George McClellan Identification Disk of J. W. Smith Company H. 4th Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
George McClellan Identification Disk of J. W. Smith Company H. 4th Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry - Inventory Number: IDE 285
Civil War Identification disk bearing the likeness of George McLellan and the legend “MAJOR GENERAL Geo B. McCLELLAN / WAR OF 1861.” The reserve is stamped. “J. W. Smith Co. H. 4th Reg R.I.V.I Wickford R.I.” enlisted in June 1861 as a private in the into "H" Co. Rhode Island 4th Infantry.
The Regiment took heavy casualties at Antietam.
On the morning of the 17th, Harland’s Brigade moved from its position southeast of Burnside Bridge. The 11th Connecticut, deployed as skirmishers, preceded Crook’s Brigade in its assault on the bridge and was repulsed with great loss. During the forenoon the remaining Regiments of the Brigade moved down the left bank of the Antietam, crossed at Snavely’s Ford and, moving up the right bank of the stream, formed line on the left of the Division, Ewing’s Ohio Brigade in support. At about 3 P.M., the Brigade advanced in the direction of Sharpsburg. The 8th Connecticut passed to the west of this point and the 16th Connecticut and 4th Rhode Island were in the 40-acre cornfield east, when they were attacked in flank by the right of A.P. Hill’s Division and compelled to retire to the cover of the high ground near the bridge.
John W. Smith: Residence North Kingstown, RI. Enlisted on 9/13/1861 as a Priv. On 10/30/1861, he mustered into "H" Co. Rhode Island 4th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 10/15/1864 at Providence, RI
Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. (Three years)
The Fourth Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers was enlisted under General Orders No. 48, issued August 15th, 1861. The Governor appointed Col. Justus Ingersol McCarty of the regular army, and at that time holding a commission as Major of an independent battalion, to organize the regiment. The rendezvous of the regiment was established on the banks of the Pawtuxet River, on a level plain facing the Stonington railroad, near Apponaug, and was called " Camp Greene " in honor of General Nathaniel Greene, of revolutionary fame.
September 5th, Co. A, enlisted by Orderly J. T. P. Bucklin at the National Cadets Armory, Providence, arrived in camp. This was soon followed by companies B, C. and F from Providence, Co. D, from Greenville, Burrillville and Glocester, Co. E, from Woonsocket, Co. G, from Newport, enlisted at the Newport Artillery Company's Armory, Co. H, from Wickford and adjacent villages, largely composed of members of the Narragansett Engine Company, Co. I, from Pawtucket, and Co. K, from Pawtuxet and other towns of the State. By September 21st, the Regiment was practically full. A fine band was enlisted by Joseph C. Greene, the veteran leader of the American Brass Band of Providence. The medical department, under the charge of Dr. H. W. Rivers and Dr. Robert Millar, was furnished with all necessary accessories for the comfort and care of the sick and wounded, together with a full supply of the medicines, and chemicals of a well-appointed pharmacy. The low rate of mortality in the Fourth Regiment, from disease, as compared with other regiments encamped in its immediate vicinity during the ensuing months, well-illustrated the efficiency of that department. The uniforms and equipment of the men, and the entire camp equipage, before the Regiment departed from Camp Greene, were the same as those furnished to the regular army.
The Regiment received two elegant stands of colors from ladies of Providence. The first was presented through Mrs. R. M. Bates and Mrs. E. A. Winn, and the second through Mrs. Philip Allen, Jr. Both were warmly acknowledged in behalf of the Regiment, by Col. McCarty. A majority of the officers were presented with their swords and equipment by friends. The different towns in the State voted extra bounties to the soldiers, and when the Regiment left the State, the men felt that their families would be well taken care of.
October 3d, the Regiment was reviewed by Gov. Sprague, in the presence of Gen. Burnside, many State and military officers and a large concourse of people. The brilliancy of their uniforms and the soldierly appearance of the men, as well as the accuracy of their evolutions, largely due to the military knowledge and indefatigable labors of Col. McCarty, excited general expressions of surprise and gratification.
On the 5th of October the Regiment broke camp, and after a short parade through the streets of Providence embarked on board the steamer Commodore for Washington amid the thundering of cannon and the mingled cheers and tears of kindred and friends. It proceeded to New York, and thence by rail to its destination, where it arrived October 7th, and took temporary quarters at " Camp Sprague " in the northerly suburbs of Washington. After two removes, its camp was established near Bladensburg, which received the name of " Camp Casey," in honor of Gen. Silas Casey, a native of East Greenwich, R. I. Here, for about two months, the time was filled with drills, parades and reviews. On the 16th of October, the Regiment paid its respects to President Lincoln at the White House and on the 25th, composed a part of the military cortege at the funeral of Col. Baker, who fell at Ball's Bluff. On this occasion, the Regimental Band, under the leadership of Joseph C. Greene, took a conspicuous part in the musical exercises. On the 28th, the Regiment in connection with ten others, was reviewed by General McClellan. Soon after, Col. McCarty's commission was revoked, and Capt. Isaac P. Rodman from the 2nd R. I. Vols., was appointed Colonel of the Fourth.
The first heavy marching experience of the Regiment was to Lower Marlboro, Md., where it was ordered during a state election to preserve the peace and to insure to all electors their rights at the ballot box. This delicate mission was successfully accomplished by Col. Rodman, and the discreet conduct of his men left a very favorable impression going and returning. At Camp Casey, the Regiment was brigaded with the 81st Pennsylvania, 61st New York, and 5th New Hampshire, under the command of Brig. Gen. Oliver O. Howard. On the 30th of October, the 4th was mustered into the service of the United States and was fairly launched upon the stormy sea of rebellion. Drills and the routine of camp duties filled up the time until November 28th, when the Regiment passed into Virginia, and on the 29th pitched its tents at Camp California, near Fairfax Seminary. December 14th, it proceeded to Edsall's Hill, Va., and made its first acquaintance with picket life. Here, timely and acceptable donations of mittens and socks were received from ladies of Rhode Island. Col. Rodman was also made the recipient of a handsome testimonial of regard from his officers, and New Year's Day was enlivened by the presence of Gen. Howard and the Hon. George H. Browne, then member of Congress from Rhode Island. Both made patriotic addresses, and the latter shadowed forth the work of the early future.
Among the troops selected for the North Carolina campaign, under Gen. Burnside, the Fourth Rhode Island was included. The Regiment proceeded to Annapolis, Md., where it was brigaded with the Fifth Rhode Island Battalion, and the 8th and 11th Connecticut, which, together, constituted the third brigade of the Coast Division. January 7th, 1862, the Regiment embarked on board the Eastern Queen for Fortress Monroe, and sailed thence with the fleet gathered there, for Roanoke. On the eve of its departure, Gov. Sprague, who heartily sympathized with the objects of the expedition, issued a spirited address to the Rhode Island troops, expressing regret that he could not accompany them in the new work to which they were called. In the violent gale which the fleet experienced, when approaching Hatteras Light, the Eastern Queen was driven ashore. The steamer Pocahontas, an unseaworthy vessel, was beached, with the loss of all but nineteen of the horses belonging to the Regiment. The men suffered severely for want of fresh water and food, but finally were safely landed, wading through mud and water often to the waist, and participated in the successful battle of Roanoke Island, February 7th and 8th. This was the first experience of the Regiment under fire, and in the various important positions it occupied, performed its duties with the promptness and coolness of veterans. It had the honor of first planting the Union colors (the beautiful banner presented by the ladies of Providence,) on Fort Bartow, thus announcing to the fleet that victory had been achieved. Col. Rodman and Lieut. Col. Tew led their men with great bravery, and Gen. Parke, in his official report, particularly commended Lieut. Joseph B. Curtis, Adjutant of the Regiment, for being " conspicuous in conducting and cheering on the men." The Regiment bivouacked the night of the 8th, and soon after went into -camp at " Camp Parke," where it remained or a month, recruiting its strength. While here, Quartermaster Charles Sydney Smith was detailed to act for the brigade.
In the meantime, General Burnside and Commodore Goldsborough were not idle. The capture of Newbern, as a part of the operations of the campaign, was planned, and on the 14th of March was successfully accomplished by the combined land and naval forces, with a loss to the rebels of 46 siege guns, 3 batteries of light artillery of 6 guns each, making in all 64 guns, 3000 stand of small arms, 413 men taken prisoners, and 165 killed and wounded. The Federal losses were 91 killed, and 380 wounded. In this battle the Fourth Rhode Island was fiercely engaged, and by an impetuous bayonet charge decided the fate of the day. One trophy of this charge was the battle flag of Latham's battery, whose guns were also taken. The Regiment lost 10 killed and 25 wounded, of whom 5 afterwards died. Of the former, were Capt. Charles Tillinghast, of Providence, a brave and energetic officer, and Sergt. George X. Church, of Wickford, R. I.; of the latter, were Capt. William S. Chace and Lieut. George E. Curtis, both of Providence.
In the triumphal progress of Gen. Burnside's army, Fort Macon was the next to fall. It was fully invested April 25th and surrendered after a bombardment of ten hours. Meanwhile, Companies A and E occupied Morehead City, to cut off communication with the fort. On the day of the surrender, Company A, Capt. Brown, and Company B, Capt. Martin P. Buffum, both under the command of Major John A. Allen, took formal possession of Beaufort. Major Allen was appointed Military Governor, and Captain Buffum Provost Marshal. One company occupied Carolina City, and during the process of investment seven companies were working in the trenches on the Banks for fifteen days, constantly exposed to the fire of the enemy. Five companies relieved Major Wright, of the Fifth R. I. Battalion, guarding the prisoners until they were shipped off. May 1st, Col. Rodman was appointed Military Governor of Beaufort, and Major Allen, Provost Marshal for the entire district. Col. Rodman having been commissioned Brigadier General; the command of the Regiment was assumed by Lieut. Col. George W. Tew. Lieut. Joseph B. Curtis was placed on Gen. Rodman's staff. The Regiment formed a part of the grand pageant at Newbern, June 20th, on the occasion of presenting a sword to Gen. Burnside and was particularly noticed for fine appearance and good conduct. On the 4th of July it united with the Fifth Rhode Island in celebrating the anniversary of our National Independence.
When the Ninth Army Corps, under Gen. Burnside, left North Carolina to cooperate with Gen. McClellan on the Peninsula, the Regiment followed his fortunes, and embarking on board the Empire State, arrived at Fortress Monroe July 8th, and debarked at Newport News, where the command was taken by Col. William H. P. Steere, promoted from Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regiment R. I. Volunteers. Lieut. Col. Tew having resigned August 11th, Adjutant Curtis, of Gen. Rodman's staff, was appointed to succeed him. The Regiment was now in the second brigade, comprising itself, and the 8th and 11th Connecticut, all under the command of Col. Harland. Gen. Parke commanded the division (the third), to which the brigade was attached, and Lieut. George F. Crowningshield was placed upon his staff as Aide, and Surgeon Henry W. Rivers was made Division Surgeon.
From Newport News the Regiment proceeded with its Corps to Fredericksburg and after General Pope's failure at the second battle of Bull Run, joined General McClellan, and took a conspicuous part in the great struggle on the soil of Maryland. It shared in the spontaneous ovation bestowed by the citizen of Frederick upon the Union forces as they entered that city, and in the battle of South Mountain, fought September 14th, sustained the honor already gained in North Carolina. In the battle of Antietam, on the 17th of September, the Regiment engaged with a valor second to no other on the field and closed the sanguinary day with the loss of 102 killed and wounded and 7 captured. Among the wounded were Col. Steere, who received a rifle bullet in his left thigh, Capt. Caleb T. Bowen, taken prisoner and paroled, Lieuts. George H. Watts, severely, J. Perry Clark, dangerously, and acting Lieutenant George R. Buffum, mortally. The color bearer, Corporal Thomas B. Tanner, having carried his flag within twenty feet of the enemy, was killed, but the flag was saved from capture by Lieutenant George E. Curtis. Assistant Surgeon Smalley was laboriously employed in rendering service to the wounded, Surgeon Millar being detailed to the general hospital, where his duties were arduous. Colonel Steere attempted to lead on his men after being struck, but fainting from the loss of blood, was carried to the division hospital, and the command devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis. The Regiment was here called to mourn the death of its former commander, Gen. Isaac P. Rodman, who received a mortal wound in this bloody contest, - a musket ball entering the left breast, and passing completely through his body. He was removed from the field, and conveyed to the house of Dr. Homer, near Hagerstown, Md., where he died, September 29th, aged forty-four years, in the presence of his father and his wife, who were with him to comfort his last hours. His remains were brought to Providence October 3d, where they lay in state in the Representatives' Hall in the State House, until the afternoon of the next day, when, after
an impressive service held on a canopied and draped platform, erected on the State House Parade; they were conveyed to South Kingstown, and buried October 5th, with military honors. General Rodman, at the commencement of the rebellion, at once gave up his business, and accepted the command of a company in the Second Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. He devoted himself to the study of the military art with the energy he had always brought to his business pursuits, and in the battle of Bull Run, July 21,1861, showed marked bravery and coolness. In his successive promotions, he maintained with honor his increased responsibilities. The high esteem in which he was held by his superior officers, is shown by the fact that a division was entrusted to him in the battle of South Mountain. From the commencement to the close of his military career, his efforts in behalf of the Union cause, were unfaltering; and history will gratefully embalm the memory of the Christian patriot who fought so valiantly and fell so nobly, defending his country's cause.
In November, the Regiment, with the Army of the Potomac, was in front of Fredericksburg and in the battle of December 13th, took an active part. Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis, a brave and promising officer, still in command, was killed by a ball from a shrapnel shell, while reforming the regimental line. Lieutenant George E. Curtis, Corporal Hiram Freeborn and 6 privates, were wounded. The remains of Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis were conveyed to Providence, where they were received with military honors, and after lying in state, were buried December 20th, in the North Burying Ground. Colonel Steere being still confined by his wound, the command of the Regiment was assumed by Major Buffum, who soon after (December 24th,) was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. Captain James T. P. Bucklin was promoted to be Major. The Regiment was now detached from Colonel Harland's brigade, and with the 13th New Hampshire, 25th New Jersey and 21st Connecticut was formed into a new brigade, under Colonel Dutton. February 8th, 1863, it accompanied the Ninth Army Corps to Fortress Monroe, and once more encamped at Newport News. Here it received, through Mrs. Sarah M. Hall, a handsome national flag and guidons, the gifts of a few friends in Providence. On the 13th of March, the Regiment made its camp near Suffolk, Va. From that time, it was engaged in the active operations attending the "siege of Suffolk" by the enemy, and in several skirmishes and engagements, among which was the engagement of May 3d at Hill's Point, across the Nansemond river, where the loss was one man (Corporal James Grimwood,) killed, and four wounded. Of the latter were Lieutenant George F. Waterman and Corporal George W. Allen. June 22nd, it formed part of the expedition to King William Court House, for the purpose of threatening Richmond, destroying the railroad bridges over the South and North Anna rivers, doing the enemy as much damage as possible and diverting their attention from movements of the Army of the Potomac, which objects were effectually accomplished. The Regiment returned to its encampment July 13th, after one of the most severe and fatiguing marches the Regiment endured during its whole campaign, afterwards generally termed the "Blackberry Raid," on account of the abundance of blackberries found in the fields through which the march was taken. Previous to this, Colonel Steere returned to his command, after a detention, by his wound, of nearly nine months.
In July, the Regiment was transferred to the Seventh Corps, second division, third brigade, under General Naglee. In the same month Col. Steere became acting Brigadier General of the third brigade of Getty's division of the Eighteenth Army Corps, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Buffum in command of the Regiment. Col. Steere held this position for fifteen months, having command of all the forces at Yorktown and Gloucester. He went to the front before Petersburg, Va., and participated in the battle of July 30th, 1864, soon after which he was taken sick and brought home. Before sufficiently recovered to rejoin his command, his term of service expired. Through the entire three years of varied duty, Col. Steere made the record of a brave and competent officer.
From July 15th, 1863, to March 1st, 1864, the Regiment was stationed near Portsmouth, Va., where it built and occupied winter quarters- log and slab houses and assisted in erecting substantial earthworks and completing a line of fortifications. April 1st, it reported from Norfolk, Va., where for a short time the Regiment performed provost duty. Thence it proceeded to Point Lookout, Maryland, where it reported May 1st, May 31st, and June 30th. It subsequently went to the front, and having rejoined the Ninth Corps before Petersburg, Va., was, much of the time doing duty in the trenches, and almost constantly under fire. The headquarters of Lieutenant-Colonel Buffum were within musket range, and the music of minnie balls was a daily entertainment. During this period, Capt. Frank A. Chase, Sergeant James Farley, Sergeant Cromwell P. Myrick, George Martin, (musician,) and privates Thomas Lake and Christopher Plunkett, were wounded, Farley and Myrick dying of their wounds. In the assault upon the rebel works, immediately upon the explosion of the Mine, July 30th the Regiment led by Lieut. Col. Buffum, advanced upon the enemy's line, and under a galling fire entered the crater of the fort, caused by the explosion, where a hand-to-hand fight ensued, with great slaughter on both sides. The attempt to hold the position was made in vain. The overwhelming force and deadly fire of the rebels threatened speedy destruction to the Regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Buffum, while obeying an order to withdraw his men, was fiercely charged upon by an overpowering force of the enemy, resulting in the capture of himself, Captains Bowen, Shearman, Reynolds, Lieutenant Kibby, and 21 enlisted men. The total loss in killed, wounded and missing, was 94. Of the killed were Lieutenants George A. Field and John K. Knowles, Acting Adjutant, and Corporal George S. Thomas. Of the wounded, were Captains William F. Hall, and Peleg H. Gibbs, Lieutenants Albert G. Tillinghast and Charles a. Eldridge, Sergeants John Maine, George B. Carpenter, George B. Costello, Timothy Grady, Henry Edwards, Lucien J. Reynolds, Richard Thornton, William C. Baker, and Christopher P. Bliven, Corporals Thomas A. Worden, Byron W. Dyer, John Kendall, John Oakley, Thomas Clancy, Partick Early, Daniel F. Weeden, George B. Willis, and Henry D. Lincoln. The capture of Lieutenant- Colonel Buffum left the command of the Regiment with Major James T. P. Bucklin, an efficient, brave and valuable officer. August 2d, the Regiment was still before Petersburg, and September 1st reported in the field.
From the organization of the Regiment until October 31st,1862, the duties of Chaplain were faithfully and acceptably discharged by Rev. Alonzo B. Flanders, when, on account of sickness, he was compelled to resign. His successor was Rev. Silas P. Cummings, commissioned January 7th, 1863, who resigned October 11, 1863. Rev. Mr. Flanders was re-appointed December 18, 1863, but declined to accept his commission.
Did space permit, many details of service, honorable to the Regiment, might be given; but it must suffice to say, that order, promptness, cheerfulness and bravery, characterized its performance of the varied and dangerous duties to which it was assigned. From the date of departure from Providence to September 9th, 1863, the Fourth. broke camp eighty-five times; made heavy marches in three rebel states and went within eight miles of Richmond. In the same period, besides the part taken in the battles of Roanoke, Newbern, Fort Macon, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg it had two skirmishes on the Nansemond river, and two at field with 874 men. On the date referred to, it had 581, including 161 recruits. Up to the same time it had lost 310 in killed, wounded, and by disease. Patriotism and fidelity are the sum of its honorable record.
Comes housed in 6 x 8 riker display case with red velvet and descriptive card.
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Inventory Number: IDE 285