Still among the living

I am very much still among the living, having completed a busy round of lectures ranging from the Doughboys in World War I to Battery G- been a busy time, including finishing the work previously wrote about. Now I am returning my attention to the 7th RI with a bit of a large project, involving raw data and what actually happened to the men- transcribing the original descriptive book at the State Archives, quite a task, but one that needs to be done. Here is a brief look from the Field and Staff:

FIELD AND STAFF

Colonel

Bliss, Zenas R. Residence, Johnston. 29. S. Solider. Commissioned Sept. 4, 1862. Mustered in September 6, 1862. Slightly wounded in arm at Fredericksburg, VA, Dec. 13, 1862. Brevet major for gallantry at Fredericksburg, VA, Dec. 13, 1862 and brevet lieutenant colonel for gallantry at the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864. Awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism at Fredericksburg, VA. Ordered on detached service at Wheeling, VA, Nov. 9, 1864, and so borne until June 1865. Mustered out of volunteer service June 28, 1865 and returned to the rank of captain and brevet lieutenant colonel, United States Army, and sent to next duty station at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant Colonels

Sayles, Welcome B. Residence, Providence. 50. M. Printer. Commissioned May 22, 1862. Mustered in September 6, 1862. Killed in action at Fredericksburg, VA, Dec. 13, 1862.
Church, George E. Promoted from Capt. Co. C, Jan. 7, 1863. Commissioned colonel 11th Rhode Island Volunteers. Feb. 11, 1863.

Arnold, Job. Residence, Providence. 35. S. Engraver. Transferred from Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers. Mar. 2, 1863. Mustered in Mar. 3. Discharged for disability May 28, 1864. Died of malaria contracted in the service at Providence, RI, Dec. 28, 1869.

Daniels, Percy. Promoted from Capt. Co. E, June 29, 1864. In command of regiment from May 18, 1864, until its muster out. Brevet colonel to date from July 30, 1864. Mustered out June 9, 1865.

Majors

Babbitt, Jacob. Residence, Bristol. 53. M. Banker. Commissioned Sept. 4, 1862. Mustered in September 6, 1862. Mortally wounded in action, shot in chest, at Fredericksburg, VA, Dec. 13, 1862. Died of wounds at Alexandria, VA, Dec. 23, 1862.

Tobey, Thomas F. Promoted from captain Co. E, Jan. 7, 1863. Discharged for disability Feb. 9, 1864.

Jenks, Ethan Amos. Promoted from captain Co. I, June 29, 1864. Never mustered in as such but acting as major until June 9, 1865, when mustered out.

Adjutants

Page, Charles F. Transferred from Co. C, Sept. 6, 1862. Mustered in September 6, 1862. Wounded in action, shot in head and lost left eye, at Fredericksburg, VA, Dec. 13, 1862. Discharged for disability Feb. 23, 1863.

Sullivan, John. Promoted from second lieutenant Co. E, Mar. 1, 1863. Captured at Jackson, MS July 13, 1863. Paroled at James River, VA, Feb. 22, 1865. Borne as absent with leave of thirty days by order dated Feb. 26. Mustered out June 9, 1865.

Spooner, Henry J. Residence, Providence. 23. S. Lawyer. Commissioned Oct. 15, 1862. Transferred from 4th RI Vols. Oct. 5, 1864. Mustered out April 15, 1865.

Furlough

Pards,

As of now I am going on a month furlough, perhaps a little more. As I say, life just gets in the way sometime in this line of work. As of now, I have two books, a master's thesis, and a journal article that need completing by March, in addition to starting a new academic program at Providence College. Besides this, my continual and never ending quest for a job continues, it is turning into as much a struggle as the Overland Campaign was for the Seventh Rhode Island. I am presenting in January and Febuary at a few local historical societies, Jan. 20 in Cranston, Jan. 26 in Pascoag, and Jan. 30 in North Kingstown, so be sure and come hear the usual jolly banter. So I will be back in a bit, torn perhaps in body, but not in spirit.

What a year

Well this is the last posting of the year and my 250th overall. As for 2009 it came and went like a flash in the pan and all I can look back at it and say is wow. Traveled far and wide, finally saw my Battery G book in print, conducted some deep and interesting research, and thought deeply. As 2010 comes I look forward to several more articles in print, including one in January on the epic march to Gettysburg, the long overdue Providence Marine Corps of Artillery book, and my earnest and only wish of finding a full time job in the field of history. Well off to the mountains for a festive time. From all of us here in Hopkins Hollow, the very best of holidays to all.

From George

On my current George Gaskell project, I just cannot help but take deep note of the magnificent writing this soldier left behind, he knew how to transfer his thoughts to paper. Here is an example of one of George's poems, thinking of a voyage he took to Africa in 1859-1861.

Memories

There’s many a palm-tree grove and valley fair,
Blooming beneath the fairest of all skies:
There’s many a blossom perfuming the air,
Beauty and fragrance in each petal vies:
Birds, whose bright wings, all Iris’ colors bear,
And fruits delicious glad my teeming eyes;
While through the evening mellowing low but clear,
Songs and light tones of laughter greet my ear.

There’s other evenings, when the clove-tree shade
Seemed to imperfect; for each twinkler’s gaze
Fell on the features of a dusky maid,
Close by my side in that too blissful maze,
And as my fingers’ mid her tresses played,
Were whispered words whose magic but decays
With the quick soul whose overflow gives birth
To this approach to heaven- the nearest from our earth.

Past days in Africa- when each glowing hour
Seemed of itself one long, glad day of joy;
When the breast teeming with its tropic power,
Found pleasures real, and without alloy-
Dearest are ye of memory’s varied dower.

While some may sadden, time can never cloy,
But brigs a sweetness- each remembrance blest-
Of days congenial in the happy East.
Harrison’s Landing, Va.
G.L.G.

An Unidentified Rhode Island Boy

Going through my images, I found this unidentified member of the Independent Company of Rhode Island Hospital Guards. Raised from disabled Rhode Island soldiers in 1862, who were unfit for further service, these men garrisoned and policed the hospital at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, making sure none deserted, while also boasting the defenses of Narragansett Bay. This soldier was one of those men, but does not have a name.

Benjamin Eddy Kelley

Second Lieutenant Benjamin Eddy Kelley was 18 when he left the Providence High School in April of 1861 to serve a three month hitch in Company C of the First Rhode Island Detached Militia. He passed through Bull Run and in November of 1861 he reenlisted and became the first first sergeant of Battery G, First Rhode Island Light. Respected by his men, Kelley and Private George Gaskell keptthe Battery records. The only son and surviving child of wealthy parents (his sister and father both died in 1860), Kelley was promoted to second lieutenant and given command of the center section of his battery in November of 1862. Five months later he became the first officer of the First Rhode Island Light Artillery Regiment when a shell struck his leg during the battle of Marye's Heights. Declared mortally wounded by the surgeon's, he died quietly late on the night of May 3, 1863 at Chatham, in Falmouth, VA. Kelley's body was brought back to Providence and interred at Swan Point Cemetery on May 9, 1863. Universally mourned by his fellow soldiers, Kelley was just one of many young men from Rhode Island who did not come back.

Living Descendents

I am currently finishing up my work on George Lee Gaskell who served in both Battery G and the Fourteenth Rhode Island. He did have four children and died in Cincinnati in 1926. If anyone knows any living descendants, I would love to contact them