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From: Beth Hurd <>
Subject: Providence during the Rebellion (part 38)
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2004 21:56:15 -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 38)

Early in January, 1865, the allotment commissioner, Major Amesbury, visited
the Second battalion at Planquemine, and paid up the troops to August 1st,
preceding the first payment received by the men since their enlistment. Up
to the opening of the new year, little had occurred at the post to vary the
usual routine of garrison duty. February 16th, the entire regiment
numbered 1,452 men. The effects of climate had seriously diminished its
ranks. Up to the date last named, upward of 300 men had died of
disease. From July 1st previous, 70 men had died at Fort
Jackson. Experience provided that while black men made good and faithful
soldiers, their power of endurance was not equal to that of whites. In
April the station of the First battalion was transferred from Fort Jackson
to Brashear City. The duties of the regiment at the several posts
possessed few of the charms that give attraction and excitement to the
movements of the field. It was mustered out at New Orleans, October 2d,
1865. On the 7th, it embarked on board the steamship 'North Star' for New
York, where it arrived on the 15th. On landing, the regiment marched up
Broadway preceded by a brass band and drum corps organized from its ranks,
presenting one of the most imposing scenes that had been witnessed by the
citizens of New York since the commencement of the return of soldiers from
the field of war. Leaving New York in the propeller 'Doris', the regiment
reached Portsmouth Grove at eight and a half o'clock A. M., October 18th,
and was received with a national salute fired by a detachment of the
Newport Artillery under Colonel John Hare Powell. Saturday morning October
21st, the regiment made a visit to Providence. A few days after, the men
were scattered to their homes, having by their general good conduct as
soldiers honored the state whose name they bore upon their regimental
colors, and paying in this manner a gratifying tribute to the untiring
energy of the chief executive by whom they were called into service.

The assault upon Fort Sumter April 12th, 1861, sent a thrill of patriotic
indignation through all the loyal states. In no one was this more visible
than in Rhode Island, and when Governor Sprague tendered to the general
government the services of 1,000 infantry and a battery of artillery, he
but expressed the spirit of the people. It was under this state of feeling
that the Marine Artillery was organized for three months' active service by
Captain Charles H. Tompkins, who was appointed to the command and
commissioned April 18th. Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, lieutenant governor elect,
having tendered his services to Governor Sprague, was appointed upon his
staff, with the rank of colonel, and took the general command of the
battery until after it reached Washington. On the afternoon of April 18th,
the battery embarked at Providence on board the steamer 'Empire State' for
Jersey City, taking with it over the 100 horses, six field pieces,
caissons, battery wagon and forge. From thence the battery proceeded to
Easton, Pa., and encamped on the fair grounds."

continued in part 39.

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