14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment (Colored)
--------------------------- Into the idea of raising a regiment of colored men, Governor Smith early entered. He communicated with the authorities at Washington on the subject, and on the 17th of June, 1863, was granted permission to enlist a colored company of heavy artillery. This was so spiritedly done that on the 4th of August the permit was extended to a battalion, and on the 3d of September was again extended to a full regiment. In accomplishing this work many and peculiar difficulties occurred. But these, by the energy and perseverance of the Governor were successfully overcome. “Camp Smith” was established on the Dexter Training Ground, in Providence, and on the 28th of August the first company was mustered in. To Colonel Nelson Viall was assigned the duty of organizing and preparing the regiment for the field. A more judicious selection could not have been made. Colonel Viall had gained large experience in the Mexican War, had proved himself a brave and capable officer in the Army of the Potomac, had faith (as many at the time had not) in the capabilities of the colored man to make an efficient soldier, and entered heartily into the wishes of Governor Smith. He devoted himself untiringly to the work, and under his daily inspection the men made rapid progress in military evolutions. In the course of a few weeks a battalion of four companies was enlisted. In September these companies were transferred to Dutch Island, and established “Camp Bailey,” in compliment to Colonel Charles E. Bailey, Aide-de-Camp and Private Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, who had shown particular interest in the welfare of the men. The encampment on the Dexter Training Ground was still used to complete company organizations. November 19th the Governor, accompanied by the Legislature and many other invited guests, visited Dutch Island, reviewed the troops, and presented to the regiment a stand of colors. To the presentation address made by Governor Smith, Colonel Viall, in behalf of his command, returned an appropriate reply. Addresses were also made by Hon. Henry B. Anthony, Senator to Congress from Rhode Island, Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, D.D., Rev. Dr. Edward B. Hall, Rev. Dr. Barnas Sears, President of Brown University, and Rev. Dr. Leonard Swain. The regiment then broke into column and passed in review before the Governor, making a very gratifying appearance. On the 7th of December, the first battalion left the island under Major Joseph J. Comstock, Jr., and went into camp at “Camp Smith,” in Providence, preparatory to proceeding to New Orleans to join General Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf. Wednesday, December 9th, the colored ladies of Providence, through Mr. John T. Waugh, a colored native of Virginia, presented the battalion with a handsome silk flag bearing appropriate emblems. Governor Smith, Lieutenant Governor Padelford, Major General Robbins, Adjutant General Mauran, Mayor Knight and a large concourse of spectators were present at the interesting ceremony. December 19th the battalion left Providence and sailed from Newport on board the transport Cahawba for New Orleans, where it arrived December 30th. Without debarking it proceeded to Passo Cavallo, Texas, where it arrived January 8th, 1864, and was assigned to garrison duty in Fort Esperanza, Matagorda Island. Here it was visited by Major General Dana, commanding the Union forces in Texas, who expressed himself highly gratified with its appearance. In a letter to Governor Smith he says: “I took them entirely by surprise by going over in a small boat, but they were ready. The soldier-like conduct of the sentinels on post and of the main guard at the gate challenged my admiration. The ‘Assembly’ was sounded, and in five minutes the whole battalion, four hundred strong, was in line, and I have never found a regiment, even on a Sunday morning inspection, in more perfect condition. Excellence is the proper term to apply to its condition and soldierly bearing. The drill was also most creditable. Such discipline and order reflect great credit on the company officers, and especially on the Major in command.” On the 8th of January, 1864, the second battalion under the command of Captain Nelson Kenyon sailed in the transport Daniel Webster for New Orleans, where it arrived February 3d, and Captain Kenyon went on shore to report to General Banks. In the course of the day he was ordered to report to General J. J. Reynolds, commanding the defences of New Orleans. On account of the measles which prevailed to some extent in the command, the battalion was ordered into camp at English Turn, where, March 7th, Major Richard G. Shaw assumed the command. From English Turn the battalion removed to Plaquemine, 160 miles above New Orleans, where Major Shaw became post commander, and Captain Kenyon resumed the immediate command of the battalion. Here it was engaged in putting the fort, which had been commenced by a former garrison, in a state of defence, and in guarding the town by a long line of pickets. This line of pickets extended as far as Indian Village, twelve miles back. Frequent skirmishes occurred between the battalion and the guerrillas under the notorious Captain Scott of Plaquemine Parish. At one time they dashed upon the outposts and captured several men, the cavalry picket, (from the Third Rhode Island Cavalry,) and the infantry picket, composed of three men, from the second battalion of the Fourteenth. The white soldiers were retained as prisoners of war, but the colored soldiers, after they had surrendered, were inhumanly murdered as the enemy retreated through Indian Village. Colonel Viall was appointed by the President Lieutenant-Colonel January 15th, 1864, and it had been intended that the third battalion should follow the first and second in February. For that purpose the United States transport Daniel Webster was sent to Dutch Island to convey it to New Orleans; but simultaneously with its arrival, February 24th, the smallpox broke out among the troops, and they were detained until April 3d, when Lieutenant-Colonel Viall, with the battalion, sailed in the transport America for New Orleans, which place it reached on the 15th, and was ordered to Camp Parapet. Here Lieutenant-Colonel Viall assumed command of the post, and the immediate command of the battalion devolved on Captain Samuel Farnham. Immediately after encamping at Fort Parapet, fatigue parties were organized to work on the fortifications, and for the next two months the battalion furnished details for the swamp and slashing on the right. In March, while the first battalion was still at Fort Esperanza, companies A, C and D were under arrest for refusing to accept the pay at that time offered by the government to colored soldiers, viz.: ten dollars per month, three dollars of which might be in clothing. Enlisting as they did with the understanding that their pay was to be the same as that of white troops, it is not surprising that they manifested indignation and became technically insubordinate. In view of all the facts, their case warranted charitable judgment. The ringleaders in the trouble were tried by general court martial and sent to Fort Jefferson, Florida. During the month of April the battalion, company A excepted, remained at Fort Esperanza. On the 16th of the month this company, under Captain Thomas W. Fry, moved to Aransas Pass. The whole regiment being now in the Department of the Gulf, its designation was changed by general order April 19th to the Eleventh U. S. Heavy Artillery (Colored). On the 19th of May Major Comstock received orders to evacuate Fort Esperanza, first destroying what he could not bring away, and return to New Orleans. He accordingly dismantled the works, shipped the heavy ordnance, and embarking his men on board the transport steamer Clinton, reached New Orleans May 23d. The next day he reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Viall at Fort Parapet, where the first and third battalions were consolidated. At Parapet Lieutenant-Colonel Viall, with the aid of sympathetic friends, established a school for the men under his command, which was placed in charge of Lieutenant Martin S. Smith and Quartermaster Sergeant Hamblin, a colored man who had passed a successful examination before a military board sitting at Morganza for the position of second lieutenant. The men showed a great desire to learn and zealously improved the opportunity. June 30th Lieutenant-Colonel Viall was placed in immediate command of the fortifications on both sides of the river. This field work had been commenced by the Confederates early in the rebellion, a tax of two millions of dollars having been levied upon the principal merchants of New Orleans for the defences of the city. The first installment was paid and expended upon the parapet running from the Mississippi River to the marshes of Lake Pontchartrain. It was abandoned on the occupation of New Orleans by General Butler, and the gun carriages and magazines were destroyed by fire. In this condition Lieutenant-Colonel Viall found the works when assigned to the command of them. The magazines were rebuilt and thirty heavy guns were mounted by his regiment. The line of works was over two miles in length and required constant labor to keep it in repair. Before the first battalion arrived at Camp Parapet, Company I of the third battalion had been detached for duty on the Jackson and New Orleans Railroad. July 3d General T. W. Sherman ordered the first battalion to Fort Jackson below New Orleans to do garrison duty, and the regiment remained thus divided until mustered out of service. Early in January, 1865, the Allotment Commissioner, Major Amsbury, visited the second battalion at Plaquemine and paid up the troops to August 1st, preceding the first payment received by the men since their enlistment. In August, the second battalion was visited at Plaquemine by the Inspector-General of the Department of New Orleans, who reported to General Banks as follows: “I landed in camp about noon, and no one knew of my coming. The call was sounded, and notice sent to turn out for inspection. In five minutes lines were formed in their streets. I found every man fit for duty (not on guard or picket) at inspection; also all of the officers. From this they marched up to the guns in double-quick time, and every man knew his place.” August 16th, General banks addressed a complimentary letter to Major Shaw, commending the officers and men of his command for the good preservation of their arms, their excellent discipline and prompt execution of order. 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 that date upwards of 300 men had died of disease. From this time until the following October little occurred requiring notice. The war had closed and the further services of the regiment being unnecessary, it was mustered out at New Orleans October 2d, 1865. On the 7th it embarked on the steamship North Star for New York where it arrived October 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 witnessed by the citizens of New York since the commencement of the return of soldiers from the war. Leaving New York in the propeller Doris, the regiment reached Portsmouth Grove October 18th and was received with a national salute fired by the Newport Artillery. On October 21st the regiment visited Providence. After a parade and reception at City Hall the men returned to Portsmouth Grove and soon after were discharged and returned to their homes, having by their conduct as soldiers honored the State whose name they bore upon their regimental colors. 1. Rhode Island Adjutant General, Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island, for the Year 1865, vol. 1 (Providence: Providence Press Company, Printers to the State, 1866), 625–630, https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009833077. Photo credit: 2Source Soldier Guarding Heavy Artillery – 14th RI. Library of Congress. City Point, Virginia. Negro soldier guarding 12-pdr. Napoleon. Model 1857. United States, 1865. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2018670840/ |
