Civil War Soldier Letter George A Spencer 7th R. I. Soldier Art of Fort'64

Very interesting soldier's letter, George A. Spencer, 7th Rhode Island Volunteers, Camp of 7th R. I, Vols, Popular Grove Church, Va 2.5 pages with back page being a wonderful example of soldier art done in pencil. Glad you sent the boots, have a tooth ache and not very good natured about it, 50 rebels came into our lines last night, talks of exchanging papers (with rebels) and they get the Richmond paper the same day it is printed, talks more about the fort they are working.

On back page he does a wonderful drawing of what the fort will look line, Spencer fancied himself as an artist as he worked in the family engraving business in Bristol, Rhode Island. Drawing is in pencil but superb, shows cannon, rifle pits, trench feet deep, position of guns and cannon, c. Omes with a color COPY of a hard image showing Spencer in uniform! Two folds but condition is extra fine!

RI; Enlisted on 8/16/1862 as a Private. On 9/15/1862 he mustered into "I" Co. He was Mustered Out on 6/9/1865 (Estimated day of muster in) He was listed as: Missing 12/13/1862 Fredericksburg, VA Other Information: born in Smithfield, RI Member of GAR Post # 145 William A. Streeter in Attleborough, MA died 9/15/1914.

Passed legislation giving the President of the United States. This legislation effectively began the National Cemetery system. Burial in combat zone at Petersburg.

At Petersburg, implementation of this system did not begin until 1866. During the Siege of Petersburg. Soldiers who were killed in battle were hastily buried near where the fighting took place, some in single shallow pits, others in mass graves.

Identification was as simple as a name carved on a wooden headboard, if there was time to leave even that. Most of these soldiers were not given a proper burial, save what their comrades could provide by saying a few words over them. Some units, like the IX Corps. Had small cemeteries near their filled hospitals for soldiers who died while in their care.

Colonel James Moore began his survey of the Petersburg area to locate land for a National Cemetery. Eventually, a farm just south of the city was chosen. This tract of land had been the campground for the 50th New York Volunteer Engineers. During the war they constructed a Gothic Revival. With the cemetery now established, work began to move approximately 5,000 Union soldiers from nearly 100 separate burial sites around Petersburg.

Bodies were moved from nine Virginia counties, reaching as far west as Lynchburg, Virginia. About 100 men comprised the burial corps. With ten army wagons, forty mules, and twelve saddle horses, these men began their search and recovery mission. One observer noted, a hundred men were deployed in a line a yard apart, each examining half a yard of ground on both sides as they proceeded. Thus was swept a space five hundred yards in breadth. In this manner the whole battlefield was to be searched. When a grave was found, the entire line halted until the teams came up and the body was removed. Many graves were marked with stakes, but some were to be discovered only by the disturbed appearance of the ground.

Those bodies which had been buried in trenches were but little decomposed, while those buried singly in boxes, not much was left but bones and dust. Remains were placed in a plain wooden coffin.

If there was a headboard, it was attached to it. The burial corps worked for three years until 1869. In that time they reinterred 6,718 remains, of which only 2,139 bodies were positively identified.

Much the same fate was suffered by the nearly 30,000 Confederate. Dead buried at Blandford Cemetery. Of them, only about 2,000 names are know. Seventh Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. On the 22d day of May, 1862, a general order was issued to enlist and organize the Seventh Regiment R.

Volunteers, to serve during the war. Camp Bliss was established at South Providence for drill and for the formation of soldierly habits, preparatory to the fatigues of the march and the conflict of the field.

Of Providence, having been commissioned Lt. Engaged energetically in the work of enlistment, which, owing to unfavorable circumstances, proceeded slower than in preceding Regiments. By the unwearied diligence of officers and agents the Regiment had nearly reached its maximum number early in September. September 10th it broke camp, and under the command of Col.

Bliss, an accomplished officer, proceeded to Washington, where it arrived on the 12th, having been hospitably entertained on the way, at New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. The trip was made by rail to Groton, Conn. Thence by the steamer " Commonwealth " to New York, and from there by the steamer John H.

Potter, to South Amboy, N. The remainder of the trip was made by rail. When near the Relay House, W. Hopkins was swept from the top of the moving train, by wires, and seriously cut about the head. The Regiment encamped on East Capitol Hill until September 17th, when it moved across the Potomac to Arlington Heights, and was assigned to the command of General Gabriel Paul, of the Second Brigade, Casey's Division. Here drills for field service occupied the time until September 29th, when the Regiment proceeded by way of Frederick City, Md. To Sandy Hook, near Harper's Ferry, and encamped at the foot of the main elevation of Maryland Heights, and was there visited by General Burnside. The first deaths two members of Co. A occurred while at this camp. October 27th, the Regiment broke camp, and marching to Berlin on the Potomac, crossed the river on a pontoon bridge and started on the Fredericksburg Campaign, passing through Lovetsville, Amissville and Warenton Junction, enjoying a variety of new experiences, and arriving November 20th at its position before Fredericksburg, and took a creditable part in the hard fought battle of December 13th.

Throughout that sanguinary day the Regiment exhibited the most unflinching bravery, and after spending all its ammunition besides that procured from other Regiments and from the dead and wounded, remained on the field with fixed bayonets until ordered off at 7.30 P. In this battle the Regiment suffered severely, 31 of its number being killed and 122 wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Sayles was instantly killed by the fragment of a shell, and Major Jacob Babbitt was mortally wounded. Remington and Lewis Leavens, Lieutenants George A.

Kenyon, and Sergeant Major Joseph S. Bliss had several narrow escapes. The remains of Lieutenant-Colonel Sayles were brought to Providence, and after lying in state in Representatives Hall, under a spacious marquee formed of mourning drapery, were entombed December 20th in Grace Church Cemetery, with masonic and state military honors. The deceased was fifty years of age when he fell.

He was a native of Bellingham, Mass. And possessed uncommon executive ability.

He was for eight years postmaster in Providence, was one of the founders of; and for several years chief editor of the Providence Post, and had long been a conspicuous leader of the Democratic party in Rhode Island. The remains of Major Babbitt were conveyed to his home in Bristol, R. Where January 1,1863, they were buried with military honors. Major Babbitt was a prominent citizen of Bristol, and at the time he entered the service was president of the Commercial Bank in that town.

After the battle of Fredericksburg, the Regiment remained at its old camp near FaImouth, suffering much from sickness and death until February 9, 1863, when with its corps it proceeded to Newport News and camped a mile above the landing. Here it received a donation of vegetables and about three hundred boxes of personal comforts brought by the schooner " Elizabeth and Helen " as tokens of affectionate remembrance from home. Here, too, its health and discipline were materially improved.

From Newport News the Regiment proceeded to Kentucky with the Ninth Army Corps under Genera Burnside, who had been assigned to the Department of the Ohio. March 25th, the Regiment prepared to march, but encountering the paymaster, the men enjoyed their first army pay day, and then took the steamer "Swan" to Baltimore, and going via Harrisburg, Pittsburg and Cincinnati, it reached Lexington by rail, March 31st, and at different dates until the 1st of June, 1863, was at Winchester, Richmond, Paint Lick, Lancaster and Crab Orchard. From Kentucky it proceeded to join the Army of the Tennessee in front of Vicksburg, Miss. It embarked at Cincinnati on steamboats, and disembarked at Sherman's Landing. On the 15th of June it made an effort to join General Grant's army, in the rear of Vicksburg, but before accomplishing that design, was ordered to Snyder's Bluff, on the Yazoo river, to assist in defending Grant from an attack by Johnston.

On the surrender of Vicksburg, the Regiment was joined with other troops in pursuit of retreating Johnston. July 10th, in crossing the plantations of Jeff and Joe Davis, part of the contents of the former's library, which had been secreted, was discovered, and much of the private correspondence seized as a trophy of war. July 11th, aided by the Sixth New Hampshire Volunteers, it destroyed about five hundred yards of the Mobile and Ohio Railway and also cut and burned the telegraph.

July 12th, Jackson was reached, and here the Regiment was ordered to the support of the Second Brigade, then engaged on the skirmish line. On the morning of the 13th it relieved the 35th Mass. Regiment, then skirmished the entire day with the Rebels, losing Adj.

Fuller Dingley, who were captured, Sgt. G, killed, and nine men wounded. Relieved the Regiment on the morning of the 14th, and on the night of the 16th the Confederates evacuated the city. In this affair which really assumed the proportions of a battle, officers and men behaved with great gallantry.

Job Arnold, a superior officer, joined the Regiment in the west, and shared its fatigues and dangers until forced from the service by sickness. July 20th the Regiment left Jackson, and on the 23d arrived at the old camp at Milldale, where the campaign of the Mississippi ended. The return march to Milldale, a distance of about sixty miles, was accomplished in about eighty hours. From July 4th to the 24th, it made long and fatiguing marches, was often under arms in the night, and suffered much for want of shoes, clothing, and full rations.

August 8th, the Brigade embarked on steamboats for Cairo, and soon ran aground in the Yazoo river. In attempting to get off, the boat containing the Seventh Rhode Island broke her rudder and was detained until the afternoon of the 10th. Many of the men were taken sick with Yazoo fever, and during the trip up the Mississippi, three died and were buried on shore. August 20th, the troops arrived at Cincinnati and proceeded to Nicholasville, Ky. The campaign in Mississippi, honorable alike to officers and men, was severe in its effects upon the Regiment.

Including the two killed at Jackson, there was a loss of thirty-five by death to October 1st, besides many subsequently discharged or transferred to the Invalid Corps. On the 7th of September, the Regiment was ordered to join the army of General Burnside in Tennessee, but on representation of its condition it was sent to Lexington, Ky. By steadiness in battle, cheerful endurance of long marches and scanty fare, and fidelity in the discharge of every duty assigned it, the 7th Rhode Island has shown that the praise awarded by its Commander, was merited.

After a very enjoyable stay of ten weeks, in a delightful region that the ravages of war had not perceptibly touched, the Regiment was ordered to Southern Kentucky, and from December 24th to January 5th, 1864, marched via " Camp Nelson, " " Camp Dick Robinson, " Dix River Bridge, Hall's Gap and Somerset, to Point Burnside on the Cumberland river, where they were engaged in guarding lines of communication and in building roads until March 27th, when the Regiment joined the Ninth Army Corps on its journey back to Virginia. April 2d, the Regiment commenced a railroad journey, proceeding by the way of Cincinnati and arriving on the 6th at Baltimore, thence by propeller "James Jerome" to Annapolis, where it went into camp, and on the 12th participated in the 9th Corps review by Generals Grant and Burnside. It left Annapolis for Alexandria, Va.

April 23d, and at Washington on the 25th passed in review before President Lincoln and General Burnside, who were standing on the balcony at Willard's Hotel. April 27th it left the encampment on Arlington Heights, marched to Fairfax Court House, and April 28th crossed Bull Run creek at Blackburn's ford and camped four miles beyond Manassas Junction, reaching Bristoe Station April 29th and remaining in camp there until May 4th, when the Regiment proceeded to the front at Warrenton Junction. On the 5th it, was detached from its Brigade to guard trains, but rejoined it in time to share in the bloody struggles around Spottsylvania Court House. On the 10th, it lost one man wounded.

On the 12th, it occupied and held a position from which two large Regiments had been driven. In a skirmish on the 13th, Lt. On the 18th, the Regiment held a position in front of the Union lines for six hours, exposed to a raking fire from a battery in close proximity. During six days it lost 62 in killed and wounded. All the way to Petersburg, from May 19th to June 16th, hard marching and hard fighting were its daily experience. It may be mentioned here that on June 2d, at Cold Harbor, James W. K, accomplished the surprising feat of capturing and delivering to Hd. Two well-armed confederates of the 7th Tenn. Though a Brigade staff officer endeavored to cheat him out of the capture. General Burnside personally complimented him, but he rejected all tenders of promotion. June 3d, at Bethesda Church, the Regiment lost 48 men, (6 killed and 42 wounded), out of about 150 in line that morning. June 14th, the Regiment crossed the Chickahominy river; on the 15th, the James river, by. A pontoon bridge at Harrison's Landing, and after marching all night arrived the next day at Petersburg, and while there its decimated ranks were replenished by the re-enlisted veterans and the recruits of the 4th Rhode Island, which Oct. 21st became consolidated with it.

From the opening of the campaign to May 18th, Capt. Theodore Winn commanded the Regiment; from May 18th to June 15th, Capt. Percy Daniels was in command; from June 15th to June 17th, Capt. Channell was in command, and then Capt. Daniels again assumed command and June 29th was commissioned Lt.

Until July 2d, the Regiment, moving nearly every day, was engaged in picket duty, in digging pits and in skirmishing, and on that date. By official orders, was relieved from the Brigade and assigned to duty as engineers of the Division. It was camped in a point of woods on the farm and near the residence of Mr. Taylor, adjacent to which Fort Morton was immediately constructed. On the 4th, it commenced work on the permanent entrenchments, and this, with the construction of facines and gabions, constituted its employment while at this camp until the morning of July 30th, when the confederate battery at Elliott's Salient, on the adjoining farm of Mr.

Griffith, was blown up by being mined and fired by a Regiment of the Brigade. After the explosion of the mine before Petersburg, July 30th, Lt. Percy Daniels was made Bvt.

For gallantry and general good conduct. In this battle he received three bullets through his clothes and on several occasions was touched by rebel lead though never wounded. August 19th, the Regiment moved to a position near the Weldon railroad, again going to work on fortifications, and until the 25th of September was employed in building roads, forts, bridges and breast works. On the morning of the 30th, marching to the left, it crossed the Weldon railroad and halted during the engagement of the forenoon. Here the 5th Corps, supported by the 9th Corps, encountered the Confederates on the Peeble's Farm beyond Poplar Spring Church. The 7th was then sent to the left with tools to cut a road, but finding the ground upon which it was to work held by the enemy's pickets, dropped their tools and deploying with the 48th Penn. Meantime the works on the right had been carried, and the road was no longer needed. They were then ordered to take position in the rear of the Division, which had crossed the line of works just taken near Peeble's House. They found the Division a mile to the right and front, and halted in a corn field in front of the Pegram House, a little to the rear of the place where the Division was then engaged. A little later a heavy force of the enemy charged the Union line, and one of the new Regiments breaking, the enemy crowded into the gap, flanking the Regiments to the right and left, and capturing several hundred prisoners, started the line back in some confusion. The 7th was then called upon, and forming in the corn field checked the advance of the rebels, thereby preventing the capture of Jacob Romer's New York Battery, and saving the day.

The Regiment, faced by ten times its own number, was forced slowly back a short distance, but forming behind the fences around the Pegram House, again checked the enemy, while General Potter re-formed the line on its right and left. The rebels, foiled in their attempt to break the Federal line and recover the lost works, withdrew, leaving only a skirmish line which was driven back.

In the affair of September 30th, Lieutenant Samuel McElroy was mortally wounded, Gilbert Durfee of Co. K, were killed, and Corp. E, and four privates were wounded. Colonel Daniels' horse was shot under him here. A heavy line of works with forts was constructed, and on October 8th, while Colonel Daniels was in front superintending slashing timber between the lines, his horse was again shot from under him.

October 13th, Regimental camp was moved a little to the rear where Fort Fisher was staked out and commenced. Occasionally squads of deserters came into -the line, and on November 8th the men enjoyed an army presidental election. From this time until the 20th, it experienced much stormy weather.

On the 24th, the Regiment celebrated an army Thanksgiving day. Besides the seven cases containing ninety cooked turkeys, with fixings, sent by Rhode Island friends, they received numerous donations of dainties from other sources. On the 29th, much to the regret of the men, orders were received to change places with the second corps on the right, near the Appomattox river, and the 7th was assigned with the 35th Mass. To the duty of completing and garrisoning the famous " Fort Hell " on the Jerusalem plank road.

The charge was made on the next day, and the 7th was assigned to bomb proofs vacated by the 86th and 73d New York Infantry of General De Trobriand's Brigade. On the following day while the men were earnestly investigating the vicinity, the mortar battery opened fire and they soon learned the fitness of the name "Fort Hell, " officially known as Fort Sedgwick, a heavy, unfinished, irregular earthwork, thrown up during the summer months by night working parties, on the farm of Hon. Here the 7th Rhode Island enjoyed the most exciting experiences- the Confederate pickets were sufficiently near to carry on conversation in an ordinary tone of voice; shotted salutes for several of General Sherman's victories, including the captures of Columbia, Charleston and Wilmington, and frequent bombarding on general principles, picket firing, trading, the welcoming of Confederate deserters, the execution of deserting " bounty jumpers " from the Union Army and the receiving of Confederate commissioners under flags of truce, served to make the days at this point full of sensations and dangers.

March 25th, the enemy surprised and captured Fort Steadman, just before dawn, and the garrison witnessed the assault by which it was retaken. During the latter half of the four months the Regiment was in garrison in Fort Sedgwick, beside the regular picket and breast work guard duty, they stood at the breast works the latter part of every night. In addition to this extra duty the Regiment participated in several expeditions toward Ream's Station, and the men were anxious for the spring campaign to open, preferring field service to underground life in the bomb proofs and trenches.

Sheridan's victory at Five Forks on April 1st, made Lee's position untenable unless Sheridan could be driven back, and both to prevent the re-enforcing of the troops on Sheridan's front, and to break the weakened line on Meade's, General Grant at once ordered an assault on the defences of Petersburg and Richmond, and the bombardment on the night of April 1st was as grand and terrific as any during the War. Several regiments remained in forts they garrisoned during the assault, to hold that line in case of disaster to the assaulting columns, and among them was the 7th, but the Regiment was under fire from the time the bombardment began till the battle was over on the night of the 2d. The Regiment opened the lines of abattis for the division to pass through in forming, carried ammunition, entrenching tools and rations to them after they had obtained a lodgment in the enemy's: works, and lost 3 officers and 11 enlisted men wounded.

Bolles, both esteemed officers, were mortal. General Potter, the division commander, was seriously wounded at his station in the fort in the early part of the day.

During the pursuits of the remnants of the army of Northern Virginia, the Regiment was with the Ninth Corps, and after the surrender of Lee, encamped for a short time about four miles from Farmsville, as patrols while the paroled army was going home. The corps was then ordered to Washington, and the Regiment reached Alexandria, April 28th, and encamped on the heights near Fort Lyon on the farm of Peyton Ballenger.

While at this camp, it participated in the grand review at Washington, May 23d, and was mustered out of service at Alexandria, Va. On the 9th of June following. By General Orders the names of the following battles in which the Regiment had borne a meritorious part were directed to be inscribed on its colors: Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Siege of Vicksburg, Petersburg, Jackson, Weldon Railroad, Spottsylvania, Poplar Spring Church, North Anna, Hatcher's Run.

The Regiment immediately set out for Providence, where it arrived in the steamer "Oceanus" from New York, Tuesday morning, June 13th, accompanied by the 35th Mass. They were received with a salute fired by the Marine Artillery, and escorted by the Pawtucket Light Guard Battalion Col. Horace Daniels marched through several of the principal streets, which were lined by thousands of people, to the City Hall, the American Brass Band leading the column. Here an ample collation had been provided by L. Humphrey, under the direction of Capt. Crandall, Assistant Commissary General, Upon taking their places at the table, Adjutant General Edward C. Mauran introduced Abraham Paine, Esq. Who made a brief and hearty address of welcome to the Regiment, and to the stranger guests who had been invited by Governor Smith to partake of the State's hospitality.

In marching by the residence of General Burnside, the men cheered their old and beloved commander in the most enthusiastic manner, which touching demonstration of affection he gracefully acknowledged. Daniels issued a spirited farewell order, and the Seventh Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers, with its record of gallant deeds, passed into history. There still remained in the field, Co's B, D, and G of the re-enlisted veterans of the Fourth Rhode Island, and the recruits belonging to the Seventh, whose term of service had not expired. These, by special order of the War Department, were formed into a battalion of three companies to be known as Battalion Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers.

This organization was continued until July 13, 1865, when it was mustered out of service near Alexandria, Va. Bowen with Adjutant George B. The other commissioned officers were Capt. The battalion reached Providence at 3 o'clock Wednesday morning, July 17th, and was refreshed with a bountiful breakfast prepared under the direction of Capt.

An intended public parade was prevented by the storm. Source: The Union Army, vol. Bliss, Seventh Rhode Island Infantry, including operations since June 4.

I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of the Seventh Regiment since leaving Kentucky: The regiment left Crab Orchard June 4; arrived at Nicholasville June 5, and proceeded by railroad to Cairo, Ill. And thence by steamboat to Sherman's Landing, near Young's Point. July 4, started on the expedition to Jackson.

July 5, arrived at the Big Black. The river at this point was deep and rapid, and was much swollen by the rain which fell during the evening. The temporary bridge was accidentally destroyed in crossing our artillery, and this brigade crossed during the night on a small raft, capable of taking but 6 men at a time. We arrived near Jackson July 10. On the 11th, I was ordered, in command of the Sixth New Hampshire and Seventh Rhode Island, to proceed to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and destroy as much of it as possible.

We destroyed about 500 yards of the road, burning the ties and bending rails, rendering them unfit for use. The telegraph was also cut and the wire burned.

We worked till dark without interruption, though the enemy showed themselves in small parties several times in our front. On the 12th, we were ordered to the front, and this regiment was doing duty during the day and night as a support to the Thirty-fifth Massachusetts on picket.

At daylight on the 13th, the Seventh relieved the Thirty-fifth, and we took posts as pickets in their stead. The fire during the day was severe; the enemy kept up an almost continuous fire of musketry from their intrenchments, and our position was frequently raked by grapeshot and shell from their batteries opposed to us. The enemy made a sortie from their works, and attempted to drive our line from the position we held, but were gallantly repulsed, with a large number killed and wounded. A company was called to re-enforce a part of the line occupied by the Seventh. Sullivan, regimental adjutant, and Lieut. [Fuller] Dingley, with a company of the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts.

They posted the company as directed, and started to return to headquarters. They probably lost their way in the darkness, and walked into the enemy's lines and were captured. We learned from rebel prisoners that two lieutenants were taken prisoners opposite our position in the line, and sent immediately to Richmond. The regiment was relieved on the morning of the 14th. During the night of the 16th, Jackson was evacuated, and we were not again on duty there.

Our position during the siege was the left of the Federal lines. The corps left Jackson July 20, and arrived at present camp July 24.

The conduct of the regiment during the expedition has been praiseworthy, and credit is due them for their gallantry in repelling the sortie of the enemy and for the soldierlike manner in which they have submitted to the many privations and fatigues they have been obliged to undergo. Several nights in succession they were turned out, and remained in readiness to repel the attacks of the enemy. They have suffered severely from the intense heat and debilitating effects of the climate. Some of the marches were long, with but little water, and many of the men were barefooted and without proper clothing, and at times all were or half rations. The loss on the 13th was 1 first sergeant and 1 private killed, 10 privates wounded, and 2 lieutenants prisoners. I have the honor to inclose herewith orders from the commander-in-chief, commander of the expedition, and commander of the Ninth Army Corps. Commanding Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers. Source: Official Records PAGE 570-37 MISSISSIPPI, WEST TENNESSEE, ETC.

Percy Daniels, Seventh Rhode Island Infantry, First Brigade. I have the honor of making the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the present campaign in Virginia, from its commencement to date: With the corps (Ninth) we moved from Bristoe, Va. May 4, toward the Rappahannock. The next day we were detached from the brigade to guard trains, but rejoined it in time to share in the bloody struggles around Spotsylvania Court-House.

There, on the 10th of May, we formed part of the supporting line, and were exposed to a light fire, with no chance of returning it. The night of the 10th, and on the 11th, we picketed on the left of our lines, and in the actions of the 12th and 18th we took a prominent part and lost the actions of the 12th occupied and held a position from which two large regiments had already been driven, and on the 18th held a position in front of our lines for six hours, exposed to a raking fire from a battery not 10 rods distant, and great credit is due the officers and men for their gallantry in undauntingly facing that storm of shot and shell until the position was covered by the construction of pits in our rear.

Darkness had hardly put an end to the carnage on the 12th before we were throwing up entrenchments, and, by working all night with bayonets, cups, wooden shovels, and a few entrenching tools, morning found us behind friendly works, which we occupied, continually skirmishing and strengthening our position, until we left them to participate in the engagement of the 18th. We lost in these struggles 62-13 killed and 49 wounded-nearly all in the battles of the 12th and 18th.

On the morning of the 19th that part of our line (the right) was evacuated, and this (First) brigade started at 1 a. And moved southerly 3 miles. Formed new lines, again fortified, and occupied our works undisturbed until the afternoon of the 21st, when, with the brigade, we moved another 3 miles still to the south, and took position in front of the enemy's works on the Po River, to cover the forks in the roads and the passing of our columns during the night. When we first took the position the enemy tried to shell us out, but the thick woods protected us.

They opened again the next morning, just after we had left to bring North Anna. The Second Corps had already got a foothold on the south bank, and, on the 24th, our brigade crossed under a heavy fire of artillery from batteries up the river, and took position on the front line and on the right, and that night build more entrenchments; and until the night of the 26th we occupied those lines, busy strengthening the works and continually skirmishing, while a large force was pushing toward the Pamunkey, and where, from the north bank of the North Anna, we saw the sky crimsoned with the flames form the bridge we had just recrossed, and its carpet of pine boughs that hushed the usual noise of moving columns and the heavy step of feet. Federal artillery covered the crossing of the Pamunkey at Hanover City, and by marching thirty-one hours out of thirty-six we crossed there at midnight of the 28th. The forenoon of the 29th we moved 3 miles and found the enemy and commenced fortifying, but were soon after relieved, and rested during the afternoon.

The 30th we supported the skirmish line, which drove the enemy about a mile, and that night build a line of entrenchments twice our regimental front. The next day the Second Brigade took the advance and drove the enemy about half a mile, but their line being too short to cover their ground, the Fifty-eighth Massachusetts and Seventh joined them, and that night built another line of pits, which we held with heavy skirmishing until June 2, when another swing to the left was made, and that part of the line consequently abandoned. We moved 3 or 4 miles, closely followed by the enemy, and about 3 p. Stacked arms, the whole of the corps together, in an open field near Bethesda Church.

We wee none too soon. The rear guard had hardly got in before the heavy columns of Ewell's corps suddenly and in mass were hurled on our flank; but the echo of the first gun of the pickets had hardly died away before three lines of battle were confronting the foe, and our batteries were adding their roar to the din of battle, and the enemy advanced on our lines only to be mown down and driven back.

Every attempt was foiled, and at dark, having lost very heavily, they were glad to give up the contest. This (First) brigade of Gen. Potter's division, being in the third line, took no active part in that afternoon's works, but our time came the next morning, when at daybreak the brigade formed line for an assault on the enemy, who were intrenched in two lines just back of the battle-field of the day before, their first line on the edge of a deep swamp that was covered by a thicket of brush and sprouts, and the second on a ridge beyond. All day, like the swelling and ebbing of the voice of the winds, the noise of battle now rose to a hurricane and now sank to a whisper, but at dark we were as well protected as our foe, and our bullets had made them shy and their fire inaccurate. That night they evacuated, leaving some of their wounded on the field, and many of their dead unburied; ;and the next day we moved near Cold Harbor, where we build two lines of works, and were skirmishing most of the time until the 12th, when that position was evacuated. Source: Official Records PAGE 931-67 OPERATIONS IN SE. Percy Daniels, Seventh Rhode Island Infantry, of operations June 12-July 30.

By very severe marching we crossed the Chickahominy the 14th [June] and the James on the 15th, and in the afternoon of the 16th formed line and dug pits in front of the enemy's works around Petersburg. On our right their first lines had already been carried, and the next morning before daybreak part of our brigade drove them from the works in our immediate front. In the fighting of the 17th we were lightly engaged, part of the forenoon occupying a captured battery or fort on our extreme left, and as the enemy occupied the next battery and completely on our flank, and had sharpshooters nearly in our rear, it was rather a trying position. During the afternoon we formed part of the supporting line, and the First and Third Divisions of the Ninth Corps again drove the enemy, and at night he fell back still farther, and on the 18th was driven into his last line of works, which he still occupies. At this part of the line we have thrown up works within about 100 yards of his position, each brigade occupying a place on the advance line two days out of four.

To-day we mustered in the pits, and the places of nearly two-thirds of our fighting force two months ago were vacant. Both officers and men that crossed the Rapidan with us, through the hardships and carnage of this long campaign, have nobly faced exposure, privation, and death at every call of duty, and deserve great credit, with one or two lamentable exceptions among the officers now absent, and four or five among the men. The former, though they may be good soldiers in time of peace, though far from the trying scenes of a soldier's life, they may do their duty well, so long as our dreams are so frequently molded by the roar of artillery, so long as battle-fields, where a soldier is stamped as such or branded as an impostor, come so often, will probably deprive us of their assistance. Fear not for them though the rebels expect them. Life is too precious to shorten its.

Of those officers that are with the regiment now, all have worked nobly, and some of those now absent deserve our thanks for their services while here. S Potter and Allen both deserve praise for the part they took while with us, and Lieut.

Peckham, on brigade staff, deserves much credit for his share in the work. Brave and determined, he has won the confidence of all.

His conduct on the 2d of June, when, alone and with a small pistol, he captured three armed rebels, deserves special motion. Concerning the four or five exceptions among the enlisted men, orders were written at the time to shame and disgrace them before the regiment, but before opportunity offered to publish the orders, and which is a lamentable fact, by the bullets of the enemy the blood of each offender washed away the stain of his error.

The places of two-thirds of our fighting force of two months ago are vacant. Where are our missing companions? Look on the bloodstained hills, in the desolate valleys, and among the battle-scarred forests from the Rapidan to the Appomattox, and you can see where many of them sleep, and though their places are vacant their names are sacred and encircled with a halo of glory. Better, had better, the fate of either than to be worthy the curses of sire or son, or merit the scorn of mother or sister. Hard indeed has been the work and terrible the carnage of the past two months, and not soon shall we forget the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 18th of May, when we shared in the hard struggle around Spotsylvania, nor the fighting of the 24th, 25th, and 26th across the North Anna.

The skirmishers of the 30th and 31st of may and 1st and 2d of June at Totopotomoy Creek will, too, be remembered, and the bloody charge of the 3d of June, when nearly one-third of the regiment went down, will never be forgotten. The work of the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th of June, at Cold Harbor, will, too, claim their place in memory, and the continued work of the past two weeks here will make a deep mark on the records of the brain.

Our hard marches also, which have not been few, have left their impression, as well as the many nights we have used the shovel and pick in the trenches and pits. But through all the Seventh has shown a gallantry, coolness, fidelity, and perseverance worthy her native State, and we hope no Rhode Islander can look on our record with any but the feelings of pride, though his joy must be tinged with sadness for the fallen brave. They have added much to the bright laurels won in previous campaigns, and nobly earned a soldier's brightest reward-the approbation of his superiors. Our decimated ranks tell of the hard work we have done. You would hardly recognize our short line of to-day as all that is left of the 900 that left Rhode Island with us less than two years ago; but though the chances of war have called us to weep over the graves of so many noble comrades, those that remain are true as steel, as has been proven on many a hard-fought field. May the future be as free from dishonor as the past. For the sake of giving a corrected report I have infringed on the jurisdiction of two other commanders, Capt. Winn, who commanded the regiment from the opening of the campaign to the forenoon of the 18th of May, and Capt.

Channell, who commanded from the 15th of June to the forenoon of the 17th of the same. Inclosed please find a complete list of the killed and wounded in the regiment from the commencement of the campaign to date. In compliance with circular order from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 30th ultimo, according to orders from division headquarters, this regiment followed the division with tools (three per man) to the intrenchments to the left of the ravine and remained in the path just back of our works until the troops were driven back from the crest opposite the enemy's battery up the ravine, then, as there was some confusion, the regiment dropped their tools and took position in the pits, which we occupied until a little after noon, when a brigade commander, who was ordered to relieve the First Brigade, ordered the regiment back. I then reported to Gen. Potter, and was assigned position between the railroad and ravine which we occupied until Sunday night.

I would also report that though the regiment remained in our pits I participated in the charge that carried the enemy's pits on the immediate left of the ravine. The regiment lost in the action 4 wounded. For all Civil War and paper items.

It depends on to what country. The only exception is musical gear which we offer occasionally.

The following link will show all our listings. We are a member of the Manuscript Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance, and life member of the American Philatelic Society. The item "Civil War Soldier Letter George A Spencer 7th R. Soldier Art of Fort'64" is in sale since Tuesday, December 15, 2015. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Correspondence, Mail".

The seller is "antebellumcovers" and is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America, to all countries in Europe, to all countries in continental Asia, to Australia.

civil war letter: civil war soldier letter
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soldier art: drawing of military fort