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From: Beth Hurd <>
Subject: Providence during the Rebellion (part 34)
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 00:03:07 -0500


from
History of Providence County, Rhode Island
Edited by Richard M. Bayles.
In two volumes, illustrated. Vol. I.
New York: W. W. Preston & Co., 1891.

pp. 208 - 264. (part 33)

"The 5th Rhode Island Volunteers was organized at 'Camp Greene', in
October, 1861, from which it was transferred to 'Camp Slocum', on the
Dexter Training Ground, in Providence. In about seven weeks five companies
were filled, and on the 27th of December, after being reviewed by Governor
Sprague, the battalion departed for Annapolis, Md., to join the expedition
to North Carolina. On Thursday, January 9,1862, the regiment embarked on
board the transport 'Kitty Simpson' for Fortress Monroe, and there joined
the fleet destined to Hatteras Inlet. On the 7th of February, a landing
was effected and the battle of Roanoke Island was fought. In this battle
the regiment was brought under a heavy fire, but fortunately suffered no
casualty. In the battle of Newbern, March 14th following, it took a
conspicuous and gallant part, losing four men killed and seven wounded. In
the bombardment of Fort Macon, April 26th, the Fifth took part, and on the
surrender was assigned the honor of taking possession. in May, after the
fall of Fort Macon, the camp of the Fifth was on Bogue Banks, near by,
where it remained until General Burnside was called to the aid of General
Wright, who resigned July 25th, became military commandant, and Lieutenant
William W. Douglas was appointed provost marshal of the district. The
battalion having attained the proportions of a regiment, Colonel Henry T.
Sisson, promoted from major of the 3d Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, arrived
at Beaufort and took command January 9th, 1863.

Among the military adventures of the Fifth, the raising of the siege of
Little Washington, N. C., must ever occupy the most prominent place as a
hazardous and brilliant achievement. Immediately after the capture of
Newbern, it was occupied by the national forces. Early in April, 1863,
information reached Newbern that Major General Foster, commanding this
department, who had gone to Little Washington to inspect the garrison and
defenses there, was closely besieged by the enemy. Colonel Sisson, on
Friday, 10th of April, received orders from Brigadier General Palmer to
proceed with his command to Little Washington by water. Accordingly, about
1 o'clock, P. M., the regiment embarked on board the steamer 'Escort',
Captain Wall, and started from Newbern, and the next morning arrived in
Pamlico river and anchored a short distance from Manly Point, ten miles
below the city of Little Washington. A blockade which had been erected by
the rebels consisted of a triple row of piles extending across the river,
with the exception of a passage 100 feet wide and 400 feet from the shore,
directly under the guns of the battery. To increase the difficulty in
finding the crooked channel, the enemy had removed all the buoys in the
river. On Sunday morning, in accordance with orders from General Palmer,
the expedition got under way, and slowly approached the opening in the
blockade and the Hill's Point battery. A fog had arisen about daybreak,
and soon became so dense as to prevent further progress, and the steamer
was ordered to return to its anchorage. When the fog lifted, the gunboats
commenced bombarding the battery at long range, but with no visible
effect. Monday morning, 50 volunteers from the regiment were sent on shore
under command of Captain William W. Douglas and Lieutenant Dutee
Johnson. Their landing was covered by the gunboat 'Valley City', and was
effected a short distance below Blunt's Creek. The reconnaissance was
conducted with success and credit to the commanding officers and the men
who were engaged in it. They discovered three batteries on the west bank
of the creek, commanding its passage and preventing approach to Little
Washington by land."

continued in part 35.

for more info:
http://suvcwricamp21.tripod.com/Artillery/5hvymain.htm

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