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From: Beth Hurd <>
Subject: Providence during the Rebellion (part 41)
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 14:07:55 -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 41)

"The term of service of the original three years' men having now expired,
the battery comprising that class returned home under Captain Arnold, and
arrived in Providence Monday morning, June 13th. On the evening of June
15th, a sumptuous complimentary supper was given to the battery at the City
Hotel by a number of gentlemen whose interest in its welfare had been
unabated through its long and honorable career. The battery was mustered
out of service June 18th.

Less than 50 men of the battery remained in the field after the departure
of those whose three years' term of service had expired. These were
recruits and re-enlisted veterans. The command devolved on Lieutenant
Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, who re-organized it with admirable despatch. He
procured men from other batteries of the corps to supply its deficiencies,
and in three days announced the battery as ready for the front. On the
30th of September the battery was consolidated with Battery B, which act
terminated a distinctive history marked by brilliant deeds.

Battery B, 1st Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, left Providence for
Washington August 13th, 1861. On arriving there it was assigned to General
Stone's command, afterward Sedgwick's corps, Amy of the Potomac. October
21st, the left section, under the command of Captain Vaughan, proceeded to
Conrad's Ferry, to operate in the unfortunate battle of Ball's Bluff. In
February, 1862, the battery advanced to Winchester, Va. It moved with the
army of the Potomac in the captain of the Peninsula. It engaged the enemy
before Yorktown, was subsequently present as a support at the battle of
Hanover Court House, was under fire at Fair Oaks, was in position at Peach
Orchard, Savage's Station and Malvern Hill, having several men wounded at
the latter place. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13th, the
battery fought bravely under a hot fire, losing 16 men killed and wounded,
and 12 battery horses shot. At Gettysburg the battery again went into
action and came out with a heavy loss of horses, four men killed and 23
wounded. In the subsequent movements of the army of the Potomac up to the
close of 1863, the battery handsomely maintained, especially at Bristoe
Station and Mine Run, a well-earned reputation. It wintered in the valley
of the Rappahannock. It was now attached to the First Division (Barlow's),
Second Army Corps, and shared in all the hard fights that marked the way to
Petersburg. In the battle of the Wilderness it occupied a position in an
open space in front of the advance line. At Todd's Tavern, four guns were
placed in the front line in woods so dense that a road was cut for each
gun, and when planted the eye could not penetrate 50 yards in advance. On
the afternoon of the 9th of May, the battery reached the Po, and a section
was sent forward to shell a wagon train beyond the river. The rebels
replied, killing two men of the battery. On the 10th, Barlow's division
was attacked by a greatly superior force, and was ordered to re-cross the
Po. The battery was sent to take position on a hill overlooking the river,
to cover the crossing. This was done with complete success, the heavy and
well directed fire upon the pursuing rebels causing them to seek shelter in
the woods in great disorder. At this time one man was killed and four were
wounded by an enfilading fire from rebel battery on the left. On the 12th,
the battery was stationed all day within 500 yards of the rebel rifle-pits,
where a sharp contest was carried on until after two o'clock on the morning
of the 13th. On the 15th, Corporal McMeekin and Private Stephen Collins
volunteered to run out and fasten ropes to two rebel guns that lay
abandoned between the lines of sharpshooters, while a company of infantry
should pull them within the Union lines. The dangerous enterprise was
successfully accomplished. On the 19th the battery was severely engaged
and lost one man. June 3d the battery had four men wounded at Cold Harbor,
and in August five men wounded before Petersburg. Batteries A and B were
now operated together under a single commander, though they were not
officially consolidated until September 30th, when the two took the name of
Battery B, as mentioned in the sketch of Battery A."

continued in part 42.

for more info:
http://suvcwricamp21.tripod.com/Artillery/1ltamain.htm
http://suvcwricamp21.tripod.com/Artillery/1ltbmain.htm

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