaned out since- their last freight of stock had been unloaded. They were informed by Major Wright that he had men, not cattle to transport. He told them they would have to provide better accommodations. They in- sisted that they had nothing better. *•' Very well," was the reply of the energetic major, " we will stay here, at your expense, until you find something better ; and in the meantime I will report the affair to the proper military authorities." Tliat settled it. The major was. informed that other and better cars would be supplied as soon as pos- sible. The vigor and promptness shown by Major Wright in thus caring for the comfort of the men of his command was so gratifying that the officers determined to show their appreciation by presenting him with some token of it. Wliile waiting for the promised train to be made up they sent out and purchased a fine field glass which they FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 7 presented to him in due form and with fitting language. Very soon after, the train was announced, and in a few hours more they were enjoying the welcome hospitalities of the "Cooper Shop," in Phila- delphia, a place well and most favorably known to all soldiers passing- through that city, — the fame of which is a lasting monument to the large hearted and practical patriotism of its citizens, which really earned for it the title of the '•' City of Brotherly Love." Resuming their route at midnight they soon reached the Maryland line. From this point to Baltimore the bridges had been burned in the preceding spring by rebel sympathizers, and they now had block-houses at either end, garrisoned by Union soldiers. It looked warlike enough to the inexperienced men who now saw garrisoned block-houses for the first time. Upon reaching Baltimore the battalion had to take the usual march of about two miles through that city, from one sta- tion to the other, where cars were to be taken for Annapolis Junction. Orders were given that the command should keep closed up, and in no case reply to any threats or threatening demonstrations from any roughs or street crowds, if such should be made. No one was molested, however, during the line of march. The loyal citizens of Baltimore were endeavoring to establish a refreshment place for soldiers on the plan of the one in Philadelphia. The Fifth were invited to partake of their hospitality, and did so, the men receiving a piece of bread and boiled pork and a cup of coffee each. "You are our first guests," said the entertainers. Before the battalion left, however. Major Wright was asked to give a re- ceipt for the rations issued to his men. Up to that time all in the battalion supposed it was what it purported to be, the free hospitality of the citizens. At noon, on the 29th, the battalion left for Anna- polis Junction, where they met General Burnside. He was greeted with rousing and enthusiastic cheers. At this point cars were taken for Annapolis, which was reached in the evening, and the battalion Avent into camp on the grounds of the Naval Academy, where, when the men had time to look around, the presence of so large a force of men, and the vast preparations both on land and water, made each one realize that for them all preparatory steps were over and that he was in very deed one of the army in tiie field. iiMiiiiBii'iiiillini lii'lllihl' irjl'nf ^^^^^^^.' i« ■'""»«««ai.MiiA^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CHAPTER II, FROM ANNAPOLIS, MD., TO HATTER AS INLET. THE first of the new year, 1862, found the battalion still in eamp on the grounds it had first occupied on an-ival at Annapolis. It was known as Camp Harris. On the 4th of January the Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers and Battery F, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Captain Belger, commanding, arrived in camp. There had been an especial transfer of these organizations from the army of the Potomac to this expedition. In the case of Battery F, it Avas the beginning of that strong mutual comradeship and warm friendship between its officers and men and those of the Fifth Rhode Island Regiment known only to soldiers who have cemented these feelings bj' sharing the same toils and the same dangers, who have experienced the same joys and the same sorrows, during the successive campaigns of a long and bloody war, and whatever is said of approval or commendation of the members of the Fifth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers applies -with equal force to the officers and men of tlie gallant Battery F. The quiet city of Annapolis now presented a most stirring scene, one that will 'never pass from the memory of those who then Avitnessed it, and probably one that never again will occur in 'that somnolent old town. A fleet of forty-six transports for the troops and their material, eleven of which Avere steamers, and nine armed propellers and five large armed barges fitted to serve as floating batteries, Avere anchored in the harbor. On land there Avere fifteen regiments and one battalion of infantry, and one battery of light artillery Avaiting the order to embark. Dispatch boats were darting in and out among the fleet, Avhile anxious aides-de-camp and hurry- ing mounted orderlies Avere to be seen everywhere on land. The scene presented a great and most animating change from the quiet ot the camp the Fifth Battalion had so recently left. 10 HISTORY OF THE Gen. Jesse L. Reno. As soon as the last regi- ments arrived the land forces were divided into three bri- gades composed as follows : The first comprised the , Twenty - third, Twenty - fourth, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh Massachu- setts and the Tenth Connec- ticut infantry, under the command of Brig. -Gen. John G. Foster. The sec- ond was composed of the Sixth New Hampshire, Ninth New Jersey, Twenty- first Massachusetts, Fifty- first New York and Fifty-first Pennsylvania regiments of infantry, and was under the command of Brig. -Gen. Jesse L. Reno. The third was formed from the Eighth and Eleventh Connecticut, Fifty- third and Eighty-ninth New York, the Fourth Rhode Island and the First Battalion of the Fifth Regiment of Rhode Island Infantry, and was commanded by Brig. -Gen. John G. Parke. There was also a naval brigade recruited in New York by the name of the Volunteer Marine Artillery, commanded by Colonel Howard, which was espe- cially organized for this expedition. The bustle and the excitement was almost bewildering. But, war on so large a scale is a great educator, and in a few days these comparatively inexperienced men looked upon greater and far more exciting scenes with all the cool- ness of the oldest veterans. January 5th, " Paid off to-day." What soldier ever forgets the first pay day in camp? The sharp "Fall in!" of the orderly sergeant ; the march of the entire company to the pay table ; the formal identification of each man as his name is called and he steps forward to take the crisp notes, and, on this, and the only occasion, some shining gold. Does any like amount of money ever again give the same feeling of satisfaction? On this day the embarkation of the troops commenced, but it was not until the 8th that the Fifth FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY A1{TILLERY. 11 X Gen. John G. Parke. Battalion went on board the good ship, K^tty Simpso7i, Captain Hep- burn, master. On the 9th she was taken in tow for Fortress Monroe. When outside, in Cliesa- peake Bay, the fog be- came so dense that she was obliged to anchor until the next day. Al- ready the men began to show the soldier's indif- ference to the future. An officer writing of that trip says : " There Avas plenty of singing and dancing, of chatting and laughing, of smoking and card-playing. All seemed to enjoy themselves and did not appear to find the time pass wearily." At last the fog lifted and the vessel again started for her delfetination, arriving at Fortress Monroe about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 11th. Here the men obtained the first view of a portion of the armed confederacy. The guns of the rebel batteries on Sewall's Point could be seen from their anchorage with the naked eye. About noon, on the 12th, the Kitty Simpson, this time under sealed orders, was again taken in tow. When oiF Cape Henry the pilot, taking with him the letters written to loved ones at home, boarded the tug, the line was cast off, sails were set, and the ship stood out to sea. When well out the orders were opened, and it was soon known that the destination of the expedition was Hatteras Inlet, and the ship bore away for that point. There was at this time much talk about rebel privateers, and a sharp look out was kept for all strange craft. In the middle of the night the ship's watch was startled by the sharp hail of " What ship is that? Where bound?" coming from what seemed to be a gunboat that had come un- pleasantly near in the darkness. Captain Hepburn was on deck at 12 HISTORY OF THE the time and he answered, "The ship Kitty Sinq'^son — bound South! " With an oath the commander of the gunboat replied, " I want a better answer than that ! " and he called his crew to quarters and lighted his battle-lanterns. " If you have any right to ask that question you know my destination as well as I do !" was the reply of the sturdy master of the ^/«^ /S'i'wj'sox. Then he shouted to his own crew, " clear away that gun forward ! " adding to those standing near, " If they fire, I will ! " He had a four-pounder iron gun for- ward to fire signals with. By this time the gunboat had come so near that it was seen that she was one of the armed ferry-boats that belonged to the expedition, and the officer in charge of her apparently became satisfied that the Kitti/ Siinpson was not the looked for rebel privateer, and bestowing some unsolicited advice on Captain Hep- burn about answering hails more promptly in the future he soon drew out of sight in the gloom of the night. Our course that night lay directly out to sea to clear Hatteras shoals, and a bucket of water was drawn every half hour and tested Avith the thermometer. Bye and bye a rise of ten degrees showed we had reached the gulf stream and consequently were clear of the shoals, and the course was changed to the southwest, direct for Hatteras Inlet. No other incident of note occurred until anchor was cast in Hatteras Cove, on the afternoon of the 13th, where a large portion of the fleet had arrived, and some of the vessels of light draft had already safely crossed the bar of Hatteras Inlet. As the Fifth Rhode Island is now about to enter upon the theatre of its whole life as a military organization, an attempt will be made to give tlie briefest possible description of this portion of the coast of North Carolina, and some of the military reasons why it was se- lected at this time as the scene of active operations. The north- eastern coast of North Carolina presents a peculiar formation. Be- tween Cape Henry, in Virginia, and Cape Fear, in North Carolina, bordering upon the ocean is a narrow^ strip of sandy beach of ever varying width through the action of storm and tide, and rising no- where more than a few feet above high water. From Cape Henry to Cape Hatteras its general direction is slightly east of south. From Cape Hatteras to Cape Lookout it trends to the southwest. Cape Hatteras is its easternmost point, and the whole of this portion FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 13 of the Atlantic coast is known as one of the stormiest and most dangerous in the world. Between this narrow strip of almost barren sand and the mainland are three sounds, known as the Currituck, Albemarle and Pamlico. Commencing at the north Currituck be- gins near Cape Henry and extends nearly half way to Cape Hatteras, and is narrow, shallow, and of little importance. Albemarle is next, and its greatest length is from east to west. It penetrates deeply into the mainland, and the Chowan and Roanoke rivers are its principal tributaries. Pamlico sound follows in order toward the south, and its longer axis is from the northeast to the southwest, conforming to the coast line. This sound has various local subdi- visions, as Roanoke, Croatan and others, and its principal rivers are the Pamlico and Neuse. The Albemarle and Pamlico sounds atFord safe navigation for vessels drawing a considerable depth of water, but near the shores they are very shallow, and owing to the sandy nature of the bottom this depth is always varying. A number of inlets through the narrow strip of sandy beach afford an entrance from the ocean to these sounds. Some of them are places where, during some great storm, the sea has broken through, and the subsequent flow of the tide has deepened the channel thus formed. At the ocean entrance to these inlets there is always a sand bar, or in local dialect, " a bulkhead," and another is found at the entrance to the sound, and it is known as " the swash." The channel between "the bulkhead" and " the swash" is often quite deep. Hatteras Inlet, just south of Cape Hatteras was formed by an inroad of the ocean, and it is the northernmost as well as the princi- pal inlet to Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. A glance at the military situation at this time shows a strong Con- federate force at Norfolk, and fronting the Union forces around Fortress Monroe. South of the Virginia capes, the next harbor of importance was Wilmington, on Cape Fear River. It was so strongly fortified that it was impracticable to attempt its reduction with any force then available for such a movement. At that time and during nearly the whole war it was the principal seaport in the possession of the Confederates. It will be seen that a strong force established in the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds, would have first, a safe and secure base of supplies arriving by Avay of the ocean ; 14 HISTORY OF THE second, toward the north it would threaten the flank and rear of the Confederate forces at Norfolk, Virginia ; third, toward the south it could operate in the rear of the forces defending Wilmington, and fourth, if in possession of New Berne it threatened Goldsboro and the principal line of communication between Richmond and Wil- mington ; and, if firmly established at Goldsboro, it severed that line and opened up the way to Raleigh and the interior of the state. Early in the autumn of 18G1, as soon as the authorities at Washington had determined to send General Burnside to North Carolina, General Butler, then in command at Fortress Monroe, had been directed to take and fortify the points on either side of Hatteras Inlet. Ac- cordingly a considerable force had been sent down there at once, and strong forts had been erected. The presence of this force was a menace to the security of the rebel forces around Norfolk, Virginia, and to protect their flank from any attack coming from this direction they had fortified and strongly garrisoned Roanoke Island, at the en- trance to Albemarle Sound. At this time the garrisons at Hatteras In- let were under the command of Brigadier-General Williams. Con- sidering the relative strength and positions of the Union and Con- federate forces and the supposed existence of a loyal feeling among a large portion of the people of North Carolina, there were sound military, if not strong political reasons for this expedition. Its first enterprise, after passing Hatteras Inlet, was the reduction of Roanoke Island. If there is any one place where even the best regiment is abso- lutely helpless it is on a crowded transport in a dangerous gale at sea. The men are in the way of the ship's officers and crew, and in each other's way, and utterly powerless to avert any threatening danger. Impending death cannot be met here by the exciting rush of a charge straight in its face with rifle in hand. In this case it was even worse than on the open sea, for the ship was anchored to a treacherous bottom on one of the most dangerous coasts in the world. There was at high tide only twelve to thirteen feet of water on the Inlet bar, and the Kitty Simpson drew fourteen feet. It was decided to remain at anchor for the night and then lighten ship. During the night a heavy gale sprang up from the northeast and veered to northwest on the 15tli and continued until the ICth. FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 15 Nothing could be done but to hold on and wait. Officers and men alike were sea-sick, and the ship pitched heavily at her anchors. The gale abated somewhat, and on the 16th and 17th about seventy tons of ballast was thi'own over. As the weather was very threat- ening it was decided to make the attempt to enter the sound the Capt. Jonathan M. Wheeler. (From a recent picture ) following day. A quiet and reticent non-combatant connected witli the battalion gave at the time this graphic picture of the scene : "At ten A. M. of the 18th the propeller, Virginia, came out to take us over the bar — but we struck, the liawser parted, and away the steamer went and left us there, pounding away at every sea enough to smash anything but the staunchest of ships to pieces. We got up 16 HISTORY OF THE sail and tried every means to get off. At one time the battalion was formed and the men were rapidly moved first forward then aft, hoping by this manceuvre to ease her off", but the tide was ebbing and Ave stuck faster at every blow. Several tugs came out to us, and one of them took a hawser, but it parted immediately and soon we were fast and immovable. About four p. m. the tide rose enough to let the pounding begin again. The situation began to look ' solemn ' for us, as the wreck of the steamer New York, which was lost a few days before, while trying to go in, was lying but a hun- dred yards from us. ' It seemed,' as one of the boys said, ' like being deathly sick with a grave-yard right under the window.' " About five p. M. another steamer came as near as the waves would permit, with orders to take off" the men. Two or three managed to jump aboard her as she rose on the crest of a wave, but this method of transfer was fraught with danger to both life and limb. Major Wright, whose dogged firmness was as equal to this emergency as the one in Jersey City, emphatically refused to obey the order. "Then, for some time the air was full of words between the major and aide-de-camp Pell, and the captain of the steamer with the master of the ship. The ' swearing in Flanders ' was child's play in comparison." Seeing the delay General Burnside ran down in his dispatch boat, and finding that Major Wright was correct in asserting tliat the ship was afloat, he ordered the steamer to pass a hawser aboard and try to tow her in. But Captain Hepburn, with language more vigorous than respectful, said, "You wouldn't help me when I needed it, and you, I won't have you now," and refused to give them his hawser. But better counsels soon prevailed, we took the proffered help and soon were over the "bulkhead," into the chan- nel, ^mid the cheers of our men and the troops on the other vessels inside, who had seen her pounding away there all day, and supposed that she would meet the fate which had befallen other vessels in her situation, which was to go to pieces. The men experienced all the discomforts of a crowded transport. On the 22d a southeast gale, accompanied with rain, sprang up, and steadily increased during the day. By night it was blowing a gale, and the anxiety of officers and men was increased by the doleful sound of signal guns of distress. In the morning it was found that FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLKRY. 17 the hospital bark had broken from her moorings and had gone smashing around among the other vessels, and she was now seen flying signals of distress, but no assistance could be rendered to her so great was the force of the gale. It is impossible to recount the various incidents that occurred or note the damage inflicted on the fleet by this gale, which the Fifth just escaped in so timely a manner. The condition of the men on this vessel is thus described by a mem- ber of the battalion : " Our quarters on board the Kitty Simpson were extremely disa- greeable. Most of the transports were provided with bunks for the men, but on our vessel the difi^erent companies of the battalion were assigned to positions between decks, and so limited were our sleeping accommodations that we were packed together like sardines in a box. We were compelled to lie down spoon fashion, with no room to flop over. The place was dark and stifling, and a few ship lanterns were all the lights we had. It was as much as a man's neck was worth to get up during the night and endeavor to go on deck to ob- tain a breath of fresh air, for it was impossible to step without plac- ing one's foot on a comrade's head or some portion of the body. Some nights when the Aveather was fair, a comrade and myself would take our blankets and get under a small boat on deck, pre- ferring to sleep in the open air, although it was mid-winter, rather than camp down in the close and stifling atmosphere below." Time Avas passed on the Kitty Simpson with occasionally an incident to break the monotony. During the stay of the battalion measles broke out among the men, and on February 1st Surgeon Potter sent five of the worst cases to the hospital ship. One of this squad, private Peck, died soon after. It was the second death in the battalion, private Ryan having died in a fit at Annapolis, Md., the night before the embarkation. 2 CHAPTER III, CAPTURE AND OCCUPATION OF ROANOKE ISLAND. THE last clay of the month saw all of the troops safe in the sound, and immediate steps were taken to commence the initial operations of the campaign on land. The genera] plan of operations, briefly stated, was first to reduce the forts and capture the Confederate troops on Roanoke Island at the junction of the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds, and about forty miles north of Hatteras Inlet. At this time it might be regarded as the southern outpost to Norfolk, Virginia. Immediately following this operation a descent was to be made on New Berne. This city was situated on the right, or south bank of the Neuse River, at the junction of the Trent, a short distance above its entrance into Pamlico Sound at the extreme southwestern corner. It may be well to state here that a direct line of railway runs nearly due south from Richmond to Wilmington, and was one of the prin- cipal lines of supply for the rebel armies operating in Virginia. At Goldsboro this' line was crossed by the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad running southeast from Raleigh down along the Neuse River through New Berne to Beaufort, just south of Cape Lookout on the ocean. The entrance to Beaufort harbor was guarded by Fort Macon. Having taken New Berne and securely established himself there. General Burnside was to turn to his left and capture Beaufort and Fort Macon. Retracing his steps he was to seize the railroad as far as Goldsboro, and, if possible, hold that place, thus severing the communications between Richmond and Wilmington, and then operate towards Raleigh, the capital of the State. Feb. 3, 1862, the battalion was transferred to the steamer S. JR. Spauldinrj, on which General Burnside had established his 20 HISTORY OF THE headquarters, and two days afterward the fleet moved toward Roanoke Island, the gunboats leading in single file, and the trans- ports following in three divisions. "Pamlico Sound Avas covered with vessels in all directions as far as the eye could reach, all mov- ing majestically along with flags flying, presenting a glorious sight in comparison with its storm-tossed appearance of a few days be- fore." Taking up a position between the island and mainland an- chors were cast for the night, and that mysterious something, it might be called " a feeling" known only to soldiers and sailors on the eve of an engagement, told all on the fleet that the next few days "were to bring stirring scenes to these liitherto inexperienced men. The island was strongly fortified and all of the known landings were guarded by a strong force of the enemy which Avas to aid in the defence, while a fleet of small gunboats were hovering near, ready to aid the land forces at the first opportune moment. " Where was the best point to attempt a landing?" had been for sometime an anxious query at headquarters. In this case, as in many others, good foi'tune came from the humblest and most unexpected source. A bright mulatto boy, a slave, of sixteen or seventeen years of age, who said his name was "Tom," had escaped' from his master — on the island — and sought refuge among our men. It was soon ascer- tained that he had something to tell, and he was sent to General Burnside, who had a long interview with him. " Tom " knew all about the island and the forts and forces there. There was a strong battery about the centre of the island. There were two or three others at diff'ereut points. There were infantry and artillery there also. " There were," he said, " the ' Overland Grays,' ' Yankee Killers,' 'Sons of Liberty,' 'Jackson Avengers' and the '0. K. Boys,' from North Carolina," as Avell as others with less high sounding titles from Virginia. He was asked if he knew of a good landing place. " Oh, yes ; at Ashby's Harbor. I have been there many times," was his reply, and gladly consented to become the needed guide. It Avas learned that up from this harbor there was a pretty good road to the place where the principal rebel fort was situated. The informa- tion he gave was of the greatest service and most materially aided in rendering the movement a success. " He Avas a quick-Avitted lad, and he Avas observed long afterwards at General Burnside's head- * ALBEMARLE SOUND j: _ . i:fi ., '•^Sr\ .'7" '■;■ '» ».',v.. 4> .V j«f • ■'■'.'•.eoAiieKt »(»ii»>«e« M^i! V*ui»HT »-■•■- •■■ »■■■'.•' ■■ ■RoANORf. Island fORTwEKTyTHIRD HiSTulV. Oi.C. AiV Bit'*. PAMLICO SOUND ■^■-^^# I HAMaaJK J Uviii^ '-A X. FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTH.r.ERY. 21 quarters, at Falmoiitli, Va., intently comiitig a spellitig-hook lie had possessed Iiiinself of, and steadily engaged at every leisure mo- ment in learning to read." There were in reality, no less than five earthworks on the island, armed for the most part with heavy ordnance. Just north of the centre of the island a row of piles and other obstructions had been placed across the channel to the mainland. It was also protected by a strong land battery, and behind it lay the rebel fleet ready to prevent its removal. There were also five regiments and two battalions of in- fantry on the island. Such was the situation of affairs on the night of the oth of February. On the morning of the 6tli the fleet began to work toward shore, but before the movement was completed rain began to fall, and a gale sprang up in the afternoon, which caused a suspension of operations for that day. The weather having cleared on the morning of the 7th, at half-past ten o'clock a division of the gunboats opened fire on the forts on the island, engaging the rebel fleet at the same time. They failed to completely silence the fire of the forts, but the rebel fleet was easily driven away each time it ven- tured from behind the line of obstructions across the channel. On the part of the army the first thing to be done was to get ashore. The transports were still at anchor but ready to move at a moment's notice. The initial enterprise fell to the lot of our battalion, the historical account of which is as follows : About ten o'clock a. m. a boat load of volunteers from the Fifth Rhode Island Battalion, guided by "Tom," and under the command of Lieutenant A-iidrews, detailed from the Ninth New York to act as engineer on General Burnside's staff, was sent up to the harbol* to take soundings and reconnoitre the landing place. The duty was performed with great coolness and intrepidity by the party. The following forcible and detailed account of this undertaking is by a well-known officer of the battalion : " Shortly after the action com- menced between the fleet and the forts, the general sent Lieutenant Andrews of the Ninth New York (Hawkins' Zouaves), who had for a short time been acting on his staff, with an armed boat's crew from the Fifth, under the command of Sergt. Charles Taft of Com- pany E, to make soundings of the depth of the water along the shore, around what was known as Ashby's Harbor. They went on their 22 HTSTOHY OF THE errand, skirted along the sliore for quite a distance, wlien Lieutenant Andrews, contrary to tlie orders received, directed them to piiU to the shore and land. No sooner had they reached the shore and one or two of them got out of the boat, than a company of rebels who had been watching them, concealed by the grass and sedge that lined the shore, rose up and delivered a volley in their faces at short range. Corp, Charles Viall, of Company E, was struck by a bullet right in the centre of the chin, knocking out the teeth, and carrying away the left lower jaw. Some of the others had their clothing perforated. What is surprising is, that considering the circumstances, they were not all killed or Avounded. As it was, the honor of being the first in the expedition to shed his blood for the Union, belonged to one of the Fifth. Sergeant Taft returned the fire of the rebels, and the enemy dropped out of sight into their cover of reeds and did not fire another shot. The boat returned to the Spaulding where Surgeon Potter extracted the ball from the wounded man's jaw. The first words uttered by the young man, after he Avas relieved by the operation, was an emphatic, ' D — n the rebels ! ' and when his face Avas properly bandaged and he saAv the teeth and pieces of bone, he said, ' Doctor, my jaw is spoilt for hard tack, isn't it? '" Tugs, barges, in fact any kind of boat that could be utilized had been filled Avith men, and each steamer of light draft had two of them in tow. At four p. m. the signal to move for the landin": pointed out by the boy "Tom," was given. The scene was ani- mated and striking beyond description, the boats dashing up to the shore, each vieing Avith the other ; the men jumped overboard as the boats grounded, waded to land, and Avith cheers of exultation planted the stars and stripes on Roanoke Island. General Foster's brigade had the advance, and in an hour four thousand men were put ashore. The Fifth Battalion landed in two detachments betAveen eight and nine o'clock, and by eleven o'clock all of the troops Avere put ashore. As fast as the men landed they pushed through the tangled swamp bordering the shore, adding, as they foundered along in the darkness, a coating of black muck to their already drenched cloth- ing. To increase their discomforts rain began to fall. The leading regiments of General Foster's brigade advanced until they were on the causcAvay running through the centre of the island, on Avhich in a strong and commanding position about a mile and a half to the FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY AKTILLERV. 23 north were the fort and other works which were to be assaulted. The gloomy night was succeeded by a cheerless morning. The advance was led by the first brigade, and the rebel works were found to be too strong to attempt an attack until the second brigade under General Reno could come up. The third brigade was held in reserve. Very early in the morning General Parke had directed V Lieut. -Col. Job Arnold. Major Wright to march the battalion to Ashby's House on the westerly side of the island, where the rebels had erected a small earthv/ork to prevent the Union forces from landing at that place which was a much better harbor than that at Hammond's where we did go ashore. The enemy, though inferior in point of numbers, were strongly posted in a fortified position, well defended witli artillery. At last Reno's men had struggled through a deep and tangled swamp, which the enemy had supposed impassable, to the position assigned 24 HISTORY OF THE to them, which enabled them to turn the enemy's works and attack their tlank, Avhile Foster's assaulted in front. At last the signal Avas given and the whole line swept forward to the charge, the parapets were mounted with a rush, the enemy were scattered, and the men of Reno and Foster met in the centre of the captured battery. AVhile this was being accomplished the Fifth Battalion was struggling along on its march to the Ashby House, Owing to the almost impassable nature of the ground and the dense fog its direction was lost for a time. Major Wright was ordered to remain at this point and act as a guai'd to the hospital which was to be established here. In a short time the wounded began to come in, and, toward even- ing, all were cheered by the news that all of the Confederate forces on the island had surrendered. The battalion bivouacked in the open air, and the night, if possible, was more cold, dismal and un- comfortable than the preceding one. Besides, it Avas not a pleasant situation to be in such close proximity to the poor felloAvs, lying Avounded or dead in the house and on the piazza, who, in the morning Avere as full of life and spirits as strength and high hopes could make them. At this time the hospital arrangements AA'ere of the very crudest kind, nor had the sanitary commission yet reached us Avith its supplies of food and comfort for the Avounded, so that there Avas no nourish- ment except what rations the men brought ashore in their haversacks, Avhich Avas very improper food for Avounded men even had they not, as Avas generally the case, lost their haversacks when they Avere brought to the hospital. At this point "Doctor" Diggs, Surgeon Potter's colored servant, showed his ability as caterer and cook. He found some corn meal of Avhich he made gruel and johnny cakes ; he got a detail of a soldier to shoot a steer Avhich he dressed and made beef tea, soup and roasts. He followed a track into the swamp and found two barrels of flour and visited a rebel camp and procured some bacon and cooking utensils, and so he fed forty wounded men and their attendants until they Avere removed three and four days after. Five boxes of hard bread and two barrels of steeped coffee were sent from the ships in the evening of tiie second day. Diggs supplied everything else. Five forts, mounting thirty-two guns, tAvo thousand six hundred and seventy-seven prisoners, three thousand stand of small arms and FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 25 a large amount of material of war were the field trophies of this victory, ami the rebel flag never again floateil on Roanoke Island. Our loss in the land and naval engagements were : forty-one killed and one hundred and eighty one wounded in the land attack, while the naval loss was three killed and eleven wounded. The next day, Sunday, February 9th, was devoted to gathering the material fruits of the victory, and to that other always sad duty of giving a field burial to the dead. In the afternoon the battalion marched to Fort Bartow, where General Burnside had established his headquarters. Here the men pitched camp for the first time since leaving Annapo- lis, a month before, and at once entered upon their duties as garrison of the post and guard at general headquarters. A detachment under Lieut. James Moran was placed in charge of the hospital containing the rebel sick and wounded, with orders to make out the rolls for all the prisoners in it. It was a detail from this detachment which exhumed the body of O. Jennings AVise, late an editor of the Richmond Whig, and an otiicer in "Wise's Legion. Young Wise had been shot and fatally wounded while attempting to escape in a small boat, after the battle. He was the favorite son of Ex- Governor Wise, of Virginia, of '' John Brown" fame, and who was at this time a brigadier-general in the rebel army, and in command of the forces at Roanoke Island. The general was sick at Nag's Head, on the day of the battle, and so escaped capture. The body of youug Wise was sent to his friends in the rebel lines. On the 9th, General Burnside caused the following order to be published : Hdqrs. Dept. of Xorth Carolixa, KoANOKE Island, N. C, Feb. 9, ISG'2. General Orders^ No. 7. Tlie general commanding congratulates his troojis on their brilliant and successful occupation of Roanoke Island. The courage and steadi- ness they have shown under fire is what he expected from them, and he accepts it as a token of future victory. Each regiment on the island vrill inscribe on its banner, "Roanoke Island, February 8, 1862." The highest praise is due to Biigadier-Generals Foster, Reno, and Parke, who so bravely and energetically carried out the movement tliat has resulted in the complete success of tlie Union arms. By command of Brig.-Gen. A. E. BURNSIDE, Lewis Richmond, Assistant Adjutdnt-Gencrcl. 26 HISTORY OF THE A few days after the battle a detachment of our battalion under the command of Lieut. William W. Douglas was sent with aide-de- camp Pell to Nag's Head, where they made a thorough search of General Wise's quarters, which resulted in securing considerable cor- respondence, which was of great service to General Burnside. For some days after the battle the battalion remained on duty at the fort. AVith what rejoicings and firing of salutes the news of this victory was received at the North, how everybody aud almost everything con- nected with the expedition was congratulated and how the commanding general was thanked by officers of all grades, how the Rhode Island legislature then in session, passed resolutions of commendation and voted him a magnificent sword, must be themes for other histories than this. On the 19th of February, an expedition composed of our bat- talion and a detachment from the fleet, under the joint command of Major Wright and Captain Jefters of the navy, was sent up Curri- tuck Sound to destroy some salt works about sixty miles from Roanoke Island. 'J'he combined force embarked on the stern wheeler. Union, which was always known to the men as the Wheelharroio, and two launches, each armed with a boat's howitzer, were taken in tow. Everything went smoothly until the " Narrows," some ten miles from the works, were reached. Here, owing to the shallowness of the water, and the very narrow and crooked channel, if such a term could be used where no channel existed as we under- stand the meaning of the term, we were entirely unsuccessful. " We thought our boat could steam over any part of the state in a heavy dew or on a wet day, but this crooked ditch of mud and sand held a better hand than the Wheelharroiv , and had trumps to spare." Every expedient that Yankee ingenuity and sailor skill could devise was made use of. Cables and anchors were carried out on shore and we tried to warp around the bends. We moved backward and then we moved forward. Tlie steamer's bow was jammed into one bank while the wheel, at the stern, threw up the thick black mud at the other. We got in so far that we had quite as much labor and trouble in getting out ; and then we tried to go through with the launches, only to find that they drew more water than the steamer, so we finally concluded that we would not destroy those salt works FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY, 27 on tliis trip. Darkness coming on we managed to get back into the sound, when we cast anchor for the night. On tlie way back to the ishind a landing was made on the main- land to secure a small schooner that had been used by the rebel troops to escape from Nag's Head, on the day of the battle. Here Capt. George H. Grant. some of the officers and men received permission to go inland. During their scouting they met with a number of amusing incidents in tlieir efforts to get acquainted with some of the people, and at the same time make additions to their army rations. " No man wanted a thing he was not willing to pay for." It was the garden of Eden era of the war. Two of these incidents will show the temper of 28 HISTORY OF THE the people at that time. An officer writes: "At one liouse the party visited, we had a funny experience. When we entered the yard no one was to be seen, not even a dog. We went up to the house, the doors were open and no one in sight. Pretty soon a man, we shoukl judge he was about fifty years of age, came in out of a chimp of bushes near the house. We met him on the porch and asked if any one was in. He replied, " No, they are all away; " whereat some one said he need not be afraid, no one would do him any harm. At once he put on what Avas meant to be a very bold front,, at the same time shaking all over, and said he had never yet seen the man he was afraid of. AVe assured him we were not there to interfere with peaceable citizens ; that all we wanted was to see if we could not buy eggs, chickens, or something of that kind. We did not talk long before we noticed a commotion under a bed in a room, the door of which was open, giving us a plain view. We soon saw the cause of it in the person of an old woman who had taken refuge there. When she same out the hearty laugh that greeted her, and the good natured rallying she received for hiding under the bed put her in great good humor. She went immediately to another room, and the result was that a daughter came out from under another bed. She then went to the back door of the house and, raising her voice to its highest pitch, called to another, who soon responded by coming in from the woods, which, as usual, are con- veniently near all the houses. The daughters proved to be two comely looking young women, and they came in, sat down, and joined in the conversation which now reverted to the subject of what could be bought. We got several things, and, on leaving, the whole family were quite cordial in their adieus." A private letter of that date gives this experience of another party : " We landed at the place where General Wise landed in his retreat, and we sunk a large scow which he had used to carry troops over on. We took dinner with a Baptist minister who iuid a Union flag flying in his door-yard. He had a large plantation, and owned about fifty slaves. They were tumbling and crawling all about the place, and he seemed like a patriarch surrounded by his family, with men servants, and maid servants, and little children. He gave ns chicken and ham, sausage and corn bread, hominy and pudding." FIFTH RHODE FSLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 29 Upon its return to camp tlie battalion resumed drilling and guard duty at the fort now kno\vu as Fort Foster, varied by fatigue duty in building a large floating dock from the landing out into the sound. This life was very monotonous. A private letter of the date of March 2d, says: "General Burnside came into our tent to-day and sat and talked a long time. He complimented our bat- talion very highly on their proficiency in the ritle drill, and spoke of the neatness of our camp." The day following -we learn that " General Burnside very kindly and thoughtfully sent two copies of the New York Herald of the date of February 22d, to our company for their use. He is continually endearing himself to the men by some such act of thoughtfulness for their comfort. No man could be more beloved and more respected than he is by us all." Tales of death by accident are common enough at all times, and far too common in the history of most military organizations. Just by way of variety we must tell how one of the " boys " of the Fifth did not get killed by accident. Private George "W. Ford was on guard at headquarters one day. "With a comrade he started to go down to camp. Filling his pipe as he walked along, he stopped by an un- exploded nine-inch shell, lying near the path, and, scratching a match on the shell, he lighted his pipe. He then called to his com- rade, -who had passed on. The soldier turned in time to see Ford stoop down put the lighted match in the fuse hole of the shell ; then he was deafened by the noise of the explosion and thoroughly frightened by the flying fragments of iron. The explosion which followed made a hole in the sand deep enough and big enough to bury a horse. But Ford was not luirt. Pieces of the shell fell in the camp of the Eighth Connecticut, a quarter of a mile away. They picked up the fragments of •' old iron," " and came down," as one of the men said at the time, to our camp, madder than any Connecticut regiment we had ever before seen, and wanted to know, what " in the name of the Great Jeliovah, we were doing." But the characteristic kindness of General Burnside to his Rhode Island boys, and their toyings with charged shell were soon ended by the preparations for another important movement. CHAPTER IV. THE BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF NEW BERNE. THE regiments which were to take part in the new movement received orders to be ready on tlie 26th of February, but it was as late as the Gth of March before all the preparations were completed and the embarkation of the troops really commenced, and it was not until the 9th that all were finally on board of the transports. The Fifth did not embark until the 9th, and it was divi- ded into two detachments, one composed of Companies B and C, with Major Wright and the battalion statF going aboard the steam ferry-boat Curie to, and Companies A, D, and E, finding quarters on the ferry-boat Eagle. "At ten o'clock on the morning of the 11th, the fleet assembled off the mouth of Hatteras Inlet, in Pamlico Sound, and, on the morning of the 12th, the commanding general issued a general order, notify- ing his troops that they were on the eve of an important movement, which would greatly demoralize the enemy and materially assist the Army of the Potomac in its operations against the city of Richmond." On the morning of the 12th the fleet was again put under way, this time escorted by fourteen gunboats under the command of Com- mander S. C. Rowan. No pen or tongue can give a full description of the beauty of this morning in the early spi'ing of this climate. It was one that will never be forgotten by those who looked upon it then, and all unite in their glowing narrations of it. "The whole body of the sound was as smooth as a mirror ; not a ripple ruffled its surface, which appeared in the rosy light of the morning like burnished gold. Every vessel in the fleet was decked Avith flags and the gayest of bunting in one way or another, though the light winds blowing from the north could barely flutter ensign and pennant." As the fleet steamed slowly to the southwest the low lying mainland Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. ^ ^ ^ s Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 31 on the right was the nearest shore, and, as it passed along on its way- it Avas steadily preceded by successive columns of black smoke rising from the signal fires lighted to give warning of the progress of the expedition along the coast. Soon after noon the scene changed, for the sky clouded and by the time the fleet had reached the Neuse and ascended as far as Slocum's Creek, about fifteen miles below New Berne, and the proposed point for the debarkation of the troops, the heavens Avere dark with portents of rain and storm. Not long after anchors were cast '' word was passed from vessel to vessel that General Burnside had been promoted by the President to the rank of Major-General." "On receiving this news the air was rent by cheer upon cheer, which were repeated again and again, clearly showing the love and respect of the soldiers for their commander." Scarcely had the fleet assembled near the mouth of the creek when rain began to fall, and the nest morning Avas rainy and cheerless enough to dispirit men of more than ordinary courage. About eight o'clock, however, the clouds broke, the sun shone out once more, and in an hour the men were in the small boats ready to land. Here, as at Roanoke Island, the water along shore was very shallow, and many of the men w^ere compelled to leave the boats and wade to the firm land ; and, here as there, no sooner had the debai-kation fairly commenced than rain began to fall again. "Wet as the men were no time was lost at the landing, but as fast as tliey came ashore the line of march was at once taken up, with a skirmish line from .the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts well in advance. Under the eff"ect of the marching men in front, the roads soon became almost impas- sable for those Avho followed, the sticky mud adhering to their feet and lower clothing at every step until they often became so heavy that the tired men could scarcely lift them. The time spent in land- ing and a march of about twelve miles over such terrible roads used up the whole day, and a half-rain, half-drizzle of the most aggrava- ting character fell nearly all of the time. During the afternoon the first of two abandoned lines of rebel fortifications was passed. A private letter thus describes it : " We pursued them past their barracks and past a splendid battery, from Avhich they had removed the guns. This battery extended from the river to the railroad, and was protected by a ditch eight or nine feet 32 HISTORY OF THE deep. There were platforms in place for the guns, but the guns ■were not there. We could have held it with 5,000 men against all the soldiers in North Carolina. It looked absolutely impregnable, except against siege guns, which we did not have. Yet the rebels left it without firing a shot." It was at this point that quite a num- ber of men from the different regiments indulged in considerable foraging in a populous farm-yai"d, and Sergt. Charles Perrigo, of Company A, was fatally wounded by an accidental shot, which was intended for some pig or turkey. As soon as one of the detachments of the battalion landed at Slocum's Creek it commenced its march to the front without waiting for the coming of the other. The halt for the night was made as near as possible to the rebel line of fortifications, which was about four miles southeast of New Berne. At dark the leading detachment of the battalion "filed left" oflf the road and bivouacked for the night. Says an officer : "A tireder set of men than Ave were can seldom be seen, and as soon as possible we tried to get some rest so as to be as fresh as might be for the work which all knew was to be done the next day. It was almost impossible to find a place to lie down or spread a blanket on, as the level surface of the ground af- forded no drainage for the water to run off", and it Avas so thoroughly saturated that it could hold no more. The consequence Avas that it Avas covered Avith a sheet of Avater a few inches deep all over it, ex- cept at the foot of the pine trees, whose roots raised the surrounding surface a little, and Avith Avhich the Avhole region round about Avas heavily timbered." Here, amid these inclement surroundings this detachment passed the night, and never Avas a morning more welcome than the one that followed it. While these men were enduring such discomfort the members of the other detachment Avere more fortunate. A letter says : "At last, completely exhausted by our march, the men dropped down around some fires in a farm-yard Avhich had been left by the troops that had preceded us, and they Avere soon asleep. 1 had the good fortune to get into an out-building, a negro hut, Avhere some stragglers from the Fourth Rhode Island Avere cooking a savory smelling mess in the broad fire-place. I accepted their cordial invi- FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 33 tation to sit at their table, and was soon absorbing moderate doses of a very good chicken soup. I had the satisfaction of calling in Captain Wright and Lieutenant Hall, and inducing them to partake of some of the same timely and nourishing diet. This was about nine p.m., and we had tasted nothing since morning. At about half- Capt. William W. Douglas. past one o'clock the men were roused up and we resumed our march, through water and more clayey mud. AVe came, about half-past three o'clock, to the other companies of our battalion. "The enemy had made elaborate preparations to defend New Berne, which is situated on the Neuse River at the point formed by the junction of the Trent, which flows in from the west. A line had been selected some three miles south of the Trent, which may 3 34 HISTORY OF THE be briefly described. Commencing at the Neuse, a strong earth- work had been constructed which completely commanded the channel of the river, and also the landside as far as the railroad, which is here about three-fourths of a mile from the river. It was mounted with thirteen guns, four of which bore upon the approach by land. Extending west to tlie railroad was a breastwork defended by an abatis of trees felled in its front to give a proper field of fire as well as make a formidable obstruction, and also by a deep ditch along its whole front. At the railroad it ended in a strong bastion command- ing the approach from that direction. This much had been learned by General Burnside's scouts sometime previous to the expedition. But what he probably did not know was that the enemy had erected, west of the railway, a line composed of thirteen small redans on a group of six low hills that extended from the railway to an impa.s- sable swamp, a mile further to the left. The low hills on the left of the railway present a tangle of low ridges interspersed with open, swampy places between. There were, on the whole of this line, forty-six guns, of which some were field artillery. To oppose this formidable array of ordnance we could bring into the field six small, brass, boat howitzers, each dragged along and manned by twelve men from the ' Marine Brigade.' The enemy, under the command of General Branch, were reported to be 8,000 strong. " There was nothing to do but to make a direct attack in front and trust to the dash and courage of the men to carry them through. And the order of battle was as simple as the plan of attack. As usual. General Foster's brigade had the lead, and was to go into line in front of the strong work on the river, known as Fort Thompson. General Reno was to connect with General Foster's left, and con- tinue the line to the railroad. General Parke's brigade, in which was our battalion, was to form on the right centre, and go — as re- serves always have to go in such cases — where the battle is the hot- test and men are most needed. On this occasion the brigade comprised the Fourth and First Battalion of the Fifth Rhode Island, and the Eighth and Eleventh Connecticut Infantry. And it was still further weakened by the Eleventh Connecticut having already been sent to aid General Foster, whose brigade was in position early in the morning (the 14th), and became so heavily en- FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 35 gaged that extensive changes in the line had to be made ; the works of the enemy at this point proving too strong to be carried by direct attack. In the meantime General Reno was struggling along the railroad to the place assigned to his brigade in the plan of the battle, and he soon became aware, from the deadly fire of the enemy on the hills west of the railroad, that instead of overlapping the rebel right he himself was exposed to an attack on his flank in case he should penetrate their line. By this time General Foster's brigade had been fought to a stand-still, and his howitzers as well as some of his regiments had nearly exhausted their ammunition. General Reno could do nothing but to attempt to carry the works in his front by direct assault, and he could only spare a portion of one I'egiment for that purpose. Four companies of the Twenty-first Massachusetts, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Clark were selected for this almost forlorn hope. The advance was made under a galling fire by this small band of brave men, who carried their flag over the breast- works and there rallied around it. Meeting with the fire of a field battery Avhich opened upon them, they charged and captured these guns. By this time the enemy saw that it was a comparatively mere handful of men who had penetrated their line, and they ad- vanced an oversvhelming force against it. General Reno's position was so critical that he could not spare a man to aid Lieutenant- Colonel Clark, and the latter made a reluctant but skillful retreat to our lines, leaving the captured guns behind. Tliis crisis was the op- portunity for what there was of the Third brigade that could be made available. Wheii the battle opened on the right it had been ordered into a position where it could support either Foster or Reno. Geiieral Parke found the ground he was to occupy very broken, composed of alternate low ridges with swampy swails between. By lying down behind these ridges the men could find some cover from the shot and shell sweeping the field in front. As may be readily seen the first and second brigades here, as at Roanoke Island, were given the position of honor, in case the enemy were easily routed from their works, and here the weak Third brigade was made still weaker by having one of its strongest regiments, the Eleventh Con- necticut, detached to aid General Foster almost as soon as his brigade came under fire. But the time had come when General Parke's men 36 HISTORY OF THE could no longer be denied. Tiie Fourth Rhode Island, in going into position, had been followed by the Eighth Connecticut, but that regi- ment, with true, soldierly chivalry allowed the Fifth Battalion to follow the Fourth Regiment, and hence it came, though it was not so understood at the time at headquarters, that all through this fiercely contested battle these two Rhode Island organizations shared the same dangers and gained the same honors in charging and fighting during the rest of the day. The position these regiments occupied was so inuch exposed that Colonel Rodman, of the Fourth, moved them forward to the railroad cut, which aiforded better shelter. From this point he witnessed the gallant charge made by the men of the Twenty-first Massachusetts, and their sullen retreat from the position they had so courageously won. Ordering his men to be on the alert, he met Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, as he came from the enemy's works and from him learned enough to determine his future course in the action. He gave the command, and away sprang the Rhode Island men, and soon they were seen swarming over the enemy's Avorks, closely followed by the Eighth Connecticut, Colonel Rodman, in the meantime, having sent word to his immediate superior telling, not of what he proposed to do, but of what lie had done. "• Once within the enemy's lines the little force was directed to the right, and it fought its way from gun to gun until it had captured nine of them. General Foster observing the commotion among the rebels in his front, caused by the progress of Colonel Rodman's men, ordered his line to advance, and it was soon inside the breastworks. But the enemy on the left of the railroad were still unbroken and undaunted, and stubbornly continued the battle. The successful Rhode Island men now turned their attention to them, again winning honors, if there be special honor on a field of battle where all are alike equally brave, and all alike do their very best." It will, however, be left to two ofliicers who were participants in this battle to give accounts of the part borne by our battalion, in more grapliic and fuller detail. In a private letter one cf them says : "At last we came to a deep ravine, or rather a series of low hills and gullies thrown together in an inextricable confusion, and were there told that the great battery of the enemy had been taken by the FIFTH RHODE ISLAND IIEAVV ARTILLERY. 37 Massachusetts Twenty-first, but that they coiihl not hokl it, owing to their small numbers, and it had been retaken by the enemy. We •were ordered to fall in behind the Fourth Rhode Island and the Eighth Connecticut, but the Eighth halted and allowed us to take our position next to the Fourth. Then, ' cliarge, Rhode Island ! ' was the cry, and away we ran over stumps and fences, up a steep bank, across an open space, the bullets all the while whistling close in our ears, and we halted only when inside tlie breastworks, the Fourth having gone into the main battery — the enemy in retreat. The fire from the left of oui new position still continued, and, after forming line under it to repel an expected charge, we were ordered to turn to the left, take up a position under the brow of a small sand ridge, covered as was the whole battlefield, with tall trees and thick underbrusli. Here, after having twice crossed the hot fire from the rebel ritie-pits and battery, beyond the railroad, we fired our first real volley, advancing to the brow of the hill to do so, and retiring a few steps to load. Prisoners afterwards told us that that first volley killed fifteen of their men. The fog, and smoke, and the dense woods prevented us from seeing anything for awhile, but as a puff of wind cleared our view for a moment in front of us, we saw with joy the a^ray coats and caps of the enemy. Now, the Fourtli wliicli had been doins: ^ood service somewhere about the centre of the enemy's line, were ordered into position near us, and to advance with their flag as we had none. They filed past us on our left, and advancing through the woods to the front, ruslied down over the rail- road, across rifle-pits and gullies, and with one shout carried the battery beyond and decided the victory. Our advance was now un- disputed and triumphant. The railroad and the turnpike led us straight into New Berne. We took two camps in which the fires were still burning, and the bread left in the mixing troughs. The Fourth was stationed in one and the Fifth in the other. Just as our tired limbs were warning us that they could not carry us much further, the news was brought us that ' our gunboats are at the wharf in New Berne.' We arrived at our camp in time to eat warm bread baked by the enemy." The battalion had marched along the road to a point within about three-fourths of a mile of the enemy's works when the followhig 38 HISTORY OF THE narrative commences : "At this point General Burnside had stationed himself, with some members of his staff. Here, just as we came up, a shot from a rebel battery came along and cut off" a large limb of one of a clump of trees, under which they were sitting on their horses. The animals danced around considerably for a time, and here the excitement of the approaching battle began to tell on the men. A cheer was started, but it Avas suppressed by the officers on account of the close proximity of the rebels, it being thought that it might give them an idea of our movements. Here the head of the column was turned to the left, and, after going on the double-quick for some time, we came ' on the right by file into line ' in front of the rebel abatis. This they had made along their whole front, by cutting down the forest trees, leaving their bodies, branches, and the underbrush tangled in every direction for a depth of over a quarter of a mile. It seemed impenetrable even to a line of skirmishers. When the line was formed we were ordered to 'lie down,' and there we waited for developments, and here the enemy's fire of musketry and artillery became somewhat annoying. We waited patiently for some time, and began to wonder what next? when the firing became hotter, and we noticed a commotion in the abatis in front of us, and immediately we saw some men breaking through it, who proved to be of the Twenty-first Massachu- setts. They told us that they had been inside the rebel breastworks with four companies of their regiment, that they were not in force enough to hold their position and they had been driven out, and some of their men had been captured. Just at this moment an aide came along with orders for us to move. Counter-marching to the right and rear we moved on the double-quick still further to our left. It did not take us long to get over considerable ground, and the first thing we knew we were at the railroad, whose embankment at this point was about ten feet above the surrounding level. We were then moved along the line of the road, plunging over logs, and through gullies, over ditches, and through mud and water, till at last we found ourselves inside the rebel works. " The point where we entered was the brick-yards, and here there were several buildings in which a large number of rebel sharp- shooters were posted. As we entered the works those in the houses FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY AUTII.LEUY. 39 just — skecldadled ! The Eiglitli Connecticut, whicli was on our right, turned to the right, while our battalon kept straight ahead for some distance, when botli formed in line, ours at the crest of a ridge which gave us an excellent position to bring our fire to bear on tlie flank of the rifle-pits across the railroad, while the Fourth Kliode Island charged them in front. We were to engage their attention by keeping up as brisk and steady a fire as possible, until we heard the Fourth cheer when they charged. The rebels replied to our fire with a vim, and here we sustained our severest loss. We had not been under fire three minutes when Lieut. Henry R, Pierce, of Company D, was killed, while cheering and encouraging his men. I passed to the right of his company and told Captain Grant that the lieutenant was shot. Ordering me to take command in his place the captain went down where the lieutenant was lying and had him removed to the rear. The captain soon returned and seemed deeply agitated at the loss of his friend and vowed revenge. Taking a musket from one of the men he commenced firing away. Soon the order to cease firing was given, but the captain and a man by the name of Ryan went some twenty paces to the front and fired a few shots on their own account across the railroad. The captain re- turned with two muskets instead of one, and informed me that Ryan had been shot through the head. I went up to where the man lay and found that he had a bullet hole in his right temple. " Not long after we received the order to cease firing we heard cheering, not the rebel Yi ! Yi ! Yi ! but a genuine Yankee cheer — the cheer we were expecting, and almost immediately we received news that the rebels were in retreat at all points and that we were to join in the pursuit. The announcement was received with cheer upon cheer, and on coming to the road we there found the I'est of the bri'i^ade. When we readied the banks of the Trent river we found the country road and railroad bridges burning, which rendered further immediate pursuit on our part impossible. The town, on the opposite bank, was in flames in many places, and soon the gunboats were busy carrying across some of General Foster's brigade. Their first duty was to save as much private property as possible, and pre- vent a destruction which the enemy insanely supposed woidd injin-e 40 HISTORY OF THE lis. Our battalion went into quarters in an abandoned artillery camp, and once more enjoyed a little rest." As an instance of how soldiers in time of war can accommodate themselves to circumstances, it may be stated that one of the shortest men in the battalion ensconced himself \n a manger, which was just large enough to admit his whole body. He lay down that night in Capt. James Moran. comfort compared to bis experience of the night before, and slei)t the sleep of the just. At this camp a soldier in one of the companies of the battalion found the following letter which was sent home and published in a Providence paper under the following heading: A BiLLETDOux FROM A Secesii DamseIv. — We copy for the amuse- ment of our readers, the following frank epistle found in the rebel camp at New Berne, by Mr. , of tlie Rhode Island Fifth. The war does FIFTH RHODK ISLAND HFAVV ARTILLERY. 41 uot appear to work altogether satisfactorily to the Secesh fair one, and the writer does not conceal her discontent. We may presume that the rebel (as we suppose him to be) who received the effusion was not a little interested in it. It bears the appearance of repeated perusal. AVc give it verbatim : N C Chatham county January th 6 1862 Dear Sir Accordin to promice I seat my self to anscer your kind letter witch came safe to hand witch found me well and this leave mc the same and cincerly hope these few lines may find you in Joying the same. I have nothing very interresting to wright only we have had the dulist times that I ever saw since you left old Chatham you don't know how thing has aulered sence you left here for tha isent a young man fit to look at but big Alfred and the girls hav looked at him so much they have became ugly we have had a verry sorrow Christmas tha liaseut binn but very few Wedding nor quilting and not much prospect of any more soon. I think if you all could come home and stay we would have some fun as we used to have in days thats past by and gone for I never expect to forget when last I saw you at Fall Creek so when this you see remember me tho many a mile a apart we be so I will close by remaining your cincer well wisher until death. From to Mr The following official report of Major Wright of tlie part taken by the Fifth l>attalion in the action is appended here: liCjtDit of Major John Wr'Kjht, Fifth Rhode Island Infantnj. IIdqrs. Fifth Eegt., E. I. Vols., Camp Pierce, Neav Berne, N. C, March IS, 18G2. Sir: I have the honor to submit to you the following report of the operations of the First Battalion of the Fifth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers in the battle of the 14th instant. At the signal given from the brigade flag-ship, on the morning of the 13th of March, 1862, the boats of the steam transports. Curlew and Eagle, in which the battalion was quartered, were cleared away, filled with men, and dispatched to the steamer Eastern Queen, at about 8 o'clock. That forenoon I landed with three companies and a half, and with these took my position in line, according to orders, on the left of the Eighth Connecticut. I continued the march until I received orders to halt and bivouac for the night. About two the next morning the adju- tant l)rought the two remaining comi)anies into camp. At daybreak, the 14th, I formed the battalion in line, awaiting orders, which soon came, and were to continue to follow on the left of the Eighth Connecticut. The column moved about 6.:3() o'clock, A. M., and passed slowly along the 42 HISTORY OF THE route followed the clay before. Not long after the firing commenoed in front, and the orders came to keep well closed up. Soon after Captain D'Wolf came down the line and ordered us to close up, and we com- menced the doul)le-quick. After following the main road a short distance farther we turned off to the left and entered the woods. Just after we turned a cannon ball passed over our heads, which showed that we were approaching the battery, and caused us to press forward more eagerly to support the at- tack. After passing through a swampy place we came to a halt on the brow of a bluff, where we awaited further orders and the further move- ments of the Eighth Connecticut. As the bullets flew very thick over our heads we were ordered to lie down. When the Twenty-first Massa- chusetts was driven from the battery and the enemy made a sally the orders came to fix bayonets and prepare to receive a charge. We formed in line of battle, left in front, but as they were driven back be- fore we saw them, we continued as we were before that. Our orders were still to continue on the left of the Eighth Connecticut. At last the orders came to turn the right tlank of the enemy. We passed down into the hollow, filed off still farther to the left, and passed over another elevation, when we came to the railroad just l>elow the brick-yard. Then, with General Parke at our head, we pushed on, passed in rear of the breastworks of the enemy, and as we came upon the high oi)en ground l)ehind it we came under a raking fire from the rifle-pits across the railroad and the brick-yard, where the enemy lay in large force. We pushed on at the double-quick until we came under cover of the trees, where we formed in line of battle and prepared to charge on the enemy in the battery. As they had retired, I was ordered first to send one company and afterwards the whole battalion, and to proceed cautiously and find out what the firing was on our left. I sent the adju- tant ahead to find out the direction we should take. As it was pointed out by the general's aide. Lieutenant Lydig, we passed down into a hollow, and ascended the left-hand side cautiously until we reached the brow of the elevation, when we came in view of the enemy and immedi- ately opened upon them a brisk lire, which immediately had an effect, for their fire slackened and stopped when we ceased firing. We opened upon them two or three times afterward until we were afraid of firing upon the Fourth Rhode Island, who were advancing upon them on our right. When the Fourth charged upon them we ceased firing and awaited orders. It was on this hill that we met with the greater part of our loss. As we had no colors, I was ordered to fall in the rear of the Eighth Con- necticut, and, leaving a few to take care of the killed and wounded, we passed down to the railroad, and at 11 o'clock took up our line of march for the city of New Berne. When we reached the main road, which crossed the railroad, we turned to the left, and continued our march FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 43 until we received orders to halt, and take possession of a rebel camp olt' to the right from the road, which had been occupied by rebel artillery. I am very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JoHX Wright, Major Comg. First Bat. Fifth R. I. Vols. Charles T. Gardner, Asst. AJjt. Gen. Col. Ed. Graham Haywood, commanding the Seventh Regi- ment of North Carolina Infantry, made an official report of this action. It was embodied almost word for word in the official report of Gen. S. O'B. Branch, commanding all of the rebel troops in this battle. That portion of it relating to the assault made by the four companies of the Twenty-first Massachusetts under Lieutenant Colonel Clark, and the subsequent assault made by the Fourth Rhode Island, the First Battalion of the Fifth Rhode Island, and the Eighth Connecticut, is of such a character that it is interesting reading, to say the least. It is as follows : "They (his regiment) held their positions until flanked on the right by the enemy. They were then ordered to leave the trenches and charge bayonets upon the enemy, which they did, driving him beyond the breastw^orks with great slaughter, and retaking a section of Brem's battery which had fallen into their hands. I then held the breastworks until flanked again by the same direction, Avith a greatly increased force, some six or eight regiments, when I fell back into the woods in rear of Colonel Vance's camp and there formed. Seeing no hope of defeating the enemy, I then, with the command, retired from the field." The total loss in this battle was eight officers and eighty-two en- listed men killed, and twenty-eight officers and three hundred and fifty-two enlisted men wounded. In the battalion it was one officer. Lieutenant Henry R. Pierce, and one man, private Ryan, killed, and eight enlisted men wounded. The death of Lieutenant Pierce was regarded as almost an irre- parable loss in the battalion, so great was the love and esteem of both officers and men for him. Nor was this regard confined to his 44 HISTORY OF THK immediate comrades, but it was shared by all who knew him at home or in the field. The folio wing deserved tribute to his worth is quoted from that standard history, Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps: "Lieutenant Henry R. Pierce was killed in the second charge upon the enemy's lines. He was a teacher, by profession, had applied for and received his commission in the finest spirit of duty. He was a man of very estimable and worthy character, of scholarly attainments, and of manly principles. He stood in the very front rank of his profession in the State of Rhode Island, and his death was felt as a public calamity by many who were beyond the circle of his personal friendship." We quote from Bartlett's llemoirs of Rhode Island Ojficers : " Lieut. Henry Reuben Pierce, sou of Warren Pierce, was born in Cov- entry, Yt., Jan. 20, 1828. From early life he was passionately fond of books, and spent a great part of his time in reading. He purchased the last three years of his minority, in order to concentrate his efforts and secure a good education. He found employment in Xortliampton, Mass., devoting his leisure hours to study: and entered Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, N". H., in 1846. In 1849, he left that institution, and im- mediately entered Amherst College, where lie graduated in 18.53. He soon commenced teaching school, but after two years entered the law office of Hon. Charles R. Train, of Framingham, Mass. But he seemed to have been fitted by nature for the offtce of the teacher, and he soon took charge of a high school in Uxbridgc. While fulfilling his engage- ment there he was married August, 1856, to Miss Ann Frances Tilliug- liast, of Hopkinton, Mass. Two children were the fruit of this mar- riage, one passing away in infancy, the other still surviving. In 1857, a more lucrative situation was offered him and he became principal of the high school at Woonsocket, R. I. Here he was winning golden opinions in his profession, and by his genial spirit in social life. But when the war cloud burst upon the country, his heart was stirred to its utmost depths, and he soon began to feel that he must offer his life upon its altar. He said he could not bear to think that, in his old age, his son should ask what his father did when the libertj' of his country was im- perilled, and that he must be obliged to confess he shunned the path of danger." .... A private soldier gives his account of the battle : " While crossing the brick-yard several of our men were hit. I had a blanket strapped across my shoulders which I valued quite FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 45 highly as I had captured it on Roanoke Island.. We were foino- at the double-quick, and in some way it became unfastened and fell off. I did not stop to pick it up just then, as the rebel sharpshooters were peppering us quite lively. We came to a piece of woods where we formed line of battle. We subsequently moved to a position on a hill, where we caught sight of the enemy in our front, and were then ordered to commence iiring. " We were armed with the Enfield rifle and sabre bayonet, in my opinion one of the most unserviceable weapons ever put into a soldier's hands. We were compelled to stack arms with the ram- mers, and miless great care was exercised the stack would fall down. Besides, while on the double-quick the ungainly sabre bayonet would get tangled up with our legs and trip us oftentimes. They looked very line on dress parade, but were not of much account anywhere else, unless to stick a pig or chicken. AVe were glad to exchange them a few months later for the Enfield rifle musket with the ordinary bayonet. " When we began firing we found our rifles covered with rust, in consequence of the hard rains of the previous day and night, and in some instances it was impossible to draw the rammers from the pipes, " One of our sergeants thought he was wounded, and he quickly placed his hand where he supposed he was hit, but he soon discov- ered that the bullet had simply gone through the crackers in his hav- ersack. " The youngest soldier in my company was a mere lad of fifteen, whom it was thought might not be able to endure the test of battle, but it was observed that he stood up and fired his piece with tlie steadiness of a veteran. " But the saddest incident to me in this fight, was the death of my first lieutenant, Henry R. Pierce. Only a few moments before his death, he had been encouraging the men near him, and said to them, ' Boys, if you love your country, now is your time to show it ! ' Hardly had these words been uttered, when the fatal bullet struck him, and he fell to the ground saying, ' Oh ! dear ! ' and immediately expired." 46 HISTORY OF THE An iuciclent Avhich occurred during the battle is thus related by a non-commissioned officer in Company A : "At one time it happened tliat Sergeant Brownell and myself went up on the hill together, I fired, and am not sure whether he had done so or not, when, as I turned to step back to the hollow, I saw him suddenly fall to the ground. For a moment I did not think of his being wounded, supposing he had tripped over the vines, which were somewhat thick on the ground, but he groaned and said, ' They've hit me,' and I then saw that the blood was commencing to stain the leg of his blue trousers. Dropping my rifle, I knelt down and with my pocket knife cut open his trousers and saw that the blood was flowing freely from a wound in the fleshy part of the thigh. I knew that the thing most needed was to stop the copious flow of blood as soon as possible, so tying my handkerchief loosely around the wounded limb, I picked up a small stick of sufficient strength, and, passing it under the handkerchief, proceeded to ' take a twist ' in it, as we used to do at home, on a larger scale, upon a binding rope of our hay wagons. Continuing to twist, I found that the bleeding was checked, so I made fast one end of the stick, and by this time two of the drum corps appeared, and by them he was carried to the surgeon, who had established himself some distance in the rear." The following order was issued to the army on the day following the battle : Hdqks. Dept. of North Carolina, New Berxe, March 1.5, 1862. General Orders, No. 17. The general commaudiug congratulates his troops on their brilliant and hard-won victory of the 14th. Their courage, their patience, their endurance of fatigue, exposure, and toil, cannot be too highly praised. After a tedious march, dragging their howitzers by hand through swamps and thickets; after a sleepless night, passed in a drenching rain, they met the enemy in his chosen position, found him protected by strong earthworks, mounting many and heavy guns, and although in an open field themselves, the}- conquered. With such soldiers advance is victory. The general coramauding directs with peculiar pride that, as a well deserved tribute to valor in this second victory of the expedition, each FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 47 regiment engaged shall inscribe on its banner the memorable name "Xew Berne." By command of Brig.-Gen. A. E, BURXSTDE, Lewis Eiciimoxd, Assistant Adjutant-General. In his report to the Secretary of War. General Burnside pays this tribute to the dead : "Among these names are some of our most valuable officers and men. They are sad losses to us and to their relatives and friends. They nobly gave up their lives in defence of their country, and a debt of gratitude is due from every American citizen to the wives, mothers and fathers who have laid such sacrifices on the altar of their country. The memories of these brave dead will ever be green in the hearts of tlieir countrymen, and the scars of the wounded will be honorable passports to thera through life." The battalion camp was named Camp Pierce in his honor. Of the wounded men Surgeon Potter, under the date of March ISth, writes : " Two have since died, and two more probably will die of their wounds." All of the medical reports speak of tlie unusually severe nature of the wounds received in this battle. In his official report General Burnside says: " Some of the re- suits of this battle may be enumerated as follows : "The capture of nine forts, with forty-one heavy guns ; two miles of intrenchments. with nineteen field pieces ; six thirty-two pounders not in position ; over 3(>0 prisoners ; over 1,000 stand of small arms ; tents and ba;*- racks for 10,000 troops; a large amount of ammunition and army supplies ; an immense amount of naval stores ; the second commercial city in North Carolina, and the entire command of the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds." And to show that there was no vaunting in thus noticing the great results of this victory, and as an evidence of the widespread alarm General Buruside's progress caused all grades of Confederates in authority, we give the following dispatch, sent by the rebel secretarv of war to the governor of North Carolina : 48 HISTORY OF THE PaCHMOXD, Va., March 15, 1862. Governor Henry T. Clark, Raleigh : Large reinforcements are immediately requisite for the defense of your State. Call on your people to arm in the defense of their homes. Send all the men you can to Weldon as rapidly as possible. I will find means to arm them all. I pray you to allow no time to be lost. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War. We also quote from General Parke's official report : " During the hard and fatiguing march of the 13th and the try- ing bivouac of that night, not a murmur was heard. On the morn- ing of the 14th all seemed as fresh and as ready as if they had just left the most comfortable encampment. All were under fire, and the officers seemed proud of the men they were leading, and the men showed they had full confidence in their officers." Such was the battle of New Berue, and such is a brief narrative of the share borne by our battalion in achieving it. It must be borne in mind all the time, that a regiment is the real unit in the military organization of any force as large or larger than a brigade, and therefore a battalion composed of a few companies has not even the right to carry tiie national colors into action ; that it is always " hitched on " to some other regiment in all movements of the regi- ment, brigade or division to which it is attached ; that in a military sense it has no being. Hence, in the general course of events, it marches and fights almost unnoticed, unless by some fortunate cir- cumstance, some chance independent action, it gains the special mention and commendation of the general officers in command. By this time every member of the battalion was aware of the heavy handicap it carried in this race where thousands of the most am- bitious and courageous men were entered. In this connection an au- tograpli letter of a little later date, written by Governor Sprague to Major Wright must be its own excuse for quoting it here : fifth rhode island heavy artillery. 49 Camp before Yorktown, Va., April 28th, 1862. Major : Yours of the 7th iust. is just at hand. I have just written a letter to Lieutenant Chapman in reply to a request in your behalf to increase your battalion to a regiment. I read with much interest your account of the part taken by your com- mand in the battle of Xew Berne. In behalf of the State permit me to express to you and to your officers and men my thanks for the courage and activity displayed by them in that battle. Rhode Island appreciates the sacrifices made by her soldiers in battling for the institutions of our fathers. A grateful and admiring people will do ample justice to every act of courage displayed by you and your command. Respectfully yours, William Sprague. To Major John Wright, Fifth B. I. V, Burnside Corps. The day after the battle was spent in rest and quiet, excepting that a detail from the battalion visited the battlefield and buried our dead with suitable services. The usual parting volleys were fired over their graves, and we sadly returned to camp, reflecting on the loss of brave comrades, who, but a short time before, were among us full of health and vigor. The body of Lieutenant Pierce was afterwards sent home to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where it was buried with military honors on the 29th of April, 1862. It may be well to state here that the bravery, excellent drill and good discipline shown by the battalion on all occasions had attracted deserved attention at home. The ladies of Doctor Hall's church, the First Congregational, decided that the Fifth should have a full stand of colors. Major Joseph Balch, always one of the best and firmest of friends to the battalion whose infancy he had watched over, gave efficient aid to the project, and in a short time a beautiful and costly set of colors was forwarded to the battalion. They arrived in North Carolina while we were actively engaged in the events whicii will be narrated in the following chapter. 4 CHAPTER V. FROM NEW BERNE TO FORT MACON. Siege and Capture of that Fort. GENERAL FOSTER was appointed Military Governor of New Berne on the 15th of March, and at once entered upon tlie duty of I'estoring order and insuring safety in tliat city. Tlie same order further directed him to see that " the churches be opened at a suitable hour to-morrow (Sunday) in order that the chaplains of the different regiments may hold Divine service in them. The bells will be rung as usual." A later order assigned to Gen- erals Foster and Reno the duty of guarding all the land approaches to the town, and at once the necessary steps were taken to construct a line of defensive works that subsequently made the town impregna- ble to any attack within the power of the Confederates to make. As soon as the proper steps had been taken to secure the safety of New Berne, the commanding general set about obeying the general order directing the successive steps of his campaign. The first thing now to be done was the occupation of Morehead City and Beaufort, and the reduction of Fort Macon, which guarded the entrance to the lat- ter port. The reduction of Fort Macon would open a safe harbor to vessels of greater tonnage than could enter the sound by Hatteras Inlet. From New Berne to Beaufort by rail and by county road was about forty miles, and no opposition was expected except from the garrison of Fort Macon, as the capture of New Berne had cut off the rebel forces at these places from their base of supplies, and compelled their instant retreat by country roads to the southwest, in order to avoid destruction or capture. The Third brigade. General Parke, was selected to occupy these places and invest and capture the fort. The following sketch of our brigade commander. General Parke is taken from Woodbury's Buraside and the Nintli Army Corps : FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEVVY ARTILLERY. 51 " JoHX G. Parke -was bom in Peimsylvauia. in 1S2T. and ccrarluated. second in his class of forty-three members, at the Military Academy at West Point, in 1849. He was appointed brevet second-lieutenant, July 1, 18-19, in the corps of topographical engineers. As a member of this corps, he had performed, previous to the rebellion, distinguished services in different parts of the country, particularly in the west and southwest. He had acted as secretary of the light house board and of the river and harbor improvement board. He had also been active in the operations upon the plains of the west, in New Mexico, in the Boundary Commis- sion, and the surveys of the routes of the Pacific Railroad. In 1851, he prepared a map of Xew Mexico, which is declared to have been " a care- ful compilation of all the available and reliable information in relation to New Mexico which could be obtained at that date from trappers and hunters, as well as from actual survey. It was prepared by Lieutenant Parke, while in that country, by order of brevet Colonel John Munroe, United States Army, commanding Xinth Military Department. Dur- ing the same year he accompanied Captain Sitgreaves on an exploring expedition from Santa Fe to San Diego. In 1653, he assisted Lieutenant E. S. Williamson in a survey through the passes of the Sierra Xevada and Coast Eange. The expedition occupied three months' time, and in the course of it. Lieutenant Parke conducted an independent expedition to Los Angeles, the San Gabriel and Santa Anna valleys. "In 1854, Liei;tenant Parke made a successful reconnoissancefor a rail- road route between Punas village and El Paso. He left San Diego on the 24th of January, with a party of twenty-three men and an escort of twenty-eight dragoons, under Lieutenant Stoneman, and made a careful examination of the country, from the Gila Paver to the Pdo Grande, trav- eling by way of Tucson, San Xavier, Rio San Pedro, Chiricahui Moun- tains, and Fort Fillmore. The report of the expedition is published in the second volume of the Pacific Railroad Reports, and is a very valuable statement respecting the characteristics of the country through which the journey was made, and its facilities for the construction of the pro- posed road. Advanced to his next grade July 1, 185(3, Lieutenant Parke became, in 1857, the astronomer of the Xorthwest Boundary Commission for establishing the line between the United States and British America. In all these positions, he was distinguished for the patient fidelity, mod- est, yet manly bearing and firmness in the discharge of duty which have characterized him in later years. In his early professional life he laid the foundations of a solid, substantial reputation, which has never been weakened, but has continually strengthened in his subsequent career. " Lieutenant Parke's maps, contained in the eleventh volume of the Pacific Railroad reports, are models of accuracy and clearness of delinea- tion. He had richly deserved his promotion to a captaincy in his corps, which he received on his arrival at \7ashington, his commission dating September 9, ISGl." 52 HISTORY OF THE General Parke was promoted to brigadier-general of volunteers Nov. 23, 1861 ; major-general, July 8, 1862 ; brevet major-gen- eral, United States Army, March 13, 1865 ; lieutenant-colonel of engineers, March 4, 1879 ; colonel, March 17, 1884. He has also been superintendent of the United States Military Academy at "West Point. He was placed on the retired list, July 2, 1889. Our brigade was to move by water to Slocum's Creek landing and march thence by land. This movement commenced on the 19th and comprised all of the brigade, except that the Fifth Rhode Island Battalion was ordered to march along the railroad, which it did, reaching Havelock Station, some twelve miles out, one and a half miles from Slocum's landing, and there bivouacking for the night. The march proved excessively fatiguing to the men, as they had to step from tie to tie on the road bed, and also run the hand-cars con- taining their supplies. The rest of the brigade resumed its march on the morning of the 21st. "While at Havelock James Mclntyre, a musician of Company B, met with a singular accident. It happened in this wise : Comrade Mclntyre was lying under a tree, when a neighbor- ing tree which was being felled by one of our soldiers, suddenly came to the ground, and in some unaccountable manner a ragged limb of the tree struck Comrade Mclntyre in the arm near the shoul- der, completely pinning him to the ground, and the limb had to be sawed off before he could be extricated from his perilous position. Surgeon Potter attended to him and alleviated his sufferings, but he eventually obtained his discharge from the army in consequence of this injury. On the 22d, three companies of the battalion, A, B, and C, pro- ceeded to Newport City, leaving Companies D and E at Havelock as a guard. Company D remained at this place several days, and then marched to Newport City and joined the battalion. Captain Arnold's company (E) was stationed at Havelock, near an abandoned grist-mill, the machinery of which the rebels had at- tempted to destroy Avhen they left that neighborhood. The mechan- ics of the Fifth, under the direction of Captain Arnold, soon put it in running order again, and it was found very serviceable to the comfort and subsistence of the men. FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 53 During the halt of the battaliou at Havelock Station the advance of the brigade had occupied Morehead City and Beaufort, and liad already commenced preparations for investing Fort Macon, General Capt. Charles H. Chapman, Formerhj Adjutant Fifth lihofle Island Volunteers. (From a recent picture.; Parke having established his headquarters at Carolina City. On the night of the 2od the brigade had closed up, and the three com- panies of the Fifth Battalion were established in an abandoned camp at Newport City. The railroad bridge over the Newport River at this place had been completely burned by a detachment sent up from 54 HISTORY OF THE -^ Fort Macon, on the 18th, and the Fifth Battalion had received or- ders to remain there and rebuild it. Every locality in that country which contained as much as a blacksmith shop and a store, the prin- cipal staple in trade of which was always chain-lightning whiskey, was dubbed a city and looked upon as a future metropolis. Such is Morehead City, Carolina City, and Newport City, all within a dis- tance of scarcely a dozen miles. The barracks at Newport City, which the Fifth Battalion had in- herited from the enemy, were the most comfortable the men had ever seen. The first day of their stay was devoted to policing their new quarters, and the next day, March 24th, the work of rebuilding the bridge commenced in earnest. And here began one of those opera- tions which deserves more than a passing mention. Later in the war they were common enough, because regiments and battalions of se- lected mechanics had been organized and thoroughly equipped for this kind of work, and practice soon made these " engineers and mechanics " adepts in using every device to accomplish their purpose ; and in no instance is there any record of a failure of the structure to do the work designed. But in this case the circumstances were far ditferent. Everything to work with had to be secured where it could be found. With that faith in the ability of any regiment of New England men to do anything they were set to do, the general in command ordered Major Wright to march his battalion to New- port City and rebuild a railway bridge 180 feet long over a deep tidal river. Up to this time it was a feat without a parallel in the history of the war. Until it was completed neither rations, guns, ammuni- nition, nor material could be supplied to the troops or used in the reduction of Fort Macon, for General Burnside had not yet been supplied with land transportation of any kind. And this " building of the bridge," matter of fact subject though it was, when one thinks most of sieges and battles, is worthy of notice at some length. One officer tells of it briefly enough: "On the 24th the tools were collected, the men set energetically to work, and they had the bridge completed so that the first loaded car passed over it on the 29th." "It was a very commendable job," he modestly adds, " considering the difficulties we had to encounter, and the lack of suitable appli- ances. While doing this we also engaged in regular guard and FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 55 picket duty. Once or twice the long roll was beaten in camp at night, and once we had to fight a forest fire that seriously threatened the destruction of our barracks. It came very close on two sides, and the sight of the tall pines, with turpentine covering their scraped sides, forming a column of fire as tall as themselves, was very im- pressive when seen in the stillness of a gloomy night on the low coast of North Carolina by those who had never seen anything of the kind before." Evidently that camp atforded enough to keep the mind busy, if nothing else. " General Burnside gladdened us all by his presence the other day, and expressed his pleasure at the progress we had made." Work of this kind does not receive the mention it deserves, and yet it is just as essential to the success of a campaign as a charge on the enemy, and the fact that a battalion, organized with no thought of its performing work of this special nature, had the men with the brain and skill to do it speedily and successfully, as well as march, and fight, and charge with the sturdiest and boldest in the army, is even a greater honor than to lead a forlorn hope. To show how this feat of mechanical skill was regarded outside of the battalion and brigade, and also to give a picture of camp life in North Carolina, another account is here given, written from New Berne, April 2d : " The Fifth Rhode Island Battalion, Major V/right commanding, is at Newport City, engaged in building au important railroad bridge at that place, which was burned by the enemy four days after the battle and one day before our troops reached it. The bridge was ISO feet long, and was .completely destroyed. The Major set to work upon it with his accustomed energy, as it was essential to the investment of Fort Macon that siege artillery and supplies should be transported over the road. The oificers and men worked night and day to accomplish this, and their labors are appreciated by their superior officers. "As I am a Rhode Islander myself, of course I feel considerable inter- est in the Rhode Island boys. During the last week it has been my good fortune to spend two nights with the battalion at their post. Camp Gra- ham, and it was almost like getting home to find myself surrounded by old friends, and greeted with a Rhode Island welcome. The battalion is in a very good condition, and they are comfortably located in log huts, a large number of which Avere kindly left by the rebels, who had erected and previously occupied them. " Major Wright, Captains Eddy and Wheeler, Dr. Potter, the able sur- geon of the battalion, and other officers whom I have not time to men- 56 HISTORY OF THE tiou particularly, have laid me under lasting obligations bj- tlieir kind- ness. They found me a stranger in a strange land, and they made me at home amongst them. "One of the most popular attaches of this battalion is Dr. Frank Diggs, cook and caterer for Dr. Potter's mess, and whose fame is well established in Providence. He certainly can get up a repast in an ene- my's countrj' which would do credit to a culinarj' artist in the most civ- ilized locality. To him I am indebted, and I here return my thanks for the most excellent repasts I have yet found in this benighted land of se- cession. 'Long may he wave I ' and may he return safely to his home to again tickle the palates of his PJiode Island friends. " Night before last I spent with the battalion, and, during the night there was an alarm from the pickets, the long roll was beaten, and in five minutes' time every soldier was in his place and ready for the attack. But there was none, and after an hour or two the men were dismissed to their quarters, with orders to sleep on their arms, reports having been brought in of the presence of rebel cavalry within a few miles of camp. The promptitude with which they turned out reflects credit upon their ofScers for the thoroughness of their drill and preparation." V^e Avill let a comrade relate his experience on picket in these lonelj woods of North Carolina: "My first tour of picket duty occurred hei-e. I was detailed with one of rav comrades as an ad- vance picket about one mile from camp. Our post was situated in a dense pine forest, and it rained nearly all that day and the following night. When the darkness came on it was peculiarly unpleasant and dreary to us. The soldier at such times can draw pretty largely on his imagination, especially if the enemy have been accustomed to visit the locality. Everything appeared to assume a weird and strange appearance. Our imaginations would see in every stump a rebel, and the hogs that run at large through the forests of North Carolina, appeared in the darkness like men coming towards us. These hogs were not like our well fed porkers at the north, con- fined in pens, but were lean and lank, with their owners' marks branded upon them. They were turned out to gather Avhat food they could obtain in the woods." Another visitor at the headquarters of the Fifth at Newport City, was no less a personage than Henry M. Stanley, the distinguished African explorer, but at that time a representative of one of the lead- ing New York dailies. FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY AKTILLKRV. 57 At this time the Third brigade consisted of but three and one-half regiments, and the task assigned it was to invest Fort Macon and guard the raih-oad as far north as Havelock Station against the small bauds of Confederate cavalry that infested the country to the west. General Parke therefore asked for an additional regiment, and the Ninth New Jersey Infantry was ordered to join him at Caro- lina City. It reached the camp of the Fifth Battalion at Newport City on the evening of March 30th. A promise had been made to Major Wright that as soon as the bridge was completed the battalion should be relieved and join the brigade. Here was the opportunity of getting the desired relief, and, taking a hand-car, the major was soon in Carolina City explaining the situation. He quickly returned with an order that the Ninth New Jersey should relieve the bat- talion of the duty of guarding the bridge and road, and that the latter should join the brigade without delay. The fourth day of April saw the battalion on the march, and that night it encamped at Carolina City, where the men had a view of Fort Macon, over which floated the rebel ensign. Immediately south of Cape Lookout the coast trends still more to the southwest for a long distance. Here the strip of sand beach along the ocean is narrower and more broken by inlets, and the sounds are narrower than those further north. Bogue Island, just south of Cape Lookout, is one of these sandy beaches, in local ver- nacular " Banks," about twenty-five miles long. " On these banks tliere is quite a population for such a forsaken locality. They live by fishing, piloting, and wrecking ; raising a few ponies, hogs, sweet pota- toes, and a little corn. The soil — if it can be called such, — is sand. There is a growth of stunted trees of several varieties, all present- ing the peculiarity of having large branches on the landward side, and very diminutive ones on the side toward the sea, caused by the prevailing winds, which seem to blow back into the tree every bud that attempts to struggle into life on the exposed side. To add to the general attractiveness of the '^ Banks " the sand is blown into dunes and hills, which shift as the direction and force of the winds change. Brackish water can be found on the levels at the depth of a few inches by merely scooping out a hole with a tin dipper or i)an." On the northeastern extremity of Bogue " Bank " was Fort Ma- 58 HISTORY OF THE con. It was ca regular work, mounting sixty-seven guns in all, casemated with stone on the water front, while on the land side the walls were constructed of brick. On this side the guns were mounted en barbette, and defended by the usual ditch, with a glacis which afforded a field for fire against an assaulting column. The garrison had undermined and thrown down the light-house, leveled a number of adjacent buildings, and made every possible preparation Fort Macon, N. C. to give an attacking force the warmest reception in their power to bestow. The fort commanded the entrance to Beaufort and More- head City harbors. These places were on the mainland. The chan- nel would admit vessels drawing seventeen feet of water. Morehead City was the eastern terminus of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad, which, as has been stated, crossed the Richmond and Wil- mington line at Goldsboro. The possession of these harbors secured a second and very safe base, by way of the railroad, for New Berne. The garrison of Fort Macon consisted of about five hundred men, under the command of Colonel White, a brave and resolute oflficer. FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 59 He had reported to General Branch that he had supplies for sixty days, and that he could and would hold the fort for an indefinite time longer than that. General Parke was then, as he is now, one of the best and most accomplished engineers in our army. To him was assigned the task of reducing the fort by siege, while the navy block- aded it by water. It had been hoped that the Confederate com- mander, when he saw the force brought against him, by land and water, would capitulate. As soon as General Parke reached Caro- lina City, he summoned Colonel White to surrender. The rebel commander declined, and at one time he seriously thought of firing on Beaufort when it Avas first occupied by our forces. The people there seemed to be about equally divided on the question of loyalty, and welcomed our troops, in many instances with seeming cordiality. It was remarked at the time, as an encouraging fact, that on the Sunday following the occupation of Beaufort, prayers for the Presi- dent of the United States were read in the Episcopal church of the town, and responded to Avith marked emphasis. It was the work done by the Fifth Rhode Island in rebuilding the railroad bridge at Newport City Avhich made the siege of Fort Macon possible. At once the guns, ammunition, and other material neces- sary in the investment were brought down from New Berne and Slo- cum's Landing. While the work on the bridge was still going on the preparatory steps of the siege were taken. The Fifth Battalion crossed on the 6th of April. The investing force on the island then consisted of eight companies of the Fourth Rhode Island ; seven comj)anies of the Eighth Connecticut ; the Fifth Rhode Island Battalion ; Company C, First United States Ar- tillery, and Company I, Third New York Artillery. General Parke found here Avhat General Gilmore afterwards found on Morris and James Islands, near Charleston, long, low ridges of sand, behind which the troops could work almost unmolested by the enemy's fire. Having established camps for the men, the next thing was to fix sites for the siege batteries, and to do this it Avas first necessary to drive in the enemy's pickets. This was done on the 11th of April. A press correspondent thus described the operation at the time : 60 HISTORY OF THE " Major Wright, in command of the Fifth Rhode Island, witli Com- pany G of the Fourtli Rliode Island, under the command of Lieutenant Bowen, advanced from their camp early in the mornino-, and drove in the pickets of the enemy, which have until to-day maintained their po- sition two miles from the fort, on ' Bogue Beach.' I crossed over from Beaufort in time to witness the little skirmish which accompanied the movement. The rebel pickets fell back as our line advanced, stopping three times to return our fire. The gunboat State of Georgia fired three or four shells in the direction of the retreating pickets, which materially quickened their movements. The fort replied to these shots, but our gunboat was out of reach, and therefore was not struck. When our forces were within about one mile, a thirty-pounder shell was fired at them, which passed harmlessly over their heads and exploded, doing no harm. The enemy's pickets took shelter within the fort." Under the date of the 12th, the same writer adds : " The regular siege operations for the reduction of Fort Macon may date from yesterdaj' morning. The guns in the fort were all manned, the troops were formed in order of battle, and everything made ready for the expected assault. West of the fort, beginning at the distance of about one thousand yards, is a series of sandy ridges, which generally lie north and south, and afford a line of natural breastworks, behind which our advancing forces can find shelter. The gunltoats withdrew out of range towards evening, and operations ceased for the night. Dur- ing the night, however, the commander of the fort again threw out his pickets, in order to be sure of what Major Wright might be doing." The sites for the siege batteries were selected, the work of building them went steadily on, and every preparation was thor- oughly made. AYhen completed they were composed as follows : One of four ten-inch mortars ; one of four eight-inch mortars ; one of three thirty-pounder Parrots, and one containing a twelve-pound rifled Dalghren naval howitzer. In these operations the battalion found itself again placed at a vexatious disadvantage, for it had to take its turn every third day in the work of constructing the batteries and guarding the trenches just the same as one of the full regiments ; and each regiment, when it became its turn for duty, had to march from its camp along the beach some four miles to relieve the regiment which had completed its twenty-fours hours of labor. A soldier thus speaks of the situation in the trenches at this time : " When our turn came to take our tour of duty in the trenches, Ave would proceed along the beach, and when we had approached within FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY AKTILLERV. 61 range of the guns of the fort, the rebels would send us their compli- ments in the shape of shot and shell. After taking the places assigned us in the trenches, one man was stationed on lookout duty near the top of the rifle-pit, while the others would remain below. When the lookout saAv the flash of the rebel guns he would sino- out Lieut. J. M. Wheaton. ' Down I ' the men taking to the rifle-pit like a woodchuck to itsjiole, and would remain there until the shot had passed over. " What a queer sensation comes over one when he hears the noise of a shell just let loose from a gun, the whizzing through the air, and its final explosion and separation into many pieces. It is mighty un- pleasant to say the least, as many an old soldier can testify, as you never can tell where the plaguy thing will drop, or what damage it may do to you before it has completed its mission." 62 HISTORY OF THE The supplies for the whole force were landed from a schooner, an- chored off the camps, in the ocean. They were usually brought off by Lieut. J. M. "Wheaton in a whale-boat, manned by a crew from his company, E. They soon became very expert in their exciting and dangerous labor of running their deep-laden boat through the surf and high up the beach, without wetting their cargo of bread, coffee, and sugar. And this valuable service was soon rewarded by the promotion of Lieutenant Wheaton. In order to give timely notice of any sortie from the fort, Avhich an energetic garrison might now be expected to make to retard the construction of the siege batteries, an advance post was established within about five hundred yards of the fort, on the night of the 20th. The men dug a small rifle-pit, a few yards long, in the sand, and took shelter behind it. The garrison, so long as they regarded it as a mere post, did not pay much attention to it. On the morning of the 22d, a detail from the Fifth Rhode Island of sixteen men, com- manded by Lieut. James Moran, were ordered to relieve the men on duty at this post. At the same time the rebel officers in the fort seemed to have become suspicious of the friendly intention of the squad of men who daily sunned themselves behind their little breast- w^ork of sand. Lieutenant Moran moved up under cover of the sand ridges to within about 200 yards of the post. From that point there was nothing but a stretch of level beach to be passed over be- fore he reached the cover of the little rifle-pit. With the men at "trail arms " and on the " double-quick," they filed out on the beach to make the rush, when they were greeted with a storm of shell, the enemy opening upon them with every gun bearing on that line of approach to the fort. That " double-quick" became a dead run, and luckily Lieutenant Moran and his men reached their cover be- fore the guns could be fired again. The fire from the fort was now steady and persistent, and the men who had been relieved could only get away by running, one or two at a time, between shots, to the cover of the sand ridges. At the end of an hour the last man had gone, and not a single casualty had occurred. Gradually the rebel gunners obtained a better range, and at one time two shells struck immediately in front of the little breastwork at the same moment, and, exploding, they fairly buried the little Rhode Island squad under FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEA.VY ARTILLERY. 63 an avalanche of sand. The only damage was a ruined shoe on one of the men from a piece of shell. One of the gunners in the fort afterwards said that he watched these shells, and, thinking thev had fallen short, he caused the guns to be elevated again. It was an act of thoughtfulness for which Lieutenant Moran heartily thanked him. So severe was this fire that the men could not be relieved until the night of the 24th. During these trying hours these brave men had the pangs of thirst added to the cravings of hunger. A soldier of this company says : " "When we received the order to move forward to occupy this advanced post, I watched my oppor- tunity to run along the beach when the fire from the fort had appar- ently slackened. I started on the double-quick, and when about half way to the post, I saw a solid shot roll by me on the beach. Its force was almost spent, and it seemed like a foot-ball as it passed me. It is needless to say I did not put my foot out to stop it. When I reached the place where Lieutenant Moran was stationed, he directed me to take three men and go several yards in front of our position as an advanced picket. We moved to the place designated, and re- mained there in an almost prone position for forty-eight hours, until relieved. You can imagine that this extended tour of duty somewhat detracted from the romance of war." An incident occurred during the siege which it may not be inap- propriate to mention. A soldier named James Ballou in Company D, had been detailed as company cook, and it was his privilege to remain in camp attending to his duties while the battalion was in the trenches. For some reason he was relieved from his position as cook, and the next time the company went to the front, he accompa- nied it. He had been in the trenches but a short time when a shell from the enemy came over, and exploded in unpleasant proximity to us. A portion of the shell struck the shoe of Comrade Ballou, pene- trating through and severing the big toe from the foot, and resulted in his discharge from the service a few months later. On the 23d General Parke reported everything read}' to open fire, and General Burnside came down from New Berue to superintend the final operations. Up to this time not a shot had been fired from our batteries. Again General Burnside demanded the surrender of the fort, and again the rebel commander refused in the briefest lati- 64 HISTORY OF THE guage. On the 2'tth the gunboats drew in and opened fire on the fort, and were replied to with the greatest vigor. After this contest had continued about an hour, a gale sprang up, the fleet withdrew out of range, and operations were suspended for that day. The next morning General Parke's land batteries opened on the fort. AVith the aid of tlie signal officers, stationed across the channel on the mainland, and who watched the flight and fall of the shells with their glasses, the mortars soon obtained a range so accurate that every one of their shells fell inside of the fort, while the thirty-pounder Parrots swept the rampart*, where the guns were en barbette, with a storm of shot and shell that nothing could withstand. General Foster had once been stationed at Fort Macon as an engineer officer, superin- tending repairs, and he was therefore thoroughly acquainted with all of the construction of it. It had been planned solely with the view of defending the entrance to Beaufort harbor. The walls on the land- ward side were made of brick, and the magazine had been placed in this rear wall. The general made a plan of the fort, and it was given to Captain Morris of the regular army, commanding the siege batteries. Soon after the firing commenced he trained his Parrot guns so as to have his solid shot just graze the crest of the counter- scarp and strike the scarp wall just back of the magazine. At first the enemy replied with great spirit, but it was not long before their zeal abated, and their return fire on the land side grew weaker and weaker. Still Captain Morris kept boring away at the magazine, oc- casionally sending in a shell to see if he had reached it. Before sun- down seventeen of their guns had been dismounted or otherwise disabled. Great breaches had been made in the scai-p walls, a crack twelve feet long showed on the inside wall of the magazine, and a shell might pierce it any moment and explode the five tons of powder in it, while the ramparts had been swept clean of men. To longer hold out when there was no possibility of any human succor, was simply a useless waste of human life, and, at the close of the day, a white flag was placed on the walls of Fort Macon. Vei*y early on the morning of the 26th the Fifth Rhode Island re- lieved the Eighth Connecticut in the trenches, and thus being on duty, as well as nearer to the fort, the honor of being the first troops to enter it and participate in the formal surrender of the rebel garrison FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 65 WHS accorded to our battalion. This was also the most fitting oppor- tunity to present the colors, the right to bear which the battalion had so well and bravely won. Lieut. William W. Douglas volunteered to bring them, and, mounting a horse, he galloped away to camp, and speedily returned to the waiting officers and men. An eye witness thus describes the stirring scenes of that mornino; : Capt. Charles Taft. "From our advanced position with the pickets of the Fifth Rhode Island, we were observant spectators of the negotiations going on be- tween General Burnside and Colonel White. At length the general, accompanied by General Parke and Captains Biggs and King, was des- cried coming from the fort. They walked leisurely down the beach and gave us the glorious news of the final surrender. General Burnside or- dered the Fifth to form in line, and at the command of Major Wright the various companies defiled from their positions and formed upon the 5 6G HISTORY OF THE beach, where, after a short review, the general unfurled the new colors of the battalion, just sent from the State of Rhode Island, and bearing the words ' Roanoke,' and ' New Berne,' and handed them to the color sergeants (Sergt. Charles Taft, and Sergt. Amos B. Sherman), who took their places at the head of the column, which was formed in the follow- ing order: General Burnside, General Parke, Captain Biggs, and Captain King. Major Wright. The Colors. Battalion Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers. Staff. Members of the Press. " The column, as it moved along the edge of the shore, with the bright, new banners flapping their folds as if in defiance of the rebel flag, which was still floating over the fort, presented a veryi^leasing sight. Coming to the southerly slope of the fort, the column filed left, and rounding the edge of the greensward, entered the sallyport. Ascending to the rami)arts, the battalion marched once around the fort, with their ban- ners still before them. The companies were then assigned to their re- spective places, and the ceremony of taking possession had ended, with the exception of hauling down the rebel flag. This was soon performed. The halyards were loosed, and the bunting came to the ground. It had been made out of the old United States garrison flag of the fort, with the stars withdrawn to suit the number of the revolted States." Where to get a national flag to raise in place of the rebel flag which had just been lowered, was now a question of some import- ance, how it was obtained an officer who was present must tell : " When Major Wright, with some other officers assembled at the flag- staff, he asked the Confederate officer who was present if he knew the whereabouts of the usual large United States garrison flag, that should be somewhere in the fort. The officer did not know, but said he would inquire. He did so, with the result of finding a comparatively new flag, which was forthwith bent to the halyards. By this time ' Joe Greene,' a character well known throughout Rhode Island, and even more widely known as a bugler of unsurpassed skill, had entered the fort. He w^as the leader of the band of the Fourth Rhode Island, and had been on the sick list for some days. He now stood near the group surrounding Gen- eral Burnside, with his hat pulled over his eyes and his shoulders shrugged, a picture of mingled ague and desi>ondency. Just as they be- gan to raise the flag. General Burnside turned to him and said, ' Joe, can't you give us some music?' 'No,' said Joe, 'I'm sick ; too sick to play, and my bugle isn't here.' One of General Buriiside's aides had seen FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 67 'Joe' going toward the fort without his bugle, from which he seemed inseparable, and he had the forethought to get and bring it with him to the fort. Taking it out from under his coat, he stepped forward and handed it to Joe. He looked at it, took it, shook it, as all buglers do, blew through it, and just then his eye caught sight of the flag slowly rising to the mast-head. Placing his instrument to his lips, and watching the as- cending flag with kindling eyes, he forgot his illness as he threw his head back, while from his loved bugle there came the stirring strains of the ' Star Spangled Banner,' played as only ' Joe Greene ' could play it, and as if his very soul was in each martial note. The sweet notes lin- gered among the arched casemates and within the walls as if loth to die away in space, and they touched the heart of every soldier present." When the rebel flag came down Major Wright placed it under guard, and soon after he saw General Burnside and asked him if the Fifth could retain it. The general assented. Immediately after General Parke came up, and said to Major Wright, in a careless man- ner, " Oh, by the way, major, you may send that rebel flag up to my quarters." " No, I can't do that," replied Major Wright, " I cannot deliver it to aijy one without General Burnside's order." The next time Major Wright saw General Burnside he proposed to send it home to the General Assembly in General Burnside's name. The general would not permit this to be done, but directed that it should be sent in the name of the Fifth Rhode Island. This was done, and the flag was received by the General Assembly not long after, while it was in session in Newport. Quite a ceremony took place at the time, and in the evening there was a small celebration, during which the flag was brought and attracted much attention. Soon after it disappeared, ancV despite the most careful search its subsequent fate is unknown. It was the only flag of a surrendered fort ever sent' to any legislature during the war. The casualties on both sides were slight, considering tlie great amount of very accurate firing. The loss of the Union forces was one killed and five wounded while that of the rebels was eight killed and twenty wounded. The only casualty in the Fifth was one man wounded in the foot by a shell. We quote here an extract from the official i-eport of General Parke : "From the time of our first occupying the ground immediately in front of the fort, very severe and onerous duty was performed by the offi- 68 FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. cers and men of the Fourth Rhode Island, Eighth Connecticut, and Fifth Ehode Ish\nd Battalion. Owing to companies being detached from the first two regiments and their otherwise weak condition, the tour of duty in the trenches and on advance picket guard returned every third day. This, in connection with a march of three and one-half miles through heavy sand to and from camii and occasional fatigue dvitj', was begin- ning to tell fearfully on both officers and men; still they bore it all with- out complaint, and it gives me pleasure to commend them as soldiers of true grit." On the 30th day of April the battalion moved camp up to the fort. The fort itself was garrisoned by Company C of the Seeond United States Artillery. The other regiments of the brigade were sent to different points near by. The capture of the fort not only afforded the anticipated change of base for the better, but it also re- lieved the navy of the labor of blockading the port of Beaufort. On this day the following general order was read to all the regiments in General Parke's brigade : Headquarters Department of North Carolina. Beaufort Harbor, April 26, 1862. General Orders, JVo. 10. The general commanding takes particular pleasure in thanking Gen- eral Parke and his brave command for the patient labor, fortitude and courage displayed in the investment and reduction of Fort Macon. Every patriotic heart will be filled with gratitude to God for having given to our beloved country such soldiers. The regiments and artillery companies engaged have earned the right to wear upon their colors and guidons "Fort Macon, April 26, 1862." By command of Maj.-Gen. A. E. Burnside. Lewis Richmond, Asst. Atljt.-Gen. And with this congratulatory order, the operations attending the capture of Fort Macon came to an end. CHAPTER VI. FROM FORT MACON TO NEW BERNE. HERE at Fort Macon, the battalion remained some time. The camp was nicely fixed up, and it was the most homelike ar- rangement the men had seen since leaving Providence. " AYe are having a good time," writes Surgeon Potter, " resting and recruit- ing the health of the men, of which there was need, for we liave had considerable typhoid fever, but we are now getting all right ao-ain." And, under the date of May 5th, another correspondent gives a pict- ure wherein the daily incidents and the home-longings of the men Avill all be lived over again by those whom the fortunes of war and the vicissitudes of over a quarter of a century of peaceful life per- mit to read the following : " We are now encamped in a pleasant position, just under the walls of the fort. The ruins of a granary and several other build- ings, which the rebels destroyed, furnish us with lumber, and now the tents all have substantial floors, which will keep us off the damp ground, and will probably prevent much sickness." The weather has been quite hot, -and would be oppressive but for the pleasant breeze from the sea. Our location is in many respects the best we have ever occupied. Everything except the water, which is almost nauseous, contributes to make us desire to remain here until we are again called to active operations. A small mail, which reached us yesterday by the way of Hatteras and New Berne, brought us a welcome and long-expected freight of good wishes and cheering words from loved ones at home. If those who have friends among us could know how much pleasure their messages diffuse in camp, nothing but the most pressing duties Avould prevent them from writ- ing. An official dispatch to the commander of one of the gunboats in the harbor announced the taking of New Orleans, and completed 70 HISTOHY OF THK our happiness for the day. General Burnside returned to New Berne immediately after the surrender of the fort, and you will soon hear of another blow in the department of North Carolina, if greater vic- tories in other quarters do not withdraw your attention from our movements." How inexorable the other side of this pleasant picture, " Died in hospital." There is a compensation in the excitement and rush at- tending the drawings of a lottery with death in battle that robs it of half its terror. But the slow wasting away day by day — silent with endurance — when this king of terrors was met in the cheerless hos- pital ward in the early period of the war, tested to the uttermost all the manly qualities of manly men. And year by year how the long, sad list grew, of which the following is a brief example : Deaths in Buknside's Division. Fifth Rhode Island. Private Samuel Barnes, Company E, typhoid fever. Private George B. Dean, Company C, typhoid fever. Sergt. Lorenzo Lndwig, Company B, typhoid fever. Corp. Samuel Grimwood, Company E. Slain as truly were they in defence of the cause of the nation as any that fell in the forefront of the fiercest charge ever made between the Potomac and the Rio Grande. The period of rest that ensued immediately after the surrender of P^ort Macon was also one of transition in the future fortunes of the forces in North Carolina. And this transition arose from two causes. The continued successes of the troops operating here, the only notable ones gained in the east up to this time, had attracted the attention of the whole country to both officers and men, and earned for them the warmest encomiums of praise from the authorities in Washington, as well as from both press and people. The Burnside division of the Army of the Potomac became an army corps, operat- ing in the department of Nortli Carolina, with Major-General Burn- side in command. The three generals of brigade, Foster, Reno, and Parke, were made major-generals of divisions, and their several commands augmented accordingly. Colonels, whose ability had commanded attention, became generals of brigades. Notably among FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 71 these last promotions was that of Colonel Rodman, who so gallantly led the decisive charge of the Fourth and Fifth Rhode Island at New Berne, on the 14th of March. These promotions necessitated many changes among regimental officers, and caused alterations in the formations of the new brigades. Reinforcements of some much Capt. James Gregg. needed cavalry and light batteries, together with some new regi- ments of infantry, also arrived. Such was the gratifying nature of the first cause of transition. The other cause need only be mentioned in the briefest possible manner and with fewest words of comment. General Burnside had fulfilled to the letter all of the instructions governing his operations up to this time, and with a success as gratifying to the nation as it 72 HISTORY OF THE was unexpected in certain liigli official circles. Very early in the campaign Jefferson Davis had alluded to the affairs in North Caro- lina as "deeply humiliating." Already the people of that State were complaining in tones both loud and deep that the Confederate authorities were abandoning their coasts to the enemy for the par- pose of defending Virginia. "With his wider sphere of action and enlarged command, the eyes of the commanding general were now turned toward the very important port of Wilmington, when he re- ceived from the general in command of the Army of the Potomac orders to the effect " that no offensive movement was to be made in the department of North Carolina until the results of his operations on the lower peninsula of Virginia should be determined." "When at last dire disaster threatened the Union arms in Virginia, General McClellan directed Burnside to reinforce him with all the troops, he could spare. The latter general collected two divisions from his department, and, leaving General Foster in command in North Carolina, he went to the assistance of the array under his jun- ior in rank. General Pope, and, waiving all questions of rank, he did all that was in his power to do in that fateful campaign. Twice was he offered, even urged, to accept the command of the Army of the Potomac, and each time he refused ; the last time sup- plementing his refusal by strongly advising the reinstatement of General McClellan. W^hen General McClellan, in command of the armies in defence of Washington, marched north after the Con- federate army, which had by this time crossed into Maryland, it was General Burnside's command, with his two North Carolina divisions in the lead, that pushed the hitherto triumphant Confed- erates to battle in the passes of South Mountain. That battle was won by General Burnside and these troops, with but little assistance from other corps, which had not yet come up, at the expense of hun- dreds of lives, among which was that of the able and gallant Reno. To return to the department of North Carolina at the period im- mediately succeeding the capture of Fort Macon. It may be briefly stated that the new commands were organized from the old regi- ments and the reinforcements, as fast as the latter arrived. New Berne was made secure against any possible attack ; various small expeditions Avere sent out along the coast, and up the bays and rivers, FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY AKTILI.EIO. 73 for the double purpose of liarrassiug tlie enemy and keeping the troops inured to the fatigues of the march and dangers of battle. In the meantime the Fifth Battalion was attached to Colonel Rodman's brigade, and still remained in camp at P^ort Macon, finding employ- ment in a steady application to company and battalion drill. During this period of rest some changes occurred in the roster of oHicers. Adjutant Charles H. Chapman resigned May lOtli. June 7th, Sec- ond Lieutenant George G. Hopkins, of Company C, was made first lieutenant of Company E. P'irst Sergeant Benjamin L. Hall, of Com- General Burnside's Headquarters, New Berne. pany E, was promoted second lieutenant of Company B, and James Gregg, first sergeant of Company B, was made second lieutenant of Company C. May 9th, second lieutenant James M. Wheaton, of Company E, was promoted to first lieutenant and adjutant of the bat- talion, and Henry B. Landers, first sergeant of Company C, was made second lieutenant of Company E. The first break in the routine of camp life at F(jrt Macon came in the following pleasant manner: Adjutant-General Mauran, of Rhode Island, having come to North Carolina to make the formal presenta- tion of the sword voted to General Bui-nside by the legislature of that State, came to Fort Macon to seethe Fifth. Captain Morris, of the 74 HISTOHY OF THE regular artillery in the fort, received him with a salute of seven guns. The presentation was to take place in New Berne, on the afternoon of the 20th of June, so we started the day before, at two p. M., on the " AVheelbarrow " Union. While passing through Core Sound, she broke her rudder, and it took until night to repair it, which com- pelled us to lay by until morning. Going by the way of Core and Pamlico sounds, and the Neuse River, we arrived at New Berne about two p. M. on the ■20th. By the time we landed it was raining so hard that the ceremony was postponed until the next day. Friday morning the Fourth and Fifth Rhode Island had a fine dress parade in front of General Burnside's headquarters, and in the afternoon we marched across the Trent River to a lai'ge field, near our old Camp Pierce, and the presentation took place in the presence of all the troops not on guard, picket, or other duty, some 8,000 in all. The Rhode Island troops acted as an escort to General Burnside. The presentation speech of Adjutant-General Mauran was most eloquent, and General Burnside replied in modest and fitting terms. When the ceremony was completed the whole command was formed in col- umn, and passed in review. Saturday morning we started on our return trip, again passing a night in Core Sound, and arriving in camp Sunday morning. Behind this concentration of troops there was quite another purpose than that of mere parade and display. Weary of his en- forced inaction, General Burnside had determined upon an important ofl^ensive movement against Goldsboro, and all the preparations for it had been carefully made. Up to this time nothing but good report had been received of the progress of the Army of the Potomac, and it was hoped that this movement, severing the principal communica- tions of the rebel army in Virginia, would materially assist the ope- rations on the peninsula. Orders for the march to commence on the 30th of June had been prepared, but the very next morning an order was received to reinforce General McClellan without delay. This order practically, though not nominally, severed General Burnside's connection with tlie department of North Carolina. Shortly after the battalion returned from New Berne rumors of dis- asters in front of Richmond reached camp. They were soon con- firmed by a call for troops from this department to reinforce the FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 75 Army of the Potomac. The Fifth Battalion was ordered to relieve the Fourth Rhode Island at Beaufort and Morehead City. Four companies went to the former of these places, while Company D, Captain Grant, went to the latter. Major Wright was appointed military governor of Beaufort, and Lieut. William W. Douglas, of Company D, was made provost marshal. This change was made June 30th. At this time an officer expressed the general feeling of officers and men when he said, "When we found that our battalion was selected to remain behind, which seemed to be on account of our small numbers, it was a source of regret to us all, as we had become attached to the different organizations we had served with, and we did not like the idea of being separated from them, as well as losing the prospect of being introduced to other scenes and new service." On this day Lieut. Benjamin L. Hall arrived from Providence with a number of recruits, which were to form the nucleus of the new company, F. Though the battalion was sent to Beaufort to relieve the Fourth Rhode Island, which was ordered to take transport at once for some, at the time unknown destination, that regiment did not finally sail until July 6th. In the meantime the two organizations were packed into the quarters of one, to the great discomfort of both, but these trials were good humoredly borne. On the 4th of July, both organi- zations united in formally observing that day, pursuant to a general order from department headquarters. The men were paraded and formed a square, when the general order directing this observance of the day, was read. The band of the Fourth Rhode Island fur- nished some appropriate music. Prayer was then offered, and the Declaration of Independence read. At this point in the ceremony one good secessionist woman among the spectators jeeringly said, " Jeff Davis' flag will float here in a fortnight ! " Evidently she had had rebel news from Richmond. After more music, some manoeu- vres by the two regiments took place, followed by a lively drill in the various modes of firing. A parade through the streets, followed by a collation for the officers at our battalion headquarters, and a " ham and soft bread supper" for the men, ended their first 4th of July in North Carolina. 76 HISTORY OF THE Again the battalion fell into the old routine of drill, guard and fatigue duty, which was dull enough in these sleepy coast towns of this revolted State. But they heard the echoes of the mighty strife waged in the West and along the rivers of Virginia. Their beloved general left them, taking with him most of those companions-iu-arms who had become endeared to them through their common toils and dangers. Major-General Foster was left in command of the depart- ment, with barely force enougli to hold what had been gained. This officer, with a patriotism and forgetfulness of self that has but few parallels in the history of the succeeding three years, devoted the best of his great ability and dauntless courage to the task assigned him. His meagre force, scattered among many posts, passed the summer in a state of waiting expectancy. The following sketch of General Foster is from Woodbury's Burn- side and the Ninth Army Corjjs : "Major-General John G. Foster, who succeeded General Burnside in the command of the Department of North Carolina, had already won for himself a brilliant reputation. He had been for a considerable time in the service of the country, and had always been found to be a faithful and skillful officer. He was born in New Hampshire, in the year 1824, and was appointed from' that State to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from the Academy in 1846, the fourth in rank in a class of fifty-nine. Among his classmates were Mc- Clellan, Reno, Seymour, Sturgis, and Stoneman of the loyal service, and 'Stonewall' Jackson, Wilcox and Pickett, of the rebel army. He was commissioned as brevet Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, July 1, 1840. He bore a very active and distinguished part in the Mexican war, and his record of promotion is a sufficient testimony to liis bravery and merit. ' Brevet First Lieutenant, August 20, 1847, for gallant and meritoriousconduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco; severely wounded in the battle of Molilio del Rey, September 8, 1847; Brevet Captain from that date, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Molino del Rey; Second Lieutenant, May 24, 1848.' Such is the honor- able record of his first two years ot service. " His gallant conduct and his proficiency in military knowledge attracted the attention of the authorities, and, in 1854, promoted to First Lieuten- ant on the 1st of April of that year, we find him Assistant Professor of Engineering in the Military Academy at West Point. He was appointed in charge of the fortifications in North and South Carolina, April 28, 1858, and there acquired a knowledge that became serviceable for subse- quent operations. He was commissioned as Captain in the Engineers, Gen. John C. Foster. FIFTH KHODK ISLAND HEAVY AKTII.LKKV. 77 July 1, 18<)0, and was brevetted Major on the 2()tli of December of the same year. During the eventful winter of 18t)0-'t)l, and the following spring, he was stationed at Charleston, South Carolina, and was one of the oiiicers under Major Anderson in the defence of Fort Sumter. His loyal and fearless bearing on the occasion of the bombardment of Sum- ter, is fresh in the recollection of all. Returning North after the surren- der, he was employed on the fortifications of New York. On the 2od of October, 1S61, he was commissioned as Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and was in command of the rendezvous at Annapolis previous to the ar- rival of General Burnside. After he assumed command of the Depart- ment of North Carolina, he was engaged in conspicuous services in his own Department and in the neighborhood of Charleston. Subsequently, he commanded the Department of the Ohio. After the surrender of General Lee, he was for a time in command at Tallahassee." In 18G7 he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of engineers in the United States army. He was, for some time, stationed at Boston, where his services were invaluable in removing obstructions and se- curing from further injury the channels of the harbor. His health failing, he sought to improve it by accepting duty in the West. He did not recover his health, however, and on the 2d of September, 1874, he died at Nashua, N. H. When hearing or reading of the deeds in other fields of those who were so recently their companions-in-arms, both officers and men of the Fifth united in bewailing that fate of war which compelled them to inaction during this critical period of our history. The first days of August brought a change of scene to the bat- talion. Marching orders were received, with New Berne as the des- tination. Again, the men embarked on their old and now very familiar friend, the " Wheelbarrow " Union, and went over the we-ll- known route through Core and Pamlico sounds and up the Neuse River to New Berne, arriving in that city August 8th. Camp was pitched outside of the city limits and near the " Fair Grounds," and named Camp Anthony, in honor of our United States senator, Tiie battalion was now assigned to the brigade commanded by Col. Thomas G. Stevenson, of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, who, by the way, was always known, loved and respected as Col. "Tom" Stevenson long after he became general. 0) (1) c 3 > g (8 H ■n K ■^ o q: FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 79 The following sketch is also taken from Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps : " Born in Boston, on the 3d of Febmai;y, 1S36, Thomas Greely Steven- son was especially fortunate in his family, his education and his social position. He was the son of Hon. J. Thomas Stevenson, well known as an able lawyer and a sagacious man of affairs. He was educated in the best schools in Boston, and at an early age he entered the counting-room of one of the most active merchants of that city. There, by his faith- fulness in duty, his promptness, and his generosity of disposition, he se- cured the entire confidence and love of his principal and the high esteem of the business community, and a brilliant commercial career opened before him. But when his country called him. he could not neglect her summons. The parting words of his father to himself and his younger brother, when they left home for the field, well express the appreciation in which his domestic virtues were held: ' Be as good soldiers as you have been sons. Your country can ask no more than that of you, and God will bless you.' " In the spring of 1861 he was orderly sergeant of the New England Guards, and upon the organization of the Fourth battalion of Massachu- setts infantry he was chosen captain of one of its companies. On the 2.5th of April the battalion was sent to garrison Fort Independence, in Boston harbor, and on the 4th of May, Captain Stevenson was promoted to the rank of major. In this position he was distinguished for an excel- lent faculty for discipline and organization, which were subsequently of great benefit to him. On the 1st of August he received authority to raise and organize a regiment of infantry for a term of three years, and on the 7tli of September he went into camp at Readville with twenty men. On the 9th of December he left the State of Massachusetts with the Twenty-fourth Regiment — one of the finest and best drilled, organ- ized, equii)ped, and disciplined body of troops that Massachusetts had yet sent to the war. His regiment was assigned to General Foster's brigade in the Xorth Carolina expedition, and he soon gained the respect and friendship of his superior officers. "The conduct of the Twenty-fourth Regiment and its commander in North Carolina has already been made a matter of record. When Colo- nel Stevenson was assigned to the command of a brigade in April, 1862, the choice was unanimously approved by his companions-in-ai-ms. Gen- eral Burnside regarded him as one of his best officers. ' He has shown great courage and skill in action,' once wrote the General ; 'and in or- ganization and discipline he has no superior.' General Foster was enthusiastic in his commendation. ' He stands as high as any officer or soldier in the army of the United States,' said he, ' on the list of noble, loyal and devoted men.' On the 27th of December he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and on the 14th of March, 186.3, he was 80 HISTOIJY OF THE conflrmed and commissioned to that grade. In February, 1863, he ac- companied General Foster to Soutli Carolina, where liis brigade was attaclied to the Tenth corps, and where he served with great fidelity and zeal throughout the year under Generals Foster, Hunter and Gillmore, In April, 1864, he reported to General Burnside at Annapolis, and was assigned to the command of the First division." General Stevenson was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness. Mr. Woodbury farther says of him : "But the Ninth Corps suffered a severe loss in the death of General Stevenson, the commander of the first division. He was killed early in the day, by one of the enemy's riflemen, while near his headquarters." During the month of August a radical change occurred in the roster of the battalion, which may be briefly mentioned. First Lieut. Wil- liam W. Hall, of Company B, resigned August 2d ; Capt. Jonathan M. Wheeler and Second Lieut. Levi F. Goodwin, of Company A, on the 4th ; Capt. George H. Grant, of Company D, Capt. James M. Eddy, of Company C, and First Lieut. Daniel S. Remington, of Company A, on the 6th ; Chaplain McWalter B. Noyes on the 15th, and Maj. John Wright on the 25th. As some compensation for the loss of so many officers, twenty-six recruits arrived in camp on the 18th of August, and were assigned to Company F. The justice of the cause which compelled some of these officers to tender their resignations in defence, as they esteemed it, of their own honor, after they had so far borne the heat and burden of the day, is a mooted question which it is not the province of these pages to dis- cuss. Camp life very frequently has the same effect on the morale of officers as of men, and in the leisure of such rest petty differences between them are too apt to grow and ripen into serious misunder- standings. That such personal troubles did exist is not stated here as a fact, but this greater and more important truth is urged upon every survivor of the late war who may chance to read these lines : If it has been esteemed both patriotic and wise to bury in the oblivion of passing time all of the differences which caused the late terrible struggle, how much more generous and manly is it to forget every personal misunderstanding which arose from the annoyances or jeal- ousies of camp life, and remember, not the errors of erring mortals, but only the good qualities of brave men, who once shared the same dangers in the same cause. FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 81 In this connection the two following letters explain themselves: Hdqrs. Dept. of North Carolina, New Berne, N. C, Aug. 7, 1S62. His Excellency Wm. Sprague, Governor of the State of Rhode Island: The battalion I have now brought to this place and put them under a most excellent officer, Colonel Stevenson, commanding Second Brigade of my division, who will give them his strict personal attention by es- tablishing officers' drills, etc. ; and by appointing the best sergeants lance lieutenants he will be able accurately to discover the capabilities of each. I would beg leave to suggest the filling up of this battalion to a regiment now. There are many excellent officers left, and the men are very good, and, under the care of Colonel Stevenson, to whose brigade they are attached, I feel sure they will rapidly perfect themselves in drill and discipline, and become the equals of the other fine regiments your State has sent forth, which is as high praise as a regiment can desire. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obd't serv't, J. G. Foster, Major-Gen. ConuVy. The other letter simply encloses the list of promotions recommended by the brigade commander, and it is needless to say that it is a roll of honor : Hdqrs. Dept. of North Carolina, New Berne, N. C, Aug. 15, 1862. General E. C. Mauran, Adjutant-General State of Rhode Island: General: Referring to my letter of the 7th inst. to His Excellency Governor Sprague, I beg leave to hand you, enclosed, a list of proposed promotions in the Fifth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, recom- mended by Col. T.- G. Stevenson, to whose brigade they are attached, after a careful personal examination on his part. I have the honor to remain, sir, very respectfully your ob't serv't., J. 6. Foster, Major-General ConuVy. Enclosure to the above : New Berne, Aug. 13, 1862. After a careful examination of the abilities of the following officers of the Fifth Rhode Island Regiment, I would respectfully recommend that they be appointed to fill the positions set against their respective names. Captain Job Arnold, . . . to be Major. 1st Lieut. W. W. Douglas, . . ' " " Captain. 1st Lieut. John E. Snow, . . . " " 6 82 . HISTORY OF THE 1st Lieut. James M. AVheaton, . . to be Captain. 1st Lieut. George G. Hopkins, . . " '" " 2d Lieut. Henry B. Landers, . . . " " " 2d Lieut. James Moran, .... " " 1st Lieut. 2d Lieut. Benj. L. Hall, . . . . " " 2d Lieut. James Gregg, . . . . " " " 1st Sergt. Charles Taft, .... " -^ '■ 1st Sergt. John E. Robinson, ... i^ i«