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3. Provenance |
1861-1865 Catalog number: MSS 673, subgroup 4 Processed by: Rick Stattler, September 1997 (updated through 2002) ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Rhode Island played an important role in the Civil War despite its small size. It sent eight regiments of infantry, four regiments of artillery and three regiments of cavalry to the front, in addition to several smaller units. The following were among the more renowned of these regiments.
The First Rhode Island Detached Militia was a three-month regiment formed at the outset of the war, and was led into battle by the state's dashing young governor William Sprague, who had his horse shot out from under him at the First Battle of Bull Run. The Second Rhode Island Infantry also served at Bull Run, where their Major Sullivan Ballou died shortly after writing a famous letter to his wife Sarah; the regiment later served at Gettysburg and other battles. Several batteries of the First Rhode Island Light Infantry served in the fiercest battles of the war, including Antietam and Fredericksburg; they played a particularly dramatic role at Gettysburg. The Fourteenth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery was composed entirely of white officers and black enlisted men, and while it never saw combat like the similar 54th Massachusetts did, it served honorably under difficult conditions in Texas and New Orleans.
Many Rhode Islanders also served as federal soldiers, including two famous generals, Ambrose Burnside and George Sears Greene. The following two works are the best place to go for a summary of Rhode Island's military contributions to the war effort.
Bibliography:
Barker, Harold R. History of the Rhode Island Combat Units in the Civil War (1861-1865) (Published by the author, 1964).
Dyer, Elisha. Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations for the Year 1865 (Republished in Providence: E.L. Freeman & Son, 1893). Volume 1 gives a complete list of soldiers in the infantry regiments, while volume 2 lists soldiers in the cavalry and artillery, as well as Rhode Island soldiers and sailors in U.S. regiments.
The Rhode Island Historical Society holds a great variety of records relating to the state's military units. In addition to official records like muster rolls, clothing accounts and troop returns, there are also innumerable unofficial records like diaries and letters written by soldiers; post-war memoirs; records of veteran groups; and records of organizations from the home front that supported the troops. The following guide is arranged by regiment, and lists all known records for that regiment at the R.I.H.S., both official and personal. Researchers interested in an individual soldier should first determine their regiment and company using Dyer's report mentioned above. Those interested in a particular battle should consult Barker to learn which Rhode Island units served there. Those interested in general stories of patriotism and suffering should be prepared to spend some time; many of the collections of correspondence here have never been seriously examined by scholars, and may contain all sorts of treasures.
These records arrived in many different accessions over the years. Probably the most significant was a gift of 35 volumes from the National Archives in 1947. A detailed note on provenance of these records has been prepared and placed in the collection file at the repository.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry.
(a.k.a. Rhode Island Detached Militia)
Second Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
Fourth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
Ninth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
Tenth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
Eleventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
Twelfth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
First Light Battery, Rhode Island Volunteers
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery
Third Regiment, Rhode Island Heavy Artillery
Fifth Regiment, Rhode Island Heavy Artillery
Tenth Light Battery, Rhode Island Volunteers
Fourteenth Regiment, Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored)
(also 11th U.S. Heavy Artillery, Colored)
First Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry
Second Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry
Third Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry
Seventh Squadron, Rhode Island Cavalry
MISCELLANEOUS
Forty-first Regiment, U.S. Infantry (Colored)
(1st Division, 25th Army Corps)
Related papers from Hospital Guards, Rhode Island Volunteers
Related papers from sailors in the Navy
Related papers from soldiers not in R.I. units
Related papers from Civil War-related organizations
Sources relating to the draft
Women's diaries that comment on the war
Other personal papers that relate to the war
First Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry.
Also known as the First Rhode Island Detached Militia
3-month regiment, April 20 - August 2, 1861.
Col. Ambrose Burnside.
Served at First Battle of Bull Run, etc.
Records:
Volume 1. Morning reports, Co. C, 1861
Box 1, folder 1. Muster roll, Co. E, 4/17/1861
Box 1, folder 2. Seven orders (Burnside and MacClellan) and 3 individual pay records, 1861.
Related papers:
John A. Allen Papers (MSS 9001-A). Commission as 2nd Lt. in Company K; regimental order dated 4/22/1861, Providence.
Zachariah Allen Papers (MSS 254). Includes copy of letter from Henry T. Sisson to James Aborn dated 5/3/1863, describing actions of 1st at the Battle of Bull Run, and also the controversy between Burnside and Sprague.
William R. Arnold Papers (MSS 9001-A). Includes diary while serving in Company C, April to July 1861.
Charles Bassett Family Papers (MSS 288). Includes numerous letters from William Lee Reynolds, member of the regimental band.
Albert G. Bates (MSS 9001-B). Two lectures by a lieutenant from Co. G.
Ambrose E. Burnside Papers (MSS 321). Includes scattered correspondence from 1861, most significantly a letter from Lt. Knight of Company D, being held as prisoner of war.
William Earle & Co. Records (MSS 395). Includes letter from prison in Richmond by Capt. William L. Bowers, regimental quartermaster, describing his capture at the Battle of Bull Run, dated 7/25/1861, alleged to be the first letter received in Providence from Libby Prison. Also several documents relating to his imprisonment and release, 1862-1864.
Edward W. Fales Family Papers (MSS 9001-F). Letters, commissions of private from Co. F.
First Regiment and First Battery Rhode Island Detached Militia Veterans Association Records (MSS 1006). 1 foot of records, 1879-1923.
T.J. Griffin (MSS 9001-G). "The Medical Department of the First Regiment, Rhode Island Detached Militia". 33 pages, typescript, 1909.
Francello G. Jillson (R.I.H.S.M., MSS 9003 17:59). Sixteen-page letter from Corporal Jillson to his parents, April 28, 1861, describing arrival of Company K in Washington.
Martin Page Papers (MSS 599). Includes letter from Pvt. Martin P. Buffum of Co. C, July 13, 1865. Also a patriotic hymn composed by Jonathan Bowers, 7/4/1862.
Pearson Papers (MSS 608). Includes several letters from Pvt. William Chace of Company D, 1861. Pearson was apparently a soldier himself, in an out-of-state regiment.
John T. Pitman Papers (MSS 626). Includes extensive correspondence of both Capt. John T. Pitman and Pvt. John T. Pitman Jr. of Company G.
Frederic M. Sackett Papers (MSS 695). Includes letters written as private in Company D, 1861.
John F. Trask (MSS 9001-T). Letter from private in Co. D to A.R. Turner dated Libby Prison.
Silas Winchester Papers (MSS 810). Includes commissions, pension records, service history of Company B private.
Luther Winslow (MSS 9001-W). Includes 5 letters received by brothers Luther T. Winslow of Co. C and Nathaniel Winslow of Co. A.
Second Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
June 19 1861 - July 17 1865.
Cols. John S. Slocum, Frank Wheaton, Nelson Viall, Horatio Rogers Jr.
Served at First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Appomattox, etc.
Records:
Volume 2. Clothing book, Co. A, B, C, D. 1862-1865.
Volume 3. Clothing book, Co. E, F, G, H. 1862-1865.
Volume 4. Orderly book. Brigade and division orders, correspondence, and Elisha H. Rhodes commissions, June 1864-July 1865
Volume 5. Orderly book. 6th Corps, Div. and the Army of the Potomac Orders, June 1864-July 1865
Volume 6. Orderly book. War Dept. orders from 6th Corps, Division, Brigade, June 1864-July 1865
Box 1, folder 3. Loose quartermaster papers, Co. E, 1864-1865
Box 1, folder 4. Miscellaneous general orders, court martials, pass, 1861-1862.
Box 1, folder 5. Muster roll, Company I, 12/1863 - 2/1864
Box 1, folder 6. Muster-out rolls of troops in hospital in Philadelphia, 1865
Box 2. Bull Run reports, 1861
Quartermaster reports, 7/14/1861 and 11/1861
Morning reports, 6/1861 - 6/1865 (extensive but incomplete)
Box 3. Returns, 6/1861 to 12/1861
Muster roll of officers, 8/1861
Muster roll of field, staff and band, 9-10/1861 and 11-12/1861
Recruiting reports, 10/1861, 11/1861 and 12/1861
Men sent home, 1861
Map of camp near Washington, 1861
Returns of men joined from each company, 10-12/1861
Hospital muster roll, 10-12/1861
Muster rolls and returns, company E, October 1864 - May 1865
Enlistments, 1864
Muster roll of E.H. Rhodes' detachment, 4-6/1864
Returns, 6/1864 - 6/1865
Related papers (2nd R.I. Infantry):
Charles H. Angell (MSS 9001-A). Letter from corporal in Co. B to family, 8/26/1862.
Peleg Angell Papers (MSS 959). Including draft of letter to "General Mauleland", ca. 1863, requesting discharge for son Charles H. Angell, corporal in Company B.
Sullivan Ballou Papers (MSS 277). Letters by Maj. Ballou, June 23 to July 19, 1861.
Henry T. Blanchard Letters (MSS 85). Letters from a sergeant in Co. K, 1861-1864.
George W. Braman (MSS 9001-B). Commission as corporal, Co. K, 5/10/1863.
Henry C. Bushnell (MSS 9001-B). 2 letters from Corp. Percy Miller, Company C, 12/17/1861 and 1/16/1863.
Isaac Cobb (MSS 9001-C). 12 letters from soldier in Co. G who died at Bull Run, 1861.
Daniel A. Handy (MSS 9001-H). Letters, 1863-1865, of private in companies B and F.
Rowland Hazard II Papers (MSS 483, sg 6). Two folders of records of the South Kingstown Committee on the Relief Fund, including two lists of 2nd Infantry soldiers. In box 15, folder 22b.
George A. Lindell (MSS 9001-L). 5 letters from corporal in Company F, 1864-1865.
McGregor Family Papers (MSS 564). Includes 4 letters by soldier in Libby Prison, plus 10 other miscellaneous items, 1861-1863. Identification is uncertain, but probably of Co. B, 2nd R.I. Infantry.
Pendleton Family Papers (MSS 1086). Three letters from Jason P. Rathbone, 9/9/1861, 9/23/1861, 12/11861, Company B and one letter from Robert E. Gardiner, 11/20/1861, Company D.
Charles E. Perkins Papers (MSS 515). Letters written to his family, 1861-1865.
Elisha H. Rhodes Papers (MSS 1089). Extensive papers of Rhodes, who rose from corporal to colonel in regiment; served in companies D and B. See also the published edition of his diary/memoir, All for the Union. MSS 1089 includes scattered personal wartime correspondence, 1885 diary notes, and the following official 2nd Regiment papers:
Clothing, camp and garrison equipage returns and vouchers, 1863-1864
Clothing rolls, 7/1863 - 9/1864
Descriptive lists, 1865
Deserter lists, 1864-1865
Inventories of soldiers' effects, 1865
Memorandum book, 1863-1865, including rosters of camp guards, pickets, officers of the day 1865; supply notes, 1863; three general orders issued as commander of battalion, 1864, and soldiers out on leave, June-July 1865
Muster rolls, 1863-1865
Ordnance returns and invoices, 1863-1864
Passes, 1861-1865
Pay receipts, 1863
Re-enlistment certificates, 12/26/1863
Register of commissioned officers, 1/1/1865
Returns of deceased soldiers (quarterly reports) 1864-1865; annual return of alterations and casualties, 1865
Statements of charges on muster and pay rolls, 1863-1864
Transportation receipts, 1863
Elisha H. Rhodes (MSS 9001-R). Letter re leave for Sgt. Cheney, 12/11/1863.
Second Regiment Rhode Island Veterans Association (MSS 709). Records, 1879-1909.
Ward Papers (MSS 776). Includes several letters from Capt. William G. Turner, 1861-1863, who served in Companies K, E, F and G and was wounded at the battle of Salem Heights.
John R. Waterhouse (MSS 9001-W). Documents service in Company I.
Francis L. Wheaton Papers (MSS 9001-W). Papers as regimental surgeon, 1861-1862.
Frank Wheaton Papers (MSS 9001-W). Papers as colonel of regiment, 1861-1862.
Fourth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
October 5 1861 - July 25 1865
Cols. William H.P. Steere, Isaac P. Rodman, Joseph B. Curtis.
Served at Antietam, Fredericksburg, etc.
Records:
Volume 7. Morning report of sick and wounded, 9/1861 - 1/1863
Volume 8. Morning report of sick and wounded, 1/1863 - 7/1864
Volume 9. Descriptive book, Company C, 1861-1864
Volume 10. Clothing book, Company C, 1861
Volume 11. Surgeon's report of enlistees, Providence, 9/13/1861 (apparently all Co. H and I), examined by Surgeon Wheaton.
Box 1, folder 7. Hospital record book, 1862-1864
Box 1, folder 8. Officer re-enlistments, 1/5/1864;
Court martial of Pvt. Edwin Gallagher of Co. E, 1/6/1863
Related papers:
John A. Allen Papers (MSS 9001-A). Appointment as military governor of Beaufort, N.C. with two letters received in that capacity, 1862. Also commissions, leave, discharge as major and captain in regiment.
William Stillwell Chace Papers (MSS 9001-C). Copies of letters written to sister by captain of Company E, October 9 1861 to July 16 1862.
Fourth Rhode Island Veterans Association Records (MSS 9001-F). Record book, 1890-1899; Articles of association, 1872, 1873, 189l
Amos D. and James Y. Smith Collection (MSS 234). Includes letter from Secretary of War Edwin Stanton commending regiment, 6/18/1863, in box 2, folder 11.
Henry Joshua Spooner Papers (MSS 732). Letters by Lt. Spooner of Company E, mostly 1862-1864. 74 items.
Sprague Papers (MSS 735). Letter from Col. Isaac P. Rodman reporting on movements, 11/9/1861. 4 pages.
Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
May 22 1862 - June 9 1865
Col. Zenas Bliss
Served at Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, etc.
Records:
Volume 12. Clothing book, Companies A, B. C, 1862-1864
Volume 13. Clothing book, Company D, 1862-1864
Volume 14. Clothing book, Companies E, F, G, 1862-1864
Volume 15. Clothing book, Companies H, I, K, 1862-1864
Volume 16. Morning reports, 9/1862 - 8/1865
Box 1, folder 9. Muster roll of Co. A and part of Co. B, 10/21/1864
Muster-out roll of troops in hospital in Philadelphia, 1865.
General order mustering out troops, 6/21/1865
Related papers:
John F. Austin Papers (MSS 272). Includes 38 letters written by Lt. Austin of Company K to wife Emily Austin, 1862-1863.
Dunnell, Jacob (MSS 9001-D). Two letters from David P. Sherman, 1864-1865.
Gilbert Family Papers (MSS 516). Includes diary and letters of Peleg G. Jones, corporal in Company I, 1862-1865. Also pension records.
Benjamin C. Harris Papers (MSS 112). Includes extensive records of James Harris, regimental surgeon, 1863-1865.
George A. Lindell (MSS 9001-L). Includes letter from Pvt. William H. Jordan of Company K, 1/11/1864.
Peleg Peckham Diary (MSS 9001-P). Diary of captain in Company A, January 1 1865 to his death on April 2, 1865.
Pendleton Family Papers (MSS 1086). 9 Letters from Charles P. Nye, Company K,1862-1865; 2 letters from George H. Lewis, Company A, 1862, 1865; 5 letters from John N. Barber to his wife, Company A, 1865; 1 letter from Charles E. Slocum, Company A, 1863; 3 letters from Benjamin E. Wells, Company G then H, 1863-1864.
Charles H. Perkins Papers (MSS 9001-P). Pension file of private in Company E; and letters received from family back in R.I., 1865.
James Remington Papers (MSS 166). Records as captain in Company H, 1862.
Alfred U. Collins Family Papers (MSS 1065, box 2, folder 8). Letter from Aldrich C. Kenyon to "Respected Friend." Private, Co. A, 3/23/1865, describing duty at Fort Sedgwick.
Ninth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
3-month regiment, May 27 - September 2 1862.
Col. John T. Pitman
Garrison duty near Washington, D.C.
Records:
Box 1, folder 10. Orders, 6/1862.
Box 1, folder 11. Orders, 7/1862.
Box 1, folder 12. Orders, 8/1862.
Related papers:
Edward W. Fales Family Papers (MSS 9001-F). Letters, commissions of sergeant in Co. L.
Benjamin Ray Phelon Family Papers (MSS 618). Diary entry by Sgt. B.R. Phelon, May 27 1862.
John T. Pitman Papers (MSS 626). Includes extensive correspondence of Col. Pitman.
Tenth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
3-month regiment, May 27 - September 1 1862
Cols. Zenas Bliss, James Shaw Jr.
Garrison duty near Washington, D.C.
Records:
Volume 17. Descriptive book, Company K
Volume 18. Orderly book, 1862. All special orders pertain to Company K, but the bulk are general orders pertaining to the regiment as a whole.
Related papers:
Henry T. Blanchard Papers (MSS 85). Includes letters from Horace T. Blanchard of Co. B.
Charles P. Gay (MSS 9001-G). Commission as sergeant.
William H. Poole Papers (MSS 9001-P). Certificate of discharge from Co. G., issued 1892.
Rhode Island State Militia Records (MSS 673, subgroup 7). Includes roster of the Fourth Ward Drill Corps, 1861, with marks by names of those who later enlisted in the 10th Regiment. Also, record book of state militia company formed from veterans of 10th R.I., in 1863.
Unidentified (MSS 9001-U). “some Experiences of a Boy's Army Life”. Reminiscences by a soldier from an unknown company. 20 pages.
Eleventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
9-month regiment, October 1 1862 - July 13 1863.
Cols. Edwin Metcalf,. Horatio Rogers Jr., George E. Church.
Served at Norfolk and Yorktown, Virginia.
Records:
Volume 19. Descriptive book, Company I, 1863
Volume 20. Clothing book, Company I, 1862
Volume 21. Orderly book, 1862-1863
Volume 22. Orderly book, 1862-1863 (virtually identical to vol. 21, but in poor condition)
Box 1, folder 13. Muster roll of Company F, 5/1/1863 - 6/13/1863. Delicate; use copy.
Box 1, folder 14. Roll of Company G, 1862. Only names and addresses.
Box 1, folder 15. Muster roll, Company I, 10/1/1862 - 11/1/1862
Box 1, folder 16. Roster of veterans: officers, regimental staff and Co. K (received by John Pitman from W.H. Hedly, 1918).
Box 4. Muster rolls, Company I, 10/1862 - 4/1863
Enlistments, Company I, 1862-63
Ordnance returns and receipts, Company I, 11/1862 - 10/1863
Loose company orders, Company I, 1862-63
Clothing returns, Company I, 1862-63
Miscellaneous, Company I, 1862-63
Box 5. Statement of claims of 11th and 12th Regiments
Related papers:
Henry J. Anthony (MSS 9001-A). Diary, 1862-1863, soldier in Co. I.
Albert G. Bates (MSS 9001-B). Two lectures re service by 2nd Lt. of Co. C.
Charles Bickerton (MSS 9001-B). GAR and pension papers of private in Co. G, 1863-1905.
William A. Mowry Papers (MSS 9001-M). Correspondence of captain of Company K with wife and friends, 1862-1863.
John T. Pitman Papers (MSS 626). Includes extensive correspondence of both Lt. Col. John T. Pitman, and Company K's Lt. John Pitman Jr.
Charles A. Shaw Papers (MSS 713). Includes several letters received from Charles W. Millard, private of Co. K, 1862.
Silas Winchester Papers (MSS 810). Includes commissions, pension records, service history of sgt in Company D.
Miscellaneous Military Papers (MSS 673, subgroup 13). Includes record book of the Fourth Ward Company of Volunteers, August 1862, listing volunteers and their residences, most of whom ended up in the 11th or 12th Regiments.
Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers
9-month regiment, October 13 1862 - July 29 1863
Col. George H. Browne
Served at Fredericksburg, Lexington, defense of Washington
Records:
Box 5 Statement of claims, 11th and 12th Regiments
Muster rolls, returns, payrolls, etc. 1862-63
Muster rolls, payrolls, etc., Company K, 10/1862 - 7/1863
Related papers:
George H. Browne (MSS 9001-B). Letter from colonel of regiment to mother, dated Kentucky, 6/17/1863
Edward W. Fales Family Papers (MSS 9001-F). Letters, commissions of Lt. in Company K.
Rowland Hazard II Papers (MSS 483, sg 6). List of 34 recruits receiving bounty from South Kingstown, [1862].
Matteson Family Papers (MSS 1021). Single letter of Sgt. George W. Arnold of Company I, 10/28/1862, giving detailed description of trip from Providence to Virginia.
Miscellaneous Military Papers (MSS 673, subgroup 13). Includes record book of the Fourth Ward Company of Volunteers, August 1862, listing volunteers and their residences, most of whom ended up in the 11th or 12th Regiments.
Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society Records (MSS 723). Includes reminiscences of regimental chaplain S.W. Field.
Sprague Papers (MSS 735). Includes letter, Gov. William Sprague to Mrs. Rhobe Brown, reassuring her that her son's services are needed in the war, 10/6/1862. Presumably mother of Col. George Brown.
Watson Family Papers (MSS 868). Includes discharge papers and passes of Henry H. Watson, Sr., private in Company E, 1862-1863.
Christopher T. White Papers (MSS 9001-W). Includes fragmentary diary as corporal in Company D, March 31 to April 19 1863.
A full transcription of the White diary follows, as the original is difficult to read, and probably not worth the effort:
"March 31 left Coventry for Lexington 11 P.M. arrived in Lexington at 10 Oclock PM stop in the cars till morning
April 1 March to our Camp ground arived Bout noon & Pich tents Sundy afternoon we stop 8 days April the 8 at 9 Oclock we started to Winchester we Mar 24 miles got thare at 7 Oclock in the Evening Laid down on the Ground and went to Sleep. Lef Camp near Winchester April 16 and march 10 miles then [several words illegible]
comence at 10 O'Clock and got through at 11 Oclock PM
the 18 A Batry went over
19 was [sunday?] caried the citizens I J J touch
super at one Mrs. [Morrison?] [the rest is illegible]"
Another page reads "left Cincinat july 19 at 8 Oclo AM Arived in Jesey Citty July A Oclock"
First Light Battery, Rhode Island Volunteers
3-month unit, April 18 - August 6 1861
Capt. Charles H. Tompkins
Served at Harper's Ferry and defense of Washington.
No records found
Related papers:
First Regiment and First Battery Rhode Island Detached Militia Veterans Association Records (MSS 1006). 1 foot of records, 1879-1923.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery
1861-1865
Col. Charles H. Tompkins
This regiment never served together; its eight batteries all had separate histories (see below).
Related papers (regimental):
Foster Town Records Collection (MSS 198). Enlistment and pay lists of men going to the RI Light Artillery with no mention of which Battery they have been assigned, 8/20/1862, 8/21/1862, 8/27/1862.
John A. Perry Papers (MSS 9001-P). Includes 4 letters as regimental chaplain, 1862-1863.
Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society Records (MSS 723). Includes reminiscences of Lt. Col. J. Albert Monroe regarding the regiment as a whole.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery A
June 6 1861 - September 23 1864 (consolidated with Battery B).
Served at Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, etc.
Records:
Volume 23. Clothing book, Battery A, 1861-1864
See: James H. Remington Papers (MSS 166) for official records and muster rolls of Battery A.
Related papers:
William C. Barker Papers (MSS 282). 165 letters from private in Battery A, June 1861 to June 1864.
Henry C. Brown (MSS 9001-B). Letter to sister from Battery A soldier, 11/11/1862.
Harry C. Cushing Papers (MSS 82). Includes one letter, 10/1/1861, written as sergeant, Battery A.
Jeremiah M.C. Olney Papers (MSS 596). Includes many letters 1861-1864 by Amos M.C. Olney of Battery A (transferred to Battery B September 1864).
James H. Remington (MSS 166). This is the largest collection of official records concerning Battery A. It includes original muster rolls and official circulars and orders received by the Battery officers. Remington was not a member of this Battery.
William H. Reynolds (MSS 9001-R). Scrapbook of soldier from Battery A, 1861.
Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society Records (MSS 723). Includes reminiscences of Capt. William A. Arnold.
William H. Walcott Papers (MSS 9001-W). Includes a memorial account of heroism as sergeant at Bull Run.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery B
August 13 1861 - June 13 1865
Served at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, etc.
Records:
Volume 24. Clothing book, Battery B, 1861-1864
Box 1, folder 17. Muster-out roll of troops in hospital in Philadelphia, 1865.
See: James H. Remington Papers (MSS 166) for official records and muster rolls of Battery B.
Related papers:
Battery B Association (MSS 9001-B). Two folders of records of veteran organization, including copies of letters from soldiers.
David B. Patterson (MSS 9001-P). Letter from corporal in Battery B to mother, June 13, 1862. 10 pages.
Pendleton Family Papers (MSS 1086). 2 letters from William Perry Wells, 9/1/1861, 11/30/1861.
James H. Remington Papers (MSS 166). Along with official records for the Battery, this collection also includes transcriptions of the diary and correspondence of Sgt. Albert Straight and documents relating to the Gettysburg Gun. Remington was not a member of this Battery.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery C
August 25 1861 - December 23 1864
Served at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, etc.
Records:
Volume 25. Clothing book, Batteries C and D, 1861-1864
Related papers:
Pendleton Family Papers (MSS 1086). 4 letters from Silas W. Wood, 1862-1863.
Frederic M. Sackett Papers (MSS 695). Includes letters written as lieutenant in Battery C, 1861-1863.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery D
September 4 1861 - July 17 1865
Served at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, etc.
Records:
Volume 25. Clothing book, Batteries C and D, 1861-1864
Box 1, folder 17. Muster-out roll of troops in hospital in Philadelphia, 1865.
(No related papers)
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery E
October 5 1861 - June 11 1865
Served at 2nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, etc.
Records:
Volume 26. Clothing book, Battery E, 1861-1864
Related papers:
Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society Records (MSS 723). Includes reminiscences of Lt. John K. Bucklyn.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery F
October 29 1861 - June 27 1865
Served in various smaller battles in North Carolina.
Records:
Volume 27. Clothing book, Battery F, 1862-1864
Box 6. Ordnance and equipage, 1864-1865
Related papers:
Peter C. Smith (MSS 9001-S). 5 diaries kept as sergeant and lieutenant in Battery F, October 29 1861 to July 23 1863.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery G
December 2 1861 - June 24 1865
Served at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, etc.
Records:
Volume 28. Clothing book, Battery G, 1862-1864
Related papers:
Albert D. Cordner (MSS 9001-C). Diary of private in Battery G, 3/3/1862 - 1/18/1863.
Charles V. Scott (MSS 9001-S). Commissions, orders, widow's pension of lieutenant. 7 items.
Pendleton Family Papers (MSS 1086). 2 letters from Henry Larkin 1/1/1864 and 2/25/1864.
First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery H
October 23 1862 - June 28 1865
Served at Petersburg, etc.
Records:
Volume 29. Clothing book, Battery H, 1862-1864
Related papers:
Foster Town Records Collection (MSS 198) Letter from Capt. Hazard certifying that James Campbell of Foster enlisted on Aug. 18, 1862 and serves in that unit, 12/27/1862. Three letters from 2nd Lieut. Stenham certifying that John H. Wishman, Enil Deny, and Jules Layunesse all enlisted Aug. 25, 1862 and serve in his company, 3/3/1864.
Third Regiment, Rhode Island Heavy Artillery
August 1861 - September 1865
Cols. Nathaniel W. Brown, Edwin Metcalf, Charles R. Brayton.
Served at Pocotaligo, Morris Island, Fort Wagner, Petersburg, etc.
Records:
Volume 30. Morning reports, 9/1861 - 9/1862
Volume 31. Morning reports, 9/1862 - 3/1864
Volume 32. Clothing book, Company A.
Volume 33. Clothing book, Company B.
Volume 34. Clothing book, Company C.
Volume 35. Clothing book, Company D & F.
Volume 36. Clothing book, Company G, H & K.
Volume 37. Clothing book, Company L & M.
Volume 38. Guard duty reports, 7-10/1862
Volume 39. Record of endorsements, 1865
Box 1, folder 18. Account book, 6/1863 - 8/1864, kept by George M. Turner of Co. A. Includes some personal accounts, and a list of personal letters sent.
Box 1, folder 19. Enlistments, Company B, 8/19/1861
Box 1, folder 20. Guard report, Folly Island, 12/11/1863 (also includes 1st U.S. Artillery)
Related papers:
Isaac Bishop Papers (MSS 9001-B). Discharge as private in Co. A, Morris Island, 1/21/1864.
Charles Ray Brayton Papers (MSS 304). Includes journal kept as captain of Company C during siege of Fort Wagner, August 16 to August 30, 1863, with transcription. Also letters written home. Later colonel of regiment.
Nathaniel W. Brown (MSS 9001-B). Roll of Company D, July 23, 1861.
Comstock Family Papers (MSS 169). Includes two orders received by Joseph J. Comstock Jr. as officer in Company M from 1861 to 1863; and letter written to Comstock Sr. assuring him of son's health, 7/11/1863, Folly Island.
Benjamin Gladding (MSS 9001-G). 10 letters from the front from Lt. William A. Sabin of Company C, 1862-1865.
Michael Gormley Papers (MSS 9001-G). 12 items re pvt. in Company I awarded medal of honor.
Grand Army of the Republic Records (MSS 448). Includes records of the Third Regiment Veterans Association, in boxes 2, 18 and 19.
George H. Luther (MSS 9001-L). Memoir of prison experiences by private in Company A, 8/64 - 3/65.
Matteson Family Papers (MSS 1021). Includes 22 letters by Assistant Surgeon Job Kenyon, 9/15/1862 - 1/1/1863. Very well-written, with complete transcriptions.
James McNiff Papers (MSS 9001-M). Discharges from Companies I (1864) and C (1865).
Edwin Metcalf Papers (MSS 9001-M). Metcalf was colonel of the regiment. This small collection includes three letters re the death of his son Lt. Frederick Metcalf of Co. B, several muster rolls and two field orders.
Pendleton Family Papers (MSS 1086). Letter from William H. Worden, Company C, 9/25/1861. He died of disease at sea aboard the Cahawba on 11/1/1861.
Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society Records (MSS 723). Includes reminiscences of regimental chaplain Frederic Denison; and Michael J. Higgins, who served in Co. K, G and M.
Thayer-Jackson-Hawkins Papers (MSS 748). Includes 13 letters from Ziba C. Thayer of Company C to his sister Sophia Hawkins.